Usambara mountains to the great plains birding safari
Your Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN ARUSHA
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be met by our driver-guide and transferred to your hotel in Arusha. Depending on arrival time, you can relax at the lodge or explore the hotel garden for a few introductory bird species such as Variable Sunbird, African Paradise Flycatcher, or Bronze Mannikin.
Accommodation: Njiro Climax
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
DAY 2: SOUTH PARE MOUNTAINS VIA KISANGARA ACACIA SCRUB
After an early breakfast, depart Arusha and drive toward Kisangara, birding the dry acacia scrub en route. This region is home to a variety of dryland species such as the Beautiful Sunbird, Nubian Woodpecker, Red-cheeked Cordonbleu, and White-browed Coucal. Continue to the forested slopes of the South Pare Mountains to search for the localized endemic South Pare White-eye, a highland forest specialist. You may also spot Green-backed Honeybird and African Hill Babbler.
Accommodation: Johnson’s Villa.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3: BIRDING IN MKOMAZI NATIONAL PARK
Spend the full day exploring Mkomazi National Park, a semi-arid savannah and thornbush habitat with excellent birding diversity. Key targets include Eastern Black-headed Batis, Yellow-throated Spurfowl, Vulturine Guineafowl, Red-winged Lark, Friedmann’s Lark, Hildebrandt’s Spurfowl, Long-tailed Fiscal, and Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill. Mammals such as giraffe, eland, oryx, and elephants are frequently encountered.
Accommodation: Johnson Villa
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4: KISIWANI ROAD BIRDING & TRANSFER TO WEST USAMBARA (MAGAMBA FOREST)
We will leave early with picnic lunches, making birding stops along the way before arriving in the West Usambara Mountains in time for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy birding along the lower Magamba Forest trail, a biodiversity hotspot rich in Eastern Arc endemics.
Target species include the Red-capped Forest Warbler, the rare and elusive Spot-throat, Red-chested Cuckoo, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Usambara Greenbul, White-chested Alethe, Hartlaub’s Turaco, and many more. The cool montane forest and scenic landscapes provide a refreshing setting for both birding and photography.
Accommodation: Muller’s Mountain Lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5: FULL DAY IN MAGAMBA FOREST WEST USAMBARA MOUNTAINS
Spend the entire day exploring the pristine montane forests of the West Usambaras. These forests are rich in endemic and range-restricted birds. Your targets include Usambara Akalat, Usambara Thrush, Usambara Weaver, Usambara Greenbul, and Forest Batis. Other highlights may include the elusive Spot-throat, Fülleborn’s Boubou, and the stunning Red-faced Crimsonwing. The forests also hold Green Twinspot, Mountain Greenbul, and Bar-throated Apalis.
Accommodation: Muller’s Mountain Lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6: TRANSFER TO AMAN NATURE RESERVE- EAST USAMBARA
After breakfast, drive to the East Usambara Mountains, birding en route through farmlands, forest fragments, and lower elevation habitats. After lunch at Amani, spend the afternoon birding the lowland forests for Usambara Hyliota, Tanzanian Illadopsis, Little Yellow Flycatcher, Chestnut-fronted Helmetshrike, Green Tinkerbird, and Green-headed Oriole. Eastern Nicator, Tiny Greenbul, and Plain-backed Sunbird may also be spotted.
Accommodation: Amani Rest House
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7: BIRDING IN AMANI NATURE RESERVE
Spend your first full day exploring the Amani Nature Reserve, one of East Africa’s most renowned birding locations. Trek along forest trails, ridges, and streams in search of endemic and near-endemic species. Key birds today include Long-billed Forest Warbler, Amani Sunbird, Banded Green Sunbird, Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird, Sharpe’s Akalat, and Fischer’s Turaco. Listen carefully for elusive calls echoing through the dense forest canopy and spot mixed-species flocks moving through mossy undergrowth. Enjoy photography opportunities amid the peaceful surroundings, with sunlight filtering through the tall trees, and spot smaller forest species like African Broadbill and Cabanis’s Greenbul.
Accommodation: Amani Rest House
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8: TRANSFER FROM AMANI REST HOUSE TO ARUSHA WITH BIRDING STOPS
After an early breakfast, leave Johnson Villa for Arusha. Break the journey into multiple birding stops along wetlands, open country, and scattered woodlands, making the long drive comfortable and productive. Target species include Grey-capped Warbler, Black-headed Heron, Yellow-throated Longclaw, African Marsh Harrier, and other open-country birds. Take time to photograph birds in their natural habitats and enjoy the changing landscapes from lowland farms to the savannah foothills approaching Arusha. Arrive in Arusha in the late afternoon or evening, relax at your hotel, and prepare for upcoming park and highland excursions.
Accommodation: Njiro Climax
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9: BIRDING IN ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK
A full day in Arusha National Park, combining lush forest, lakes, and the slopes of Mount Meru. Targets include Kilimanjaro White-eye (endemic), Taveta Golden Weaver, Kenrick’s Starling, Abbott’s Starling, Spot-flanked Barbet, Brown-breasted Barbet, and Sentinel Lark. Mammals such as giraffe, bushbuck, and colobus monkeys add to the day.
Accommodation: Njiro Climax
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10: TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK – BIRDING & GAME VIEWING
Accommodation: Kankari Lodge – Karatu
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11: KARATU TO SERENGETI – BIRDING EN ROUTE
Accommodation: Tukaone Serengeti Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 12: FULL DAY BIRDING IN SERENGETI
Spend a full day birding the Serengeti plains. Endemic species include Grey-breasted Spurfowl and Fischer’s Lovebird. Other Serengeti specialties are Red-throated Tit, Swahili Sparrow, Kenya Sparrow, Hildebrandt’s Starling, and Rufous-tailed Weaver. You’ll also encounter plenty of wildlife including lions, cheetahs, and elephants.
Accommodation: Tukaone Serengeti Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 13: NGORONGORO CRATER – BIRDING & WILDLIFE VIEWING
Accommodation: Kankari Lodge – Karatu
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 14: ENDORO FOREST BIRDING – TRANSFER TO ARUSHA
Morning birding in the beautiful Endoro Forest near Karatu. Key species include Grey-capped Warbler, Brown-headed Apalis, Lemon Dove, Schalow’s Turaco, Green-headed Sunbird, and Grey-olive Greenbul. After birding, drive to Arusha for a relaxing evening.
Accommodation: Njiro Climax
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 15: MERERANI MAASAI STEPPES – DEPARTURE
Final day of birding in the arid Maasai Steppe near Mererani. This dry zone offers a different avifauna, including Black-throated Barbet, Black-capped Social Weaver, Hunter’s Sunbird, Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird, Tsavo Sunbird, Black-bellied Sunbird, Pringle’s Puffback, and Acacia Tit. Afternoon transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for departure.
Accommodation: No Accommodation
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
Includes
- Park Fees(For non-residents)
- All activities mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- Meals (as specified in the day-by-day description)
- All accommodation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional upgrade)
- In Roundtrip airport transfer
- A Professional Birding driver/guide
- All transportation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- All flights during the tour
- All Taxes
- Beverage during the Safari (Local Beer, Wine, Soda, Mineral water)
- 24/7 Service
EXCLUDES
- International flights (from/to the client's home country)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips: tipping guideline of 10.00US$ per person per day for the guide and crew
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees and other personal items)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees