What makes Tanzania a great destination for birding?

Tanzania Birds are a major draw for birding enthusiasts, making it a great destination. With over 1,156 species, including 22 endemics and 43 near-endemics, Tanzania offers a diverse birdlife set against stunning landscapes, cultural richness, and iconic wildlife.

When is the Best Time for a birding safari in Tanzania?

The best time for a Tanzania Birding Safari is during the green season, from November to April. This period is ideal as it coincides with the arrival of migratory birds from Europe and North Africa, and local birds are in their breeding plumage.

What are the accommodation options during a birding safari?

During a birding safari, accommodation options range from luxury lodges to budget-friendly campsites. Most Tanzania Safari Packages offer a choice of staying in well-equipped, comfortable lodges or tented camps close to prime birdwatching areas, enhancing the safari experience.

What types of bird species can I expect to see in Tanzania?

In Tanzania, you can expect to see a wide range of bird species, including endemic birds like the Rufous-tailed weaver, near-endemic species such as the Usambiro barbet, and impressive migratory birds like the Osprey and European Robin.

Where is the Best Spot in Tanzania for birding?

The best spot in Tanzania for birding is arguably Lake Manyara National Park. It's renowned for its diverse birdlife, hosting over 400 species, including migrants, raptors, endemics, and rare birds, making it an ideal location for Bird Watching Tours Tanzania.

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The Best Tanzania Birding Safari Packages For Bird-Watching Enthusiasts

Q: What are the must-visit birding destinations in Tanzania?

Must-visit birding destinations in Tanzania include the Serengeti National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park. Each of these parks offers unique birdwatching opportunities with a variety of endemic and migratory species.

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African Scenic Safaris

18/03/2023

Safaris

Last updated on November 22nd, 2023 at 08:22 am

Discover the wonders of Tanzania’s avian world with our specially designed Tanzania Birding Safari Packages, perfect for those passionate about birdwatching. These custom-tailored tours focus on the diverse birdlife often overlooked amidst Tanzania’s famed wildlife.

Recent trends show an increasing fascination with birdwatching safaris, offering a distinct and captivating safari adventure. In this blog, we’ll explore the Best Tanzania Safari Packages, highlighting the variety of birds you can encounter. Explore Tanzania’s diverse birdlife with our guide to the best birdwatching spots. Immerse in vibrant avian wonders for a memorable experience.

Table of Contents

Explore Birdwatching Destinations With Tanzania Safari Packages

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Tanzania, a top African birding safari destination, is home to 1,156 Tanzania Birds. Apart from being renowned for its diverse wildlife, rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and majestic mountains, the country also offers fantastic birdwatching among wildebeest.

Key spots for bird enthusiasts include Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Parks. Unique to the region are 22 endemic bird species, along with 43 near-endemics shared with Kenya and Uganda.

Our wide range of Tanzania Birding Safari Packages will take you deep into the heart of Tanzania’s bush. These habitats make for a perfect home for a range of bird species. Below is a table mentioning various destinations for Tanzania Birding Safari and an interesting fact about birdwatching there:

DESTINATION(S)	Birds of Tanzania	INTERESTING BIRDWATCHING FACT
Serengeti National Park	> 500 species	– Opportunities to spot the ‘Serengeti Specials’ – These are endemic to the park and can’t be seen anywhere else.
Tarangire National Park	> 550 species	– There are several unique breeding bird species in Tarangire – a dream birdwatching destination for sure!
Ngorongoro Conservation Area	> 500 species	– The highland rainforests of the crater are a prime spot to spot rare species and plumage during the wet season.
Lake Manyara National Park	> 400 species	– The best birdwatching destination in Tanzania! – With lots of migrant, raptor, endemic, and rare species present in the park.
Arusha National Park	> 400 species	-Perfect destination to see waterbirds and raptors.

NOTE- Tanzania Birding Tours are great all year, but the optimal period is from November to April, attracting Migratory Birds in Tanzania from Europe and North Africa. This season sees local birds in breeding colours, but heavy storms in March and April can disrupt birding. For combining birding with wildlife, the dry season is preferable, as the wet season tends to be hot, especially along the coast.

Notable Bird Species Of Tanzania According To National Parks

SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK	NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA	LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK	TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK	ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK
Common Species: Grey Backed fiscal, Ruppell’s vulture, Silverbird, Schalow’s turaco, Verreaux’s eagle, Secretary Bird	Common Species: Greater Flamingo, Augur Buzzard, Hildebrandt’s francolin, Namaqua Dove, Speke’s Weaver, Kori Bustard, African spoonbill	Common Species: African jacana, Comb duck, Hamerkop, Pied Kingfisher, Sacred Ibis, Southern ground hornbill, little stint, Saddle-billed stork	Common Species: Hornbill, Kori Bustard, Pygmy Falcon, Helmeted guinea fowl, African hoopoes, Nubian woodpecker	Common Species: African fish eagle, African olive pigeon, Augur buzzard, Bar-tailed trogon, Bearded vulture, Red-fronted parrot
Endemic Species: Fischer’s lovebird, Rufous-tailed weaver	Endemic Species: Rufous Sparrow, Black-winged Lapwing, Rufous-winged sunbird	Endemic Species: Pied Avocet, Spur-winged goose, Pemba white-eye, Uluguru Bushshrike,	Endemic Species: Ashy Starling, Rufous-tailed weaver	Endemic Species: Rufous Sparrow, Rufous-tailed weaver
Near Endemic Species: Usambiro barbet, Hildebrandt’s Starling, Grey-crested helmet-shrike	Near Endemic Species: Jackson’s Widowbird, Hartlaub’s Turaco	Near Endemic Birds: Pemba Sunbird, Moreau’s sunbird	Near Endemic Species: Northern Pied Babbler, Eastern Crested Guineafowl	Near Endemic Species: Hartlaub’s Turaco
Migrant Species: Osprey, Song thrush, Eurasian reed warbler, Swallows, Black and Red Kite	Migrant Species: White wagtail, Barred warbler, Common nightingale, Black and Red Kite, Osprey	Migrant Species: Sanderlings, Cuckoos, Black-tailed godwits, Barnacle geese, Common nightingales, Greater and Lesser Flamingos	Migrant Species: Common House Martin, Aquatic Warbler, White-rumped Sandpiper	Migrant Species: Barn Swallow, Red Kite, European Robin, European pied flycatcher

Some Insights from us – When you choose one of our Tanzania Tour Packages, you’ll get countless opportunities to see the above bird species. We’ll get into more detail about our selection of packages in the third section.

To have the most comprehensive birdwatching experience, we recommend visiting Lake Manyara National Park. Want to know why that is? Read this blog to find out – A Paradise For Bird Lovers – Lake Manyara National Park!

Best Bird-Watching Experiences In Tanzania

There are several unique birdwatching experiences that you can have in Tanzania. They include going on tailor-made birdwatching safaris, game drives, and guided nature walks. Below we’ll go into this in more detail:

Guided Nature Walks – These are a great way to discover the birdlife on Tanzania Safari Tours. You’ll traverse through rich rainforests and walking trails in the national parks along with a guide and spot countless species of birds.

We recommend you carry a good pair of binoculars (with 10×42 magnification capacity) and a birdwatching book to get the best experience.

Game Drives – They are the most convenient way to spot the varied Birds of Tanzania. A knowledgeable guide will always be along with you on game drives and will help you spot birds in Tanzanian Bush.

A Quirky Fact – Did you know that there are night game drives available in some Tanzania National Parks? They offer a distinct opportunity to spot the nocturnal bird species of Tanzania. You can use a flashlight or a headlamp and spot birds that are active at night. They include Verreaux's eagle owl, Rufous Night-Heron, African Scops Owl, etc. Remember that game drives are included in our Best Tanzania Birding Safari Packages. But night game drives are offered in specific national parks (like the Serengeti) and are not covered in packages.

Further Reading:

The Best Tanzania Safari Packages For Your Next African Safari Adventure

Top Tanzania Safari Packages For Birdwatching Enthusiasts

Let us assure you that our team of talented travel experts has been showing guests the wondrous land of Tanzania for more than a decade. This is exactly why we know what goes into making the Best Tanzania Birding Safari you could ever hope for.

Thus, with that in mind, below are some of our elite Tanzania Safari Packages that are perfect for birdwatching enthusiasts:

NAME OF THE PACKAGE(S)	DESTINATIONS THEY COVER	BIRDWATCHING HIGHLIGHTS
6 Days Tanzania Short & Sweet Safari	Lake Manyara, Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater	– Seeing flocks of greater and lesser flamingos. – Night Game drives to see nocturnal birds in the Serengeti.
10 Days Tanzania Closer to Nature	Serengeti, Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area	– Guided walking safaris to see rare and endemic species of birds.
8 Days Tanzania Classic Safari	Tarangire, Serengeti, Lake Manyara National Park, and Ngorongoro Crater	– Chances to see the Serengeti specials: grey-throated spurfowl, Schalow’s wheatear, red-throated tit, rufous-tailed weaver, grey-crested helmet shrike, and Schalow’s turaco. – Spotting the highland species in Ngorongoro.

You’ll be delighted to learn that you can tailor-make your Safari Tanzania Tour Packages with African Scenic Safaris as well. So, crafting specialized birdwatching safaris according to your needs and inclinations will be a piece of cake.

Safari Facts: The Tanzania Birding Safari Price typically ranges from $400 to $600 per person, per day. This cost can vary based on the specific locations visited and the extent of the safari experience. Additionally, these Tanzania Birding and Beyond Safaris provide options to extend your adventure beyond birdwatching to include broader safari experiences, which may influence the overall cost.

Further Reading

Ultimate 7-10 Days Tanzania Safari Packages & Experiences

Link Reviews: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g317084-d8459743-r882200581-African_Scenic_Safaris-Moshi_Kilimanjaro_Region.html

Witness The Diverse Bird Species Of Tanzania!

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To close things out, Tanzania Safari Packages designed for bird-watching enthusiasts offer an incredible opportunity to witness some of the world’s most unique bird species in their natural habitats. Whether you prefer guided walks, game drives, or night drives, the packages cater to all preferences. So, grab a pair of binoculars and a birdwatching guidebook and witness the soaring avians in the skies of Tanzania.