Tanzania Birding Tours
Tours
Tanzania Endemics Birding Tour
Embark on an extensive Tanzania birding tour in pursuit of the country's extensive array of endemic species. Carefully crafted, this birdwatching trip is tailored to highlight the finest of Tanzania, with a special emphasis on …
Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater & Northern Parks Birding Tour
Go birding in the best big game viewing parks in the world on this extraordinary 9 Day Tanzania birdwatching tour.
Best of Northeastern Tanzania & Usambara Mountains
This Tanzania birding tour has been meticulously designed to offer you an unparalleled experience in the breath-taking North-eastern region of Tanzania. This area boasts some of Tanzania’s most exceptional birding locations.
Tanzania, situated in East Africa, shares borders with Kenya to the north, Lake Malawi and Mozambique to the south, Lake Tanganyika and Uganda to the west, and the Indian Ocean to the east.
With an impressive count of 1,155 recorded bird species, Tanzania is Africa’s second-most biodiverse country after DRC. 800 resident species, nearly 200 migratory species, 33 exclusive endemic species found only in Tanzania, and an additional 43 near-endemic species limited to Tanzania and neighbouring countries.
The country’s diverse geography results in varied climates. While its higher regions remain pleasantly cool despite the tropical setting, Tanzania experiences just two seasons due to its equatorial position: wet and dry. The nation’s geographic diversity contributes to a remarkable variety of bird species, with over 1,000 species varying across its landscapes, spanning from mountain forests to tropical coastlines, encompassing various altitude ranges, deserts, savannah grasslands, lowland forests, bushes, scrubs, lakes, and mudflats.
Most of Tanzania’s endemic and range-restricted birds, shared with areas like Malawi and northern Mozambique, inhabit the Afromontane forests nestled in the captivating Eastern Arc Mountains. While many safari-goers and photographers gravitate towards the well-established tourism hubs in the north, our longer tours intentionally venture southwards, including our flagship 29 Day Tanzania Endemics Birding Tour. The allure of the south lies in exploring the untouched beauty of the Eastern Arc Mountains, where an abundant of endemics reside in the breath-taking montane forests. Unlike the easily spotted species in the Serengeti and Tarangire in the north, these forest-dwelling birds demand a dedicated effort and professionalism to locate. Yet, it’s this challenge that adds a unique dimension to our tours, offering glimpses of Tanzania’s elusive and captivating endemic species thriving in these pristine montane habitats.
Tailor-made info Tanzania
At Sustainable Birding, we don’t offer ready-made, off-the-shelf birding tours. Our approach is deeply personalised—we meticulously craft each of our tours in Tanzania from scratch, ensuring every detail aligns with your unique preferences. From the savannah of the Serengeti to the lush Eastern Arc Mountains and the tropical beauty of Pemba Island, our team of seasoned birding experts use our comprehensive knowledge to tailor your birding holiday, guaranteeing an experience perfectly attuned to your specific requirements.
All our birding tours in Tanzania are expertly guided by our passionate, knowledgeable and experienced Tanzanian tour leaders. They are some of the best guides on the planet! So, give us a call or drop us an email and let’s talk Tanzania!
Reasons to go on a Tailor-made Birding Tour in Tanzania
• Select the exact dates that suit your schedule.
• Choose the ideal time of year for your birding adventure.
• Travel alongside your preferred companions—be it family, friends, or fellow birders.
• Set your pace—whether fast or brisk.
• Pick your Tour Leader, whether a Sustainable Birding expert or a knowledgeable local guide.
• Customise within your personal budget, from luxurious to budget accommodations or a mix.
• Craft a tour that matches your specific interests—whether intense birding, leisurely exploration, photography, culture, music, wine, botany, butterflies, herpetology, geology, diving, hiking, and beyond.
• Our team is here to cater to your diverse interests and ensure a fulfilling birding holiday.
Scheduled Group Tanzania Birding Tours
Explore our selection of Scheduled Group Birding Tours in Tanzania. These groups tours have been designed to fit different birding preference and time restraints. Typically, our group tours are more affordable, and allow people to meet up and make lifelong memories with fellow birders. All our group tours are small and come with an expert Tour Leader, having groups no bigger than 6 individuals, so you still get that intimate feeling and the full attention of the Tour Leader. Please refer to our Birding Calendar for tour schedules, dates, and fixed prices.
Lastly, at Sustainable Birding, our goal is to ensure that every birding holiday we create contributes positively to bird conservation efforts and local communities. Our determination to promote sustainable travel led us to become founding members of Tourism Declares Climate Emergency. As part of this commitment, we’ve established the world’s pioneering carbon scoring and offsetting framework for tailor-made holidays. Feel free to request us to carbon score your individual trip!
Best time of year to visit:
In Tanzania, birding is brilliant throughout the year, but reaches its best from November to April when migratory birds from Europe and northern Africa join the resident species. It’s during this period, that many resident bird species enter their nesting phases and breeding plumages are on full display.
Tanzania’s climate varies widely across its regions. The coast, like Dar es Salaam, stays hot and humid year-round, with two rainy seasons from March to May and November to December. Inland areas, including Dodoma, have warm days and cooler nights, experiencing rainfall during the same periods. As you ascend to higher elevations like Arusha, temperatures drop, offering cooler conditions. Tanzania’s varied climate ensures a range of experiences for travellers throughout the year.
In East Africa’s generally warm climate, packing appropriate clothing is essential. Opt for light-coloured shorts, trousers, and shirts for comfort. Additionally, prepare for colder temperatures, especially in parts of the Rift Valley regions such as Arusha where nights can drop to as low as 5 degrees Celsius – bringing a jacket is advisable.
Mosquito repellent is crucial to ward off insect bites, and taking anti-malarial tablets is highly recommended.
Equipment such as high-quality binoculars tailored for birdwatching is essential and if you have a good working camera and lens, then please bring it with you! A comprehensive field guide specific to the country’s birds, such as Field Guide to the Birds of East Africa by John Fanshawe & Terry Stevenson would be recommended.
* Remember that when you book a Tanzania birding tour with us over 14 days, we will send you a new complementary field guide!
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The Sustainable Birding Company is a subsidiary of Far and Wild Travel, a tailor-made tour company based in Cumbria, UK. Far and Wild Travel offer sustainable, luxury, tailor-made tour itineraries throughout Africa and around the world.
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