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. From the specialised dry country birds of the Mererani Maasai Steppe to the unique endemic birds of the Usambara Mountains, this tour promises a high count of regional and endemic species over a brief period.

Starting the tour at the Mererani Maasai Steppe (situated not too far from Kilimanjaro International Airport), you will have the opportunity to marvel at the dry country specialists, many of which are visually stunning – among them, the Golden-breasted Starling stands out as a highlight. Continuing our route gradually southward, we will explore both the West and East Usambara Mountains, making stops at the wild Mkomazi National Park and the endemic-rich South Pare Mountains along the way.

This tour has a delightful mix of diverse habitats and bird species, ranging from bushland to high-altitude tropical forests. Anticipate a significant count of species, with the highlights being the endemics, which are well sought-after for any bird enthusiast. Moreover, the tour offers ample chances to encounter a wide variety of large mammal species within Mkomazi National Park, including the potential sighting of the rare and elusive African Painted Dog.

Join us as we uncover the absolute best of Northeastern Tanzania!

Tour pace:
Medium – this tour was designed to be impactful, gaining a large count of endemics within a brief time. Including an additional day at Mkomazi National Park and the West Usambara Mountains would certainly allow for a more relaxed pace.

Tour difficulty:
Easy/Medium – on-foot birding at Mererani Maasai Steppe, South Pare Mountains, and West and East Usamabara Mountains but nothing overly strenuous. Walking boots are essential.

Cost:
The above cost is based on a group of 6 people. This is not scheduled as a group tour. Please get in touch if you’d like us to arrange a private tailor made tour.

Best time of year to visit:
Prime birding season in Tanzania falls during the short rains of November and early December. This period highlights most species in vibrant breeding plumage, featuring captivating display behaviours of whydahs, widowbirds, and bishops. Additionally, it’s when numerous Palearctic migrants make their presence felt, so the count will be high.

It is worth noting that trekking paths in the Usambara Mountains become quite muddy during the rainy season which contradicts the above. So, if your focus is entirely on endemics, then the optimal period to visit is from June to October, following the rains when it is much dryer.

Sustainability:
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 have 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! 

Tour Leader:
Issac is an avid birder, sound recorder, bird photographer, and field guide with a rich background in ornithology. Over the years, he has actively engaged in various citizen science projects, lending his expertise to bird mapping, nest watch programs, waterbird counts, and bird exploration expeditions. His insights have not only shaped co-authored semi-scientific papers but have also established him as a respected authority in the field.

In addition to his roles as a dedicated bird enthusiast, Issac played a pivotal role in founding the Tanzania Birders Community and the Kilusu Bird Club. These organizations have successfully united bird lovers across Tanzania, creating a collaborative space for participation in large-scale mapping projects. Issac introduced the innovative use of the Ebird app within the community, enhancing data collection efficiency and fostering widespread data sharing among members.

Issac’s passion for avifauna extends to his expertise as a bird sound recordist. His comprehensive collection of over 2300 bird sounds, meticulously cataloged on www.xeno-canto.org, stands as a testament to his dedication and keen ear. Many of these recordings have been instrumental in the development of cutting-edge birding applications, captivating birding enthusiasts globally.

Contributing to www.orniverse.com, Issac expertly describes and guides individuals through the breathtaking birding sites of Kenya and Tanzania. With nine years of invaluable experience as a field guide, he has led numerous successful birding tours, showcasing the expansive natural landscapes and diverse avian species found across Kenya and Tanzania. Issac’s knowledge, passion, and eagerness to share his expertise have made him a sought-after guide for those embarking on immersive birding experiences.

In summary, Issac is a dedicated bird enthusiast, versatile bird sound recordist, knowledgeable field guide, and accomplished bird photographer. His unwavering love for avian life and commitment to furthering citizen science significantly contribute to the understanding and conservation of birds in East Africa and beyond.

Bird species highlights:

• Golden-breasted Starling
• Hunter’s Sunbird
• Black-bellied Sunbird
• Tsavo Sunbird
• South Pare White-eye
• Usambara Double-collared Sunbird
• Bar-throated Apalis
• Hunter’s Cisticola
• Purple-banded Sunbird
• East Coast Boubou
• Usambara Eagle-owl
• Usambara Hyliota
• Usambara Thrush
• Usambara Weaver
• Usambara Akalat
• Usambara Greenbul
• Usambara Tailorbird
• Sokoke Scops Owl
• Long-billed Tailorbird
• Amani Sunbird
• Taveta Golden-Weaver
• Spot-throat
• Dapple-throat
• Ayres’s Hawk-eagle
• Southern Banded Snake Eagle
• Purple-banded Sunbird
• Amani Sunbird
• Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird
• Green Barbet
• Spotted Eagle-owl
• Half-collared Kingfisher
• Gorgeous Bushshrike