Bird Watching

Tanzania is one of the world's great birding destinations, with more than 1,100 recorded species — from flocks of flamingos on the Rift Valley lakes to the rare Usambara eagle-owl and the dazzling lilac-breasted roller. Our birding safaris are led by guides who know the calls, nesting sites and seasonal movements of the birds.

Key birding areas include Lake Manyara and Lake Natron for flamingos and waterbirds, the Serengeti for raptors and secretary birds, Tarangire for near-endemics such as the ashy starling and yellow-collared lovebird, and the forests of the Eastern Arc mountains — the Usambaras and Udzungwas — for rare forest species found nowhere else.

Birding safaris can be dedicated trips for keen birders, with checklists, spotting scopes and field guides, or a rewarding extra layer on a wildlife safari. Early mornings and late afternoons are best, and from November to April migrant birds from Europe and Asia swell Tanzania's bird count dramatically.