Tanzania Birding Safari

Touching down at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be warmly welcomed by a representative from Nomad Touring Company Ltd. and transferred to your lodge in Arusha, nestled beneath the peaks of Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a restful evening surrounded by acacia-shaded gardens rich in birdlife. Later, meet your safari manager for a briefing over dinner. If arriving via Dar es Salaam or Nairobi, alternative transfer options will be arranged accordingly. Overnight at Mount Meru Game Lodge.

Begin your journey with a birding-focused safari in Arusha National Park, a lush mosaic of forest, crater lakes, and open plains. Home to species such as the Narina Trogon, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Red-throated Twinspot, and Mountain Oriole, it’s a birder’s paradise. Mammal sightings may include buffalo, giraffes, duiker, and blue monkeys. Return to the lodge for dinner and a review of the day’s sightings. Overnight at Mount Meru Game Lodge.

Today, travel across the Maasai plains to Sinya/Oldonyo Sambu, where you’ll be guided by Maasai warriors (Morani) through bird-rich savannahs. Marvel at views of Kilimanjaro and spot species like the Rosy-patched Shrike, Von der Decken’s Hornbill, and Heuglin’s Courser. With luck, encounter East Africa’s largest tuskers in the wild. Return to Arusha for the evening. Overnight at Mount Meru Game Lodge.

Venture into Tarangire National Park, a haven for African elephants and dry woodland birdlife. Along the journey, pause for roadside sightings of sunbirds, shrikes, and weavers. Explore the baobab-dotted landscapes and trace wildlife along the life-giving Tarangire River. At night, enjoy lodge-based birding where Scops Owl and Nightjars may be encountered. Spend two nights at Tarangire Sopa Lodge.

Descend into the Great Rift Valley to explore the forests, woodlands, and alkaline shores of Lake Manyara National Park. Known for its tree-climbing lions and diverse avifauna (over 380 species), expect sightings of Pelicans, Ground Hornbills, and the striking Purple-crested Turaco. Participate in a walking safari atop the Rift Valley Escarpment for spectacular vistas and rare birds. Overnight at Kirurumu Manyara Lodge.

Travel to the highlands near Ngorongoro Crater, stopping at the lush grounds of Gibbs Farm for lunch and a bird walk. Ascend to the crater rim through montane forests rich in Turacos, Sunbirds, and Buzzards. The afternoon offers stunning views and cooler highland air. Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge.

Today, descend 600 meters into the UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro Crater. A biodiversity hotspot, it hosts the Big Five and is known for its high predator density. Birding is equally impressive, with chances to spot Lesser Flamingos, Secretarybirds, Bustards, and Shelley’s Francolin. After a full-day safari with a picnic lunch on the crater floor, return to the rim for the evening. Overnight at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge.

Drive through Maasai country and archaeological wonders en route to Serengeti National Park. Optional stops include a Maasai cultural visit and Olduvai Gorge, famed for its early hominid fossils. Birdwatching along the way may reveal dry-country species such as Rufous Chatterers and Purple Grenadiers. Enter the Serengeti’s open plains for your first sightings of migrating herds. Overnight at Serengeti Sopa Lodge.

Spend three full days discovering the iconic Serengeti, home to Africa’s greatest wildlife spectacle—the wildebeest migration. Track prides of lion, elusive leopards, and cheetahs on the hunt. The plains are also alive with birdlife: Kori Bustard, Rosy-throated Longclaw, and Secretarybird, among many others. Photograph dramatic landscapes and predator-prey interactions. Evenings are spent under starlit skies at Serengeti Sopa Lodge.

After a final morning game drive, fly from the Serengeti to Arusha. A day room will be provided for you to rest, shower, and prepare for your international departure. This concludes your unforgettable Tanzania Birding & Wildlife Safari with Nomad Touring Company Ltd.