Quick Summary
10-Day Birding in Tanzania, Arusha and Arc Mountains Tour - Tanzania safari is a 10 Days tour in Tanzania via the Tanzania safari route, starting from USD 2880. Below you'll find the latest itinerary, inclusions & exclusions, and how to book.
10 Days
Tanzania safari
USD 2880
Kitano Tours & Safaris
ABOUT 10-Day Birding in Tanzania, Arusha and Arc Mountains Tour - Tanzania safari
Explore diverse habitats from Arusha National Park's montane forests (Narina Trogon, Hartlaub's Turaco) to Mkomazi National Park's drylands (Shelley's Starling, Friedmann's Lark). Ascend the Eastern Arc Mountains at South Pare (South Pare White-eye, Usambara Double-collared Sunbird) and delve into the endemic-rich Usambara Mountains' Chome and Amani Forest Reserves (Usambara Weaver, Usambara Akalat, Long-billed Forest Warbler), seeking rare forest specials and stunning endemics.
- Duration: 10 Days
- Route: Tanzania safari
- Starts at: USD 2880
Highlights for 10-Day Birding in Tanzania, Arusha and Arc Mountains Tour - Tanzania safari
Day 1: Pick-up From Your Hotel and Bird to Lark Plains - Engikaret and Oldonyosambu
Day 2: Bird to Masai Steppe Mererani
Day 3: Birding to Arusha National Park
Day 4: Birding Same and Mkomazi National park
Day 5: Whole day birding tour at Mkomazi National Park
Day 6: Transfer to South Pare and bird at Chome forest reserve before transferring to west Usambaras
Day 7: Birding at Magamba forest (west usambaras) for the whole day
Day 8: Start early bird at Magamba again, later transfer to Amani Forest Reserve (East Usambaras) via Zigi
Day 9: Amani forest reserve birding, whole day
Day 10: Transfer birding back to Arusha for your night bound flight to return home
Itinerary Overview
| Day | Title |
|---|---|
| Day 01 | Pick-up From Your Hotel and Bird to Lark Plains - Engikaret and Oldonyosambu |
| Day 02 | Bird to Masai Steppe Mererani |
| Day 03 | Birding to Arusha National Park |
| Day 04 | Birding Same and Mkomazi National park |
| Day 05 | Whole day birding tour at Mkomazi National Park |
| Day 06 | Transfer to South Pare and bird at Chome forest reserve before transferring to west Usambaras |
| Day 07 | Birding at Magamba forest (west usambaras) for the whole day |
| Day 08 | Start early bird at Magamba again, later transfer to Amani Forest Reserve (East Usambaras) via Zigi |
| Day 09 | Amani forest reserve birding, whole day |
| Day 10 | Transfer birding back to Arusha for your night bound flight to return home |
Day 01: Pick-up From Your Hotel and Bird to Lark Plains - Engikaret and Oldonyosambu
>> Pick-up from your Arusha hotel. We'll head to the expansive Lark Plains, Engikaret, and Oldonyosambu. This semi-arid savanna is excellent for grassland specialists.
Target birds include Grey-crowned Crane, Kori Bustard, Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, Fischer's Sparrow-Lark, Rosy-patched Bushshrike, and various pipits and larks.
Basic accommodation will be at Engikaret Tented Camp or a similar budget-friendly local guesthouse at Arusha, offering comfortable beds and essential amenities.
- Time: 8 - 10 Hours
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 02: Bird to Masai Steppe Mererani
>> Today we explore the Masai Steppe near Mererani, famous for its dry acacia woodlands and open plains. This area is a hotspot for raptors and dryland species.
Keep an eye out for Secretarybird, Martial Eagle, White-headed Vulture, Somali Courser, Rufous-tailed Weaver, and the localized Ashy Starling. Accommodation will be at a basic lodge or guesthouse in Mererani or Arusha, providing simple and clean rooms and meals.
- Time: 8 - 10 Hours
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 03: Birding to Arusha National Park
>> A full day dedicated to Arusha National Park, a diverse park encompassing forests, lakes, and craters.
The varied habitats attract a wide range of birds. Look for Narina Trogon, Bar-tailed Trogon, African Fish Eagle, Greater Flamingo (on Momella Lakes), Hartlaub's Turaco, and Silvery-cheeked Hornbill.
Accommodation will be at a comfortable but basic lodge or hotel just outside Arusha National Park, offering hot showers and a restaurant.
- Time: 8 - 10 Hours
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 04: Birding Same and Mkomazi National park
>> We'll drive to Same, gateway to Mkomazi National Park. The journey offers roadside birding. In Mkomazi, we'll focus on dry country and acacia woodland species.
Expect to see Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Shelley's Starling, Taita Fiscal, Violet-backed Sunbird, and various hornbills.
- Time: 8 - 10 Hours
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
- Accommodation: TANAPA Mkomazi Bandas > Budget located inside Mkomazi NP
Day 05: Whole day birding tour at Mkomazi National Park
>> A full day exploring the vast Mkomazi National Park, known for its arid and semi-arid savanna ecosystems. This park is crucial for dryland species and has ongoing conservation efforts for black rhinos and wild dogs.
Target birds include Pale-billed Hornbill, Red-and-yellow Barbet, Abyssinian Scimitarbill, Somali Bunting, Friedmann's Lark and more.
- Time: 8 - 10 Hours
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 06: Transfer to South Pare and bird at Chome forest reserve before transferring to west Usambaras
>> An exciting transfer day. We'll head to the South Pare Mountains to bird the Chome Forest Reserve, seeking out forest endemics.
Look for South Pare White-eye, Usambara Akalat, and various forest skulkers. Afterwards, we transfer to the West Usambaras.
Accommodation will be at a basic guesthouse or lodge in Lushoto, offering modest comfort and easy access to the Usambaras.
- Time: 8 - 10 Hours
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 07: Birding at Magamba forest (west usambaras) for the whole day
>> A full day dedicated to the montane forests of Magamba in the West Usambaras. This area is a critical site for Albertine Rift endemics and East African specials.
Key species include Usambara Weaver, Usambara Alethe, Usambara Hyliota, White-chested Alethe, and Green-headed Oriole.
- Time: 8 - 10 Hours
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 08: Start early bird at Magamba again, later transfer to Amani Forest Reserve (East Usambaras) via Zigi
>> Another early start at Magamba for any missed targets or better views. We then embark on a scenic transfer to the East Usambaras, stopping to bird the Zigi Forest en route, known for its lowland forest species. Expect to see Green Barbet and Usambara Thrush.
- Time: 8 - 10 Hours
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 09: Amani forest reserve birding, whole day
>> A full day exploring the pristine Amani Forest Reserve, renowned for its incredible biodiversity and high endemism. This is a birder's paradise.
Top targets include Long-billed Forest Warbler, Usambara Nightjar, Usambara Eagle-Owl, Banded Green Sunbird, and Dapple-throat. Accommodation remains at Amani Forest Lode or similar, providing convenience for multiple forest excursions.
- Time: 8 - 10 Hours
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 10: Transfer birding back to Arusha for your night bound flight to return home
>> Enjoy a final morning birding around Amani if time allows, or take a leisurely drive back towards Arusha. We'll have some roadside birding opportunities on the return journey.
Depending on your flight schedule, there might be a chance for some last-minute birding near Arusha. We will then transfer you to Airport for your night-bound flight home, concluding your unforgettable Tanzanian birding adventure.
- Time: 8 - 10 Hours
- Meals: Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
- Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
Inclusions
- Park fees (For non-residents)
- All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinking water (On all days)
Exclusions
- International flights (From/to home)
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (Tipping guideline US$15.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
.webp)
.webp)
