10-Day Tanzania Birding Safari
A private 10-day safari for birdwatchers through five very different habitats of northern Tanzania, with a specialist bird guide alongside your driver-guide.
A Safari Planned Around Birds
Northern Tanzania packs mountain forest, soda lakes, acacia woodland, a volcanic crater and open grassland into a few hours' drive. Each has its own birds, so this route moves slowly from one habitat to the next: the forest and Momella Lakes of Arusha National Park, Tarangire's baobab woodland, the groundwater forest and shore of Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti plains, which alone have more than 500 recorded bird species.
We arrange a specialist bird guide for the whole trip, keep the vehicle for your group only and plan the days for early starts and long stops rather than for covering distance. The large animals are all around you too, but the pace is set by the birds.
Prefer a classic wildlife safari? See the 9-Day Tanzania Safari →
Why Birders Choose It
- A specialist bird guide for the whole trip
- Five habitats: mountain forest, soda lakes, woodland, crater and plains
- Early starts and long stops, at a birder's pace
- Private vehicle with a pop-up roof
- Mid-range lodges, full board
We meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and drive you to your lodge in Arusha. Your bird guide meets you in the evening to plan the trip.
Overnight: Lodge in Arusha (mid-range, or similar)
Meals: Dinner
A full day in Arusha National Park: the forest on the slopes of Mount Meru and the shallow Momella Lakes, with very different birds from the dry parks that follow.
Overnight: Lodge in Arusha (mid-range, or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Two days in Tarangire's baobab woodland, river valley and swamps, with time to wait at the water and walk the lodge grounds at dawn.
Overnight: Lodge near Tarangire National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The groundwater forest at the foot of the Rift Valley wall and the lake shore of Lake Manyara, then up to the green highlands at Karatu.
Overnight: Lodge in Karatu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Down into the Ngorongoro Crater for a day on its grassland, swamps and soda lake, then back to the highland forest of the crater rim.
Overnight: Lodge in Karatu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Across the short-grass plains into the central Serengeti for two days among the kopjes, acacias and the Seronera River.
Overnight: Lodge or tented camp in the central Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A last morning in the Serengeti, then the drive back to the highlands, birding on the way.
Overnight: Lodge in Karatu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The drive back to Arusha and on to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
The price depends on the specialist bird guide's availability and on lodge rates for your dates, so we quote this safari on request. Send us your dates, group size and the birds you most hope to see, and we will reply within 24 hours.
On requestWe can add Lake Natron or Lake Eyasi, or more days in one area, on request.
Trip Notes
- Start & end: Kilimanjaro Airport
- Private safari: your group only, on the dates you choose
- Lodges named when we confirm availability
- Bring your own binoculars and camera
Includes
- Specialist bird guide for the whole safari
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof and a professional driver-guide
- All park entry and concession fees and the Ngorongoro Crater vehicle fee
- 9 nights in mid-range lodges and camps, full board
- Drinking water
- Airport transfers
Excludes
- International flights and visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tanzania's compulsory inbound travel insurance for foreign visitors (44 US dollars per person, from 1 October 2026)
- Tips for your guides and lodge staff
- Drinks not included in the meal plans
- Any government increase in park fees or taxes after booking
Questions Travellers Ask
When is the best time for birds?
Roughly November to April, when migrant birds from Europe and Asia arrive and many local birds are in breeding colours. The rains also fall in these months, so some roads can be muddy.
Who is the bird guide?
A guide who specialises in birds, arranged for your dates, travelling with your driver-guide. We confirm the guide's name when you book.
Can non-birders come too?
Yes. The parks are the same as on our classic safaris, with plenty of big animals; the days are just planned around birds.
Can we change the route?
Yes. Tell us the species or habitats you care most about and we will adjust the days.
