There are about 1125 recorded avian species in Tanzania of which 800 species are endemic to the region and another 200 are parts of over 2 billion Eurasian birds that migrate to Sub Saharan region for the wintering period. In this guide we shall cover various birding hotspots in the region where you can have you desired birdlife experience while on a safari.
1. Serengeti National park
Serengeti is Tanzania’s most visited park well known for the great wildebeest migration. The park also boost a rich flora cover that leads to unmatched fauna and avifauna sights. The 14000 square kilometer sized park has one of the most biodiverse wilderness in the world yielding home to species of different habitats. Serengeti has 500 recorded bird species. Ostriches the largest birds in planet earth which habitat in open savannah plains are common in Southern and Northern serengeti. Seronera valley is however the best place for birding in the entire serengeti especially forest and riparian bird due to the expansive greenwoods ;and flora rich and soggy river banks. Serengeti is also one of Africa well known endemic bird areas boosting 5 restricted range bird species. The birds are common and easy to sight in their respective restriction range. Most of the restricted ranges are situated in central serengeti woodland areas. These important varieties are grey breasted spurfowl, rufous tailed weavers, fischers love birds, Usambiro barbet and grey crested helmet-shrike.
To experience the serengeti birdlife is by joining a walking safari guided by an expert ornithologist.
2. Lake Manyara
Lake Manyara is Tanzania’s most diverse water bird destination. Located just 120 km from Arusha Airport which is the entry point for travelers visiting the northern region Lake Manyara should be your first stopover to consider in your birding safari. The lake boost about 300 native and exotic avifauna species. Flamingo watching that peaks in the wet season is the most sought after birding safari. The lake also boost aquatic and semi aquatic. Amongst them clucking crested guinea fowl, pelicans, squawking hornbills and egrets. The park also boost over 20 raptor species mostly eagle varieties.
Birders visiting lake Manyara are treated to an authentic experience through nature trails that range from shoreline walk for water birds to canopy boardwalk for forest birds as well as a savannah trail.
3. Tarangire National park
The national park in central Tanzania featuring a river valley , acacia woodland, extensive savannah plain and shallow seasonal floodplains offers diverse habit for an array of differently adopted bird species . There are about 500 bird species recorded in this park mostly comprising local species and a few Eurasian migrant species. Some of the most common species include rufous tailed weavers, vulturine guineafowl, great white pelican, ostrich Yellow-necked spurfowl and Helmeted Guineafowl. Towards the north of the park is a small steep hill that is a common place for over 50 local and exotic raptors species. To fully experience Tarangire birdlife in style we recommend that you go for a fly camping tour along River Tarangire that boost several fascinating bird scenes.
4. Lake Natron
The scenic lake on the foot of Ol Donyo Lengai volcano is perhaps the most undervalued safari destination in Tannzania. The lake is well known for being the wilds largest breeding ground for lesser flamingos accounting for over 75% of the entire population. The hypersaline environment is almost inhabitable for other creature creating one of the most secure sites for hatching. The breeding season in the months July and August are the best moment for a birding safari in Lake Natron with the over 2.5 million converging in different breeding sites in the lake. Here you will enjoy sights of flamingo filled in the air as they fly in and out of the breeding ground. The most unique attribute of lake natron Is the photogenic lunar reddish water color that is visible in places as far as in view points in Ngorongoro crater 107 kms to the south. The color is as a result of the many saline microorganisms that thrives in the park.
During your visit in Lake Natron consider adding a hiking trail at nearby Ol Donyo Lengai( most active mountain in East Africa) in your things to do list.
5. Udzungwa mountains National park
With over 400 bird species living in the dense woodlands of the park, Udzungwa is perhaps Tanzania’s most rewarding destination for watching forest birds. The park is the best for sighting Olive flanked robin chat, francolin, rufous winged sunbirds, African hobby amongst others. This forest has one of the most unique high altitude habitat leading to a variety of species that are totally endemic to the greenwoods and others endemic to the eastern Africa arc mountain circuit.
The best way to experience birdlife in this park is by going for a 3 -4 days walking trail guided by an expert ornithologist. Along the walking track you will also encounter varying tree varieties and beautiful sceneries like the water falls In the Sanje river.
6. Ruaha national park
Set at the location where East Africa savannah plains changeover to southern Africa Miombo woodlands coupled by the presence of wetlands along great Ruaha river and Matopotopo swamp. Ruaha is possibly the most diverse wilderness in Tanzania. Here you will find approximately 574 local and migrant bird species. Some of the most common varieties include black bellied bastard, crested barbet, African fish eagle goliath heron, long crested eagle and white bellied go away bird. The best way to experience this wilderness is by going for a walking safari guided by a birding expert.
7. Ngorongoro conservation Area
The crater boost over 500 birds species that habitat in an array of ecosystems ranging from savannah plains and wetlands on the floor of the crater to dense tropical forest on the scarps of the crater. Some of the most common species are yellow billed storks, sacred ibis, great white pelican, black headed heron, saddle bill, marabou stork and secretary.
To have an exhaustive Ngorongoro birdlife experience we recommend that you book for a walking trail to the other two smaller craters-Empakaai and Olmoti craters. The trail will lead you through a series of adaptations that holds different species with the ultimate reward being a visit to Empakaai crater lake which is a great flamingo bird heavens and viewpoint for other features of the great rift valley especially the lunar painted Lake Natron.
8. Jozani chwaka bay national park
The park is in Unguja the main island of zanzibar. Boosting over 80 bird species the park is one of the best lowlands forest for birders. Some of the most common species here are crowned hornbill, eastern olive sunbird , east coast batis and somber greenbul.
For optimal experience of birdlife in this wilderness we recommend that you go for a guided bush walk along the breathtakingly tree-shaded track. The adventurous walk will take you through a range of habitat zones mostly coastal swamp and forest all featuring a unique set of bird experiences. Besides birds you will encounter a variety of primates species and some of the oldest indigenous trees
9. Mt Kilimanjaro
This offer the best setting for sighting species that live in montane habitats. Here you are guaranteed of sighting the white necked raven which is very common. The best way to experience this bushland is by going for a hiking in the towering mountain which happens to be the highest peak in Africa. Some of the most common bird varieties include cuckoos, vultures, malachite sunbird, ravens, hornbills and shrikes.
It will take 5 days to successfully summit and descend from Kilimanjaro. However, with most of the forest zone in the park being in the lower reaches of the mountain, you will stlll enjoy birding if you hike to 2800 metres which is achievable in one or two days safari.
10. Kitulo plateau national park
The park is well known for its florist beauty boosting a range of wild flower varieties including 45 species of orchids. The park is the best destinations for birders interested in species adopted to mountain grasslands and forest habitats. The best way to experience the panoramic setting of this wilderness alongside birding is by going for a hiking trail from kitulo to the livingstone mountains and the surreal shorelines of Lake Nyasa.
Interestingly, the bird breeding seasons (November and April) coincide with wildflower display occasioned by the increased rainfalls making the park an off beaten photogenic scene for nature and bird lovers.
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Keywords: birding, Tanzania, kitulo, serengeti, selous, udzungwa, Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro, lake Natron, lake manyara,jozani
