Tanzanian Birding Safari
Tanzania’s Eastern Arc and Tarangire Ecosystem
Tanzania’s eastern arc mountains have attracted a lot of
attention recently amongst birding enthusiasts from all over the world. The
seldom visited Udzungwa, Uluguru and Usambara mountains have a number of endemic
species which makes this area a birders paradise. Combined with a walking
safari in the Tarangire ecosystem, with over 350 identified species, plus
some of the best game viewing in northern Tanzania, this safari.
Areas visited: Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Uluguru
Mountains, Usambara Mountains, Tarangire National Park and Conservation
Area and Ruaha National Park.
Safari type: 22 days combination of camping and lodging,
fully guided in 4WD Landrovers with support crew.
Day 1
Clients are met in Dar es Salaam and are transferred to the hotel for briefing
and overnight.
Day 2
After an early morning breakfast we transfer to the airport for the bush flight
to Ruaha National Park, where we are met by our guides, and drive to Ruaha
River Lodge for lunch. After lunch we explore the park which apart from having
the largest population of elephants in East Africa, also has over 400 species
of birds.
Day 3
Full day gameviewing in Ruaha National Park. Dinner and overnight at Ruaha
River Lodge.
Day 4
After breakfast depart for the Udzungwa Mountains National Park with picnic
lunch. Early evening bird walk around the camp. Dinner and overnight is at
campsite.
Days 5 - 7
These days are spent in the Udzungwa Mountains, Udzungwa Forest Reserve, Ifakara,
Kibasira swamp and Mwanihana Forest Reserve. Overnights are spent at the camp
in in the Udzungwa Mountains.
Species that inhabit and are endemic to the area include Rufous winged sunbird,
Kilombero weaver, Melodious cisticola, Kilombero cisticola, Iringa akalat,
Dappled throated mountain robin and Udzungwa forest partridge. In the montane
forest we also find the endangered and rare Iringa red colobus monkey, of
which only 450 survive.
Day 8
After an early morning breakfast we depart for Mikumi National Park with a
picnic lunch for gameviewing. Tonight we will stay at the base of the Uluguru
Mountains at the Kolo Hills Motel.
Days 9 - 11
These days are spent exploring the Uluguru Mountains on foot and by vehicle.
Weather permitting we will fly and camp in the Uluguru Mountains on Monday
night. Sunday and Tuesday nights will be at the Kolo Hills Motel. Bird species
in the Uluguru Mountains that we may see include the Uluguru bush shrike,
Loveridge’s sunbird, Mrs Moreau’s warbler, Moustached green tinkerbird,
Chaplin's apalis and Bertam’s weaver amongst others.
Day 12
After breakfast we depart for the Eastern Usambaras in north eastern Tanzania.
Dinner and overnight is at the Amani Guesthouse.
Days 13 - 14
These two days are spent exploring the Amani Forest Reserve, Amani Botanical
Gardens and Monga Tea estates. Dinners and overnights will be at the Amani
Guesthouse. Possible sightings here include the Banded green sunbird, Amani
sunbird, Moreaus tailor bird and Long billed apalis.
Day 15
After breakfast we depart for the western Usambaras and the Lushoto area.
Accommodation will be at Grants lodge or similar.
Day 16 and 17
Two full days are spent in the Lushoto area exploring by foot and by vehicle
the sawmill trail and weather permitting the Mazumbai Forest reserve. Species
possible include African tailor birds, Evergreen forest warblers, and Eastern
mountain greenbill.
Day 18
After breakfast we depart for the Tarangire Conservation Area, arriving late
afternoon at Naitolia Camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 19 and 20
These two days are spent exploring the Tarangire Conservation Area and Tarangire
National Park both on foot and by vehicle. After dinner night drives are also
available giving the opportunity to spot Spotted eagle owls, Two-banded coursers
and Montane nightjars as well as African wildcats, serval cats and a number
of other nocturnal animals. We will also take the opportunity to visit one
of the local Masai bomas. Dinners and overnights are at Naitolia Camp. Species
to note include Hildebrandts Starling, the endemic Ashy starling, Yellow collared
lovebird and Orange bellied parrot. Also seen around the camp are Brown parrots,
Von der Deckens Hornbill, Northern pied babbler, Northern white crowned shrike,
white bellied go away bird, plus a variety of rollers, woodpeckers and other
species.
Day 21
This morning is spent walking around the camp or game viewing. After lunch
we return to Arusha for dinner and overnight at the Mountain Village Lodge
or similar.
Day 22
Early morning transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for flights.
Included:
All transfers, tours, game drives in 4WD landrovers, walking safaris, all
accommodation as indicated, all park fees, conservation area fees, all meals
as indicated, camping equipment, English speaking driver guides, cooks and
camping equipment. In each vehicle will be copies of Zimmermans Birds of Kenya
and Northern Tanzania as well as numerous other indentification guides.
Not Included:
Visas, insurance, tips, items of a personal nature, soft and alcoholic drinks,
departures taxes or airfares.
Please contact us for more information, details of
availability and price:
East African Safari and Touring Company
P.O. Box 1215,
Arusha,
Tanzania
Tel: (+255) 786185567
e-mail: simon@eastafricansafari.info
