9 days Tanzania Birding Safari

Where Wings Lead, Wonder Follows

For true bird lovers, Tanzania is a hidden gem, a land where the small details matter most. This 9-day birding safari is crafted exclusively for those who live for the thrill of spotting a rare species, hearing the call of a distant hornbill, or capturing the iridescent flash of a sunbird’s wings. While others chase the Big Five, you’ll be immersed in a world of feathers, songs, and behaviours that bring the wild to life in ways only birders can appreciate.

From the misty forests of Arusha National Park to the baobab-studded plains of Tarangire and the unique ecosystems of Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, every stop is a birding hotspot. With the guidance of our Sauti safari guides—true experts in bird identification and behaviour—you’ll uncover the secrets of Tanzania’s avian wonders. Whether it’s the lilac-breasted roller’s dazzling colours, the African fish eagle’s commanding presence, or the intricate nesting habits of weaver birds, our guides will bring every moment to life with their deep knowledge and passion.

Birding safari

Itinerary Details

  • Availability: June–November & December–March

  • Duration: 9 Days

  • Destinations: Arusha NP → Tarangire → Ngorongoro → Serengeti

  • Best For: Birding, photography & Diverse Ecosystems

  • Start/End: Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO)

    • Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

    • Transfer to Mount Meru Game Lodge, a lush oasis at the foothills of Mt. Meru

    • Enjoy your first sightings of Hartlaub’s Turaco, African Paradise Flycatchers, and Little Bee-eaters in the garden

    • Optional sundowner with views of resident peacocks and crowned cranes
      Overnight: Mount Meru Game Lodge
      Meal Plan: Dinner

    • Full-day birding safari in Arusha National Park

    • Search for Bar-tailed Trogons, Tawny-flanked Prinias, Silvery-cheeked Hornbills, and Montane White-eyes in the forested slopes

    • Birding walk near Momella Lakes – flamingos, waterfowl, and waders

    • Enjoy a picnic lunch among Malachite Kingfishers and Hamerkops
      Overnight: Mount Meru Game Lodge
      Meal Plan: Full Board

    • Drive to Tarangire, a birding paradise with over 500 species recorded

    • Game and birding drives in search of Yellow-collared Lovebirds, Northern Red-billed Hornbills, Ashy Starlings, and Bateleur Eagles

    • Scan baobabs for Verreaux's Eagle-Owls and riverbanks for African Skimmers

    • Explore wetlands teeming with Squacco Herons, African Jacanas, and Open-billed Storks
      Overnight: Tarangire Sopa Lodge
      Meal Plan: Full Board

    • Drive to the Ngorongoro Highlands, with en-route birding along forest edges

    • Look for Abyssinian Crimsonwings, Golden-winged Sunbirds, and Brown-headed Apalis

    • Optional visit to a Maasai boma for cultural insights and pastoral birdlife

    • Relax with views over the crater rim, often visited by Augur Buzzards and Olive Pigeons
      Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
      Meal Plan: Full Board

    • Early descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, home to diverse ecosystems and avifauna

    • Birding highlights include Kori Bustards, Grey Crowned Cranes, Rufous-naped Larks, and Greater Flamingos on Lake Magadi

    • Spot raptors like Lappet-faced Vultures and Black-shouldered Kites overhead

    • Picnic lunch near hippo pools, with Grey Herons and African Spoonbills nearby
      Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
      Meal Plan: Full Board

    • Scenic drive to the Serengeti, birding en route along the short grass plains

    • Search for grassland specialists: Fischer’s Lovebirds, Rufous-tailed Weavers, Secretary Birds, and Capped Wheatears

    • Full-day birding in Seronera Valley with chances of seeing Martial Eagles, African Grey Hornbills, and Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse

    • Optional hot air balloon safari offers aerial views of storks and vultures in flight (additional cost)
      Overnight: Serengeti Serena Lodge
      Meal Plan: Full Board

    • Morning birding game drive, with last looks for Lilac-breasted Rollers or Temminck’s Coursers

    • Fly back to Arusha for lunch

    • Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for departure
      Meal Plan: Breakfast

Rates:

FROM: US$ 5,090

per person sharing

Inclusions

✔ All accommodations (luxury lodges & mobile tented camps)
✔ Private 4x4 Land Cruiser (pop-up roof + fridge)
✔ Expert safari guide (10+ years’ experience)
✔ All meals + premium beverages (wine, beer, spirits)
✔ All park fees & conservation levies
✔ Domestic flights (Serengeti transfers)

Exclusions

✖ International flights
✖ Travel insurance
✖ Tanzania visa (assistance provided)
✖ Gratuities
✖ Optional balloon safari

Prices are per person, based on two adults travelling together, and exclude international flights to/from East Africa but include all other arrangements outlined in the itinerary.