Birding in Tanzania.

Experience the finest wildlife and birdwatching opportunities in East Africa with our Tanzania birding excursions. The Serengeti National Park comes to mind for many outdoor lovers, animal photographers, and birdwatchers when they think about Tanzania. Justifiably so. Undoubtedly, this is among the top wildlife places in Africa. The expansive grasslands and savannas of the Serengeti (and the neighboring Maasai Mara in Kenya) are teeming with smaller cats (including Serval and Caracal), leopard, cheetah, lion, and all the other megafauna that make Africa so renowned.

Observing birds amidst the creatures is a really bizarre encounter. Of course, there is also the massive migration of wildebeests, or gnus. The center of this amazing wildlife phenomena is the Serengeti. The abundance of desirable bird species found in the Serengeti is another beautiful aspect of this amazing place. Fischer’s Lovebirds can be observed soaring low over the grassland, resting and chatting among themselves in acacia trees, or foraging on the ground in small flocks. Excellent Starlings, Rosy-patched Bushshrikes, and other vividly colored East African avian species are prolific.

East African endemics like the Red-throated Tit and Grey-crested Helmetshrike are more confined and scarier within the park. That being said, there’s plenty to keep you busy in the Serengeti (and just over the border in Kenya’s Maasai Mara).
It is odd to note that several indigenous birds of Tanzania barely manage to move into Kenya. Thus, one encounters endemic birds that are unique to northern Tanzania, like the Rufous-tailed Weaver and Ashy Starling, in addition to the traditional East African bird species. Then the Serengeti is home to some of Africa’s most recognizable birds, such as the Secretary bird, the world’s heaviest flying bird, the Martial Eagle, Africa’s largest eagle, eight vultures, owls, and the colorful and acrobatic Bateleur, which is also one of the continent’s most distinctive eagles.

However, the majority of Tanzania’s endemic birds live in the Afromontane forests of the stunning Eastern Arc Mountains, south of the well-traveled tourist routes. These birds also include range-restricted species that can be found in Malawi, northern Mozambique, etc. While the majority of wildlife photographers and nature enthusiasts stay in the country’s northern regions, where there is an especially well-developed tourism infrastructure and a wide variety of brilliant birds coexist with big game, we also travel south on many of our Tanzania birding tours, including our flagship 19-day tour.

The stunning montane forests found on the slopes of magnificent peaks that are a part of the Eastern Arc Mountains series are home to many of Tanzania’s rare bird species. They are harder to locate than the acacia woodland species of the Serengeti Plains, Tarangire National Park, and other northern game parks since they are typical forest birds.

Best time for bird watching.

Tanzania has an excellent birdlife all year round, but it peaks from November to April when migrating birds from northern Africa and Europe arrive. Many local bird species are in breeding plumage and are nesting at this time of year. March and April are the wettest months, with daily storms in some areas of the nation. It is also the hottest time of year during the wet season. The shore may become uncomfortable hot as a result. It is best to watch wildlife during the dry season.