Tanzania · Bird Watching

7-Day Eastern Arc Mountain Birding Tour in Tanzania's Usambaras

7 Days Round trip from Arusha Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore the East and West Usambara Mountains in search of endemic birds
02 Birdwatch in Mkomanzi National Park and at Lark's Plain
03 Search the forests of Lushoto hills for forest-based bird species
04 Discover Amani Nature Reserve and Sawmills Forest for sought-after sunbirds
05 Look out for species such as the Usambara Weaver, Usambara Nightjar, and red-capped forest warbler

Explore Tanzania's Eastern Arc Mountains on a 7-day birding tour through Mkomanzi National Park, the Lushoto hills, Sawmills Forest, and Amani Nature Reserve. Search for sought-after species such as the Usambara Weaver, Usambara Nightjar, red-capped forest warbler, and a variety of sunbirds including Amani, Banded-Green, Uluguru Violet-backed, and Plain-backed. This tour focuses on the forests of the West and East Usambara Mountains and is designed for birders keen to see and photograph endemic species.

Explore Tanzania's Eastern Arc Mountains on a 7-day birding tour through Mkomanzi National Park, the Lushoto hills, Sawmills Forest, and Amani Nature Reserve.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Arusha, Zanzibar, Mount Kilimanjaro, Lushoto, Usambara Mountains, Mkomazi National Park

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arusha to Lark's Plain Birding

After breakfast, depart from your lodge and drive to Engikaret Bird Conservation for birding at Lark's Plain.
In the late afternoon, drive to your lodge for check-in, dinner, and an overnight stay.

Eastern Arc Mountain Birding tour.

Day 02

Mkomanzi National Park Birding

After breakfast, depart from your lodge with a packed lunch and drive to Mkomanzi National Park.
Enjoy a full day of bird watching and have your lunch at a picnic site.
In the late afternoon, drive to your lodge for check-in, dinner, and an overnight stay.

Day 03

Birding in the Lushoto Hills Forest

On this day, enjoy birding in the forest of the Lushoto hills as you search for the most forest-based birds.

Check-in, dinner, and overnight at a lodge/hotel.

Day 04

Sawmills Forest and Old German Farm Hills

Enjoy another full birding day in Sawmills Forest and the old German farm hills in search of the most forest-based birds.

Check-in, dinner, and overnight at a lodge/hotel.

Day 05

Birding En Route to Amani Nature Reserve

Birding in Amani Nature Reserve - East Usambara. On this day, enjoy birding en route to Amani Nature Reserve as you visit some forest patches in search of local birds along the highway.

Day 06

Amani Nature Reserve Birding Walk

Birding in Amani Nature Reserve - East Usambara. On this day, enjoy birding with a short or long walk in the nature reserve, depending on the season of the year.

Day 07

Departure or Zanzibar Extension

Prepare for your flight back home, or opt to extend your trip to Zanzibar for more endemics.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Arusha 6 cities · 7 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

National park conservation and entrance fees as per the itinerary
Meals and accommodation in lodges/camps as per the itinerary
Unlimited mileage on game drives
Unique converted 4x4 safari Land Rover/Cruiser
Mineral water in the vehicle
Pickup from hotel
Drop-off at Kilimanjaro International Airport on the last day

What's Not Included

Visas
Accommodation in Arusha
Medical evacuation cover, chargeable at $35 per person
Insurance
Items of a personal nature
Any service not specified

What to bring

Birding equipment
Hiking shoes
Weather-friendly clothes for both cold and warm conditions

Know before you go

It is mainly for birders, photographers, and researchers (birds, chameleons, etc.).
Key species for this tour:
EAST USAMBARA:
- Long-billed tailorbird
- Amani sunbird
- Banded green sunbird
- Uluguru violet-backed sunbird
- Plain-backed sunbird
- Kretschmer's long-bill
- Usambara hyliota
- White-chested alethe
- Orange ground thrush
- Olive thrush
- Usambara eagle owl
- Cabanis's bunting
- Fischer's turaco
- Green-headed oriole
- Sharpe's akalat
WEST USAMBARA:
- Usambara Weaver
- Usambara Nightjar
- Red-capped forest warbler
- Spot-throat
- Usambara double-collared sunbird
- Red-faced crimsonwing
- Mountain greenbul
- Shelley's greenbul
- Hartlaub's turaco
- Bar-tailed trogon
- Forest batis
- Tiny greenbul
- Usambara akalat
This tour is mainly for hardcore birders who want to see and photograph endemic bird species found in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania.
This tour covers the forests of the West and East Usambara Mountains.
It is a walking and driving tour to some extent.