14-Day Birdwatching Safari in Northern Tanzania via Serengeti

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Day 01

Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport and Transfer to Arusha

• After arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, head to a lodge or hotel near Arusha National Park for an overnight stay.

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Day 02

Birdwatching in Arusha National Park and Momella Lakes

• Transfer to Arusha National Park and the Momella Lakes, which offer gorgeous birdwatching opportunities. The national park is inhabited by over 400 different migrant and resident bird species. The most famous bird species in Arusha National Park are waterfowl such as little grebes, eagles, pochards, geese, hamerkop, red shark, spur-winged goose, woodpecker, herons, secretary bird, and grey parrot.

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Day 03

Ngorongoro Highlands and Lark Plains Birding

• Today, head to the Ngorongoro Highlands.
• Among the migrant birds in this area, you can see the Lesser Kestrel, the European swallow, European bee-eater, the Northern Wheatear, European roller, Pallid Harrier, Caspian Lapwing, and the Montagu's Harrier. Furthermore, in the wet season, you can see the Rosy-breasted Longclaw and large flocks of European storks.
• On the bare ground or sand tracks in the Ngorongoro Crater, try spotting ostriches, Kori bustards, secretary birds, Grey-crowned Cranes, the ground-nesting Northern Anteater Chat, Rufous-napped Lark, Capped Wheater, Fischer's Sparrow Lark, Red-capped Lark, and the Grassland Pipit. The tree-nesting birds of the Ngorongoro Crater are the Superb Starling, Rufous-tailed Weaver, and the African White-backed Vulture. The Ngorongoro Crater is also inhabited by birds of prey such as the Augur buzzard and the Long-crested eagle. The soda lakes of Ngorongoro are the breeding grounds of thousands of flamingoes and other water birds such as ducks, waders, and herons.

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Day 04

Drive to Lake Victoria

• Today, it will be a full-day drive to Lake Victoria.
• Upon arrival, you will go directly to the lodge for rest.

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Day 05

Birding at Lake Victoria

• Explore Lake Victoria, the largest of Africa's Great Lakes and the largest tropical lake in the world. It is home to over 400 species of birds to thrill and excite both keen ornithologists and nature lovers.
• You can view a wide variety of birds on any one day, including Malabou storks, kites, kingfishers, bee-eaters, weavers, and swallows. Its importance for biodiversity is highlighted by the fact that there are 17 important bird and biodiversity areas directly connected to the lake system, and more in the wider Lake Victoria Basin. The lake supports Africa's largest inland fishery, and its resources and ecosystem help sustain not only the birdlife but also the livelihoods of communities across the region.

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Day 06

Scenic Drive to Central Serengeti

• Proceed on a long drive to Central Serengeti and enjoy beautiful landscapes and birds along the way.

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Day 07

Birdwatching Across Serengeti to the Ndutu Region

• Travel across Serengeti, one of the greatest places to visit for birders, with over 500 species recorded. The oldest and largest ecosystem, the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, is one of the most important points for African Endemic Bird Areas. The area is home to rare bird species, including five that can only be found in this part of the world.
• Spot Grey-breasted spurfowl, Rufous-tailed Weaver, Usambiro Barbet, Grey-crested helmet-shrike, and other special birds in this restricted area. Since the majority of the bird species are permanent inhabitants, there are just a few migratory birds that come to the park for breeding during particular times of the year. The park's environment has aided the uncommon bird species' ability to live in good conditions. The many bird species seen in the park are attributable to the park's diverse plant cover. The vegetation of the savannah includes open grasslands, riverine vegetation, and forest. This diverse vegetation attracts a variety of bird species, making it an excellent birding destination. The number of bird species is immense; all you need is enough time to see them during your Serengeti birding safari. You also need a well-experienced bird guide who is well versed in the different parts of the endless plains of Serengeti.

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Day 08

Ngorongoro Crater Floor and Karatu Village

• After leaving the Great Rift Valley, the road climbs to the edge of the magical crater. We'll keep our eyes peeled for flowering Leonotis; if we find a patch, we might get to savour the coolest sunbird spectacle in Africa, with the impressive Golden-winged, coppery-coloured Bronze, and iridescent purple Tacazee Sunbirds all competing for nectar from the same flowers.
• Descending into the crater with its towering vertical walls is like finding Africa's Garden of Eden. Inside, we seek myriad grassland and woodland birds, as well as scavenging vultures amidst a thronging wildlife spectacle virtually unequalled on earth. Some 30,000 big mammals are resident here, and a decent proportion of them can be seen from a single viewpoint within the crater, an indescribably magnificent sight.

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Day 09

Tarangire National Park Birding and Wildlife

• Move to Tarangire National Park and see the low baobab-clad plains and fever-tree groves here, which support many cool species including three Tanzanian endemics and near-endemics: Ashy Starling, Yellow-collared Lovebird, and Rufous-tailed Weaver.
• Look at the lush grasses full of ground birds like Northern White-bellied Bustard and both Red-necked and Yellow-necked Francolins. This is one of the better places to see elephants, which can occur in great numbers along the Tarangire River.

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Day 10

Return to Arusha and Departure

• Return to Arusha to conclude the tour.