Overview
With an estimate of about 1156 bird species exist in the different habitats in Tanzania, embarking on 8 days birding safari in the Northern safari circuit amazingly won’t let return the same way you went. For 7nights/8days of exploring the Northern safari circuits, the important bird areas (IBAs) to expect visiting will include Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara National Park
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Birding tour to Serengeti National Park (335kms)
Pick up at the airport in Arusha by your driver guide, briefing about your birding safari will be done shortly and you drive to Serengeti National Park (335kms). In Serengeti alone, over 500 bird species make Serengeti an important bird area (IBA) and they include African fish eagles, secretary bird, red throated tit, grey crested helmet, Jackson’s golden backed weavers, lilac breasted rollers, Kori bustards, Southern ground hornbills, ostriches, etc.
Day 2: Full day birding -Serengeti National Park
Go game drive via the sweeping plains of Serengeti National Park, a complete big five game and also 500 bird species. Spanning on land area of about 14763sq.kms, Serengeti is one of the premier birding sites in Tanzania with significance birds such as secretary birds, ostriches, African pygmy goose, Egyptian goose,
Southern pilchard, emerald spotted wood dove, bustard, great crested grebe, nightjars, turacos, plovers, painted snipes, osprey, reed warblers, old world flycatchers, thrushes, starlings and more. You go birding today with pack of lunch to enjoy in the bush then continue with bird sighting.
Day 3-4: Ngorongoro Crater
For two days, expect the best of Ngorongoro Crater birding expedition and some of the numerous birds to keep an eye on include the giant vultures, long necked herons, sacred ibis, eagle vultures, flamingoes (especially at Lake Magadi), Kori bustards, lesser spatted eagle, white headed vulture, fischer’s sparrow, lapped faced vulture, brown snake eagle, gabar goshawk, etc. There are also countless animals to encounter such as oryx, dik-dik, hartebeest, impalas, leopards, hyenas, gazelles and others.
Day 5-6: Lake Manyara bird watching adventure
Located in the Northern tourist circuit Tanzania, Lake Manyara National Park is an amazing birding spot. Several birds will be spotted during the days in Lake Manyara National Park also a home to tree climbing lions. They include flamingos, storks, cormorants, and a lot more. Lake Manyara National Park is also a rich habitat to wildlife such as klipspringer, elephants which you will be spotting as you your birding expedition. All overnight stay will be at the respective accommodation that was pre-booked.
Day 7: Tarangire National Park -Birding trip
Explore Tarangire National Park a home to over 300 elephants, buffaloes, gazelles, elands, zebras, plus several birds- 495 bird species. These include yellow necked spurfowl, Northern white crowned shrike, black necked weaver, white faced whistling ducks, falcons, marsh harrier, etc.
Day 8: Tarangire -Arusha, Departure
Enjoy breakfast, then check out of the accommodation and exit Tarangire National Park with early game drive to see birds and wildlife that you missed the previous day. After, drive back to Arusha to fly back home marking the end of 8 days birding safari.
