Birding Ngorongoro, Birdwatching Tours in Ngorongoro Crater Bird Safari and Accommodation
NGORONGORO CRATER:
Quote: "It could be a dream, out of the morning mist, men in red with spears suddenly appear as an Antelope crashes out of the forest while a herd of Buffaloes move towards a herd of indigenous Cattle led by a lonely Maasai herdsman and at a stone throw in the plains are Zebras, Wildebeest and Gazelles keeping an eye on a pride of Lions wallowing in the grass with a Hyena pretending to be watching a flock of thousands of pink coloured Flamingos on the crater lake…. We must be in the Garden of Eden." A safari member said in amusement. Come and see for your self the only Natural house in Africa where wild life concentration lives permanently.
This is popularly known as the "Eighth wonder of the world", Noah’s ark, the Eden of Africa… etc. This is the land of the Maasai pastoralists seen grazing cattle and Buffaloes, calves and Antelopes along side, it is land of the Maasai with their cattle, of their flora, and of their fauna. The protected area is home to over 30,000 Mammals, over 600 Bird species, the gigantic earth fracture, crater floor, volcanoes, plains, lakes, forests, archaeological site of Olduvai gorge, the great Rift valley wall- all combine to form the Ngorongoro conservation Area.
Caution! Double check your filming materials before descending to the crater floor, photo taking never seems to end at the Ngorongoro crater floor. floor. The Golden winged Sun bird ,the Tacazze Sun bird and the Living Livingstone’s Turaco, the Endemic Rufous tailed weaver and the Jackson’s Widow bird will be some of the special Bird species of the day to look out for while in the Ngorongoro.
BEST TIMES TO VISIT:
All year except the rainy April. Come and see for yourself.
* Access: 4 Hours drive from Arusha in a 4 WD Vehicle
Often forgotten on many birding or beach holidays is Pemba Island ,Pemba is a sister island to the famous Zanzibar. Pemba is surrounded by beautiful coral reefs of every form and description, beautiful smaller islands, deep channels and exotic white sandy beaches. In short, it is the “Forgotten Paradise” of Tanzania’s East Coast.
The island itself is covered by dense rainforest in the north and rich fertile soil where huge bananas and mangoes grow like weeds, together with coconuts, lychees and of course cloves. With its extremely rich species biodiversity it is an island of considerable scientific importance.
Pemba is a perfect place to start or end any bird tour, and even for non birders.The remote location of the island gives visitors a chance to explore old Africa through excursions such as village walks,cycling and of course the beach sports.
For birders , it is only on Pemba that you will catch up with 4 of the Tanzanian Endemics to include: The Pemba scops Owl, Pemba sun bird, Pemba White eye and Pemba Green Pigeon, yet the number of coastal specialities are un-beatable.v You could Fly to Pemba out of Dar es Salaam or Tanga before or after doing the Usambara mountains.
The following are our popular safari destinations for Tanzania.
1. ARUSHA PARK:
WHAT TO SEE: Ngurodoto Crater- a miniature crater about 2 kilometres wide and a few feet deep with forested walls,
2. NGORONGORO CRATER:
We must be in the Garden of Eden.” A safari member said in amusement. Come and see for your self the only Natural house in Africa where wildlife concentration lives permanently.
3. LAKE MANYARA PARK
This is where Florists and Botanists, as well as Birders, meet their world. A variety of vegetation species occur, ranging from monotone forest vegetation to plain savannah grassland.
4. TARANGIRE PARK
It Neighbours with lake Manyara Park, ecosystem almost similar. Covers an area of 2600sqKm.With large herds of Elephants, Thomson and Grant’s Gazelles, Gerenuk and Oryx may be spotted.
5. SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
The wildebeest migration from Serengeti to Maasai Mara in Kenya and Vice versa. All the big cats and, the Big five except the Rhino may be spotted on a two to three days game drive depending on luck in the wilderness.
6. MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK:
This small Wildlife Jewel is dominated by Hills and Plains as well as part of the famous Miombo Woodlands, this varied habitat is an excellent spot of several special and rare Wildlife not seen anywhere in Tanzania.
7. UDZUNGWA MOUNTAINS PARK:
NOTE: It is possible to base from Mikumi to access the Southern Highlands such as the UDZUNGWA MOUNTAINS National Park for the Southern Tanzania Endemic species as well as access the Ifakara area and the Kilombero Flood plains with her specialities and rarities.
8. USAMBARA MOUNTAINS AND AMANI NATURE RESERVE.
This little-known mountain range is one of the gems of Tanzania. Lying north coast, the Usambara’s are a relict patch of the great tropical forests that once spanned Africa from the Atlantic to the Indian Oceans.
9. PEMBA ISLAND:
Often forgotten on many birding or beach holidays is Pemba Island, Pemba is a sister island to the famous Zanzibar. Pemba is surrounded by beautiful coral reefs of every form and description, beautiful smaller islands.
10. LAKE VICTORIA:
Shared between the three of the East African Countries – ( Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda ), Lake Victoria is the Largest Freshwater Lake in Africa commonly regarded as Africa`s Inland sea.
11. KILOMBERO FLOOD PLAINS AND WETLAND:
We do include the Kilombero Flood plains and wetland on many of our Southern Tanzania bird tours. This is where the new undescribed species occur. The Kilombero Weaver and Kilombero Cisticolas and several other specialities are found here. A visit to the Udzungwa Mountains or Mikumi National Parks can be combined with an excursion to the Flood Plains a little further South.
12. RUAHA NATIONAL PARK:
Ruaha National Park is Tanzania’s least accessible parks and poorly visited and as result, it is totally untouched and remains one of the most exciting game reserves (almost as large as the Serengeti) in Tanzania. We do include Ruaha National park on many of our off-track safaris.
13. SAADANI NATIONAL PARK – “where the beach meets the bush”
This is East Africa’s only National Park by the beach. At Saadani National Park, Palm trees sway in a cooling oceanic breeze. White sand and blue water sparkle alluringly beneath the tropical sun.
14. KITULO PLATEAU NATIONAL PARK “the Garden of God
Locals refer to the Kitulo Plateau as Bustani ya Mungu – The Garden of God – while botanists have dubbed it the Serengeti of Flowers, host to “one of the great floral spectacles of the world”. KARIBU TANZANIA
Ruaha Birding Tour, Birdwatching Ruaha National Park Birds Tanzania
RUAHA NATIONAL PARK:
Ruaha National Park is Tanzania’s least accessible parks and poorly visted and as result it is totally untouched and remains one of the most exciting game reserves (almost as large as the Serengeti) in Tanzania. We do include Ruaha National park on many of our off track safaris.
Ruaha is exciting and regarded as a birdwatcher’s paradise as there are 350 species of bird that are not found in northern Tanzania and as the river runs through spectacular gorges and majestic trees it is specially appealing to photographers. The new Ruaha Redbilled( Tanzania Redbilled ) Hornbill, another one of the Tanzanian endemics is localized in Ruaha.
Most of the big game: elephant; buffalo; hippos; crocodiles; lion; cheetah; leopard; wild dog and lots of antelope; Greater and Lesser Kudu; roan and sable antelope; and Grants gazelles are found in the Ruaha. Ruaha’s unusually high diversity of antelope is a function of its location, which is transitional to the acacia savannah of East Africa and the miombo woodland belt of Southern Africa. Grant’s gazelle and lesser kudu occur here at the very south of their range, alongside the miombo-associated sable and roan antelope, and one of East Africa`s largest populations of greater kudu, the park emblem, distinguished by the male’s magnificent corkscrew horns.
BEST TIME TO VISIT:
For predators and large mammals, dry season (mid-May-December) and for bird-watching, lush scenery and wildflowers visit in January through June.
SAADANI NATIONAL PARK – “where the beach meets the bush”
This is East Africa’s only National Park by the beach.At Saadani National Park, Palm trees sway in a cooling oceanic breeze. White sand and blue water sparkle alluringly beneath the tropical sun. Traditional dhows sail slowly past, propelled by billowing white sails, while Swahili fishermen cast their nets below a brilliant red sunrise.
Saadani is where the beach meets the bush. The only wildlife sanctuary in East Africa to boast an Indian Ocean beachfront, it possesses all the attributes that make Tanzania’s tropical coastline and islands so popular with European sun-worshippers. Yet it is also the one place where those idle hours of sunbathing might be interrupted by an elephant strolling past, or a lion coming to drink at the nearby waterhole.
Protected as a game reserve since the 1960s, in 2002 it was expanded to cover twice its former area and up garded to National Park status. Today, a surprisingly wide range of grazers and primates is seen on game drives and walks, among them giraffe, buffalo, warthog, common waterbuck, reedbuck, hartebeest, wildebeest, red duiker, greater kudu, eland, sable antelope, yellow baboon and vervet monkey.
Herds of up to 30 elephants are encountered with increasing frequency, and several lion prides are resident, together with leopard, spotted hyena and black-backed jackal. Boat trips on the mangrove-lined Wami River come with a high chance of sighting hippos, crocodiles and a selection of marine and riverine birds, including the mangrove kingfisher and lesser flamingo, while the beaches form one of the last major green turtle breeding sites on mainland Tanzania.
WHEN TO VISIT:
Generally accessible all-year round, but the access roads are sometimes impassable during April and May. The best game-viewing is in January and February and from June to August
ACCOMMODATION:
One luxury tented camp.
Campsites planned.
Birding Mikumi, Birdwatching Tours in Mikumi Bird Safari and Accommodation
MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK:
This small Wildlife Jewel is dominated by Hills and Plains as well as part of the famous Miombo Woodlands, these varied habitat is an excellent spot of several special and rare Wildlife not seen any where in Tanzania.
SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS: Rare Species such as the Wild Dog, Sable Antelope, Greater Kudu and Roan Antelope have been recorded in Mikumi National Park. Bird Watchers may be in position to spot Miombo woodland specialities such as Racket Tailed Roller,Pale billed Hornbill, Shelley`s Sunbird, Wood Hoopoes and Hoopoes. The Boem`s Bee-eater and the Miombo Rock Thrush are the few other Species to add on.
BEST TIME TO VISIT:
Except March, April and May.
*Access:4 hours Drive in a 4WD from the Coast of Dar es salaam.
Birding Serengeti, Birdwatching Tours in Serengeti National Park – Bird Safari and Accommodation
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
This continues great Eco system into the Maasai Mara of Kenya is the oldest and largest wildlife park in East Africa with a total land area of over 250 000 sq kilometres. Siringet (Now Serengeti) is a Maasai word for “flat endless plains”. Indeed your eyes, scopes and bins will be the limit to the freely roaming wildlife in the Serengeti country.
WHAT TO SEE:
The wildebeest migration from Serengeti to Maasai Mara in Kenya and Vice versa. All the big cats and the Big five, except the Rhino, may be spotted on a two to three days game drive depending on luck in the wilderness.
SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS:
Wildebeest migration between June – October and December to May. Each year at about this time of the year, over a million large Mammals including Grazers and Carnivores come together to breed, a sight that even a fanatic Birder will find irresistible to ignore. This is the only place in East Africa with the highest concentration of wildlife “The Serengeti shall never die”. Two Tanzania endemic bird species occur in the Serengeti – the Fischer’s Love bird and the Grey breasted Spurfowl. Other specialities in the Serengeti include the Usambiro Barbet, Yellow throated Sand Grouse and the Silver bird … the list is endless.
Day 1: Arrival, Meet our Representative /Driver /Guide, Pickup from Point of entry (Kilimanjaro International Airport). You will be driven in a 4WD Minibus/Land Cruiser /Land Rover ,depending on group size, in either case the Safari Vehicles are specially designed for Safari with pop-up roofs for game viewing and a guaranteed window seat for each passenger .
Pick up and drop at Namanga the Kenya/Tanzania Border is possible and arrangements can also be made to pick up at Airport from Nairobi Kenya or arrange pick up in Nairobi by Shuttle bus, Nairobi – Arusha.
Transfer to Arusha Town with Dinner and Overnight at Ilboru Safari Lodge.You will be briefed by your Tour Leader on arrival at the Lodge
* Extra Border Transfers shall be charged if arrivals shall any other than Kilimanjaro Airport. Enquire current transfer charges. Visas will also be required depending on Nationalities-you can acquire Visas on arrival at the Border crossing.
Day 2: The day begins with pre breakfast birding around the Lodge grounds, sighting fire finches, variable sunbirds, Bulbuls and Olive Thrush. Breakfast and head for Arusha national Park with our packed Lunches, visit the various crater lakes catching up with the Macoa ducks, Egyptian Geese, Hotentot teal, Comb duck and many unusual waders.
The forest may reward you with Trogons and orange bellied Parrots.After we have had our packed Lunches we then drive out of the Park to go out experiencing a walking safari north of Arusha, visiting Arusha`s only reliable site of White Fronted bee eaters, then go searching for the rare Spike heeled Lark.The evening seeing us back to our Lodge in Arusha for Dinner.
Day 3: Early breakfast with our Lunches packed, we drive the long journey to the Serengeti arriving in the evening. A variety of Sand grouses and guinea fowls will parading our way as drive to the Lodge. Dinner and overnight at Ikoma Bush Tented Camp.
Day 4: Pre breakfast bird walk, searching for Tanzanian endemics in the Serengeti to include; the Fischer’s Lovebird and Grey breasted spurfowl. Return to the lodge for breakfast. After breakfast we then go out for the rest of the day birding and game viewing; the Usambiro barbets and the Grey capped social weaver should be displaying as we drive along. Returning in the evening to your Tented Camp.
Day 5: After our breakfast, we drive out of the Serengeti into the Ngorongoro crater where our highlight will be the endemic Rufous tailed weaver. If chance avails the golden winged Sunbird should be spotted as well as large flocks of both lesser and greater Flamingos on the Soda Lake, a variety of Raptors such as Batleurs, Martial Eagles, Yellow billed Kites, Augur Buzards and Black winged Kites should be seen soaring above the skies. Many large mammals shall also be added on our list. Dinner and Overnight at Ngorongoro Sopa lodge.
Day 6: Depart the Ngorongoro conservation area after breakfast, drive into the jungles of Lake Manyara, Lake Manyara is famous for her tree climbing Lions, large schools of Hippos at the Hippo pool and the Maji moto hot springs. You will then take your picnic Lunch at one of the many Picnic sites set aside by the park Authorities and then continue exploring the Lake Manyara jungles, where a good list of wild life will be added to your previous record. Drive out of the park boundaries in the evening into E Unoto Retreat Tanzania’s only true 5 Star Luxury Lodge set in a remote Maasai Country where bird walks can be arranged.
Day 7: We will have an optional Pre breakfast bird walk around E Unoto Retreat, after breakfast you will have the option to go out game viewing full day back in the Manyara Jungles or just relax at your Balcony where birding opportunities are superb. You can then later join in a walk exploring the local surroundings where again you will have further chances of birding for waders and a mix of dry country species as well as meeting up with the local people. Dinner at your Lodge.
Day 8: Day the begins with an early breakfast, then drive to Tarangire with our packed Lunches, the highlights of the day is searching for the Tanzanian endemics again that will include the Rufous Tailed weaver, Yellow collard Lovebird and Ashy Stirling. Dinner and overnight at the Tarangire Safari Lodge.
Day 9: Full day exploring Tarangire Plains. In addition to the many Birds spotted, Tarangire has the highest concentration of Elephants per square kilometer in East Africa .We will spend the entire day game driving within the park after which we will return to our Lodge for Dinner and Over night.
Day 10: Depending on flight arrangements, we may have an opportunity birding and game viewing in Tarangire before we return to Arusha for our Outbound connections.
END OF SERVICES
If there will be need to overnight in Arusha so a s to catch up with flights the next day, accommodation arrangements shall be made and clients will pay services direct to Hotel/Lodge in Arusha. Range of Hotel/Lodge in Arusha to be booked for the last night can be discussed on arrival.
This Tour Departs anytime with a minimum of Two Persons, subject to availability of bird guides.
Day 1:Arrive Dar es Salam night by the Beach.( services are Bed and Break fast only )
Day 2: Drive to Mikumi National Park,birding & Big game viewing on the way. ( Bed & Breakfast )
Day 3: Morning Birding Miombo woodlands and on to Mikumi Park ( Bed & Breakfast )
Day 4: Drive to Ruaha, through Iringa Town.Over night Ruaha bandas – all meals Included.
Day 5: We are scheduled to spend a full day game viewing,photography and birding in the Ruaha National park. We should be able to encounter all the Big game in the park as well as birds and Repitiles.Over night at the Ruaha National Park Bandas. All meals included
Day 6: Another day in Ruaha. All meals included
Day 7: After the excitement in Ruaha,we will have an optional pre breakfast bird walk around the camp before checking out of Ruaha to the Udzungwas. Enroute, we will have more opportunities birding as we drive again East words into the mountains.Depending on time of arrival in the Udzungwa mountains, we will join in one of the trails up the mountain,birding for Coastal forest species including Trumpeter Hornbills. The evening will see us at the Udzungwa View Mountain Lodge Bed and Breakfast .
Day 8: To day we are scheduled to drive to one of the highlight sites of this Tour. The Kilombero Flood plains further South East.This is where new bird species have been recorded in the recent years.The Kilombero Weaver, Kilombero Cisticola, white tailed Cisticola and one other un named-un described Cisticola species are found in this flood plains. Others are the Coppery tailed Coucal and the stunning Zebra waxbill. After the excitement here, we will drive back to Udzungwas. Bed & Breakfast
Day 9: Morning in the Udzungwas,drive on to Mikumi,spent some time in the park and afternoon drive to Morogoro. Over night Bed & Breakfast
Day 10: This morning we are set to drive to what should be the most highlight of the trip – the Usambara mountains. We will begin with a visit to the East Usambara Mountains at Amani Nature reserve. All meals included.
Day 11: Birding Amani Nature reserve. All Meals included
Day 12: We will start the day with an optional pre breakfast birding before we transfer to the East Usambara mountains at Amani Nature reserve. Depending on time of arrival, we will bird the lower forest edges of Amani Nature reserve before we arrive at our basic accommodation at the Amani Rest House for Dinner and Overnight. All Meals included
Day 13: Transfer to West Usambaras,birding on the way.All Meals included
Day 14: Day Birding West Usambara mountains. All meals included
Day 15:Transfer to South Pare Mountains, birding for dry country specialties.
Day 16: Depending on flight details,could catch Bus back to Dar es salaam for evening Flight Out ,or drive to Kilimanjaro Airport and catch Flight Out or onward connections for the Tour Extensions.
