8 Days Tanzania Birding and Wildlife Safari.
8 Days Tanzania birding and wildlife safari is designed for travelers who wish to combine the spectacular Big five wildlife viewing of the Northern Circuit with an intensive focus on East Africa’s unique and diverse birdlife.
The itinerary is structured to visit various habitats, from the alkaline lakes to the dense forests and then open savannah, increasing both game drives and then dedicated birding opportunities.
Tour Highlights.
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Tarangire birding.
Day 2: Full day in Tarangire National Park.
Day 3: Lake Manyara Game drive and Lake Shore Birding.
Day 4: Ngorongoro Highlands and Crater Rim.
Day 5: Crater Descent and wildlife concentration.
Day 6: Olduvai Gorge and Drive to Central Serengeti.
Day 7: Full day in Serengeti National Park.
Day 8: Departure
Detailed itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Tarangire birding.
On the first day of the safari, upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be met by your safari guide from African Vacation Safaris, you will welcome you and brief you about the safari. After the briefing you will be transferred by road to Tarangire National Park (a 2-to-3-hour drive).
After checking into your lodge, the afternoon is dedicated to a combined game drive and birding walk along the Tarangire river. Tarangire is a hotspot for species like the colourful Yellow-collared Lovebird, the enormous Kori Bustard, and the striking Rufous-tailed weaver. The dry riverbeds attract large numbers of water birds during the dry season. After the experience you will be transferred to your lodge for dinner, relaxation and overnight stay.
Day 2: Full day in Tarangire National Park.
On the second day of the safari, wake up early in the morning and enjoy breakfast. After breakfast you will meet your safari guide and search the dense acacia woodlands for predatory birds, and then explore the extensive swamps, which host large numbers of waterfowl and herons.
Your specialist guide will help identify various species and then potential migratory visitors, all while keeping an eye out for elephants, lions and leopards. After the experience you will be transferred to your lodge for dinner, relaxation and overnight stay.
Days 3-4: Lake Manyara and the Great rift Valley (Water birds and forest species).
The itinerary takes you to Lake Manyara, offering a chance of scenery with its soda lake, dense groundwater forest and then dramatic Rift Valley setting.
Day 3: Lake Manyara Game drive and Lake Shore Birding.
On the third day of the safari, wake up early in the morning and enjoy breakfast. After breakfast you will transfer to Lake Manyara National Park, and once you arrive you will enjoy your lunch and then spend the afternoon exploring Lake Manyara National Park. The main focus will be the lakeshore, which is famous for its massive flocks of Flamingos (seasonal), pelicans, and storks.
The dense forest area is excellent for the viewing forest species like the silvery-cheeked hornbill and various raptors. The park as well is also known for its tree-climbing lions and large baboon troops that will as well be spotted. After the experience you will be transferred to your lodge for dinner, relaxation and an overnight stay.
Day 4: Ngorongoro Highlands and Crater Rim.
On the fourth day of the safari, wake up early in the morning and enjoy breakfast. After breakfast you will check out from your lodge and meet your safari guide and ascend the Great Rift Valley escarpment and then drive toward Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA). The drive is scenic, passing through the cooler highlands where you may spot the raptors and then high-altitude species. You will later check in your lodge on the crater rim for dinner, relaxation and preparing for the descent the following day.
Day 5: Crater Descent and wildlife concentration.
On the fifth day of the safari, wake up early in the morning and enjoy breakfast. After breakfast you will descend 600 meters (2000 feet) into the Ngorongoro crater. While the focus is the Big five viewing (lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and Black Rhinoceros) the crater floor’s diverse habitats, alkaline lakes, swamps and open plains create a perfect environment for the specific bird species.
You will spot the ostrich and crowned cranes and then various plovers and sandpipers around the water sources. After, you will be transferred to your lodge for dinner, relaxation and an overnight stay.
Day 6: Olduvai Gorge and Drive to Central Serengeti.
On the sixth day of the safari, wake up early in the morning and enjoy breakfast. After breakfast you will check out from your lodge and leave the Ngorongoro highlands and then drive toward Serengeti National Park. Along the way your safari guide will stop at Olduvai Gorge, which is an important anthropological site.
The afternoon involves a long drive across the plains to your central Serengeti camp, where you will constantly scan the skies and grasslands for raptors and migratory birds. You will later check in your lodge for relaxation and an overnight stay.
Day 7: Full day in Serengeti National Park.
On the seventh day of the safari, wake up early in the morning and enjoy breakfast. After breakfast you will meet your safari guide and go to central Serengeti. The open plains are excellent habitats for birds of prey like the majestic secretary bird and then various eagles and vultures that follow the big game herds.
You will also track the larger mammals while also focusing on the smaller ground birds, such as the colourful Lilac-breasted Roller and various bustards and francolins, with your picnic lunch. Later in the evening you will be transferred to your lodge for dinner, relaxation and an overnight stay.
Day 8: Departure.
On the last day of the safari, wake up early in the morning and enjoy breakfast. After breakfast you will check out from your lodge and your safari guide will transfer you to the nearest airstrip for a flight back to Arusha. From Arusha, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your scheduled international departure.
End of 8 Days Tanzania Birding and Wildlife Safari
Safari exclusions.
All accommodation.
All meals.
Park fees, conservation fees and crater descent fees.
Game drives in private 4×4 safari vehicle with a specialist birding wildlife guide.
Bottled water during the safari.
Olduvai Gorge fees.
Safari exclusions.
Tanzania Visa fees.
Travel insurance.
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks.
Tipping/Gratuities for guides and lodge staff.
Optional activities like Hot Air Balloon Safari.
