Birdwatching In Tanzania
While Tanzania is famously known for its incredible safaris and dramatic wildlife, it’s also a top destination for bird watching. More than 1,100 bird species including seasonal migrants are found in Tanzania. Tanzania offers one of Africa’s richest and most exciting birding experiences for bird lovers.
Top Birding Spots
Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park isn’t just famous for its flamingo’s, tree climbing lions and elephants. It’s also a prime bird watching destination. Lake Manyara attracts over 400 bird’s species with its forests, Soda Lake and woodlands creating a haven for both resident and migratory birds.
You will easily see thousands of lesser flamingos painting the Lake pink while great white pelicans, yellow billed storks and African spoonbills wade in the shallows. You will also spot the Tanzania national bird and seasonal migrators like European Bee eaters and Palaearctic waders who mostly arrive during November to April.
Serengeti National Park
During the great migration Serengeti National Park grabs most of the attention because of the seasonal birds that arrive in Tanzania between November and April. The lush grasslands, acacia woodlands and seasonal wetlands attract over 500 bird species.
In Serengeti you will spot Africa’s heaviest flying bird (Kori Bustard), secretary birds and towering astricles alongside lions and cheetahs. The Western corridor the seasonal wetlands attract saddle billed storks and African skimmers while the Seronera valley at riverine forests host schalow turacos and white headed barbets.
Ngorongoro Conversation Area
Ngorongoro is a home to more than 500 bird species. It’s not only one of Africa’s top wildlife destination but also a prime location for bird watching experience. On this territory there are four peaks rising above 3000 meters, as well as wetlands that attract birds and various animals. Lake Magadi in Ngorongoro is home to flamingos.
Commonly seen species are Kori bustard, the Africa’s heaviest flying bird often seen strutting in grasslands. Secretary bird who hunts snakes in open areas. Augur Buzzard, frequently perched on trees or rocks. Grey Crowned Crane, elegant golden crowned often near wetlands. Ostrich, common on the crater floor. You will aslo spot water birds like yellow billed stork, African spoonbill, black winged lapwing, flamingo and Egyptian goose. Some colourful species are easy to find in acacia woodlands like schalow Turaco, superb starling, while eyed slaty flycatcher and spekes weaver
Tarangire National Park
Tarangire is famously known for massive elephant herds and its iconic baobab tress it’s also home to 550 bird species, making it one of Tanzania’s best birding destination. With its mix of grasslands swamps and riverine forests attracts a stunning variety of birds from colourful Bee eaters to rare endemics. During game drives you can easily see yellow collared lovebird; bright green with yellow neck flocks near baobabs. Ostrich; common in open areas. Kori bustard and secretary bird. Also Tarangire offers water bird species like African fish eagle, calls loudly from treetops near water. Saddle billed stork, tall, black and white with a rainbow bill. Goliath Heron; world’s largest heron stands still in marshes. Hamerkop builds massive nests often seen near water. Secred Ibis, white with black head, common near swamps you also see other birds like superb starling. Red and yellow barbet white bellied go away who makes loud “go away” calls. Bateleur eagle, tawny eagle and pygmy falcon
Usambara Mountains
The Usambara Mountains, forests are terming with unique bird species found nowhere else on earth. These ancient ranges, divided into the east and west Usambara are part of the Eastern Arc Mountains one of the world’s top bio dervisity hotspots. With over 500 species makes the region one of the top bird watching spots in Africa and a dream destination for bird lovers.
Some notable birds found in Usambara are like Usambara eagle owl, Usambara weaver, Usambara Akalat, Amani sunbird, spot throat, Fischers Turaco, shelleys Geenbul, kenricks starling, African brodbill, Bar tailed Tragon, Green headed Oriole, Chestnut fronted Helmet shrike, Eastern Brome naped pigeon, Collared sunbird, variable sunbird, African paradise flycatcher, while eared barbet, tambourine dove, crowned eagle, African goshawk, silvery cheekd hornbill and hartlaub’s Turaco
Ruaha National Park
Is inhabited by over 450 different bird species including some endemics such as the Ashy starling and the yellow collared lovebird. You can also see red billed hornbill, Tanzanian masked weaver, Abdim storks, white storks, white crowned lapwing, Abyssinian scimatarbill and also beautiful birds of Ruaha like purple grenadier, European roller and little Bee eater.
When is the Best time to see birds in Tanzania?
The best time for bird watching in Tanzania is during the rainy season or the green season (November to April) when migratory birds arrive from Europe and Asia and resident birds are breeding. However you can watch birds all year round and each season offers its own unique birding experience
What to bring on your birding safari in Tanzania
- Binoculars
- A good hat
- A pair of sunglasses
- Filed guide to help you with identification
- Sunscreen and insect repellent
- Light rain Jacket or Poncho
- Small backpack
