
Stay at camps in the middle of nature.

See, hear and learn about Tanzania’s fascinating world of birds
Visiting Tanzania is an experience to all the senses. After touching down, you will be struck by the rich plethora of bird calls – an iconic part of the nature in Tanzania. The diversity in climate, altitude and region creates multiple habitats for a wealth of resident and migratory birds. From sunbirds to hornbills and from flamingos to falcons, you will not be disappointed by our birding safaris in Tanzania.
Bird watching can be fantastic all year round. However, depending on the time of year, you will see different types of birds in Tanzania. The best time to go on a birding safari will also depend on other things you want to see and do in Tanzania. If you want to see large mammals on your safari or end your trip with a beach stay on Zanzibar, this will affect your timings for your bird safari.
June to late OctoberThe best time to watch resident birds at the water sources
June to late OctoberThe best time to watch resident birds at the water sources
Generally, the best time for bird watching in Tanzania is the dry season from June to October. For example, from August to September, Lake Natron becomes a breeding ground for ~2.5 million flamingos. This rainless period guarantees that a large variety of birds flock to water sources and it makes for great bird-watching. The best weather makes all parks accessible, giving you plenty of choice of where to go. This is also the most popular time of the year to go on a classic Big Five safari, looking for mammals congregating at the few available water sources.
March to MayIdeal for watching nesting birds. Migratory birds return from November to March
March to MayIdeal for watching nesting birds. Migratory birds return from November to March
There are two rainy seasons in Tanzania: November to March are the months when migratory birds return to East Africa and from March to May, the wet season, nesting occurs. Going bird watching in the rain can show you a different side of the birds’ behaviour. They also often sit more still, trying to shelter from the rain – a good opportunity for photographers. Luckily rain in Tanzania usually doesn’t last all day and you can still enjoy sunny hours during your trip. However, classic game watching of large mammals can be more difficult during the rainy season as vegetation is dense and animals scatter in the vast national parks.
During a bird watching safari you can experience multiple types of accommodation. You can choose to stay in an authentic tented camp, a beautiful lodge with a pool, or a Mobile Explorer Camp, where you will be taken to remote places to sleep in tents, which have proper beds, showers, and toilets. No matter what, you can expect excellent Tanzanian hospitality, great food, and comfortable accommodation. Our country experts can help you choose the right accommodation for you.
Tanzania is home to ~1300 bird species, making for excellent bird-spotting. However, what makes bird watching in Tanzania special are the relationships that exist between birds, wildlife, and humans. Whether that is the oxpecker, the tick-remover of the savannahs; or the greater honeyguide, that leads the Hadza tribe to bee nests – an ancient relationship that rewards this entrepreneurial bird with the remaining wax and honey. Our guides will seek-out and share incredible symbiotic relationships, behaviour and even myths of the Tanzania birdlife.
Tanzania with its vast differences in regions, climates and seasons is a bird watching paradise.
On top of every African bird-spotting-list should be the king of all African birds. No, not the Kingfisher, the black-and-white Sacred Ibis, or the regal looking and endangered Grey Crowned Crane, but the Hamerkop – a species of bird that falls between the herons and the stalks.
The Hamerkop, as African-legend goes is the king of all African birds with the ability to control the rains and the flooding of the rivers.
Apart from a distinct hammer-shaped-head, they are not very spectacular. Nor is their false-mounting display regal. They were crowned king, partly because every other species of bird brings a contribution to help to construct their extraordinarily large nests, which can take three-months to build.
Silver birds, Grey Kestrel, and Egyptian Geese visit the nest and appear, to a passerby, to help build it. Watch them for longer and you will discover that these birds use Hamerkop nests as a building supplier and take material for their own needs.
The Hamerkops legendary status is reinforced by their unique post-mating behaviour of never stopping adding to the roof of their nest and fascinatingly, they decorate their royal palace with warthog tusk, porcupine quills, snake skins and even wildebeest-tails.
The legend as the king has been cemented in time thanks to Africa’s largest owl, the Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, who nests in the top of abandoned Hamerkop nests. Believed to have super natural powers, these huge and beautiful birds seemingly guard the palace of the king.
Whilst not as beautiful as the Common Ostrich, the Lilac-Breasted Roller or the Livingston’s Turacos; or as powerful as the Bateleur Eagle or the Fish Eagle; or as intriguing as the display of the Long-tailed Widowbird and the nesting behaviour of the African Grey Hornbill (females cement themselves into a tree-hollow for five weeks to incubate their eggs); or not as crucial to the savannahs as the many carrion birds, such as the White-backed Vulture (whose numbers have halved in the last 50 years), the Hamerkop with their large decorated nest will always be known as the king of African birds who has control of the rain.
Not only that, but their annual abandonment of the nest creates homes for a vast number of birds, reptiles and small mammals.
Join one of unique bird watching tours to Tanzania to discover, learn and be amazed by the prolific birdlife found here.
Apart from the normal packing list to Tanzania, here are some suggestions of what to bring on your bird watching safari:
Whilst bird watching is the main-act on a bird watching safari to Tanzania, you will see a vast array of wildlife during your trip. You may be experiencing the ballooning-throated-call from a pair of Ground Hornbill, whilst in the background a pride of lions could be lying in the shade. Or swirling vultures, a bird watchers delight, indicate where a kill has just taken place and you are likely to see a predator such as cheetah, hyena, and jackals. Or watching Weaver Birds building their nest over a river could enable you to see a herd of wading elephant or Nile crocodiles patrolling the river. The possibilities are endless.
Our guides are experts in both East-African birds and wildlife. To find out more you can contact one of our country experts.
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