Our tour explores the famous and quintessential birding and wildlife reserves of northern Tanzania, Tarangire, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. The tour will focus on Tanzanian endemics and regional specials whilst having ample time to marvel at some of the highest concentrations of wildlife to be found anywhere on our planet, and all this amidst spectacular scenery in one of Africa's wildest, most stable and least spoilt destinations. Some of the many regional specials and endemic birds that we will target on this tour are the beautiful Fischer’s and Yellow-collared Lovebirds, Ashy Starling, Grey-breasted Spurfowl and Rufous-tailed Weaver. With Mt. Kilimanjaro as a backdrop, we will search for the highly localized Beesley’s Lark, one the world’s rarest lark species with perhaps no more than 250 birds left. Our tour uses a good standard of accommodation and comfortable safari vehicles with pop-up roof hatches to optimize viewing. This incredible and immensely rewarding birding safari is augmented by some of the most outstanding mammal viewing the world has to offer.

Top Birds

Fischer’s & Yellow-collared Lovebirds; Ashy Starling; Grey-breasted Spurfowl; Rufous-tailed Weaver; Beesley’s Lark; Rosy-patched Bushshrike; Blue-naped Mousebird; Von der Decken’s Hornbill; White-bellied Go-away-bird; White-headed Buffalo Weaver; Grey-crested Helmetshrike; Karamoja Apalis; Secretarybird; Bateleur; Silverbird; Blue-capped Cordonbleu; Lappet-faced Vulture; Schalow’s Turaco; Tacazze, Golden-winged & Eastern Double-collared Sunbirds; Purple-crested Turaco; Silvery-cheeked Hornbill; Crowned & Martial Eagles; Abyssinian Scimitarbill; vast numbers of Greater and Lesser Flamingos; Red-throated Tit; Steel-blue Whydah; Kori & White-bellied Bustards; Tanzanian Red-billed Hornbill; Saddle-billed & Marabou Storks; Grey Crowned Crane.

Top Mammals

African Elephant; Black Rhinoceros; Lion; Leopard; African Buffalo (the 'Big Five'); Cheetah; Serval; Gerenuk; Giraffe; Spotted Hyena; Bat-eared Fox; Thomson’s & Grant’s Gazelles; Tssesseba; Hartebeest; Bohor Reedbuck; Eland; Hippopotamus; Kirk’s Dik-dik; Oribi; Defassa Waterbuck; Blue Wildebeest; Plains Zebra.

Habitats Covered

lowland & afromontane forests, Acacia savanna, rivers and wetlands, rocky gorges, grassland, Baobab-studded grasslands.

Expected Climate

warm to hot, dry conditions, but cool at higher elevations and rain can be expected

Max Group Size

6 with 1 Rockjumper leader

Tour Pace & Walking

undemanding, but some relatively long drives

Accommodation

comfortable lodges & tented safari camp

Ease of Birding

mostly easy birding & mammal watching

Other Attractions

Oldupai Prehistoric site, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Maasai, African curios

Photographic Opportunities

very good to outstanding

What our clients say about us

Paul Varney
BD - Highlights 2022

The tour was amazing and probably one of the best we have been on. Paul and Moses were great guides and managed to get us on birds and good opportunities for photographing birds and animals. I appreciated Paul's patience and constant enthusiasm. Moses really understood the animals and what birds or mammals might do next - he got us in good position for great photos. Moses also had a great sense of humor and responded quickly when one of our tour members became sick. I really like that Rockjumper takes care of all the tipping and takes care of local staff and guides. This is a real benefit in the tours for me.

David Hoddinott
AS, Tanzania 2023

I really enjoyed the tour. It was hard work at the beginning with the walking and the birds difficult to see in the forest.

Nigel Redman
ND, Tanzania 2019

Our Tanzania: Highlights of the North tour was a wonderful experience. Nigel Redman was a superb leader with an in-depth knowledge of the birds of East Africa which he generously shared throughout the trip. His many years of experience in leading birding tours showed: he was an expert in spotting and identifying birds and, most importantly, getting participants on the bird quickly. Nigel's own enthusiasm and delight in birds was contagious and his good humour set the tone for a very enjoyable tour. He and local guide Roger were true professionals and we would love to travel with either again.

Gregory de Klerk
PC, Tanzania 2018

Greg de Klerk was very friendly and competent. He worked diligently to ensure we all saw the birds. We were always given sufficient time to look closely and for some to take photos. A most enjoyable tour.

Stuart Elsom
DH - Tanzania 2022

I had traveled with Rockjumper to India in 2019 with Stuart Elsom, so was looking forward to experiencing another trip with this most excellent guide. He is so knowledgeable and professional while remaining always approachable and good humored. The accommodations were superb- I especially enjoyed the tent camps! This tour really has it all- fantastic birds, wonderful opportunities to see the African mammals up close, lovely accommodations and always good food. There were a few “ glitches” for me personally but Stuart kept everything running smoothly. Our driver, Geitan, was fantastic. It was obvious he drove with great care and concern for our safety. What an experience- not only the birds but the people and other things we experienced. Thank you, especially to Stuart, for a wonderful adventure!

Tanzania - Highlights of the North: Birds & Big Game 2024

04 Nov 2024 - 14 Nov 2024 (11 days)

USD6,895 - 2 Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Yoav Perlman

Tour price (Per person): USD6,895 * GBP5,543 * EUR6,473 * AUD10,755

Single Supplement: USD550 * GBP442 * EUR516 * AUD858

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Tanzania - Highlights of the North: Birds & Big Game 2025

03 Nov 2025 - 13 Nov 2025 (11 days)

USD7,095 - 4 Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Paul Varney

Tour price (Per person): USD7,095 * GBP5,703 * EUR6,661 * AUD11,067

Single Supplement: USD590 * GBP474 * EUR554 * AUD920

Can be linked with:

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Tour Route Map

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