This Tanzania Mega Birding Tour is one of the ultimate African birding adventures, and has been specifically designed to take in the entire range of sought-after forest endemics that Tanzania has to offer! Our tour kicks off with an exploration of the nearby Pemba Island, home to four species of endemics that include Pemba Scops Owl, Pemba White-eye, Pemba Sunbird and Pemba Green Pigeon. The lush forests of the impressive Eastern Arc Mountains are home to an amazing array of highly localised specials. Gems such as Winifred’s (Mrs Moreau’s) Warbler, Loveridge’s Sunbird, Usambara Akalat, Usambara Weaver, Spot-throat and Fischer’s Turaco are just a few of the wonderful species that we will be searching for. We will also take time to track down the elusive and recently discovered Udzungwa Forest Partridge – a species that shares close affinities with partridges from Asia – and another rare bird, the splendid Rufous-winged Sunbird. Other fabulous endemics and regional specialities include Amani Sunbird, Kretschmer’s Longbill, Uluguru Bushshrike, Iringa Akalat, and Olive-flanked Ground Robin, together with a bunch of recently described species that include Kilombero and White-tailed Cisticolas and Kilombero Weaver.
*2024 Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Pemba Green Pigeon, Brown-necked Parrot, 10 species of Turaco, Pemba Scops Owl, Böhm’s Spinetail, White-headed Mousebird, both Trogons, Pale-billed & Tanzanian Red-billed Hornbill, Green Tinkerbird & Brown-breasted Barbet, Pallid Honeyguide, Chestnut-fronted Helmetshrike, Uluguru Bushshrike, Marsh Tchagra, Uhehe Fiscal, Green-headed Oriole, Red-throated & Cinnamon-breasted Tit, Livingstone’s Flycatcher, Kilombero, Lynes’s & White-tailed Cisticola, White-winged & Chapin’s Apalis, Long-billed & Red-capped Forest Warbler, Spot-throat, Dapple-throat, Usambara Hyliota, Golden-breasted Starling, White-chested Alethe, Usambara & Iringa Akalat, Uluguru Violet-backed, Banded Green, Golden-winged, Moreau’s & Loveridge’s Sunbird, Bertram’s, Taveta, Kilombero & Usambara Weaver, Red-throated Twinspot, Steel-blue & Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah, Yellow-browed & Kipengere Seedeater
Top Mammals Angola Pied & Iringa Red Colobus, Gambian Giant Pouched Rat, Honey Badger, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, African Elephant, Black Rhinoceros, Kirk’s Dik-dik, African Buffalo, Eland
Habitats Covered montane forests, savanna, grasslands, broad-leaved woodland, lakes, dams and rivers
Expected Climate cool in the highlands, warm in the lowlands
Max Group Size 8 with 1 Rockjumper leader
Tour Pace & Walking Our Mega tours are very fast-paced birding adventures designed for the dedicated lister and serious birder. The focus of the tour is to see as many of the endemics and area specials as possible in our given time. In order to cover the necessary route to maximise the species list we tend to spend a single night at most sites and travel large distances. There is very little down time aside from that spent driving from one site to the next. These tours are not suitable for dedicated or avid photographers; inexperienced or new birders; as well as anyone with serious mobility or health challenges.
Accommodation mostly comfortable lodges and hotels, though a few nights are spent camping in comfy domb-style tents
Ease of Birding easy in the north, challenging in the south
Number of Species Expected 550-600
Other Attractions ngorongoro crater, the fabulous Serengeti, spectacular sunsets and landscapes
Photographic Opportunities excellent in the north, challenging in the south
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.
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.
"Andre loved showing us this part of Africa and now we understand why! Yes the birds were amazing and yes seeing the animals in their natural habitat was breathtaking but it was also much more. It was the endless horizons. It was the distant and up close rains. It was Mt. Kenya appearing and disappearing rom us. It was the people. The colorful clothing. The happy faces and the shy children. It was the beautiful lodges and the excellent food. TIA! This is Africa!"
Thank you for a wonderful experience! The tour exceeded my expectations. Andre Bernon is an extremely talented and knowledgeable guide. His eyes and ears are incredible and he is very thoughtful with his guests.
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!