BIRD WATCHING SAFARIS

Today is set aside as an arrival day in order for us to make an early start the following morning. Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, near the town of Arusha, you will be met and transferred to our accommodation for the night. You will have the opportunity to meet your tour guide for dinner and discuss our forthcoming adventures.

River Trees Country In Lodge

Arusha

We will spend the day exploring the mosaic of forest and grassland habitats in search of the park specials which could include Scaly Francolin, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Narina Trogon, White-starred Robin, White-eared Barbet, Stripe-faced and Grey-olive Greenbuls, Red-throated Twinspot, Black-throated Wattle-eye, African Emerald Cuckoo, Red-winged and Violet-backed Starlings, Retz’s Helmetshrike, Pallid Honeyguide, Blackheaded Oriole, Broad-ringed White-eye, Red-backed Mannikin.

Rivertrees Country Inn

Lake Manyara

This diversity results in an impressive number of bird species (almost 400), in a relatively small national park. The fig forest at the entrance gate holds some good forest species and should produce Purple-crested Turaco, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Crowned Eagle, Baglafecht Weaver, Grey-olive Greenbul and Crested Guineafowl. The Acacia woodlands are especially good for birds. Apart from the ubiquitous Superb Starlings and Lilac-breasted Rollers,

Ngorongoro Farm House

Serengeti

Serengeti is one of the world’s largest natural sanctuaries. Despite the vast space, the numbers of game that we can expect to see is still astounding. The Serengeti, literally meaning ‘Endless Plain’ in Maasai, consists mostly of grasslands interspersed with Acacia woodlands and rocky outcrops. There is little permanent water in the park and this fact, combined with a fairly regular rainfall pattern, has resulted in the world-famous Wildebeest migration,

Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge

Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast we make our way out of the Sergenti towards Ngorongoro. The crater is also home of populations of large mammals. The fantastic forests that cloak the rim of this iconic site are home to a feast of Afro-montane forest birds. Hildebrandt’s Francolin, Schalow’s Turaco, the elusive Brown-backed Woodpecker, Golden-winged and Eastern Double-collared Sunbirds can be found. We will bird the surrounds of our lodge, and enjoy the vistas of the Ngorongoro Crater from dedicated viewpoints.

Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge

This morning we will bird the Ngorongoro highlands for several target species, including Grey-capped Warbler, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher and Southern Citril. Other birds recorded here include Black-fronted Bushshrike, Grey-headed Nigrita and both Spectacled and Thick-billed Weavers. We will take lunch at the fabulous Gibb’s Farm, a colonial-era mansion replete with rambling gardens and misty montane forest. After lunch, we will make our way back to Kilimanjaro International Airport.