What is included in the Bird Photography Safari package?

The package includes park fees, all activities, accommodation, meals, transportation, taxes, and a professional guide.

Do I need professional photography gear?

Not necessarily. While professional gear is ideal, a good DSLR or mirrorless camera with a telephoto lens will be sufficient for excellent results.

When is the best time for bird photography in Tanzania?

The best months are from November to April when migratory birds are present and many species are in breeding plumage.

Can this safari be customized?

Yes! Kiliclimb Africa Safaris offers tailor-made itineraries to match your specific interests, preferences, and photography goals.

14 Days Tanzania Birding by Passion Through Eyes

safari Duration

Tour Type

Trip Overview

Embark on an unforgettable 14-day birding and wildlife photography adventure through Northern Tanzania, capturing the continent’s most iconic landscapes, rare endemic birds, and dramatic big-game scenes — all through the lens of your camera. This tour is carefully crafted for photographers, birders, nature enthusiasts, and wildlife lovers who want an immersive, flexible safari experience at their own pace.

From the highland forests at the foot of Mount Meru to the vast Ndutu plains of the Serengeti, from the majestically wild Tarangire National Park to the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, every day presents unique photographic opportunities. Pre-tour extensions allow you to explore the dry savanna and semi-arid habitats of Mkomazi National Park and the lush montane forests of the West Usambara Mountains, which are home to rare endemic birds and endemic butterflies.

This is more than just a safari; it’s a visual and ecological journey that blends birding, wildlife photography, and landscape photography in one seamless experience.

Tour Highlights

Birding Northern Tanzania’s top hotspots: From arid plains to highland forests, you will photograph over 300 bird species, including raptors, forest endemics, and savanna specialists.
Big Game Photography: Capture elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, buffalo, and cheetahs in their natural habitat.
Scenic Landscapes: Serengeti plains, Tarangire’s baobab-studded landscapes, and the dramatic rim of the Ngorongoro Crater.
Endemic Species: Mkomazi and West Usambara extension provide a chance to photograph rare forest birds, butterflies, and chameleons.
Flexible pace: Your private guide will tailor each day to your group size, photographic needs, and interests.

Trip Attractions

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival – Kilimanjaro International / Arusha Airport → Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge, your tranquil base surrounded by indigenous forests and gardens. Afternoon orientation walk offers the first chance for local bird photography and short forest hikes.

Day 2: Local Birding on Lodge Grounds

Start your photography journey with early morning bird walks on the lodge grounds. Capture species like sunbirds, weavers, hornbills, and turacos amid lush gardens. Enjoy butterfly photography alongside the birding, observing the bright colors and patterns of local species.

Day 3: Maasai Steppes Excursion

Drive into the Maasai Steppe, a dry-country savanna ecosystem ideal for photographing savanna specialists such as Kori Bustard, Secretary Birds, Ground Hornbills, and larks. Foot-based photography ensures intimate encounters with wildlife in the steppe habitats.

Day 4: Arusha National Park & Mt Meru Foothills

Explore the Arusha National Park, combining forest, lake, and savanna habitats. Photograph Colobus Monkeys, giraffes, waterfowl on Momella Rift Valley lakes, and a variety of forest and edge birds. The lush forests at the foot of Mount Meru are perfect for sunbirds, turacos, and elusive forest warblers.

Day 5: Drive to Central Serengeti via Ngorongoro Crater Rim

A long scenic drive takes you across Ngorongoro Crater rim and into the Serengeti National Park, stopping for bird photography at forest edges, wetland patches, and open grasslands. Evening arrival at Kubukubu Luxury Tented Lodge allows for sunset photography of the plains.

Days 6–7: Central Serengeti Plains

Spend two full days in the heart of the Serengeti ecosystem, photographing plains game and predators. Early morning and late afternoon drives maximize lighting for big cat photography, herd dynamics, and birding along rivers and termite mounds. Key bird species include Lilac-breasted Roller, Secretary Bird, Grey-headed Kingfisher, and many waterfowl.

Day 8: Transfer to Ndutu Plains – South East Serengeti

Journey south into the Ndutu region, famed for migratory wildebeest herds and predator-rich landscapes. Capture dramatic wildlife action: lions hunting wildebeest, cheetah chases, and diverse birdlife including Vulturine Guineafowl and migratory shorebirds.

Days 9–10: Ndutu Plains Exploration

Two days for intensive photography and birding, combining open plains, riverine forests, and ephemeral lakes. Ideal for capturing large herds in golden light, raptor action shots, and migratory flocks. Optional short walks to photograph ground-dwelling birds and small mammals.

Day 11: Ngorongoro Crater Floor

Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, the world-famous volcanic caldera teeming with wildlife. Photograph elephants, black rhino, hippos, lions, and flamingos in their natural habitats. Crater-edge forests offer chances for forest bird photography, including near-endemic species.

Day 12: Ngorongoro Highlands → Gibbs Farm → Tarangire

After a morning of highland birding around Gibbs Farm, drive to Tarangire National Park, home to iconic baobab-studded landscapes. Photograph large elephant herds, tree-climbing lions, and migratory birds.

Day 13: Tarangire National Park

Full day in Tarangire for wildlife and bird photography. Focus on Miombo woodland birds, water birds along the Tarangire River, and classic savanna species. Sunset sessions allow dramatic shots of silhouetted baobabs and wildlife against golden skies.

Day 14: Tarangire → Arusha / Kilimanjaro International Airport

Morning photography in Tarangire, capturing final shots of wildlife and landscapes. Transfer back to Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport for departure. Optionally, connect to your pre-tour extension to Mkomazi National Park or West Usambara Mountains, where lush forests, endemic birds, and montane landscapes await.

Optional Pre-Tour Extension

Mkomazi National Park: Semi-arid savanna and dry woodlands with endemic birds, wild dogs, and desert-adapted species. Ideal for photographing dry-country birdlife and big game in unique habitats.
West Usambara Mountains – Lushoto Area: Lush montane forests with range-restricted endemics, dramatic waterfalls, and scenic highland views. Perfect for forest birding, butterfly photography, and chameleon spotting.

Key Features

Pace: Fully private; customized to your group and photography requirements.
Guides: Experienced local birding and wildlife guides.
Accommodation: Ranges from tourist-standard lodges to luxury tented camps, often located within or near key birding and wildlife habitats.
Wildlife Diversity: Over 350 species of birds, classic African mammals, endemic butterflies, and forest reptiles.
Photography-Focused: Early mornings and golden-hour drives optimized for camera work. Night drives optional for nocturnal species photography.

Best Time to Visit

All year round: Northern Tanzania has reliable wildlife and birding throughout the year.
Dry season (June–October): Ideal for wildlife photography due to open landscapes and easier game spotting.
Wet season (November–May): Optimal for birding, as many migrants are present, and forests are lush for photography of butterflies and endemic forest birds.