12-Day Private Tanzania Birding Safari
safari Duration
- 12 Days
- 11 Nights
Tour Type
- Birding Safari
Trip Overview
This 12-day private safari combines Tanzania’s most iconic wildlife destinations with exceptional birding opportunities. Northern Tanzania is home to over 1,100 recorded bird species, including endemics and migratory species, making it a paradise for avid birdwatchers. The diverse habitats — from soda-lake wetlands to acacia woodlands, rolling savannahs, crater highlands, and riverine forests — create a perfect backdrop for both bird photography and wildlife observation.
The tour also includes a chance to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration and calving season (November–June), where thousands of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle roam the Ndutu plains, drawing predators and scavengers in an awe-inspiring natural spectacle. Coupled with big game viewing across Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and Lake Manyara, this safari is ideal for photographers, birders, and wildlife enthusiasts seeking a private, immersive experience.
Start/End: Kilimanjaro International Airport, Arusha
Regions Covered: Northern Tanzania – Serengeti (Ndutu & Central Plains), Ngorongoro Conservation Area & Crater, Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park, Arusha highlands
Accommodation: Choice of standard lodges, medium safari camps, and tented eco-lodges
Tour Style: Private and customizable – your group size, pace, and focus on birding, wildlife, or photography
Optional Extensions: Coastal birding at Pemba Island, West Usambaras trekking, Mkomazi National Park, or pre/post-tour add-ons
12-Day Itinerary – Northern Tanzania Birding & Wildlife Safari
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to your lodge in Arusha. After settling in, enjoy a relaxed evening reviewing your itinerary and preparing your gear for the adventure ahead. The lodge’s grounds may offer opportunities for spotting local birds such as hornbills, weavers, and sunbirds.
Accommodation: Korona Villa or Ngaresero Mountain Lodge | WiFi: Yes
Day 2: Arusha National Park – Birding & Wildlife
Early morning, meet your field crew and drive to Arusha National Park. Explore the forested highlands, crater lakes, and plains. Bird species may include African paradise-flycatcher, turacos, and crowned hornbills. Wildlife encounters may include giraffe, zebra, buffalo, and colobus monkeys. Afternoon return to Arusha lodge for dinner and overnight.
Activity: Birding, wildlife viewing, and photography
Accommodation: Korona Villa or Ngaresero Mountain Lodge | WiFi: Yes
Day 3: Arusha to Ndutu – Journey Through Karatu & Ngorongoro
Depart early, driving west toward Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Stop in Karatu for a hot lunch and enjoy the scenic highlands. Continue to the Ndutu region of the Serengeti, with stops for birding and game viewing along the way. Expect to see plains game such as impala and topi, along with raptors patrolling the skies. Evening arrival at lodge for dinner.
Accommodation: Ndutu Safari Lodge | WiFi: Yes
Day 4–5: Ndutu Region – Migration & Calving Season
Explore the Ndutu plains in depth. Between January and April, witness wildebeest calving season: hundreds of thousands of calves roam the plains, closely followed by lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and jackals. Migratory birds, such as herons, storks, and flamingos, are abundant near soda lakes and wetlands. Take your time for photography and slow-paced birding, focusing on species-rich areas and predator-prey interactions.
Activity: Big game viewing, birding, photography
Accommodation: Ndutu Safari Lodge | WiFi: Yes
Day 6: Ndutu to Central Serengeti
After a morning drive through the southern plains, head north to the Central Serengeti. Observe mixed habitats, including grasslands, kopjes, and acacia woodland. Birdlife may include kori bustards, secretary birds, and various raptors. Afternoon and evening spent at central Serengeti camp, preparing for a full day of wildlife exploration.
Accommodation: Katikati Medium Camp or Kubukubu Tented Lodge | WiFi: No
Day 7: Central Serengeti – Wildlife & Birding
Spend the day on game drives in Central Serengeti. Witness herds of grazers and predators in action. Birding highlights may include larks, starlings, bee-eaters, and sunbirds. Photograph the endless plains, golden savannah light, and dramatic wildlife moments.
Accommodation: Katikati Medium Camp or Kubukubu Tented Lodge | WiFi: No
Day 8: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater
Drive from Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Crater. Descend to the crater floor for a full day of wildlife viewing. Expect zebras, buffalo, hippos, and if lucky, the rare black rhino. The crater floor also offers excellent birding opportunities, including flamingos, cormorants, and endemic species. Ascend to the crater rim for sunset and transfer to a lodge in the Ngorongoro highlands.
Accommodation: Tloma Lodge | WiFi: Yes
Day 9: Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara. Explore the soda-lake and surrounding forests. Spot thousands of flamingos, pelicans, herons, and kingfishers. Keep an eye out for tree-climbing lions resting in acacias, and troops of baboons along the forest edges. Evening return to highlands lodge.
Accommodation: Acacia farm lodge
Day 10: Highland Bird Walk & Tarangire
Optional early morning birding or guided hike on Ngorongoro highlands. Observe montane birds, sunbirds, and endemic species. Relax on lodge grounds or participate in farmyard feeding stations to photograph small birds up close. After lunch, drive to Tarangire National Park, famous for baobab-studded landscapes and large elephant herds.
Accommodation: Tarangire Safari Lodge | WiFi: Yes
Day 11: Tarangire National Park – Big Game & Birds
Spend the day in Tarangire, home to over 500 bird species and large concentrations of elephants, buffalo, and giraffes. Explore baobab-lined riverbanks, seasonal waterholes, and woodland habitats. Photograph wildlife in dynamic landscapes, while observing endemic and migratory birds including hornbills, starlings, and rollers.
Accommodation: Tarangire Safari Lodge | WiFi: Yes
Day 12: Departure
Morning game drive or birding in Tarangire, followed by lunch. Transfer back to Arusha to connect with your international flight home. End of an unforgettable Northern Tanzania birding adventure.
Wildlife & Birding Highlights
Mammals: Wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, elephants, giraffe, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, hippos, and the rare black rhino.
Birds: Over 500 species including flamingos, pelicans, storks, herons, hornbills, turacos, sunbirds, rollers, secretary birds, kori bustards, raptors, weavers, endemic lovebirds, and migratory species.
Photography Opportunities: Open plains, crater panoramas, soda-lake reflections, baobab forests, predator-prey action, bird flocks in flight, and dramatic sunsets over savannahs.
Book This Trip
- All national park entry fees & taxes
- All meals during safari (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Bottled drinking water (3+ liters per day)
- All accommodation during safari
- Transport in a custom 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Guaranteed window seat
- Professional safari guide
- Charging ports, radio communication, cooler box, filtered water
- Tips for guide & cook
- Flights (international or domestic)
- Tanzania visa fees
- Serengeti hot-air balloon ($480 per person)
- Items of personal nature
Price Per Person
Best Time to Visit
- November–June: Ideal for migration, calving, bird diversity, and lush landscapes.
- Flexibility: Private tour allows customized pacing — ideal for photographers, birders, and wildlife enthusiasts.
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