Feathers, Fauna, and The Famous Five

6 DAYS BIRD WATCHING & BIG FIVE SAFARI

A tailor-made journey for naturalists and photographers, seeking the diversity of Tanzania's avian life and the thrill of the continent's iconic megafauna.

View Detailed Itinerary

Package Details: What's Included & Excluded

Inclusions (What you pay for)

  • • All Park and Crater entry fees (Tarangire, Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro).
  • • Mid-Range or Luxury accommodation (5 nights).
  • • Full board meals (Breakfast, Lunch/Picnic, Dinner) throughout the safari.
  • • Expert Birding Guide certified by Tanzanian Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI).
  • • Private 4x4 safari vehicle equipped with reference books and pop-up roof.
  • • Unlimited bottled mineral water during game drives.
  • • Binoculars/Spotting Scope available for hire (upon request).
  • • All government taxes and levies.

Exclusions (What's not included)

  • • International flights to and from Kilimanjaro (JRO).
  • • Visa fees for entry into Tanzania (currently $100 for US citizens, $50 for others).
  • • Optional activities (e.g., Hot Air Balloon Safari: ~$650 USD).
  • • Personal items, laundry, phone calls, and tips for the guide/staff.
  • • Travel and medical insurance (Highly recommended).
  • • Alcoholic and soft drinks at the lodges.

6-Day Bird Watching & Big Five Safari Itinerary

Focusing on diverse ecosystems to maximize both avian and mammalian species viewing.

Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park - Baobabs, Elephants, and Birding Hotspots

Morning: Drive from Arusha to Tarangire National Park, famous for its giant Baobab trees and massive elephant herds. Tarangire is a recognized Important Bird Area (IBA) boasting over 500 species, including the endemic Ashy Starling (common during the dry season). Game Drive & Birding: We will focus our game drive along the Tarangire River and the swamps, seeking water-associated birds (e.g., herons, storks, and raptors). Tarangire also offers excellent opportunities to spot Leopard, Lion, and a high concentration of Buffalo and Elephant (Big Four focus).

Overnight: Lodge near Tarangire | Avian Focus: Ashy Starling, Kori Bustard, Waterfowl | Travel: ~2.5 hrs (130 km)

Day 2: Tarangire Game Drive & Transfer to Central Serengeti (Seronera)

Morning Birding/Game Drive: We spend the early morning exploring areas of Tarangire we missed, focusing on the Acacia woodlands for dry-country species like different Vultures and Hornbills. We then begin the long, scenic drive to the Serengeti. Afternoon: The drive takes us through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) and into the vast plains of the Serengeti. The game drive starts immediately, focusing on the Seronera Valley. While the big cats are the main draw here, the wide-open plains offer great viewing of ground birds like Secretary Birds and Ostriches.

Overnight: Tented Camp in Central Serengeti (Seronera) | Mammal Focus: Big Cats, Plains Game | Travel: ~6 hrs (300 km)

Day 3: Serengeti National Park - Kopjes and Vulture Sightings

Full Day Game Drive: A dedicated day to exploring the Serengeti's central regions, focusing on the rocky *Kopjes* (rock outcrops) which are prime habitats for both Leopards, Lions, and specialized birds. We search for raptors that perch on the rocks, such as the Grey Kestrel and different eagle species. The presence of large numbers of plains game (Wildebeest, Zebra, Gazelles) means frequent sightings of various Vulture species feeding. This day is key for securing the final Big Five members (Lion, Leopard).

Overnight: Tented Camp in Central Serengeti (Seronera) | Avian Focus: Raptor species, Vultures, Ground Hornbills | Distance: Varied

Day 4: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater Rim - Big Five Completion

Morning Game Drive: A final morning drive in the Serengeti before driving back into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA). Afternoon: We descend 600 meters into the UNESCO Ngorongoro Crater. The crater is the best place globally to guarantee a sighting of the Big Five, especially the critically endangered Black Rhino. While searching for the rhino and the rest of the Big Five, we will also scan the soda lakes for waterbirds and the unique bird species that thrive in the crater ecosystem, such as the numerous endemic species of Cisticola.

Overnight: Lodge on Ngorongoro Crater Rim | Mammal Focus: Black Rhino, Big Five | Travel: ~4 hrs Drive

Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater Morning Drive & Transfer to Lake Manyara Area

Morning: We enjoy a full morning in the Ngorongoro Crater for more game viewing and a dedicated birding session, focusing on species that inhabit the open grasslands and the Lake Magadi shoreline. After our picnic lunch, we ascend the crater wall and drive to the forested area surrounding Lake Manyara. Afternoon Birding: We visit the lodge grounds which are often excellent for bird viewing, searching for species like the Crested Guineafowl and Silvery-cheeked Hornbill in the dense groundwater forest ecosystem.

Overnight: Lodge near Lake Manyara/Karatu | Avian Focus: Cisticola, Hornbills, forest dwellers | Travel: ~1.5 hrs Drive (80 km)

Day 6: Lake Manyara Game Drive (Flamingoes) & Departure to Arusha/JRO

Morning Safari: Our final park is the scenic Lake Manyara National Park. This park offers one of the best birding destinations in East Africa, with over 400 recorded species. We focus on the vast shallow lake, which is often carpeted in thousands of Pink Flamingos and Pelicans (seasonal). We also look for the famous Tree-Climbing Lions and the huge population of baboons. After the game drive, we enjoy a final hot lunch and then begin the drive back to Arusha for your transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK).

Overnight: N/A (Departure) | Avian Focus: Flamingos, Pelicans, Water birds | Travel: ~2.5 hrs Drive (130 km)

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