Birdwatching and Wildlife Safaris in Tanzania 776

Enjoy access to the airport Executive lounge for complimentary meals and drinks before we fly from London to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania on our overnight flight.

Upon arrival we transfer to Arusha and have lunch at our lodge. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.

Wake up refreshed this morning and after breakfast we drive to Tarangire National Park, the sixth largest national park in Tanzania spanning 2,600 square kilometres and home to a staggering 550 different species of birds including three endangered Tanzanian species. The floodplains in the parks southern and eastern parts are breeding grounds for many Eurasian migrants. As we spend the day driving the rugged terrain of the park, we have the chance to see some notable inhabitants such as hornbills, Brown parrots, Yellow-necked Spurfowl, Bee Eaters and Guineafowl. The park also hosts an impressive collection of raptors including Bateleaur eagles, Steppe eagles, Giant Lappet-faced Vultures and the Pygmy Falcon.
Aside from the bird viewing we may also see some of the parks other residents including the large herd of elephants who call the park home, buffalo, lions and antelope.

We have another full day exploring the Tarangire National Park and the abundance of wildlife it has to offer.

This morning we depart Tarangire along the dusty roads to Lake Manyara National Park which sits sandwiched between shores of the lake of its namesake and the Great Rift Valley. The shores in the spring are tinged with vast flocks of pink Flamingos who head to the shallow shorelines of the lake for feeding. The park is home to over 300 species of birds, three of which are endangered Tanzanian species: Rufous-tailed Weavers, Ashy Starlings and Black-collared Lovebirds. The forests of the Lake Manyara National Park are also home to Silvery-cheeked and Crowned Hornbill’s, Emerald Cuckoos and Crested Guineafowl.

A long but rewarding day as we make the journey from Lake Manyara to the World Heritage Site: The Serengeti National Park, Tanzania’s most famous National Park. Spanning over 30,000 square kilometres the park is home to an impressive two million ungulates, 4,000 lions, 1,000 leopards and 550 Cheetahs. As well as the ‘Big 5’, over 500 bird species also call the park home including the wonderful Lilac-breasted Roller and three endangered Tanzanian species: Grey-rumped Spurfowl, Fischer’s Lovebird and the Rufous-tailed Weaver.

We have a full day’s game drive in the Serengeti National Park today where we may have the chance to see some other interesting birdlife such as Ostriches, Secretary Birds, Black Eagles and Kori Bustards to name but a few. From our Lodge, centrally located within the park, we may have the chance to see the natural phenomenon of the Wildebeest migration where huge herds follow the availability of fresh water and verdant grazing grounds. The central area of the Serengeti is home to the Seronera River which is a natural boundary between the rolling grass plains of the south and the woodland of the north making it a rich ecosystem and there are frequent sightings of lions, cheetah and leopards in the area.

Journey to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and after lunch the afternoon can be spent at leisure.

We descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest caldera. The area is of significant importance for biodiversity conservation as there is a high presence of globally threatened species. The crater is home to numerous carnivores including lions, cheetahs, hyenas, leopards, jackals and the elusive serval cats. There is also a population of the endangered wild hunting dogs which are rarely seen and can be very elusive. The area is a paradise for birdwatchers with annual migratory birds from Europe and Asia, grassland birds, ground-nesting birds, tree nesting birds, water birds and birds of prey.
Some of the avian species we may see on our game drive include Northern Anteater Chat, Rufous-napped Lark, Capped Whater, Fischer’s Sparrow Lark, and Grassland Pipit. The woodland areas of the park are also home to tree nesting birds such as Superb Starling, Rufous Tailed Weaver and the African White Backed Vulture. The soda lakes of the conservation area also provide breeding ground for flamingos, ducks, waders and herons.

After breakfast, we depart from Ngorongoro and drive back towards Arusha. After lunch, we check into our hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure.

We depart early this morning for the airport for our return flight to London.