Itinerary
- Day 1
Kilimanjaro to Duluti Forest
Your birding guide meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and gives you a quick orientation before the 60-minute drive to Duluti Forest. Once there, you'll start looking for species like Crested Guineafowl, Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, and African Crowned Eagle in the forest. You'll have a picnic lunch surrounded by the sounds of the forest, then head to your lodge for the night.
- Meals
- Picnic Lunch (Picnic lunch in the heart of Duluti Forest with local dishes)
Included Activities
- Meet birding guide at Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Scenic drive to Duluti Forest with guide commentary on local birds
- Birding in Duluti Forest - spotting Crested Guineafowl, Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, African Crowned Eagle, Grey-headed Bushshrike, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Purple-crested Turaco
- Picnic lunch in Duluti Forest
Landmarks Duluti Forest Kilimanjaro International Airport - Day 2
Arusha to Same
You'll drive from Arusha with a packed lunch, arriving in Mwanga around noon for a lunch break. After eating, it's on to Nyumba Ya Mungu Dam where you can watch waterfowl and birds of the northern savannah woodland. The day ends in Same with an overnight stay at Elephant Motel or Johnson Villers/Mkomazi Bandas.
- Meals
- Lunch (Packed lunch en route and delicious lunch in Mwanga)
Included Activities
- Scenic drive from Arusha to Mwanga with packed lunch
- Birding at Nyumba Ya Mungu Dam - observing waterfowl and northern savannah woodland birds
Landmarks Nyumba Ya Mungu Dam - Day 3
Mkomazi National Park
After an early breakfast, you'll head just 5 km to Mkomazi National Park for a full day of birding. The diverse savannah and wetland ecosystems here are home to rare species like Somali Courser and Secretarybird. You'll return to Elephant Motel for the night.
Included Activities
- Full day birding in Mkomazi National Park
- Exploring diverse savannah and wetland ecosystems
- Spotting Somali Courser and Secretarybird
Landmarks Mkomazi National Park - Day 4
South Pare Mountains - Shengena Forest to Magamba Forest
You'll drive to Shengena Forest in the South Pare Mountains for morning birding, targeting endemic species like South Pare White-eye. After a half day of birding, you'll head back to Same for lunch, then continue to Magamba Forest in the Usambara mountains. The night is spent at Mullers Mountains Lodge or Magamba Forest Camp.
- Meals
- Lunch (Delicious lunch in Same)
Included Activities
- Birding in Shengena Forest - half day
- Spotting South Pare White-eye and other endemic species
- Lunch in Same
- Birding in Magamba Forest
Landmarks Shengena Forest South Pare Mountains Magamba Forest - Days 5 - 6
Magamba Forest
Two full days of birding await at Magamba Forest. You'll search for endemic species of the Usambara range including Usambara Thrush and Usambara Weaver, taking short lunch breaks along the way. Evenings are quiet at Magamba Forest Camp with the forest sounds around you.
- Meals
- Lunch (Short lunch breaks on both days)
Included Activities
- Full day birding in Magamba Forest (Day 5)
- Spotting Usambara Thrush and Usambara Weaver
- Full day birding in Magamba Forest (Day 6)
Landmarks Magamba Forest - Day 7
Arusha to Amani Nature Reserve
You'll travel to Amani Nature Reserve in the East Usambara Mountains, stopping in Muheza for lunch before settling into your accommodation within the reserve. Later in the afternoon, you'll start birding and look for rare species like Amani Sunbird and Long-billed Wabbler. The day finishes with a night birding session hunting for the Usambara Eagle Owl.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Muheza)
Included Activities
- Drive to Muheza with lunch stop
- Afternoon birding session at Amani - spotting Amani Sunbird and Long-billed Wabbler
- Night birding excursion - searching for Usambara Eagle Owl and nocturnal creatures
Landmarks Amani Nature Reserve - Days 8 - 9
Amani Nature Reserve
Two full days at Amani Nature Reserve let you focus on the diverse birdlife here. You'll search for endemic and endangered species including East Usambara Hyliota and Usambara Batis. Lunch breaks happen at the rest house, and afternoons are spent chasing rare sightings throughout the reserve.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at the rest house)
Included Activities
- Full day birding in Amani Nature Reserve (Day 8)
- Spotting East Usambara Hyliota and Usambara Batis
- Full day birding in Amani Nature Reserve (Day 9)
Landmarks Amani Nature Reserve - Day 10
Amani Nature Reserve to Ushongo
You'll travel toward Ushongo, a coastal location known for great beaches and birdlife. After stopping for lunch at Ushongo Bunders Resort, you'll spend the afternoon birding along the coast and spotting shorebirds and other coastal species. Dinner and an overnight stay follow at the resort.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at Ushongo Bunders Resort), Dinner (Dinner at Ushongo Bunders Resort)
Included Activities
- Travel to Ushongo
- Afternoon coastal birding - spotting shorebirds and coastal species
Landmarks Ushongo Bunders Resort - Day 11
Ushongo
This morning you'll have a half-day birding session along the coast. The rest of the day is for relaxing, swimming in the ocean if you like, or just unwinding by the beach. After lunch, you'll spend time spotting birds along the shoreline and reflecting on your trip before a nice dinner at the resort.
- Meals
- Lunch (Leisurely lunch at the resort), Dinner (Dinner at the resort)
Included Activities
- Half-day morning birding session
- Leisure time at beach - swimming and relaxation
- Afternoon shoreline birding
Landmarks Ushongo Bandas Resort - Day 12
Ushongo to Arusha
After breakfast, you'll start the journey back to Arusha, thinking back on your 12-day birding adventure. The trip has taken you from spectacular forests and mountains to coastal plains, and you'll head out with memories of rare species, beautiful landscapes, and a deeper connection with nature.
Included Activities
- Return journey to Arusha
