Bird watching safaris in Tanzania

At Wilderness Usawa in Tanzania, the birding safari experience offers exceptional wildlife viewing combined with rewarding birdwatching in the Serengeti. Moving seasonally, Wilderness Usawa’s luxury mobile camps offer access to a mix of open grasslands, acacia woodland, and riverine forest that provide a home for over 500 bird species, including a number of migratory species, creating excellent birding safaris throughout the year.

The Serengeti’s – and Tanzania’s – classic safari landscapes support an impressive mix of Rift Valley species. Birders can seek out the stately kori bustard, the colourful Ross’s turaco, sought-after Narina trogon, or striking secretarybird. Whether you're an enthusiastic birder or simply enjoy discovering remarkable birdlife alongside iconic wildlife, Wilderness caters to everyone, rather than just dedicated birding specialists. And with the option of a private guide and private vehicle, you have the flexibility to spend as much time dedicated to birds as you like.

If you’re dreaming of a bird watching safari in Tanzania, Wilderness can help tailor an itinerary around your interests, whether you want to combine birding with exceptional game viewing or would like to explore as much of Tanzania’s varied habitats as possible. With a network of carefully curated partner properties, access to private vehicles and guides, and all the logistics from road transfers to city stays and light aircraft connections taken care of, you only need to worry about what to pack.

For bird watching in Tanzania, pack lightweight, neutral-coloured clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes. A good pair of binoculars is also essential while a camera with a telephoto lens is ideal for bird photography. You also want to ensure you pack everything into a soft sided bag, ensuring that you adhere to any luggage weight restrictions for small planes between safari camps.

When to go on a bird watching safari tour in Tanzania?

Tanzania’s green season (roughly November to May) is particularly appealing for birders, as migratory species from Europe and Asia arrive, breeding plumage brings vibrant colours to the plains and the landscapes are lush after the rains. This is an excellent time to enjoy the rich birdlife around the Serengeti and as it is not peak Great Migration season (June to October) you can also enjoy a less crowded safari experience with more favourable rates. This time also coincides with calving season, when thousands of wildebeest are born on the plains of the Serengeti, adding in a different spectacle to your birding safari in Tanzania.

What is the best place in Tanzania to spot birds?

Serengeti National Park is one of the best safari destinations in Tanzania for bird watching. Although most famous for the Great Migration, with more than 500 recorded bird species, it offers excellent birding throughout the year, making it an ideal addition to a classic wildlife safari rather than just a specialist birding trip. Some of the highlights of a bird watching safari to the Serengeti may include watching secretary birds or kori bustards striding across the open plains, raptors such as martial eagles, bateleurs, and numerous vultures, as well as numerous species of rollers, bee-eaters, cranes, storks and herons. Also be sure to look out for the grey-breasted spurfowl, a near-endemic of the Serengeti.