Best camps and lodges for birdwatching in Tanzania
The changes suggested by ongoing research make listing an exact number of endemics difficult. Some sources suggest around 22-23, whilst others split into sub-species and suggest as many as 34. A handful of spectacular endemic birds that most sources agree on include: the Udzungwa forest-partridge; Mrs Moreau's warbler; Loveridge's sunbird; and the Usambara eagle-owl.
Birding in Tanzania is not only recommended for endemism. Over 1000 species have been recorded here and birders in Tanzania will love the range of environments and the sheer variety of birds to be seen on a safari holiday. For some of the best lodges and areas for birdwatching in Tanzania, see our ideas below.
Jackal Fly-in Safari
8 days • 2 locations
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT
US$7,740 - US$9,960 per person
Beho Beho
Nyerere National Park is a good park for to visit on a birdwatching trip to Tanzania. During our visit in 2019 we saw white-fronted bee-eater, a beautiful hoopoe, a bat hawk, crested guinea fowl, a Verreaux eagle owl and a vibrant red bishop.
Ikuka Safari Camp
Ruaha National Park is a paradise for birdwatching in Tanzania. More than 580 species have been recorded in the park and visitors could well spot a hundred or so different species in a single day. Ikuka’s lofty location is perfect to watch raptors soaring above the plains.
Caraway Beach Holiday
5 days • 1 location
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT
US$2,510 - US$3,220 per person
Fanjove Lodge
From November onwards, Fanjove receives hundreds of migratory birds to the island, which will be a fascinating site for any keen birder in Tanzania.
Suni Fly-in Safari
4 days • 1 location
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT
US$3,240 - US$4,210 per person
Impala Camp
While birdwatching in Nyerere National Park on our last visit to Impala Camp we spotted malachite kingfishers and regal African fish eagles. We were also fortunate enough to see dozens of carmine bee-eaters building their nests in the river’s banks.
Spotted Hyena Fly-in Safari
7 days • 2 locations
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT
US$7,350 - US$9,360 per person
Sand Rivers Camp
Nyerere National Park is a great park for a wide variety of bird species. When we were here last, we saw different species of kingfisher, hornbills and a great deal more. The Sand Rivers hide is a fantastic place to camp out for a few hours and observe these birds.
Yellow Baboon Fly-In Safari
7 days • 2 locations
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT
US$7,950 - US$9,220 per person
Kwihala Camp
Ruaha National Park has an extraordinary diversity of birds, with over 580 different species recorded, making Kwihala a good choice for birdwatching in Tanzania. Mid-November to March is a great time for keen birdwatchers to visit this park, and the knowledgeable guides are a real asset. The woodland around camp is a magnet for birds and it’s a great location to spot purple-crested turaco.
Dwarf Mongoose Fly-in Safari
6 days • 2 locations
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT
US$4,110 - US$5,060 per person
Mdonya Old River Camp
Ruaha's position at the centre of Tanzania, north of Selous but south of most of Tanzania's other parks, gives it an interested cross section of birds; a fascinating park for birdwatching in Tanzania.
Topi Fly-in Safari
7 days • 2 locations
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT
US$6,540 - US$6,870 per person
Siwandu
With a wonderful location on the river, birdwatching around Siwandu is great. The guides are knowledgeable and there’s a wide variety of species. We had no problems sighting European rollers, hoopoes, fish eagles and hammerkops, amongst many others.
Firefinch Drive-Fly Safari
9 days • 3 locations
KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT
US$7,440 - US$10,740 per person
Oliver's Camp
Tarangire National Park is the best park for birdwatching in Tanzania. Avid bird watchers will enjoy sitting in the central 'mess tent' at Oliver's where you might spot flycatchers, superb starlings, morning thrushes, and even a pair of yellow-winged bats.
Longclaw Fly-in Safari
7 days • 3 locations
KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT
US$9,690 - US$13,180 per person
Oliver's Camp
Tarangire National Park is the best park for birdwatching in Tanzania. Avid bird watchers will enjoy sitting in the central 'mess tent' at Oliver's where you might spot flycatchers, superb starlings, morning thrushes, and even a pair of yellow-winged bats.
Tinkerbird Fly-in Safari
8 days • 4 locations
KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT
US$10,340 - US$15,100 per person
Oliver's Camp
Tarangire National Park is the best park for birdwatching in Tanzania. Avid bird watchers will enjoy sitting in the central 'mess tent' at Oliver's where you might spot flycatchers, superb starlings, morning thrushes, and even a pair of yellow-winged bats.
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Birdwatching elsewhere in Africa
Our top ideas and inspiration for Birdwatching in other countries.

Botswana
Much of northern Botswana consists of vast tracts of untouched wilderness with plenty of wildlife...

Kenya
Kenya is a prime destination for a birdwatching holiday at any time of year. Tremendous geographical ...

Malawi
Malawi has a number of species which are rare in the rest of Southern Africa, and birdwatching ...

Mozambique
Mozambique stretches over 2000km from north to south. It is a lush and varied country, and birding ...

Namibia
The best time for bird watching in Namibia is during the rains - typically between around November ...

Rwanda
Birdwatching in Rwanda is somewhat overlooked in favour of gorilla-trekking trips. However, birdlife ...

Seychelles
The Seychelles is a disparate group of islands - some granitic; some coralline - scattered around ...

South Africa
South Africa has the highest number of endemic bird species in mainland Africa. Birding in the ...

Zambia
Birdwatching in Zambia will reveal a mix of south, east and even central African birds. Birdlife ...

Zimbabwe
Whilst Zimbabwe doesn't have any endemics, it's still great for bird watching. A Zimbabwe holiday ...
Where to see wildlife species in Africa
Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite African animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.

Lion
Panthera leo
Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.
81% SUCCESS
2,399 sightings from 2,966 observations

Leopard
Panthera pardus
The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.
46% SUCCESS
1,533 sightings from 3,311 observations

Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.
31% SUCCESS
787 sightings from 2,528 observations

Wild dog
Lycaon pictus
African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.
32% SUCCESS
698 sightings from 2,211 observations

Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta
The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.
53% SUCCESS
1,668 sightings from 3,141 observations

Wildebeest
Connochaetes sp.
Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.
66% SUCCESS
1,947 sightings from 2,929 observations

Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.
82% SUCCESS
2,016 sightings from 2,455 observations

Chimpanzee
Pan troglodytes
The chimpanzee is our closest living relative. This highly intelligent great ape is a forest animal with a sophisticated social life. Any encounter in the wild is a memorable experience.
100% SUCCESS
28 sightings from 28 observations

Eland
Taurotragus oryx
Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.
47% SUCCESS
1,110 sightings from 2,368 observations

Elephant
Loxodonta africana
By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.
90% SUCCESS
2,880 sightings from 3,189 observations

Oryx
Oryx sp.
Oryx are impressive antelopes, with a powerful physique and elegant markings set off by rapier-like horns. They cut a distinctive dash in some of Africa’s harshest landscapes.
70% SUCCESS
1,067 sightings from 1,523 observations

Gerenuk
Litocranius walleri
With its slender frame and extraordinarily long neck, this unmistakable East African antelope resembles an attenuated impala and often stands on its back legs browse high shrubs.
78% SUCCESS
74 sightings from 95 observations

Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.
85% SUCCESS
2,761 sightings from 3,231 observations

Hippo
Hippopotamus amphibius
The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.
89% SUCCESS
2,092 sightings from 2,355 observations

Roan antelope
Hippotragus equinus
Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.
22% SUCCESS
369 sightings from 1,662 observations

Sable antelope
Hippotragus niger
Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.
21% SUCCESS
355 sightings from 1,665 observations

Sitatunga
Tragelaphus spekii
The sitatunga is the most aquatic of Africa’s antelopes and specially adapted to its swampy habitats. Though widespread across Africa, only a handful of places offer reliable sightings.
17% SUCCESS
46 sightings from 274 observations

Striped Hyena
Hyaena hyaena
The striped hyena is the most widespread of the world’s hyenas, but absent from southern Africa. A rarely-seen nocturnal scavenger, it is shyer and more solitary than its spotted cousin.
16% SUCCESS
103 sightings from 663 observations

Zebra
Equus sp.
The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.
84% SUCCESS
3,040 sightings from 3,621 observations

Aardvark
Orycteropus afer
The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.
2% SUCCESS
64 sightings from 2,713 observations

Pangolin
Smutsia sp.
Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.
2% SUCCESS
42 sightings from 2,652 observations

Black Rhino
Diceros bicornis
The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.
30% SUCCESS
477 sightings from 1,586 observations
