Best camps and lodges for birdwatching in Tanzania

With a range of endemic bird species, Tanzania is a great location for a birdwatching holiday. A tremendous amount of ornithological research has been carried out here in the past twenty years, which has hugely increased the information and resources for bird watching in Tanzania. Come for great endemics, near-endemics and speciality birds.

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.

Our top 20 for great birdwatching in Tanzania

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Beho Beho
|100% (146 reviews)

The Selous is a good park for to visit on a birdwatching trip to Tanzania. During our visit in November 2013 we saw white-fronted bee-eater, a beautiful hoopoe, a bat hawk, crested guinea fowl, a Verreaux eagle owl and a vibrant red bishop. More about Beho Beho
Beho Beho Tree-house
|97% (33 reviews)

The guides here are real experts on the birdlife, and the Selous is a great area for birdwatching in Tanzania. With waterbirds in the floodplains and lakes around the Rufiji River and dry-country raptors in the Beho Beho Hills, there’s good variety here. More about Beho Beho Tree-house
Fanjove Private Island Lodge
|100% (1 review)

From November onwards, Fanjove receives hundreds of migratory birds to the island, which will be a fascinating site for any keen birder in Tanzania. More about Fanjove Lodge
Grumeti River Camp
|93% (9 reviews)

Over 360 bird species have been recorded in the Serengeti’s western corridor; and six are endemic to the Serengeti Plains. The black-headed gonolek, silverbird, Fischer’s lovebird and grey-breasted spurfowl will particularly appeal to birdwatchers in Tanzania. More about Grumeti River Camp
Ikuka
|95% (4 reviews)

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. The camp’s lofty location is perfect to watch raptors soaring above the plains. More about Ikuka Safari Camp
Kwihala Camp
|98% (103 reviews)

Ruaha National Park has an extraordinary diversity of birds – with over 520 different species recorded. Mid-November to March is a great time for keen birdwatchers to visit this park, and the knowledgeable guides are a real asset. More about Kwihala Camp
Mdonya Old River Camp
|91% (107 reviews)

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. More about Mdonya Old River Camp
Mwagusi Safari Camp
|96% (105 reviews)

Ruaha's position at the centre of Tanzania gives it an interesting cross section of birds - and makes it a fascinating park for birdwatching in Tanzania. Early-morning bird-walks are a very popular activity at the camp to catch dawn chorus with a guide before breakfast. More about Mwagusi Safari Camp
Oliver's Camp
|94% (43 reviews)

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. More about Oliver's Camp
Ruaha River Lodge
|92% (12 reviews)

Ruaha's position at the centre of Tanzania, west of the Selous Game Reserve and south of most of Tanzania' other parks, gives it an interesting cross-section of birds - and makes it a fascinating park for birdwatching in Tanzania. More about Ruaha River Lodge
Rubondo Island Camp
|100% (4 reviews)

The birdlife around Rubondo Island is fantastic, making this one of the best places for birdwatching in Tanzania. Boat trips are particularly special, with the appropriately named ‘Bird Island’ particularly impressive: numerous storks, fish eagles, African darters and egrets. More about Rubondo Island Camp
Rufiji River fly-camping
|90% (2 reviews)

Selous Game Reserve is a classic area for birdwatching in Tanzania, from the waterbirds found in the lakes and floodplains that surround the Rufiji River, to the dry-country raptors in the hills to the north. More about Rufiji River fly-camp
Sable Mountain Lodge

Walking and heading out into the dense brachystegia forest offers superb Tanzanian birdwatching at Sable Mountain. You can expect to see a host of forest species including Livingstone's turaco, hornbills and the vociferous forest weaver. More about Sable Mountain Lodge
Sand Rivers Camp
|95% (55 reviews)

The Selous Game Reserve 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. More about Sand Rivers Camp
Sand Rivers fly-camping
|98% (11 reviews)

Selous is a great area for birdwatching in Tanzania - and these fly-camps deep in the bush, combined with walks around the fly-camp area, allow you to really experience the Selous and get to know the birdlife there. More about Sand Rivers fly-camp
Sand Rivers walking mobile
|100% (3 reviews)

The walking guides are excellent and the Selous is a great area for birdwatching in Tanzania - and covering the ground on foot is a superb way to really experience the Selous. More about Sand Rivers walking
Selous Impala Camp
|96% (252 reviews)

While birdwatching at Selous 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. More about Impala Camp
Selous Impala fly-camp
|92% (31 reviews)

Heading out fly-camping gives you the option of exploring deeper into the park to find a wider variety of bird-life. Whilst birdwatching at Selous you may see a range of birds, from malachite kingfishers to African fish eagles. More about Impala fly-camping
Selous Private Camp

When we were last here we saw a fantastic number of species, including the ground hornbill, hadeda ibis, brown-headed parrot and white-fronted bee-eater. The Selous is definitely a top place for birdwatching in Tanzania. More about Selous Private Camp
Siwandu
|98% (57 reviews)

With a wonderful location on the river, birdwatching around Selous Safari Camp 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. More about Siwandu