Birding Pugu Hills Forest Reserve

Tour Overview

Explore the natural beauty of the Pugu Hills Forest Reserve, also known as "The Lungs of Dar Es Salaam." As the day progresses, you'll find yourself absorbed in Tanzania's oldest lowland Coastal forests, a 12,015-hectare paradise with incredible biodiversity.

From dense woods overflowing with numerous plant species to the magnificence of massive bamboo stands. The trip not only promises an outstanding birding experience, but it also provides views of wildlife, including more than 10 indigenous plant species, a diversity of animals, and distinct subspecies.

Highlights

  • Species: Tanzanian Illadopsis, Zanzibar Boubou, Dark-backed Weaver, Green-backed Camaroptera, Yellow-bellied Greenbul, Green Malkoha, Purple-banded Sunbird, Trumpet Hornbill, Rattling Cisticola, Eastern Nicator, Black-backed Puffback, Pied Kingfisher, Red-backed Scrub-Robin, Livingstone Turaco, and many more.

  • Witness the enchantment of Lake Minaki

  • Panoramic views of Dar Es Salaam from elevated viewpoints provide a unique perspective of the city.

  • Opportunity to see wildlife such as Colobus Monkeys, Millipedes, and Elephant Shrews.

  • Endemic Mpugupugu (Millentia Puguensis) tree, the namesake of the reserve.

Tour Details

Indicative Price

1 Pax - $220

2 Pax - $305

3 Pax - $425

What to Bring?

Hiking (or Comfortable) shoes

Hat and sunscreen

Snacks

Light sweaters/raincoat (Nov-May)

Binoculars / Camera / Field Guide Book

Excluded

Personal items

Tips

Transport fees outside Dar City Centre

Snacks

Included

Pick-up & drop-off within City Center

Bird guide

Entry fees

Water

FAQs

  • The quoted price is for non-EAC citizens aged 16 years and above. EAC citizens, Tanzania residents, and children below 15 years (including non-EAC citizens) please contact us for discounted rates.

  • Families with Children are welcome. children under the age of 5 can join the tour for free. The tour is designed to be family-friendly and can be enjoyed by all ages.

  • The tour normally runs from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., and includes hotel or lodging pickup in Dar City Center (Kisutu, Kivukoni, Upanga, and Kariakoo areas). If the pickup and drop-off point is outside of the city center and requires taking a different route to the birding site, there will be extra transportation fee. For instance, if you plan to go birding in Pugu, picking you up in Ukonga (on the way) wouldn't cost anything extra, but picking you up in Mbezi Beach would cost more because it requires a different route.