3-Day Pemba Endemic Birding Tour

Tour Overview

Pemba Island, a treasure trove gem for birdwatchers, offers a chance to see some of Tanzania's most sought-after, yet often overlooked, avian life. The island is celebrated for its endemic species and its untouched coastal forests. This three-day birding safari on Pemba is designed for those hoping to spot rare birds found nowhere else, all while enjoying the island's serene forests and coastline.

Whether as a standalone adventure or an addition to a mainland Tanzania birding trip, this tour highlights Pemba's exceptional birding locations, with a particular emphasis on the famous Ngezi Forest Reserve.

Highlights

  • Bird species: Pemba Green-Pigeon, Pemba Sunbird, Pemba Scops-Owl, Pemba White-eye, African Goshawk (pembaensis), Black-bellied Starling (vaughani), African Paradise Flycatcher (ungujaensis), Olive Sunbird (granti), Dickinson’s Kestrel, Mangrove Kingfisher, Java Sparrow, Ruddy Turnstone, Bee-eaters, Gulls, Terns, Herons, Egrets, Plovers, Sandpipers, and many more. 

  • Wildlife: Pemba Flying Fox, Pemba Vervet Monkey.

  • Habitat: Coastal forest, mangroves, farmland, wetlands, and coastline. 

Itinerary

  • Upon landing at Pemba Airport (PMA), the birding will commence, depending on when your flight arrives. Our initial destination will be Ngezi Forest Reserve, the island's premier birding location. We'll be on the lookout for Pemba's most sought-after endemic birds, such as the Pemba Green-Pigeon, Pemba Sunbird, and Pemba White-eye.

    After a mid-afternoon transfer to your hotel for check-in and a brief rest, we'll venture out again for an evening birding excursion.

    We'll explore Makangale Wetland to observe shorebirds and other coastal species. After dark, a quiet forest walk will be the aim to hear the elusive Pemba Scops Owl. Overnight on Pemba Island.

  • Today, we'll dedicate the entire day to Ngezi Forest and its nearby locales, hoping to spot any Pemba endemics we might have missed on the first day.

    Should we have already ticked off all the species on our list, we'll take a more leisurely approach, concentrating on coastal and wetland birds, along with other island-specific avian wonders.

    In the late afternoon, we'll head to the Pemba flying fox, a large fruit bat endemic to Pemba Island, before calling it a day.

  • Following a quick breakfast, we'll do some casual birdwatching in the Michweni area.

    Depending on when your flight is scheduled, we'll squeeze in a bit more birding before heading to Pemba Airport for your departure, bringing our island birding experience to a close.

ENQUIRE