Tanzania Eastern Arc Mountains

Tour Overview

Designed for passionate birders eager to explore one of Africa's most ecologically rich and vital regions. The journey takes you through the South Pare, Usambara, Uluguru, Udzungwa, and Ukaguru Mountains. Each area hosts endemic species found nowhere else on Earth, offering an unmatched chance to see a variety of rare and critically endangered species, creating an unforgettable experience for birders and nature enthusiasts.

Additionally, we will have the opportunity to visit other nearby habitats along the route to spot more endemics and specials.

This tour can be extended to Pemba upon request

Highlights

  • Eastern Arc Mountains, historical landmarks, Tanzania national parks, nature forest reserves, and local towns, landscapes, history, and culture.

  • Bird species: Banded Sunbird, Uluguru Bushshrike, South Pare White-eye, Kilombero Cisticola, White-tailed Cisticola, Usambara Thrush, Loveridge's Sunbird, Yellow-throated Mountain Greenbul, Ruvu Weaver, Kilombero Weaver, Mrs. Moreau's Warbler, Rubeho Warbler, Tanzanian Illadopsis, Udzungwa Forest-partridge, Kipengere Seedeater, Amani Sunbird, Ashy Starling, Tanzanian Red-billed Hornbill, Uhehe Fiscal, Yellow-collared Lovebird, Olive-flanked Robin-chat, Fülleborn's Boubou, Long-billed Tailorbird, Rubeho Akalat, and many more.

  • Habitats: Montane forest, Lakes, Wetlands, Savannah, Semi-arid Scrubland, and Miombo Woodland.

Itinerary

  • You will arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet our team and be taken to your accommodation in the Arusha area to recuperate and prepare for the Tanzania birding adventure ahead.

  • Drive to the South Pare Mountains via Nyumba ya Mungu dam, where you will search for Maasai arid zone specialties Acacia tit, Black-throated barbets, Golden-breasted and Fischer's starlings, Black-bellied and Tsavo sunbirds, Pink-breasted lark, Somali bunting. Overnight stay in Same town.

  • You will spend the morning birding near the Mkomazi National Park gate before heading to Magamba Forest in the West Usambara Mountains for the evening.

  • Full-day birding. We will explore the lush Magamba nature forest reserve in the West Usambara Mountains, looking for endemics such as the Usambara Akalat, Usambara Double-collared Sunbird, African Hill Babbler, Usambara Weaver, and Usambara Thrush.

  • Enjoy morning birding in Magamba before transferring to Amani Nature Reserve in the East Usambara Mountains. Spend the evening birding in the botanical garden. Overnight stay at Amani Rest House.

  • Over the next two days, we will focus on spotting key endemic species, including the Banded Green Sunbird, Usambara Akalat, Usambara Hyliota, Fischer’s Turaco, Green-headed Oriole, Mombasa Woodpecker, Spot-throat, Usambara Eagle-Owl, Tanzanian Illadopsis, Sharpe’s Akalat, Green-headed Oriole, Long-billed Tailorbird

  • Enjoy early morning birding before transferring to Morogoro for an overnight stay in Morogoro town.

  • We will explore the Tegetero section in the Uluguru Mountains, searching for the elusive Uluguru Bushshrike and Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird.

  • We will explore the Bunduki section for Mrs. Moreau's warbler and the Uluguru Mountain Greenbul.

  • We will take an early morning drive to one of the sections in the Uluguru Mountains to search for any species that may have been missed before traveling to Mikumi town for an overnight stay.

  • On this day, we will take a day trip to the Kilombero Floodplain, one of Africa's largest wetlands, spanning approximately 6,300 square kilometers (2,430 square miles), with a length of about 260 km (161 miles) and a width of up to 52 km (32 miles) at its widest point. Our primary focus will be spotting the Kilombero Weaver, Kilombero Cisticola, and White-tailed Cisticola. If time permits, we will also make a stop in the Hondo Hondo area to search for the elusive Lesser Seedcracker.

  • On this day, we will explore the Kilosa Road area, looking for species such as Hofmann’s Sunbird, Racket-tailed Roller, Cinnamon-breasted Tit, and Speckle-throated Woodpecker. Afterward, we will travel to Iringa and birding along the way.

  • We will depart very early as we head to the Udzungwa Scarp Forest Reserve – Uluti, birding en route. Our main targets will be 2 skuler residents: the Iringa Akalat and Rufous-winged Sunbird. Overnight in Iringa town.

  • Another day, visit the case if we missed our target species or birding around rural Iringa.

  • We will travel to Udekwa, where we will search for the Kipengere Seedeater and Udzungwa Forest Partridge. Also, we will look out for other species like the Olive-flanked Robin-Chat (Grotei), White-chested Alethe, Yellow-throated Mountain Greenbul, and Moreau’s Sunbird. We will camp overnight.

  • Full-day birding. Camping overnight

  • We will return to Mikumi town for a well-earned rest and overnight stay.

  • On this day, we will visit the Ukaguru Mountains early in the morning, searching for Rubeho Warbler and Rubeho Akalat. We will also look out for like Yellow-throated Mountain Greenbul and Moreau’s Sunbird if missed in Iringa. We will stay overnight in Gairo town.

  • We will conclude our journey as we fly back to Dar es Salaam (DAR) for home departure. Depending on your departure time, we may enjoy bonus birding in Pugu Forest or Jangwani Salt Pans.

Tour Details

Pace

Own Pace

Group size

Max 6 pax

Photography opportunity

Medium

Fitness

Medium/High: This tour requires a good level of fitness, as most birding will be done on foot and may involve walking for several hours at a time. Some trails can be slippery, especially after rain. Many of the birding sites are in remote areas and may be far from medical facilities. If you have any physical limitations or medical conditions, please contact us to discuss the suitability of this tour for you.

Practical Information

  • This tour involves long drives, early and late birding sessions, and walking several miles, often on uneven terrain and up and downhill, especially in the Usambaras, Ulugurus, and Udzungwa.

  • Some roads in Morogoro and Iringa are in poor condition, so be prepared for extremely bumpy rides on those days.

  • Accommodations are generally comfortable, but in some areas, we will stay in very basic local hotels with private rooms and bathrooms. These are the only accommodations available within less than a half-day's drive from our hotspots in that region. While there will be electricity and running water, be prepared for rustic conditions.

  • We will spend 2 nights camping in Udekwa, with accommodations consisting of ground-level mattresses in tents.