Extraordinary Birdwatching Destinations in Tanzania for 2025.

Tanzania’s Outstanding Birdwatching Locations for 2025. Tanzanian Birdwatching Destinations | Top-Rated Significant Birding Locations. The top Tanzanian birding destinations are described on this page.
Tanzania is an important ornithological country.

With more than 800 species living there and over 200 species that migrate often, it has one of the most diverse lists of species of any African country, with over 1,000 species. Of the 56 species of global conservation concern, 21 are native to Tanzania, while the other 43 are found in just one or two other countries.

The Tanzania-Malawi Mountains, which are home to 32 of the nation’s restricted-range species; the Albertine Rift Mountains; the Serengeti Plains, which are home to all six restricted-range species; the Kenyan Mountains, which are home to five of the country’s nine restricted-range species; the East African Coastal Forests, which are home to five of the continent’s seven restricted-range species; and Pemba are just a few of the Endemic Bird Areas (EBAs) that are located in Tanzania. Kilombero floodplain, dry forests west of Lake Victoria, and south-west Tanzanian marshes are three other locations with endemic secondary bird populations.

Parts of six biome-limited places are found in Tanzania: the Lake Victoria basin; the Afrotropical Highlands; the Somali Masai; the East African coast; the Zambezian biome, which has 40 species; the Guinea-Congo Forests, where 56 of its restricted range species have been documented.

Tanzania’s 80 Important Birding Areas (IBAs) span approximately 167,000 km2, or around 18 percent of the nation’s total land area, and vary in size from 3 to 5 million hectares. This list only includes some of Tanzania’s most well-known Important Birding Areas (IBAs).

The National Park is located above 2,700 meters, whereas Mount Kilimanjaro is covered in forest between 1,500 and 3,000 meters. Numerous alpine and forest species may be found there, such as the Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird (Nectarinia johnstoni) and the Hill Chat (Cercomela sordida). Abbott’s Starling Pholia femoralis and Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus are also well-known.

With more than 400 species, Ruaha National Park is one of Tanzania’s driest protected places. It is home to significant populations of two endemic species from Tanzania. Yellow-collared Lovebird Agapornis personatus with Ashy Starling Lamprotornis unicolor.

Nestled between Lake Victoria and the Eastern Rift Valley, the Serengeti National Park is one of Africa’s most well-known national parks. It shares a boundary with the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Kenya’s Masai Mara Reserve.

Fischer’s Lovebird Agapornis fischeri, Rufous-tailed Weaver Histurgops ruficaudus, and Grey-breasted Spurfowl Francolinus rufopictus are three Tanzanian endemics found in the park. During seasons of high migration, it is easy to see several sizable flocks of African and Palearctic migrants in the Serengeti.

With a total area of 50,000 km2, Selous Game Reserve is one of Africa’s biggest protected areas. It is located in southeast Tanzania. Although this location does not have an official species list, it is home to several miombo endemics, and the Rufigi River is a great place to see water birds such the African Skimmer (Rynchops flavirostris).

Part of the crater highlands, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area ranges in elevation from 1,700 meters near the crater floor to around 3,000 meters at the rim. This location is home to more than 500 species, including the biggest known population of Agapornis fischeri, the Fischer’s Lovebird.

The property has a number of significant wetlands, which are crucial for Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor and Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber. This picturesque caldera cradles large creatures, including the endangered Black Rhinoceros.

A remarkable list of over 450 species may be found in the unique ecosystem created by the Dar es Salaam Coast’s tidal mudflats, river inlets, saltpans, mangroves, thickets, and offshore islands. For migrating waders such as the Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), Little Stint (Calidris minuta), and Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola), it is very important.

There are four Important Birding Areas (IBAs) in Lake Victoria that are significant for herons, egrets, and cormorants. One of them, Rubondo Island National Park, is home to Sitatunga and Spotted-necked Otters.

Situated 58 kilometers south of the Kenyan border, Lake Natron is a small soda lake on the Eastern Rift valley floor. Especially if one travels across the country toward Mt. Longido and the West Kilimanjaro plains, it is the most significant breeding site for the majority of the world’s population of Lesser Flamingos (Phoeniconaias minor).

It also provides special opportunities for Buff-crested Bustards (Eupodotis gindiana), Spike-heeled Larks (Chersomanes albofasciata), and other species. Mammals like Gerenuk, Steenbok, and sometimes Lesser Kudu also benefit greatly from it.

Many of the species found in Mkomazi Game Reserve are situated in the southernmost point of their range, which stretches to the southern foot of the South Pare Mountains. These include Shelley’s Starling Lamprotornis shelleyi, Pringle’s Puffback Dryoscopus pringlii, Three-streaked Tchagra Tchagra jamesi, Pygmy Batis Batis perkeo, and Friedmann’s Lark Mirafra pulpa.

One of the greatest locations to see Denham’s Bustard Neotis denhami, Blue Swallow Hirundo atrocaerulea, and stunning ground orchids is Kitulo Plateau National Park.

Two Important Birding Areas (IBAs) in Zanzibar are crucial for terns and waders, as well as non-breeding populations of the crab-plover Dromas ardeola. Furthermore, the sole surviving forest on the island is found in Zanzibar’s Jozani Forest Reserve, which is home to endemic populations of the Grey Sunbird (Cyanomitra veroxii), Little Greenbul (Andropadus virens), and Fischer’s Turaco (Tauraco fischeri). There are many intriguing mammal species, including the Zanzibar Red Colobus, Ader’s Duiker, and Pemba Flying Fox, along with the East Coast Akalat Sheppardia gunningi.

The Kilombero floodplain in Tanzania is one of the biggest wetlands in Africa, spanning 260 km in length and up to 52 km in width. A wide variety of birds, including endemic species like the Kilombero weaver, Kilombero cisticola, Melodius cisticola, Iringa akalat, and the Dappled throated mountain robin, may be found at this confluence of rivers and periodically flooded marshes and swamps.

Birds like the Southern Banded Snake Eagle (Crocaetus fasciolatus), East Coast Akalat (Sheppardia gunningi), Spotted Ground-Thrush (Zoothera guttata), and other specialties like Livingstone’s Flycatcher (Erythrocercus livingstonei) depend on the coastal forests of Lindi District.

Four endemic species may be found on Pemba Island, which is 55 kilometers off the mainland: Pemba White-eye Zosterops vaughani, Pemba Scops Owl Otus pembaensis, Pemba Sunbird Cinnyris pembae, and Pemba Green Pigeon Treron pembaensis.

One of the most crucial regions on the African continent for the preservation of species that are globally endangered is the East Usambara Mountains. Sokoke Scops Owl Otus ireneae, Long-billed Tailorbird Orthotomus moreaui, Dappled Mountain-Robin Arcanator orostruthus, Usambara Eagle Owl Bubo vosseleri, Swynnerton’s Robin Swynnertonia swynnertoni, and Usambara Weaver Ploceus nicolli are all found here.

Outside of the Lushoto region, the West Usambara mountains have received less attention, although being significant for species such the Usambara Weaver Ploceus nicolli, Banded Sunbird Anthreptes rubritorques, Sharpe’s Starling Pholia sharpii, and Usambara Akalat Sheppardia montana. Mazumbai and Magamba are the finest places to routinely locate this species.

The Uluguru Mountains, which are located about midway between Udzungwa and Dar, are home to five unique subspecies, the Uluguru Bush-Shrike (Malacnotus alius), and the Loveridge’s Sunbird (Cinnyris loveridgei). One of the rarest African antelopes, the Abbott’s Duiker, could be seen if you’re fortunate.

The Udzungwa Partridge Xenoperdix udzungwensis, the Dappled Mountain-Robin Arcanator orostruthus, Sharpe’s Akalat Sheppardia sharpei, Olive-flanked Robin-Chat Cossypha anomala, and White-chested Alethe Alethe fuelleborni are among the species found in the forest reserves of the Udzungwa mountains, which are located southwest of Dar es Salaam.

The easiest way to get to the region is to climb to the breathtaking Sanje waterfalls from the foot of the Udzungwa National Park headquarters in Mangula.