Bird watching in Tanzania

Bird Watching in Tanzania/ Tanzania Birdwatching

Bird watching in Tanzania is great because it has so many endemic bird species. In the last two decades, a tremendous amount of ornithological research has been conducted here, greatly expanding the information and resources available for bird watching in Tanzania. Great endemics, near-endemics, and specialty birds await you.

Counting the number of endemics is difficult due to the changes suggested by ongoing research. Some sources say there are around 22-23 of them, while others say there are as many as 34. The Udzungwa forest-partridge, Mrs. Moreau’s warbler, Loveridge’s sunbird, and Usambara eagle-owl are among the most spectacular endemic birds, according to most sources.

Tanzanian birdwatching is recommended for more than just endemism. There are over 1000 species recorded here, and birders in Tanzania will enjoy the variety of environments and birds to be seen on a safari vacation.

Tanzanian Birding in the North

The national parks to the north of Tanzania were formed by the collision of two tectonic plates, and as a result, this area is equally barren and fertile. The Serengeti, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire National Parks are excellent for large raptors and scavengers, but if you want to get away from the “flock,” head to the Serengeti.

The Momella Lakes, which are fed by hidden streams and are situated to the north of Arusha National Park, are a haven for aquatic birds in particular. Flamingos, pelicans, small grebes, as well as a variety of herons, ducks, and waders, are among the species that are frequently spotted here

Lake Natron, one of the well-known Rift Valley Lakes, is located to the north of the Ngorongoro Crater and shares a border with Kenya. It is fed by underground springs and the Ewaso Ngiro River. The roughly 2.5 million lesser flamingos that assemble here in the summer months of August and September breed mostly in this hostile area of acidic waters and arid land. It is worth witnessing just for the spectacle alone.

Rubondo Island, a sometimes overlooked region of Tanzania, is gradually being increasingly developed and connected once more. It is located in the southern portions of Lake Victoria. This island has many wonderful qualities, but one of them is that it attracts a wide variety of bird species because of its woodland and watery environments.

Birdwatching in Southern Tanzania

The principal parks of the Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Parks are excellent birding destinations in and of themselves, much like Tanzania’s northern parks. Please read the following for some details on the Selous and a few other lesser-known locations

The Selous Game Reserve is a fantastic park for spotting a variety of bird species, from the fish eagle to the malachite kingfisher and the secretary bird. The majority of the park’s main sites are situated along the winding Rufiji River.

Amani Nature Reserve: As indicated in the section on the Eastern Arc Mountains above, the Amani Nature Reserve is perhaps one of the most fascinating and accessible regions in southern Tanzania for birding, and it is a must-visit location for anyone hoping to see any of Tanzania’s rare species.