Top 5 Birding Destinations in Tanzania
Top 5 birding destinations in Tanzania. With some of the world’s most diverse environments, Tanzania is a birding paradise that every birder out there would, with some of the most sought after bird species being sighted. Tanzania remains one of the key birding destinations around the African continent with well over 1156 bird species roaming the country. 24 birds are endemic to Tanzania, 43 are near endemic species.
Tanzania has abundant habitants for birds in Tanzania, including lots of woodlands, mountains, forests, among so many others. While out on various tourist activities while on Tanzania safaris, you can have an opportunity to spot over 35 birds of especially savannah species. There is so much more to Tanzania than just Tanzania safaris to see the huge populations and varieties of animals; Tanzania birding safaris are one of the reasons that travellers do visit. Blow are the top 5 birding destinations in Tanzania that you can visit anytime for amazing bird watching safaris;
The North of Tanzania
The amazing and out of this world national parks of northern Tanzania have been formed through the movement of two tectonic plates and thus are an area both barren and fertile for equal amounts of wildlife including animals and birds. The northern safari circuit national parks of Serengeti National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, and Tarangire National Park are a great habitat for large raptors and scavengers. If birding amidst the wild game is something you are not after, then the areas below in the north of Tanzania are great birding destinations in Tanzania;
The Momella Lakes.
The Momella Lakes are located in the northern part of Arusha National Park, fed by underground streams and are a perfect paradise for water birds particularly. Common bird species found here include flamingos, pelicans, little grebe, various heron species, ducks and wader among so many others.
Lake Natron.
Lake Natron is fed by underground springs and the Ewaso Ngiro River, and is one of the beautiful and famous Rift Valley Lake s sitting in the north of the Ngorongoro Crater just on the border with Kenya. Lake Natron is inhospitable with caustic waters, while the perched land nearby is the breeding ground of the over 2 million Lesser Flamingos.
Rubondo Island.
Rubondo Island is located in the southern parts of the Lake Victoria, often forgotten corners of Tanzania, with lots of bird species.
The Eastern Arc Mountains and the Tanzania-Malawi Endemic Bird Area
The ancient mountain ranges that dissect Tanzania from the north eastern edge to the south western edge including the mountain ranges of Pare and Usambara in the north and Udzungwa and Mahenge in the South, are the oldest ranges in East Africa inhabiting a variety of birds of Tanzania. The Eastern Arc Mountains are a haven for all types of flora and fauna and is thus one of the last places in the world where it is possible to spot true endemic species, as well as some new bird species to an intrepid birder.
- Selous Game Reserve
Selous Game Reserve is one of the top 5 birding destinations in Tanzania. Selous Game Reserve is home to a variety of main endemic bird species in Tanzania. With some of the main camps and lodges in Selous Game Reserve being located along the winding Rufiji River, Selous Game Reserve is indeed a perfect destination for birding in Tanzania. Some of the birds in Tanzania that travellers staying in Selous Game Reserve can see include the Fish Eagle, Malachite Kingfisher and the Secretary Bird among so many others.
- Amani Nature Reserve
The Amani Nature Reserve is one of the most exciting and accessible areas and top 5 birding destinations in Tanzania, especially for birding in the southern Tanzania areas. The Amani Nature Reserve is a great birding destination to spot a variety of Tanzania endemic species.
- Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is one of the northern safari circuit national parks, most sought after for wild game views in the vast Serengeti Plains. Serengeti National Park hosts well over 500 bird species including endemic species, migratory birds, near endemic bird species, among so many others. Some of the seen birds in Serengeti National Park include the Grey Crested Helmet Shrike, Fischer’s Lovebird, Black Headed Gonolek, Schawlow’s Turaco, Yellow Throated Sand grouse, Red-capped Robin among so many others.
Best time for birding safaris in Tanzania
Birding safaris in Tanzania can be carried out all throughout the year, given most bird species are residents of the country. The best time for birding safaris in Tanzania is however during the months of November to April when there re migratory birds in Tanzania s well, and when it is the nesting time.
The above are the top 5 birding destinations in Tanzania that travellers after birding safaris in Tanzania can visit for amazing bird watching experiences. Get in touch with a reputable tour operator to help you pitch together an amazing Tanzania safari tour for an opportunity to enjoy the Tanzania birding safaris in any of the above mentioned top 5 birding destinations in Tanzania, among others.
