22 Sep 2025 - 13 Oct 2025 (22 days)
USD11,795 - No Spaces Available
Tour Leader: André Bernon
Tour price (Per person): USD11,795 * GBP9,418 * EUR11,354 * AUD18,940
Single Supplement: USD1,050 * GBP838 * EUR1,011 * AUD1,686
Flight costs: USD440 * GBP351 * EUR424 * AUD707
Tour Leader: Nigel Redman
Tour price (Per person): USD12,095 * GBP9,658 * EUR11,643 * AUD19,422
Single Supplement: USD1,190 * GBP950 * EUR1,146 * AUD1,911
Flight costs: USD480 * GBP383 * EUR462 * AUD771
This Tanzania Mega Birding Tour is one of the ultimate African birding adventures and has been specifically designed to take in the entire range of sought-after forest endemics that Tanzania has to offer! Our tour kicks off with an exploration of the nearby Pemba Island, home to four species of endemics that include Pemba Scops Owl, Pemba White-eye, Pemba Sunbird and Pemba Green Pigeon. We make an exploratory trip into the Rubeho Mountains for Rubeho Warbler and Rubeho Akalat before moving to the lush forests of the impressive Eastern Arc Mountains, home to an amazing array of highly localised specials. Gems such as Winifred’s (Mrs Moreau’s) Warbler, Loveridge’s Sunbird, Usambara Akalat, Usambara Weaver, Spot-throat and Fischer’s Turaco are just a few of the wonderful species that we will be searching for. We will also take time to track down the elusive and recently discovered Udzungwa Forest Partridge – a species that shares close affinities with partridges from Asia – and another rare bird, the splendid Rufous-winged Sunbird.
Other fabulous endemics and regional specialities include Amani Sunbird, Kretschmer’s Longbill, Uluguru Bushshrike, Iringa Akalat, and Olive-flanked Ground Robin, together with a bunch of recently described species that include Kilombero and White-tailed Cisticolas and Kilombero Weaver.
Udzungwa Forest Partridge; Pemba Green Pigeon; Pemba Scops Owl; Tanzanian Red-billed Hornbill; Uluguru Bushshrike; Usambara Hyliota; Long-billed Forest Warbler; Winifred's & Rubeho Warblers; Uluguru & Montane Tiny Greenbuls; South Pare & Pemba White-eyes; Tanzanian Illadopsis; Ashy Starling; Usambara Thrush; Usambara, Rubeho & Iringa Akalats; Banded Green, Loveridge's, Hofmann's, Pemba, Rufous-winged & Moreau's Sunbirds; Kilombero Weaver; Usambara Weaver; Kipengere Seedeater; Spot-throat; Dapple-throat; Fischer’s Turaco; Green Tinkerbird; Uhehe Fiscal; Green-headed Oriole; Kilombero, Lynes’s & White-tailed Cisticolas.
Angola Pied & Iringa Red Colobus; Gambian Giant Pouched Rat; Honey Badger; Lion; Leopard; Cheetah; African Elephant; Black Rhinoceros; Kirk’s Dik-dik; African Buffalo; Eland
Montane forests, savanna, grasslands, broad-leaved woodland, lakes, dams and rivers
Cool in the highlands, warm in the lowlands
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader
DIFFICULT: This is a high-intensity “mega” tour designed for passionate listers and serious birders who enjoy a fast-paced schedule. Due to its demanding nature, it’s not recommended for avid photographers, inexperienced birders, or anyone with mobility or health limitations.
Difficult. This a Mega style tour designed for the dedicated lister and serious birder. Not suitable for dedicated photographers; inexperienced birders; or anyone with mobility or health challenges. Walking and trails vary from easy roadside & lodge birding to several days of narrow trails inside forest, which can be very muddy after rain. Some trails are steep, hiking poles are recommended. Our Mega tours are very fast-paced birding adventures designed for the dedicated lister and serious birder. The focus of the tour is to see as many of the endemics and area specials as possible in our given time. In order to cover the necessary route to maximise the species list we tend to spend a single night at most sites and travel large distances. There is very little down time aside from that spent driving from one site to the next. These tours are not suitable for dedicated or avid photographers; inexperienced or new birders; as well as anyone with serious mobility or health challenges.
Comfortable in most town, some lodges are simple. Basic camping on several nights.
Demanding. Many rare or difficult target species.
475+
Spectacular sunsets and landscapes, rarely visited forest
Worthwhile, but very limited time due to nature of tour & difficult hiking/forest trails.
Both the tour leader, Stuart Elsom, and the local driver were great. he knew exactly where to go for a certain set of species - all knowledge from his many trips to these areas of the tour.
Our Tanzania: Highlights of the North tour was a wonderful experience. Nigel Redman was a superb leader with an in-depth knowledge of the birds of East Africa which he generously shared throughout the trip. His many years of experience in leading birding tours showed: he was an expert in spotting and identifying birds and, most importantly, getting participants on the bird quickly. Nigel's own enthusiasm and delight in birds was contagious and his good humour set the tone for a very enjoyable tour. He and local guide Roger were true professionals and we would love to travel with either again.
I had traveled with Rockjumper to India in 2019 with Stuart Elsom, so was looking forward to experiencing another trip with this most excellent guide. He is so knowledgeable and professional while remaining always approachable and good humored. The accommodations were superb- I especially enjoyed the tent camps! This tour really has it all- fantastic birds, wonderful opportunities to see the African mammals up close, lovely accommodations and always good food. There were a few “ glitches” for me personally but Stuart kept everything running smoothly. Our driver, Geitan, was fantastic. It was obvious he drove with great care and concern for our safety. What an experience- not only the birds but the people and other things we experienced. Thank you, especially to Stuart, for a wonderful adventure!
David Hoddinott and indeed the drivers and Alison were all amazing - making this a life-changing experience. Everything went far better than expected throughout the tour in my opinion. I do not see how it could have been improved. Well done to all!
I really enjoyed the tour. It was hard work at the beginning with the walking and the birds difficult to see in the forest.
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