22 Sep 2025 - 13 Oct 2025 (22 days)
USD11,795 - No Spaces Available
Tour Leader: André Bernon
Tour price (Per person): USD11,795 * GBP9,416 * EUR11,329 * AUD18,163
Single Supplement: USD1,050 * GBP838 * EUR1,009 * AUD1,617
Flight costs: USD440 * GBP351 * EUR423 * AUD678
Tour Leader: Nigel Redman
Tour price (Per person): USD12,095 * GBP9,655 * EUR11,618 * AUD18,625
Single Supplement: USD1,190 * GBP950 * EUR1,143 * AUD1,832
Flight costs: USD480 * GBP383 * EUR461 * AUD739
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
WARNING: This tour involves strenuous activities and is intended for experienced adventurers. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, please check out our [Explore Relaxed Tours]
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.
The guide , Paul Josop was excellent and his identification and spotting skills were unparalleled. He repeated the bird names frequently when asked and was very enthusiastic about everything he pointed out to the group. He always took care of the group and was very patient and enjoyable to be around. He has excellent knowledge of the areas we visited. The two drivers that helped in Tanzania and Kenya were both knowledgeable and friendly and assisted Paul well. We saw very abundant wildlife in all the parks we visited and exceeded expectations in most areas . The accommodations were also very good . Food was excellent throughout.
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.
I would like to say the trip was outstanding A few small issues but nothing major. The guide , Paul Josop, who in my opinion as a professional naturalist myself who has done similar type trip leading in the USA and elsewhere for over 40 years, I would say he’s one of the best I’ve seen! I don’t feel there was any way he could be improved upon because his amazing ability to spot birds and animals of all types and identify on the move was second to none . His knowledge of the area and enthusiasm was contagious! I consider myself very skilled but his abilities for the East Africa region were off the charts! Also his ability to always be friendly , handling any personality differences in the group were first class and he always was concerned about the clients and what their needs and wants were above all else. He literally made the trip unforgettable for all of us , and we agreed, and I don’t think I would personally want to go with another guide after this trip with him. He truly deserves it and as much work as you can provide him. Your clients will appreciate it! Please feel free to call me if you would like to discuss any more details concerning the trip. Thank you and to Paul for a memorable and life-changing trip!
We very much enjoyed our East Africa experience, finding it to be the adventure we dreamed it would be. With Greg de Klerk as our excellent and informative guide and the incredible wildlife, the tour exceeded our expectations. Greg took care of us all throughout the tour and was extremely patient and considerate to make certain that all were able to find the birds we were seeking. We had a group with different levels of birding experience and Greg worked so well with all. Thanks to all who made this wonderful experience happen for us.
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!
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