Although South America, with the most species, is the “bird” continent, Africa has been coined the “birding” continent. Nowhere else are birds as prolific, outrageously colorful and easy to observe. The East African nations of Tanzania are the epitome of “birdiness”, boasting a bird list of over a thousand species! These quintessential African destinations also provide the ultimate safari and big-game experience. There exists nowhere else on the planet such an incredible volume and diversity of large animals.

Tanzania’s fauna is notable both for sheer numbers and variety, with representatives of 430 species and subspecies among the country’s more than four million wild animals. These include zebras, elephants, wildebeests, buffaloes, hippos, giraffes, antelopes, dik-diks, gazelles, elands and kudus. Tanzania is also known for its predators, with Serengeti National Park one of the best places for spotting lions, cheetahs and leopards. There are also populations of hyenas and wild dogs and, in Gombe Stream and Mahale Mountains National Parks, bands of chimpanzees.

In addition, Tanzania has over 60, 000 insect species, about 25 types of reptiles or amphibians, 100 species of snakes and numerous fish species. Complementing this are over 1000 species of birds, including various types of kingfisher, hornbills (around Amani in the eastern Usambaras), bee-eaters (along the Rufiji and Wami Rivers), fish eagles (Lake Victoria) and flamingos (Lakes Manyara and Natron, among other places). There are also many birds that are unique to Tanzania, including the Udzungwa forest partridge, the Pemba green pigeon, the Usambara weaver and the Usambara eagle owl.

Do you know?Some of the special birds we expect to see include the beautiful Golden-winged Sunbird, the gaudy Vulturine Guineafowl, fabulous Golden-breasted Starling, Bar-tailed Trogon and Fischer’s Lovebird. If this is your first visit to Africa, you will be delighted by a plethora of typical African birds; Ostrich, Hamerkop, Secretary Bird, Bateleur, hornbills, woodhoopoes, weavers and waxbills.