Tanzania: Birds & More – 7 Days

Overview

This 7-day, 6-night birdwatching safari in Tanzania is a delightful journey through some of the country’s most rewarding birding destinations in the northern circuit. Designed for bird enthusiasts and wildlife lovers, it showcases an incredible diversity of habitats — from ancient baobab woodlands and groundwater forests to soda lakes, acacia savannahs, and riverine corridors — where you can expect to encounter over 300 bird species.

Your adventure blends relaxed game drives, guided nature walks, and peaceful lodge-based birding, offering excellent opportunities to see colorful sunbirds, vibrant rollers, majestic eagles, flamingos, hornbills, bee-eaters, weavers, and many more. Along the way, you’ll also enjoy wonderful sightings of elephants, tree-climbing lions, and, depending on the season, the drama of the Great Migration in the Ndutu and Serengeti regions.

You will stay in a carefully chosen mix of intimate, high-quality lodges and luxury tented camps, including Gibb’s Farm, Ndutu Luxury Camp, and Kirawira Serena Camp. All accommodations offer full-board meals, warm hospitality, and superb locations for birding right from the property between morning and afternoon game drives.

The itinerary begins with your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (or Arusha) and ends with your departure from the same airport. With expert local birding guides accompanying you throughout, this safari provides the perfect balance of dedicated birdwatching, abundant wildlife viewing, and the timeless beauty of Tanzania’s landscapes.

Your adventure begins on a Sunday and ends on a Saturday in Arusha, Tanzania.

Dates

Departure Years	Departures 2027, Departures 2028
Departure Dates	Jan 2-Jan 8, Jan 3-Jan 9, Jan 30-Feb 5, Jan 31-Feb 6, Feb 27-Mar 4, Feb 28-Mar 6, Mar 26-Apr 1, Mar 28-Apr 3, Apr 23-Apr 29, Apr 25-May 1, May 21-May 27, May 30-Jun 12, May 30-Jun 29, Jun 18-Jun 24, Jun 20-Jun 26, Jul 16-Jul 22, Jul 18- Jul 24, Aug 13-Aug 19, Aug 15-Aug 21, Sep 10-Sep 16, Sep 12- Sep 18, Oct 8-Oct 14, Oct 10-Oct 16, Nov 5-Nov 11, Nov 7-Nov 13, Dec 3-Dec 9, Dec 5-Dec 11

Itinerary

Day 1	Arrive in Tanzania at Kilimanjaro International Airport – Grand Melia Hotel, Arusha
	Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, a warm welcome awaits you. Your dedicated Kalama Safaris representative will greet you personally at the airport, assist with immigration and customs formalities, and ensure a smooth private transfer to the luxurious Grand Melia Hotel in Arusha. This first evening is yours to relax and recover from your international journey. Settle into your elegant room, unwind by the pool, or enjoy a welcome drink while soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of Tanzania as you prepare for the adventure ahead. Full board.
Day 2	Drive to Tarangire National Park
	After breakfast, you will drive to Tarangire National Park (about 2 hours) for Nimali Tarangire for a one-night stay. This park in northern Tanzania is a hidden gem, often called the “Land of Giants” for its impressive elephant herds. The life-giving Tarangire River draws wildlife from miles around, especially during the dry season. Ancient baobab trees dot the landscape, giving your game drives a dramatic, prehistoric feel. It’s also a birdwatcher’s paradise with over 500 species recorded. Tarangire offers a wonderful contrast to the open plains of the Serengeti.
Days 3-4	Visit Lake Manyara National Park and Drive to the Lake Ndutu Region
	After breakfast, enjoy a short, scenic drive to Lake Manyara National Park, which lies at the foot of the dramatic Great Rift Valley escarpment in northern Tanzania. This wonderfully diverse and compact park offers a fantastic safari experience. Fed by mineral-rich springs, the shallow alkaline Lake Manyara attracts huge flocks of flamingos and hundreds of other bird species (over 400 recorded). The varied habitats of groundwater forest and acacia are home to a rich array of spectacular wildlife, including large herds of elephants, troops of blue monkeys, and baboons — along with the park’s famous tree-climbing lions. Afterward, have a delicious farm-to-table lunch at Gibb’s Farm, a true haven for bird lovers. The lovingly tended gardens, coffee plantations, and forest trails attract a rich variety of birdlife, with over 200 species recorded on the property alone. After a relaxing lunch amid the sound of songbirds, you’ll take a 1–2 hour drive to the Ndutu region in the southern Serengeti, a rewarding destination with over 300 species of birds recorded in the area. Seasonal wetlands and the soda lake attract large numbers of waterbirds, including flamingos, pelicans, storks, and various ducks, while the surrounding acacia savannah and woodlands host an impressive variety of raptors, rollers, bee-eaters, and many more species. There will be an off-road late afternoon game drive, dinner, and a two-night stay at Ndutu Luxury Camp. Off-road game drives and birdwatching here are a delightful complement to the thrilling big cat sightings you’ll experience during your stay. From February to early April, wildebeest herds are calving in this area.
Days 5-6	Drive to the Western Corridor of Tanzania’s Serengeti
	Today you will drive to Kirawira Serena Camp for a two-night stay. Perched on a scenic hillside in the Western Corridor of Tanzania’s Serengeti, Kirawira Serena Camp offers an elegant luxury tented experience with sweeping views over the Grumeti River and the surrounding plains. This beautiful property blends colonial-style charm with modern comforts, making it an ideal base for exploring the migration routes and resident wildlife. Birdwatching here is particularly rewarding — many species can be spotted directly from your tent veranda, the pool area, or during relaxed garden walks. Guests frequently enjoy sightings of vibrant weavers, starlings, hornbills, bee-eaters, kingfishers along the river, and a variety of raptors soaring overhead, all enhanced by knowledgeable guides. It’s the perfect spot to combine thrilling game drives with peaceful moments appreciating the rich avian life of the Serengeti.
Day 7	Fly back to Arusha for International Flight Home
	After one last magical early morning game drive (weather and flight schedule permitting), you’ll be driven to the airstrip for your flight back to Arusha. Once in Arusha, we’ll take care of everything based on your flight timing. You’ll have access to a comfortable day room where you can rest, shower, and enjoy a final meal. Later, you’ll be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha for your flight home. We hope the memories you’ve made with us in Tanzania will stay with you forever, and that you’ll return to us again soon.

Cost

NOTE: The number of tour days does not include your international travel days to and from Africa.

Per Traveler
2027
Jan – Apr	$8,875
May – June, Oct – Nov	$10,275
Jul – Sep	$12,375
2028
Jan – Apr	$9,984
May – June, Oct – Nov	$11,559
Jul – Sep	$13,922

Adult 18+ Double Occupancy
Single traveler at the same price as double occupancy – no supplements
Youth 75% Per Youth Age 13-17 Double/Triple Occupancy with at least one adult
Child 50% Per Child Age 4-12 Double/Triple Occupancy with at least one adult
Infant/Toddler No Cost – Do not include as a paid traveler.

Discounts

Groups of 4-6	$100 per traveler
Groups of 7-12	$150 per traveler
Groups of 13-18	$200 per traveler

Deposit & Balance

20% Deposit to secure booking – Per person cost for each traveler
Balance due 90 days prior to start date – Invoice for balance due will include deductions for youth, children, and group discounts.

Inclusions

All accommodations and meals
All transfers
All gratuities for porters and servers/hotel staff
Minimum gratuities for drivers and guides
Local flights (1)
All game park entrance and applicable concession fees (4 Parks)
Excursions in itinerary
Water included with meals and in safari vehicles.

Exclusions

International airfare to and from Arusha, Tanzania
Gratuities – housekeeping
Optional Hot Air Balloon Safari (about $500 per person)
Excess baggage fee
Laundry services
ETA or Visa Fee for entrance into Tanzania
Alcoholic beverages and other drinks (soft drinks and water) from the bar
Personal expenses such as travel insurance
Communication charges that include emails and phone calls

Cancellations

▪ Cancellation 90 or more days before start date (100% refund of price less a $300 administrative fee per person)

▪ Cancellation 89-60 days before start date (75% refund of price less a $300 administrative fee per person)

▪ Cancellation 59-30 days before start date (35% refund of price less a $300 administrative fee per person)

▪ Cancellation 29-0 days before start date (0% refund of price per person)

We strongly encourage you to purchase travel insurance!

Insurance

Travel worry-free with travel insurance from trusted insurers. Compare and buy online with safe and secure checkout and instant confirmation of coverage at www.travelinsurance.com.

Consider the following:

Trip Cancellation
Trip Interruption
Medical Evacuation
Medical Protection
Baggage Loss
Flight Accident
Accidental Death

Review the terms and conditions before deciding whether to purchase travel insurance. At a minimum, consider trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical evacuation, and medical protection.

Extension

Pre-Tour: Gorillas & More 4 Days 3 Nights

This intimate 4-day, 3-night primate safari in Rwanda is built around unforgettable encounters with the critically endangered mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park. Blending world-class wildlife experiences with authentic cultural immersion, the journey also includes a gentle introduction to Kigali and meaningful visits with local communities.

Designed with sustainability at its core, the safari features guided gorilla treks and immersive village experiences, all supported by luxury accommodations and full-board dining throughout.

This adventure begins in Kigali, Rwanda, four days prior to the official start of your Kalama Safari tour. After enjoying these memorable opening days in Rwanda, you will take a short regional flight to either Nairobi, Kenya or Arusha, Tanzania, where your main safari adventure seamlessly begins.

Learn More