12-Day Epic Bird Watching Safari Through Mkomazi & Beyond

Arrival at the Airport

Day 1Arrival at the Airport Arrival at the Airport Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airport, your private driver-guide will warmly welcome you and transfer you to the charming Pink Flamingo Hotel in Arusha. This day is dedicated to rest and recovery after your flight. You'll enjoy the tranquil setting, personalized service, and comfort of your boutique accommodation as you settle in for the night. Your unforgettable safari adventure begins the following morning after a refreshing overnight stay. Main Destination: Kilimanjaro Airport Accommodation: Pink Flamingo Boutique Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Moshi (Town) +9 Photos +8 Photos Meals & Drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Mkomazi National Park

Day 2Mkomazi National Park Mkomazi National Park After breakfast, your private safari guide will pick you up and begin the scenic drive to Mkomazi National Park. As you approach the park, you'll enjoy breathtaking views of the Usambara and Pare mountain ranges. Upon arrival, you’ll begin your exploration with a visit to the renowned Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary, home to the rare black rhinoceros and the African wild dog breeding program. These endangered species are among the park's most remarkable highlights. You'll also encounter other wildlife, including giraffes, elands, hartebeest, zebras, buffalo, lions, elephants, and the elegant long-necked gerenuk. After your game drive, you'll check into your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay, surrounded by the wild beauty of Mkomazi. Main Destination: Mkomazi National Park Best Time To Visit June to October (Animals are more easily found) High Season This park doesn't have a high season Best Weather June to October (Little rainfall) Wildlife in Mkomazi NP GiraffeCommon ZebraAbundant ElephantOccasional Black RhinoOccasional BuffaloOccasional LionRare Show more LeopardRare CheetahRare HippoRare HyenaRare Wild DogRare White RhinoNone WildebeestNone Accommodation: Mkomazi Wilderness Retreat Luxury tented camp located inside Mkomazi NP +14 Photos +13 Photos Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Mkomazi National Park

Day 3Mkomazi National Park Mkomazi National Park After an early breakfast, you'll enjoy a full day immersed in Mkomazi’s exceptional birdlife and walking safari experience. Mkomazi is a haven for bird lovers, with over 450 recorded species, including Martial Eagles, Kori Bustards, ostriches, weavers, and migratory Eurasian birds. Your morning will begin with a guided walk through areas such as Dindira or the long route from Zange HQ to Babus. Accompanied by an armed park ranger, this walking safari allows you to connect deeply with the environment and observe animals and bird species up close in their natural habitat. After lunch, you’ll enjoy a relaxed afternoon game drive or an optional second walk before returning to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay. Main Destination: Mkomazi National Park Accommodation: Mkomazi Wilderness Retreat Luxury tented camp located inside Mkomazi NP Meals & Drinks: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Materuni Village (Waterfall Hike & Coffee Tour))

Day 4Materuni Village (Waterfall Hike & Coffee Tour)) Materuni Village (Waterfall Hike & Coffee Tour)) After breakfast, you'll depart for Materuni, a traditional Chagga village nestled on the lush slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. You'll hike to the stunning Materuni Waterfalls through beautiful greenery, with views of Kilimanjaro on clear days. Along the way, your guide will introduce you to Chagga traditions and daily life. After time to relax at the falls—perhaps even swim—you'll return to the village for an authentic coffee-making experience. From bean picking to roasting and grinding, you'll prepare your own cup, surrounded by local songs and dances. To complete the experience, enjoy a freshly cooked Chagga-style lunch prepared by local mamas—featuring dishes like banana stew, pilau, or rice and beans. It’s a rich, hands-on cultural day in the heart of Kilimanjaro’s heritage After the activity, you will head to your accommodation in Moshi for dinner and an overnight stay. Main Destination: Materuni Waterfalls (Highlight) Accommodation: Pink Flamingo Boutique Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Moshi (Town) Meals & Drinks: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Tarangire National Park

Day 5Tarangire National Park Tarangire National Park Early morning after breakfast, you'll depart for Tarangire National Park. The park is named after the Tarangire River, which runs through it. This ‘river of warthogs’ is the only source of water for wildlife in the region during the dry season. In places, the vegetation is quite dense, including elephant grass, acacia woodlands, and lush groundwater forest. The park is well known for its elephant families, which can often be seen congregating by the river. You may also see giraffes, bushbucks, and hartebeests. These animals are closely followed by a range of predators, including lions and leopards. There are more breeding species of birds found in Tarangire National Park than anywhere else on the planet! After lunch and an extensive game drive, you'll head for our Tented partner lodges for dinner and an overnight stay. Main Destination: Tarangire National Park Best Time To Visit July to November (Animals come to the Tarangire River) High Season June to October (The park is full of visitors) Best Weather June to October (Little rainfall) Wildlife in Tarangire NP ElephantAbundant GiraffeCommon LionCommon BuffaloAbundant ZebraAbundant WildebeestAbundant Show more HippoCommon HyenaOccasional LeopardRare CheetahRare Wild DogVery Rare White RhinoNone Black RhinoNone Accommodation: Tarangire Elephant Springs Camp Luxury tented camp located inside Tarangire NP +7 Photos +6 Photos Meals & Drinks: All meals included All

Tarangire National Park

Day 6Tarangire National Park Tarangire National Park Early after breakfast, you will depart for Tarangire, where you will enjoy a full day game drive. With more chances of witnessing what you didn’t see the previous day, you will visit the most remote areas of Tarangire National Park, including Silale swamps. The Silale Swamps attract hundreds of elephants who come to feed on the lush grass, but it is not just the elephants that come here. A mix of animals in all shapes and sizes can be spotted at Silale Swamps —including cats! It is a great place to see the famous tree-climbing lions of Tarangire as well as leopards. To add to the collection, the Silale Swamps are also known as a great place to see huge African rock pythons. After lunch and an extensive game drive, you'll head back to our accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay. Main Destination: Tarangire National Park Accommodation: Tarangire Elephant Springs Camp Luxury tented camp located inside Tarangire NP Meals & Drinks: All meals included All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

South Serengeti National Park (Ndutu area) – Bird Watching Paradise

Day 7South Serengeti National Park (Ndutu area) – Bird Watching Paradise South Serengeti National Park (Ndutu area) – Bird Watching Paradise After breakfast, you'll journey towards the far south of Serengeti National Park into the spectacular Ndutu area, which lies within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area vital part of the southern Serengeti ecosystem. Ndutu is not only famous for the annual wildebeest calving season, but it is also a birdwatcher's paradise, home to over 400 bird species. The region features a rich variety of habitats: seasonal alkaline lakes, acacia woodlands, open plains, and swamps, creating ideal conditions for birdlife. Lake Ndutu, with its alkaline waters, attracts large flocks of flamingos, stilts, avocets, and plovers. The woodlands around the lake shelter species such as the Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Silverbird, and the striking Lilac-breasted Roller. Raptors are also common; look out for Martial Eagles, Bateleurs, and Secretary Birds patrolling the skies and grasslands. Main Destination: Southern Serengeti National Park Best Time To Visit January to February and June to October (Different areas are best at different times) High Season July to March (The Seronera area is crowded) Best Weather June to October (Little to no rainfall) Wildlife in Serengeti NP ElephantCommon LionCommon CheetahCommon BuffaloAbundant ZebraAbundant WildebeestAbundant Show more GiraffeCommon HippoCommon HyenaCommon LeopardOccasional Black RhinoVery Rare Wild DogVery

Southern Serengeti National Park (Ndutu)

Day 8Southern Serengeti National Park (Ndutu) Southern Serengeti National Park (Ndutu) After an early breakfast, you'll continue with your game drive across the Ndutu plains, taking time to slow down and explore the diverse avian life of the region. The Ndutu area comes alive during the calving season, and while the spectacle of over 8,000 wildebeest births per day is dramatic, the skies and bushes are just as busy. During this season, many migratory birds are also present, making it an exceptional time for both novice and experienced birders. Expect sightings of colorful species like the Fischer’s Lovebird, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, and Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse. Keep an eye on the trees for the elusive Pearl-spotted Owlet and the melodic White-browed Coucal. The grasslands and lakesides attract Kori Bustards, Crowned Lapwings, and groups of helmeted guineafowl moving between shrubs. The day’s focus is on a balanced experience—soaking in the calving drama while appreciating the beauty and diversity of birdlife that flourishes in this season. Main Destination: Southern Serengeti National Park Accommodation: Masek Tented Lodge Luxury tented camp bordering Southern Serengeti NP without fences Meals & Drinks: All meals included All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

Central Serengeti National Park

Day 9Central Serengeti National Park Central Serengeti National Park After an early breakfast, you'll make your way to the iconic Central Serengeti, a region world-renowned for its rich wildlife and exceptional birdlife. Famous for its vast open plains, the Serengeti offers sweeping views ideal for spotting big game such as lions, elephants, buffalo, and the endless herds of wildebeest and zebras. This region is also the heart of the Great Migration during certain times of the year. However, for bird lovers, Central Serengeti is a hidden gem. The Seronera River Valley in particular supports a wealth of bird species thanks to its mix of woodland, grassland, and riverine habitats. Expect to spot superb starlings, African hoopoes, and Red-cheeked cordon-bleus fluttering through the bush. The riverbanks attract kingfishers, herons, and the majestic fish eagle. You may even hear the unmistakable call of the Coqui Francolin or see the colorful Yellow-throated Longclaw walking through the grasses. Main Destination: Central Serengeti National Park Accommodation: Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge Luxury lodge located inside Central Serengeti NP +13 Photos +12 Photos Meals & Drinks: All meals included All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

Central Serengeti National Park

Day 10Central Serengeti National Park Central Serengeti National Park After breakfast, you'll set off on another thrilling game drive in the Seronera region of Serengeti National Park. This central area is known as the predator capital of the Serengeti, and for good reason—lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and even the elusive leopards are frequently seen, especially around the rocky kopjes and along the river. As your eyes scan the plains for wildlife, don’t forget to look to the skies and trees—the birdlife here is rich and colorful. The tall acacia trees may reveal Grey Kestrels, Eastern Chanting Goshawks, or the elegant African Grey Hornbill. Open areas are often alive with kori bustards, secretary birds, and Northern white-crowned shrikes. The presence of water draws in saddle-billed storks, black-winged stilts, and flocks of Egyptian geese. With the help of your experienced guide, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how the ecosystem supports such diversity, making the Serengeti not just a big game destination, but a birdwatcher’s paradise as well. Main Destination: Central Serengeti National Park Accommodation: Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge Luxury lodge located inside Central Serengeti NP Meals & Drinks: All meals included All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater

Day 11Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater Early morning after breakfast, you'll continue with our en-route drive inside the Serengeti National Park before you depart for Ngorongoro Crater. When you first see Ngorongoro Crater, it looks like a forgotten world. Concealed by the steep volcanic walls is a pristine wilderness including sweeping savannah, pockets of acacia woodland, and glistening lakes and swamps. The Crater was created when a large volcano exploded and collapsed in on itself two to three million years ago. It is famous for both its geological delights and for being a natural reserve which is home to some of the densest large mammal populations in the whole of the African continent. The drive down into the Crater is an adventure in itself. When you reach the Crater floor, you find yourself amongst large numbers of wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, and more than 500 bird species. The Crater provides you with the best chance of seeing the endangered black rhino, which can sometimes be spotted in the open grasslands. Main Destination: Ngorongoro Crater Best Time To Visit June to October (Wildlife viewing is best) High Season Most of the year – July to March (Expect crowds) Best Weather June to October (Rainfall is little to none) Wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater Black RhinoCommon LionCommon BuffaloAbundant ZebraAbundant WildebeestAbundant HyenaAbundant Show more ElephantCommon HippoCommon LeopardOccasional GiraffeNone White RhinoNone Cheet

Onward Travel

Day 12Onward Travel Onward Travel After breakfast at your accommodation, you'll head back to Arusha, where you will arrive in time to catch your flight from either Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport, which marks the end of your epic adventure. Main Destination: No major destination visited Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour) Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Drinks not included End of tour (See Getting There for more details)End of tour (See Getting There for more details) Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. You'll be dropped off at the airport. Interested in This Tour? Request a Quote We advise requesting quotes from 3 operators (Learn why) Requests are sent directly to the tour operator If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly Next: Overview Next: Day by Day Next: Rates Next: Inclusions Next: Getting There Next: Offered By Best price guarantee Your request will be sent directly to the operator If preferred, you can contact the operator directly Next: Request a Quote Request a Quote Disclaimer This tour is offered by African Big Cats Safaris, not SafariBookings. This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings. If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change. The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability. If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative. $6,958 to $7,85