Tanzania Birding Excursions in Arusha National Park: Arusha National Park is one of the most famous national parks in Tanzania, the park is situated in the northern province of Tanzania, near the city of Arusha. This stunning national park was gazetted as a national park in 1960 with the aim to protect and converse the ecosystems of Arusha National Park. The national park covers an area of approximately 552 square kilometers which comprises of vegetation types like lush rainforest, savannah, and alpine vegetation. One of the famous features of Arusha National Park is its diverse landscapes, including the stunning Mount Meru, which is the second highest peak in Tanzania. The park has several lakes including the Alkaline Lake Momella, which is known for its exceptional Flocks of Flamingos. The national park is also the home to a variety of wildlife including buffaloes, bushbucks, warthogs, giraffes, leopards, elephants, red duikers, hippos, zebras, primates such as black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys
Birdwatching excursions in Arusha National Park are one of the rewarding activities to do while on a Tanzania safari in Arusha National Park. The park is famous for its exceptionally diverse ecosystems and rich biodiversity. Arusha National Park is home to more than 400 recorded bird species including endemic birds, savannah birds, and migratory birds which makes it one of the best birding areas in Tanzania such as Flamingos, Grey-capped Warbler, White-fronted Bee-eater, European Bee-eater, little Bee-eater, Rufous-crowned Roller, Grey-headed Negrofinch, European Roller, African Pygmy Kingfisher, Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Mountain Yellow Warbler, Pied Kingfisher, African Pygmy Falcon.
List of bird species that are found in Arusha National Park
Grey Crowned Crane, Common Ostrich, White-faced Whistling Duck, Egyptian Goose, Northern Shoveler, Red-billed Teal, White-backed Duck, Helmeted Guineafowl, Crested Guineafowl, Hildebrandt’s Francolin, Red-necked Spurfowl, Crested Francolin, Flamingos, Great Crested Grebe, African Olive Pigeon, Mourning Collared Dove, African Green Pigeon, Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, Ethiopian Thrush, Bare-eyed Thrush, Spotted Palm Thrush, Thrush Nightingale, Green Wood-hoopoe, Red-billed Firefinch, Red-billed Buffalo Weaver, White-browed Sparrow Weaver, White-headed Wood-hoopoe, Beautiful Sunbird, Common Scimitar bill, Abyssinian Scimitar bill, Wahlberg’s Honeybird, Lesser Honeyguide, Green-backed Honeybird, Olive Woodpecker, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Red-and-yellow Barbet, Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Black-throated Barbet, White-headed Barbet, Grey-backed Camaroptera , Grey-capped Warbler, White-fronted Bee-eater, European Bee-eater, little Bee-eater, Rufous-crowned Roller, Grey-headed Negrofinch, European Roller, African Pygmy Kingfisher, Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Mountain Yellow Warbler, Pied Kingfisher, African Pygmy Falcon, Red-collared Widowbird, Grey Kestrel, Malachite Sunbird, African Hobby, Eurasian Hobby, Red-bellied Parrot, Yellow-collared Lovebird, African Firefinch, African Broadbill, Purple-throated Cuckooshrike, Eastern Black-headed Oriole, Thrush Nightingale, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Grey Apalis, Black-throated Wattle-eye, Forest Batis, African Yellow White-eye, Grey-headed Social Weaver, White-crested Helmet-shrike, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Grey-headed Bush-shrike, Orange-breasted Bush-shrike, Tropical Boubou, White-rumped Shrike, African Golden Weaver, Grey-backed Fiscal, White-necked Raven, Blue-mantled Paradise-flycatcher, Blue-mantled Paradise-flycatcher, Collared Sunbird, Amethyst Sunbird, Collared Sunbird, Black-winged Bishop, Village Weaver, Ashy Flycatcher, Ethiopian Crimson-wing, Eastern Paradise Whydah, Silverbird, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Rattling Cisticola, Red-faced Cisticola, Little Rush Warbler, Fan-tailed Grassbird, Dark-capped Yellow Warbler, Grey-rumped Swallow, Wire-tailed Swallow, Grey-olive Greenbul, Brown Woodland Warbler, Brown Woodland Warbler, Abyssinian White-eye, Red-winged Starling, Greater Blue-eared Starling, African Grey Flycatcher, Abyssinian Wheatear, Ethiopian Thrush among others
List of packing equipment for exciting birdwatching in Arusha National Park
When planning your birding excursions in Arusha National Park, you need to arrange the following items to make your birding experience in the region fantastic such as enough drinking water and snacks, sunglasses, field clothing; sturdy shoes, a notebook and pen, binoculars, a field guide, a camera or good phone, and insect repellent, among others
Are there any safari activities I can combine with a birdwatching tour in Arusha National Park
Yes. exploring in Arusha National Park blesses tourists with great opportunities to participate in interesting activities besides exhilarating birdwatching such as;
Wildlife sighting
Arusha National Park is a stunning destination for wildlife sightings. While it may not be as famous as some of the other national parks in Tanzania such as Serengeti National Park or Ngorongoro Crater. Arusha National Park offers a unique and diverse rare of landscapes and wildlife that makes it a hidden gem for wildlife lovers. One of the highlights of wildlife safari at Arusha National Park is the opportunity to spot the park’s diverse African wildlife up close. During the wildlife viewing safari in Arusha National Park, you will have an opportunity to encounter a variety of wildlife that dwell in the park such as giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, elephants, warthogs, several antelopes, hippos, bird species such as flamingos, Black-winged Kite, African Harrier Hawk, Palm-nut Vulture, White-backed Vulture, White-backed Vulture, Crowned Eagle, Verneau’s Eagle, African Hawk Eagle, Dark Chanting Goshawk, African Marsh Harrier, African Fish Eagle, Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk, Eurasian Buzzard, Common Barn Owl among others. Visitors to the park may also have a chance to encounter the elusive and endangered black and white colobus monkeys as well as the playful blue monkeys swinging through the treetops of the park’s forest.
Canoeing
Arusha National Park is one of the few destinations in Tanzania that offers a breathtaking canoe ride. canoeing in the park is done on the small Momella lake with the help of an experienced guide who will be padding along the lake. during the canoe ride, you will have the chance to enjoy a tranquil and charm ride and you will be able to spot different animals like hippos, in water, bushbucks, waterbucks, buffaloes, zebras, buffaloes among others on the lake shores, waterbirds like kingfishers, flamingos, pelicans, African fish eagle, herons and others.
Cycling Tours
Cycling tours in and around Arusha offer an exhilarating way to experience the region’s vibrant culture and natural beauty. Pedalling through Arusha’s bustling streets during a city tour presents a unique perspective in observing local life and landmarks. Alternatively, countryside routes allow riders to feel the rhythm of Tanzania’s rural life, taking in scenic landscapes and friendly local communities.
For more adventurous bikers, off-road tours in the Great Rift Valley offer challenging terrain amidst an awe-inspiring geographical feature. This option can be a captivating physical challenge with rewarding vistas. Consequently, whether you are a city explorer, nature lover, or adventure seeker, these cycling tours cater to various interests and provide a unique spin on the traditional safari experience.
Guided nature treks
This is an adventurous activity that allows you to explore the hidden gems of the park on foot. Arusha National Park has a few dangerous animals hence one of the best destinations for a guided nature trek. during the exciting guided nature trek, you will pass below Mount Meru, Kitot to Nyeku viewpoint, Nyurdoto crater, Momella gate to Ikikoni, Ujambo wa Mbogo area, and Tululusia waterfalls. Guided nature treks in Arusha National Park are carried out with the help of an experienced and armed park ranger as you pass through marsh bushes where you will view stunning scenery landscapes, and walk meters away from animals like giraffes, zebras, and warthogs among other.
Contact our trusted tour operators for more information about Tanzania Birding Excursions in Arusha National Park and Book with our tours and travel companies such as; Focus East Africa Tours which offers the best tour packages while on your safari in Tanzania.
