By Mark Sutton
The team
Mark, Linda and Brent Sutton, John and Janette Martin, Pete Antrobus (AKA Tripod), Debbie Hough.
Introduction
Our initial plans were to spend the first half of the holiday in Kenya, with the second half in Northern Tanzania, but due to terrorist threats the UK Government were advising against travel to Kenya. As a result we could not get insurance cover for Kenya, this combined with our personal safety concerns meant we changed our plans to a purely Tanzanian trip at quite short notice. Fortunately the airline, Emirates, allowed us to change our flights, the down side being that we had to book new tickets through Emirates and wait for ten weeks to get a refund on the original Kenyan flights. Quite an expensive option, in the short term.
All the accommodation and transport, including the internal flights, were arranged through Anthony Raphael of Birding and Beyond Safaris, who I had used on my trip to Kenya two years previously. I would certainly recommend Anthony from Birding and Beyond Safaris to anybody considering a trip to E. Africa. Further details can be found on the website: www.tanzaniabirding.com or e-mail tours@tanzaniabirding.com
Transport
We used a 4x4 Safari Minibus, with driver, throughout our time in mainland Tanzania. A safari minibus, with its roof, which can be raised, is ideal for game viewing, birding and photography in the game parks. Our driver Arnold was very knowledgeable about the sites visited, with a good knowledge of the mammals, but not birds. He was extremely good company and looked after us very well. On Pemba Island the Manta Reef Lodge provided a vehicle and driver.
Health
No major health problems were encountered other than a 24-hour stomach upset which I had. We all took Anti-malarial precautions either in the form of Larium, Doxycycline or Malarone
Food
Food was of a good standard, with packed lunches being provided by the hotels / lodges on a number of occasions. In addition Arnold usually came equipped with a flask of hot water, tea & coffee.
Weather
Generally dry throughout except for heavy thunderstorm overnight in the Serengeti.
Books & Tapes
Trip reports: We obtained some information from trip reports found on the Internet, but with the exception of the Serengeti / Ngorongoro area could found very little information on the areas we visited .
Field Guides: Field Guide to the Birds of East Africa - Terry Stephenson & John Fanshawe, published by T& A D Poyser. The format of having the text and range map opposite the illustration is very useful. but some of the illustrations were not up to the standard you would expect from a modern field guide, as they did not capture the true appearance of the bird.
Birds of Kenya & Northern Tanzania - Zimmerman, Turner and Pearson published by Helm. A very good guide, I found the text far more informative than the Poyser guide, in addition the maps were more detailed. On the down side it only covered Northern Tanzania.
The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals (Poyser) - very good.
Other Guides: Where to watch birds in Africa - Nigel Wheatley, published by Helm - Invaluable.
Lonely Planet, Tanzania - As usual an essential companion to any trip.
Road Map to East Africa - purchased on previous trip to Kenya
Sound guides: African bird sounds volume 2, an 11 CD set, with target species transferred to tape. This useful CD does not cover E. Africa, so many of the most sought after species are not covered. A CD covering E. African is apparently due to be published in 2004.
Accommodation
11th & 31st Beachcomber Resort. Situated on the Indian Ocean, a couple of hours drive from the airport. A good standard of accommodation, with swimming pool makes it an ideal place to chill out at the beginning / end of a trip. Listed in the Lonely Planet guide, under the Northern Beaches section. beachcomber@afsat.com
12th Manta Reef Lodge. Situated in a beautiful beachside location in the North of Pemba, only a short drive from the Ngezi Forest. The lodge provided transport to & from the airport, as well as a vehicle and driver during our stay. Listed in the LP guide under Kigomasha Peninsula. Onearth@africaonline.co.ke
13th A basic hotel in the town of Morogoro, the name of which was not noted.
14th Udzungwa Mountain View Hotel. A pleasant, but basic hotel situated about 500m south from the HQ of the Udzungwa Mountains NP. Listed in the LP guide under Udzungwa Mountains NP.
15th & 16 th Mkumi Genesis Motel. A basic but adequate motel , situated in the outskirts of Mikumi town. Listed in ther LP guide under Mikumi.
17 th & 18 th Amani Conservation Centre Rest House. Situated in the East Uasmbara Mountains at the Amani Nature Reserve, basic but excellent accommodation, but probably only accessible with a 4WD. Listed in the LP guide under Amani NR. Anr@twiga.com
19th & 20th Muller's Mountain Lodge. Situated in the West Uasmbara Mountains near the town of Lushoto. Superb accommodation & food - highly recommended. Listed in the LP guide under Lushoto. mullersmountainlodge@yahoo.com
21st Elephant Motel Situated 1km SE of the town of Same. A modern, but basic Motel, listed in the LP guide under South Pare Mountains.
22nd Maasai Safari Centre This Lodge is located a little outside the regularly crowded large tourist Hotels in the middle of the busy Arusha town. It has an excellent garden and comes highly recommended, but regrettably it is not listed in the LP guide & I don't have any contact details.
23rd Tarangire Porini Camp (tented camp). Situated in dry bush, just outside the northern perimiter of the NP. The highlight here was the drinking pool, which attracted large numbers of birds which could be watched and photoghaphed from the comfort of the restaurant. Listed in the LP guide under Tarangire NP. tporini@habari.co.tz
24th Tarangire Tented Safari Lodge. This luxury tented camp, compete with swimming pool is situated within the grounds of the Tarangire NP. Listed in the LP guide under Tarangire NP. sss@habari.co.tz
25th & 26th Serengeti Sopa Lodge. This up-market lodge, complete with pool, is situated in the centre of the Serengeti NP. Listed in the LP guide under Serengeti NP. Info@sopalodges.com
26th & 28th Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge. This up-market lodge, complete with pool, is situated on the eastern rim of the crater, close to one of the access roads to/ from the crater bottom. Listed in the LP guide under Ngorongoro Crater. Info@sopalodges.com
29th Migunga Forest Camp. The fairly basic, but adequate, tented camp is set on 35 acres of yellow acacia forest in a secluded part of Migungani Village and on the boundary to the Lake Manyara NP. The camp consists of nine self-contained tents with Bathrooms having running hot and cold water, showers, and flush toilets. There is a dining room and bar under thatch. Electricity is 12 volt supplied by solar power. Listed in the LP guide under Mto Wa Mbu. swala@swalasafaris.com
Sites visited
We relied heavily on the local knowledge of Arnold, our diver, at most sites; as a result exact locations for some of the sites are not know.
Pemba Island: All birding was done either from the grounds of the Manta Reef Lodge, or in and around the nearby Ngezi Forest. You should obtain a permit to bird the forest, from the office at the start of the track which runs through the middle of the forest, and which eventually leads to the Lodge. Not covered in Wheatley
Kilombero River and Flood Plains: The town of Ifakara lies on the edge of the floodplain. Bird the road, which leads south from the town, down to the ferry across the river. Covered in Wheatley.
Udzungwa Mountain Forest National park: The park HQ, where you have to arrange a guide, lies about 500 M north of the Udzungwa Mountain View Lodge. You can bird this area, but it is apparently better habitat on the waterfall trail, about 10 km further north, which is where we spent the morning. Covered in Wheatley.
Miombo woodlands, Mikumi: The dirt road running north from Mikumi to Ulaya cuts through some excellent miombo woodland. We birded this road a couple of kms north of the town & also a side road off to the west (Pipeline Road). An advantage with this area over the NP is that you can bird on foot. Not covered in Wheatley
Mikumi NP: The main road from Dar es Salam to Mikumi cuts through the NP, and quite good birding can be had along this road itself, although other traffic can be a problem. The park lies on the eastern edge of Mikumi, with the main entrance lying about 15km from the town. Tsetse flies were a nuisance in part of the park, although they do not apparently carry sleeping sickness. Covered in Wheatley.
Amani NR: This reserve is situated in the East Usambara Mountains and is a mosaic of small patches of woodland and cultivation. The majority of our birding was done within walking distance of the Rest House, either along local roads or on the trail to a viewpoint, which leads from the Rest House itself. A 4WD is required to reach the reserve. Mentioned in Wheatley
Sawmill Track, West Usambaras: I do not know the location of this site other than it was about 45 minutes drive from Muller's Mountain Lodge. We walked the track for about 1km as it ran through a narrow section of remnant woodland. Not covered in Wheatley
Track through Remnant Forest near Muller's Mountain Lodge: This track was about a 10-minute drive from the Lodge and ran through a small section of degraded woodland. Again we relied on Arnold's local knowledge. Not covered in Wheatley
Taveta Golden Weaver Site: This site is situated along the main road to the town of Same, where a reed fringed river, boarded by rice fields, transects the road. Not covered in Wheatley
South Pare Mountains: We birded the patched of dry scrub on the hillsides to the north east of the town of Same. Access was along a dirt track off the main road near the Elephant Motel. I suspect that any area of scrub in this area will produce similar birds, as we did not manage to see the target White-eye, only Abyssinian. We suspect it is located, higher up in the forested mountains. Not covered in Wheatley
Tarangire: We birded two areas 1) The Tarangire Porini Camp, which is situated on the Northern edge of the NP. You can bird on foot here as long as you are accompanied by a guide from the camp. 2) Tarangire NP, as with most NP's, most birding is from the vehicle. The only areas you can bird on foot are in the picnic sites and around the Lodge. Covered in Wheatley.
Olduvai Gorge: This site lies in the northern section of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and is only a short detour from the journey to the Serengeti. We only birded around the museum & the picnic site, which, as usual, attracted many birds.
Serengeti: The majority of the birding is from the vehicle, although the picnic sites at Seronera and at the Naabi Hill Gate exit for the park were very birdy. Covered in Wheatley.
Ngorongoro Crater: As above, the majority of the birding was carried out from the vehicle, except for at a couple of picnic sites. We did a full day in the crater & covered most of the area including the soda lake, and a couple of other lakes & marshes. We also birded around the grounds of the Hotel. Covered in Wheatley.
Lake Manyara: From the vehicle we birded the woodland around the edge of the lake, as well as an accessible section of the lakeshore. We also birded on foot, around the Migunga Forest Camp, on the edge of the reserve. Covered in Wheatley.
Itinerary
11th August
We arrived in Tanzania at dusk, 30 hours late due to a delayed departure in Manchester. This delay caused us to miss our connection in Dubai by half an hour. We then had to endure a 30-hour wait in Dubai, albeit in a very comfortable hotel, before the next available flight to Dar es Salaam. Arnold, who would be our driver for the duration of our holiday in mainland Tanzania, met us at the airport. We drove to the Beach Comber Resort where we arrived well after dark, but luckily the hotel obliged in making a late meal for us all, before we crashed out. It had been our intention to fly to Pemba Island today, but had missed the flight. Luckily Anthony had managed to postpone our flight by a day, which resulted in us only having one night on the island instead of two. This meant we had a rather rushed start to the holiday & missed out on a days chilling out on Pemba.
12th August
Managed to get 15 minutes birding from the beach at dawn, before the 6:30am breakfast and transfer to the Airport for the scheduled flight to Pemba. The flight departed at 8:35am and flew via Zanzibar, arriving on Pemba at 10:10. On arrival at Chake Chake Airport in Pemba, we were met by staff from the Manta Reef Lodge, who transferred us to the hotel, which took about two and a half hours. After Lunch and a couple of hours birding around the grounds, a member of the hotel staff drove us to the nearby Ngezi Forest, where we birded until late in the afternoon and then birded the forest edge until dusk. We returned to the Hotel for an evening meal after which we went back into the field in search of the Scops owl.
Highlights. Hotel grounds: Pemba White-eye, Pemba Sunbird & Madagascar Bee-eater.
Ngezi Forest area: Mangrove Kingfisher, Ethiopian Swallow & Pemba Scops-owl.
August 13th
The morning was spent birding the forest edge in search of the Green Pigeon, our last remaining Pemba endemic. After Lunch we caught an afternoon flight back to Dar Es Salaam, again via Zanzibar. We originally intended to try and drive as far as Mikumi , but as it was getting late we decided to stay over in Morogoro and continue to Mikumi in the morning.
Highlights. Ngezi Forest area: Pemba Green-pigeon & Dickinson's Kestrel.
14th August
We made an early start, passing through Mikumi NP, which gave us our first taste of Tanzanian National Parks, before stopping at the Mikumi Genesis Motel for breakfast. After breakfast we drove through the Udzungwa Mountains, stopping at Udzungwa Mountain View Lodge to unpack before carrying on to the Kilombero Flood Plains where three Tanzanian endemics occur, two of which are, as yet un-named cisticolas. We birded the floodplains and river until late afternoon before returning to the Udzungwa Mountain View Lodge after dark.
Highlights. Floodplain and River: White-crowned Plover, African Skimmer, Coppery-tailed Coucal, Kilombero Weaver, White-tailed Cisticola and Kilombero Cisticola.
Journey back to the Lodge, at dusk: Usambara Eagle-owl & Square-tailed Nightjar
15th August
We rose at dawn & drove a short distance to the HQ of the Udzungwa Mountain Forest National park, where we met up with one of the rangers. After coffee and much debate about whether to bird around the HQ or the waterfall trail, we finally opted for the waterfall trail which was about a 10 Km drive away. After a fairly quiet mornings birding we returned to the Lodge for lunch. We failed to see any of the local specialties, which in reality require a lot more time and effort.
After lunch we drove to Mikumi, where we checked into the Genesis Motel.
In the afternoon we birded the Miombo woodlands North West of Mikumi this is a good area for a number of southern specialties, with the advantage of being able to bird on foot, which is not possible in the adjoining reserve. It would appear that none of the Tanzanian parks are fenced in, which means that the animals are free to roam where they like. As a result Elephant & Buffalo can be encountered, so care must be taken.
Highlights. Udzungwa Mountains: Green headed Oriole, Red-capped Robin-chat & Yellowbill.
Mikumi: White breasted Cuckooshrike, Greencap Eremomela, Southern Blue-eared Glossy-starling & Pale Batis.
16th August:
The morning was again spent birding the miombo woodland, before returning to the lodge mid morning. We spent the rest of the day in the Mikumi National Park, where we had lunch at the hotel near the entrance gate. We finally left the park after dark; which is apparently not allowed and resulted in Arnold being reprimanded by the guards on leaving the reserve. The night was spent at Mikumi Genesis Motel.
Highlights. Miombo woodland: Böhm's Spinetail, Racket-tailed Roller, White-headed Black-chat, Tiny Cisticola, Miombo Wren-warbler, Rufous-bellied Tit, African Penduline-tit and Orange-winged Pytilia.
Mikumi National Park: Red necked Spurfowl Black bellied Bustard, Croaking Cisticola Northern Pied-babbler
17th August
After an early breakfast, we set out for one of the longest drives on our trip. On the approach to the Eastern Arc Mountains we made several stops in the cultivated areas for Zanzibar Bishop, but only managed to find, good numbers of Black-winged Bishops. We arrived at the Amani nature reserve rest House shortly after dark.
18th August
The whole day was spent birding the Amani area with a short and uneventful visit to an area of riverine woodland & tea plantations in the afternoon. In the morning we birded the main track above the accommodation and after breakfast the patches of woodland and cultivated areas around the village. The late afternoon & evening was spent on the trail leading from the center.
Highlights: Fischer's Turaco, Green Barbet, White-starred Robin, Evergreen Forest Warbler, Forest Batis, Usambara Hyliota, Yellow White-eye, Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird, Banded Green Sunbird and Kenrick's Starling
19th August
The morning was spent birding the trail leading from the center, to the viewpoint before returning for lunch, where I met up with John & Pete who had both managed to independently see Long-billed Tailorbird in a small gully besides the road, just above the center. A brief search of the area failed to provide the desired grip-back.
After lunch we set off for Muller's Mountain Lodge, an old German colonial house, in the West Usambara Mountains. The journey took the rest of the afternoon, except for a short stop in the West Usambara foothills, so we arrived at the lodge at dusk. We were just making ourselves comfortable in front of the log fire, when John came in with the news that a Nightjar was calling from a tree in the garden. We dashed out to enjoy excellent views of Usambara Nightjar, which was soon joined in the next tree by a medium sized Eagle-owl, which proved to be Usamabra Eagle-owl. A pretty good introduction to the West Usambaras!
Today was Linda's 40th birthday, so Muller's Mountain Lodge, which is renowned for its fine cuisine, was the ideal place to celebrate the occasion.
Highlights. Amani: Crowned Eagle, Orange Ground-thrush & Amani Sunbird.
W. Usambara foothills: Nyzana Swift, Cliff Chat & Hunters Sunbird.
Muller's Mountain Lodge: Usambara Nightjar & Usamabra Eagle-owl.
20th August
After an early breakfast we birded the sawmill track, about a half hour drive from the lodge, before returning for lunch. The early afternoon was spent birding around the lodge, before heading off to a nearby area of remnant forest. The night was again spent at the Lodge.
Highlights. Sawmill track: Tiny Greenbul, Fulleborns Black Boubou, Abyssinian Hill-babbler, African Tailorbird & Red-faced Crimsonwing.
Remnant Forest: Hartlaub's Turaco, Moustached Tinkerbird & Waller's Starling.
21st August
The morning was again spent at the nearby remnant forest before departing mid morning with a packed lunch. We stopped for a short lunch break in the foothills before descending back onto the plain and the journey to Same, where we would spend the night. Arnold knew of a reliable site for Taveta Golden Weaver on this section where a reed fringed river, boarded by rice fields, transects the road. Shortly after entering the fields a large raptor flew towards us obligingly hovered overhead, giving excellent views. We all concluded that it was a Short-toed Eagle, a potential First for Tanzania! After an hours searching, I managed to locate a male weaver, which promptly disappeared before the others arrived & could not be relocated. A few Kms further down the road we stropped to bird an area of thorn scrub & fields, were Linda managed to locate another male amongst a mixer weaver flock.
The night was spent at the Elephant Motel on the outskirts of Same.
Highlights. Remnant Forest: Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater & Cabanis's Greenbul.
Journey to Same: Short-toed Eagle, Pink-breasted Lark, White-browed Scrub-robin, Red-fronted Warbler, Pygmy Batis, Black-bellied Sunbird, Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird, Rosy-patched Shrike, Fischer's Starling &Taveta Golden Weaver
22nd August
After Breakfast, we birded an area of dry bush, in the foothills of the South Pare Mountains only a short journey from the Hotel. Our main target here was South Pare White-eye, a potential split from Broad-ringed White-eye. After about half an hour John managed to locate a party of White-eyes, which we are convinced were Abyssinian, although Anthony later insisted South Pare is the only White-eye in the area. The altitude (c1,00m) was lower & the habitat much drier than we expected South-pare White eye to occur in. We birded a couple of locations in the area until returning to the Motel for lunch.
After lunch we drove to Arusha & booked into Maasai Safari Tourist Lodge. The Lodge is located a little outside the center of town and away from the crowded tourist hotels and is set within a very pleasant garden. The afternoon was spent chilling out & birding in the hotel grounds, where we met up with Anthony, who brought with him John & Jeanette's long lost suitcase.
Highlights. South Pare: Brown Snake-eagle, D'Arnoud's and White-headed barbets, Northern Brownbul, Zanzibar Sombre Greenbul, Tiny Cisticola, Grey Wren-warbler Black-headed Batis, Sulphur-breasted and Grey-headed bush-shrikes, & Green-winged Pytilia.
Hotel: Brown-breasted Barbet, Tropical Boubou
23rd August
Most of the night was spent dashing to the toilet, presumably from something I ate or drank, as a result I started the day feeling pretty rotten and not really up to walking over sun scorched plains looking for a Lark. Luckily no one else had contracted my stomach upset, so I relied on the rest of the guys putting in all the effort as I tagged on behind. After about an hour of walking over the plains, situated to the North of Arusha, a pair of Spike-heeled Larks were located. This isolated population, a potential split, is only found in this area of Tanzania. We continued a few kms further along the road until we reached a patch of acacias, which were birded for a further half an hour before returning to Arusha and dropping Anthony off at his office.
In the afternoon we drove to Tarangire Porini Camp, a tented camp, which is set in 200 acres of un spoilt wilderness on the border of the Tarangire National Park The dining area overlooks a small drinking trough, which was alive with birds coming into drink. The rest of the guys went birding, on foot, with a local guide, whilst I stayed behind to watch the drinking pool, as I was still feeling pretty rough.
Highlights. Roadside birds traveling to/from the plains: Lammergeier, Red-and-Yellow Barbet, White-fronted Bee-eater, Capped and Schalow's Wheatears.
Open Plains: Spike-heeled Lark, Eastern Chanting Goshawk and Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse
Acacia: Fawn-coloured Lark and Banded Parisoma
Porini Camp: Chestnut and Swahili sparrows, Chestnut Weaver, Green-winged Pytilia, Blue-capped cordon-bleu, Crimson-rumped Waxbill, Grey-headed Silverbill, Red-bellied Parrot, Yellow-collared Lovebird, Bare-faced Go-away-bird & Dark Chanting Goshawk.
24th August
The early part of the morning was spent overlooking the drinking trough, which was again alive with activity. After a leisurely breakfast, we departed for Tarangire National park, a short drive a way. En route to Tarangire NP we stopped at a couple of roadside pools, which were teemed with Chestnut-backed sparrow-larks. Upon reaching the park we headed to a picnic site where you could leave the vehicle and ate our packed lunch. After a couple of hours, we made our way to the Luxury Tented Camp where we chilled out in the pool. The late afternoon & evening were spent on a game drive in the vicinity of the camp.
Highlights: Porini Camp: Jameson's Firefinch, Black-faced Waxbill, Straw-tailed Whydah, Gabar Goshawk, Pygmy Falcon & Von Der Decken's Hornbill
Tarangire NP: Secretary-bird, Martial Eagle, Coqui and Crested francolins, Yellow-necked and Red-necked spurfowls, White-bellied Bustard, Yellow-throated Sand grouse, Ashy starling, White-headed Buffalo-weaver, and a single Rufous-tailed Weaver at dusk.
25th August
After an early breakfast, we checked out of the Tarangire Safari Lodge and began the long drive to the Serengeti. We started the journey on good roads, which changed to a rutted dirt road as we climbed the rift valley escarpment just past lake Manyara. We drove around the mainly forested Ngorongoro crater, where we made a brief stop in a area rich in wild flowers & Sunbirds. We continued on the Olduvai Gorge where we stopped to eat our packed lunch. This area is worth visiting, not only for the museum dedicated to the finding of mans earliest remains, but also for the birds, which feed at your feet around the picnic tables.
After lunch we continued, entering the vast expanse of the Serengeti plains. As soon as we turned off the main track and started to head towards our hotel, we came across a female Lion suckling three small cubs, which gave very close views. Within minutes of leaving her we encountered a female cheetah and three well-grown cubs at a fresh kill, shortly followed by a large male Lion, which soon got scent of the kill and chased off the Cheetah family, scattering the cubs in all directions. A pretty impressive introduction to the Serengeti!
We arrived at the Serengeti Sopa Lodge at dusk, where the hot showers & luxurious rooms were most appreciated after a long drive.
Highlights: Dusky Turtle Dove, Malachite and Golden-winged sunbirds, White-bellied Canary, Greater Kestrel, Kori, White-bellied and Hartlaub's bustards, Two-banded Courser & Rufous-tailed Weaver.
26th August
After breakfast we heded out for a full day in the Serengeti. Arnold drove slowly through an area of Acacia woodland, which lies along the main track near the hotel. We stopping to check any bird flock's we encountered, before picking up a Grey-breasted Spurfowl, the last endemic of the trip near one of the river crossings. We continued onto a nearby lake before heading out onto the grassy plains and a picnic site near Seronera, where we ate our packed lunch. The picnic site was alive with birds feeding on scrap, including our only Usambiro Barbets of the trip. Drove back to the hotel to pick up the girls who had spent the morning chilling out & enjoying the delights of the hotel swimming pool. We left the hotel at 4pm and headed back towards the lake, where luckily for the girls a Leopard we had seen in the morning, was still in its tree. The drive back to the Hotel was delayed by a large herd of elephants, crossing the road, which were not very impressed by out presence. We drove past a spectacular fire on one of the hillsides, which had been caused by thunderstorms we had seen distantly earlier in the afternoon.
In the evening we were treated to an impressive thunderstorm around the hotel whilst eating dinner. Back at the room the views from the balcony, across a lightening lit Serengeti, will leave a lasting memory.
Highlights. Acacia Woodland & riverine scrub: Grey-breasted Spurfowl, Meyer's Parrot, Fischer's Lovebird, Sharpe's Pied-babbler, Buff-bellied Penduline-Tit, Red-throated Tit and Abyssinian Scimitar-bill & Yellow-throated Petronia.
Open plains: Black-winged Lapwing, Temminck's and Two-banded coursers.
Picnic Site: Usambiro Barbet, Grey-capped Social-weaver.
Scattered trees near the picnic site: Silverbird.
27th August
We packed & left the hotel, starting to retrace ours steps back to the Ngorongoro crater where we would spend the next two nights. The tracks across the plains proved hard going after the overnight rains & Arnold had to be quite selective about which tracks to use, as some were almost impassable. We stopped for lunch at Naabi Hill Gate exit for the park, where we were again treated to close views of the many birds which came down to scraps of food.
We arrived at the hotel Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge at 18.30, where we managed a last hours birding around the grounds before dark. After taking a shower, a Mountain Nightjar could be heard from the room, but it could not be located. When we met up with John for Dinner, he gripped me off with the news that he had seen the nightjar outside his room!
Highlights. Naabi Hill Gate : Buff-bellied Warbler, Banded Parisoma Hildebrand's Starling & Rufous-tailed Weaver.
Sopa Lodge: Verreaux's Eagle-owl & White-eyed Slaty-flycatcher,
28th August
First light found us exploring the grounds of the hotel, before taking an early breakfast & departing for a full day in the crater.
We covered a large part of the crater bottom, taking lunch at a lakeside picnic site, before ending up at the soda lake late afternoon from where we headed back to the hotel.
The memorable day finished back at the hotel, with a pair of Montane Nightjars performing under a spotlight near the swimming pool.
Highlights. Sopa Lodge: Grey-capped Warbler, Broad-ringed White-eye & Montane Nightjars
Crater: Rosy-throated Longclaw, Grey-rumped Swallow, African Marsh-Harrier, Lesser Flamingo, Banded Martin, Grey Crowned-Crane, Hildebrand's Francolin, Yellow Bishop & Chestnut-banded Plover.
29th August
The early morning was spent birding around the grounds of the hotel including the nearby staff quarters and football pitch, before heading off on the journey to Lake Manyara. On arrival at Lake Manyara we ate our packed lunch at the picnic site by the entrance gate, after which we entered the park, spending the rest of the day on a game drive with a visit to the lakeshore.
In the evening we drove the short distance to the Migunga Forest Camp, which is set in 35 acres of yellow acacia forest in a secluded part of Migungani Village. The camp consists of nine self-contained tents with Bathrooms having running hot and cold water, showers, and flush toilets. There is a dining room and bar under thatch. Electricity is 12 volt supplied by solar power.
Highlights. Sopa Lodge: Hunter's Cisticola, Cinnamon Bracken-warbler, Red-collared Widowbird & Tacazze Sunbird.
Lake Manyara: Giant Kingfisher, Black Cuchooshrike & White Helmetshrike.
30th August
We spent a couple of hours birding the acacia woodland and the nearby grassland before heading back to camp for an early lunch.
After lunch we drove to Arusha airport where, after saying our goodbyes to Arnold and Anthony, who had driven out to meet us, we departed on the 13.00 flight to Dar Es Salaam, via Zanzibar. We were collected from the airport by a taxi arranged by the Beachcomber Hotel. The hotel had been taken over by a wedding reception and the hotel wanted us to eat at a nearby hotel, but after much insistence we were fed on the balcony of the hotel overlooking the reception party and the Indian Ocean.
Highlights. Migunga Forest Camp: Klaas's Cuckoo &. African Golden Oriole.
31st August
Spent the morning birding the mangroves & beach around the hotel, as well as chilling out in the pool.
Transferred to the airport for the afternoon flight that left on time and arrived in Dubai late evening. Onward flight early the next morning arrived in Manchester early afternoon of 1 September.
Highlights. Beachcomber Hotel: Dimorphic Egret
African Ostrich (Struthio camelus camelus) Up to 12 recorded daily in the Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP & Ngorongoro Crater.
Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) 12 in the Serengeti on 26/8 & 1 Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/8.
Long-tailed Cormorant (Phalacrocorax africanus) 2 roadside birds on the journey to Ifakara 14/8 & 1 in the Ngorongoro Crater 28/8
White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) A flock of about 30 birds over the floodplain at Ifakara on 14/08 & about 100 in the Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/08.
Pink-backed Pelican (Pelecanus rufescens) 1 on the Kilombero River, nr Ifakara, on the 14/08.
Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) Singles recorded on Pemba, Serengeti NP & in the Ngorongoro Crater.
Mascarene Reef-egret (Egretta dimorpha [garzetta]) Up to about a dozen birds noted at the Beachcomber Resort Hotel on the first & last days of the holiday.
Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) Small numbers noted on about 6 dates.
Black-headed Heron (Ardea melanocephala) As above, but slightly commoner.
Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) 2 near Ifakara on the 14/08 & 2 in the Ngorongoro Crater 28/08.
Great White Egret (Egretta alba) Surprisingly scarce; 2 in the Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/08 & 1 at the Beachcomber Resort Hotel on the 31/08.
Intermediate Egret (Mesophoyx intermedia) A single in the Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/08.
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) Recorded at Ifakara on 14/08 & several 100 in the Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/08.
Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides) 6 near Ifakara on the 14/08.
Striated Heron (Butorides striatus [striatus]) 1 on Pemba on the 13/08.
Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta) Small numbers recorded in Mikumi NP, Serengeti NP & in the Ngorongoro Crater.
Yellow-billed Stork (Mycteria ibis) 4 near Ifakara on 14/08, 20 in the Mikumi NP on the 16/08, with small numbers also in the Serengeti NP & in the Ngorongoro Crater
African Openbill (Anastomus lamelligerus) 40 near Ifakara on the 14/08 & 2 in Mikumi NP on the 16/08
White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) 2 in the Serengeti on the 27/08.
Saddle-billed Stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) Singles in the Mikumi & Tarangire NPs.
Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos crumeniferus) Small numbers Ifakara, Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP & Ngorongoro Crater.
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) 40 in the Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/08.
Hadada Ibis (Bostrychia hagedash) 10 on Pemba on the 13/08 & small numbers recorded at Arusha & Lake Manyara NP.
Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus) Small numbers at the Beachcomber Resort Hotel & in the Ngorongoro Crater.
African Spoonbill (Platalea alba) 2 recorded in the Ngorongoro Crater & 18 in Lake Manyara NP.
Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) At least 6 birds amongst the Lesser Flamingos in the Ngorongoro Crater.
Lesser Flamingo (Phoenicopterus minor) C 200 on the soda lake in the Ngorongoro Crater & 1,000's forming distant pink haze at Lake Manyara NP.
White-faced Whistling-duck (Dendrocygna viduata) 40 recorded in the Mikumi NP.
Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus) Recorded near Ifakara, Mikumi NP, Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Manyara NP.
Spur-winged Goose (Plectropterus gambensis) 4 recorded in the Mikumi NP.
Comb Duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos) 2 recorded in the Mikumi & Lake Manyara National Parks.
Cape Teal (Anas capensis) 4 in the Serengeti NP & 20 in the Ngorongoro Crater.
Red-billed Duck (Anas erythrorhyncha) 2 in the Serengeti NP & 6 in the Ngorongoro Crater.
Hottentot Teal (Anas hottentota) 2 in the Ngorongoro Crater.
Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus caeruleus) 1 or 2 birds noted on about 6 dates.
Yellow-billed Kite (Milvus migrans parasitus) Up to 12 birds noted on most days.
African Fish-eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer) Single birds noted near Ilfakara, Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Manyara NP.
Palm-nut Vulture (Gypohierax angolensis) Singles noted near Ifakara, Udzungwa Mountains, Mikumi NP & E. Usambaras.
Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus) A single bird between the Spike-heeled Lark Site & Arusha.
Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) Only recorded in the Serengeti NP, where up to 8 birds recorded daily.
African White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus [bengalensis]) Small numbers recorded on Pemba, Mikumi, Tarangire NP, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater.
Rüppell's Griffon-vulture (Gyps rueppellii) 3 recorded at Mikumi & 8 in the Tarangire NP.
Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotus tracheliotus) 3 in the Tarangire NP & up to 2 daily in the Serengeti NP.
White-headed Vulture (Trigonoceps occipitalis) Singles in the Mikumi & Serengeti NPs.
Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus gallicus) A single, of the Palearctic race gallicus was watched at the Taveta Golden-weaver site, between the W. Usambaras & Same on 21/08. The bird, possibly a first for Tanzania, was seen very well (hovering overhead).
Black-chested Snake-eagle (Circaetus pectoralis [gallicus]) Up to 2 birds recorded on 5 dates.
Brown Snake-eagle (Circaetus cinereus) 1 in the South Pare Mountains on the 22/08.
Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus) Up to half a dozen birds recorded most days.
Western Marsh-harrier (Circus aeruginosus) 3 in the Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/08.
African Marsh-harrier (Circus ranivorus [aeruginosus]) 1 in the Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/08.
African Harrier-hawk (Polyboroides typus [radiatus]) Singles on Pemba on the 12 & 13/08.
Lizard Buzzard (Kaupifalco monogrammicus) 1 in the miombo woodland near Mikumi, on the 16/08.
Dark Chanting-goshawk (Melierax metabates) 1 Tarangire Porini Camp on the 23/08.
Eastern Chanting-goshawk (Melierax poliopterus [canorus]) 1 at the Spike heeled Lark site 23/08.
Gabar Goshawk (Micronisus gabar) 1 Tarangire Porini Camp, on the 24/08.
African Goshawk (Accipiter tachiro) 5 birds of race pembaensis were recorded on Pemba, whilst a single of the mainland race sparsimfasciatus was recorded at Arusha.
Little Sparrowhawk (Accipiter minullus) 1 in the W. Usambaras on the 20/08.
Augur Buzzard (Buteo augur) Up to 5 recorded daily in the Usambaras and in the Crater Highlands.
Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax) A single at Mikumi on the 16/08 and then up to half a dozen daily around Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP & the Ngorongoro Crater.
Wahlberg's Eagle (Aquila wahlbergi) A single at Ifakara on the 14/08.
African Hawk-eagle (Hieraaetus spilogaster [fasciatus]) A single at Tarangire NP on the 24/08.
Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) 4 around the Tarangire NP on the 24/08 & 1 in the Ngorongoro Crater 28/08.
Long-crested Eagle (Lophaetus occipitalis) Recorded on 4 dates between the 21/08 & 29/08.
Crowned Hawk-eagle (Stephanoaetus coronatus) A Single at Amani NR on 19/08, causing panic amongst the Gentle Monkeys, as it flew through the forest canopy.
Secretary-bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) A single in the Tarangire NP and then up to four daily in the Serengeti NP.
Pygmy Falcon (Polihierax semitorquatus) Singles at Tarangire Porini Camp on the 24/08 and in the Serengeti NP 27/08.
Greater Kestrel (Falco rupicoloides) Only recorded in the Serengeti NP, with 2 on the 25/08 & 4 on the 27/08.
Grey Kestrel (Falco ardosiaceus) Only recorded around Mikumi with 2 on the 14/08 & 1 on the 16/08.
Dickinson's Kestrel (Falco dickinsoni) 2 on Pemba on the 13/08 & 1 Mikumi on the 14/08.
Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus) 2 on the journey to Muller Mountain Lodge in the W. Usambaras on the 19/08.
Coqui Francolin (Francolinus coqui) 3 Tarangire NP on the 24/08 and up to 6 birds recorded ion two dates in the Serengeti NP.
Crested Francolin (Francolinus sephaena) 6 in the Tarangire NP on the 24/08 & 4 at Lake Manyara NP on the 29/08.
Hildebrandt's Francolin (Francolinus hildebrandti [natalensis]) 3 in the Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/08.
Yellow-necked Spurfowl (Francolinus leucoscepus) At least 12 birds in the Tarangire NP on the 24/08.
Grey-breasted Spurfowl (Francolinus rufopictus) 6 in the Serengeti NP on the 26/08. The birds were ether in the riverine scrub between the Serengeti Sopa Lodge Hotel & the nearby lake or around the lake itself.
Red-necked Spurfowl (Francolinus afer) Up to 6 birds recorded in the Mikumi and Tarangire National Parks.
Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris) Parties regularly encountered in Mikumi NP, Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater & Manyara NP. An incredible party of about 400 birds was seen one evening in the Tarangire NP.
Black Crake (Amaurornis flavirostra) Singles recorded by the Kilombero River near Ifakara & in the Serengeti NP.
Grey Crowned-crane (Balearica regulorum [povonina]) 200+ birds recorded in the Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/08.
Kori Bustard (Ardeotis kori) Up to 10 birds daily in the Serengeti NP and the Ngorongoro Crater.
White-bellied Bustard (Eupodotis senegalensis) Up to 4 birds daily in the Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP and the Ngorongoro Crater
Black-bellied Bustard (Eupodotis melanogaster) 6 Mikumi NP on the 16/08 & 2 Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/8
Hartlaub's Bustard (Eupodotis hartlaubii) A single in the Serengeti NP on 26/08
African Jacana (Actophilornis africanus) Singles at the hippo pools Mikumi NP on the 16/08 & in the Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/08
Greater Painted-snipe (Rostratula benghalensis) 1 besides a small pool on the Kilombero flood plain, near Ifakara, on the 14/08.
Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) Up to 10 birds recorded in the Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater & Manyara NP.
Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) 20 in the Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/08 & 6 Lake Manyara NP on the 29/08
Water Thick-knee (Burhinus vermiculatus) 12 at the Hippo Pools, in Mikumi NP on the 16/08 & 2 Lake Manyara NP on the 29/08
Double-banded Courser (Rhinoptilus africanus) 3 on the journey from Ngorongoro to the Serengeti NPon the 25/08 & 2 in the Serengeti NP on the 26/08.
Temminck's Courser (Cursorius temminckii [coromandelicus]) 2 in the Serengeti NP on the 26/08.
Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola) c 20 birds over the Kilombero flood plain near Ifakara on the 14/08 & 5 in the Ngorongoro Crater on 28/08.
Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) 20 at the Beachcomber Resort Hotel on the 31/08.
Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) 1 in the Serengeti NP on the 26/08.
Kittlitz's Plover (Charadrius pecuarius) 6 in the Serengeti NP on the 26/08 & 100+ in the Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/08.
Three-banded Plover (Charadrius tricollaris) 6 in the Mikumi NP on the 16/08 & 10 in the Serengeti NP on the 26/08.
Chestnut-banded Plover (Charadrius pallidus) At least 40 birds on the soda lake in the Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/08.
Lesser Sand Plover (Charadrius mongolus) 2 on the beach by the Beachcomber Resort Hotel on the 31/08.
Greater Sand Plover (Charadrius leschenaultii) 6 on the beach by the Beachcomber Resort Hotel on the 31/08.
Blacksmith Lapwing (Vanellus armatus) Recorded at Ifakara, Mikumi NP, Serengeti NP & in the Ngorongoro Crater
Spur-winged Lapwing (Vanellus spinosus) 2 on the Kilombero River near Ifakara on the 14/08 & 2 in the Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/08
White-headed Lapwing (Vanellus albiceps) 2 on the Kilombero River near Ifakara on the 14/08
Black-winged Lapwing (Vanellus melanopterus) 8 in the Serengeti NP on the 26/08 & 5 in the Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/08.
Crowned Lapwing (Vanellus coronatus) Recorded in the Mikumi NP, Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP & Ngorongoro Crater
Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) 10 at Lake Manyara NP on the 29/08.
Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) 6 at the Beachcomber Resort Hotel on the 31/08.
Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis) 3 in the Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/08.
Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) Recorded in the Mikumi NP, Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP & Ngorongoro Crater
Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus) Singles recorded in the Mikumi NP & Ngorongoro Crater.
Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola) Up to 6 birds recorded in the Mikumi NP, Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP & Ngorongoro Crater.
Terek Sandpiper (Tringa cinerea) 1 in mangroves at the Beachcomber Resort Hotel on the 31/08.
Common Sandpiper (Tringa hypoleucos)Recorded in the Mikumi NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater & Beachcomber Resort Hotel.
Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) 2 at the Beachcomber Resort Hotel on the 31/08.
Sanderling (Calidris alba) 6 at the Beachcomber Resort Hotel on the 31/08.
Little Stint (Calidris minuta) Recorded in the Mikumi NP, Serengeti NP, & Ngorongoro Crater, with at least 200 present at the latter site.
Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) Recorded in the Mikumi NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Manyara NP.
Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) Recorded in the Mikumi NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Manyara NP.
Gull-billed Tern (Sterna nilotica) 2 in the Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/08.
Lesser Crested-tern (Sterna bengalensis) 4+ recorded from the Manta Reef Lodge, Pemba Island.
Great Crested-tern (Sterna bergii) 12+ recorded from the Manta Reef Lodge, Pemba Island.
Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) A party of 12 birds recorded from the Manta Reef Lodge, Pemba Island.
White-winged Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus) 1 in the Serengeti NP on the 27/08, 4 in the Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/08 & 1at Lake Manyara on the 29/8.
African Skimmer (Rynchops flavirostris [niger]) 2 on the Kilombero River near Ifakara on the 14/08.
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles exustus) 4 at the Spike-heeled Lark site on the 23/08 & 4 in the Serengeti NP on the 27/08.
Yellow-throated Sandgrouse (Pterocles gutturalis) 4 in the Tarangire NP on the 24/08, with up to 10 on two dates in the Serengeti NP.
Speckled Pigeon (Columba guinea) Small numbers daily around the Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP & the Ngorongoro Crater
African Olive-pigeon (Columba arquatrix) Up to 4 recorded on two dates in the W. Usambaras.
Dusky Turtle-dove (Streptopelia lugens) 1 on the journey to Ngorongoro Crater on the 25/08 & 1 in the crater on the 28/08.
Laughing Dove (Streptopelia senegalensis) Small numbers recorded on about 5 dates.
Mourning Collared-dove (Streptopelia decipiens) Up to 3 recorded in the Mikumi NP, Tarangire NP & Lake Manyara NP.
Ring-necked Dove (Streptopelia capicola [vinacea]) Recorded on most days throughout the trip.
Red-eyed Dove (Streptopelia semitorquata) Recorded on most days throughout the trip.
Emerald-spotted Wood-dove (Turtur chalcospilos) Recorded on about 6 dates, often as roadside birds.
Tambourine Dove (Turtur tympanistria) 1 on Pemba Island on 13/08.
Namaqua Dove (Oena capensis) 4 in the Tarangire NP on the 23/08 & 2 at Lake Manyara NP on the 29/08
African Green-pigeon (Treron calva [australis]) 1 at Amani NR in the E. Usambaras on the 18/08 & a flock of 10 birds in the Serengeti NP on the 26/08.
Pemba Green-pigeon (Treron pembaensis [australis]) 6 on the edge of Ngezi Forest, Pemba Island on the morning of the 13/08.
Meyer's Parrot (Poicephalus meyeri) 10 in the Serengeti NP on the 26/08 & 2 there the following day.
Red-bellied Parrot (Poicephalus rufiventris) 1 Tarangire NP on 23/08 & 2 there on 25/08.
Brown-headed Parrot (Poicephalus cryptoxanthus) 4 Pemba Island on the 13 & 14/08. 2 Mikumi on the 16/08
Fischer's Lovebird (Agapornis fischeri [personatus]) Up to 40 daily in the Serengeti NP.
Yellow-collared Lovebird (Agapornis personatus) Up to 20 daily, in the Tarangire NP.
Fischer's Turaco (Tauraco fischeri [persa]) A single at Amani NR, in the E. Usambaras on the 18/08.
Hartlaub's Turaco (Tauraco hartlaubi) 5 in the W. Usambaras on the 20/08 & 2 there the following day.
Bare-faced Go-away-bird (Corythaixoides personatus) 2 recorded on two dates in the Tarangire NP & up to 6 daily in the Serengeti NP.
White-bellied Go-away-bird (Corythaixoides leucogaster) 5 on the journey to Same on the 21/08 & 2 recorded on two dates in Tarangire NP.
Klaas' Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx klaas) 1 in the South Pare Mountains on the 22/08 & 2 in Lake Manyara NP on the 30/08.
Yellowbill (Ceuthmochares aereus) Singles in the Udzungwa Mountains on the 15/08 & Amani NR, in the E. Usambaras on the 18/08.
Coppery-tailed Coucal (Centropus cupreicaudus) 3 on the Kilombero River flood plain near Ifakara on the 14/08
White-browed Coucal (Centropus superciliosus) 1 or 2 birds recorded at Ifakara, W. Usambaras, Tarangire & Serengeti NPs.
Pemba Scops-owl (Otus rutilus pembaensis) 1 spotlighted & about 4 others heard on Pemba Island on the 12/08.
Usambara Eagle-owl (Bubo vosseleri) 1 spotlighted in the garden of Muller's Mountain Lodge, W. Usambaras 19/08, but not present the following evening
Verreaux's Eagle-owl (Bubo lacteus) 1 near Ifakara on the 14/08 & 2 in the grounds of the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge on the 27 & 28/08.
Pearl-spotted Owlet (Glaucidium perlatum [passerinum]) Single in the Tarangire NP on the 25/08.
Montane Nightjar (Caprimulgus poliocephalus) 2 birds gave excellent views just after dusk, in a floodlit area by the swimming pool, at the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge on 28/08. Calling birds were heard on the 27/08 & at least 3 additional birds, to those seen on 28/08.
Usambara Nightjar (Caprimulgus poliocephalus guttifer) A bird appeared in the garden of the Muller's Mountain Lodge, W. Usambaras on the evening of the 19 & 20/08. It allowed excellent, spotlit views, as it made short sallies from a favoured perch in a garden conifer.
Square-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus fossii) 1 sat on the road, at dusk, on the journey back from Ifakara on 14/08.
Scarce Swift (Schoutedenapus myoptilus) 6 on the journey to the Ngorongoro Crater, on the 27/08.
Mottled Spinetail (Telacanthura ussheri) A singles on the 18/08 and 21/08. 20 in the Tarangire NP on the 24/08.
Bat-like Spinetail (Neafrapus boehmi) 2 over the miombo woodland nr Mikumi 16/08.
African Palm-swift (Cypsiurus parvus) Recorded on most days throughout the trip.
Alpine Swift (Tachymarptis melba) 2 Tarangire Porini Camp on the 23/08 & 2 over roadside pools near the Tarangire NP on the 25/08.
Nyanza Swift (Apus niansae) 40 on the journey to the W. Usambaras on 19/08, with 3 in the same area on 21/08.
African Swift (Apus barbatus [apus]) 10 near Tarangire NP on the 24/08.
Little Swift (Apus affinis) Recorded on about 6 dates.
Speckled Mousebird (Colius striatus) Recorded on about 8 dates throughout the trip.
Blue-naped Mousebird (Urocolius macrourus) 6 on the journey to Same on the 21/08 & 30 Lake Manyara NP on the 29/08
Malachite Kingfisher (Alcedo cristata) 3 on the Kilombero River flood plain near Ifakara on the 14/08.
African Pygmy-kingfisher (Ispidina picta) 1 just outside the tent, in the Tarangire NP, on the 24/08.
Grey-headed Kingfisher (Halcyon leucocephala) Up to 2 birds recorded in the Tarangire & Lake Manyara NPs.
Mangrove Kingfisher (Halcyon senegaloides) 1 in the Ngezi Forest, Pemba Island on the 12/08.
Brown-hooded Kingfisher (Halcyon albiventris) 1 on the waterfall trail in the Udzungwa Mountains on the 15/08.
Striped Kingfisher (Halcyon chelicuti) 16 recorded on the journey to Ifakara on the 14/08 & several more roadside birds the following day. 1 Lake Manyara NP on the 29/08.
Giant Kingfisher (Megaceryle maxima) 1 Lake Manyara NP on the 29/08.
Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) 3 on the Kilombero River near Ifakara on the 14/08. 1 Lake Manyara NP on the 29/08.
White-fronted Bee-eater (Merops bullockoides) 3 near Arush on the 23/08.
Little Bee-eater (Merops pusillus) Up to 12 birds recorded on about ten dates.
Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater (Merops oreobates) 2 in the W. Usambaras on the 21/08 & 2 roadside birds in the Ngorongoro Highlands on the 29/08
Madagascar Bee-eater (Merops superciliosus) Up to 6 birds recorded daily on Pemba Island.
Lilac-breasted Roller (Coracias caudata) Small numbers recorded on most days throughout the trip.
Racket-tailed Roller (Coracias spatulata spatulata) 1 in the miombo woodland nr Mikumi on the 16/08.
Rufous-crowned Roller (Coracias noevia) 1 in the Tarangire NP on the 25/08.
Broad-billed Roller (Eurystomus glaucurus) 20 on Pemba Island on the 12/08 & 3 there the following day.
African Hoopoe (Upupa africana) 1 in the miombo woodland Mikumi on the 16/08 and several birds recorded in the Serengeti NP
Green Woodhoopoe (Phoeniculus purpureus) 6 in the miombo woodland near, Mikumi on the 16/08, 2 in the Serengeti NP on the 27/08 & 1 Lake Manyara on the 30/08.
Common Scimitar-bill (Rhinopomastus cyanomelas) 1 in Mikumi NP on the 16/08 & 2 at Lake Manyara on the 29/08.
Abyssinian Scimitar-bill (Rhinopomastus minor) 2 in the Serengeti NP on the 26 & 27/08.
Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus erythrorhynchus) 2 on the journey to Same on the 21/08 and then up to 6 daily in the Tarangire NP & Serengeti NP.
Von Der Decken's Hornbill (Tockus deckeni) Up to 6 daily in the Tarangire & Serengeti NPs.
Crowned Hornbill (Tockus alboterminatus) Common in the Ngezi Forest, Pemba Island, with up to 20 recorded each day. 2 in the W. Usambaras on the 21/08 & 2 Lake Manyara on the 29/08
African Grey Hornbill (Tockus nasutus) 8 Mikumi on the 16/08 and then daily in the Tarangire & Lake Manyara NPs.
Pale-billed Hornbill (Tockus pallidirostris) 1 on the journey to Ifakara on the 14/08 & 3 Mikumi on the 15/08.
Trumpeter Hornbill (Ceratogymna bucinator) 4 in the Udzungwa Mountains on the 15/08.
Silvery-cheeked Hornbill (Ceratogymna brevis) 2 in the Udzungwa Mountains on the 15/08. Common in the E & W Usambaras, with up to 30 being recorded around Amani. 2 Lake Manyara NP on the 29/08.
Southern Ground-hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) Up to 8 birds in the Mikumi NP on the 14 & 16/08, 2 Serengeti NP on the 27/08 & 4 Lake Manyara NP on the 29/08.
White-eared Barbet (Stactolaema leucotis) Up to 6 birds recorded daily in the E & W Usambaras.
Green Barbet (Stactolaema olivacea olivacea) Only recorded around Amani NP in the E Usambaras with 8 on the 18/08 & 4 on the 19/08.
Moustached Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus leucomystax) 1 on the trail near Muller's Mountain Lodge in the W. Usambaras on 20/08 and 2 there the following day.
Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus bilineatus) 2 in the Udzungwa Mountains on the 15/08.
Red-fronted Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus pusillus) 1 in the South Pare Mountainson the 22/08.
Black-throated Barbet (Tricholaema melanocephala) 1 in thorn scrub, on the Journey to Same on the 21/08.
White-headed Barbet (Lybius leucocephalus) 2 in the South Pare Mountains on the 22/08
Brown-breasted Barbet (Lybius melanopterus) 1 in the hotel garden at Arusha on the 22/08.
Crested Barbet (Trachyphonus vaillantii) 2 in the grounds of the Muller's Mountain Lodge in the W. Usambaras on the 21/08.
Red-and-yellow Barbet (Trachyphonus erythrocephalus) 1 near Arush on the 23/08 & 2 Tarangire NP on the 24/08.
D'arnaud's Barbet (Trachyphonus darnaudii) 1 on the journey to Same on the 21/08, 10 in the South Pare Mountains on the 22/08 & 6 in Lake Manyara NP on the 29/08.
Usambiro Barbet (Trachyphonus usambiro [darnaudii]) 2 confiding birds at a picnic site near Seronera, in the Serengeti NP on the 26/08.
Lesser Honeyguide (Indicator minor) 1 around beehives in the South Pare Mountains on the 22/08.
Nubian Woodpecker (Campethera nubica) Up to 3 birds recorded in the South Pare Mountains, Serengeti NP & Lake Manyara NP.
Cardinal Woodpecker (Dendropicos fuscescens) Singles recorded in the miombo woodland near Mikumi, E. Usambaras & the Serengeti NP.
Bearded Woodpecker (Dendropicos namaquus) 1 in the miombo woodland near Mikumi on the 15/08.
Grey Woodpecker (Dendropicos goertae) 1 in the Serengeti NP on the 26/08 & 2 Lake Manyara NP on the 30/08.
Olive Woodpecker (Dendropicos griseocephalus) 1 on the trail near Mullers Mountain Lodge in the W. Usambaras on 20/08.
Rufous-naped Lark (Mirafra africana [hypermetra]) Up to 10 birds, recorded daily in the Serengeti NP.
Flappet Lark (Mirafra rufocinnamomea) 1 Mikumi on the 16/08.
Fawn-coloured Lark (Mirafra africanoides) Singles just north of the Spike-heeled Lark site on the 23/08 & Tarangire NP on the 24/08.
Pink-breasted Lark (Mirafra poecilosterna) 1 in thorn scrub on the journey to Same on the 21/08.
Spike-heeled Lark (Chersomanes albofasciata) 2 birds, of this isolated population, which may be a separate species, recorded in open grassland c 40 km N of Arush on the 23/08.
Fischer's Sparrow-lark (Eremopterix leucopareia) 100's recorded around roadside pools near Tarangire NP & up to 50 recorded daily in the Serengeti NP.
Red-capped Lark (Calandrella cinerea) 1 just north of Arusha on the 23/08. Small numbers recorded in the Serengeti NP & in the Ngorongoro Crater.
Plain Martin (Riparia paludicola) Up to 8 birds recorded in the Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP & Ngorongoro Crater.
Banded Martin (Riparia cincta) 3 in the Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/8.
Grey-rumped Swallow (Hirundo griseopyga) 4 in the Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/8.
Rock Martin (Hirundo fuligula) Recorded in the E & W Usambaras, Serengeti NP & Ngorongoro Crater.
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 2 near Ifakara on the 14/08 & 10 in the Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/8.
Ethiopian Swallow (Hirundo aethiopica) 2 on Pemba Island on the evening of the 12/08
Wire-tailed Swallow (Hirundo smithii) Recorded at Pemba, Ifakara, Serengeti NP & Ngorongoro Crater.
Lesser Striped-swallow (Hirundo abyssinica) Recorded at Pemba, Ifakara, Mikumi & the Serengeti NP
Mosque Swallow (Hirundo senegalensis) 1 in the Serengeti NP on the 27/08.
Red-rumped Swallow (Hirundo daurica) Up to about 20 birds recorded in the South Pare Mountains, Serengeti NP & Ngorongoro Crater.
Black Sawwing (Psalidoprocne holomelas [pristoptera]) Up to 10 birds recorded in the miombo woodland near Mikumi, W. Usambaras & Ngorongoro Crater.
Yellow-throated Longclaw (Macronyx croceus) 1 Ifakara on the 14/08 & up to 2 birds recorded in the Serengeti NP.
Rosy-throated Longclaw (Macronyx ameliae) 3 in the Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/08.
African Pipit (Anthus cinnamomeus [novaeseelandiae]) Recorded at: Pemba Island, Ifakara, Serengeti NP & Ngorongoro Crater
Plain-backed Pipit (Anthus leucophrys) 4 in the Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/08.
African Pied Wagtail (Motacilla aguimp [alba]) Fairly common throughout, usually around human habitation.
Mountain Wagtail (Motacilla clara) Recorded in the E & W Usambaras.
White-breasted Cuckooshrike (Coracina pectoralis) Up to 2 birds recorded in the miombo woodland near Mikumi on the 15 & 16/08.
Grey Cuckooshrike (Coracina caesia) 3 in the Udzungwa Mountains on the 15/08 & 1 in the E. Usambaras on the 18/08.
Black Cuckooshrike (Campephaga flava) Singles recorded at Lake Manyara NP on the 29/08 and Migunga forest Camp nr Lake Manyara on the 30/08.
Common Bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus) Fairly common, recorded on most days
Shelley's Greenbul (Andropadus masukuensis [montanus]) 4 at Amani NP in the E. Usambaras on the 19/08.
Little Greenbul (Andropadus virens) Up to 4 daily in the W. Usambaras
Sombre Greenbul (Andropadus importunus) 3 in the South Pare Mountains on the 22/08.
Mountain Greenbul (Andropadus nigriceps) Up to 4 birds in the W. Usambaras on the 20 & 21/08.
Stripe-cheeked Greenbul (Andropadus milanjensis) Up to 6 birds in the W. Usambaras on the 20 & 21/08.
Yellow-bellied Greenbul (Chlorocichla flaviventris) A party of 3 birds on the summit trail, at Amani NR in the E. Usambaras on the 19/08.
Placid Greenbul (Phyllastrephus placidus [fischeri]) 2 in the W. Usambaras on the 21/08.
Northern Brownbul (Phyllastrephus strepitans) 1 in the South Pare Mountains on the 22/08
Yellow-streaked Greenbul (Phyllastrephus flavostriatus) 2 in the E. Usambaras on the 18 & 19/08.
Tiny Greenbul (Phyllastrephus debilis) A single bird on the sawmill track in the W. Usambaras on the 20/08.
White-browed Scrub-robin (Cercotrichas leucophrys) Singles in the South Pare Mountains & Tarangire NP.
White-starred Robin (Pogonocichla stellata) Singles in the Amani NR, E. Usambaras on the 18/08 & in the W. Usambaras on the 20/08.
Cape Robin-chat (Cossypha caffra) 3 in the W. Usambaras on the 20/08, & daily around the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge.
White-browed Robin-chat (Cossypha heuglini) A single in the Serengeti NP on the 26/08.
Red-capped Robin-chat (Cossypha natalensis) 2 in the Udzungwa Mountains on the 15/08. Feeding on the track by the HQ at dawn.
Spotted Morning-thrush (Cichladusa guttata) 1 in the Tarangire NP on the 23/08 & 12 in Lake Manyara NP on the 29/08.
Common Stonechat [sp] (Saxicola torquata) Recorded on about ten dates in highland areas such as E & W Usambaras & the Ngorongoro Crater.
Northern Anteater-chat (Myrmecocichla aethiops [formicivora]) 3 roadside birds near the Ngorongoro Crater on the 25/08 & 8 in the Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/08.
White-headed Black-chat [Arnot's Chat] (Myrmecocichla arnotti) 3 in the miombo woodland near Mikumi on the 16/08 & 1 in the Mikumi NP later in the day.
Schalow's Wheatear (Oenanthe lugubris [lugens]) 3 near Arusha on the 23/08.
Capped Wheatear (Oenanthe pileata) 2 near Arusha on the 23/08 & up to 20 daily around the Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater NPs
Mocking Cliff-chat (Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris) Singles in the gorge, on the journey to and from the W. Usambaras on the 19 & 21/08.
Orange Ground-thrush (Zoothera gurneyi) A single bird on the summit trail, Amani NR, on the 19/08
Olive Thrush (Turdus olivaceus) Singles in the W. Usambaras 21/08 & the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge 27/08.
Evergreen Forest Warbler (Bradypterus mariae [barratti]) A single bird on the summit trail, Amani NR, on the 18/08 & 4 on the sawmill track in the W. Usambaras on the 20/08.
Cinnamon Bracken-warbler (Bradypterus cinnamomeus) 1 in the grounds of the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge on the 29/08.
Red-faced Cisticola (Cisticola erythrops) A single bird at Amani, in the E. Usambaras on the 18/08.
Hunter's Cisticola (Cisticola hunteri) Up to 3 birds around the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge on the 27/08 to 29/08.
Kilombero Cisticola (Cisticola ?) A single bird on the Kilombero flood plain near Ifakara on the 14/08.
Rattling Cisticola (Cisticola chinianus) Recorded in the in the miombo woodland near Mikumi on the 15 & 16/08 and in the Tarangire NP on the 23 & 24/08.
Winding Cisticola (Cisticola galactotes) 1 at the Taveta Golden-weaver site, on 21/08 & 2 in the Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/08.
White-tailed Cisticola (Cisticola ?) 2 birds on the Kilombero flood plain near Ifakara on the 14/08.
Stout Cisticola (Cisticola robustus) A single in the Serengeti NP on the 26/08.
Croaking Cisticola (Cisticola natalensis) A single in the Mikumi NP on the 16/08 .
Tiny Cisticola (Cisticola nanus) Up to 4 birds in the miombo woodland near Mikumi on the 15 & 16/08 and a single in the South Pare Mountains on the 22/08.
Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis) Recorded on Pemba Island, Mikumi NP, Serengeti NP & Ngorongoro Crater.
Desert Cisticola (Cisticola aridulus) A single in the Tarangire NP on the 23/08 and at least 4 birds in the Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/08.
Tawny-flanked Prinia (Prinia subflava) Recorded in the Mikumi NP & the Ngorongoro Crater.
Bar-throated Apalis (Apalis thoracica) 2 in the W. Usambaras on the 20 & 21/08.
Yellow-breasted Apalis (Apalis flavida) A Single in the Udzungwa Mountains on the 15/08, 2 in the South Pare Mountains on the 22/08 and 1 in the Serengeti NP on the 27/08.
Black-headed Apalis (Apalis melanocephala) Up to 3 birds recorded in the E. Usambaras.
Red-faced Apalis (Apalis rufifrons) 2 in the South Pare Mountains on the 22/08.
Grey-capped Warbler (Eminia lepida) A single bird in the grounds of the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge on the 28/08.
Grey-backed Camaroptera (Camaroptera brevicaudata [brachyura]) Recorded in the Tarangire NP and Lake Manyara NP.
Green-backed Camaroptera (Camaroptera brachyura) Small numbers recorded in the E. Usambaras on the 18/08.
Grey Wren-warbler (Calamonastes simplex simplex) A single bird in the South Pare Mountains on the 22/08.
Stierling's Wren-warbler (Calamonastes stierlingi) A single bird in the miombo woodland near Mikumi on the 15/08
African Reed-warbler (Acrocephalus baeticatus [scirpaceus]) 2 birds on the Kilombero flood plain near Ifakara on the 14/08.
Buff-bellied Warbler (Phyllolais pulchella) A single bird at the picnic site, at the exit to the Serengeti NP, on the 27/08.
Banded Warbler (Sylvia boehmi) 1 near the Spike-heeled Lark site on 23/08 & a single bird in the picnic site, at the exit to the Serengeti NP, on the 27/08.
Southern Hyliota (Hyliota australis) A single bird at the Amani NR in the E. Usambaras on the 18/08.
African Tailorbird (Orthotomus metopias) 2 birds on the Sawmill Trail in the W. Usambaras on the 20/08 & 1 on the trail near Muller's Mountain Lodge the following day.
Greencap Eremomela (Eremomela scotops) A party of 4, in the miombo woodland near Mikumi on the 15/08.
Red-faced Crombec (Sylvietta whytii) A maximum of 4 birds recorded in the miombo woodland near Mikumi, Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP & Lake Manyara NP.
Yellow-throated Woodland-warbler (Phylloscopus ruficapillus) Several birds recorded in the W. Usambaras.
Silverbird (Empidornis semipartitus) A single bird in the Serengeti NP on 26/08 & 4 there the following day.
African Grey Flycatcher (Bradornis microrhynchus) Recorded at Mikumi, South Pare Mountains, Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP & Lake Manyara NP
White-eyed Slaty-flycatcher (Dioptrornis fischeri) Fairly common in the grounds of the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge.
Southern Black-flycatcher (Melaenornis pammelaina) A single bird in the garden of the Mullers Motnain Lodge, in the W. Usambaras, on the 20/08.
African Dusky Flycatcher (Muscicapa adusta) Recorded in the E. & W. Usambaras and the Ngorongoro crater highlands.
Ashy Flycatcher (Muscicapa caerulescens) 1 on the waterfall trail, in the Udzungwa Mountains, on the 15/08.
Grey Tit-flycatcher (Myioparus plumbeus) 1 at Amani NR in the E. Usambaras on the 18/08.
White-tailed Crested-flycatcher (Trochocercus albonotatus) Up to 4 birds recorded in the W. Usambaras on the 20 & 21/08.
African Crested-flycatcher (Trochocercus cyanomelas) 4 on the waterfall trail, in the Udzungwa Mountains, on the 15/08.
African Paradise-flycatcher (Terpsiphone viridis) Recorded on Pemba Island, Udzungwa Mountains & Lake Manyara NP.
Abyssinian Hill-babbler (Illadopsis abyssinica) 2 on the sawmill trail in the W. Usambaras on the 20/08
Sharpe's Pied-babbler (Turdoides sharpei [hypoleucus]) 10 in the Serengeti NP on the 26/08.
Northern Pied-babbler (Turdoides hypoleucus) 4 in the Mikumi NP on the 16/08, 3 Tarangire NP on the 24/08 & 2 Lake Manyara NP on the 30/08.
Arrow-marked Babbler (Turdoides jardineii [leucocephalus]) 2 in the Tarangire NP on the 25/08 & 8 in the Serengeti NP on the 28/08.
Rufous-bellied Tit (Parus rufiventris) 2 in the miombo woodland near Mikumi on the 16/08.
Red-throated Tit (Parus fringillinus) 1in the Serengeti NP on the 26/08.
African Penduline-tit (Anthoscopus caroli) 3 in the miombo woodland near Mikumi on the 16/08.
Buff-bellied Penduline-tit (Anthoscopus sylviella [caroli]) 1in the Serengeti NP on the 26/08.
Kenya Violet-backed Sunbird (Anthreptes orientalis) 1 in thorn scrub on the Journey to Same on the 21/08.
Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird (Anthreptes neglectus) 1 at Amani in the E. Usambaras on the 18/08.
Amani Sunbird (Anthreptes pallidigaster) A party of 3 males & 1 female from the viewpoint at Amani, in the E. Usambaras, on the 19/08.
Banded Sunbird (Anthreptes rubritorques [rectirostris]) 1 at Amani in the E. Usambaras on the 18/08.
Collared Sunbird (Anthreptes collaris) 1 in the Udzungwa Mountains 15/08 & small numbers daily around Amani, in the E. Usambaras.
Olive Sunbird (Nectarinia olivacea) Up to 5 recorded on each visit to the Ngezi Forest, Pemba Island & small numbers daily around Amani, in the E. Usambaras
Amethyst Sunbird (Nectarinia amethystina) Singles in the miombo woodland near Mikumi on the 15/08 & W. Usambaras on the 20/08.
Scarlet-chested Sunbird (Nectarinia senegalensis) 2 in the Tarangire NP on the 24/08 & 2 at the Beachcomber Resort Hotel on the 31/08.
Hunter's Sunbird (Nectarinia hunteri [senegalensis]) 2 on the journey to the W. Usambaras on the 20/08.
Variable Sunbird (Nectarinia venusta) 4 in the South Pare Mountains on the 22/08, several birds in the Ngorongoro Crater highlands.
Eastern Double-collared Sunbird (Nectarinia mediocris) Fairly common in the W. Usambaras & in the Ngorongoro Crater highlands.
Tacazze Sunbird (Nectarinia tacazze) 3 birds in the in the grounds of the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge on the 29/08.
Golden-winged Sunbird (Nectarinia reichenowi) Up to 6 birds recorded in the Ngorongoro Crater highlands, including the grounds of the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge.
Malachite Sunbird (Nectarinia famosa) Up to 4 birds recorded in the Ngorongoro Crater highlands on the 25 & 27/08.
Mariqua Sunbird (Nectarinia mariquensis) A single in the Tarangire NP on the 24/08.
Purple-banded Sunbird (Nectarinia bifasciata) A single at Amani in the E. Usambaras on the 18/08.
Pemba Sunbird (Nectarinia pembae pembae) Common on Pemba Island, including the grounds of the Manta Reef Lodge, with 25+ recorded each day.
Black-bellied Sunbird (Nectarinia nectarinioides) 2 at the Taveta Golden-weaver site on the 21/08
African Yellow White-eye (Zosterops senegalensis) Up to 6 birds daily around Amani in the E. Usambaras.
Pemba White-eye (Zosterops vaughani [senegalensis]) Fairly Common on Pemba Island. Recorded in the grounds of the Manta Reef Lodge and Ngezi Forest, with up to 20 birds recorded each day
Broad-ringed [Mountain] White-eye (Zosterops poliogaster) Up to 4 birds recorded in the grounds of the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge on 27 & 28/08.
Abyssinian [White-breasted] White-eye (Zosterops abyssinicus) 4 birds believed to be this species recorded in the South Pare Mountains, whilst looking for South Pare White-eye on the 22/08 and 10+ birds in the grounds of the Hotel in Arusha.
African Golden Oriole (Oriolus auratus) 1 Migunga forest Camp nr Lake Manyara NP on the 30/08.
Green-headed Oriole (Oriolus chlorocephalus) 2 in the Udzungwa Mountains on the 15/08 & 1 at Amani NR in the E. Usambaras on the 18/08.
African Black-headed Oriole (Oriolus larvatus) A single at Mikumi on the 15/08 & 4 at the Migunga forest Camp nr Lake Manyara NP on the 30/08.
Brubru (Nilaus afer) 2 birds daily in the Serengeti NP.
Black-backed Puffback (Dryoscopus cubla) Singles recorded in South Pare Mountains, Serengeti NP & Lake Manyara NP.
Black-crowned Tchagra (Tchagra senegala) A single bird in the in the miombo woodland near Mikumi on the 16/08.
Brown-crowned Tchagra (Tchagra australis) Up to 4 birds recorded in the miombo woodland near Mikumi, Thorn scrub on the Journey to Same & the Serengeti NP.
Tropical Boubou (Laniarius aethiopicus [ferrugineus]) 1 in the South Pare Mountains on the 22/08, 2 in the grounds of the hotel in Arusha on the 22/08 & 1 in the grounds of the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge on the 27 & 28/08.
Slate-coloured Boubou (Laniarius funebris) Singles recorded in the Tarangire & Serengeti NPs.
Fuelleborn's Boubou (Laniarius fuelleborni) A single on the Sawmill Trail, W. Usambaras on the 20/08 and about 5 birds on the trail near Mullers Mountain Lodge in the W. Usambaras on the 21/08.
Rosy-patched [Tsavo] Bushshrike (Rhodophoneus cruentus cathemagmenus) 2 in the South Pare Mountains on the 22/08
Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike (Telophorus sulfureopectus) 1 in the South Pare Mountains on the 22/08 & 6 at Migunga forest Camp nr Lake Manyara NP on the 30/08.
Black-fronted Bushshrike (Telophorus nigrifrons [multicolor]) Up to 2 birds daily in the E. & W. Usambaras.
Grey-headed Bushshrike (Malaconotus blanchoti) 2 in the South Pare Mountains on the 22/08
White Helmetshrike (Prionops plumatus) 3 in the Mikumi NP on the 14/08 & 6 Lake Manyara NP on the 29/08.
Short-tailed [Forets] Batis (Batis mixta [capensis]) 2 around Amani in the E. Usambaras on the 18 & 19/08
Chinspot Batis (Batis molitor) Singles in the Tarangire NP on the 23/08 & Serengeti NP on the 26/08.
Pale Batis (Batis soror [molitor]) 2 birds in the miombo woodland near Mikumi on the 15 & 16/08
Black-headed Batis (Batis minor) 3 in the South Pare Mountains on the 22/08.
Pygmy Batis (Batis perkeo) 2 in thorn scrub on the Journey to Same on the 21/08.
Grey-backed Fiscal (Lanius excubitoroides) Up to a dozen birds recorded in the Serengeti NP
Long-tailed Fiscal (Lanius cabanisi) Fairly common around Mikumi
Taita Fiscal (Lanius dorsalis) Up to 10 birds recorded around the Tarangire NP.
Common Fiscal (Lanius collaris) Recorded in the W. Usambaras and the Ngorongoro Highlands.
Magpie Shrike (Corvinella melanoleuca) Fairly common in the Tarangire and Serengeti NPs, with a max of 30 birds on the 24/08.
White-rumped Shrike (Eurocephalus rueppelli [anguitimens]) Recorded in the South Pare Mountains, Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP and the Ngorongoro Crater.
Square-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus ludwigii) Recorded in the Udzungwa Mountains, E & W Usambaras.
Fork-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis) Fairly common throughout the trip.
House Crow (Corvus splendens) Common on the coast.
Cape Crow (Corvus capensis) Only recorded in the Serengeti NP with 1 on the 25/08 & 4 on the 27/08.
Pied Crow (Corvus albus) Common throughtout the trip except in the Serengeti.
White-necked Raven (Corvus albicollis) Recorded in the E & W Usambaras & in the Serengeti NP.
Kenrick's Starling (Poeoptera kenricki) Recorded around Amani in the E Usambaras, with 2 on the 18/08 & 6 on the 19/08.
Waller's Starling (Onychognathus walleri) A single bird in the W. Usambaras on the 20/08.
Red-winged Starling (Onychognathus morio) 2 birds in the W. Usambaras on the 20/08 and a flock of 40+ birds on the journey the following day.
Black-bellied Glossy-starling (Lamprotornis corruscus) A single bird on Pemba on the 13/08 & up to 4 birds around Amani in the E Usambaras
Greater Blue-eared Glossy-starling (Lamprotornis chalybaeus) A single bird in the Mikumi NP on the 16/08.
Southern Blue-eared Glossy-starling (Lamprotornis elisabeth [chloropterus]) 10 in the miombo woodland near Mikumi on the 15/08.
Rüppell's Glossy-starling (Lamprotornis purpuropterus [caudatus]) Up to a dozen birds recorded daily in the Serengeti NP.
Superb Starling (Lamprotornis superbus) Common in the Mikumi NP, Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Manyara NP.
Hildebrandt's Starling (Lamprotornis hildebrandti [pulcher]) Small numbers recorded in the Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP & Ngorongoro Crater
Violet-backed Starling (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster) 1 in the miombo woodland near Mikumi on the 16/08 & 10 at the Beachcomber Resort Hotel on the 31/08.
Fischer's Starling (Spreo fischeri) 8 birds in thorn scrub on the Journey to Same on the 21/08.
Ashy Starling (Cosmopsarus unicolor) Up to 40 birds recoded daily in the Tarangire NP.
Wattled Starling (Creatophora cinerea) Small numbers recorded at Ifakara, Tarangire NP & the Ngorongoro Crater.
Yellow-billed Oxpecker (Buphagus africanus) 3 Serengeti NP on 25/08.
Red-billed Oxpecker (Buphagus erythrorhynchus) Recorded in the Mikumi NP, Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Manyara NP.
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) Recorded on the coast, but other sightings not noted.
Kenya Rufous Sparrow (Passer rufocinctus [iagoensis]) Up to 10 birds recorded in the Serengeti NP
Grey-headed Sparrow (Passer griseus) Small numbers recorded in the E Usambaras.
Swahili Sparrow (Passer suahelicus [griseus]) Small numbers recorded in the Tarangire NP & Serengeti NP.
Southern Grey-headed Sparrow (Passer diffusus [griseus]) Only recorded with certainty on Pemba, where up to 10 birds recorded in a day
Chestnut Sparrow (Passer eminibey) Up to 10 birds recorded daily in the Tarangire NP.
Yellow-spotted Petronia (Petronia pyrgita) A single in the Serengeti NP on 26/07, with 2 there the following day.
Yellow-throated Petronia (Petronia superciliaris) Up to 6 birds recorded around Mikumi
Red-billed Buffalo-weaver (Bubalornis niger) Recorded in Mikumi NP, Tarangire NP & Serengeti NP, with up to 40 birds in a day.
White-headed Buffalo-weaver (Dinemellia dinemelli) Recorded in Tarangire NP & Serengeti NP, with up to 8 birds in a day.
Speckle-fronted Weaver (Sporopipes frontalis) Recorded in Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP & the Ngorongoro Crater, with up to 20 birds in a day.
White-browed Sparrow-weaver (Plocepasser mahali) 2 birds in the Mikumi NP on the 16/08.
Rufous-tailed Weaver (Histurgops ruficauda) A single bird in the in Tarangire NP on 24/08 & then recorded regularly, with up to 20 birds in a day, in the Serengeti NP & the Ngorongoro Crater. Often found around pick nick sites.
Grey-headed Social-weaver (Pseudonigrita arnaudi) About 40 birds around the picnic site near Seronera, in the Serengeti NP, on the 26/08
Baglafecht Weaver (Ploceus baglafecht) 4 near the Muller's Mountain Lodge in the W. Usambaras & several birds in the Ngorongoro highlands.
Lesser Masked Weaver (Ploceus intermedius) 1 on the Journey to Same on the 21/08 & 10 in the Ngorongoro Crater 28/08.
Spectacled Weaver (Ploceus ocularis) 3 outside the Beachcomber Resort Hotel on the 12/08.
Black-necked Weaver (Ploceus nigricollis) 3 in the South Pare Mountains on the 22/08.
African Golden-weaver (Ploceus subaureus) Singles at Ifakara on the 14/08 and the journey to the E. Usambaras on the 17/08 and 2 at the Taveta Golden-weaver site on the 22/08.
Taveta Golden-weaver (Ploceus castaneiceps) 1 male seen briefly, by myself only, at the stake out on the 21/08 & another in fields, fortunately seen by everybody, at a roadside stop a few kms further down the road.
Kilombero Weaver (Ploceus burnieri) Non-breeding birds were fairly common (200+) on the Kilombero River floodplain near Ifakara on the 14/08.
Vitelline Masked-weaver (Ploceus vitellinus [velatus]) Up to 10 birds daily around the Tarangire NP.
Village Weaver (Ploceus cucullatus) 25 near Ifakara on the 14/08.
Chestnut Weaver (Ploceus rubiginosus) Up to 10 birds around Tarangire Porini Camp on the 23 & 24/08
Forest Weaver (Ploceus bicolor) 4 in the Udzungwa Mountains on the 15/08 & singles around Amani in the E. Usambaras on the 18 & 19/08.
Red-headed Weaver (Anaplectes rubriceps) A single in the miombo woodland near Mikumi on the 16/08.
Red-billed Quelea (Quelea quelea) Recorded on about 8 days, with a max of 100+ passing over the South Pare Mountains on the 22/08.
Black-winged Bishop (Euplectes hordeaceus) Fairly common in roadside fields when driving to & from the W. Usambaras.
Yellow Bishop (Euplectes capensis) 4 in the Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/08.
Fan-tailed Widowbird (Euplectes axillaris) Fairly common (100+) on the Kilombero River floodplain near Ifakara on the 14/08, 7in roadside fields on the journey to the W. Usambaras on the 17/08 & 10 in the Ngorongoro Crater on the 28/08.
Red-collared Widowbird (Euplectes ardens) 4 in the grounds of the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge on 28/08 & 10 there the following day..
Orange-winged Pytilia (Pytilia afra) 3 in the miombo woodland near Mikumi on the 16/08.
Green-winged Pytilia (Pytilia melba) Singles in the South Pare Mountains on the 22/08 and Tarangire Porini Camp on the 23/08.
Red-faced Crimson-wing (Cryptospiza reichenovii) A single bird on the sawmill track in the W. Usambaras on the 20/08.
Red-billed Firefinch (Lagonosticta senegala) Recorded at Mikumi NP, South Pare Mountains and around the Tarangire NP,
Jameson's Firefinch (Lagonosticta rhodopareia) 2, coming to the drinking pool at Tarangire Porini camp, on the 24/08.
Red-cheeked Cordonbleu (Uraeginthus bengalus) Recorded in the South Pare Mountains and around Tarangire Porini Camp, Tarangire NP & the Serengeti NP.
Blue-capped Cordonbleu (Uraeginthus cyanocephalus) Up to 10, coming to the drinking pool at Tarangire Porini Camp, on the 23 & 24/08 and singles in the Serengeti NP.
Purple Grenadier (Uraeginthus ianthinogaster) 15 in the South Pare Mountains on the 22/08 & 2 Tarangire Porini Camp on the 24/08.
Crimson-rumped Waxbill (Estrilda rhodopyga) Up to 20 coming to the drinking pool at Tarangire Porini Camp, on the 23 & 24/08
Common Waxbill (Estrilda astrild) 2 on the Kilombero River flood plain, Ifakara 14/08.
Black-cheeked Waxbill (Estrilda erythronotos) Up to 6 at the drinking pool, Tarangire Porini Camp on the 24/08 & 2 at the Olduvai Gorge on the 25/08.
Zebra Waxbill (Amandava subflava) 4 on the Kilombero River flood plain near Ifakara on the 14/08.
African Quailfinch (Ortygospiza atricollis) 6 in the Serengeti NP on the 26/08.
African Silverbill (Lonchura cantans [malabarica]) Up to 4 coming to the drinking pool at Tarangire Porini Camp, on the 23 & 24/08.
Grey-headed Silverbill (Lonchura griseicapilla) Up to 10 coming to the drinking pool at Tarangire Porini Camp, on the 23 & 24/08.
Bronze Mannikin (Lonchura cucullata) 2 Pemba on the 13/08, 6 on the Kilombero River flood plain near Ifakara on the 14/08 & 10 on the journey to Same on the 21/08.
Brown-[Rufous]backed Mannikin (Lonchura nigriceps [bicolor]) 8 at Amani NR in the E. Usambaras on the 18/08.
Cut-throat (Amadina fasciata) 4 in Mikumi NP on the 16/08 & 4 Tarangire NP on the 24/08.
Village Indigobird (Vidua chalybeata) Singles at the Beachcomber Resort Hotel on the 12 /08 & the Kilombero River flood plain, Ifakara on 14/08
Straw-tailed Whydah (Vidua fischeri) 4 coming to the drinking pool at Tarangire Porini Camp, on the 24/08 & 1 in the Serengeti NP on the 26/08.
Pin-tailed Whydah (Vidua macroura) 2 in the E. Usambaras on the 17/08.
Eastern Paradise-whydah (Vidua paradisaea) 6 in the Mikumi NP on the 16/08.
East African Citril-finch (Serinus hypostictus [citrinelloides]) Fairly common in the E & W Usambaras, with up to 10 birds in a day. 6 in the Ngorongoro Highlands 28/08.
Kenya Yellow-rumped Seedeater (Serinus reichenowi) 6 in the South Pare Mountains on the 22/08 & up 10 around Tarangire Porini camp on the 23 & 24/08.
Yellow-fronted Canary (Serinus mozambicus) 2 at the Beachcomber Resort Hotel on the 31/08.
Kenya Grosbeak-canary (Serinus buchanani [donaldsoni]) A single in the Olduvai Gorge on the 25/08.
White-bellied Canary (Serinus dorsostriatus [flaviventris]) 6 in the Olduvai Gorge on the 25/08
Streaky Seedeater (Serinus striolatus) 2 in the W. Usambaras on the 20/08 & several birds in the Ngorongoro Highlands.
Golden-breasted Bunting (Emberiza flaviventris) Singles in the Mikumi NP on the 16/08, near Tarangire NP on the 24/08 & in the Serengeti NP on the 26/08.
Click here for systematic list of mammals