Western Tanzania is remote, and few birders reach it. Those who do find wide wetlands, miombo woodland and forests on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, with birds that are rare or absent in the north.
Katavi National Park
About 400 species are recorded. The Katuma River and its floodplains attract saddle-billed and yellow-billed storks, pelicans, spoonbills, crowned cranes and many herons. The miombo woodland holds species of southern Africa such as racket-tailed roller, Böhm’s bee-eater and miombo tits and barbets. Read about Katavi in our guide to western Tanzania’s parks.
Lake Rukwa
This large shallow lake in the Rift Valley, between Katavi and the Southern Highlands, supports huge numbers of waterbirds in good years, including pelicans, flamingos, storks and ducks. It is rarely visited and needs careful planning.
Mahale and Gombe
The forests of Mahale Mountains and Gombe Stream on Lake Tanganyika hold forest species with links to Central Africa, such as crowned eagle, great blue turaco in Gombe and various greenbuls and sunbirds. Lake shore birds include fish eagles, kingfishers and palm-nut vultures. Read about Gombe.
When to go
June to October is the usual season for western Tanzania, when camps are open and access is easier. Wetlands are fuller earlier in the dry season.
Birding tips
- Go out at dawn, when birds are most active.
- Bring 8×42 or 10×42 binoculars and an East Africa field guide or app.
- Ask for a guide with birding experience, and allow time to stop for small birds.
Combine birds and chimpanzees on our Mahale chimps trip. Start with our beginner’s guide to the birds of Tanzania.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. About 400 species are recorded, with excellent waterbirds and miombo woodland species.
Yes, in Gombe Stream National Park on Lake Tanganyika.
June to October, when camps are open and roads are dry.
