Andrew & me at Pugu Hills

After Pugu Hills, we had a nice early lunch before we ventured on again. Andrew knew about another woodland that was supposed to be good and we set out for it. After half an hour we came to a river and the bridge was gone taken by the flood. We had to go all the way back to Dar and fight traffic for a couple of hours. We came to our next destination which was a swamp close to Azan stadium.  We found some birds there, but it was getting very hot and I was about to get a sun stroke. Some of the birds encountered were: Rufous-bellied Heron, Zanzibar Red-bishop, Black Crake, Hamerkop, Openbill Stork, Bronze Mannikin, Thick-billed Weaver and African Jacana. I was back at the hotel totally dehydrated and exhausted.


Day 2, April 21. Dar es Salaam - Kilimanjaro AP - Karatu

We had an early flight out of Dar this morning and landed safely at Kilimanjaro airport. Our rental car was waiting for us and we were quickly on our way. After passing Arusha, the road was very good now and we had good roads all the way until Karatu. We checked in at Country Lodge in Karatu. There was a lovely garden there with plenty of birds. We thought about taking a dip in the pool, but the birds were too tempting. We ordered a beer each and settled down for some lazy birding: In one of the trees in the garden, we ticked in rapid succession the following noticable birds: Fischer´s Lovebird (lifer), Bronzy Sunbird, Variable Sunbird, Golden-backed Weaver (lifer), Southern Citril (lifer), Baglafecht Weaver and Purple Grenadier. Due to the high trees surrounding the garden, the sun disappeared quite early and we settled in for dinner and an early night. The dinner was very nice, but unfortunately, both Florence and I had very bad stomachs due to some chicken take-away we picked up in Arusha. I had frequent visits to the bathroom that night and was very afraid of how the next day would be. It had been a great start to our trip with 3 lifer captured in the garden with a beer in hand :-)


Some birds from the garden of Country Lodge Karatu:


Fischer´s Lovebird (lifer)

Southern Citril (lifer)

Bronzy Sunbird

Golden-backed Weaver (lifer)

Baglafecht Weaver

Day 3, April 22, Karatu - Ndutu


We had arranged for packed breakfast and an early start at 06:00. However, the lodge were completely dark so we had to try to wake up the staff. They were very sorry and after getting the food and a roll of sanitary paper, we were on our way at 06:45. To our luck, we had not eaten too much of the bad chicken and we had both taken medicine for the bad stomach, so we were fine for the rest of the trip :-).

We drove quickly to the entrance gate at Ngorongoro Conservation Area. There was only one car ahead of us, so it went fairly smoothly through the gate. We had fog on our way up to the crater rim, but after a while, the sun burned away the fog. The first bird we managed to get pictures off were a pair of Common Stonechats nicely perched. Next birds were Rufous-naped Lark (very common), Long-tailed Fiscal, Malachite Sunbird, Streaky See-eater and Kenya Rufous Sparrow our first lifer of the day. We now left the crater and started our journey across beautiful scenery towards Ndutu. On the descent from the crater, we found Capped Wheater (common), Anteater Chat (lifer), Speke´s Weaver (lifer) and the first of many Usambiro Barbets (Some treat this as a separate specie, while other treat it as a sub specie of D`Arnaud´s Barbet). Further on the decent we saw the first of many White-bellied Canary (lifer). Then: Taita Fiscal, Superb Starling and Straw-tailed Whydah before we reached the plaines leading to Ndutu. We sped up a little on the plaines and only stopped for a few birds: Red-capped Lark and Chestnut-banded Sandgrouse. We hit the turnoff to Ndutu and headed straight for camp. We picked up a Secretarybird and a Kori Bustard on the plains


We checked in a Ndutu Lodge and was treated to an ice cold beer and a very nice lunch.


Some of the birds we saw on the way from Karatu to Ndutu


Common Stonechat

Streaky Seed-eater

Kenya Rufous Sparrow (lifer)

Anteater Chat (lifer)

Speke´s Weaver (lifer)

Capped Wheatear

White-bellied Canary (lifer)

Day 3, April 22, Continue


After lunch, we relaxed a little before we were ready to explore the area around Ndutu. We set out from Camp and headed in a Northern direction going very slowly.  The first new bird was a Black-lored Babbler (lifer), we found 4 lions relaxing by the water. Fischer´s Sparrowlarks were everywhere, Coqui Francolin, Augur Buzzard and Red-backed Shrike were quickly added to the trip list before we found one of our target birds: Grey-breasted Spurfowl (lifer). Double-banded Coursers were common. The last bird of the day was a Tawny Eagle.


In camp I made up the status for the day and saw that we had added 6 lifers for the day and now had 9 in total.


Some of the birds we saw around Ndutu in the afternoon of the third day.


Black-lored Babbler (lifer)

Fischer´s Sparrowlark

Coqui Francolin

Grey-breasted Spurfowl (lifer)

Double-banded Spurfowl

Day 4, April 23, Ndutu - Seronera in Serengeti


We had an early start again. There are great distances and due to the birding, we go very slow, not like the maniacs in the Safari cars that think the roads are racing tracks. In the woodland near Ndutu before the plains, we found 2 Bateleurs followed by another Grey-breasted Spurfowl. Once on the plaines we found 2 Secretarybirds on their nest in top of a tree. Then a Tawny Eagle chasing a hare! Plenty of Rufous-naped Larks and Fischer´s Sparrowlarks. 3 more Tawny Eagles, 2 of them eating on a Carcass. + the first of many Lapped-faced Vultures. A huge flock of Gull-billed Terns, then a Lesser Kestrel hunting over the plains. Crowned Lapwings were in abundance. Once on the main road, just before Naabi Gate, We saw an European Roller (only one on the trip).


At the gate we ran into some problems since we had overstayed by one hour and had to pay for an extra day in Ngorongoro Conservation Area. I bought a very good book at the shop. It is called Travel & Field Guide of the Serengeti National Park. This book came in very handy since all the maps in it was very accurate both for Serengeti and the Ndutu area. During our trip, we did not see any other people doing a self drive.


We had both a Tawny and a Martial Eagle soaring over us on the parking lot. I also found a pair of Mosque Swallows at the gate. Once on the Serengeti plain we found a Lesser Grey Shrike (only one on the trip), The grass was very high so not much to see. We sped up a bit and saw more Lesser Kestrels and also a Black-chested Snake-Eagle. At the pool were we crossed the Seronera river, we found another target bird: Silverbird (lifer). Driving slowly in towards Seronera, we picked up another Lapped-faced Vulture. At the information center, a huge colony of Lesser Masked Weavers were busy building nests. Grey-capped Sociable Weavers (lifer) were in abundance in the area.


After a quick restroom break we continued towards the petrol station in Seronera. Florence picked up 2 Southern Ground Hornbills. At the next river crossing, we saw a total of 5 Black Crakes out in the open. Next she picked up a nicely perched Dark Chanting Goshawk. We continued to our destination, the Serena Serengeti Lodge. Once there, we had a nice relaxing break by the pool.


Some birds seen from Ndutu to Seronera

Secretarybird

Gull-billed Tern

Lesser Kestrel

Crowned Lapwing

European Roller

Martial Eagle (Juvenile)

Lesser Grey Shrike

Silverbird (lifer)

Grey-capped Social Weaver (lifer)

Lesser Masked Weaver

Southern Ground-Hornbill

Day 4, April 23, Continue Serena Serengeti area - afternoon


Whilst Florence were relaxing by the pool, I checked out the garden for anything interesting. We had a pair of Swahili Sparrows nesting above our balcony. A family of Bare-faced Go-away-birds lived in the garden. Both Lesser Masked and Red-headed Weavers were breeding in the garden. Black-backed Puffback and Slate-coloured Boubou were present.


We soon got ready for the afternoon drive. I know realized that even the Serena Serengeti was a fantastic Lodge, it was placed quite awkwardly for birding. We had 8km to the main road and since we had to be back in camp before 6, we needed to take that into account on the short afternoon drives. I had originally thought of staying in Seronera Wildlife Camp, but I sent them many messages, but they never replied. We took off from the lodge and explored some of the small roads around the hotel. We got nice views of White-headed Buffalo-Weaver. Then Ruppel´s Starling (lifer) and Grey-backed Fiscal (lifer). We also got one more Grey-breasted Spurfowl before we had to turn back.


Unfortunately, the area around our Lodge were infested with Tsetse flies. We had not seen them on the trip before we made the turnoff to our Lodge, but they were very bad. We had them last year in Tarangire, but here they were even more persistent. In order to take a picture, you need to open the window and you need to stay still to focus the camera. This is heaven for the flies, they bite through clothes and are a real nuisance. Florence is now a seasoned mass murderer of these trouble makers. Strangely enough around the lodge, they are non existent besides the ones that cling to the car and attack you once you open the doors of your car.


The day had produced 4 lifers and the total now stood at 13


Some birds seen the afternoon around the Serena Serengeti area.

Swahili Sparrow

Slate-coloured Boubou

Black-backed Puffback

White-headed Buffalo-Weaver

Ruppel´s Starling (lifer)

Grey-backed Fiscal (lifer)

Bare-faced Go-away-bird

Day 5, April 24, Seronera Area, Serengeti


We had an early start, trying to avoid opening the windows before we hit the main road in order to avoid the pesky flies. Just at the intersection, we ran into a bird party. We quickly saw: Abyssian Scimitarbill, Cut-throat Finch, Green-backed Pyttilia, Flappet Lark, Long-tailed Paradise-Whydah and Steel-blue Whydah (lifer). We saw many of this bird in the same area throughout our stay, but I never ever managed to get a picture of this bird. :-( This was the only lifer I did not manage to get a picture of on the entire trip.


We decided to head for the hippo pool and bird along the way. We found many Barn Swallows (maybe gathering for the journey north?), then many Vultures at a carcass a quick scanning confirmed that only Lapped-faced and White-backed were present. A juvenile Dark Chanting Goshawk was leisurely walking towards us on the road.  At the first bridge of the Seronera River, I could not restrain myself for taking a picture of a Lilac-breasted Roller in perfect light. Florence found a African Fish-Eagle. We had breakfast at the Hippo Pool after getting rid of all the Tsetse flies that had Loyally followed us from camp. After breakfast, we decided to follow the river towards Seronera. Tanzania Red-billed Hornbill (lifer), Nubian Woodpecker and Green Wood-Hoopoe we found in one tree. Then quite a few Vultures including Ruppel´s. The birding was quite slow and we did not add any new birds to our list before I found a Bronze Mannikin from our balcony at the lodge.


We had lunch and relaxed for a while before we ventured for our afternoon drive. I got a White-browed Scrub-Robin from the Balcony. On the way to the main road, we picked up Van der Decken´s Hornbill and a Jacobin Cuckoo. Once on the main road, we decided to go west. I could not see through the back window due to Tsetse flies, it was a terrible experience. we picked up Flappet Lark, African Grey Flycatcher, Village Weaver, Grey-backed Fiscal and some Usambiro Barbets. On the way home I found a flock of Hooded Vultures. For the Vultures I stepped out of the car in order to take a picture over the roof of the car. I could not see my legs for Tsetse flies and we were both badly bitten throughout the afternoon drive. I promised Florence never to go west and into tsetse hell again.


Day 5 was probably the worst birding day we had on our trip although we still managed to pick up 2 lifers bringing the total to 15.




Some birds seen on day 5

Abyssian Scimitarbill

Cut-throat Finch

Taita Fiscal

Augur Buzzard

Tanzanian Red-billed Hornbill (lifer)

White-backed Vulture

Ruppel´s Vulture

Flappet Lark

Usambiro (D`Arnaud´s) Barbet

African Grey Flycatcher

Village Weaver

Hooded Vulture

Day 6, April 25, Seronera Area, Serengeti


Due to the bad day yesterday and the long distance back to camp, I convinced Florence that we should go towards Seronera and have lunch at the Information center today. She reluctantly agreed and it turned out to be a fantastic day.


Here is how it went: We drove with closed windows down to the main road. I first found a Village Indigobird, some Hildebrandt´s Starling, Streaky Seed-eater, African Grey Flycatcher and a Kenya Rufous Starling. Then, a Juvenile Martial Eagle nicely perched in a tree. We stopped at a bridge and got some Ruff´s, Little Stints and Tree-banded Plovers. We decided to follow the river towards south in the anticipation that birds were drown towards water. We soon found a Spur-winged Lapwing to add to our list.  Then a Tawny Eagle, before we had a nicely perched Lappet-faced Vulture. at the next pool, we had a Wood Sandpiper and a Yellow-throated Sandgrouse. Continuing downstream, Little Bee-eater (We only saw Little Bee-eater in Serengeti and Ndutu, no other Bee-eaters). We stopped for some posing Magpie Shrikes, before I found a tree with some activity. A pair of Red-throated Tits! (lifer). In the same tree, we found Brubru, Silverbird, Fork-tailed Drongo, Speckle-fronted Weaver and Meyer´s Parrots. We continued downstream and found 3 Grey Woodpeckers (lifer) hammering away on a dead tree trunk. Rufous-naped Larks were everywhere. At one point we had more than 20 Grey-backed Fiscals in view. It must have been a conference. I missed one exit and knew I was on the wrong way, but  then found a lion in a tree. We back-tracked and I stopped for some Desert Cisticolas. Once back to the main street, we saw our first Black-winged Stilt of the trip. I got a tip that the Grey-crested Helmet-Shrikes were to be found in the garden of Seronera Wildlife Lodge. I picked up a Plain-backed Pipit on the way. We drove in through the gates and asked the guard if the lodge was open. He replied yes and they had vacancies. Hmmm, very strange they did not bother to answer my e-mail. We searched high and low, in the area, but no Helmet-Shrikes to be seen.


We went to the Information center in Seronera and settled down for an early lunch. Whilst eating I noticed quite a few birds in the Picnic area. Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Usambiro Barbet, Red-cheeked and Blue-capped Cordonbleu, Purple Grenadier ++. After eating, we took a walk on the nature trail. I picked up Red-fronted Barbet (lifer) and Yellow-breasted Apalis.


Once back in the Picnic area, I needed to visit the rest rooms. I saw a water faucet on the outside dripping a little. I opened the faucet for a while closed it and Florence and I sat down to wait. We did not have to wait long before the birds were coming in to drink. Most of the birds in the garden came in and in addition a Grey-headed Silverbill (lifer). We spent some time there capturing most of the birds.


After lunch, I decided to explore the areas around the Maasai Kopjes. On the main road, we found a colony of Red-billed Buffalo-Weavers, then I noticed a Falcon like bird flying across the road. I followed it and it settled in a tree far away. A Grey Kestrel. Only the third Grey Kestrel I have seen and like the other two, perched too far away for a decent picture :-(. At the river crossing, we found Rufous-tailed Weaver, Ruppel´s and Hildebrandt´s Starlings. We took of from the main road and headed towards the Kopjes. In a tree, we found 4 Amur Falcons. Then further on the only Yellow-throated Longclaw we saw on the trip. Further on, I saw a small bird drop to the ditch. I got it in the binoculars and it was an African Quailfinch. It was hiding behind some grass and I was waiting for it to come out, but alas a Safari vehicle doing at least 100 flushed it. :-( At the Kopjes, we saw a couple of Kori Bustards and flushed a Martial Eagle (4th we saw on the trip). Then I found a couple of White-headed Barbets (lifer). We had a long way to drive home to the camp, so we were about to start going back, when I saw a Pangani Longclaw in the top of a bush. A little further I stopped to take a picture of an African Grey Hornbill, when I saw a Black Coucal on the other side of the road. Unfortunately it flew into some long grass and I did not manage to get a picture of it. We were now seriously running out of time and I had to step on it to get back to camp in time.


It was a highly successful day and I took more than 1200 pictures that day! The day provided 5 lifers bringing the total up to 20



Some birds seen on day 6

Ruff

Spur-winged Lapwing

Lappet-faced Vulture

Magpie Shrike

Red-throated Tit (lifer)

Meyer´s Parrot

Grey Woodpecker (lifer)

Rufous-naped Lark

Red-fronted Barbet (lifer)

Yellow-breasted Apalis

Purple Grenadier

Blue-capped Cordonbleu

Red-cheeked Cordonbleu

Grey-headed Silverbill (lifer)

Rufous-tailed Weaver

White-headed Barbet (lifer)

Pangani Longclaw

African Grey Hornbill

Day 7, April 26, Seronera Area, Serengeti - Nduti


It was unfortunately time to leave Serengeti after 3 nights at the Serena Serengeti hotel. My hope was to explore the Western Corridor and also the Northern part, but I realized quickly that time would not allow that. This was my first venture into Serengeti and it also serves to gain some experience in order to plan for the next trip. We dipped on the Grey-crested Helmet-Shrike, but we will be back some other day.


We set out as the sun raised over the horizon and started our long journey back to Ndutu. At the river crossing we stopped and the entire Black Crake family was up and about. At the next river crossing we had both Yellow-throated and Cinnamon-breasted Sandgrouses in for a drink. I saw some vultures at a lion kill we saw the day before. It turned out to be the regular mix of Lapped-faced, White-backed, Ruppel´s and also Hooded. Next bird of notice was a Black-chested Snake-Eagle soaring over the road at pretty much the same place as I saw it on our way to Seronera. Then I flushed some Hooded and one Lappet-faced Vultures. As I was waiting, they flew a circle and came back to continue their meal. At a small stream we came a cross 8 lions resting after a nights hunt. Around some Kopjes, we saw 2 Cape Crows. After a long drive we arrived at the Naabi Gate again. I knew I was late on time and that we had to pay for an extra day, so we decided to stay at the Gate for a while for Lunch and also bird in the area. Doing that we would start our pass for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area at noon and would have 2 full days to get out of the area and avoid paying an extra day again. 


We had picnic at the gate whilst watching for birds. Black-cheeked (or Black-faced) Waxbill and Buff-bellied Warbler were quickly added to the list.  We walked up to the view point and found Red-fronted Barbet and Cardinal Woodpecker. Just outside the office a Red-headed Weaver were busy building a nest.


We were on the road again around noon and took off from the main road heading for Ndutu. We saw some Kori Bustards and a huge flock of Female/Juvenile Ostriches (almost 50). In the woodland close to the Lodge, we saw the first and only Blue-naped Mousebird of the trip. As we swung into the parking lot of the lodge, we heard the unmistakably call of the Pearl-spotted Owlet. Florence picked it up almost immediately, sitting in the tree posing for some photographs.


It was time for lunch and some relaxing.


Pictures of some of the birds we saw from Seronera to Ndutu.

Black Crake

Yelow-throated Sandgrouse

Black-chested Snake-Eagle

Cape Crow

Black-cheeked (faced?) Waxbill

Kori Bustard

Blue-naped Mousebird

Pearl-spotted Owlet

Day 7, April 26, Continued - Afternoon drive Ndutu


The afternoon started out with a lovely Variable Sunbird just outside our cabin. We were planning to drive along the lake this afternoon to sample some of the waders that was still there. We found a Bateleur on the way. Once at the lake, there were an abundance of waders. Common Greenshank, Little Stints, Chestnut-banded Plovers, Kittlitz´s Plover, Common Ringed Plover and Ruff. We saw a few Cape Teals and a single Black-necked Grebe. A little further on a Tawny Eagle on the ground, followed by a nicely perched Long-crested Eagle. Once back in the woodland, a very nicely posing Little Bee-eater before we found a good bird party consisting of Speckle-fronted Weaver, Cardinal Woodpecker, African Hoopoe, Straw-tailed Whydah, Red-throated Tit, White-bellied Canary, Chestnut Sparrow, Buff-bellied Warbler and Swahili Sparrow.


It turned out to be a nice day, but no lifers today, so the toal tally was still at 20.


Some of the birds we saw on the afternoon drive at Ndutu


Little Stint

Chestnut-banded Plover

Common Ringed Plover (Juvenile)

Tawny Eagle

Long-crested Eagle

Little Bee-eater

Cardinal Woodpecker

African Hoopoe

Buff-bellied Warbler

Day 8, April 27, Ndutu area


We were to explore the area around Ndutu this day. I was planning on driving with the sun in order to get nice light. Florence was in the back of the car, so she could take pictures both ways. The first bird was a nicely perched Bateleur, then an Augur Buzzard and a White-winged Widowbird. At a small dam, we got a Black-winged Stilt in good light. Next was a nicely perched Speckle-fronted Weaver. The first lifer of the day was a Mountain Grey (Grey-headed) Woodpecker. The next bird was a Rufous Chatterer. Then a Winding Cisticola (lifer). We had now driven down to Lake Masek. We turned and drove north. We saw a Bearded Woodpecker.  The Fischer´s Lovebirds were everywhere. We came across a huge colony of Red-billed Queleas. At Lake Element, we found a pair of Yellow-billed Storks. After finishing taking pictures of the Storks, we found the entire car was filled with Tsetse flies again. For some reason neither Florence or I were bitten. We opened the windows and the doors and suddenly they were all gone again. Next bird was a lone Secretary bird that came walking straight towards us. We followed it and actually saw it manage to scare a small snake and devour it. It did not pay any attention to us and passed the car very close by. Unfortunately the sun was very harsh so the pictures did not come out very well. We turned and drove towards the lodge again. Van der Decken´s Hornbill and Cinnamon-breasted Sandgrouse were the next birds to see. Once back at the lake, we saw a single Gull-billed Tern and a single Curlew Sandpiper. Once back in the lodge, I found the Bird bath. It was empty, so I asked one of the staff to fill it with water. We settled in for lunch with cameras ready. We barely had time to eat since a lot of birds came in to drink:  Fischer´s Lovebirds, Blue-capped Cordonbleu, White-bellied Canaries. Jameson´s Firefinch, Superb and Hildebrandt´s Starlings, Grey-headed Silverbill, Village Weaver, Vitelline Masked Weaver (lifer), Beautiful Sunbird, Variable Sunbird, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Black-cheeked Waxbill, Swahili Sparrow and finally the last of our target birds for Ndutu: Crimson-rumped Waxbill (lifer).


Unfortunately, the sun was very harsh, so the pictures did not come out very well.


Some birds seen Morning and Lunch at Ndutu on Day 8.

Bateleur

White-winged Widowbird

Black-winged Stilt

Mountain Grey (Grey-headed) Woodpecker (lifer)

Red-billed Quelea

Yellow-billed Stork

Vand der Decken´s Hornbill

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse

Hildebrandt´s Starling

Superb Starling

Crimson-rumped Waxbill (lifer)

Day 8, April 27, Continued - Afternoon drive Ndutu


As we were getting ready to go to the car for our drive, I picked up a Grey-backed Cameroptera in the garden by our cottage. It displayed nicely and i could not avoid snapping a few pictures. The first bird on our drive was a White-browed Coucal. Then a female Red-backed Shrike. A Vitelline Masked Weaver displayed nicely. Some nice posing Black-lored Babblers. Then we ran into a bird party again: Nubian Woodpecker, Speckle-fronted Weaver, Swahili Sparrow, Chestnut Sparrow, Fork-tailed Drongo, Diderick Cuckoo, Brubru, Variable Sunbird, Red-throated Tit, Yellow-bellied Eremomela and White-bellied Canary. On our way back to camp, we found a gang of Spotted Thick-knees and a nicely perched African Mourning Dove.


It turned out to be a good day with 4 lifers, bringing the total for the trip up to 24.


Some pictures seen on the afternoon drive in Ndutu on Day 8:

Grey-backed Cameroptera

Rufous Chatterer

White-browed Coucal

Vitelline Masked Weaver (lifer)

Speckle-fronted Weaver

Chestnut Sparrow

Variable Sunbird

Brubru

Spotted Thick-knee

African Mourning Dove

Day 9, April 28, Ndutu - Arusha


This was the last day of our Safari and we were to drive from Ndutu and all the way to Arusha where we were staying at the African Tulip. We had to be out of the Ngorongoro Conservancy by noon, so we had an early start.


The first bird of the morning was a Pygmy Falcon. followed by a Dark Chanting Goshawk and a African Harrier Hawk. Then a Nubian Woodpecker enjoying the first light of the day. Then we were out of the wooded area and out on the plains. Nothing much to report from the plains. Once back on the main road we saw a white Stork followed by some Marabou Storks. At a river crossing, we found the only 2 Black-faced Sandgrouses of the trip. The morning was wonderful, since in the first 40km, we did not see a single car on the roads. Once the plains were finished, we found a Straw-tailed Whydah and a little further, we stopped at the tree with the Speke´s Weavers. I got a Streaky Seed-eater and a soaring Augur Buzzard, before we got to the Ngorongoro Crater lookout. We found a few Baglafecht Weaver´s there. Nothing of importance to see on the descent to the gate. Once at the gate we sped up towards Arusha. Once at the hotel, we had a beer by the pool and saw a pair of Northern Grey-headed Sparrows.


The trip lasted from April 21 - 28, 8 wonderful days in Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti. We saw a little over 200 bird species and I had pictures of about 170 species. My Tanzanian list is approaching 300 birds now, about 400 including Kenya, still a long way to go and many areas to explore. We will be back in July to explore Mikumi NP and the Udzungwa NP.


Some birds seen on the last day of the Safari:

Dark Chanting Goshawk

African Harrier-Hawk

Nubian Woodpecker

White Stork

Black-faced Sandgrouse

Straw-tailed Whydah

Lazy birding in Ndutu

At the Ngorongoro Crater Look out.

Day 10, May 2, Dar es Salaam


I had an appointment with Andrew Majembe to do a day of birding in Dar on this day. I told him that I only had one target bird and that was the Brown-breasted Barbet. I met Andrew in the reception of my hotel at 06:00. We headed into town and took the ferry across to Kigamboni. Our first stop was at a tidal pool. We ticked quite a few species of waterbirds there including African Spoonbill, Yellow-billed Egret, Black Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron and an overflying Red-necked Falcon. We moved a little further on and once we stopped, Andrew quickly pointed out a pair of Brown-breasted Barbets (lifer). We took a little walk in the area and found some other nice birds: Black-collared barbet, Collared Palm-Thrush, Spotted Palm-Thrush and Moustached Grass-Warbler. We returned to the car and having found my target bird, I dropped off Andrew in the town and went back to my hotel.


So all in all, we stayed 18 nights in Tanzania. We spent 8 days on Safari and I spent 2 days birding in Dar. I got 25 lifers on the trip and picture of 24 of them.


Here are some pictures from Kigamboni on the last day:




Brown-breasted Barbet (lifer)

Collared Palm-Thrush