TANZANIA’S EASTERN ARC & PEMBA TOUR REPORT 2026

9 - 25 July 2026

Mark Van Beirs

The main goal of this Tanzania ‘with a difference’ tour was trying to see a good selection of the avifauna of the different isolated mountain ranges of central-eastern Tanzania, which hold an excellent selection of endemic and near endemic birds. Not too far away from the popular and so very different northern Tanzania circuit, this tour concentrates on the many skulking, rare and secretive inhabitants of the highland forests of mountain ranges with eloquent names like South Pare, West and East Usambaras, Ulugurus and Ukagurus. In between we managed some easier birding on the island of Pemba where the four endemics fell quickly, in the savanna and miombo woodland of the famous Mikumi National Park and in the Kilombero floodplain with its three recently described species. We recorded 382 bird species and also observed 32 species of mammals. The highlights of the tour were the fabulous, unobtrusive Uluguru Bushshrike, the mega skulking Spot-throat, the adorable African Pygmy Goose, the colourful Loveridge’s Sunbird, the well-behaved Black-faced Sandgrouse, the Usambara Hyliota and the cracking Fisher’s Turaco. Other great birds of this amazing tour included White-backed Duck, Livingstone’s and Hartlaub’s Turacos, Black-bellied Bustard, Pemba Green Pigeon, White-crowned Lapwing, Crab-plover, Pemba Scops Owl, Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle, Crowned Eagle, Bar-tailed Trogon, Southern Ground and Pale-billed Hornbills, Racket-tailed Roller (with its marvelous display), Böhm’s Bee-eater, Mangrove Kingfisher, Red-and-yellow, D’Arnaud’s and Brown-breasted Barbets, Dickinson’s Kestrel, Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher, Green-headed Oriole, Rufous-bellied Tit, Kretschmer’s Longbill, Red-capped Forest and Long-billed Forest Warblers, Winifred’s Warbler, Kilombero and White-tailed Cisticolas, Little Yellow and Livingstone’s Flycatchers, Uluguru Mountain and Montane Tiny Greenbuls, South Pare and Pemba White-eyes, Scaly Chatterer, Usambara Thrush, White-starred Robin, White-chested Alethe, Collared Palm Thrush, Usambara Akalat, Uluguru Violet-backed, Banded Green, Golden-winged, Shelley’s and Pemba Sunbirds, Bertram’s, Ruvu and Kilombero Weavers, Straw-tailed Whydah, Red-faced Crimsonwing, Lesser Seedcracker, Red-throated Twinspot, Oriole Finch and Southern Grosbeak-Canary. Some of the more unusual mammals were Black-and-rufous Sengi, Angolan Colobus, Udzungwa Red Colobus, Crested Porcupine, Zanj Sun Squirrel and Swynnerton’s Bush Squirrel. The best reptile of the tour was without a doubt the wonderful West Usambara Two-horned Chameleon.

The birding started along a reed and papyrus lined stretch of water near a couple of impressive kopjes amidst bush country not too far southeast of Arusha. Sadly, Mount Kilimanjaro remained hidden in the clouds, but, luckily, the cloud cover made for a cool day and the birds remained active throughout. We enjoyed a fabulous introduction to the Tanzanian avifauna. One of our targets was the very localized Taveta (Golden) Weaver, which showed regularly at fairly close range in the reeds. We admired displaying tail-wagging D’Arnaud’s Barbets, scoped Black-throated, Brown-chested and Black-collared Barbets, observed a pair of Eastern Black-headed Batises, were entertained by several Grey Wren-Warblers, had cracking looks at a singing Spotted Palm Thrush and found a few unobtrusive Reichenow’s Seedeaters. We also found White-browed Coucal, Red-eyed Dove, Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Black Crake, Water Thick-knee, Blacksmith and Spur-winged Lapwings, African Jacana, Marabou Stork, African Woolly-necked Stork, Reed Cormorant, Hadada Ibis, Hamerkop, Little Egret, Little and Squacco Herons, Yellow-billed and Western Cattle Egrets, Purple and Black-headed Herons, African Palm Swift, Black-chested Snake Eagle, Black Kite, Augur Buzzard, Speckled Mousebird, Little Bee-eater, Malachite, Giant, Pied and Grey-headed Kingfishers, Slate-coloured Boubou, Nubian Woodpecker, Long-tailed Fiscal, Pied and House Crows, Red-faced Crombec, Common (African) Reed, Lesser Swamp and Little Rush Warblers, Brown-throated Martin, Red-throated Rock Martin, Wire-tailed Swallow, Sombre and Yellow-bellied Greenbuls, Common (Dark-capped) Bulbul, Red-winged and Superb Starlings, African Silverbill, Common and Orange-breasted Waxbills, Blue-capped Cordon-bleu and Vervet Monkey here. After a nice picnic lunch we drove to another area of bushy scrub, where we soon located goodies like Black-faced Sandgrouse, Gabar Goshawk, Eastern Chanting Goshawk, lovely Blue-naped and White-headed Mousebirds, a cracking Rosy-patched Bushshrike, Pygmy Batis, Eastern Violet-backed and Hunter’s Sunbirds, displaying Long-tailed Paradise Whydahs, a fabulous male Straw-tailed Whydah, smashing Purple Grenadiers, White-bellied Canary, Southern Grosbeak-Canary and Somali Bunting. Other new birds included Ring-necked Dove, Speckled Pigeon, Namaqua Dove, Brown Snake Eagle, African Hawk-Eagle, African Grey, Von der Decken’s and Northern Red-billed Hornbills, Red-bellied Parrot, Pink-breasted Lark, Northern Crombec, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Red-fronted Prinia, African Grey Flycatcher, White-browed Scrub Robin, Amethyst and Variable Sunbirds, Green-winged Pytilia, White-browed Sparrow-Weaver, Yellow-spotted Bush Sparrow and Unstriped Ground Squirrel. The final hour of the day was spent along the shoreline of a reservoir, where White-faced Whistling Duck, Egyptian Goose, White-bellied Go-away-bird, Mourning Collared Dove, Black-winged Stilt, Kittlitz’s Plover, Common Sandpiper, White-winged and Whiskered Terns, African Openbill, Glossy Ibis, Black-crowned Night Heron, Grey Heron, Little Swift and Lesser Honeyguide performed.

Next morning, our first stop was in a patch of thorny scrub dotted with candelabra euphorbias. It didn’t take long before we obtained excellent scope views of an uncharacteristically cooperative cracking Scaly Chatterer. We also located several Green-winged Pytilias here. We made a few stops on our way up to the top of the South Pare Mountains, resulting in sightings of Long-crested Eagle, Common (African) Hoopoe, Crowned and Trumpeter Hornbills, Lanner Falcon, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Black-backed Puffback, a skulking Fülleborn’s Boubou, Rattling Cisticola, Black Saw-wing, Pale White-eye, Southern Black Flycatcher, Collared and Gorgeous Sunbirds, Thick-billed and Red-headed Weavers, Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu, African Firefinch and Cinnamon-breasted Rock Bunting. The track was windy and quite rough, so it took several hours before we reached our destination. In the remaining beautiful montane forest at the top of the South Pare Mountains our main target was the very localized South Pare White-eye, of which we only saw one bird. On our walk we connected with beauties like Hartlaub’s Turaco, Black-fronted Bushshrike, an exquisite Golden-winged Sunbird, Usambara Double-collared Sunbird, Red-faced Crimsonwing and a furtive Oriole Finch. Other new birds for the tour included Mountain Buzzard, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Moustached Tinkerbird, Green-backed Honeybird, White-necked Raven, White-tailed Crested Flycatcher, Bar-throated and Black-headed Apalises, Black-headed Mountain and Cabanis’s Greenbuls, African Hill Babbler, Waller’s Starling, African Dusky Flycatcher, White-starred Robin, African Stonechat, Olive Sunbird, Yellow-bellied Waxbill and Blue Monkey. In mid-afternoon we drove back down the mountain picking up species like African Green Pigeon, Northern Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Spot-flanked Barbet and Southern Citril and made our way to our cozy lodge at the base of the West Usambara Mountains.

Our first full day in the West Usambaras produced an excellent range of specialities. We birded along a wide track through splendid montane forest and slowly collected a good variety of localized, often rather skulking species. A Scaly Spurfowl was lured out of its dense forest habitat, an Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon allowed good scope views, several unobtrusive Green Barbets showed, a Grey Cuckooshrike flitted about, several Short-tailed Batises sat up for great looks, the still undescribed ‘Usambara’ Drongo performed, several attractive Red-capped Forest Warblers (African Tailorbirds) could be admired, beautiful Yellow-throated Woodland Warblers foraged in the canopy and Southern Yellow White-eyes visited flowering trees. We had to work a bit to sort out the greenbuls and next to already seen species we found Shelley’s Greenbuls hiking up trunks, inconspicuous Montane Tiny Greenbuls playing hide and seek and Yellow-streaked Greenbuls feeding quietly in a fruiting tree. We encountered several troops of very smart-looking Angola Pied Colobuses and observed several very localized Swynnerton’s (or Lushoto) Bush Squirrels. A lovely West Usambara Two-horned Chameleon was saved from being flattened as it tried to cross the dirt track.

Our main target on our second day in the West Usambaras was the fabled Spot-throat. This extreme skulker is one of the three members of a tiny bird family (Modulatricidae) which is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. The Spot-throat is a Tanzanian near-endemic (it also occurs in extreme northern Malawi). We spent a major part of the day trying to get to grips with this devilishly hard to see, but regularly heard species, and in the end we all got excellent views of this unusual species in the undergrowth of the montane forest it favours. We also connected with the localized Usambara Thrush. More widespread species included a posing Black Sparrowhawk and Olive Woodpecker. A couple of rather furtive Black-and-rufous Sengis (Elephant Shrews) were noted inside the forest.

On our last morning in the forests of the West Usambaras we finally obtained excellent views of an unobtrusive, but endemic Usambara Akalat. This drab-coloured undergrowth species eventually showed well. We also added Olive Pigeon and Shikra to the tally. Around midday we said goodbye to the West Usambaras and made our way to the nearby East Usambaras. A stop in some secondary growth in a fertile valley gave us African Black Duck, African Pygmy Kingfisher, East Coast Boubou, Pale Batis, African Paradise Flycatcher, African Red-rumped Swallow, Grey-olive Greenbul, White-browed Robin-Chat, Mocking Cliff Chat, Scarlet-chested Sunbird and Baglafecht and Eastern Golden Weavers. A short stop at a marshy area produced Lizard Buzzard, Coastal Cisticola, Black-winged Red Bishop and Red-collared Widowbird. We arrived quite late at our accommodation high up in the East Usambaras as the track had deteriorated because of the recent rains.

Our first birding spot in the East Usambaras was a viewpoint over a partly forested valley. It had rained overnight, so the birds were keen to dry themselves in the treetops. A gorgeous Fischer’s Turaco obliged for scope views, a cracking Green-headed Oriole performed ever so well and Black-bellied and Kenrick’s Starlings showed. We also noted Klaas’s Cuckoo, Palm-nut Vulture, a mating pair of African Harrier-Hawks, African Goshawk, lots and lots of Silvery-cheeked Hornbills, White-eared Barbet, Cardinal Woodpecker, Bleating Camaroptera, Mosque Swallow, Violet-backed Starling, Purple-banded Sunbird, Mountain Wagtail and Cabanis’s Bunting. A walk along a forest edge only gave us several Little Greenbuls and a Zanj Sun Squirrel. In the afternoon we birded the surroundings of our accommodation where we found goodies like Banded Green Sunbird and Red-tailed Ant Thrush. After dinner we obtained good looks at an African Wood Owl in the garden of our lodge.

On our final day in the East Usambaras we tried to find the remaining avian specialities and we sure succeeded. It didn’t take too long to find the lovely Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird, which was feeding in a flowering tree. A pair of very localized Long-billed Forest Warblers showed well, but it took quite a bit of searching before we found the canopy loving Usambara Hyliota. We first located one in a mixed flock, but not everyone managed to see it. Not much later a pair was scoped in the open canopy of a forest giant and we all admired the peachy breast and white wingpatch… a real goodie. We also located a Kretschmer’s Longbill that played hide and seek in dense tangles. Everyone eventually got something of a view of this ultra skulker. A Green Tinkerbird played hard to get, but eventually showed and in the mixed bird party we also encountered Mombasa Woodpecker, the adorable Little Yellow Flycatcher and Plain-backed Sunbird. Overhead a dark morph Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle caused some identification head scratching. Other new birds we found on our wanderings today included Green Wood Hoopoe, Black Cuckooshrike, a pair of cute Black-and-white Shrike-flycatchers, Square-tailed Drongo, Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher and Red-faced Cisticola. In the late evening a Fraser’s (Usambara) Eagle Owl started calling in the distance. We tried to lure it closer, but it wouldn’t budge. The owl kept on vocalizing through the night, bur it stayed out of reach, sadly.

After an early breakfast, we started driving to Dar Es Salaam. In late morning we made a stop at a rocky river, where we obtained excellent looks at several superbly attractive Böhm’s Bee-eaters. A Northern Red-fronted Tinkerbird was active around its nesthole. We soon continued our journey on a very busy road, which caused us to arrive just in time for our flight to Pemba. Upon arrival we were welcomed by our knowledgeable guide and drove to our base in the northwest of the island. We stopped at an open stretch of fallow fields, where a pair of Dickinson’s Kestrels and several Broad-billed Rollers showed well. A walk in a nice patch of forest after sunset soon gave us terrific looks at a lovely Pemba Scops Owl, the first of the four targeted Pemba endemics.

Our full day on Pemba started with nice looks at male and female Pemba Sunbirds flitting about in the cassava plantations near our hotel. A walk in a nice stretch of woodland soon gave us several Pemba Green Pigeons, which allowed good scope views. Not much later we found our final Pemba endemic: the tiny endearing Pemba White-eye, which was foraging in a bush at the edge of some woodland. Mangrove Kingfisher was our next target and it only took a short time before a cooperative bird could be admired in the scope. Along the north coast we birded a fine patch of tidal mud, where we found 36 much wanted Crab-plovers. Here too we observed quite a few Dimorphic Egrets (both morphs), several Black Herons doing their umbrella thing, African Sacred Ibis, lots of Whimbrels, a single Marsh Sandpiper and a lone Grey Plover. A distant tern roost held mainly Lesser Crested Terns, one or two Greater Crested Terns and several Common Terns. After a break in the heat of the day we were taken to an impressive Pemba Flying Fox roost. The rest of the afternoon was spent in the surroundings of a lily-covered lake where we saw a nice selection of waterbirds. White-backed Duck showed really well, as did attractive African Pygmy Geese.  A pale morph Booted Eagle was flying overhead, a few Olive Bee-eaters sat up for scope looks and several Dickinson’s Kestrels performed very nicely. Brown-headed Parrots obliged and we also noted Little Grebe and Common Moorhen.

The next morning a Cessna Grand Caravane took us to Dar Es Salaam, where we were welcomed by our faithful crew. We boarded our 4×4 vehicle and drove west to the town of Morogoro. We made one stop at a marshy river, where we scoped the localized, recently described Ruvu Weaver. Lots of African Openbills were adorning several of the larger trees in the marsh, a couple of Fan-tailed Widowbirds were noted and a Common Slender Mongoose crossed the road. In late afternoon we rolled into our hotel at Morogoro, situated at the foot of the Uluguru Mountains.

A very early start took us northwest to the distant Okaguru Mountains. On the long drive we noted a smashing pair of Red-and-yellow Barbets, Striped Pipit, Village Indigobird, Kurrichane Thrush and Familiar Chat. After a scrumptious breakfast we birded along the main track and soon connected with the beautiful Livingstone’s Turaco, the endemic Moreau’s Sunbird and several unobtrusive Yellow-throated Mountain Greenbuls. A narrow trail through the dense montane forest gave us a skulking Winifred’s Warbler, an uncooperative Bar-tailed Trogon, Scaly-throated Honeyguide and a retiring Olive-flanked Ground Robin. We also recorded Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo (heard and glimpsed), Cape Robin-Chat and White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher.

The Uluguru Bushshrike is a very localized species which only occurs in the montane forests of the Uluguru Mountains. It requires a bit of a hike to get to its habitat and this megabird really is a rare species. It took us quite a while before we managed to find one foraging unobtrusively in the mid canopy and luckily everyone managed good views of this really important Tanzanian endemic. On the walks through the agricultural areas we found nice species like Blue-spotted Wood Dove, a well-behaved Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, African Yellow Warbler, Croaking Cisticola, Slender-billed Starling, Bertram’s Weaver, Yellow Bishop and the attractive Red-throated Twinspot. While searching for the Uluguru Bushshrike in the forest we suddenly encountered a pair of rarely seen Uluguru Mountain Greenbuls. We also found a cracking male Bar-tailed Trogon, two females of the localized Loveridge’s Sunbird, some cooperative Angolan Colobuses and a couple of Black-and-red Bush Squirrels.

The following morning we birded a wide trail in the western part of the Ulugurus. The track leading towards the area was very rough, so it took a while longer to get there than usual. Just as it was getting light a Spotted Eagle-Owl flew past. The walk produced a perched Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle, Red-capped Forest Warbler, a couple of rarely-seen Uluguru Mountain Greenbuls, Trilling Cisticola, beautiful White-starred Robins, a skulking White-chested Alethe (for some), several well-behaved Loveridge’s Sunbirds (males and females), nice Bertram’s Weavers, Pin-tailed Whydah and Yellow-fronted Canary. In the afternoon we drove further south to our lovely lodge at the base of the Udzungwa Mountains. We passed through famous Mikumi National Park and from the main road we picked up a few mammals like African Savanna Elephant, Plains Zebra, Maasai Giraffe, Impala and Yellow Baboon. At night we could hear the unusual sounds of Eastern Tree Hyraxes emanating from the nearby forest.

After a tasty breakfast we made our way to the Kilombero marsh, which produced an excellent variety of birds. Pride of place obviously went to the three recently described species. The Kilombero Cisticola showed extremely well at close range and the White-tailed Cisticola obliged also. We only saw non-breeding plumaged Kilombero Weavers, but they were distinctive enough with their two-toned bill and yellow breast. Lumbering Coppery-tailed Coucals performed nicely and Long-toed, White-crowned and African Wattled Lapwings were sighted. Collared Pratincole, Yellow-billed Stork, African Spoonbill, Pink-backed Pelican and White-rumped Swift were other additions to the list. We enjoyed a rare sit-down lunch at the Hondo Hondo camp and were entertained by smart-looking Udzungwa Red Colobuses and a Crowned Eagle. We spent a few hours in the nearby secondary growth and found Wahlberg’s Eagle, Magpie Mannikin, a sneaky Lesser Seedcracker and a lovely Jameson’s Firefinch. In the afternoon we drove to the Mikumi National Park and on our game drive connected with goodies like Common Scimitarbill and prehistoric-looking Southern Ground Hornbills. Fine new mammals included Black-backed Jackal, Common Warthog, Blue Wildebeest and Common Eland. We also found Red-necked Spurfowl, Crowned Lapwing, White-backed Vulture, Bateleur, Tawny Eagle, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Black-crowned Tchagra, Red-billed and Yellow-billed Oxpeckers, Lesser Blue-eared Starling, Blue Waxbill and Yellow-throated Longclaw. As the sun was setting we arrived at our marvelous lodge, where good food and excellent accommodation was waiting for us. An evening stroll through the camp gave us a noisy Thick-tailed Greater Galago.

The miombo woodland at the edge of the Mikumi National Park offers a different range of specialities and on our morning walk we collected several of these. On the pre-dawn drive to the location we connected with a couple of impressive Crested Porcupines. In the open woodland a party of Pale-billed Hornbill sat up for good looks. A pair of marvelous Racket-tailed Rollers showed off their “feuille morte” display and a Striped Kingfisher was scoped. Rufous-bellied Tit, Stierling’s Wren-Warbler, the delightful Livingstone’s Flycatcher and the localized Shelley’s Sunbird were much appreciated additions to our tally. We also noted Golden-tailed Woodpecker, White-breasted Cuckooshrike, Grey-headed Bushshrike, Brubru, a party of joyful White-crested Helmetshrikes, Black-headed and African Golden Orioles, Yellow-throated Bush Sparrow and several African Savanna Hares. The afternoon game drive in the plains gave us a couple of gorgeous Black-bellied Bustards, a lovely Dickinson’s Kestrel, Zitting Cisticola and Collared Palm Thrush. We had a fabulous encounter with a family of very friendly African Savanna Elephants, a Bohor Reedbuck and a Northern Bushbuck. After dinner we enjoyed a night drive which yielded lots of Water Thick-knees, a Spotted Thick-knee, more than a dozen very well performing Square-tailed Nightjars, a couple of Spotted Eagle-Owls, a White-tailed Mongoose, a pair of Cavendish’s Dik-diks and lots of African Savanna Hares. It was almost midnight when we got to bed. It had been a terrific day.

On the last morning of the tour we paid a short visit to the well-known hippo pools of the Mikumi National Park. No new birds were noted, but several parties of White-crested Helmetshrikes showed off. A dozen Common Hippos performed very well and then it was time to drive to the airport of Dar Es Salaam, where this terrific adventure came to its end.

BIRDS OF THE TOUR
1^st Uluguru Bushshrike
2^nd Spot-throat & Loveridge’s Sunbird
3^rd Black-faced Sandgrouse
4^rd Usambara Hyliota
5^th Fisher’s Turaco

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED DURING THE TOUR
Species marked with the diamond symbol (◊) are either endemic to the country or local region or considered ‘special’ birds for some other reason (e.g., it is only seen on one or two Birdquest tours; it is difficult to see across all or most of its range; the local form is endemic or restricted-range and may in future be treated as a full species).

The species names and taxonomy used in the bird list follows AviList v2025 (AviList Core Team 2025. AviList: The Global Avian Checklist, v2025); this was the current version when the checklist for the tour report was created.
Where the subspecies seen is/are known, these are often given in parentheses at the end of the species comment.

The species names and taxonomy used in the mammal list follow the mammal list on the iGoTerra website (www.igoterra.com). This list largely follows IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) taxonomy with just a few modifications. It is listed in family order, alphabetically by genera within families. Some alternative names are given in parentheses.

BIRDS
White-backed Duck  Thalassornis leuconotus  Fantastic looks at c30 on a small lake on the island of Pemba.
White-faced Whistling Duck  Dendrocygna viduata  Regular encounters.
African Pygmy Goose  Nettapus auritus  Six adults and four goslings showed perfectly on a small lake on Pemba.
Egyptian Goose  Alopochen aegyptiaca  We only saw this well-known species on our first day in the field.
African Black Duck  Anas sparsa  A single bird was noted on a fast flowing stream at the base of the West Usambaras.
Helmeted Guineafowl  Numida meleagris  A party of 15 birds was seen in the Mikumi NP.
Scaly Spurfowl  Pternistis squamatus  Perfect looks at this retiring species in the West Usambaras.
Red-necked Spurfowl  Pternistis afer  Regular encounters in the Mikumi NP.
Little Grebe  Tachybaptus ruficollis  Several were noted on a small lake on the island of Pemba.
White-bellied Go-away-bird  Crinifer leucogaster  A single bird was observed at the Nyumba Ya Mungu reservoir, not far from Arusha.
Hartlaub’s Turaco  Tauraco hartlaubi  Excellent looks at several birds in the South Pare Mountains.
Fischer’s Turaco ◊  Tauraco fischeri  Two showed very well in the East Usambaras.
Livingstone’s Turaco  Tauraco livingstonii  Good looks in the Ukaguru and Uluguru Mountains.
Black-bellied Bustard  Lissotis melanogaster  Fabulous looks at close range in the Mikumi NP.
Coppery-tailed Coucal  Centropus cupreicaudus  Several showed beautifully at the Kilombero marsh.
White-browed Coucal  Centropus superciliosus  Regular.
Klaas’s Cuckoo  Chrysococcyx klaas  Male and female of this widespread species offered scope views.
African Emerald Cuckoo  Chrysococcyx cupreus  (H)  We heard one in the Uluguru Mountains.
Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo  Cercococcyx montanus  A single, very vocal bird showed all too briefly in the Ukaguru Mountains.
Black-faced Sandgrouse  Pterocles decoratus  Three showed ever so well near the Nyumba Ya Mungu reservoir.
Ring-necked Dove  Streptopelia capicola  Common.
Red-eyed Dove  Streptopelia semitorquata  Also common.
Mourning Collared Dove (African M D)  Streptopelia decipiens  We only saw these near the Nyumba Ya Mungu reservoir.
Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon  Columba delegorguei  Good looks at several in the West Usambaras.
African Olive Pigeon (Rameron P)  Columba arquatrix  Regular encounters with this smart-looking pigeon.
Speckled Pigeon  Columba guinea  We only saw this widespread species on the first two days of the tour.
Rock Dove (introduced)  Columba livia
Namaqua Dove  Oena capensis  We only saw this lovely species on the first two days of the tour.
Tambourine Dove  Turtur tympanistria  (H)  We heard its distinctive song in the West Usambaras.
Blue-spotted Wood Dove  Turtur afer  A couple of sightings.
Emerald-spotted Wood Dove  Turtur chalcospilos  Regular encounters.
Pemba Green Pigeon ◊  Treron pembaensis  Scope views of this good-looking Pemba endemic.
African Green Pigeon  Treron calvus  Small numbers were noted throughout the tour.
Common Moorhen  Gallinula chloropus  Common at the small lake on Pemba.
Black Crake  Zapornia flavirostra  We saw five of this cuties on our first morning near the Nyumba Ya Mungu reservoir.
Spotted Thick-knee (S Dikkop)  Burhinus capensis  Two were seen on our night drive in the Mikumi NP.
Water Thick-knee (W Dikkop)  Burhinus vermiculatus  Regular encounters. Especially common at Mikumi.
Black-winged Stilt  Himantopus himantopus  A few encounters with this well-known species.
Grey Plover (Black-bellied P)  Pluvialis squatarola  A single bird in winter plumage was seen om Pemba.
Long-toed Lapwing (L-t Plover)  Vanellus crassirostris  Two of these marsh-loving lapwings were noted at the Kilombero marsh.
Blacksmith Lapwing (B Plover)  Vanellus armatus  Just a few sightings.
Spur-winged Lapwing (S-w Plover)  Vanellus spinosus  Regular.
White-crowned Lapwing (W-headed Plover)  Vanellus albiceps  A single bird showed well at the Kilombero marsh.
Crowned Lapwing (C Plover)  Vanellus coronatus  Common at the Mikumi NP.
African Wattled Lapwing (A W Plover)  Vanellus senegallus  Three allowed good looks at the Kilombero marsh.
strong>Kittlitz’s Plover  Anarhynchus pecuarius  A single bird was scoped at the Nyumba Ya Mungu reservoir.
African Jacana  Actophilornis africanus  Regular observations.
Eurasian Whimbrel  Numenius phaeopus  Fairly common on the Pemba mudflats.
Common Sandpiper  Actitis hypoleucos  Two observations of this well-known migrant.
Marsh Sandpiper  Tringa stagnatilis  A single bird was scoped on the Pemba mudflats.
Crab-plover  Dromas ardeola  No fewer than 36 of these jewels were seen well on the mudflats of the island of Pemba.
Collared Pratincole  Glareola pratincola  Common at the Kilombero floodplain.
Whiskered Tern  Chlidonias hybrida  Two were identified at the Nyumba Ya Mungu reservoir.
White-winged Tern  Chlidonias leucopterus  A single bird was identified at the Nyumba Ya Mungu reservoir.
Greater Crested Tern  Thalasseus bergii  Two were seen along the shore of the island of Pemba.
Lesser Crested Tern  Thalasseus bengalensis  Ten or so showed along the Pemba shoreline.
Common Tern  Sterna hirundo  A dozen were seen along the Pemba shoreline.
African Openbill (A Open-billed Stork)  Anastomus lamelligerus  Regular encounters.
Marabou Stork  Leptoptilos crumenifer  Just a few observations.
Yellow-billed Stork  Mycteria ibis  Regular sightings.
African Woolly-necked Stork  Ciconia microscelis  Four observations.
Reed Cormorant (Long-tailed C)  Microcarbo africanus  Regular encounters.
Glossy Ibis  Plegadis falcinellus  c50 were noted at the Nyumba Ya Mungu reservoir.
Hadada Ibis  Bostrychia hagedash  Regular and very vocal.
African Spoonbill  Platalea alba  Two were seen at the Kilombero floodplain.
African Sacred Ibis  Threskiornis aethiopicus  Three of these widespread birds were seen on Pemba.
Hamerkop  Scopus umbretta  Regular throughout the tour.
Pink-backed Pelican  Pelecanus rufescens  Eight were seen at the Kilombero floodplain.
Little Bittern  Botaurus minutus  A single bird showed in flight at the Kilombero floodplain (race payesii).
Black Heron (B Egret)  Egretta ardesiaca  c15 showed very well on the Pemba muflats.
Little Egret  Egretta garzetta  Regular sightings.
Little Egret (Dimorphic E)  Egretta [garzetta] dimorpha  Common on the Pemba island mudflats. Both pale and dark morphs were seen.
Black-crowned Night Heron  Nycticorax nycticorax  Several observations of this widespread species.
Little Heron  Butorides atricapilla  Regular observations of this widespread species.
Squacco Heron  Ardeola ralloides  Regular at the Kilombero floodplain.
Great Egret  Ardea alba  Small numbers were noted along our itinerary (race melanorhynchos).
Yellow-billed Egret  Ardea brachyrhyncha  Four were identified at the Nyumba Ya Mungu reservoir.
Western Cattle Egret  Ardea ibis  Common.
Purple Heron  Ardea purpurea  Just four sightings of this beautiful heron.
Black-headed Heron  Ardea melanocephala  Regular.
Grey Heron  Ardea cinerea  Regular.
Fiery-necked Nightjar  Caprimulgus pectoralis  (H)  We heard it in the distance at the Mikumi NP.
Square-tailed Nightjar (Gabon N)  Caprimulgus fossii  At least a dozen showed well on the Mikumi NP night drive.
African Palm Swift  Cypsiurus parvus  Regular.
White-rumped Swift  Apus caffer  A single bird was noted at the Kilombero plain.
Little Swift  Apus affinis  Common.
Pemba Scops Owl ◊  Otus pembaensis  Excellent looks at a couple of these cute endemics in a patch of forest on the island of Pemba.
Spotted Eagle-Owl  Bubo africanus  A single showed in the Ulugurus and two were seen on the Mikumi NP night drive.
Fraser’s Eagle-Owl ◊ (Usambara E O)  Ketupa [poensis] vosseleri  (H)  We heard it in the distance from our lodge in the East Usambara Mountains.
African Wood Owl  Strix woodfordii  Excellent looks at close range in the East Usambaras.
African Harrier-Hawk  Polyboroides typus  Regular encounters. We admired a mating pair in the West Usambaras.
Palm-nut Vulture (Vulturine Fish Eagle)  Gypohierax angolensis  Eleven sightings of this good-looking bird of prey.
White-backed Vulture  Gyps africanus  Just three were seen in the Mikumi NP.
Bateleur  Terathopius ecaudatus  Two birds showed well in the Mikumi NP.
Southern Banded Snake Eagle ◊  Circaetus fasciolatus  (H)  We heard its distinctive sound in the Eastern Usambaras.
Black-chested Snake Eagle  Circaetus pectoralis  Three sightings of this distinctive bird of prey.
Brown Snake Eagle  Circaetus cinereus  Three observations of this widespread species.
Crowned Eagle  Stephanoaetus coronatus  We heard its distinctive calls in the West Usambaras and had good looks at one at the Hondo Hondo Lodge at the base of the Uluguru Mountains.
Long-crested Eagle  Lophaetus occipitalis  Three sightings of this smart-looking species.
Wahlberg’s Eagle  Hieraaetus wahlbergi  A single observation in the Uluguru Mountains.
Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle  Hieraaetus ayresii  Three observations of this dashing species.
Booted Eagle  Hieraaetus pennatus  A pale morph showed well on Pemba.
Tawny Eagle  Aquila rapax  A single bird was observed in the Mikumi NP.
African Hawk-Eagle  Aquila spilogaster  Two nice observations of this widespread bird of prey.
Gabar Goshawk  Micronisus gabar  Two encounters.
Eastern Chanting Goshawk (E Pale C G)  Melierax poliopterus  A couple of observations.
Lizard Buzzard  Kaupifalco monogrammicus  Seven sightings of this attractive bird of prey.
African Goshawk  Aerospiza tachiro  Fair looks at one in the East Usambaras.
Shikra  Tachyspiza badia  A single bird was noted in the West Usambaras.
Black Sparrowhawk (Great S)  Astur melanoleucus  Three sightings of this distinctive bird of prey.
Black Kite (Yellow-billed K)  Milvus [migrans] aegyptius  Small numbers were noted along our route.
Augur Buzzard  Buteo augur  Five observations of this distinctive species. We also noted a dark morph.
Mountain Buzzard  Buteo oreophilus  Seven observations in the West Usambaras.
Blue-naped Mousebird  Urocolius macrourus  Several nice sightings on the first two days of the tour.
Speckled Mousebird  Colius striatus  Common.
White-headed Mousebird ◊  Colius leucocephalus  Four birds showed well near the Nyumba Ya Mungu reservoir.
Bar-tailed Trogon  Apaloderma vittatum  Excellent looks at a male in the Uluguru Mountains.
Common Hoopoe (African H)  Upupa [epops] africana  Three observations of this smart-looking species.
Common Scimitarbill  Rhinopomastus cyanomelas  A single bird was seen in the Mikumi NP.
Green Wood Hoopoe  Phoeniculus purpureus  Small numbers were noted.
Southern Ground Hornbill  Bucorvus leadbeateri  Fantastic looks at this impressive species in the Mikumi NP.
Crowned Hornbill  Lophoceros alboterminatus  Regular.
African Grey Hornbill  Lophoceros nasutus  Fairly common.
Pale-billed Hornbill ◊  Lophoceros pallidirostris  Eight of these miombo specialists showed well at the edge of the Mikumi NP.
Von der Decken’s Hornbill  Tockus deckeni  A male was seen well near the Nyumba Ya Mungu reservoir.
Northern Red-billed Hornbill  Tockus erythrorhynchus  Three were noted near the Nyumba Ya Mungu reservoir.
Silvery-cheeked Hornbill  Bycanistes brevis  Common and showy along our route.
Trumpeter Hornbill  Bycanistes bucinator  Small numbers of this smart-looking species were noted.
Broad-billed Roller  Eurystomus glaucurus  Fairly common on Pemba.
Racket-tailed Roller ◊  Coracias spatulatus  We witnessed the spectacular display in a patch of miombo near the Mikumi NP. Great stuff!!
Lilac-breasted Roller  Coracias caudatus  Regular and so very beautiful.
Böhm’s Bee-eater ◊  Merops boehmi  This beauty showed very well along a forested watercourse not too far from Morogoro.
Little Bee-eater  Merops pusillus  Small numbers.
Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater  Merops oreobates  Excellent looks in the South Pare and West Usambara Mountains.
Olive Bee-eater (Madagascar B)  Merops superciliosus  A few showed well on Pemba.
African Pygmy Kingfisher  Ispidina picta  A single sighting on the journey to the East Usambaras.
Malachite Kingfisher  Corythornis cristatus  Regular.
Giant Kingfisher  Megaceryle maxima  Two observations on the first two days of the tour.
Pied Kingfisher  Ceryle rudis  Regular sightings of this well-known species.
Mangrove Kingfisher ◊  Halcyon senegaloides  Terrific looks at this localized species in the Pemba woodlands.
Woodland Kingfisher  Halcyon senegalensis  A single showed in the Mikumi NP.
Striped Kingfisher  Halcyon chelicuti  Good looks in the miombo of the Mikumi NP.
Brown-hooded Kingfisher  Halcyon albiventris  Regular observations.
Grey-headed Kingfisher (Chestnut-bellied K)  Halcyon leucocephala  Four observations of this good-looking species.
Red-and-yellow Barbet ◊  Trachyphonus erythrocephalus  Two gave a terrific performance on the drive to the Ukaguru Mountains.
D’Arnaud’s Barbet  Trachyphonus darnaudii  Excellent looks at displaying birds on the first two days of the tour.
Green Barbet  Cryptolybia olivacea  Regular in the montane forests. Unobtrusive.
White-eared Barbet  Stactolaema leucotis  Regular encounters in the East Usambaras.
Green Tinkerbird ◊ (Eastern G T)  Pogoniulus simplex  Good looks at a single bird in the East Usambaras.
Moustached Tinkerbird (M Green T)  Pogoniulus leucomystax  A couple of observations. Regularly heard.
Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird (Golden-r T)  Pogoniulus bilineatus  Several showed well in the Ulugurus.
Northern Red-fronted Tinkerbird  Pogoniulus uropygialis  A couple of encounters in dry bush country.
Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird  Pogoniulus chrysoconus  A single sighting in the Mikumi NP.
Spot-flanked Barbet  Tricholaema lacrymosa  Two were seen at the base of the South Pare Mountains.
Black-throated Barbet  Tricholaema melanocephala  A few observations on the first two days of the tour.
Brown-breasted Barbet ◊  Pogonornis melanopterus  Two nice sightings of this attractive species.
Black-collared Barbet  Lybius torquatus  A brief observation near the Nyumba Ya Mungu reservoir. A bit north of its regular area of distribution.
Lesser Honeyguide  Indicator minor  Several observations of this widespread species.
Scaly-throated Honeyguide  Indicator variegatus  One showed well in the Ukagurus.
Nubian Woodpecker  Campethera nubica  Two showed well in the north Tanzanian scrub.
Speckle-throated Woodpecker ◊  Campethera scriptoricauda  A single bird was noted at the Hondo Hondo Lodge.
Golden-tailed Woodpecker  Campethera abingoni  Two birds showed well in the miombo woodland of the Mikumi NP.
Mombasa Woodpecker ◊  Campethera mombassica  A female was identified in the East Usambara Mountains.
Bearded Woodpecker  Chloropicus namaquus  A single was noted in the Mikumi NP.
Olive Woodpecker  Dendropicos griseocephalus  Two were found in the West Usambara Mountains.
Cardinal Woodpecker  Dendropicos fuscescens  A few observations.
Dickinson’s Kestrel ◊  Falco dickinsoni  Fabulous looks at this beauty on Pemba, and also in the Mikumi NP.
Lanner Falcon  Falco biarmicus  Four sightings of this impressive bird of prey.
Meyer’s Parrot (Brown P)  Poicephalus meyeri  A single bird was seen in the Mikumi NP.
Brown-headed Parrot  Poicephalus cryptoxanthus  Half a dozen showed quite well on Pemba.
Red-bellied Parrot (African Orange-b P)  Poicephalus rufiventris  Four showed well at the Nyumba Ya Mungu reservoir.
Grey Cuckooshrike  Ceblepyris caesius  Regular observations of this montane forest inhabitant.
White-breasted Cuckooshrike  Ceblepyris pectoralis  A single bird in the miombo woodland of the Mikumi NP.
Black Cuckooshrike  Campephaga flava  A couple of sightings of males.
Brubru  Nilaus afer  A single bird showed well in the Mikumi NP miombo.
Black-crowned Tchagra  Tchagra senegalus  We saw this widespread species only in the Mikumi NP.
Brown-crowned Tchagra  Tchagra australis  Two showed well at the base of the South Pare Mountains.
Grey-headed Bushshrike  Malaconotus blanchoti  A single in the Mikumi NP.
Uluguru Bushshrike ◊  Malaconotus alius  Excellent views of this fabulous species in the montane forest of the Ulugurus. THE BIRD OF THE TOUR!!!
Black-backed Puffback  Dryoscopus cubla  A few observations along our route.
Rosy-patched Bushshrike ◊  Rhodophoneus cruentus  Great looks at a single bird at the Nyumba Ya Mungu reservoir.
Black-fronted Bushshrike  Chlorophoneus nigrifrons  Regular observations in the montane forests of all the visited ranges.
Tropical Boubou  Laniarius major  Just a couple of encounters.
East Coast Boubou ◊  Laniarius sublacteus  This speciality showed well at the base of the East Usambara Mountains.
Slate-colored Boubou  Laniarius funebris  Small numbers obliged in the northern Tanzanian scrub.
Fülleborn’s Boubou ◊  Laniarius fuelleborni  Good looks at this montane forest species in the South Pare, West Usambara and Ukaguru Mountains.
Short-tailed Batis  Batis mixta  Seen well in the West and East Usambara Mountains.
Pale Batis (East Coast B)  Batis soror  Good looks at the base of the East Usambaras and also in the Mikumi NP.
Eastern Black-headed Batis ◊  Batis minor  Seen near Arusha and in the Mikumi NP.
Pygmy Batis  Batis perkeo  Terrific views near the Nyumba Ya Mungu reservoir.
White-crested Helmetshrike  Prionops plumatus  Marvelous encounters with parties of this beautiful species at the Mikumi NP.
Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher (B-a-w Flycatcher)  Bias musicus  A pair showed very well in the East Usambaras.
Green-headed Oriole ◊  Oriolus chlorocephalus  Great looks at several in the East Usambaras and heard in the Ulugurus.
Black-headed Oriole (Eastern B-h O)  Oriolus larvatus  A few were noted in the Mikumi NP.
African Golden Oriole  Oriolus auratus  Nice looks at this beauty in the Mikumi NP.
Square-tailed Drongo  Dicrurus ludwigii  Seen well in the East Usambaras and in the Ulugurus.
‘Usambara’ Drongo ◊  Dicrurus sp. nov.  Regular in the West and the East Usambaras.
Fork-tailed Drongo (Common D)  Dicrurus adsimilis  A few sightings in savanna and scrub habitat.
Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher  Trochocercus cyanomelas  A single bird showed all too briefly in the East Usambaras.
African Paradise Flycatcher  Terpsiphone viridis  Regular observations of this adorable species.
Long-tailed Fiscal  Lanius cabanisi  Regular encounters.
Northern Fiscal  Lanius humeralis  Common and obvious.
White-necked Raven (W-naped R)  Corvus albicollis  Very nice looks in the South Pare and the West Usambara Mountains.
Pied Crow  Corvus albus  Very common.
House Crow (introduced)  Corvus splendens  This Asian species is also very common and is still spreading.
White-tailed Crested Flycatcher  Elminia albonotata  A regular member of the montane forest bird parties.
Usambara Hyliota ◊  Hyliota usambara  It took a while, but eventually everyone obtained good looks at this very localized endemic in the East Usambaras.
Rufous-bellied Tit ◊ (Cinnamon-breasted T)  Melaniparus [rufiventris] pallidiventris  Two were found in the miombo of the Mikumi NP.
Fischer’s Sparrow-Lark ◊  Eremopterix leucopareia  Two females were noted in the savanna of the Mikumi NP.
Pink-breasted Lark ◊  Calendulauda poecilosterna  Good looks at two singing birds near the Nyumba Ya Mungu reservoir.
Flappet Lark  Amirafra rufocinnamomea  A single displaying bird was seen in the Mikumi NP.
Kretschmer’s Longbill ◊  Macrosphenus kretschmeri  This skulker was hard to see well in the montane forest of the East Usambaras.
Northern Crombec  Sylvietta brachyura  A single observation near the Nyumba Ya Mungu reservoir.
Red-faced Crombec  Sylvietta whytii  A single bird showed nicely in the northern Tanzanian scrub.
Red-capped Forest Warbler ◊ (African Tailorbird)  Artisornis metopias  Repeated good looks at this near-endemic skulker in the montane forest of the West Usambaras.
Long-billed Forest Warbler ◊ (L-b Apalis)  Artisornis moreaui  This near- endemic showed very well in the montane forest of the East Usambaras.
Stierling’s Wren-Warbler  Calamonastes stierlingi  Excellent looks at two in the miombo of the Mikumi NP.
Grey Wren-Warbler  Calamonastes simplex  Regular in the north Tanzania scrub.
Bleating Camaroptera  Camaroptera brachyura  Small numbers were noted along our route.
Bar-throated Apalis  Apalis thoracica  Regular in the montane forests.
Yellow-breasted Apalis (Black-b A)  Apalis flavida  A few observations of this widespread species.
Chapin’s Apalis ◊  Apalis chapini  (H)  We heard it in the Ukaguru Mountains.
Black-headed Apalis  Apalis melanocephala  Regular.
Tawny-flanked Prinia  Prinia subflava  A handful of encounters.
Red-fronted Prinia  Prinia rufifrons  A single in the scrub near the Nyumba Ya Mungu reservoir.
Winifred’s Warbler ◊  Scepomycter [winifredae] winifredae  Good looks at this Tanzanian endemic in the montane forest of the Ukagurus.
Red-faced Cisticola  Cisticola erythrops  A single singing bird at the base of the East Usambaras.
Trilling Cisticola  Cisticola woosnami  A single singing bird was seen at the base of the Ulugurus.
Kilombero Cisticola ◊  Cisticola bakerorum  Good looks at this Tanzanian endemic in the Kilombero floodplain.
Rattling Cisticola  Cisticola chiniana  A few encounters with this widespread species.
Coastal Cisticola ◊  Cisticola haematocephalus  A single in a marsh near the base of the East Usambaras.
White-tailed Cisticola ◊  Cisticola anderseni  Excellent views of this endemic in the Kilombero floodplain.
Croaking Cisticola  Cisticola natalensis  This widespread species was seen well at the base of the Uluguru Mountains.
Zitting Cisticola  Cisticola juncidis  Several were recorded in the Mikumi NP savanna.
African Yellow Warbler (Dark-capped Y W)  Iduna natalensis  Good looks at several in the Uluguru Mountains.
Common Reed Warbler (African R W)  Acrocephalus [scirpaceus] cinnamomeus  Three encounters in marsh habitat.
Lesser Swamp Warbler  Acrocephalus gracilirostris  A single bird showed well in a reedbed near the Nyumba Ya Mungu reservoir.
Evergreen Forest Warbler  Bradypterus [lopezi] mariae  This skulker was often heard and seen a few times in montane forest.
Little Rush Warbler  Bradypterus baboecala  Good looks in a reedbed near the Nyumba Ya Mungu reservoir. Heard elsewhere.
Black Saw-wing  Psalidoprocne [pristoptera] holomelas  Common over montane forest.
Brown-throated Martin (Plain M)  Riparia paludicola  A handful was seen at the Nyumba Ya Mungu reservoir.
Red-throated Rock Martin  Ptyonoprogne rufigula  Several observations near rocky outcrops.
Wire-tailed Swallow  Hirundo smithii  Regular encounters near water.
Lesser Striped Swallow  Cecropis abyssinica  Common and widespread.
Mosque Swallow  Cecropis senegalensis  Two showed beautifully near the base of the East Usambaras.
African Red-rumped Swallow  Cecropis melanocrissus  A handful of observations in montane habitat.
Little Yellow Flycatcher ◊  Erythrocercus holochlorus  Very nice looks at several in the East Usambaras. A real cutie.
Livingstone’s Flycatcher ◊  Erythrocercus livingstonei  This attractive species showed well in riverine habitat in the Mikumi NP.
Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler  Phylloscopus ruficapilla  Regular in the West Usambaras and also seen in the Ulugurus.
Sombre Greenbul (Zanzibar S G)  Andropadus importunus  A few in the north Tanzanian scrub.
Shelley’s Greenbul ◊  Arizelocichla masukuensis  This tree trunk climber was regularly seen in all the montane forests.
Black-headed Mountain Greenbul ◊ (Mountain G)  Arizelocichla nigriceps  A regular inhabitant of montane forest.
Uluguru Mountain Greenbul ◊  Arizelocichla neumanni  Good looks at this very localized and rarely encountered endemic in the Uluguru Mountains.
Olive-headed Greenbul ◊  Arizelocichla striifacies  Good views in the West Usambaras.
Yellow-throated Mountain Greenbul  Arizelocichla chlorigula  Several of these Tanzanian endemics performed beautifully in the montane forest of the Ukagurus.
Yellow-bellied Greenbul  Chlorocichla flaviventris  A few were noted near Arusha and in the Mikumi NP.
Little Greenbul  Eurillas virens  Regular. More often heard than seen.
Lowland Tiny Greenbul ◊  Phyllastrephus debilis  (H)  Heard at the base of the East Usambaras.
Montane Tiny Greenbul ◊  Phyllastrephus albigula  Good looks at this warbler-loke species in the West Usambara montane forest.
Yellow-streaked Greenbul  Phyllastrephus flavostriatus  A few encounters in the Usambaras.
Grey-olive Greenbul ◊  Phyllastrephus cerviniventris  Two showed very well in scrub near the base of the East Usambaras.
Cabanis’s Greenbul ◊ (Placid G)  Phyllastrephus [cabanisi] placidus  Several allowed good looks in the West Usambaras.
Common Bulbul (Dark-capped B)  Pycnonotus [barbatus] tricolor  Very common.
African Hill Babbler (Abyssinian H B)  Sylvia [abyssinica] abyssinica  Several were seen well in the South Pare and West Usambara Mountains.
Pale White-eye  Zosterops flavilateralis  Ten or so showed well at the base of the South Pare Mountains.
South Pare White-eye ◊  Zosterops winifredae  A single bird was seen in the montane forest of the South Pare. Endemic.
Southern Yellow White-eye  Zosterops anderssoni  Regular encounters.
Pemba White-eye ◊  Zosterops vaughani  Several of these lovely Pemba endemics performed very well in the Pemba woodlands.
Scaly Chatterer ◊  Argya aylmeri  Amazing looks at this often hard to see well species at the base of the South Pare mountains.
Red-billed Oxpecker  Buphagus erythroryncha  Regular in the Mikumi NP.
Yellow-billed Oxpecker  Buphagus africanus  Also regular in the same area.
Violet-backed Starling  Cinnyricinclus leucogaster  Just two observations of this usually common species.
Slender-billed Starling  Onychognathus tenuirostris  Regular encounters in the Uluguru Mountain forest.
Red-winged Starling  Onychognathus morio  Small numbers were noted on the first two days of the tour.
Waller’s Starling  Onychognathus walleri  Regular in the forests of the South Pare, West Usambara and Uluguru Mountains.
Black-bellied Starling  Notopholia corusca  A few in the East Usambaras.
Kenrick’s Starling ◊  Poeoptera kenricki  Best looks were obtained in the Ukagurus, but we also saw it in East Usambaras and the Ulugurus.
Lesser Blue-eared Starling (Miombo B-e S)  Lamprotornis [chloropterus] elisabeth  Regular in the Mikumi NP miombo.
Superb Starling  Lamprotornis superbus  A few in the north Tanzania scrub and in the Mikumi NP savanna.
Red-tailed Ant Thrush  Neocossyphus rufus  Fantastic encounters in the garden of our lodge in the East Usambaras.
Usambara Thrush ◊  Turdus roehli  Great looks at this retiring endemic in the West Usambaras.
Kurrichane Thrush  Turdus libonyana  Several were noted on the drive to the Ukaguru Mountains.
White-browed Scrub Robin  Cercotrichas leucophrys  Several were observed at the base of the South Pare Mountains.
Pale Flycatcher  Agricola pallidus  A single was seen in the Mikumi NP.
Southern Black Flycatcher  Melaenornis pammelaina  Several observations of this widespread species.
White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher  Melaenornis fischeri  Four showed well in the forest of the Ukaguru Mountains.
African Grey Flycatcher  Bradornis microrhynchus  A few showed well in the north Tanzania scrub.
African Dusky Flycatcher  Muscicapa adusta  Regular in the montane forests.
White-starred Robin (W-s Forest R)  Pogonocichla stellata  This beauty performed regularly in the montane forests. A cracker!!
White-chested Alethe ◊  Chamaetylas fuelleborni  A single bird showed all too briefly in the Uluguru Mountains. Heard elsewhere.
White-browed Robin-Chat  Cossypha heuglini  A handful of sightings.
Collared Palm Thrush (C Morning T)  Cichladusa arquata  Several allowed excellent looks in the Mikumi NP.
Spotted Palm Thrush (S Morning T)  Cichladusa guttata  Great looks at several in the north Tanzania scrub.
Olive-flanked Ground Robin  Dessonornis anomalus  Fair views of this skulker in the montane forest of the Okagurus.
Cape Robin-Chat  Dessonornis caffer  A few in the Okagurus and the Ulugurus.
Usambara Akalat ◊ (U Ground Robin)  Sheppardia montana  It took a while, but eventually we saw this unobtrusive endemic in the undergrowth of montane forest in the West Usambaras.
African Stonechat  Saxicola torquatus  Regular in open areas at higher altitudes.
Mocking Cliff Chat (Cliff C)  Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris  Very good looks at pairs at the base of the East Usambaras and on our way to the Okagurus.
Familiar Chat  Oenanthe familiaris  Several were seen on our way to the Okagurus.
Spot-throat ◊  Modulatrix stictigula  One of the specialities of this tour. Good looks for everyone, after lots of hard work, in the undergrowth of the West Usambaras.
Plain-backed Sunbird ◊  Anthreptes reichenowi  Nice views of this modestly-plumaged species in the gardens of our lodge in the East Usambaras.
Western Violet-backed Sunbird  Anthreptes longuemarei  A pair showed well in the miombo of the Mikumi NP.
Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird (Kenya V-b S)  Anthreptes orientalis  Regular in the scrub of northern Tanzania.
Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird ◊  Anthreptes neglectus  This Tanzanian endemic gave excellent views in the East Usambaras.
Banded Green Sunbird ◊  Anthreptes rubritorques  A male allowed scope views in the gardens of our lodge in the East Usambaras.
Collared Sunbird  Hedydipna collaris  Common.
Olive Sunbird  Cyanomitra olivacea  Regular encounters.
Malachite Sunbird  Nectarinia Famosa  A male showed very nicely in the South Pare Mountains.
Golden-winged Sunbird ◊  Drepanorhynchus reichenowi  This outstanding species obliged ever so well in the South Pare Mountains.
Amethyst Sunbird  Chalcomitra amethystina  Regular encounters.
Scarlet-chested Sunbird  Chalcomitra senegalensis  Fairly common and so very attractive.
Hunter’s Sunbird  Chalcomitra hunteri  A few were noted in the northern Tanzanian scrub.
Usambara Double-collared Sunbird ◊  Cinnyris usambaricus  Regular sightings in the Western Usambaras.
Moreau’s Sunbird  Cinnyris moreaui  Many nice observations in the Okagurus. A Tanzanian endemic.
Loveridge’s Sunbird ◊  Cinnyris loveridgei  Excellent encounters with this endemic in the Ulugurus.
Gorgeous Sunbird  Cinnyris melanogastrus   A male was seen at the base of the South Pare Mountains.
Shelley’s Sunbird ◊ (Hofmann’s S)  Cinnyris [shelleyi] hofmanni  Two were noted in the Mikumi NP. The race hofmanni is endemic to Tanzania.
Purple-banded Sunbird  Cinnyris bifasciatus  A few in the lower reaches of the East Usambaras.
naryabird ◊  Cinnyris pembae  Fairly common on the island of Pemba.
Variable Sunbird  Cinnyris venustus  Regular encounters.
Thick-billed Weaver (Grosbeak W)  Amblyospiza albifrons  A single bird was seen in the South Pare Mountains.
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver  Plocepasser mahali  Regular.
Bertram’s Weaver ◊  Ploceus bertrandi  Good looks at several in more open areas of the Ulugurus.
Baglafecht Weaver  Ploceus baglafecht  A few in the East Usambaras.
Black-necked Weaver  Ploceus nigricollis  Two were noted in the north Tanzanian scrub.
Spectacled Weaver  Ploceus ocularis  A handful of observations of this widespread species.
Eastern Golden Weaver ◊  Ploceus subaureus  Nice looks at several at the base of the East Usambaras.
Taveta Weaver ◊ (T Golden W)  Ploceus castaneiceps  Great looks along a reedy stream not far from Arusha.
Kilombero Weaver ◊  Ploceus burnieri   Good views of a dozen or so in the Kilombero floodplain. The birds were not in breeding plumage, but the bicoloured bill, the dark brown eyes and the yellow breast were seen well. A Tanzanian endemic.
Ruvu Weaver ◊  Ploceus holoxanthus  This Tanzanian endemic showed nicely along the Ruvu River in east central Tanzania.
Village Weaver (Layard’s W)  Ploceus [cucullatus] nigriceps  Regular on the first two days of the tour.
Dark-backed Weaver (Forest W)  Ploceus bicolor  Regular observations in the montane forests.
Red-billed Quelea  Quelea quelea  A few in the north Tanzanian scrub.
Black-winged Red Bishop  Euplectes hordeaceus  Regular in marshy areas.
Yellow Bishop  Euplectes capensis  Several in the Kilombero plain.
Red-collared Widowbird  Euplectes ardens  A male was noted at the base of the East Usambaras.
Fan-tailed Widowbird  Euplectes axillaris  Several in breeding plumage were found along our route.
Red-headed Weaver  Anaplectes rubriceps  A nice male was seen at the base of the South Pare Mountains.
Long-tailed Paradise Whydah  Vidua paradisaea  Several males in breeding plumage with attending females were seen near the Nyumba Ya Mungu reservoir.
Pin-tailed Whydah  Vidua macroura  Just a few of these widespread birds were seen.
Straw-tailed Whydah  Vidua fischeri  Two males in breeding attire were attended by a female in scrub near the Nyumba Ya Mungu reservoir.
Village Indigobird  Vidua chalybeata  Several males in breeding condition were identified along our route.
Bronze Mannikin  Spermestes cucullata  Common.
Magpie Mannikin  Spermestes fringilloides  Several showed well in a flock of Black-and-white Mannikins at Hondo Hondo.
Black-and-white Mannikin (Red-backed M)  Spermestes [bicolor] nigriceps  Regular.
African Silverbill  Euodice cantans  A single bird was noted in the Taveta Golden Weaver area.
Yellow-bellied Waxbill  Coccopygia quartinia  Regular in marshy areas.
Red-faced Crimsonwing  Cryptospiza reichenovii  Good looks at a male in the South Pare Mountains.
Black-faced Waxbill  Brunhilda erythronotos  A single bird was found in the Kilombero floodplain.
Common Waxbill  Estrilda astrild  Regular observations.
Orange-breasted Waxbill (Zebra W)  Amandava subflava  Three were noted at the Taveta Golden Weaver spot.
Purple Grenadier  Granatina ianthinogaster  A few of these jewels were seen in the north Tanzanian scrub.
Blue Waxbill (Southern Cordon-bleu)  Uraeginthus angolensis  Regular in the Mikumi NP.
Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu  Uraeginthus bengalus  A single male was found at the base of the South Pare Mountains.
Blue-capped Cordon-bleu  Uraeginthus cyanocephalus  A handful were noted at the Taveta Golden Weaver spot.
Lesser Seedcracker ◊  Pyrenestes minor  Fair looks at a pair in dense vegetation near the Hondo Hondo lodge.
Green-winged Pytilia  Pytilia melba  Several showed well in the north Tanzanian scrub.
Red-throated Twinspot  Hypargos niveoguttatus  Scope views of two in the Uluguru Mountains. A real beauty.
Red-billed Firefinch  Lagonosticta senegala  Regular.
African Firefinch (Blue-billed F)  Lagonosticta rubricata  Regular.
Jameson’s Firefinch  Lagonosticta rhodopareia  A male performed beautifully at the Hondo Hondo Lodge.
Yellow-spotted Bush Sparrow  Gymnoris pyrgita  A few were seen in the north Tanzanian scrub.
Yellow-throated Bush Sparrow  Gymnoris superciliaris  Several observations in the Mikumi NP.
Northern Grey-headed Sparrow  Passer griseus  Regular.
House Sparrow (introduced)  Passer domesticus  Common.
Mountain Wagtail  Motacilla clara  Two showed well along a stream at the base of the East Usambaras.
African Pied Wagtail  Motacilla aguimp  Regular.
Yellow-throated Longclaw  Macronyx croceus  Several were seen in the Mikumi NP.
African Pipit (Grassland P)  Anthus cinnamomeus  A handful of sightings of this widespread species.
Striped Pipit  Anthus lineiventris  Good looks at a single bird on our drive to the Okagurus.
Oriole Finch  Linurgus olivaceus  Seen well in the South Pare and the West Usambara Mountains.
Yellow-fronted Canary  Crithagra mozambica  A handful of observations.
Southern Citril ◊ (East African C)  Crithagra hyposticta  Regular encounters in montane habitat.
Reichenow’s Seedeater (Kenya Yellow-rumped S)  Crithagra reichenowi  Two were found at the Taveta Golden Weaver spot.
White-bellied Canary ◊  Crithagra dorsostriata  Several showed well near the Nyumba Ya Mungu reservoir.
Southern Grosbeak-Canary ◊  Crithagra buchanani  A single bird was singing away near the Nyumba Ya Mungu reservoir.
Cabanis’s Bunting  Emberiza cabanisi  Two observations (East Usambaras and Ulugurus).
Somali Bunting (S Golden-breasted B)  Emberiza poliopleura  Three showed well near the Nyumba Ya Mungu reservoir.
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting  Emberiza tahapisi  A single bird was seen on our way up to the South Pare Mountains.

MAMMALS
Eastern Tree Hyrax  Dendrohyrax validus  (H)  We heard the weird screams at night at the Hondo Hondo Lodge.
African Savanna Elephant  Loxodonta africana  Excellent encounters at very close range in the Mikumi NP. Marvelous!!
Black-and-rufous Sengi (B-and-r Elephant Shrew)  Rhynchocyon petersi  Two of these beautiful creatures showed briefly in the West Usambaras.
Common Slender Mongoose  Herpestes sanguineus  One was seen crossing the road near Morogoro.
White-tailed Mongoose  Ichneumia albicauda  We saw this species on the Mikumi NP nightdrive.
Black-backed Jackal  Lupulella mesomelas  Good looks at two in the Mikumi NP.
Plains Zebra (Common Z)  Equus quagga  Common in the Mikumi NP.
Common Warthog  Phacochoerus africanus  Small numbers were seen in the Mikumi NP.
Maasai Giraffe  Giraffa tippelskirchi  Common and impressive in the Mikumi NP.
Impala  Aepyceros melampus  Very common in the Mikumi NP.
Blue Wildebeest (Eastern White-bearded W)  Connochaetes taurinus  Small numbers could be seen in the Mikumi NP.
Cavendish’s Dik-dik  Madoqua cavendishi  Two of these tiny creatures gave good views in the Mikumi NP.
Bohor Reedbuck  Redunca redunca  A single animal was noted in the Mikumi NP savanna.
Common Eland  Tragelaphus oryx  Several of these enormous antilope were seen well at Mikumi.
Northern Bushbuck  Tragelaphus scriptus  Two of these good-looking animals were seen at Mikumi.
Common Hippopotamus  Hippopotamus amphibius  The Hippo pools at Mikumi held a dozen or so of these impressive mammals.
Pemba Flying Fox  Pteropus voeltzkowi  We were taken to a large colony in a patch of woodland on northern Pemba. Quite a sight!! Endemic to Pemba.
Thick-tailed Greater Galago  Otolemur crassicaudatus  Good looks at this lovely species at night around our accommodation at Mikumi.
Garnett’s Greater Galago  Otolemur garnettii  A single was seen while searching for the Scops Owl on Pemba.
Blue Monkey  Cercopithecus mitis  Common in the mountain forests.
Vervet Monkey  Chlorocebus pygerythrus  Regular.
Angolan Colobus  Colobus angolensis  Some very nice encounters with this beautiful species in the mountain forests of the West and East Usambaras and the Ulugurus.
Yellow Baboon  Papio cynocephalus  Common at Mikumi.
Udzungwa Red Colobus (Iringa R C)  Piliocolobus gordonorum  This beauty showed very well in the Hondo Hondo gardens. Endemic
African Savanna Hare  Lepus microtis  Regular in the Mikumi NP savanna.
Crested Porcupine  Hystrix cristata  Good looks at two on the night drive at Mikumi.
Zanj Sun Squirrel (Eastern S S)  Heliosciurus undulatus  This speciality was seen well in the East Usambaras.
Black-and-red Bush Squirrel  Paraxerus lucifer  Great looks at several in the Ulugurus.
Ochre Bush Squirrel  Paraxerus ochraceus  Two were seen in the West Usambaras.
Swynnerton’s Bush Squirrel  Paraxerus vexillarius  Several excellent encounters in the West Usambaras.
Unstriped Ground Squirrel  Xerus rutilus  A few were seen near the Nyumba Ya Mungu reservoir.

REPTILES
West Usambara Two-horned Chameleon  Kinyongia multituberculata  Great looks at this beautiful animal in the West Usambaras.