Wild Tanzania: Endemics Birding Tour

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Moshi. After a brief rest, bird the lower forested slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro around Marangu, where the montane forest holds Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Hartlaub's Turaco, White-eared Barbet and the spectacular Tacazze Sunbird. A welcome dinner and trip briefing round off the day.

Drive south-east through the dry plains of Same and into the dramatic Usambara Mountains, one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. The winding climb to Amani Nature Reserve passes through increasingly lush forest as the road gains altitude. In the late afternoon, take a first exploratory walk along the forest trails, where White-chested Alethe and Sharpe's Akalat call from the undergrowth.

A full day birding the magnificent forests of Amani and the surrounding Usambaras. Our flagship targets are the critically endangered Usambara Eagle-Owl and the endemic Usambara Akalat, Usambara Thrush and Usambara Weaver, together with Banded Sunbird, Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird and the rare Usambara Hyliota. The dawn chorus at Amani is one of the finest in Africa.

A pre-dawn departure for the higher, wilder forest of Nilo and the Kisima area, where we will search for the Usambara Akalat and Usambara Thrush in the misty interior. The moss-draped trees hold Swynnerton's Robin, the rare Spot-throat and Sharpe's Akalat, while Long-billed Tailorbird and Green-headed Oriole add to a growing Eastern Arc list. In the afternoon, descend towards the coast.

Morning birding along the Tanga coast, where coastal forest and mangrove scrub hold the localized Green Barbet, Zanzibar Red Bishop and the shy White-winged Black Tit, before transferring south to Dar es Salaam. Arrive in the city by evening and overnight near the coast, ready for a full day of coastal and forest birding tomorrow.

A full day in the Pugu Hills, one of the last remnants of coastal lowland forest near Dar es Salaam. This forest is one of the best places to find the African Pitta, the East Coast Akalat, Green Barbet, White-chested Alethe and the localized Green-headed Oriole. Palm-nut Vultures drift overhead, and a patient stakeout for the pittas that winter here can produce the trip's most memorable sighting.

Drive north to the historic coastal town of Bagamoyo and take a boat safari on the Wami River, where the vast sandbanks hold huge roosts of African Skimmers, Collared Pratincoles and White-crowned Lapwings. Mangrove and riverine forest along the banks shelter Mangrove Kingfisher, the spectacular Red-fronted Tinkerbird and roosting Palm-nut Vultures.

A final relaxed morning around Bagamoyo, working the coastal scrub and shoreline for any missing species before the return drive to Dar es Salaam. Transfer to Julius Nyerere International Airport for your onward flight, having completed a remarkable sweep of mainland Tanzania's endemic and near-endemic birds.