Birds of Serengeti National Park - Tanzania

Ready to Experience the Magic of the Serengeti?

This guide is just the beginning of your journey toward an unforgettable African adventure! If you’re dreaming of witnessing the Great Migration, spotting the Big Five, or soaking in the endless beauty of the Serengeti, now is the perfect time to start planning.

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Birdwatching in Serengeti: A Diverse Avian Paradise

Although the Serengeti is renowned for its vast, open plains, it offers much more than just expansive grasslands. The park is a haven of ecological variety, with different habitats supporting a wide range of bird species. The western part of the Serengeti is dominated by savannah, dotted with sturdy stands of whistling thorn trees and other Acacia species. Along the Grumeti River, you’ll find a lush ribbon of riverine forests. To the north, near the Masai Mara National Reserve, the landscape shifts to rolling hills and woodlands. While the southeastern Serengeti plains may have fewer grassland bird species, the park as a whole is considered one of the best places for bird diversity.

Special Birds of the Serengeti

Serengeti is a birding hotspot, home to species that range from the tiny and vibrant Beautiful Sunbird to the mighty ostrich, with its striking pinkish legs and elaborate courtship dance. The Serengeti Biodiversity Program has recorded more than 540 bird species, including some that are endemic to the region. These ‘Serengeti specials’ are found nowhere else in the world and should be high on your birding checklist. Among them are:

• Grey-throated Spurfowl

• Schalow’s Wheatear

• Red-throated Tit

• Rufous-tailed Weaver

• Grey-crested Helmet Shrike

• Schalow’s Turaco

In addition to these rare species, you may also spot familiar birds such as the secretary bird, African fish eagle, Fischer’s lovebird, and various types of vultures.

More Birds to Look For

While chasing the Serengeti specials is a must for dedicated birders, the park’s varied vegetation – from woodlands and riverine forests to expansive grasslands – also provides a rich diversity of birds for casual observers to enjoy. If you’re not an avid birder, you’ll still be captivated by the birdlife here. Make sure to bring a pair of binoculars, as you’ll likely encounter giants such as the southern ground hornbill, kori bustard, and secretary bird.

One of the most stunning sights in the Serengeti is the lilac-breasted roller, often spotted perched in trees along the roads. Other highlights include the majestic black eagle soaring over the cliffs at Lobo, or the spectacle of a breeding colony of Jackson’s golden-backed weaver. No matter your level of interest in birding, the Serengeti will surely leave you in awe of its avian treasures.