Usambara Eagle Owl: Photo Steve BirdDay One: Drive west, via a brief visit to the Eluanata wetlands, to the eastern shores of Lake Manyara where we will spend the remainder of the day searching for the range-restricted specialities of this savannah wetland. Night at the edge of Tarangire National Park.
Day Two: Today we will travel back east and north to a permanent tented camp at Mkuru overlooking Lark Plains in the arid rain shadow of Mount Meru which we will reach at lunch time. We will spend two nights at the "Camel Camp" near Ngare Nanyuki.
Day Three: Lark Plains and environs.
The yellow clays and calcareous hard pan of this area supports a drought resistant acacia-commiphora shrub community that is characteristic of the so-called Somali-Maasai biome with several 'hard-to-get species'.
Day Four: Drive eastwards between Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro to the Elephant Motel at Same (pronounced Saamay) where we will stay for two nights. If road conditions allow we will ascend into the South Pare mountains for the late afternoon; otherwise we will explore the fringe of Mkomazi.
Day Five: Based at Same we will concentrate on finding the key bird species that belong to the 'Tsavo iron red-soils' which constitute Mkomazi Game Reserve to the north and east of the Pare mountains.
Day Six: Today we will drive up into the West Usambara to the delightfully peaceful hill station retreat of Maweni Farm arriving in time for lunch. In the afternoon we will explore the nearby Ndelemai forest reserve.
Day Seven: After an early start we will pass Ndelemai forest once again, stopping for any birds that we may have missed yesterday. By mid-morning we will be birding along the quiet forest road that bisects the Mazumbai forest reserve at an elevation of 1500m. Night at Mazumbai.
Day Eight: After an early morning's birding in the evergreen forest at Mazumbai we will descend the eastern scarp of the mountains to Korogwe and continue along the main highway eastwards to Muheza where will commence our ascent to Amani in the East Usambara. We will stay at Amani for three nights
Days Nine and Ten: Amani at the IUCN Guest House.
Day Eleven: After a final morning's birding at Amani we will drive to Tanga where we will connect with our afternoon flight with Coastal Airlines to Pemba. We will stay for two nights on this remarkably undeveloped island at its northern tip, in the perfectly situated Manta Reef Lodge, close to Ngezi forest.
Day Twelve: Pemba Island
Day Thirteen: Afternoon flight from Pemba to connect with your international flights out of either Dar or Arusha; or your continuing wildlife safari.
