Birding in Nyerere National Park Tanzania

Nyerere birding

Nyerere National Park is found in the southern circuit of Tanzania just a few kilometres away from Dar es Salaam. It is the largest National Park in the country with over 440 bird species found in the different parts of the Park. The bird species can be observed in their natural habitats and the most common ones in Nyerere are the lagoons, River Rufiji, islands and channels.

Bird species found in the Nyerere National Park

As earlier on noted, Nyerere has a wide range of bird species and some of these include mangrove kingfishers, Boehm’s bee-eater, Livingstone’s  flycatcher, green-caped eremomela, yellow-bellied bulbul, white helmet shrikes, wattle eyed flycatcher, red throated twin spot, grey-hooded kingfisher, black cuckoo-shrike, African skimmer, red-winged warbler, spotted flanked barbet, red-billed helmetshrike, pearl-spotted owl, palm-nut vulture, broad-billed roller, von Decken’s hornbill, red throated twinspot, Layard’s black-headed weavers, grey Penduline, purple banded sunbird, African spoonbill, brown necked parrot, Racket-tailed roller, Thick billed cuckoo, white backed vulture, white headed lapwing, Pel’s fishing owl, Dickinson’s Kestrel, brown headed parrot and the Rock pranticole.

Best time for birding in Nyerere

Nyerere is one of the best destinations when it comes to birding. The Nyerere birds can be seen all throughout the year but the best time is during the rainy season which starts in November till April. A few migratory birds start flying into Nyerere once the rainy season starts and by April, they are so many it becomes hard to see all of them. The best time to catch both the resident bird species and the migratory ones is in the month of April when they start nestling.

Note that the rains come in hard in the month of April flooding almost everything. This means that most of the accommodation facilities will be closed due to the floods but then this is when the birds are best seen with their young ones.

Things needed for birding

Once you decide to go for birding in Nyerere, you will need some equipment to take you through the perfect birding season. It is a very simple activity that does not need a lot but some of the things that you cannot do without when you go for birding include the following:

  • Binoculars

The only way you can enjoy birding without binoculars is if you are an excellent birder and can identify the different bird species from a distance or using the sounds that they make. Many birds do not like being observed and once they notice that they are being watched, they fly away and this is where the binoculars come in.

A pair of binoculars will help you with observing birds that are far away and those that are hidden away on the trees. There are different types of binoculars that you can get on the market but it is better to get ones that are adjustable for an enjoyable birding excursion.

A good pair of binoculars can be got for $150 to $200 especially if you are a beginner for birding.

  • Hike boots

You will need good hiking boots while birding. These really help with the muddy and slippery trails.

  • food and water

Most of the birding processes are done in the wild and remote areas since the birds tend to stay away from people as much as possible. Therefore you need to carry enough snacks and water so that you do not get hungry when birding.

  • Insect repellent

These birds are found in forests and grasslands which are breeding habitats for many insects especially mosquitoes. So in order for you to enjoy birding with less hustle from the insects carry insects repellent to enjoy birding without interruptions.

  • The hides

The hides help you to approach the shy birds without being easily spotted. There are several birds that fly away once they realize they are being watched or if one is approaching them and this is where a hide comes into the picture.

  • Portable voice recorders

Some birds are easily identified due to the sounds and call signs that they make. A portable recording device helps to identify the different birds easily.

  • A camera

A camera is crucial when it comes to birding because it will help you keep the memories of the birds to show your family when you get back home.