After an early breakfast, head to Lake Manyara National Park. The park’s entrance area is already a great place to start spotting birds. Listen for the calls of silvery-cheeked hornbills and keep an eye out for crowned hornbills perched in the trees.

Drive through the groundwater forest, where birds like the crested guinea fowl, Narina trogon, and African pygmy kingfisher can be found. Sunbirds and barbets are also active in this area, feeding on fruits and nectar.

The shores of Lake Manyara attract large flocks of flamingos, pelicans, storks, and herons. Greater and lesser flamingos create a pink glow over the water, while yellow-billed storks and saddle-billed storks wade along the shoreline. Scan the lake for African fish eagles, as they often perch on nearby trees before swooping down to catch fish.

Move towards the acacia woodlands, where lilac-breasted rollers, grey-headed kingfishers, and bee-eaters add flashes of color. Raptors like the martial eagle and the bateleur are often seen soaring above the open areas. The drier parts of the park are also home to ostriches and secretary birds.

After a full day of birding, exit the park in the late afternoon and head back with a list full of incredible sightings.

This trip offers a mix of forest, lake, and savanna birds, making Lake Manyara National Park birding an exciting experience for any bird enthusiast.