Kenya Parks
By Anthony Ham
Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guide to Kenya.
Amboseli is a good birding destination and more than 420 species have been recorded here. The swamps are great for water-associated birds such as egrets, herons, pelicans and crowned cranes. Large numbers of flamingos may be present in the Wet seasons (March to May and October to December). The grassland areas offer some interesting ground birds such as Hartlaub’s bustard and the localized Pangani longclaw. The acacia woodland holds some dry country specials such as steel-blue whydah, white-bellied go-away bird and the Von der Decken’s hornbill.
Notable Birds in Amboseli
Common
Birding Rating
- Expert Rating
- User Rating
Birding Specials –Treats for Avid Birders
Best Time for Bird Watching
Amboseli is a bird-watcher’s paradise throughout the year. Residents include unusual species that are spotted at any time. The migratory bird population fills the park from November to April. The months when rainfall is most likely to disrupt your bird-watching plans are November and April.
Best Parks for Birding –Including Birding Rating
The best wildlife viewing parks, such as the Masai Mara and Amboseli, offer a solid introduction to East Africa’s common birds. The Rift Valley Lakes including Lake Nakuru and Bogoria are the places to go to mark off many waterbirds, while the arid north, such as Samburu, offers many dry-country specials. Arabuko-Sokoke and Kakamega Forest are birding hotspots as well.
- Masai Mara NR 4.2/5 168 Birding Ratings
- Amboseli NP 4.3/5 97 Birding Ratings
- Lake Nakuru NP 4.3/5 124 Birding Ratings
- Arabuko Sokoke 4.3/5 8 Birding Ratings
- Kakamega Forest NR 4.4/5 16 Birding Ratings
- Samburu NR 4.3/5 55 Birding Ratings
- Saiwa Swamp NP 3.7/5 7 Birding Ratings
- Buffalo Springs NR 3.8/5 14 Birding Ratings
Want to Visit Amboseli NP?
Birding Rating
- Expert Rating
- User Rating
Facts & Figures
