$4,596 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateArrival
Arrival
Day 1
Arrival in Nairobi add City Birding
Arrival in Nairobi add City Birding
Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi.
Transfer to your hotel in Nairobi.
Afternoon: Depending on your arrival time, enjoy some introductory birding in Nairobi. Options include:
Nairobi National Park: Surprisingly diverse birdlife within the city limits, including raptors, grassland species, and water birds.
The park lies at the center of Nairobi city and is fenced to protect wildlife from direct contact with humans. The southern boundary is open to allow migrating wildlife to move between the park and the neighboring Kitengela plains. From big ungulates to the smallest like rodents and chameleons, over 500 species of birds live in the park. You will see Von der Decken’s hornbill, common ostrich, black-headed heron, marabou stork, Egyptian goose, black-shouldered kite, rock Martin and the multicolored red-and-yellow barbet, or our first flamingos among many wintering Palearctic shorebirds on Lake Magadi.
- Main Destination:
- Nairobi National Park
- Accommodation:
- Nairobi Transit Lounge
Wildlife in Nairobi NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Transfer to Tsavo West National Park add afternoon to dark birdwatching and wildlife game drive
Transfer to Tsavo West National Park add afternoon to dark birdwatching and wildlife game drive
Morning: Depart Nairobi and drive towards Tsavo West National Park (approx. 5-6 hours). This will be a scenic drive through different landscapes.
Afternoon to dark: Enter Tsavo West and do an initial game drive, focusing on birding and wildlife along the way to your accommodation.
Tsavo is the biggest national park in Kenya and among the top 10 biggest in East Africa. It is strategically located between the two capital cities of Kenya —Nairobi and Mombasa. It is one of the oldest parks in Kenya with an enormous wilderness area that was divided into two sections i.e. Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks.
- Main Destination:
- Tsavo West National Park
- Accommodation:
- Kenya Wild Life Service Camp
Wildlife in Tsavo West NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Full-day birding and wildlife game drive experience in Tsavo West national park
Full-day birding and wildlife game drive experience in Tsavo West national park
Birding and Wildlife: Tsavo West boasts varied habitats, including volcanic hills, acacia woodlands, and riverine forests. Birding highlights and Wildlife includes elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffalo, and the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary.
Regarding the birds, you'll try your luck for cut-throat finch, golden-breasted starling, African bare-eyed thrush, Irania, quail-plover, Pangani longclaw, Abyssinian Scimitarbill, violet wood-hoopoe, southern ground hornbill, spotted eagle owl, long-crested eagle, square-tailed nightjar, Somali long-billed crombec, the white-headed and blue-napped mousebirds, sulfur-breasted bush-shrike, red-billed and yellow-billed oxpeckers, black-fronted bush shrike, yellow-throated woodland warbler, yellow-bellied and striped-cheeked greenbuls, white-starred robin, the national Taita thrush, Taita white-eye, Taita Apalis and a few more.
- Main Destination:
- Tsavo West National Park
- Accommodation:
- Kenya Wildlife Service
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Birding transfer to Amboseli National Park and add game drive in the park until dark
Birding transfer to Amboseli National Park and add game drive in the park until dark
Morning: Depart Tsavo West and drive towards Amboseli National Park (approx. 1-2 hours), with the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop (weather permitting).
Afternoon: Enter Amboseli and enjoy game drive, focusing on the large elephant herds and the open plains birdlife.
You will enjoy a great birding experience with the breathtaking backdrop of Mt Kilimanjaro, comprising of plains, woodlands, and rocky thorn bush. Elephants and other animals viewing, annual wildebeest migration can also be encountered here.
- Main Destination:
- Amboseli National Park
- Accommodation:
- Amboseli Likizo Lodge, Amboseli Gateway Hotel
Wildlife in Amboseli NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Birding and Game Drives in Amboseli National Park
Birding and Game Drives in Amboseli National Park
You'll have a chance to see the Taveta golden weaver, long-toed plover, red-throated tit, collared pratincole, Fischer’s sparrow lark, black-necked weaver, Fischer’s starling, greater spotted eagle, Caspian plover, yellow-throated sandgrouse, black-faced sandgrouse, capped wheatear, lead-colored flycatcher, the skulking Aberdare cisticola, golden-winged sunbird as well as eastern double-collared, tacazze and malachite sunbirds, scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird, Alpine chat, rufous-breasted sparrowhawk, dusky turtle dove, scarce swift, cape wagtail, cape robin-chat, Abyssinian ground thrush, chiffchaff, hunter’s cisticola, mountain yellow warbler, slender-billed starling and Kandt’s waxbill, and many more. Over 450 species are known to occur here.
Elephant (large herds), Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Hyena, Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Buffalo, Thomson's Gazelle, Grant's Gazelle, Jackals.
- Main Destination:
- Amboseli National Park
- Accommodation:
- Amboseli Likizo Lodge, Amboseli Gateway Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Transfer to Mount Kenya, Castle Forest, detour at Sagana for Hinde's Babbler
Transfer to Mount Kenya, Castle Forest, detour at Sagana for Hinde's Babbler
You'll reach here and go birding in the evening. In Mount Kenya, you'll look for silvery-cheeked hornbill, Hartlaub’s turaco, Rueppell’s robin-chat, mountain yellow warbler, and yellow-crowned canary. The lodge’s waterhole attracts many mammals including African buffalo.
You’ll spend the early mornings searching for white-starred robin, Abyssinian crimson-wing, African crowned eagle, African emerald cuckoo, and mustached green tinkerbird. A shaded riverside trail may reveal crowned hornbill, mountain wagtail, and up to eight species of sunbirds, including the stunning tacazze sunbird.
Bushbuck, Olive Baboon, Sykes' Monkey, possibly Leopard and Giant Forest Hog (though less common).
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kenya
- Accommodation:
- Castle Forest Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Birding and Wildlife Castle Forest, Mount Kenya
Birding and Wildlife Castle Forest, Mount Kenya
Forest birding at Castle Forest, nestled in the heart of the countryside, offers a serene haven for birding enthusiasts.
Its diverse ecosystem, comprising ancient woodlands, sprawling meadows, and crystal clear streams, supports a rich variety of avian diversity. The forest's towering castles of oak and pine provide ideal nesting and roosting sites for a myriad of species, from majestic eagles to colorful songbirds.
As you stroll along the winding paths, the air is filled with the melodies of warblers and the occasional call of woodpeckers echoing through the canopy. Nature enthusiasts and photographers alike are drawn to Castle Forest for its serene beauty and abundant wildlife.
Whether you're a seasoned birder or a casual observer, the forest's peaceful ambiance and rich biodiversity promise an unforgettable birding experience.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kenya
- Accommodation:
- Castle Forest Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8-9
Birding and wildlife tour at Naivasha crater lake sanctuary and Kinangop grassland
Birding and wildlife tour at Naivasha crater lake sanctuary and Kinangop grassland
Lake Naivasha (Lakeside Birding & Boat Trip)
Morning: Drive to Lake Naivasha (approximately 4-5 hours), a freshwater lake surrounded by acacia woodlands and papyrus swamps, renowned for its birdlife.
Afternoon: Enjoy a boat trip on Lake Naivasha for close-up views of waterbirds and possibly hippos. Explore the lake shores for terrestrial birds.
Possible Birds: African Fish Eagle, Long-tailed Cormorant, Great Cormorant, African Darter, Grey Heron, Black Heron, Yellow-billed Stork, African Spoonbill, Lesser Flamingo, Great White Pelican, Malachite Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, African Jacan, various ducks and geese
Possible Mammals: Hippopotamus, Giraffe, Zebra, Buffalo, Waterbuck, Colobus Monkey.
Your target will be the endemic Sharp's Long-claw, and other interesting species like Golden-winged sunbird, Jackson's, Long-tailed widowbird, Yellow-mantled Bishop and more other interesting species.
- Main Destination:
- Lake Naivasha (Naivasha)
- Accommodation:
- Dove Nest Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Lake nakuru national park game drive
Lake nakuru national park game drive
Birding and wildlife at Lake Nakuru National Park (Soda Lake & Bird Spectacle)
Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park (approximately 1-2 hours), famous for its alkaline lake that often hosts vast flocks of flamingos (both Greater and Lesser). The park also has diverse terrestrial wildlife.
Afternoon: Game drive around Nakuru, focusing on birdwatching and wildlife viewing. Possible Birds: Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo, White-backed Pelican, Great White Pelican, African Fish Eagle, Martial Eagle, Verreaux's Eagle, Grey-headed Gull, various waders, Yellow-billed Stork, Hamerkop, African Spoonbill, Arrow-marked Babbler, Red-throated Tit. Possible Mammals: White Rhino, Black Rhino, Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Rothschild's Giraffe, Waterbuck, Eland, Zebra, Baboon. A birding tour at Lake Nakuru promises a spectacular experience for enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Located in Kenya's Great Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru National Park is renowned for its breathtaking scenery and diverse birdlife.
- Main Destination:
- Lake Nakuru National Park
- Accommodation:
-
Kivu Resort Nakuru
Wildlife in Lake Nakuru NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 11
Lake Baringo birding and wildlife tour
Lake Baringo birding and wildlife tour
Lake Baringo (Lakeside & Semi-arid Birding)
Morning: Drive to Lake Baringo (approximately 3-4 hours), a freshwater lake in a semi-arid environment, known for its diverse birdlife and stunning scenery.
Afternoon: Birdwatching around the lake shores and possibly a boat trip on the lake to see waterbirds and the cliffs where Verreaux's Eagles nest.
Possible Birds: Verreaux's Eagle, African Fish Eagle, Goliath Heron, Little Egret, African Spoonbill, Yellow-billed Stork, Heuglin's Francolin, Northern White-faced Owl, Greyish Eagle-Owl, Bristle-crowned Starling, Jackson's Hornbill, White-throated Bee-eater, Northern Masked Weaver.
Possible Mammals: Hippopotamus, Crocodile, Klipspringer, Gerenuk, Bat-eared Fox.
- Main Destination:
- Lake Baringo
- Accommodation:
- The Tamarind Garden
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 12-13
Kakamega forest birding
Kakamega forest birding
Kakamega Forest National Reserve (Guineo-Congolian Forest Birding)
Two full days dedicated to exploring Kakamega Forest, Kenya's only rainforest remnant with the Congo forest biome species. This is a prime birding destination with many species found nowhere else in Kenya.
Possible Birds: Great Blue Turaco, Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill, White-headed Wood Hoopoe, Blue-headed Bee-eater, African Pitta (seasonal migrant), Red-chested Owlet, Shelley's Greenbul, Ansorge's Greenbul, Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye, Jameson's Wattle-eye, Dusky Tit, Stuhlmann's Starling, Joyful Greenbul, Grey-throated Flycatcher. Otthers like White-chinned and Banded Prinias, Jameson’s and Yellow-bellied Wattle-eyes, Bocage’s and Luehder’s Bushshrikes, Black-billed and Vieillot’s Weavers, Gray-headed Negrofinch, Red-headed Malimbe, and Red-headed Bluebill
Possible Mammals: Red Colobus Monkey, Blue Monkey, Potto, Tree Hyrax, Giant Forest Squirrel, various forest duikers (sightings can be challenging).
- Main Destination:
- Kakamega Forest
- Accommodation:
- Golf Hotel
Wildlife in Kakamega Forest
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 14
Birding at Kisumu, Lake victoria wetlands, afternoon you drive close to Narok close to masai mara np
Birding at Kisumu, Lake victoria wetlands, afternoon you drive close to Narok close to masai mara np
With our professional crew as you seek birds deeper into the lake and the inner swamps. Look out for; Papyrus Gonolek, Black-headed Gonolek, Papyrus Canary, Woodland Kingfisher, Slender-billed Weaver, Northern Brown-throated Weaver, Long-toed Lapwing, Double-toothed Barbet, Black-billed Barbet, African Marsh-Harrier, Blue-headed Coucal, Red-chested Sunbird, Purple-banded Sunbird, Eastern Grey Plantain-eater, Rufous-chested Swallow, Beaudouin’s Snake-Eagle, Swamp Flycatcher, Greater Swamp Warbler, White-winged Swamp Warbler, Papyrus Yellow Warbler, Carruther’s Cisticola, Winding Cisticola, Red-faced Cisticola, Water Thick-knee, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird and others.
Day 15
Masai Mara National Reserve (World-Class Birding & Wildlife)
Masai Mara National Reserve (World-Class Birding & Wildlife)
Game drive at Masai Mara National Reserve, located in southwestern Kenya, is a world-renowned safari destination known for its abundant wildlife and stunning landscapes. It forms part of the larger Serengeti ecosystem, famous for the annual wildebeest migration, a natural spectacle of epic proportions.
The reserve is home to an impressive array of wildlife, including the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros), as well as cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, and various antelope species. Birdwatchers will delight in spotting over 450 bird species, from colorful lilac-breasted rollers to predatory martial eagles. Game drives offer intimate encounters with wildlife against the backdrop of sweeping savannahs, dotted with iconic acacia trees.
- Main Destination:
- Masai Mara National Reserve
- Accommodation:
- Crocodile Camp Masai Mara
Wildlife in Masai Mara NR
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 16
Transfer to Nairobi, END
Transfer to Nairobi, END
This day you drive slowly picking some birds along the way back to Nairobi.
- Main Destination:
- Nairobi (City)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
