Kenya Parks
By Anthony Ham
Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guide to Kenya.
There are many north Kenya specials in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, including the Somali ostrich. In all, more than 350 bird species have been recorded, making it a great birding destination. It is probably worth booking a private vehicle if you’re here mainly for bird watching – most of the game drives in Lewa focus on spotting large animals.
Notable Birds in Lewa Conservancy
Common
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Birding Specials –Treats for Avid Birders
Best Time for Bird Watching
The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy offers good bird watching throughout the year, but Lewa's lodges are closed in April and November due to heavy rain. The best time is from December to March when the migrants from Europe and north Africa are present and the park is open. This partly coincides with the Wet season when many species can be seen in breeding plumage as they are nesting. The best time for general wildlife viewing is from July to September and January to March.
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 4.2/5 176 Birding Ratings
- Amboseli NP 4.3/5 98 Birding Ratings
- Lake Nakuru NP 4.3/5 128 Birding Ratings
- Arabuko Sokoke 4.3/5 8 Birding Ratings
- Kakamega Forest NR 4.4/5 16 Birding Ratings
- Samburu NR 4.3/5 56 Birding Ratings
- Saiwa Swamp NP 3.7/5 7 Birding Ratings
- Buffalo Springs NR 3.8/5 14 Birding Ratings
Want to Visit Lewa Conservancy?
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Facts & Figures
