​Birds – Masai Mara NR

Anthony Ham
Expert
By Anthony Ham

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guide to Kenya.

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Lonely Planet guide to Kenya.

Anthony is the author of the Lonely Planet guide to Kenya.

The Masai Mara isn’t one of Kenya’s birding hotspots. However, with more than 500 bird species recorded, this isn’t a bad place to mark off a lot of Kenya’s savannah species from your bird list. The park is particularly rich in raptors with 57 species present. Bateleurs can often be seen soaring above the grassy plains and predator kills are a good place to find up to six species of vultures scavenging. Migratory birds are present from November to April.

Notable Birds in Masai Mara NR
› ‹
Kori bustard
Common
Rufous-bellied heron
Locally common
Secretary bird
Common
Sooty chat
Common
Usambiro barbet
Locally common, endemic to Mara-Serengeti

Birding Rating

Birding Specials –Treats for Avid Birders

(E) endemic = only lives in Kenya
(NE) near-endemic = also lives in neighboring countries

Facts & Figures

Birds in Masai Mara NR
Bird Species
500+
Migratory Birds
Nov to Apr

Best Time for Bird Watching

The Masai Mara offers good bird-watching any month of the year, but the best time is from November to April when the migrants from Europe and north Africa arrive. This coincides with the Wet season when many species can be seen in breeding plumage. June to October is the Dry season, and tends to be best for general wildlife viewing.

Want To Visit Masai Mara NR?

Birding Rating

Facts & Figures

Birds in Masai Mara NR
Bird Species
500+
Migratory Birds
Nov to Apr