Welcome to birding safaris in Kenya. 170 species of Kenya's birds species are Palearctic migrants (11 species of them with a local breeding population too), mainly from Eastern Europe, Russia, the Middle East and Siberia. Another 60 species migrate regularly within the Afro tropics or from Madagascar. Some 335 species are found in forest; 230 species are entirely forest dependent and 110 species are "forest specialists" requiring intact, undisturbed habitat and forty species of global conservation concern are known to occur in Kenya. Four of these are critically endangered, two Endangered and 16 species are Vulnerable. Take an exotic safari through nature, and experience the privilege of being a part of it.
SPS 26 - 12 Days: Nairobi /Aberdare /Samburu /Mt Kenya/Lake Nakuru/ L.Baringo/ Maasai Mara/ Lake Naivasha.
Birds can be seen in the following habitats: forest, grassland, wetland, barren land, rocks and cliffs, human sites.
Day 1: Nairobi National Park.
Pick up from your Nairobi Hotel and transfer to Nairobi National Park, which lies within the shadows of the large capital city. With highland forest, Acacia woodland, rocky escarpments, open grassland, large ponds, and small streams, this park is home to a wide variety of birds and mammals. Some of the key species we will search for here are Shelley's Francolin, Hartlaub's Bustard, Spotted Thick-knee, Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, Singing Cisticola, Banded and Brown Warblers, African Yellow Warbler, Northern Pied Babbler, White-breasted White-eye, Long-tailed Fiscal, and White-winged Widowbird. Nairobi National Park is without a doubt the best place in Kenya to see the endangered Black Rhino, and we have a very good chance of locating this very impressive species together with many of the other mammals we have seen before. Return to your hotel for overnight dinner and overnight.
Day 2:Aberdares:Mountain Lodge.
Breakfast at your Hotel and depart for the Aberdares with short stops en route. Our first destination is the Blue Post Hotel in Thika, where we will bird the hotel grounds and woodlands along the Chania River. Here we will start seeing our first exciting African species, which may include Hadada Ibis, Red-eyed Dove, African Green-pigeon, Speckled Mousebird, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, White-headed and Spot-flanked Barbets, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Mountain Wagtail, Grey-olive Greenbul, Black-throated Wattle-eye, Grey-capped Warbler, Variable, Collared and Scarlet-chested Sunbirds, Holub's Golden-weaver, Baglafecht Weaver and African Citril. Our second stop will be at the large Tana River, where we should find Moustached Grass-warbler, African Golden-weaver, Yellow Bishop, and Brown-backed and Bronze Mannikins.
We will make another stop at Wajee Camp, a noted site for the endemic Hinde's Pied-babbler. While birding the steep forested slopes of the camp, we stand a chance of locating Ayre's Hawk-eagle, African Wood-owl, Brown-hooded Kingfisher, and Green-headed Sunbird. Serena Mountain Lodge is located on the lower slopes of Mt Kenya, Africa's second tallest mountain, and is an excellent place to locate many highland forest species. Along the entrance road we may encounter Augur Buzzard, Crowned Hawk-eagle, Hartlaub's Turaco, Moustached Tinkerbird, Mosque Swallow, Black Saw-wing, Sharpe's Starling, Black-tailed Oriole, Purple-throated Cuckoo-shrike, African Paradise-flycatcher, Cape Robin-chat, African Stonechat, Broad-ringed White-eye, and Eastern Double-collared Sunbird. The large waterhole and salt lick at the lodge is host to many mammals and we can expect Blue Sykes Monkey, White-tailed and Marsh Mongooses, Common Genet, Defassa Waterbuck, Bushbuck, Giant Forest Hog, and the tiny Suni. At an elevation of almost 8,000ft nights can be quite chilly. One night stay at the Serena Mountain Lodge.
Days 3-4: Samburu.
Early-morning birding from the lodge balcony is always productive and may include Marabou Stork, Black Goshawk, Delegourge's Pigeon, Fine-banded Woodpecker, Cape Wagtail, Slender-billed and Mountain Greenbuls, Rüppell's Robin-chat, Hunter's Cisticola, Grey and Black-throated Apalis, Grey-headed Negrofinch and Yellow-crowned Canary. We will also take a short walk from the lodge along the entrance road in search of the more secretive species of the area such as Scaly Francolin, African Hill Babbler, White-starred Robin, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Mountain Yellow Warbler, White-browed Crombec, Yellow-bellied Waxbill and Oriole Finch. Mid-morning we will leave the cool climate of Mt Kenya for more arid country in the north, specifically the Samburu Game Reserve. The drive will offer spectacular scenery, and the grasslands along the roadside are a great place for Black-winged Plover, Black-shouldered Kite, Dusky Turtle-dove, Angola Swallow, Greater Blue-eared Glossy-starling, Cape Rook, Boran Cisticola, Tacazze Sunbird, Red-collared and Long-tailed Widowbirds (seasonal) and Speke's Weaver. Samburu is one of the most exciting reserves in East Africa. The semi-desert habitat and the rich woodlands along the Ewaso Nyiro River are teeming with wildlife. Exploration of the fantastic reserve will produce an almost overwhelming array of bird species: Palm-nut and Hooded Vultures, Bateleur, Martial Eagle, African Hawk-eagle, Crested and Yellow-necked Francolins, Vulturine Guineafowl, Buff-crested and White-bellied Bustards, Black-faced and Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse, Red-bellied Parrot, African Scops-owl, Pearl-spotted Owlet, Somali Bee-eater, Rufous-crowned Roller, Von der Decken's Hornbill, Red-and-yellow Barbet, Bearded Woodpecker, Pink-breasted Lark, African Bare-eyed Thrush, Rosy-patched Bush-shrike, Hunter's and Black-bellied Sunbirds, Golden-breasted and Fischer's Starlings, Donaldson-Smith's Sparrow-weaver, Cut-throat and the stunning Somali Bunting. Mammal life is also prolific, with many species not seen elsewhere on our tour. Just a few of the many possibilities are Olive Baboon, Black-faced Vervet Monkey, Dwarf Mongoose, Striped Hyena, Grevy's Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, Kirk's Dikdik, Common Waterbuck, Gerenuk and the magnificent Beisa Oryx. Dinner and overnight at the Samburu Serena Lodge or similar.
Day 5:Mt. Kenya/Naro Moru River.
Breakfast from your lodge and depart Samburu for Mt.Kenya region arriving at the Naro-Moru River lodge early afternoon for lunch, spend the rest of the day birding at this montane forest. Rare species likely to be seen include; Green Ibis, Lesser Spotted Eagle,Harrier Hawk, Rufous Sparrow hawk, Ayre's Hawk Eagle.Black stork, Red Fronted Parrots, Green Ibis Common snipe, Mountain Buzzard, Bronze napped pigeon Mountain white-eye, Abbots Starling, Sharpe's Starling, Mountain Oriole and Thick-billed seedeater. Dinner and Overnight stay will be at Naro Moru River Lodge .
Day 6:Lake Nakuru.
Morning depart for Lake Nakuru National Park allowing time to search for several key species along the way. A large rocky escarpment en route is a favorite roosting spot for the Mackinder's Eagle-owl and with some luck we should be able to locate this highly sought-after species. The Acacia scrub by a nearby lake is a favourite haunt for Little Grebe, Yellow-billed Duck, Red-winged Starling, Little Rock-thrush, Pale Flycatcher, and Purple Grenadier. In the early afternoon we will arrive at Lake Nakuru National Park, the greatest birding spectacle on earth! Huge numbers of Lesser Flamingos feed in the shallow alkaline water, sometimes up to a million, with smaller numbers of Greater Flamingos. Exploring the Acacia woodland and the lakeside marshes we will no doubt encounter many wonderful avian delights: Great White Pelican, Great Cormorant, African Spoonbill, African Fish-eagle, African Harrier-hawk, Hildebrandt's Francolin, Grey-headed Gull, Broad-billed Roller, Levaillant's Cuckoo, White-browed Coucal, Green Wood-hoopoe, Rufous-necked Wryneck, Grey Woodpecker, Black Cuckoo-shrike, Northern Anteater-chat, Grey-backed Fiscal, Brown-crowned Tchagra and African Firefinch. Mammals are also quite common in the park and it is one of the few places in East Africa where the endangered White Rhino can be found. Some of the other mammals we hope to find include Rothchild's Giraffe and Reedbuck. Dinner and overnight stay at the Sarova Lion Hill/Similar.
Day 7:Lake Baringo.
Full day at Baringo, well known by many avid Ornithologist as mecca for Birds, with 500 species of birds having been recorded. There are possibilities to see rare species like, Cape Eagle Owl, White-faced Scops Owl, Jackson's Hornbill, Hemprich's Hornbill, Brown-Tailed Rock Chat, Northern Red Bishop, Northern Masked Weaver and White Billed Buffalo Weaver, Olivaceous Warbler, Northern brownbul, Jackson's golden backed weaver, Little weaver, Brown Tailed Rock Chat, Goliath heron, Northern Shoveller, Verreauxs eagle owl, Bristle crowned starling, Senegal Thicknee, Pygmy falcon, Blue cheeked bee-eater. Dinner and Overnight at the Lake Baringo Country Club or similar.
Days 8, 9 & 10: Maasai Mara.
Depart early morning for Masai Mara Game Reserve in south-western Kenya. The Mara is the northern extension of the famous Serengeti plains. Here we will find a wide variety of bird life, as well as some of the most spectacular mammals on the continent. Complimenting the wildlife is the dramatic scenery of endless grasslands, lush river valleys, and steep rock strewn escarpments. Birds we can expect in this area of the Mara are Rufous-bellied Heron, Saddle-billed Stork, Wahlberg's Eagle, Coqui and Red-necked Francolins, Grey Crowned-crane, Temminck's Courser, Wattled Lapwing, Ross' and Schalow's Turaco, Malachite and Woodland Kingfishers, Yellow-throated Longclaw, Rufous-chested Swallow, White-tailed Lark, Familiar Chat, Silverbird, Red-faced, Trilling and Tabora Cisticolas, Green-capped Eremomela, Black-crowned Tchagra, Hildebrandt's and Violet-backed Starlings, Yellow-fronted Canary and Cinnamon-breasted Bunting. This is the best area in the Mara to see big game up close and some of the many mammals to be seen here include Black-backed Jackal, Bat-eared Fox, Banded Mongoose, Spotted Hyena, Serval Cat, African Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Bush Hyrax, African Elephant, Common Zebra, Hippopotamus, Common Warthog, Masai Giraffe, African Buffalo, Eland, Steinbuck, Bohor Reedbuck, Thomson's and Grant's Gazelles, Impala, Topi, Coke's Hartebeest, and thousands of Wildebeest. You will have a chance to see the Crocodiles at the Mara River. Dinner and overnight at Keekorok Lodge or similar.
Day 11.Lake Naivasha.
After Breakfast depart for Lake Naivasha traveling through the Great Rift Valley. While en route we may come across Egyptian Vulture, Greater Kestrel, Kori Bustard, Grey-rumped Swallow, Schalow's and Capped Wheatears and Red-billed Quelea. An afternoon arrival will allow us to bird the tall Acacia woodland on the beautiful hotel grounds. Expected here are Gabar Goshawk, Dideric and Black Cuckoos, Barn Owl, Verreaux's Eagle-owl, White-fronted Bee-eater, Lesser and Wahlberg's Honeyguide, Black-lored Babbler, Amethyst Sunbird, Grey-headed Bush-shrike and Spectacled Weaver. Dinner and overnight at the Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge/Similar.
Day 12: Nairobi
Leisurely breakfast. Mid morning depart for Nairobi arriving for lunch at the famous Carnivore restaurant.
KENYA BIRD TRAIL
SPS 27 - 12 Days:Nairobi/L. Nakuru/ Kakamega Forest/ Lake Baringo/ Watamu/Arabuko Sokoke
Day 1: L. Nakuru
Depart Nairobi with your driver/guide and private vehicle to drive to Lake Nakuru National Park with a stop at the Great Rift Valley view point. Arrive in time for lunch. In the afternoon proceed for a game drive in the Park. Created in 1961 as a bird sanctuary, Lake Nakuru National Park has expanded to its current size of approximately 200 square km, including the soda lake itself, the western cliff edge escarpment and a sizable area of open savannah to the south.
Nakuru is most famous for its concentrations of both Greater and Lesser Flamingo who feed upon the blue green algae with which the lake abounds. Depending upon the concentration of the algae, there may be up to 2 million flamingos in the area, turning the entire lakeshore a dusky pink. With over 400 varieties of birds to spot, you’ll never be bored at Nakuru. In the European winter the park becomes an important feeding ground for migrant waders such as the Little stints, Curlew sandpipers, Marsh sandpipers and Greenshanks. Large numbers of Pelicans can also be seen on the southern and eastern shores.
Verreaux Eagles can be seen around the updrafts on the western escarpment and other commonly spotted birds of prey include Long crested eagles, Augur buzzards, Harrier eagles, Fish eagles, Gabar goshawks and Harrier hawks. The woodlands also harbour many more species including the African hoopoes, Grey-headed kingfishers and Red-chested cuckoos. Other species easily spotted within the park are Hamerkops, Ducks, Geese, Falcons, Rollers, Shrikes, Sunbirds, Weavers and Starlings.
Notable game within the lake area is hippo, leopard and of course the diverse bird life. Both black and white rhino are now resident in the sanctuary and Rothschild giraffe, buffalo, impala, eland, warthog, Mountain Reedbuck, klipspringers and Black and White Columbus Monkeys are all plentiful
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: L.Nakuru
Spend a full day exploring the Nakuru National park with your guide. You should be able to spot at least 150 species of bird in this one day, and if lucky, you may reach over 200 species. All meals and overnight at the lodge.
Day 3: Kakamega Forest
Breakfast at the lodge. Depart Nakuru leaving Rift Valley behind and drive over the Mau Escarpment to the fertile plains of the western part of Kenya, close to Lake Victoria. Here you explore the Kakamega Forest Reserve, the last remaining remnant of tropical rain forest in Kenya.
A part of the Congo-West African equatorial rainforest, the 45 square km reserve is bordered on all sides by fertile farmlands, making this small area a refuge for a huge number of animals, insects and plants.
The Forest itself is incredibly diverse, with over 125 species of trees, orchids, creepers and bushes. The high forest canopy shades the ground, preventing thick undergrowth from forming. Walking is surprisingly easy and one of the best ways to explore the Forest as the animal, bird and insect life is small, but truly spectacular.
Over 400 of Kenya’s 1000 butterfly species may be found here. Several animals, such as the bush-tailed porcupine, giant water shrew and hammer-headed fruit bat, are found nowhere else in the country. Columbus and blue monkeys cavort in the trees and shy duikers peer out from the occasional bush.
In Kakamega you’ll stay at the Rondo Retreat, a small, privately owned group of cottages deep in the heart of the reserve. Unlike many areas of East Africa, it is safe to walk in Kakamega due to the lack of large predators. There are abundant walking and hiking trails that spread out through the forest from the lodge.
As the only forest of its kind in the country, there are many bird species, which may be found here, and nowhere else in the country. Keep your spotting eyes open for species such as the Grey parrot, Great blue turaco, Ross’s turaco, red-chested owlet, African broadbill and wattle-bill.
Enjoy an afternoon walk near the lodge, dinner and overnight at the Lodge or retreat.
Days 4 and 5: Kakamega Forest
Walking and driving through the forests, you’ll explore all the forest habitats, from the high canopies to the mossy ground. There are a tremendous variety of bird species, ranging through various sizes. Watch for the Giant Plantain Eater or the small, Dusky tit.