Birding Itineraries

Extended Birding

19 days/18 nights: Nairobi - Sweet Waters - Samburu - Lake Nakuru - Lake Bogoria - Lake Baringo - Saiwa Swamp - Kakamega Forest - Lake Victoria - Lake Naivasha - Masai Mara - Amboseli

Day 1 Nairobi

You will be met at the airport by our representative and will be transferred to your Nairobi hotel. An optional orientation of Nairobi City will follow which will include visiting the ornithological sections of the National Museums of Kenya .You will then be transferred back to your hotel to relax or any other excursions within Nairobi that you will wish for.

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Day 2 Nairobi – Sweet Waters

Depart to the exquisite Sweet Waters Tented Camp, in the heart of Ol Pejeta Ranch and Rhino Sanctuary. Despite being a rhino haven, the ranch supports lots of wild birds including Stout Cisticolas, Cape Robin chat, Augur Buzzard, African Harrier Hawk, to name just a few. You will also simply not miss the large mammals within your vicinity. The day will be spent watching, searching and listening to the different songs and comparing notes of the day's findings.

Day 3 Sweet Waters - Samburu

We depart for Samburu National Park after an early breakfast driving through plantations of fields of Timau, crossing the thorny landscape of Samburu country .Pay attention to the presence of unique species such as Buff Crested bustard, Kori Bustard, Golden palm Weaver, Golden Breasted Starling, among tens of other species. Other species that you will have the opportunity to watch include the Grevy's Zebra, the long-necked Gerenuk, herds of elephants among the wildlife that share this semi-arid habitat. Dinner and overnight at Sarova Shaba Lodge.

Day 4 Samburu

The whole day will be spent in Samburu starting with an early morning drive followed by your breakfast. After lunch you continue to fill your list. Dinner and overnight at Sarova Shaba Lodge.

Day 5 Samburu – Nakuru

You will be served an early breakfast, and then drive south crossing the foothills of Mount Kenya followed by a short stop at Nyahururu Falls. The destination is Lake Nakuru, one of the Parks Gazetted for the protection of birdlife. The spectacle of Lake Nakuru is one destined to sweep you of your feet. Over 450 species of birds have been recorded .As you watch and search for more species and compare notes, other wildlife that share with the birds this spectacular Park will add to your list. Dinner and overnight in Lake Nakuru Lodge.

Day 6 Nakuru

The endless fun of counting the species found will continue in Lake Nakuru ending with dinner and overnight in Lake Nakuru Lodge.

Day 7 Lake Nakuru – Lake Bogoria

Today after breakfast we will proceed to the Jewel of the Great Rift Valley. Lake Bogoria, also known for the hot sulphur water gushing out of the grounds, is the exact definition of nature's version of bath and Sauna. Here you will be able to see the Woodland Kingfisher, Northern white-headed buffalo weaver, Rufous crowned roller, etc. Dinner and overnight at a camp or lodge.

Day 8 Lake Bogoria - Lake Baringo

We check into our lodge or camp on this Rift Valley Lake and white-faced scopes owl, Bristol crowned starling, will feature among tens of others.

Day 9 Lake Baringo - Saiwa Swamp.

The only exceptional park in that it is exclusively on foot. Saiwa Swamp, located in Kitale was established to conserve the Sitatunga antelope. It is here that you will meet Ross Turaco, Ludher's bush shrike, crested cranes followed by lunch and more walking in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Kitale town.

Day 10 Saiwa Swamp- Kakamega Forests

Kakamega Forest covers about 240 sq. km. and is one of the great destinations for Kenya forest birds. It is a remnant of original equatorial rainforest, which once extended from Guinea to East and Central Africa. The unique remains of the rain forest will put your identification of the birdcalls to test. The home of the endangered African Grey Parrot will fulfill your ambition of the enchanting mystery of the jungle, of singing birds, whispering trees, croaking frogs plus the cheeky monkeys. Dinner and overnight in Kakemega Golf Hotel or Camping in the forest.

Day 11 Kakamega – Lake Victoria.

The guide will give a lecture in the morning about the birds, different plant species and their medicinal values. Over 400 butterfly species and over 330 birds have made this forest their home.

A short drive to Lake Victoria will follow and here we will be looking for fresh water birds like Swamp Flycatcher, Red-chested sunbird. Dinner and overnight in Kisumu.

Day 12 Kisumu – Lake Naivasha

After breakfast we will head for Lake Naivasha, the only fresh water lake of the Rift Valley. Famous for its large colonies of hippos, Lake Naivasha hosts the Southern Pochard, Red billed teal, not to forget the Lilly Trotter, African Jacana .You will be able to walk among the wildlife which will include Zebras, Wildebeests, gazelles in the Crescent Island. Dinner and overnight in Naivasha.

Day 13 Lake Naivasha – Hell's Gate

A morning walk after breakfast around the Lake. This will be followed by a few hours of relaxation before lunch. Afternoon walk to Hell's Gate National Park, breeding home of the Lammeryer Vultures in Kenya. Dinner and overnight in Naivasha, camping or lodge.

Day 14 Lake Naivasha – Masai Mara

The expedition will take us to the world-renowned habitat, famous because of the annual migration, The Masai Mara National Reserve. It is the Kenya's number one Park and a tradition for every bird watcher and wildlife tourist to visit. Masai Mara crowns the climax of every safari because of its vast grasslands and the abundance of species. Hooded Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Lappet faced Vulture; White Backed vulture will feature in hundreds in carcasses and kills. Lunch and dinner will be at your camp or lodge.

Days 15 & 16 Masai Mara

The early morning drives features highly on our mornings. Full of action of both the birds and wildlife, another unforgettable day is in store for us. You will not only spend the days trying to identify the over 450 species, but also the rest of the wildlife will take their share of your time. All meals in your lodge or camp.

Day 17 Masai Mara – Amboseli

We will proceed to Amboseli National Park from Masai Mara after breakfast. We will make a break in Nairobi for lunch and then drive towards the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest Mountain at 5895 m. Amboseli is famous for its big herds of elephants. On the birding menu is White faced whistling duck, African cuckoo among others. The beauty of Kilimanjaro dominates the scene and it will be hard not to notice.

Day 18 Amboseli – Nairobi

After breakfast it is time to drive back to Nairobi. Lunch will be served in Safari Park and dinner you eat your heart out if you love barbeque at the famous Carnivore Restaurant. Then it will be time for your international departure flight.

Savannah & Coastal Forrest

14 days/13 nights: Nairobi - Amboseli - Tsavo - Taita Hills - Arabuko Sokoke - Mida Creek - Sabaki River Mouth - Kibwezi Forest - Chylu Hills - Nairobi

Day 1 arrival

You will be met by our representative at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Nairobi. A short excursion of Nairobi will follow including a short visit to the National Museums of Kenya. A walk in the Museum Gardens will bear fruit to species like Collard Sunbird, Bronze Sunbird and Baglafetch Weaver among others. Overnight in Nairobi Safari Park or Boulevard Hotel.

Day 2 Nairobi – Amboseli

After breakfast we will be destined for Amboseli National Park. The Park and the surrounding cover about 1260 sq. km. The snow-capped peaks of Kilimanjaro exaggerate the beauty of this Park. Impressive display of bird species will be recorded here and you will see the famous elephant herds of Amboseli. Lunch and dinner will be in a lodge or camp.

Day 3 Amboseli

After breakfast it will be a good time to add to your bird list and also to photograph the beautiful face of Kilimanjaro. Lunch and Dinner in your lodge or camp.

Day 4 Amboseli – Tsavo

Commence your safari after early morning breakfast by road, driving on the Great North Road to the legendary land of the man-eater lions, Tsavo National Park. It is one of the largest game sanctuaries in the world when we combine Tsavo West and Tsavo East, covering an area of more than 20,000 sq.km. Your list is expected to grow as you proceed with your adventure. Dinner and overnight in Tsavo.

Day 5 Tsavo – Taita Hills Forest

From Tsavo we will proceed to Taita Hills Forest after breakfast. It is located 120 km north of the most northern of the most outpost of the ancient Eastern Mountains of Tanzania. To add to your list will be Taita Thrush etc. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Days 6, 7 & 8 Taita Hills Forest – Arabuko Sokoke Forest

Arabuko Sokoke Forest was Gazetted in 1943 covering an area of 2,700 hectares. The forest is made up of three types of habitats; Mixed forest, Brachystegia woodland and Cynometra forest with a canopy height of 7-8 m. Sokoke scope owl, Clarke's Weaver, Amani sunbird just but a few will be expected. All meals and overnight at your camp or lodge.

Day 9 Arabuko Sokoke Forest – Mida Creek

We will do a walk on the sand along the seashore after breakfast. As we feel the cool breezes of the Ocean on us, the beautiful sights of the fringing reefs, coral gardens and inter-tidal rock habitats will be ours to enjoy . Our species of focus will be the Mangrove Kingfisher, Terek Sand Plover, Crab plover,Eurasian Oyster Catcher among others.

Day 10 Mida Creek – Sabaki River Mouth

5 km North of Malindi town and we will be at the Sabaki River Mouth after breakfast. Mudbanks, dunes, fresh-water pools and marshes are all at the mouth of Sabaki, the second longest river. We will be looking for Sooty gall, Zanzibar red bishop, Greater Snipe, Malindi pipit for our list. Meals and overnight at your Beach Club or lodge.

Day 11 Sabaki – Tsavo East National Park

Lying low on the Nairobi –Mombasa road in the vast semi-arid country is Tsavo East National Park, our next destination. We will head there after breakfast. Much of the Park is level, open scattered rock outcrops. Birdlife is abundant and beautiful with over 400 species recorded. Other wildlife is abundant including reptiles.

Day 12 Tsavo East National Park – Kibwezi Forest

In the morning we head for Kibwezi Forest. Dinner and overnight here in Kibwezi.

Day 13 Kibwezi forest – Chyulu Hills Forest

After an early morning breakfast we leave for Chyulu Hills Forest situated 130 km from Nairobi and 30 km south west of Kibwezi. Relatively Volcanic in origin, it is composed of ash cones and craters. Water percolates through porous rock fed by many permanent fresh water sources from the surroundings, notably Mzima Springs, Tsavo and Galana Rivers. Home for undisturbed indigenous vegetation and wildlife. Meals and overnight in Hunter's Lodge.

Day 14 Chyulu Hills Forest - Nairobi

We will proceed to Nairobi after breakfast arriving on time for lunch. This will be followed by an early dinner at the Carnivore Restaurant, Africa's Greatest experience .You will advice us as per your Safari time will adjust accordingly.

Rift Valley

5 days/4 nights: Lake Naivasha - Lake Nakuru - Masai Mara

Day 1 Nairobi – Lake Naivasha

From our Nairobi Hotel we depart after breakfast headed for the Great Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha.

A couple of stops enroute for the stunning view points of the Rift Valley. We arrive at Lake Naivasha by mid-morning and do a bird-walk before lunch time. Lunch in Naivasha lodge. Lake Naivasha being close to Nairobi (65 km) makes it a comfortable weekend-resort for professional and amateur birders. It was declared a bird sanctuary in 1967 and supports pastoral industries, of wine and flowers. Ospreys, fish eagles, herons, lily-trotters will be seen here. We later visit Elsa Mere Center and here we relieve the experience of Joy Adamson’s “Born Free”. Over 450 species have been recorded here. Dinner and overnight in Naivasha.

Day 2 Lake Naivasha – Lake Nakuru

We head for Lake Nakuru National Park after breakfast. The Park is regarded by many as the Greatest Bird Spectacle on the Earth. We arrive in the park by mid-morning, followed by lunch at Lake Nakuru lodge. This will be our chance to watch the great populations of Lesser and Greater flamingoes among other species including Cliff Chat, Tawny eagle, etc. Other mammals share this park and we will have a good chance to see the white rhino, black rhino, and Rothschild giraffe. Overnight stay in Lake Nakuru Lodge.

Day 3 Lake Nakuru – Masai Mara

After breakfast we will drive along the floor of the longest crust on Earth to Masai Mara National Reserve. A portion of the Great Plains known as Serengeti Ecosystem, Masai Mara stands prominent in the populations of plains game not to mention the world famous migration. You will have a chance to compare notes as you sort out the various bird species that you add to your list. Lunch, Dinner and over night in Masai Mara.

Day 4 Masai Mara

Full day in Masai Mara exploring the extensive grasslands. Large numbers of palearctic migrants will be recorded e.g. Caspian plovers, white storks among the local species which will include Rock cisticola, Yellow Bellied Hyliota, Pale Wren Warbler etc. Meals and overnight in a lodge or camp.

Day 5 Masai Mara – Nairobi

We leave Masai Mara after breakfast followed by lunch in Nairobi. Dinner will be served in the Carnivore Restaurant in the early evening and there after your transfer for your departure flight.