Bird watching in Kenya is in a class of its own. Kenya, a home to over 1000 bird species lies on  the equator. Seasons like ‘summer’ and ‘winter’ have no meaning, only wet and dry. The absence of these extreme climatic changes gives rise to the best home for birds.  

The African safari will takes you through to the National Parks and Reserves of Kenya. These reserves forms various habitats, from Highland forests and afro-alpine moorlands, Savannah, Lakes, forests to Desert and semi-desert surroundings. 

Depending on the time you have and your interests, they will be included in your birding in Kenya package.

It has been estimated, give or take a few million that as many as 6000 million birds make the annual migration each year. Combine the migratory birds to the incredible variety of local birds and the result is an ornithological paradise.

Each of the National Parks and Reserves have their own quota of the ‘paradise’. With a few exceptions each one of them covers a different habitat or overlaps one, which also has to be taken into account by the keen ornithologist. Between 300-500 species can be spotted and with a little more combined effort, over 400 can be recorded in a two-week birding tours.

5 days/4 nights Rift Valley lakes itinerary

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 en-route 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 bird-watchers. 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. Like Nakuru, mara has a good share of the ornithological paradise. 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.

Other birding in Kenya itineraries:

Overland birding in Kenya: 19 days/ 18 nights

Savannah & Coastal Forest: 14 days/13 nights

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