15 Days Kenya Bird Watching Safari

Bird watching safari is good all year round in Kenya. And this tour has been designed to showcase the very best of Kenya's bird life in a compact two week birding tour like no other! We travel far and wide going through different landscapes and habitats in search of the astonishing 11% of the world's bird species that call Kenya their home. The focus will be on mainland Kenya as we travel from the capital and back!

Day 1-3: Nairobi to Shaba, Buffalo Springs & Samburu National Reserves

We leave the hustle and bustle of Nairobi in the early hours and head to Shaba, Samburu and the stunning Buffalo Springs. The next three days will take you through a mixed variety of breathtaking scenery and a huge amount of bird species and African wildlife to tickle your feathers!

Day 4: Samburu National Reserve to Naro Moru, Mount Kenya

Our next stop takes you to Africa's second largest mountain, which is of course, the stunning Mount Kenya. Expect to be blown away by doing some altitude birding and being immersed in one of Africa's most unique environments with a wide array of unique species to be encountered.

Day 5: Mount Kenya to Nyahururu, Marmanet Forest, Thomson's fall, Manguo Swamp, Lake Ol Bolossat and back

Make sure you get some well needed rest the night before, because day 5 is a big one! We'll head to pristine forest, waterfalls, swamplands and Lake Ol Bolossat and to top it all off, there's a huge amount of birdlife to be seen on this day. Make sure your binoculars are well dusted!

Day 6: Mount Kenya to Lake Nakuru National Park

Renowned as "Birdwatchers Paradise". This place will, blow your feathers off! Up to a million flamingos have been recorded here at one given time! It was also the first National Park in Africa to be established due to the abundance of birdlife found here The National Park also gives you the opportunity to see the 'Big 5', along with many other mammal species. The park is also famed for its Black Rhino population, which are now becoming increasingly rare in Africa.

Day 7: Lake Nakuru National Park to Lake Baringo

On our 7th day we'll visit the stunning Lake Baringo. We'll go for bird walks around the scrubland and dramatic cliffs that surround the lake in search of bird of prey such as the Dark Chanting-Goshawk, Spotted Scops Owls and Verreaux’s Eagle among many other wonderful species of this region. And then to top it all off in the afternoon we'll take you on a breathtaking boat ride around the lake in search of the many water birds of Lake Baringo with the chance of seeing the majestic African Fish Eagles advertising their territories. Cool eh?

Day 8: Lake Baringo to Kerio Valley, Kitale & Saiwa Swamp National Park

On your eight day we'll be heading to Kerio Valley in search of the Ross's Turaco and then heading to Kitale and Saiwa Swamp National Park in the hope of seeing the beautiful African Blue Flycatcher among many other interesting species of the region.

Day 9: Kitale to Kongelai Escarpment

We leave bright and early on day 10 to traverse across a much less visited Kenyan ecosystem in the hope of finding some unique species to this area such as the Lesser Blue-eared Starling, Bronze-tailed Starling and the Yellow-billed Shrike among many more!

Day 10: Kongelai Escarpment to Kakamega Forest National Reserve

We will leave Kitale early for the long day ahead. On our way, we’ll be stopping at Mumias to look for the very local Rock Pratincole. We may also expect the African Thrush, Black Bishop, Copper Sunbird and Lizard Buzzard.

The rest of the day will be spent exploring Kakamega Forest. Species diversity here is plenty and we will hope to have a huge addition to our list. Time will be spent walking in the forest in search of local specialties. Here we expect species such as the Crowned Eagle, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Yellow-mantled Widowbird, Red-headed Bluebill, Uganda Woodland Warbler, White-chinned Prinia, Buff-throated Apalis, Turner’s Eremomela, Green Hylia, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, Vieillot’s Black Weaver, Olive-Green Camaroptera, African Broadbill and Snowy-headed Robin-Chat among much much more!

Day 11: Kakamega Forest National Reserve to Lake Victoria

We will travel to the lakeside city of Kisumu after a morning walk in Kakamega Forest. The water here is incredible with lots of life and the local riparian zone will be our major target. We expect species such as the Papyrus Gonolek, Papyrus Canary, Northern Brown-throated Weaver, Double-toothed Barbet, Black-billed Barbet, Slender-billed Weaver, Greater Swamp Warbler, Papyrus Yellow Warbler, Red-chested Sunbird, Eastern Grey Plantain-eater, Swamp Flycatcher and Carruther’s Cisticola.

Day 12-13: Lake Victoria to Masai Mara National Reserve

Well, what can I say about this place? Described by many as not only the best National Reserve in Kenya, but the World! Frankly, this place has it all. From Mass Migration of Wildebeest to the Big 5. Yet, the best thing of all the birding is exceptional with over 500+ species! You'll spend two nights here that'll make you wanting more and more and more...

Day 14: Masai Mara National Reserve to Lake Naivasha

On the 13th day we will leave for Naivasha after a morning game drive in the Mara. That afternoon, we will be having a walk in the hotel compound and some few nearby sites.

On the following morning, we’ll proceed to the lake shore at our best-selected beach points, where many water birds will be seen. A boat ride on the lake will ensure you can reach more species in the middle of the lake, as you enjoy the aquatic beauty. You will enjoy your picnic lunch here. Later, we will sample some more hotspots around the lake, looking for selected species. We shall spend the afternoon in Hell’s Gate National Park for more savannah and bushland birds. Here we shall walk on several sections and also learn about the local vultures’ population.

Day 15: Kinangop Grasslands, Aberdare Forest Edge & Nairobi

The Plateaus of Kinangop are home to some of the best Kenya’s endemic birds which are now unfortunately disappearing. These gorgeous grasslands offer so much birdlife they'll be sure to get your binoculars misty! Starting on the lower grasslands and then gaining elevation as we go up to the edge of the Aberdare forest whilst also sampling the local wetlands for highland water birds along the way. Later that afternoon, we proceed to back Nairobi for the night as we wind up our trip and go through the many bird species we've encountered and also share all the wonderful photos you've acquired. It'll be sad to say goodbye, but the memories will last forever.

Price is 4,655usd for 2 person sharing private tented camp

Included

• All park entrance Park fees
• All activities unless labeled as optional
• 14 nights’ accommodation
• Services of a professional driver/guide
• Transportation from and back to Nairobi
• All Taxes/VAT
• 3 Meals daily while on safari
• 1 Litre drinking water daily while on safari

Excluded

• International flights (From/to home)
• Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
• Tips
• Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
• Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees

For last minute booking call/ whatsapp/ sms us on +254 734 878643 / +254720 650869

Kenya tour budget safari reviews

Anchorage, Alaska Review:  Kenya tour budget safari  Great Service Trip advisor 

We are world nomads, having left the USA three years ago and have been continuously traveling the world since. We are on a fixed income which limits us a bit as we move from one city/country to the next. For Kenya we wanted to invite...More

Date of experience: July 2019