Birdwatching in Kenya: Best Places, Seasons and Species to Look For
Kenya has over 1,000 bird species. Find out the best birding destinations, the best seasons and what to pack for…
Activity guide
Birdwatching in Kenya: the complete guide
Kenya is one of Africa's top birding countries, with more than 1,000 species recorded. Flamingos on soda lakes, hornbills in the forest, raptors over the Mara and rare endemics in the coastal forests all fit into one trip. You do not have to be an expert to enjoy it, and a good guide makes spotting birds easy.
Here are the best birding spots and when to go.
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Tours featuring Bird Watching
01
Best birding sites
Lake Baringo
About 470 species, including fish eagles and many dry-country birds.
Kakamega Forest
Rainforest species found nowhere else in Kenya, such as great blue turaco.
Lake Nakuru and Naivasha
Pelicans, flamingos, fish eagles, kingfishers and waterbirds.
Arabuko-Sokoke Forest
Rare coastal endemics including Sokoke scops owl.
Maasai Mara
Raptors, bustards, secretary birds and vultures.
02
Best time for birding
November to April
Great
Migrants from Europe and Asia arrive, boosting numbers.
June to October
Good
Dry weather and easy access.
May
Quiet
Long rains, but breeding plumage is at its best for some species.
03
Birding tips
Start at dawn
Birds are most active in the first hours of the day.
Bring binoculars
8x42 are a good choice. A field guide or app helps with identification.
Hire a bird guide
Local guides know calls, habitats and the exact spots where species can be found.
04
Building a birding safari
A birding trip might combine Baringo, Nakuru, Kakamega and the coast. See our 6-day birding safari to Kakamega and Kisumu.
05
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be an expert?
No. A guide will help you find and identify birds, and many of Kenya's species are large and colourful.
When are migratory birds in Kenya?
From about November to April.
What binoculars should I bring?
8x42 or 10x42 binoculars are a good all-round choice.
Read before you go
Lake Bogoria and Lake Baringo: Flamingos, Hot Springs and Birdlife
Explore the Rift Valley lakes of Bogoria and Baringo: geysers, flamingos, boat trips and some of Kenya's best birding.
Kakamega Forest: Kenya’s Last Rainforest for Birds and Primates
Kakamega Forest in western Kenya is a remnant of the ancient equatorial rainforest, home to rare birds, monkeys and butterflies.…