This is a dedicated 10-Day Kenya Birding Safari designed for serious birders and nature enthusiasts. Moving beyond the standard safari route, this itinerary focuses on Kenya’s Important Bird Areas (IBAs). From the congregational waterbirds of the Rift Valley lakes to the grassland endemics of the Maasai Mara and the arid-country specials of Tsavo, you will have the opportunity to check off over 400 species, including raptors, waders, and Palearctic migrants.
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NUMBER OF PAX PER VEHICLE |
AMOUNT PER PERSON SHARING |
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2 |
USD 3487 |
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4 |
USD 2710 |
Depart Nairobi and descend into the Great Rift Valley, a major flyway for migratory birds. Your destination is Lake Bogoria National Reserve, a soda lake famous for supporting one of the world’s largest populations of Lesser Flamingos. Check in at Lake Bogoria Spa Resort. Your afternoon birding drive along the shoreline offers close-up views of the flamingos, as well as the Cape Teal, Black-necked Grebe, and the migratory Steppe Eagle soaring above the hot springs.
Dinner and overnight at Lake Bogoria Spa Resort.
Start with an early morning bird walk to catch the dawn chorus. Look for the Grey-headed Kingfisher and the beautiful Silverbird in the acacia thickets. Depart for Lake Naivasha, a freshwater haven. Check in at Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort. The lodge grounds are a birding site in themselves, teeming with Superb Starlings, Lovebirds, and the Speckled Pigeon. Spend the afternoon listing species in the lush gardens and lake edge.
Dinner and overnight at Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort.
Enjoy a morning boat excursion on Lake Naivasha, the best way to photograph the majestic African Fish Eagle in action. The lake margins host Goliath Herons, Malachite Kingfishers, and African Jacanas. In the afternoon, visit Crescent Island or Hell’s Gate (optional) to spot cliff-nesting raptors like the Verreaux’s Eagle and the Augur Buzzard, alongside terrestrial species like the Secretary Bird.
Dinner and overnight at Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort.
Depart for the Maasai Mara National Reserve. While famous for mammals, the Mara is an underrated birding destination with over 470 recorded species. Check in at Mara Sentrim Lodge. Your afternoon birding drive focuses on the open grasslands, home to large terrestrial birds like the Kori Bustard, Southern Ground Hornbill, and the localized Rufous-bellied Heron in the marshy areas.
Dinner and overnight at Mara Sentrim Lodge.
Spend a full day exploring the Mara’s diverse habitats. The reserve is exceptional for raptors, hosting 57 species including the Bateleur, Martial Eagle, and various Vultures (Lappet-faced, Ruppell’s, and White-backed) often seen at kills. In the riverine forests, look for the Schalow’s Turaco and Ross’s Turaco. The open plains are perfect for spotting the Lilac-breasted Roller, Sooty Chat, and Yellow-throated Longclaw.
Dinner and overnight at Mara Sentrim Lodge.
Leave the Mara and drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Check in at Nakuru Maili Saba Camp. Nakuru is a birdwatcher’s paradise, historically famous for flamingos but now a hotspot for the Great White Pelican. The yellow-barked acacia forests surrounding the lake are the best place to find the Grey-crested Helmet-shrike and the Greater Blue-eared Starling.
Dinner and overnight at Nakuru Maili Saba Camp.
Travel south to Amboseli National Park at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. Check in at Amboseli Sopa Lodge. The park’s system of swamps creates a permanent oasis for waterbirds in an arid landscape. Your afternoon birding session will target the Grey Crowned Crane, Blacksmith Plover, and the Long-toed Lapwing foraging in the marshes.
Dinner and overnight at Amboseli Sopa Lodge.
Enjoy a full day dedicated to the avian life of Amboseli. The dry bush country surrounding the swamps is home to the rare Taveta Golden Weaver and the Pangani Longclaw. Scan the skies for the Taita Falcon. Visit Observation Hill for a vantage point to spot Saddle-billed Storks and Egyptian Geese. The contrast between the arid scrub and lush swamps ensures a high species count for the day.
Dinner and overnight at Amboseli Sopa Lodge.
Drive to Tsavo East National Park, a vast stronghold for dry-country specials. Check in at Ashnil Aruba Lodge. The park’s arid bushland is the habitat for the Somali Ostrich (distinct from the Common Ostrich) and the stunning Vulturine Guineafowl. The area around Aruba Dam attracts numerous waterbirds and is a great spot to set up your scope/binoculars.
Dinner and overnight at Ashnil Aruba Lodge.
On your final morning, take a “birding en-route” drive as you exit Tsavo. Look for the Golden-breasted Starling, Rosy-patched Bushshrike, and the Northern Carmine Bee-eater. Begin your return journey to Nairobi, arriving in the afternoon. You will be dropped off at the airport or your hotel, marking the end of a prolific birding expedition.
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