11 DAY SPECIAL BIRD VIEWING SAFARI

• DAY SPECIAL BIRD VIEWING SAFARI

Day 1: Nairobi –Samburu National Reserve

Leave Nairobi after breakfast to Samburu, heading north, you’ll pass Central Kenya and continue north through some breath taking scenery dotted with rushing mountain streams and fields of tea and coffee. After Nanyuki town, you’ll continue north, eventually reaching a dusty outpost known as Isiolo, the last major stop on the journey into the remote northern frontier district. From here it’s a fairly short hop to Samburu. Arrival at the camp on time for check –in and lunch. Samburu reserve stands as one of the most beautiful Kenya reserves in Northern Circuit. It holds plenty of bird’s life and Northern species. There have been more than 390 bird species recorded in Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserves. In the late afternoon you will depart for your first drive in search of birds returning to the camp as the sunsets.

Dinner and overnight at Samburu Ashnil camp.

 Day 2: Explore Samburu

You will have an early breakfast before going for a morning drive. The reserves protect a variety of habitats, including arid acacia savannah, scrub and gallery forest alongside the Ewaso Nyiro River. The dry, open country offers very rewarding birding opportunities and boasts a number of northeast African dry-country species shared with Ethiopia and Somalia, such as vulturine guineafowl, Somali bee-eater and golden-breasted starling. You will return later to the camp at noon and spend the noon relaxing and enjoying the camp’s facilities. You will have lunch at the camp. In the afternoon you will leave for another drive at 4:00 p.m. in the reserve until sunset. There is an optional visit to a Samburu village (additional cost).

Return to the camp for Dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Samburu – Aberdare National Park

Depart for Aberdares in the morning after having breakfast. The drive is scenic via the central Kenya highlands with stops to view tea and coffee plantations. Aberdare offers good bird watching year-round, but November to April is when migrants from Europe and North Africa are present. This partly coincides with the Wet season (October to May) when many species can be seen in breeding plumage. Its forest and moorland specials are resident throughout the year, so the drier months (June to September and December to February) might be good for combining bird watching and forest hiking. The Aberdare National Park is a birder’s paradise, with nearly 300 species recorded. Among the interesting visitors at the bird-feeding platforms is the striking Hartlaub’s turaco. Other birding highlights include the endemic (and therefore unique) Aberdare cisticola, which is found at higher altitudes. Several interesting sunbirds, including the rare scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird, can be found on the mountain peaks.

 Dinner and overnight at the Treetops lodge.

Day 4: Aberdare – Lake Nakuru National Park

After breakfast, depart for Nakuru National Park which covers 180 sq. km. Lake Nakuru National Park is a great birding destination with more than 400 species recorded. The soda lake is a birding hot spot and supports a lot of birdlife, including flamingos and pelicans at the western end of the lake. Nakuru is also one of the best places in Kenya to see the striking long-tailed widowbird. There is a good variety of raptors including Verreaux’s and long-crested eagle. Arrive in time for lunch and in the evening we shall embark on a drive in search of birds in the park.

Dinner and overnight at Lake Nakuru lodge.

Day 5: Explore Lake Nakuru Park

Early morning game drive of Lake Nakuru. You can never have enough of this beautiful area. Bird watching in Lake Nakuru is good year-round, although the best time for birders is from November to March. At this time, you’ll enjoy the best weather and the presence of migratory birds from Europe and North Africa (in the park November through April). This is also the breeding season and many birds are in full plumage. In addition to the migratory species, many interesting birds are here throughout the year. There is also a part of the movie “Out of Africa” shot here due to its panoramic views.

Breakfast. Leisure

We shall set off for an evening drive in the park in search of the birds. The park is a beautiful jewel on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, and a home to both the greater and lesser flamingoes for which it is world famous for.

Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 6: Lake Nakuru – Masai Mara Reserve

Early breakfast and depart as we proceed to towards Narok town. We make a stop for lunch en route and arrive Masai Mara in the late afternoon. We arrive at the camp and relax by the pool. Birdwatching in the Masai Mara is another magnificent area, with almost 500 bird species and a daunting 47 species of birds of prey, the Masai Mara’s treetops, bushes and skies are a feast for birdwatcher’s eyes. Size wise these savannah birds range from freakishly large, such as the world’s largest bird the ostrich, to teeny tiny sunbirds – hard to spot with the naked eye.

Later you may enjoy a guided nature or bird walk in the vicinity of the camp grounds.

Dinner and overnight at Mara Ashnil camp.

Day 7: Explore Masai Mara Reserve

Wake early in the morning and leave the camp for bird study until noon when we shall return to the camp for lunch and relaxation. The second drive will be done in the evening. Masai Mara drives are rewarding all year round. It is common to see a lot of different bird species in the area especially the morning hours when they are all active and in the evening hours when the sun is almost setting. There are various optional activities offered outside of game drives for an extra cost. For example; balloon trips which are an entirely outstanding way of seeing the savannah plains and the bird life after which you come back down for a beautiful breakfast. A cultural village visit is also recommended.

Dinner and overnight at the camp.

Day 8: Masai Mara – Lake Naivasha

Early breakfast before departing back towards Nairobi. We will depart for Lake Naivasha after checking out. Lake Naivasha is the only fresh water lake without a physical outlet in Kenya. Its freshness is maintained by a combination of underground out flow and sedimentation of salts. The lake supports a diverse water-bird community, with more than 80 species recorded regularly. It is a significant site for Red knobbed coots, African spoonbill, African jacana and little grebes depending on water levels.

Dinner and overnight stay at Naivasha Simba camp.

Day 9: Lake Naivasha – Amboseli National Park

You will have an early morning drive to Amboseli National Park. You will check in at your accommodation and have lunch. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a drive. Amboseli National Park is situated due south of Nairobi. Most of the park consists of a dry, ancient lake bed and fragile grassland with patches of acacia woodland. In the southern area, there are a number of small, rocky volcanic hills. There is an immense view of Mount Kilimanjaro which is across the border of Kenya and Tanzania. It is also dominated by vast Lake Amboseli which is dry outside the rainy season. There are more than 600 species of birds in the park therefore making it a good birding destination.

Dinner and overnight at Amboseli Sentrim.

Day 10: Explore Amboseli Park

You’ll rise up early in the morning for breakfast before leaving for a drive while enjoying the good views of Mount Kilimanjaro before clouds build up over the summit. The swamps are great for waterbirds such as egrets, herons, pelicans and crowned cranes. Large numbers of flamingos may be present in the two rainy seasons (March to May and November to December). Grassland areas offer some interesting ground birds such as Hartlaub’s bustard and the localized Pangani longclaw. The park’s acacia woodland holds some dry-country specials such as steel-blue whydah, white-bellied go-away bird and Von der Decken’s hornbill.

Lunch, Dinner and Overnight at the camp.

Day 11: Return to Nairobi

After breakfast, you will check out and you will return to Nairobi in time for your onward flight.

Inclusive;

Accommodations

Fullboard meals

Return transport

Park Entrance fees

Professional tour driver

Drinking water

Exclusives;

International Flights

Tips

Personal items