A Journey Through Diverse Avian Habitats
Embark on a captivating 7-day bird-watching adventure through Kenya’s stunning landscapes. From the urban oasis of Nairobi National Park to the towering peaks of Mount Kenya and the arid plains of Samburu, Buffalo Springs, and Meru National Parks, this itinerary offers a unique opportunity to witness a diverse array of bird species in their natural habitats.
Day 1: Nairobi National Park Start your journey in Nairobi National Park, a unique urban wildlife sanctuary. Explore the diverse habitats, from open grasslands to riverine forests, and encounter a variety of bird species, including colorful waxbills, majestic eagles, and elusive waterbirds.
Day 2-3: Mount Kenya National Park Ascend the slopes of Mount Kenya, a bird-watcher’s paradise. The montane forests and moorlands are home to a plethora of endemic and migratory bird species. Keep an eye out for the elusive Olive Ibis, the striking Jackson’s Francolin, and the vibrant sunbirds that adorn the higher altitudes.
Day 4-5: Samburu National Reserve and Buffalo Springs National Reserve Experience the arid beauty of northern Kenya in Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserves. These semi-arid landscapes are home to a unique assemblage of bird species, including the Somali Ostrich, the Pygmy Falcon, and the colorful Donaldson Smith’s Sparrow-weaver.
Day 6-7: Meru National Park Conclude your safari in Meru National Park, a wildlife haven with diverse habitats. Explore the park’s forests, grasslands, and riverine areas to spot a variety of bird species, including the endangered Jungle Babbler and the majestic Martial Eagle.
Note: This itinerary is a suggested plan, and specific activities and sightings may vary depending on weather conditions, bird migration patterns, and other factors.
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NUMBER OF PAX IN A VEHICLE |
TOTAL AMOUNT (PER PERSON) 1ST NOV – 21ST DEC 2024 |
TOTAL AMOUNT (PER PERSON) 22ND DEC – 1ST JAN 2025 |
TOTAL AMOUNT (PER PERSON) 2ND JAN – 31ST MARCH 2025 |
|
2 PAX |
USD 1,833 |
USD 1,863 |
USD 1,866 |
|
4 PAX |
USD 1,401 |
USD 1,433 |
USD 1,435 |
|
6 PAX |
USD 1,258 |
USD 1,289 |
USD 1,292 |
7-Day Bird-Watching Safari
Embark on a 7-day bird-watching odyssey! Traverse Nairobi National Park, scale the heights of Mount Kenya, and delve into the wild beauty of Samburu, Buffalo Springs, and Meru National Parks. Witness diverse avian species in their natural habitats and enjoy breathtaking landscapes. Ready your binoculars and prepare for an extraordinary safari adventure!
Day 1: Nairobi National Park You’ll be picked up from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and transferred to your hotel. After lunch and relaxation, head to Nairobi National Park, one of the world’s unique parks. It’s the only wildlife park within a capital city and hosts a wide variety of wildlife, including the Big Five, and over 500 bird species.
The park offers a range of habitats: open grasslands, lightly wooded plains, rocky valleys, seasonal wetlands, dams, forest-lined rivers and streams, and montane forests. You can spot numerous bird species here. The savannah grasslands are home to various seed-eating birds, such as Orange-breasted Waxbills, Black-cheeked Waxbills, Yellow Bishops, and the Near-Endemic Jackson’s Widowbird. Other expected birds include Shelley’s Francolins, Kori Bustards, Secretary Birds, Black-shouldered Kites, and about 10 Cisticola species.
The dams and seasonal wetlands are teeming with waterbirds, including Grey Herons, African Darters, African Water Rails, Saddle-billed, Yellow-billed, and Marabou Storks. Rivers and streams harbor the elusive African Finfoot. The montane forest is a haven for Palearctic migrants like Eurasian Bee-eaters, Blackcaps, Common Nightingales, Upcher’s Warblers, and Willow Warblers. Dinner and overnight at Hilton Garden Inn.
Day 2: Nairobi National Park – Mount Kenya National Park Depart Nairobi early morning and head to Mount Kenya National Park. Arrive in time for lunch. Embark on a bird-watching session and spot Jackson’s Francolin and Aberdare Cisticola.
Mount Kenya is Kenya’s highest peak and one of the most challenging to climb. It also hosts a wide variety of montane forest and moorland bird species. The mountain’s slopes are home to many shy forest birds that are often heard rather than seen. Dinner and overnight at Comfort Gardens Inn.
Day 3: Mount Kenya Wake up early for a morning bird-watching session in the forests. The cold forests are a haven for elusive birds like the Olive Ibis, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Black-fronted Bush Shrike, Montane White-eye, Jackson’s Francolin, Mountain Buzzard, and Abbott’s Starling.
As you ascend to the bamboo zone, you’ll encounter different species, including Slender-billed Greenbuls, White-headed Wood Hoopoes, White-starred Robins, Thick-billed Seedeaters, and Oriole Finches. The moorland is a paradise for sunbirds, including Northern and Eastern Double-collared, Tacazze, Malachite, Scarlet-tufted, and Golden-winged Sunbirds. The moors are also good for spotting Moorland Chats and White-napped Ravens. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a Bearded Vulture, though it’s believed to have disappeared from Mount Kenya.
Day 4: Mount Kenya – Samburu National Reserve After breakfast, proceed to Samburu National Reserve. This bird-watcher’s paradise hosts over 400 bird species during the dry seasons. Birding in Samburu is excellent, with Northern specialties like the Somali Fiscal and Somali Ostrich.
The Ewaso Nyiro River, which flows through the park, is a vital water source and attracts many birds. You can spot Pygmy Falcons, White-headed Buffalo Weavers, Magpie Starlings, Somali Bee-eaters, Donaldson Smith’s Sparrow-weavers, Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbills, and the tiny Yellow-vented Eremomela. Most lodges have well-maintained gardens that attract birds like Abyssinian Scimitar-bills, Black-capped Social Weavers, Black-throated Barbets, Black-bellied Sunbirds, and sometimes Shining Sunbirds. The riverine habitat is a refuge for large raptors such as Verreaux’s Eagle Owls, Martial Eagles, African Hawk Eagles, Lappet-faced Vultures, and White-headed Vultures. Smaller birds in the woodlands include Orange-bellied Parrots, Lesser-masked Weavers, and Scaly-throated Honeyguides.
Day 5: Samburu National Reserve – Buffalo Springs National Reserve Head out early for a bird-watching session to catch birds at their most active. Buffalo Springs has over 390 bird species. Look out for Somali Ostriches, Vulturine Guineafowl, Lesser Kestrels, Abyssinian Rollers, Hildebrandt’s Starlings, and Abyssinian Ground Hornbills.
After breakfast, take a guided walk through the reserve to spot birds like Black-capped Social Weavers, Red-bellied Parrots, and Secretary Birds. Enjoy a picnic lunch in a scenic spot and end the day with a sunset bird-watching session. Return to your lodge for dinner and relaxation. The main river and springs attract waterbirds such as African Spoonbills, Water Thick-knees, Reed Cormorants, African Darters, and various waders like Wood Sandpipers, Three-banded Plovers, Little-ringed Plovers, and Kittilitz Plovers. Dinner and overnight at Samburu Sopa Lodge.
Day 6: Buffalo Springs – Meru National Park Head to Meru National Park, a park with diverse fauna and over 300 recorded bird species. The endangered Jungle Babbler, with a restricted range in central Kenya, has been recently documented near Kindani and Nyati Camps in the southwest part of the park.
Meru is home to one of the eight species of Kenya Mountains Endemic Bird Areas and fifty-nine of the 94 Somali-Masai biome species found in Kenya. Endangered species recorded here include the Martial Eagle, African Finfoot, Pel’s Fishing-Owl, Grant’s Wood Hoopoe, and the Saddle-billed Stork, which breeds in the area. Dinner and overnight at Ikweta Camp.
Day 7: Meru National Park – Nairobi Have an early breakfast and leave Meru National Park for Nairobi. You’ll be dropped off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. End of the journey.
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