9 DAYS BIRDING TOUR

9 DAYS BIRDING TOUR

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 Sopa lodge.

 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 lodge 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. The park covers an area of 766 square kilometers and forms part of the Aberdare Mountain Range. You will see a wide range of landscapes which include mountain peaks and their deep, v-shaped valleys (intersected by streams, rivers, and waterfalls). You will have lunch at Aberdare Country Club and later check into your hotel. The hotel, modelled after Noah’s Ark, has four viewing decks with balconies and lounges that provide superb game viewing from the comfort of the lodge. The animals come to you!

 Dinner and overnight at the Treetops lodge.

Day 4: Full Day Aberdare

You will rise early for breakfast and depart to the park for a drive. 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.

At noon you will return to the hotel for lunch and leisure. In the evening you will head out for another drive until the sun sets.

 Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 5: 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 Sopa lodge.

Day 6:  Lake Nakuru – Bogoria National Park

Depart Lake Nakuru in the early morning after your breakfast for Lake Bogoria National Park. We arrive in time for lunch at the resort followed by a relaxation by the pool.

Lake Bogoria is a small saline which is home to various birds and depending on the time of year numerous Lesser and Greater Flamingos; a wonderful sight of pink which you can enjoy walking along the shores. In the late afternoon you will depart for a drive in the park until the sun sets.

Return for Dinner and overnight at the Lake Bogoria Spa Resort.

Day 7: Bogoria Park

We shall have a full day of exploring lake Bogoria, well known by many avid Ornithologist as mecca for Birds, with 500 species of birds having been recorded. Explore this area with field Birding around Lake Bogoria, and its environs, the Cliffs and the bushes. There are possibilities to see rare species like, Cape Eagle Owl, White-faced Scops Owl, Jackson’s Hornbill, Hemprich’s Hornbill, Brown-Tailed Rock Chat, Northern Red Bishop, Northern Masked Weaver and White Billed Buffalo Weaver, Olivaceous Warbler, Northern brownbul, Jackson’s golden backed weaver, Little weaver, Brown Tailed Rock Chat, Goliath heron, Northern Shoveller, Verreauxs eagle owl, Bristle crowned starling, Senegal Thicknee, Pygmy falcon, Blue cheecked bee-eater.

Dinner and overnight at the resort.

Day 8: Bogoria – Lake Naivasha National Park

Early breakfast before departure 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 Sopa lodge.

Day 9: 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