Safari Overview
This 18-day Kenya Birding Safari will give you a bird's eye view. The activities will take place in several parts of Kenya, with nights spent in and out of the birding jungles in extremely comfortable bedding facilities. Sweet waters, Samburu forest reserve, Lake Nakuru, Lake Baringo, Masai Mara National Park, Lake Bogoria, and other can be found in Nairobi, Kenya's capital.
The best time to go birding is early in the morning, when you can focus on the sound and sight of the birds as they feed, breed, and do other things in the marshes, swamps, and other areas. Because the bird checklist is extensive, you will spend a significant amount of time following and learning various Avian systems by name and trait.
Detailed trip
Day1: Day spent at Nairobi city
Following a safe arrival in Nairobi, you will be welcomed into the bird-watching spirit by your driving guide, who will drive you around the Republic of Kenya in for the 18 days from the time of your arrival. After getting all of your questions addressed, you will be transported to the hotel to rest or drop off your luggage, followed by a Nairobi city tour, which will take you to historical landmarks, cultural sites, local markets, and religious sites. You'll then drive to the hotel for dinner and a snooze. It is beneficial to experience Nairobi's nightlife.
Day2: Nairobi to Sweetwater’s
After a delicious breakfast at the lodge, you'll set out on a trek to Sweetwater's, one of Kenya's most recognized birding destinations. Sweetwater’s is home to a diverse range of bird species, including song sparrows, wrens, yellow-headed Brewers blackbirds, Alberts towhees, and more. According to the most recent census in 2021, the area is home to 321 bird species, 9 endangered species, and approximately 6 newly introduced species. When the birds have returned to their hideouts, you will arrive and have lunch before going on an evening birding excursion. The day ends with dinner and an overnight stay.
Day3: Samburu national Park
After breakfast, drive to Samburu National Park, a 3- to 4-hour journey through beautiful foliage, rolling hills, bustling trading communities, and more. The Samburu National Reserve is located north of Nairobi city and is one of Kenya's most recognized birding destinations. You will arrive at the lodge for lunch and then spend the afternoon relaxing at the lodge or exploring the park on an evening wildlife drive, where you will see a lot more than meets the eye. Call it a day at the lodge at sunset with dinner and a good night's sleep.
Day4: Entire Day at Samburu NP
This entire day will be spent in and around Samburu National Park, recognizing different bird species by name, color, and song after breakfast. The black-capped social weaver, Acacia tit, chestnut weaver, Donaldson-smiths sparrow, golden pipit, Ashy cisticola, African palm swift, and others are among the over 390 bird species found around Samburu National Reserve, and some of those you will see during the 4-5-hour birding excursion in the open savannah and forest cover of Samburu. After the first birding session, lunch will be served, followed by dinner and overnight.
Day5: Samburu NP to Lake Nakuru
At daybreak, you'll fill your bowels with a hearty breakfast, then check out of the Samburu National Park resort and transfer to the Lake Nakuru National Park lodge. You'll see the enormous rift valley, rich flora, dispersed homesteads, and more on this road trip. You'll arrive at Lake Nakuru in the afternoon, then settle into your lodge for some rest and relaxation. Following the refreshment, a delectable Lunch meal at Lake Nakuru is served, followed by an evening of guided nature hikes along the lake's shoreline. Before returning to the lodge for dinner and a relaxing siesta, some wild creatures will pass by your campsite.
Day6: Day birding at Lake Nakuru
Lake Nakuru is known for its massive flamingo population and blue-green algal blooms. The pelicans, greater spotted eagle, Madagascar pond-heron, grey crested helmet-shrike, African spoonbill, black-winged stilt, grey-headed Gull, and other birds call Lake Nakuru home. 4-5 hours in the morning and one to two hours in the evening, photographing birds, listening to their calls, and more. After that, you'll end the day with dinner, a bonfire, and an overnight stay at the lodge.
Day7: Depart Lake Nakuru for Lake Bogoria
The hot springs and geysers of Lake Bogoria, which is located in Kenya's Rift Valley, are well-known. After a restful night's sleep. Your day begins with a visit to Lake Nakuru, which is home to lesser flamingos, African thrushes, pied crows, Fork-tailed drongo, northern grey-headed sparrows, African grey hornbills, and Hilderbrandts spurfowl. It takes around 2-3 hours to get to Lake Bogoria's southern gate, with stunning views of the terrain, sunrays, and more. Before arriving at your location on the lakeshores, wave to the residents and buy a few souvenirs. The day ends with dinner and an overnight stay at the resort.
Day8: time for Lake Baringo
Start your day with a delicious breakfast and then go birding at sunrise, where you'll see a range of the over 350 bird species in the area. Lesser flamingos, Tawny eagles, African spoonbills, starlings, Hornbills, yellow-billed storks, Hornbills, Gaber Goshawks, swifts, Little Grebes, and more are among the species on the list. It will be a morning and afternoon excursion, with dinner and overnight at the conclusion of the day.
Day9: Transfer to kitale-Saiwa camp National Park
Following a hearty breakfast at the lodge, you'll embark on a thrilling birding adventure through Kitale-Saiwa Camp National Park, one of Kenya's most gifted birding destinations. You will be on the lookout for roughly 4-5 hours of birdwatching in the woods. Narina trogons, a lesser jacana, is one of them. The grey heron, Ross's turaco, African black duck, marsh widowbird, long-crested eagle, and other birds can all be found in the area. After you've finished birdwatching, return to the lodge for lunch before spending the evening relaxing or participating in a community tour, where you'll meet locals and learn about their lives. Finish the day with dinner and a relaxing snooze.
Day10: Drive to Kakamega forest
Another morning for a fresh cup of African coffee and gazing at the beautiful sunrise. Then it'll be time for a guided nature walk with a variety of birds around the authorized birding trails. The long-crested eagle, marsh widowbird, Narina trogon, Ross's turaco, marsh tchagra, small rush warbler, and other species can be found in Kitale-Saiwa Camp National Park. After spending time with the birds, return to the resort for lunch before departing for the kakamega forest, a 1-2-hour picturesque drive with views of undulating hills, lush foliage, and more. Dinner will be served at the end of the day, followed by an overnight stay.
Day11: Kakamega Forest to Lake Victoria
After breakfast, it'll be time to visit Kakamega Forest, one of Kenya's largest forests and best bird-watching spots. Over 300 bird species have been documented in this tropical rain forest in Kenya's Nandi county, including storks, guinea fowl, pink-backed pelicans, Ibis, African grey parrots, blue-headed bee eaters, quail, and more. In addition to numerous butterfly species, plants, and other things to watch out for throughout the 4-5-hour birding experience, there are also different butterfly species, plants, and other things to look out for around this woodland. Following that, you'll have a lunch break before heading to the world's second largest freshwater lake. Arrive at your lodge just as the sun sets, and go to your bed for dinner and a restful snooze.
Day12: Connect from Kisumu to Lake Naivasha
The day will begin with a glass of coffee or juice. It will then be followed by a two-hour spectacular birding trip before departing for Lake Naivasha, one of the best bird-watching destinations on the African continent. Lunch will be served the route to the park, and you will arrive late in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay to complete the day's activities.
Day13: Half day bird watching
This day begins with a hearty breakfast feast at the lodge to meet your intestines, and then you will join the birding crew in their search for birds. Only for the early morning hours, when many birds have fled their nests in quest of seeds, mates, and other necessities. Following the birding excursion, you will spend the evening at the resort or sharing with the communities living outside of Lake Naivasha. Dinner and an overnight stay at the lodge round up a fantastic day.
Day14: Lake Naivasha for Masai Mara Np
Begin your day with a bird call challenge on the beaches of Lake Naivasha, which is home to flamingos. African jacana, Nubian woodpecker, enormous kingfisher, hadada ibis, Long-toad lapwing, Anteater chat, white-headed barbet, European Honey-buzzard, and others are among the birds on the list. After lunch, check out and head to Masai Mara National Park for a 4-5-hour picturesque drive. The undulating hills, lush foliage, and dispersed homesteads along the country side define the route. Dinner and a lovely nap await you at the end of the day.
Day15: Full day birdwatching
The first few hours of the day are dedicated to searching for various bird species among the Masai Mara's trees, skies, and savannah grasslands. The birder guide will assist you in identifying them based on sound and location. The ostrich, secretary bird, Kori bustard, flamingos, tiny Grebe Tachybatus capensis, long tailed cormorant, Rwenzori Turacos, and other animals are among them. Return for lunch after the first session, and then spend the rest of the evening on the Mara River's beaches, where you'll view a variety of birds and animals. The day ends with dinner and an overnight stay at the resort.
Day16: Morning Game drive and transfer to Amboseli NP
Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at the lodge, followed by a wonderful 3- to 4-hour wildlife drive in the vast Masai savannah environment. This is a true African natural wilderness, a location where nature lovers, photographers, and others can enjoy photographing and filming animals, birds, plants, and more. You might see lions, leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, zebras, cape buffaloes, elephants, various antelope species, and more on a lucky day. After your time with the animals, take a break for lunch before heading to the spectacular Amboseli National Park, which is located at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, the world's largest stand-alone peak. There, you will be warmly received at lodge, and then ushered in for refreshment, dinner, and a nap.
Day17: Morning Game drive
Your morning will begin with a hearty breakfast at the lodge, followed by a sunrise wildlife drive in the morning. During the game drive, you have an opportunity to see a variety of animals ranging freely in the savannah grassland at the foothills of the great snowcapped mountain Kilimanjaro, including warthogs, zebras, African elephants, Cape Buffaloes, Giraffes, and more, as well as birds, distinctive plants, and more. Following that, you'll return to the resort to relax or partake in any other enjoyable activity. Dinner will be served at the end of the day, followed by an overnight stay.
Day18: Departure
After a hearty breakfast at the lodge, you'll embark for Nairobi, the final wave to the country that fed and housed you for the previous 18 days. Before the separation, the driver guide will take you to sites where you can buy souvenirs.
End of safari
