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KENYA BIRDWATCHING SAFARIS

With a staggering bird count of around 1 100 species, Kenya represents one of Africa's, if not the world's best birding destinations - a 2-week trip should easily yield around 600 species. Of Kenya's bird list, some 230 are migrants (170 Palaearctic, 60 intra-African) and the country boasts around 10 endemics and depending which source you use, between 40 and 75 near-endemics.

Straddling the Equator, Kenya geography is dominated by the Great Rift Valley that runs through the centre of the country. This portion of the 6 000km rupture in the Earth's crust has created in Kenya numerous large grassy or wooded valleys, fresh or soda water lakes and the mountainous region of the Central Highlands, home to some good areas of montane forest and Afro-alpine moorland.

The Rift Valley separates another 2 geographical zones: the hot and humid coastal plains, with patches of coastal and mangrove forest and the hilly, fertile Lake Victoria basin. There are remnants of the once extensive rainforest in the west, in stark contrast to the semi-arid acacia scrub and woodland of the dry north.

Kenya is home to, or at least has portions of 5 Endemic Bird Areas and has 60 IBAs covering 5.7 million hectares. Of particular importance are Kenya's forest birds which number around 230 species.

When to go:

Kenya is a land of different geographical regions and thus varied climatic zones.

The coast is hot and humid all year round and you can expect rain just about anytime, but particularly during the monsoons of October to April.

The north and eastern semi-arid region see temperatures swing wildly from 40 degrees centigrade to less than 20 at night. Rainfall is low, usually in the form of violent storms, and usually at its highest in November, lowest in June and July.

Kenya's Central Highlands, Rift Valley and Lake Victoria region see 2 rainy seasons: the long rains from March to June, and the short rains from October to December. The temperatures are probably the most agreeable in Kenya.

The western highlands are fairly hot and humid with rain all year but the wettest months are from March to September.

Kenya's Palaearctic migrant species arrive from October/November onwards and leave March/April.

Where to go:

Aberdare National Park - Southern Kenya. There are literally hundreds of bird species in this forested mountain park. Only 180km from the capital Nairobi, the birder will get a great opportunity to explore the montane forests, bamboo forests and Afro-alpine moorland of this mountain range.

Amboseli National Park - Northern Kenya. An area of wooded savannah, open grasslands, broken hill country and large rivers with wetland habitats, Amboseli is home to over 400 bird species, including bee-eaters, kingfishers, African fish eagle, marital eagle and pygmy falcon.

Lake Baringo - Rift Valley. Of Kenya's 1 200 different species of birds, more than 450 species have been sighted here; the lake is the bird-watching centre of the country and it is possible to go on bird-watching walks with a resident ornithologist.

Lake Nakuru - Western Kenya. The soda lake is one of the Rift Valley lakes that attracts millions of flamingos; though numbers have decreased over recent years, it is hoped they will increase again.

Lake Bogoria - Western Kenya. Recently, Lake Bogoria has become the place to view flamingos in East Africa - where the population is around one to two million birds, mostly staying around the southern end of the lake.

Mount Kenya and Meru National Park - Central Highlands. Both parks offer excellent opportunities for spotting both forest and moorland-dwelling birds.

Kakamega Forest Reserve - Rift Valley. A superb slice of protected virgin tropical rainforest and a remnant of the much larger blanket of Central African Congolean rainforest that once covered the region, Kakamega boasts over 330 bird species and a number of primates.

ITINERARY : 

10 DAYS BIRD WATCHER’S SAFARI

Nairobi – Mt. Kenya – Samburu – Lake Baringo – Lake Nakuru – Lake Naivasha – Masai Mara – Nairobi

• 9 nights First Class hotel accommodation on the following order

• 1 night accommodation at the [Serena Mountain Lodge], Mount Kenya

• 2 nights accommodation at the [Samburu Serena Lodge], Samburu Game Reserve.

• 2 night accommodation at the [Lake Baringo Country Club], Baringo

• 1 night accommodation at the[Lake Nakuru Lodge], Lake Nakuru National Park

• 1 night accommodation at the[Lake Naivasha Country Club], Lake Naivasha

• 2 nights accommodation at the the [Mara Sopa Lodge], Mara Game Reserve

• 27 Meals: 9 Breakfast, 9Lunches and 9 dinners

• All transfers and hotel taxes

• Service of English Speaking Tour Host.

All entrance and Game Drive as per itinerary

Day 1     Nairobi – Mt. Kenya
Pick up from your hotel or the airport and drive north through the highlands and coffee farms of Mt. Kenya, checking into Mountain Lodge in time for lunch.  Relax at the hotel’s balcony in the afternoon and watch the animals at the salt lick waterhole below from a safe distance. Dinner and overnight at Serena Mountain Lodge.

Day 2      Mt. Kenya – Samburu
After breakfast drive to Samburu National Reserve arriving in time for lunch at Samburu Serena Lodge or similar.  Afternoon spent bird watching in the reserve, home to over 365 species. Dinner and overnight at Samburu Serena Lodge or similar.

Day 3      Samburu
Early morning bird and game spotting, returning to the lodge for breakfast.  Thereafter a further mid-morning outing followed by lunch.  Afternoon at leisure enjoying a swim and taking in the view around you. Dinner and overnight at Samburu Serena Lodge or similar.

Day 4      Samburu – L. Baringo
After breakfast drive to Lake Baringo, which is set dramatically at the foot of the Laikipia Escarpment right in the sweltering desert north.  With over 460 recorded bird species, it’s no wonder the lake is a paradise for bird watchers. Check in at Lake Baringo Club, and in your room you will find details of the bird life around the area.  A resident ornithologist is on hand to accompany you on walks – check with your driver / guide.  Dinner and overnight at Lake Baringo Club.

Day 5      L. Bogoria
Full day in baringo with a visit to Lake Bogoria.  The lake is host to thousands of shocking-pink Flamingoes as well as other water birds such as the Pelican and Gerbe.  After picnic lunch visit the hot steaming geysers found in the area.  These are spectacular displays that shoot out of natural underground rocks. Dinner and overnight at Lake Baringo Club.

Day 6      Baringo – Nakuru
After breakfast drive to Lake Nakuru National Park with lunch at Lake Nakuru Lodge.  Afternoon spent bird spotting around the park and lakeshores where you will find the favorite habitat of migrating Flamingoes, resident Cormorants, Pelicans, Black-Winged Silts including the seasonal Ruffs. Dinner and overnight at Lake Nakuru Lodge.

Day 7     Lake Nakuru – Lake Naivasha
Early morning bird-spotting drive in the park and around the lake before returning to the lodge for breakfast.  Drive to Lake Naivasha thereafter, entering via Hell’s Gate, famous for its natural streaming geysers and a haven for bird watchers.  The cliffs are breeding grounds for vultures, Verreaux’s Eagles, Augur Buzzards and thousands of Swifts.  Over 130 bird species have been recorded here.  Lunch at Lake Naivasha Country Club.  Afternoon at leisure to explore the rich, bird-filled gardens or an optional boat ride to Crescent Island (at an extra cost). Dinner and overnight at Lake Naivasha Country Club.

Day 8       L. Naivasha – Masai Mara
After an early breakfast depart for the Masai Mara Game Reserve arriving in time for lunch at Mara Sopa Lodge.  Afternoon spent bird spotting in the vast reserve where there’s plenty to see including the plain’s wide variety of wild game. Dinner and overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge.

Day 9        Masai mara
Full day in the Mara with various activities planned throughout the day including bird watching.  The lodge will provide all meals in between the outings. Dinner and overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge.

Day 10        Mara – Nairobi
Drive back to Nairobi after breakfast arriving at lunch time and drop off at your hotel.

Notes:

-          Reservation done for a group of more than 4 people traveling together will attract a discount of US$300 on the Adult rates.

-          Reservations falling on December 24, – January 02, are subject to Christmas and New Year Supplements.

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