Best of Kenya Bird Watching Safari and Tours – 15 Days / 14 Nights

15 Days 14 Nights

Kenya is one of the world’s most celebrated birding destinations, boasting over 1,100 recorded species, including spectacular endemics, regional specialties, migratory flocks, and rare species. The diversity of habitats — from the highland forests and savannah plains to alkaline Rift Valley lakes, montane moorlands, coastal mangroves, and semi-arid bushlands — creates an unrivaled variety of birdlife within a relatively small geographical range.

Our 15 Days / 14 Nights Best of Kenya Bird Watching Safari is designed for keen birders, ornithologists, photographers, and naturalists seeking to explore Kenya’s richest bird habitats while also enjoying sightings of Africa’s iconic wildlife. The journey covers Kenya’s top birding hotspots: Nairobi National Park, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, Kakamega Forest, Lake Victoria shores, the Rift Valley lakes, Mount Kenya foothills, Samburu, and the world-famous Maasai Mara.

This itinerary is well-paced, allowing ample time for detailed observation, expert-guided walks, and cultural encounters with local communities. Expect to encounter hundreds of bird species, from the Great Blue Turaco and African Green Broadbill of Kakamega, to flamingos carpeting Rift Valley lakes, to raptors soaring over Mara’s savannahs. In addition to birds, the safari offers excellent opportunities to see Kenya’s mammals, including the Big Five, primates, and a variety of plains game.

Itinerary

Cost

Itinerary

Day 01 :
Arrival in Nairobi

Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, meet & greet by your birding safari guide.

Transfer to a city hotel for overnight stay.

If time allows, short bird walk in the Nairobi environs to spot early arrivals such as Baglafecht Weaver, Bronze Sunbird, and African Pied Wagtail.

Day 02 :
Nairobi National Park

Early breakfast followed by a full day of birding in Nairobi National Park.

Species highlights: Secretary Bird, Crowned Crane, Hartlaub’s Bustard, Yellow-throated Longclaw, Ostrich, Martial Eagle, and numerous larks.

Mammals such as lions, rhinos, giraffes, and buffaloes also present.

Picnic lunch in the park, return to lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 03 :
Nairobi – Lake Naivasha

Drive to the Rift Valley, descending through the escarpment with en route birding.

Arrive at Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake rich in birdlife.

Afternoon boat ride to spot African Fish Eagle, Giant Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, Goliath Heron, and flocks of Red-knobbed Coots.

Overnight at a lakeside lodge.

Day 04 :
Lake Naivasha – Lake Nakuru National Park

Morning birding along Naivasha shores.

Transfer to Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for its flamingos and diverse bird species.

Afternoon game drive and birding.

Species highlights: Great White Pelican, Lesser and Greater Flamingo, Black-necked Grebe, Grey-headed Gull, and the rare African Fish Eagle.

Mammals include white rhino, Rothschild’s giraffe, and leopard.

Overnight at a safari lodge.

Day 05 :
Lake Nakuru – Kakamega Forest

Early morning departure, drive west through Kericho tea country into the Kakamega Forest, Kenya’s only true tropical rainforest.

Late afternoon bird walk on arrival.

Overnight at lodge near the forest.

Day 06 - 07 :
Kakamega Forest Birding

Two full days of intensive birding in Kakamega.

Species highlights: Great Blue Turaco, Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill, African Grey Parrot, Turner’s Eremomela, Blue-headed Bee-eater, Equatorial Akalat, Green Hylia, and African Broadbill.

Also excellent for primates: Black-and-White Colobus, Red-tailed Monkey, and De Brazza’s Monkey.

Overnight at forest lodge.

Day 08 :
Kakamega – Kisumu – Lake Victoria

Depart for Kisumu and Lake Victoria shores.

Afternoon birding around Dunga Swamp and papyrus beds.

Species highlights: Papyrus Gonolek, Swamp Flycatcher, Carruthers’s Cisticola, White-winged Swamp Warbler.

Overnight in Kisumu.

Day 09 :
Lake Victoria – Kericho – Lake Baringo

Morning birding around Lake Victoria.

Depart through Kericho highlands to Lake Baringo, an arid-zone lake.

Evening bird walk along cliffs and lakeshore.

Species highlights: Northern Masked Weaver, Hemprich’s Hornbill, White-faced Scops Owl, and Spotted Eagle Owl.

Overnight at Lake Baringo lodge.

Day 10 :
Lake Baringo Birding

Full day birding at Lake Baringo.

Boat ride to see African Darter, Goliath Heron, White-backed Night Heron, and Kingfishers.

Afternoon walk around rocky escarpments for Verreaux’s Eagle, Bristle-crowned Starling, Jackson’s Hornbill, and Mouse-coloured Penduline Tit.

Overnight at Lake Baringo lodge.

Day 11 :
Lake Baringo – Samburu National Reserve

Drive north to Samburu National Reserve.

Afternoon game drive and birding.

Species highlights: Somali Ostrich, Vulturine Guineafowl, Golden-breasted Starling, Donaldson-Smith’s Sparrow-Weaver, and the endemic William’s Lark.

Mammals: Grevy’s Zebra, Beisa Oryx, Reticulated Giraffe, and Elephant.

Overnight at lodge.

Day 12 :
Samburu National Reserve

Full day birding in Samburu.

More species: Lappet-faced Vulture, Shining Sunbird, Somali Bee-eater, Rufous-crowned Roller, and Chestnut Weaver.

Overnight in Samburu lodge.

Day 13 :
Samburu – Mount Kenya Foothills

Drive to Mount Kenya region, staying in forested foothills.

Afternoon forest walk.

Species highlights: Hartlaub’s Turaco, Crowned Hornbill, Mountain Greenbul, Abyssinian Crimsonwing, Tacazze Sunbird.

Overnight at mountain lodge.

Day 14 :
Mount Kenya – Nairobi

Morning birding in Mount Kenya forest edges.

Depart for Nairobi.

Afternoon free for rest, shopping, or optional birding in Nairobi Arboretum.

Overnight in Nairobi.

Day 15 :
Departure

Depending on flight schedule, optional short morning birding walk in Nairobi.

Transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for departure.

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Best of Kenya Bird Watching Safari and Tours – 15 Days / 14 Nights