Kenya has one of the richest avifaunas in Africa with around 1090 bird species recorded. At least eight of these are national endemics. Around 170 species of Kenya’s bird species are Palearctic migrants (11 species of them with a local breeding population too), mainly from eastern Europe, Russia, the Middle East and Siberia. Another 60 species migrate regularly within the Afrotropics or from Madagascar. Some 335 species are found in forest; 230 species are entirely forest dependent.
Nairobi, Kenya (Google Map)
Start an early morning journey from Nairobi for Mount Kenya National Park. Have lunch at Mountain Lodge. Head for afternoon birding excursions along the nearby-forested trails. Birders here are guaranteed the sight of Olive & Bronze-napped Pigeons, Silvery-cheeked Hornbills, Ruppell’s Robin-Chat, White-starred Forest Robin, Mountain Greenbul, Stuhlman’s Starling and rare Verreaux Eagle Owl. Go for a bird walk along with the riverine forests where we expect to see species like Black Duck, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Crowned Hornbill, and African Paradise Flycatcher and up to eight species of sunbird. Dinner and Overnight stay will be at Mountain Lodge. Accommodation can be obtained at Naro Moru Lodge.
Early morning departure and drive across The Great Rift Valley wall and onto the Lake Nakuru National Park. Here visitors are taken through great game drives & bird walks all making this a truly memorable locality. Popular for Flamingos, Pelicans and water birds but equally rich in Narina’s Trogon, Arrow-Marked Babbler and Red-Headed Weaver, Hilderbrandt’s Francolin, Montane and Dusky Nightjars and many more. Spend the night at luxury Sarova Lion Hill Lodge
Transfer to Lake Baringo travelling past Lake Nakuru after Lake Turkana, the most northern of the Great Rift Valley lakes of Kenya. Here, over 470 species of birds have been recorded there, occasionally including migrating flamingos, Bristle-Crowned Starlings, Verreaux Eagle, Dark Chanting Goshawk, Silver bird, Cliff Chats, Jackson’s & Yellow-billed Hornbills, Brown-tailed Rock Chat, and Spotted Eagle Owl. The lake also provides invaluable habitat for seven freshwater fish species which are the major food for the resident birds. Overnight can be at Samatian Lodge
Situated in Western Kenya, along the northeastern edge of the Lake Victoria basin, Kakamega is the easternmost remnants of the great West African rain forests that once stretched the width of Africa, its flora, fauna & avifauna is fascinating. Kakamega birdlife is a fascinating combination of dominant central African lowland species sitting alongside highland species. Over 45 species that make the Kenya bird list are found here. It is the last refuge in Kenya of the Grey Parrot. Other great specialities for Kenya birders include Blue-headed Bee-Eater, Great Blue Turaco, Emerald Cuckoo, Black-billed, Black & White Casqued Hornbill and Violet’s Black Weavers. Sleep at Kakamega Golf Hotel
Besides its exceptional populations of Big game and the annual Wildebeest migration including zebra and Thomson’s gazelle from the Serengeti every year from July to October, it is also a bird haven. More than 470 bird species have been recorded in the reserve, many of which are migrants, with almost 60 species being raptors. Birds that call this area home for at least part of the year include vultures, marabou storks, secretary birds, and hornbills, long-crested eagles, crowned cranes, ostriches, African pygmy-falcons and the lilac-breasted roller, which is the national bird of Kenya. Dinner and overnight at Mara Serena Lodge
