Kenyan Ultimate Birding Tour

Kenya has the second highest birdlist for any African country with over 1000 species, and on this tour we expect perhaps 450 of these, including many of the most sought-after Kenyan and regional endemics during a birding spectacle to treasure, as we visit many of the country's top sites. Specifically designed for the keen enthusiast, this tour is an exceptional Kenyan birding safari.

Key habitats and locations have been selected to give you an opportunity to visit many remote and bird-rich places. Our tour includes both soda lakes and freshwater lakes at Naivasha, Nakuru, and Baringo, both high and low altitude grasslands, bush and standard savannah woodlands including fabulous Samburu, mountainous ecosystems and escarpments including Mount Kenya and the pristine Aberdares, extreme drylands and of course a good selection of tropical habitat including Kakamega Forest, one of the top birding locations in Kenya. Animal wildlife is not a major focus, but still of great interest, and you will also see a great deal of big game as we travel. 

Among our many targets are many national and regional rarities. These include national endemics Jackson's Francolin, Snowy Barbet, Aberdare Cisticola, Grant’s Wood Hoopoe, Turner’s Eremomela, Kikuyu White-eye and Sharpe's Longclaw. We also seek rarities including East African endemics Grey-crested Helmetshrike, Red-throated Tit, Northern Pied Babbler, Hildebrandt’s Starling, Abbott’s Starling, Kenrick’s Starling, Jackson’s Widowbird, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Hunter’s Cisticola, Black-lored Babbler and Kenya Rufous Sparrow. There are also birds where Kenya has the largest known distribution range for the species, often referred to as ‘Near endemics to Kenya’, and these include Golden-winged Sunbird, Parrot-billed Sparrow, Fire-fronted Bishop and Donaldson Smith’s Sparrow-Weaver.

Kenya is also considered to be the “Best Territory” in Africa for some other species also included in this tour, Somali Ostrich, Black-faced Sandgrouse, White-headed Mousebird, Blue-headed Bee-eater, Somali Bee-eater, Jackson’s Hornbill, Taita Fiscal, White-bellied Tit, Hunter’s Sunbird, Somali Sparrow, Golden Palm Weaver, Northern Masked Weaver, Grey-headed Silverbill, Golden Pipit, Steel-blue Whydah, Pangani Longclaw, William's Lark, Moorland Francolin,  Friedmann’s Lark, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Hinde’s Babbler, Abyssinian Wheatear, Kakamega Greenbul and Olive Ibis. Add to this a vast range of more frequently seen African birds, and you have the ideal tour for the birder in Kenya, featuring a really comprehensive birdlist.

We visit places and hotels which are well known to Heatherlea, in the company of top quality local Guides who equally are well-versed in our ways. You will find this a comfortable and professionally organised tour in excellent company!

Enjoy your complimentary pre-flight overnight hotel before your holiday begins. Full details from our office! Read more about our Pre-flight Service here!

Day 1: London - Nairobi
After relaxing in our complimentary VIP Airport Lounge, we fly from London in the late afternoon flying Kenya Airways to Nairobi, arriving the following morning.

Day 2: Nairobi National Park
The tour begins in Nairobi where we will be received by our local guides, and enjoy a packed breakfast to set us up for a wonderful day! We head directly to Nairobi National Park for a great birding morning in Kenya’s oldest National Park, just 7 km from the edge of the Nairobi city centre. Indeed this is Kenya’s capital birding location, with over 500 species recorded. Species include Secretarybird, African Water Rail, Spotted Thick-knee, Black-winged Plover, African Finfoot, Pangani Longclaw, Jackson’s Widowbird, Kori Bustard, Hartlaub’s Bustard, Saddle-billed Stork, African Yellow White-eye, Common Nightingale, Rüppell’s Robin-chat, Northern Pied Babbler, Whitetailed Lark, Rufous-naped Lark, Somali Short-toed Lark, Red-throated Tit, Speke’s Weaver, Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, Martial Eagle, African Crowned Eagle, Wahlberg’s Eagle, African Quail-finch, Zebra Waxbill, Harlequin Quail, Lappet-faced Vulture, Violet Wood-hoopoe, Nairobi Pipit, Grassland Pipit, Siffling Cisticola, Croaking Cisticola and Desert Cisticola. The park also hosts many other interesting animals, including Zebra, Cape Buffalo and Maasai Giraffe plus a wide range of antelope species and possibly Lion and Black Rhino.

During our rest stop in the Park we enjoy a picnic lunch as we add more birds to our list, and visit the important ivory-burning area, where the Kenyan Government makes a strong and highly visible stance against the ivory trade. Later we head to our hotel, check in and relax during the heat of the afternoon after a very busy day. Driving today 15km (30min). Overnight in Nairobi at The Boma Hotel

Day 3: Mount Kenya National Park
Leaving from Nairobi, we have an early start and head to Mt. Kenya arriving before lunch. We bird around the lodge and forest trails, targeting forest and woodland species such as African Cuckoo-Hawk, Mountain Buzzard, Crowned Eagle, Alpine Swift, Purple-throated Cuckoo-Shrike, Grey Cuckoo-Shrike, Mountain Wagtail, Cape Wagtail, Slender-billed Greenbul, Mountain Yellow-Warbler, Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, Black-throated Apalis, Black-collared Apalis, Chestnut-throated Apalis, White-browed Crombec, Hunter’s Cisticola, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Crowned Hornbill, African Black Duck, Red-fronted Parrot, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Spectacled Weaver, Grey-headed Negrofinch, Scaly Francolin, Brown-backed Scrub-Robin, Rueppell’s Robin-Chat, Abyssinian Crimsonwing, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Black-fronted Bushshrike, Malachite Sunbird, Golden-winged Sunbird, Eastern Double-collared Sunbird, Black-headed Waxbill, Olive Ibis, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Slender-billed Starling, Abbott’s Starling, Sharpe’s Starling, Kenrick’s Starling, Waller’s Starling, Kikuyu White-eye, Fine-banded Woodpecker, White-headed Wood-Hoopoe, Bar-tailed Trogon, Yellow-crowned Canary, Dusky Turtle Dove, African Green Pigeon, Lemon Dove, African Olive Pigeon, and Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon.

Montane mammals are likely, including monkeys, antelopes, mongooses, genets, pigs, hogs, elephants and buffalo. Driving today 160 km (3 hrs). Overnight at Aberdare Country Club,

Days 4 & 5: Buffalo Springs and Samburu 
We leave early for Buffalo Springs and Samburu (180 km, 3 hrs), spending the next two days birding this special place. As we approach Samburu, we pass dry country where we keep an eye for specialities such as Straw-tailed Whydah, Steel-blue Whydah, Chestnut-headed Sparrow-Lark, Rufous Bush Chat, Fan-tailed Raven, Bristle-crowned Starling, Fischer’s Starling, Magpie Starling, Rüppell’s Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Donaldson-Smith’s Sparrow-Weaver, Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse, White-bellied (Variable) Sunbird and Pink-breasted Lark. We enjoy a game drive the first afternoon, and the following day have both a morning and afternoon session, with a lunch break to relax. 

In Samburu, we keep scouting for extra birds as we enjoy local mammals such as Leopard, Beisa Oryx, Gerenuk, Grevy’s Zebra, Cheetah, Reticulated Giraffe, Lion and Elephant. Birds expected here include Somali Ostrich, Somali Courser, Golden Pipit, Golden-breasted Starling, Abyssinian Scimitarbill, Rosy-patched Bushshrike, Pringle’s Puffback, Northern Puffback, Northern White-crowned Shrike, White-headed Mousebird, Hunter’s Sunbird, Black-bellied Sunbird, Shining Sunbird, Red-billed Hornbill, Eastern Yellowbilled Hornbill, Von der Decken’s Hornbill, Black-faced Sandgrouse, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Fire-fronted Bishop, Somali Bee-eater, Stone Partridge, African Orange-bellied Parrot, Yellow-vented Eremomela, Northern Crombec, Northern Grey Tit, Black-capped Social Weaver, Northern Brownbul, Buff-crested Bustard, African Bare-eyed Thrush, Somali Sparrow, Donaldson-Smith’s Nightjar, Dusky Nightjar, Vulturine Guineafowl, Rufous Chatterer, African Mourning Dove, European Turtle Dove, Egyptian Vulture, Bateleur, Martial Eagle and Tawny Eagle. Driving total 180km (3hrs). Two nights at Samburu Sopa Lodge. 

Day 6: Naro Moru
On this day, we begin with some more birding in Samburu, before heading to Naro Moru (140 km, 2.5 hrs), at the foothills of Mt. Kenya. Here we enjoy birding around our lodge and the neighbouring area for species such as Brown-backed Scrub Robin, Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Brown Parisoma, African Paradise Flycatcher, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Grey-headed Bush-shrike, Red-fronted Parrot, Northern Double-collared Sunbird and Little Rock Thrush. One night at Naro Moru River Lodge.

Days 7 & 8: Lake Baringo
We leave early morning for Lake Baringo. Today is a long transfer of 255 km (5 hrs), though birding will be active along the way, and we have several stops scheduled to check for some special birds such as endemic Hinde's Babbler and exciting Mackinder's Eagle-Owl. If time allows, we stop briefly at a roadside dam near the lake, to check for waterfowl. We arrive in Baringo in the afternoon, and will spend some time walking around the scrubland for owls, nightjars and other specialities of this area. Birds to expect here include Spotted and Greyish Eagle-Owls, Northern White-faced Scops Owl, Shikra, Dark Chanting Goshawk, Verreaux’s Eagle, Slender-tailed Nightjar, Donaldson-Smith’s Nightjar, Heuglin’s Courser, Blue-capped Cordon-bleu, D’Arnaud’s Barbet, Black-throated Barbet, Brubru, Grey-headed Bushshrike, Somali Fiscal, Three-streaked Tchagra, Spotted Thick-knee, Senegal Thick-knee, African Pygmy Kingfisher, Nubian Woodpecker, Crimson-rumped Waxbill, Little Weaver, Jackson’s Golden-backed Weaver, Northern Masked Weaver, White-billed Buffalo-Weaver, White-bellied Canary, Beautiful Sunbird, Black-headed Plover, Jackson’s Hornbill, Yellow-billed Hornbill, Hemprich’s Hornbill, Northern Red Bishop, Brown-tailed Rock Chat, Mocking Cliff-Chat, Somali Sparrow and Bristle-crowned Starling, among many others.

We start the next day with a boat ride on Lake Baringo in search of water birds such as African Jacana, Black Crake, Goliath Heron, Little Bittern, Purple Heron and White-faced Whistling Duck. The boat ride will also help us enjoy the beauty of the lake and see local African Fish Eagles advertising their territories as they hunt. We return to the lodge for breakfast, then scout the local scrubland and nearby cliffs seeking birds we may have missed the previous day. After lunch, we relax for some time and later take another walk seeking nightjars and owls, among other birds. Two nights in Baringo, at Soi Safari Lodge.

Days 9 & 10: Kakamega Forest
We depart for Kakamega, a journey of around 220 km, which will take around 4 hrs, arriving around midday. We scan the lodge compound to find our first birds, then take lunch before an afternoon bird walk. The following day we are birding deeper into Kakamega Forest, a remnant of the Guineo-Congolian Equatorial forest, exploring different sections. Species diversity here is plentiful and we hope for a huge addition to our list, perhaps including Yellow-shouldered (-mantled) Widowbird, Little Greenbul, Shelley’s Greenbul, Cameroon Sombre Greenbul, Kakamega Greenbul, Ansorge’s Greenbul, Toro Olive Greenbul, Great Blue Turaco, Western Banded Snake-Eagle, Crowned Eagle, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Red-headed Bluebill, Oriole Finch, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Uganda Woodland Warbler, White-chinned Prinia, Buff-throated Apalis, Turner’s Eremomela, Green Hylia, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, Olive-Green Camaroptera, Square-tailed Drongo, Red-headed Malimbe, Black-necked Weaver, Black-billed Weaver, Vieillot’s Black Weaver, African Broadbill, Petit’s Cuckoo-shrike, Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, Snowy-headed Robin-Chat, Grey-throated Barbet, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Yellow-billed Barbet, Pink-footed Puffback, Green Sunbird, Western Olive Sunbird, Orange-tufted Sunbird, Green-throated Sunbird, Mackinnon’s Fiscal, White-spotted Flufftail, Dusky Tit, African Emerald Cuckoo, Klaas’s Cuckoo, Bocage’s Bush-Shrike, Lühder’s Bush-Shrike, Black-crowned Waxbill, White-breasted Negrofinch, Bar-tailed Trogon, Least Honeyguide, Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Brown-eared Woodpecker, Yellow-crested Woodpecker, White-headed Wood-Hoopoe, Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill, Equatorial Akalat, White-tailed Ant-Thrush, Blue-headed Bee-eater, Western Black-headed Oriole, Common Wattle-eye, Jameson’s Wattle-eye and Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye. The forest also holds unique monkey, antelope and squirrel species. Driving total 221km (4hrs). Two nights in Kakamega at Rondo Retreat Lodge. 

Day 11: Lake Nakuru National Park
We leave Kakamega for Nakuru, arriving by midday (180km 3.5hrs). We enjoy a lunch break and then have an afternoon game drive. The following day will see morning and afternoon sessions for birding, with a break in between for lunch and to relax. 

This park is famed as a birdwatchers’ paradise, and indeed was the first national park in Africa to be set up with an avian conservation objective. Famous for its Lesser Flamingos, other birds here include Woolly-necked Stork, Arrow-marked Babbler, Little Rock-Thrush, Mocking Cliff Chat, White-browed Robin-Chat, Reed Cormorant, Pink-backed Pelican, Pied Avocet, Kittlitz's Plover, Blacksmith Plover, Coqui Francolin, Hildebrandt's Francolin, Black Cuckoo, Levaillant’s Cuckoo, African Cuckoo, Grey-crested Helmet-shrike, Cape Teal, Brimstone Canary, Hottentot Teal, Red-billed Teal, Dusky Nightjar and Montane Nightjar. The park is also a great sanctuary for rhinos, and White and possibly Black Rhino may be encountered as we move around the park. Other mammals will be seen, especially herds of grazing herbivores and Rothschild’s Giraffe.  Driving total 180km (3.5hrs). One night in at Nakuru Sopa Lodge. 

Day 12: Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha
We start the day with more birding in Nakuru. Later, we leave the park and drive to Naivasha (70km, 1.5hrs). Here we sample local birding spots, including more savannah and bushland areas, and also visit the lakeshore at favourite beach points, where many shorebirds will be seen. Expected species include Mosque Swallow, Lyne’s Cisticola, Chestnut Sparrow, Abyssinian Wheatear, Nyanza Swift, Mottled Swift, White-fronted Bee-eater, Mocking Cliff Chat, Bearded Woodpecker, Plain-backed Pipit, Giant Kingfisher, Grey-backed Fiscal, Grey-crested Helmet-Shrike, Brimstone Canary, Cape Teal, Pied Avocet, Black Heron, Goliath Heron, Lesser Flamingo, Maccoa Duck, Great White Pelican, Common Greenshank, Ruff, Green Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, Hildebrandt’s Francolin, Arrow-marked Babbler, Black-lored Babbler, African Fish Eagle, Verreaux’s Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Osprey, Hybrid Lovebird, Red-throated Wryneck, Golden-breasted Bunting, Buff-bellied Warbler, Grey Crowned Crane, Black Cuckoo and Hoopoe. We have lunch at the famous conservation centre of Elsamere, former home of Peter and Joy Adamson, and now an enchanting country home containing fascinating exhibits. There is good birding in the grounds, plus Black and White Colobus Monkey and sometimes Giraffe and Hippo.  Overnight at Naivasha Sopa Lodge for two nights, where we share the parklands with Giraffes, Zebra and perhaps even more new birds!

Day 13: Kinangop Grasslands and Aberdare National Park     
We leave early for a day trip to this highland region, carrying a picnic lunch. Part of the day will be spent in Aberdare National Park. This Park runs the expanse of a majestic mountain range on the eastern edge of the Rift Valley, and has a great stretch of alpine moorland vegetation, mainly above 3000m. This great landscape has led to the park’s nickname:- “The Majestic Moorland”. There is a thick tropical forest, with deep ravines and dissecting riverine gorges. At certain areas, these rivers form majestic waterfalls, which really must be seen! Home to many regional endemics, this area promises to be rewarding in terms of birdlife. Species include Aberdare Cisticola, Mountain Yellow Warbler, Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Brown Woodland Warbler, Abbott's Starling, Scarlet-tufted Sunbird, Malachite Sunbird, Moorland Chat, Black-fronted Bushshrike, Red-fronted Parrot, Yellow-crowned Canary, Yellow-bellied Waxbill, White-headed Wood-hoopoe, African Olive Pigeon, Jackson’s Francolin, Mountain Buzzard and Olive Ibis. Many other animals occupy this beautiful place and African Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Mountain Bongo, and Giant Forest Hog can be expected.

Later in the afternoon we drive through the Kinangop plateau to score some more special birds in the grasslands, and also in local wetlands for highland water birds. Birds here include Black-winged Plover, Red-throated Wryneck, Common Quail, Hunter’s Cisticola, Levaillant’s Cisticola, Wing-snapping Cisticola, Long-tailed Widowbird, Jackson’s Widowbird, Angola Swallow, Montane Nightjar, Sharpe’s Longclaw, Mountain Buzzard, Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk, Red-throated Pipit, Black-tailed Godwit, African Snipe and Lesser Jacana. Driving today 65km (1.5hrs). Later, we return to Naivasha for our second night at Sopa Lodge.

Day 14:  Lake Naivasha to Nairobi
Today we begin with a morning walk around our lodge, then head for the lakeshore where waterbirds abound. We enjoy a boat ride here to reach more birds and enjoy the lake’s beauty, before enjoying a final lunch at Sopa and leaving for Nairobi, with birding on the way. We arrive in time to check-in and relax, then enjoy our final dinner. Driving today 115km (2hrs). We return to the comfortable The Boma Hotel.

Day 15: Nairobi to London
We enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then make the short airport transfer for our flights home.

What's included in your holiday price:

• return scheduled flight from London – Nairobi, airport taxes, baggage up to 20kg, hand luggage to 5kg, in-flight meal and airport transfers.
• accommodation and meals including breakfast and lunch, evening meal and water during the day.
• the services of your Heatherlea leader and professional local guide. ground transportation, boat trips, park entrance fees and walk fees.
• The Heatherlea Pre-Flight Service offers everything you need at the airport, including hotels, car parking, airport lounges, regional flights, and upgrades. Let Heatherlea take the strain! Pre-flight airport hotel and lounge included, subject to terms and conditions. Read more..

Free Field Guide! - 'The Birds of East Africa' by Terry Stevenson is included in your holiday price. One copy per room booked.

What's not included in your holiday price:

• Travel to and from the airport before and after the holiday, baggage above 20kg, incidental tips, drinks with meals, expenses of a personal nature and personal insurance.

More holiday information

Accommodation is in excellent and friendy hotels and lodges, often located in areas with expansive views. Rooms are comfortable, clean and attractive with en-suite bathrooms. The hotel in Nairobi has been selected for its easy access to both the Airport and Nairobi National Park, other hotels have been chosen for their location, accommodation and food, which are universally very good, and often exceptional.

Food is usually plentiful. Breakfasts offer a good choice, with tea, coffee, juice, fruits, pancakes, egg of your choice and other things depending on location. Lunches are taken at hotels or somewhere in the bush depending on the day’s plan. Evening meals are at the accommodation with a full dinner. Vegetarian and other diets are always available.

Walking is easy throughout, but restricted in the national parks and game reserves.  This is no hindrance, as we will be safe and able to get up very close to many animals and birds. It is also important for safety reasons to stay close to if not inside the vehicle – remember we are not top of the food chain here!

Travel is by comfortable minibus, and all clients have a window seat. Tarmac roads make travelling much easier these days, though there are some 'marram' roads, which are both rough and dusty. Sometimes the wildlife we want to see is at the end of a dusty road! Roads around National Parks are likewise unmade, though we travel slowly here to maximise our chances of birding and game.

Weather will be warm to hot most days although it can sometimes be cool, especially at altitude and in the early mornings. You will probably experience 'dry heat', though rain is certainly possible. Most sites selected for this holiday are close to water and so should hold plenty of wildlife at the time of year we are visiting.

Insects There are very few biting insects at this time of the year, but general precautions are advised. Before travelling consult your doctor about suitable anti-malarial medication, and on arrival take adequate precautions against mosquito bites although you may not encounter mosquitos.

Clothing We recommend a mixture of light and warm clothing as temperatures will vary from place to place. Gloves and hat are advised especially when at altitude. Please bring waterproof clothing, it hopefully won't be needed but rain is possible at any time, even in the dry season.

Visa & Entry Requirements As of January 2024, all travellers wishing to enter Kenya will no longer need a visa to enter. You instead be required to apply for an Electonic Travel Authorisation instead. This is to be completed online prior to departure and costs approx. $32.50 plus booking fees. Please do not apply until advised that the tour is a definite departure. Our office will be able to provide you with further information needed in order to complete the ETA.

YOUR LEADERS

Washington Wachira
Washington has a taste for everything in nature, from the small to the big and everything in between. He is an experienced Safari Guide and was awarded the African Sustainable Tourism Fellowship Award in 2016. Washington is a member of the Kakamega Rainforest Tour Guides Association, and has led many birding trips and expeditions across the whole of East Africa. He is a passionate author, and has taken part in many bird related research and conservation projects.  He is also an experienced nature photographer and his photos have been featured in many international books and magazines.

 

   
Washington 

Chris Rodger

Chris is an experienced birder with a passion for the ecology and landscape of Scotland. He has worked in the Scottish ecology and conservation sector for over twenty years, including roles as warden and ranger on Shetland (Hermaness NNR and and Fair Isle Bird Observatory), Orkney (Hoy RSPB Reserve), the Isle of Rum NNR and Vane Farm RSPB Reserve. Short-term contracts have included bird survey work on Islay, Papa Westray, Insh Marshes, Abernethy Forest, Caerlaverock and throughout the Great Glen.