16 Days
Daily Tour
6 people
English
Top Birding Route through Kenya – The journey encompasses Castle Forest, Samburu National Reserve, and Buffalo Springs, unveiling a rich array of avian treasures, from Hinde’s babbler to Vulturine guinea fowl. Lake Baringo offers encounters with northern white-faced scops owl and Abyssinian scimitarbill, while Kakamega Forest reveals Guinea-Congolian gems like the blue-billed bristlebill. The itinerary continues to Kisumu, Mida Creek, Tsavo East National Park, and culminates in Aberdares National Park, providing a remarkable birding odyssey across Kenya’s diverse landscapes.
Arrival and birding at Karura Forest. You will be picked up at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, and, depending on your arrival time, birding will commence at Karura Forest. Look out for various bird species, including Placid, Olive-breasted, Yellow-bellied, and Yellow-whiskered Greenbuls.
Depart from the Nairobi hotel early, making stopovers at Blue Post Hotel and Thika Wetlands before driving to Sagana Lodge in Nyeri. Birding will include searching for the endemic Hinde's babbler. The following day, engage in a full day of birding in Castle Forest, spotting species like white-headed woodhoopoe and brown-capped weaver.
Leave Castle Forest for Samburu National Reserve with picnic lunches. Explore the reserve for dry country specials, including Somali bee-eater, Vulturine guinea fowl, and Eastern yellow-billed hornbill. Accommodations in a mid-range camp or lodge.
Drive across the Ewaso Ngiro River to Buffalo Springs Reserve, birding for dry country specials. Later, drive to Naromoru River Lodge for afternoon birding, targeting species like African citril and brown-tailed rock chat
Birding en route to Lake Baringo, with a stop for birding around the campgrounds and an evening boat ride for waterbirds. Accommodations in a mid-range camp or lodge.
Birding at Lake Baringo for species like northern white-faced scops owl and Abyssinian scimitarbill. Accommodations in a mid-range camp or lodge.
Depart for Kakamega with a packed lunch, arriving for an evening bird walk. Overnight stay at Rondo Retreat.
Explore Kakamega Forest for special birds, including Guinea-Congolian types like blue-billed bristlebill and kakamega hyliota. Accommodations in a mid-range camp or lodge.
Drive to Kisumu, stopping at Busia grasslands for birding in Dunga hills and swamps. Accommodations in a mid-range camp or lodge.
Kisumu to Lake Naivasha, with a morning boat ride on Lake Victoria and afternoon birding at Lake Naivasha. Accommodations in a mid-range camp or lodge.
Birding at Lake Naivasha and Kinangop Grasslands, seeking species like Sharpe's longclaw. Later, drive to Aberdares National Park for late afternoon birding.
Half-day birding in Aberdares National Park for forest specialists. Drive towards Nairobi with a stop at Manguo Swamp for the rare Maccoa duck. Drop-off at the airport or your hotel.
We have a minimum age requirement of 18 years old to join the tour. Group members aged 16-17 years old are welcome to join the tour but only with a family member that will act as their guardian whilst on tour. Aside from that, no age requirements at all!
On our birding and wildlife safari, we often begin birding early in the morning, usually having breakfast before dawn. Days will usually start at first light to catch activity in the morning before the day warms up and activity slows down. The pace will be relaxed and most of the birding will be from the vehicle. On some days, we may rest for a mid-day ‘siesta’. During leisurely dinners we discuss the day’s activities and review the day’s list of sightings, and make plans for the next day. There will be a few optional nocturnal outings, to search for owls and nightjars.
Most of the day will be spent in the vehicle viewing wildlife and birds. The vehicles are modified Toyota Land Cruiser, specifically designed for safaris, in which the roof pops up, allowing you to stand up fully and take unobstructed photos or view the wildlife. We will make frequent stops to clean toilet facilities throughout the day. Some days will include longer drives to get to the next destination. The roads can be bumpy and dusty.
East Africa is a diverse region, and we visit montane forests, huge grasslands, arid plains, coastal beaches and expansive wetlands. Short heavy rainfalls can happen at any time, and occasionally humidity can be an inconvenience.
Please note that the detailed itinerary cannot be guaranteed as it is only a guide and may be changed due to factors such as availability of accommodation, updated information on the state of accommodation, roads, or birding sites, the discretion of the guides and other factors.
We stay in mostly good quality accommodations, often in excellent birding localities. Some accommodations may be ‘tented camps’, which are very comfortable walled tents with proper beds and indoor plumbing.
Village Weaver Birding Tours comprises a team of expert bird guides specializing in personalized birding experiences across East Africa. With an in-depth knowledge of the region's birdlife, they design intimate small-group safaris and family adventures.
Member Since 2024
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