22-Day Extreme Kenya Birding Safari

Day by day

1. Day 1Arrival and Nairobi birdingYour birding guide meets you at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Depending on arrival time, a first session in Nairobi National Park or nearby woodland and wetland for Grey Crowned Crane, African Fish Eagle, White-bellied Bustard, sunbirds, weavers and raptors.Overnight: Nairobi hotel or similarMeals: D, depending on arrival time
2. Day 2Kinangop grasslands to Lake NaivashaAn early start for the Kinangop Plateau, Kenya’s key highland grassland, searching for Sharpe’s Longclaw with pipits, larks and cisticolas. On to Lake Naivasha for afternoon birding around the grounds and lakeshore.Overnight: Lake Naivasha Resort or similarMeals: B · L · D
3. Day 3A full day at Lake NaivashaFrom before sunrise around the lakeshore, acacia woodland and freshwater edges for African Fish Eagle, Grey-backed Fiscal, African Jacana, Black Heron, Hamerkop, kingfishers and herons. An optional boat trip brings close views of waterbirds and hippos.Overnight: Lake Naivasha Resort or similarMeals: B · L · D
4. Day 4Lake Nakuru to Lake BaringoBirding at Lake Nakuru for flamingos when present, Great White Pelicans, African Spoonbill, Yellow-billed Stork and raptors, with rhinos and Rothschild’s giraffes in the park. North to Lake Baringo by evening.Overnight: Lake Baringo Country Club, Soi Safari Lodge or similarMeals: B · L · D
5. Day 5A full day at Lake BaringoOne of Kenya’s best dry-country sites. From dawn along the lakeshore, cliffs and acacia scrub with a local guide for Jackson’s and Hemprich’s Hornbills, Bristle-crowned Starling, Beautiful Sunbird and Northern Masked Weaver. Night birding for owls and nightjars where permitted.Overnight: Lake Baringo Country Club, Soi Safari Lodge or similarMeals: B · L · D
6. Day 6Lake Baringo to Kakamega ForestMorning birding, then west to Kakamega with roadside stops along the way. An afternoon on the forest edge: a complete change from dry country to tropical rainforest.Overnight: Rondo Retreat Centre or similarMeals: B · L · D
7. Day 7A full day in Kakamega ForestA dawn start with a specialist local guide for Great Blue Turaco, African Broadbill, Blue-headed Bee-eater, African Grey Parrot and Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, working mixed flocks for greenbuls and flycatchers and, where access allows, Chapin’s Flycatcher and Turner’s Eremomela.Overnight: Rondo Retreat Centre or similarMeals: B · L · D
8. Day 8Kakamega to Lake VictoriaA last forest session for missed species, then to Kisumu. An afternoon on Lake Victoria’s shore and papyrus swamps for Papyrus Gonolek where access permits, with jacanas, herons, egrets and weavers.Overnight: Kisumu hotel or similarMeals: B · L · D
9. Day 9Kisumu to Mount KenyaEast to the Mount Kenya forests, with stops on the way. An afternoon on the forest edge for Hartlaub’s Turaco, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, African Hill Babbler and White-starred Robin.Overnight: Castle Forest Lodge or similarMeals: B · L · D
10. Day 10A full day on Mount KenyaMontane forest and highland edges for Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Hunter’s Cisticola, African Green Ibis and Crowned Eagle. Your guide adapts the route to the weather, the trails and recent sightings.Overnight: Castle Forest Lodge or similarMeals: B · L · D
11. Day 11Mount Kenya to SamburuAn early session, then north from montane forest into dry acacia country and a new set of northern birds. An afternoon along the Ewaso Ng’iro River.Overnight: Samburu lodge or campMeals: B · L · D
12. Day 12A full day in SamburuSamburu and, where practical, Buffalo Springs or Shaba, for Vulturine Guineafowl, Somali Bee-eater, Donaldson-Smith’s Sparrow-Weaver, Golden-breasted Starling and Black-capped Social Weaver, with Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and Beisa oryx.Overnight: Samburu lodge or campMeals: B · L · D
13. Day 13Northern dry-country specialsAnother full day for larks, wheatears, pipits, sandgrouse and bustards. When access and conditions allow, a long excursion towards Garba Tula for William’s Lark, which needs careful planning.Overnight: Samburu lodge or campMeals: B · L · D
14. Day 14A last day in SamburuBack to the most productive spots for missed species and photographs, from riverine woodland to rocky slopes and open plains. Owls and nightjars in the evening where permitted.Overnight: Samburu lodge or campMeals: B · L · D
15. Day 15Samburu to NanyukiMorning birding, then south to Nanyuki through highland farmland and wetlands for weavers, bishops, pipits, starlings and raptors.Overnight: Nanyuki lodge or hotelMeals: B · L · D
16. Day 16Nanyuki to NairobiBack to Nairobi with birding stops chosen for the species still on your list, ready for the southeastern circuit.Overnight: Nairobi hotel or similarMeals: B · L · D
17. Day 17Nairobi to Tsavo EastAn early start for Tsavo East, birding on the way in. Dry savannah, thorn scrub and riverine habitat for Somali Ostrich, Kori Bustard, hornbills, rollers, bee-eaters and raptors, alongside the park’s elephants.Overnight: Voi Wildlife Lodge or similarMeals: B · L · D
18. Day 18Tsavo East to the Taita HillsMorning birding in Tsavo East, then up into the Taita Hills. Where access is arranged, Ngangao Forest or other forest patches with a specialist local guide for the very local Taita Thrush and Taita Apalis.Overnight: Taita Hills accommodation or Salt Lick Safari LodgeMeals: B · L · D
19. Day 19Taita Hills to WatamuA dawn forest session for any Taita specials still missing, then the long drive to Watamu on the coast. Coastal sunbirds, weavers and bulbuls around the lodge if time allows.Overnight: Watamu beach lodge or similarMeals: B · L · D
20. Day 20A full day in Arabuko-Sokoke ForestA full day with a specialist local guide for Sokoke Scops Owl, Sokoke Pipit, Clarke’s Weaver, East Coast Akalat, Amani Sunbird and Spotted Ground Thrush. Some need patient searching and are not seen on every visit.Overnight: Watamu beach lodge or similarMeals: B · L · D
21. Day 21Dakatcha, Mida Creek and the Sabaki River mouthDakatcha Woodland, where access is confirmed, for Clarke’s Weaver and other coastal specials. Then Mida Creek’s mangroves and mudflats for shorebirds, terns and herons, and the Sabaki River mouth when the tide and timing suit.Overnight: Watamu beach lodge or similarMeals: B · L · D
22. Day 22Final coastal birding and departureA last early session around Watamu for anything still outstanding, then breakfast and a transfer to Malindi Airport. A road transfer to Mombasa or Moi International Airport can be arranged, with extra travel time.Overnight: Not includedMeals: B