Birding in Kenya
With over 1,000 species of birds recorded, Kenya is one of the world’s greatest birding destinations. You will have the privilege to explore it with Francis Kitayi - one of the best-known, birding, naturalist guides in East Africa. Francis hails from the western province in Kakamega in Kenya and is of the Luhya tribe and has shared his vast knowledge and passion of the beauty and diversity of all aspects of Kenya with Audubon, Zoological and various other groups since 1980.
Days 1/2 - New York/London/En Route
Board your flight to London. The next morning you arrive at London’s Heathrow Airport and are escorted to the Hilton Hotel where a dayroom awaits you. In the evening return to the terminal for your overnight flight to Nairobi. (Meals Aloft)
Day 3 - Nairobi
Your jet lands this morning in Nairobi. Francis Kitayi greets you with a cheerful “Jambo” (Hello) and escorts you to your luxurious hotel. This afternoon, visit Nairobi National Park, where you may see lion, giraffe, gazelle and zebra, as well as Marabou Stork, Egyptian Goose, Yellow-billed Stork, Sacred Ibis, and probably your first Hamerkop, the “lightning” bird. NAIROBI SAFARI PARK HOTEL. (B Aloft)
Day 4 – Tree Hotel
Drive to Mountain Lodge located in a montane forest with spectacular views of Mt. Kenya. You may see many highland birds such as Paradise Flycatcher, Common Stonechat, and Black-and-white Mannikins. This afternoon, join the lodge naturalist on an amazing walk through the forest. Elephants favor this area, and you may see their tracks, and often the elephants themselves. Learn about the Mau Mau who hid out here during the fight for independence, and some of the customs and medicinal herbs of the Kikuyu, and see some of Kenya’s most desirable birds such as Hartlaub’s Turaco, Crowned Eagle, Red-fronted Parrot, and Rueppell’s Robin-Chat. Observe the interaction of wildlife at the waterhole below your lodge. MOUNTAIN LODGE TREE HOTEL. (B,L,D)
Days 5/6 - Samburu Game Reserve
Drive towards the great Kenya scrublands looking for long-tailed Widowbird en route to Samburu. Physically dramatic, with a great table mountain in the background, a permanent relief is in the broad green ribbon of trees along the Uaso Nyiro River which provides pools for hippo and sand spits for basking Nile Crocodile. A wide gallery forest of acacia, doums palms and tamarind, house chattering monkeys and a plethora of bird species such as Somali Ostrich, Kori Bustard, Crested Francolin and Vulturine Guineafowl. Martial Eagles hunt the woodland areas and Pygmy Falcons often sit on exposed perches. Samburu is also rich in wildlife not seen in other parts of Kenya. In between game drives and bird walks, relax pool side or take an escorted camel safari. SAMBURU INTREPIDS CAMP. (B,L,D Daily)
Days 7/8 – Lake Bogoria/Lake Baringo
Drive west to Lake Baringo, located in the Rift Valley. En route, stop at Lake Bogoria where towering cliffs, dramatic steam jets and, often times, flamingos by the thousands create an awesome spectacle. Continue to Lake Baringo where over 400 species of birds have been identified. Two major ornithological attractions are found here: Gibraltar Island, with the largest nesting colony of Goliath Herons in all of East Africa; and the home of Verreaux's Eagle, the rare Bristle-crowned Starling, and Hemprich's Hornbill. Local specialties include the Northern Red Bishop, Little Weaver, and the White-billed Buffalo-Weaver. LAKE BARINGO CLUB. (B,L,D Daily)
Days 9/10 – Lakes Nakuru/Naivasha
Drive through the picturesque Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru, a shallow alkaline lake with its world-famous flocks of both Greater and Lesser Flamingos. Lake Nakuru often turns to pink as the lake fills with flamingos, shorebirds and waterfowl. You may also see leopard resting on the branches of the yellow-barked acacias, rhino, and the Rothschild giraffe. Enjoy a barbecue lunch at the park and a game run, and resume your drive as you get set to further explore the Rift Valley lakes. Take a boat ride on Lake Naivasha and to nearby Crescent Island, a wildlife sanctuary where you can walk around and view zebras, waterbuck and several species of antelope. Birding here is awesome as is your elegant home for the next two nights. LOLDIA HOUSE. (B,L,D)
Days 11/12/13 – Maasai Mara/Northern Serengeti
Drive to the legendary Maasai Mara Game Reserve, the northern part of the Serengeti. The Mara is a birder’s paradise. Ground dwellers like the Common Ostrich, Secretary Bird, Black-bellied Bustard and Hartlaub’s Bustard are common. Join in exciting optional activities such as a balloon safari, excursion to Rusinga or Mfangano Islands in Lake Victoria to fish for giant perch or dawn walking safari and hippo pool breakfast. A Park Ranger will join you, duties permitting, who will discuss animal habits and conservation methods in the Mara. MARA SERENA LODGE. (B,L,D Daily )
Days 14/15 – Maasai Mara/Nairobi/New York
Experience the magic of your last game run this morning before flying back to Nairobi where a dayroom awaits you at the NAIROBI SAFARI PARK HOTEL. Enjoy a farewell barbecue at the Nyama Choma Ranch Restaurant before being escorted to the airport for your flights home. (B,D Meals Aloft)
Optional Extension To Amboseli & Tanzania
Extend your safari with more classic East Africa wildlife viewing and birding in Amboseli National Park, located at the foot of Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. Around your lodge roams lion, cheetah, giraffe, baboon, and elephant. Birdlife, too, especially in the vicinity of the dry lake bed, is abundant in countless varieties of species. Continue to Tanzania for more wildlife viewing in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, Africa's Garden of Eden. Resident Ostriches, Crowned Cranes, and Kori Bustards are joined seasonally by migrant flocks of White and Abdim's Storks.Your Safari Includes:
- Round trip air transportation between New York and Nairobi. Extension returns from Arusha
- Flights within Africa as specified.
- Superior accommodations throughout as specified or similar.
- All meals as specified
- All wildlife viewing by private minibus, driven by a professional driver/guide.
- Maximum of 6 passengers per minibus. A window seat is guaranteed.
- Lecture by Mara ranger in the Maasai Mara (duties permitting).
- Complimentary bottled water in vehicles. Complimentary field glasses in vehicles.
- All applicable hotel and lodge taxes and gratuities.
- All game park entry fees.
- Complimentary backpack, baggage tags and passport wallet.