For Nature, Planet and People
Abwaakeris Ridge by Oluokos
Abwaakeris Ridge by Oluokos
Birding & Tranquility
Abwaakeris Ridge by Oluoko – In Kenya, bird watching is experiencing a remarkable surge in popularity. Kenya is home to approximately 1,100 bird species, making it one of Africa’s premier birdwatching safari destinations.
Kenya’s birds vary… From the spectacular flamingo flocks currently found at Lake Bogoria, Lake Elementaita, and Lake Magadi to the magnificent Great Blue Turaco of Kakamega Forest and the unique coastal species of Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, including the Sokoke Scops Owl, Malindi Pipit, and Kilifi Weaver, and the country’s least-known Busia County hotspots that are home to the recently covered new bird species in Kenya, the Bamboo Warbler the range-restricted Red-shouldered Cuckooshrike, the enigmatic Whistling Cisticola, Speckle-breasted Woodpecker, the Black-bellied Firefinch, Red-headed Lovebird just mention a few.
Bird Watching at the Abwaakeris Ridge
Abwaakeris Ridge though not popular amongst birders, is heavily associated with the eco-tourism and community-focused luxury travel services organized by Oluokos Signature, an independent sustainable holiday outfitter based in Western Kenya, Abwaakeris Ridge by Oluokos is a scenic humid habitat along the dramatic hills of Chelelemuk and other isolated smaller hills and ranges.
Abwaakeris’s elevated terrain is situated in the rugged ranges that run from the slopes of Kenya’s second highest peak, Mount Elgon with Chelelemuk hills and Amukura escarpment being the most notable ones all running from the northeast to the southwest direction. This spectacular ridge is home to over 200 species of birds each season, and they are easily spotted around the farm. Our guides are on hand to take you for guided walks through bordering bushland, hillsides and forests or you may take the opportunity to sit quietly in any one of the vantage nooks to watch the plethora of avifauna that inhabits the farm and its neighborhood.
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These hills capture moisture and funnels water down to the surrounding low-lying ecosystems thus playing a vital hydrological role in the “heartbeat” of the Teso region in Busia County and beyond, Western Kenya. In return, generating numerous freshwater springs and streams that feed down into local floodplains and rivers that water the permanent transboundary papyrus swamps.
Abwaakeris Ridge isn’t a formally recognized geographical feature or standalone tourist destination in Western Kenya. Instead, this specific phrasing points directly to the unique, localized community eco-tourism initiatives and custom wilderness itineraries mapped out by Oluokos Signature.
Currently, with fewer people in the hills and birdlife is generally good throughout the year, however, from October to April migratory birds from Europe and northern Africa are present, and many resident birds are in breeding plumage. This makes it the best time for bird watching.
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Oluokos Roots & Wings Conservtion Safari Experience
This is a visionary, community-anchored social tourism enterprise developed by Oluokos Signature to resolve a critical environmental and cultural paradox in Western Kenya. Over the past six years of active, field-based birding operations in Malaba and the wider Teso landscape, Oluokos Signature has documented an extraordinary ecological phenomenon: some of Africa’s rarest and most sought-after avian species are thriving outside government-protected areas, living entirely within unprotected community-owned lands.
Concurrently, the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) that historically fostered co-existence between these birds and human populations is facing permanent erasure. As the region’s elder matriarchs—lovingly referred to in the Iteso language as Toto—pass away, centuries of bird-centered oral histories, environmental forecasting indicators, and conservation ethics are
disappearing.
Driven by an escalating cost of living, local farmers are increasingly clearing the indigenous trees cover and draining small wetlands for subsistence agriculture, directly threatening these critical, non-
gazetted habitats.
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4. Go Fully Sustainable by Staying in Conservancies
By staying in wildlife conservancies, you’re helping by taking the lead to create a coexistence between wildlife and local communities who live in these wildlife habitats.
Host communities own most of the land surrounding Kenya’s wildlife protected habitats. In conjunction with the communities, investors have leased some of these conservancy’s land because it’s private, and for guests staying within the conservancy, you get a quieter experience and can do optional extra activities like walking safaris, and night game drives.
The wildlife freely roams between the parks and conservancies, and you will have the chance to visit local community projects. By choosing to stay at a camp within a conservancy, you will have a more peaceful safari experience with less traffic and know that local communities are being supported directly, as well as helping to fund anti-poaching initiatives.
All our itineraries in the wildlife conservancies are low-emission by nature, but a wildlife safari experience in conservancies take climate-conscious operations to the next level. Wildlife conservancies offer the most beautiful and most remote luxury holiday, which means it’s also off-grid. When it comes to limiting your footprint, off-grid beats offsetting every time.
Please, read more about Wildlife Conservancies around the Maasai Mara
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5. Stay in Community-owned Homestays, Lodges and Camps in East Africa...
One thing we’ve learned over the years of our operations: the magic of staying in community-owned accommodation facilities. It isn’t only better but worth it. When you consider traveling, it’s usually a good idea to make a conscious effort to keep your tourism dollars in the hands of locals.
As a result, of this, our safari guides and local guides on all our trips. We also stay in local-owned accommodation wherever possible, including the experiential homes stays that are nestled deep in the heart of our African destinations.
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6. Slow Travel, Stay Long
Slow travel involves immersing in local culture for an extended time, boosting authenticity and sustainability. While longer stays reduce our carbon footprint and aid towards sustaining local businesses. We utilize this opportunity to remain relaxed and deeply engage with culture, learn the language, enjoy local cuisine, and join activities, enriching your experience and conserving heritage.
With extended stay, we build better connections locally. You may even consider volunteering. By choosing long eco-stays and supporting local businesses for a mindful, impact that goes along the way to better lives in the community at large. Thus, slow travel means more than time; it’s a positive impact, beauty preservation, and treasuring moments. Slow travel allows you to embrace the pace, connect with cultures, and savor the beauty of the timeless African luxury safari slowly.
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7. Explore the Lesser-known Spots, Western Kenya with Oluokos...
The least-visited Western Kenya is home to rolling tea plantations, lush swamps, and equatorial forests, along with Kenya’s second-highest mountain and the largest lake in Africa.
Scaling up the heights of Mount Elgon sampling Nile Perch big fishing opportunities, birding the remote islands, or just basking lazily on the mainland beaches of Lake Victoria are among the so many leisure activities to undertake while in Western Kenya.
With some of the most breath-taking sunrises and sunsets, Western Kenya remains to be one of the best locations in Kenya to see some of Kenya’s most sought-after bird species in its forests, swamps, lakes, and rivers, and even in the scattered hills with its neighboring countries. Well known to be among the most welcoming communities, the culture here isn’t something to be missed. Your visit to Western Kenya will contribute positively towards our low-impact travel!
Our Photos' Credit
- Adarsh Nagda
- Doc. Victor Ikawa
- Laure Dupont Benjamin
- Steve Methu
- Oystein Storkesen
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