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Ibencho Hills Sanctuary is an awesome private wildlife conservancy located at the South West borderline between Kenya and Tanzania at an altitude of 1,277 meters, in the larger Migori county of Nyanza, Kenya.
Ibencho Hills Sanctuary came into existence in 2017 with the realization that an alarming decline among animal populations like the Spotted Hyenas, Leopards, Olive Baboons, Vervet Monkeys and antelopes was being recorded. Massive indigenous trees that were a source of alternative medicine and also made Ibencho Hills a rain catchment were also being fell by the hour, to clear land for human settlement and farming.
Animals were quickly losing their homes, the Olive Baboons were all gone, and birds came home to find their nests gone. So sad. Something had to be done. This destruction motivated the championing for responsible land use and community based tourism. This approach, involves the inclusion of the community in conservation initiatives, and coming up with alternative approaches to sustainable livelihoods.
This decision is not easy; this is because the Ibencho Hills communities live in abject poverty and their main source of livelihood is peasant farming, fetching firewood for sale and charcoal burning. It takes a lot effort for community empowerment towards alternative sources of livelihood and to conserve this ecosystem, so that animals, birds, trees and humans coexist in harmony. We need your help.

Depending on your specific location, your birding safari may offer you the chance to spot the stunning lilac-breasted roller, majestic African fish eagle, and elusive forest-dwelling Pel’s Fishing Owl. The rare shoebill stork, which can only be found in a few locations in East Africa, is a popular attraction. On a walking safari along the sweeping shores of one of the shallow saline lakes, you also may see millions of breeding lesser pink flamingo. It’s a breathtaking sight.
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 the “Best Territory” in Africa for some other species also included in our tours. 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 bird list.
We visit places and hotels which are well known to Oluokos, in the company of top quality local Guides who equally are well-versed in our birding ways. You will find this a comfortable and professionally organized tour in excellent company!
Our guests tend to ask what the perfect African birding safari itinerary looks like and to be honest, we don’t have a straight-forward answer.
To answer you in brief, each guest has a unique taste when it comes to enquiring about an African birding safari and this could be based on personality that’s strongly influenced by expectations. We have given a few good to check itineraries to serve as bird watching travel inspirations.
We don’t offer Africa as a bucket list destination, but a rich continent with diversity, meaningful purpose to travel, cultural mosaic and of course, unmatched habitats that have given room to birds and wildlife. We have identified Africa’s most intriguing bird watching safaris that you should consider during your bird watching holiday planning.

Properties and experiences that uplift and empower local communities in our destinations.

Supports wildlife projects, protected areas and ecosystem regeneration through tourism.

We strengthen intercultural understanding and relations, safeguarding cultural heritage.

Commerce affects the sustainability of our destinations the people who live in these natural areas.

The state of being aware of and responsive to one’s surroundings – as a business, our staff and guests.





At Oluokos, creating effortless African birding holiday experiences is our cup of coffee! In Africa, our luxury birding safaris are packed with transformative moments that resonate deeply with you, fulfilling your birding holiday dreams and ideals. Luxury birding safaris are not always about expensive lodges with champagne and gold taps, nor is it just about exclusive experiences. It’s about the quality moments that you spend with your family and the value for money in return. Let’s weave the best birding safari moments in Africa.
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