Discover Kenya's Bird Watching Safari Destinations with Oluokos Signature
Kenya Bird Watching Safari Destinations – From the open savannahs of Kenya’s vast national parks and reserves such as the Maasai Mara and Tsavo to the plains of Laikipia and the high altitudes of Mount Kenya and Mount Elgon, Kenya provides an excellent ornithological expeditions to even the avid birders and the perfect introductory to East Africa’s birds.
The urban centers, rivers to forests and on the coastal strips birding opportunities are super. Down to the Rift Valley, lakes Naivasha, Elementaita, Nakuru and Bogoria famed for their overwhelming congregations of waders with Lake Baringo arguably offering even better birding opportunities.
For curious luxury bird-watching safari guests, a region of particular interest is Western Kenya circuit and, in our opinion is well worth a visit for any serious birders and curious tourist out there. We recommend that you consider putting aside a 4-6 day stay to get the very best from this amazing part of Kenya where reasonable biome restricted specialties are to be found. Further to the north, where Samburu-Buffalo Springs-Shaba hosts a high quotient of arid country species whose range is otherwise restricted to less accessible parts of Ethiopia and Somalia.
Our luxury Kenya bird watching safaris can be tailored to match your luxury bird watching safari expectations where we use exclusive high-end camps and expert bird guides. All these are perfectly located in diverse birding hotspots like the Great Rift Valley lakes, the Maasai Mara, Lake Victoria, Kakamega Forest, Taita Hills, Arabuko Sokoke Forest, Lewa Conservancy, Mount Kenya, Northern Kenya, and Amboseli, offering exceptional ornithological experiences with optional extra activities such as night game drives, balloon flights, walking safaris, horse riding, camel back safaris and cultural experiences.
With over 1,100 species recorded and even with the Bamboo Warbler, a new species being added on its checklist, Kenya is one of Africa’s premier birding safari destinations.
- Best for: Spectacular migratory bird gatherings, especially the famous flamingos at Lake Nakuru. It also offers a huge variety of raptors and endemics.
- Kenya Luxury Birding Experience: Stay at exclusive conservancies adjoining the Maasai Mara, such as Mara Naboisho or Mara North Conservancies, further afield you discover high-end facilities around the Great Rift Valley lakes or explore the northern regions around Mount Kenya, Laikipia and Samburu for world-class service and outstanding photography opportunities. Discover Top Kenya Bird Watching Sites
Another geographical zone of great interest in the Western Plateau the region around Lake Victoria.
Sandwiched between the eastern and western branches of the African Rift system, this zone is fissured by numerous faults and escarpments with valleys in between.
The last remaining equatorial rainforest in Kenya is located there. This zone is unique in that 80 species of birds in the Kakamega Forest are found nowhere else in Kenya.
An exploration to the high altitude of the Kongelai Escarpment onto the Western Plateau adds to the diversity of bird species that are unique and therefore are restricted to this region.
The dense Papyrus swamps and other lakeshore vegetation around Lake Victoria and its satellite lakes are home to specialty species.
Moving a little to the north from Lake Victoria with its super aquatic species, the Busia Grasslands and the surrounding hills near the northeast shore of Lake Victoria is home to several localized bird species
Weave Your Lifetime African Luxury Bird Watching Safari
We’ll listen to you passionately, provide our expertise giving you available luxury birding safari options, and then weave matching itineraries for you. We leave nothing to chance knowing very well how valuable your African luxury bird watching safari holiday is to you.
Bird watching in Kenya is a cool affair that welcomes both first timers and avid birders equally. Flamingos, notably the well-documented birds have been driven from Lake Nakuru in the past half-decade because of industrialization and rising water levels, and many have moved to Lake Bogoria, Lake Elementaita, Lake Magadi and other alkaline lakes within the region.
Apart from matchstick-legged birds that can be seen feeding on the algae that gives them their candy floss hue, Kenya bird species range from the small to the big birds.
From difficult to tell apart finches to the bulk and brilliantly coloured Turaco who is also the song master of the tree tops, the elegant Secretary bird that catwalks the plains and the bold Ostrich that poses with ease for photography and of course, the shy woodpecker that enjoys playing the hide and seek game with its human admirers.
Kenya’s ornithological safari remain to be a real game changer! A visit to Lake Naivasha, home to Golden-winged Sunbirds, and Superb Starlings marks a good introduction to any birder as well as well-curated Kenya birding safari to other Great Rift Valley lakes.
Weave Your Lifetime African Luxury Bird Watching Safari
We’ll listen to you passionately, provide our expertise giving you available luxury birding safari options, and then weave matching itineraries for you. We leave nothing to chance knowing very well how valuable your African luxury bird watching safari holiday is to you.
Finally, the Northern Plain’s geography stretches from Uganda to Somalia and is quite arid. Lake Turkana constitutes this part, semi-desert savanna west of Lake Turkana, and the Chalbi Desert to the east.
Of all the already described geographic zones, this is the only one that is less populated. From the Somali border lies, Samburu National Reserve and still in the extent of this geographical location, and is quite far from the Somali border.
This reserve is home to the Samburu tribe and is home to birds of semi-arid savanna and bush as well as some interesting mammals such as the Reticulated Giraffe, Beisa Oryx, and Grevy’s Zebra.
Weave Your Lifetime African Luxury Bird Watching Safari
We’ll listen to you passionately, provide our expertise giving you available luxury birding safari options, and then weave matching itineraries for you. We leave nothing to chance knowing very well how valuable your African luxury bird watching safari holiday is to you.
Kenya’s coast has some fascinating birding opportunities. From the Lamu region moving to the to Malindi area where we’ll explore the Arabuko-Sokoke coastal forest, tracking down endemic and near-endemic specialties such as the exquisite Sokoke Scops Owl, Sokoke Pipit, Amani Sunbird and perhaps Clarke’s Weaver.
Your discovery will also take us to the coastal wetlands and adjoining habitats, where we should find the localized near-endemic Malindi Pipit and Violet-breasted Sunbird, as well as the handsome, monotypic Crab-plover and the restricted-range Sooty Gull.
We’ll continue to explore as we move to Taita Hills for its endemic species namely, the Taita Thrush and Taita Apalis, as well as Taita White-eye.
Coastal region is home to many Kenya endemic species and here is a list highlighting some of the key species to be observed on your coastal birding.
The Sokoke Scops-Owl, Sokoke Pipit, Malindi Pipit, the majestic Crab Plover, Red-naped Bush-shrike, Scaly Chatterer, Nairobi Pipit, Manda Boubou, Somali Sparrow, Somali Courser, Friedmann’s Lark, Southern Grosbeak Canary, Clarke’s Weaver, Mangrove Kingfisher, Amani Sunbird, East Coast Akalat, and Spotted Ground Thrush.
Weave Your Lifetime African Luxury Bird Watching Safari
We’ll listen to you passionately, provide our expertise giving you available luxury birding safari options, and then weave matching itineraries for you. We leave nothing to chance knowing very well how valuable your African luxury bird watching safari holiday is to you.
The capital city of Kenya, Nairobi has one a unique fauna and avifauna giving guests opportunities to explore its urban diversity. Featuring a number of ornithological area of interests, Nairobi’s bird watching hotspots are within reach allowing you to enjoy some birding as you wait for your next flight or as an option if you have a few hours to spare in between your meetings.
Kenya is an ideal destination for birders. The country’s endemic birds are something to behold while the migratory bird species give birdwatchers the chance to observe the birds in their natural habitats. Kenya is certainly a birding location for everyone.
Almost 1100 bird species have been recorded in Kenya, nearly twice the total number of birds in Europe. This in itself is sufficient for any birdwatcher to come to Kenya for a birding holiday. As a destination, Kenya is rich in biodiversity lying hidden almost in every corner of the country.
The clandestine treasures attractions that are not only easily accessible, but also offer highly gratifying experiences. A good number of endemic and near-endemic bird species can easily be seen on a two weeks birding tour. These birds are especially sought-after as they only occur within the country or marginally beyond.
The European migrants are present from August to April. Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, offers a couple of places that are close enough, and tend to be both productive and rewarding in the numbers of birds species seen or recorded. An informative guided birding tour will introduce you to the feathered fauna of the Kenya birds that are interesting and, beautiful.
Besides there are excellent avian spots in the surrounding areas just within 2 hours drive where you can go for a day safari for a rewarding birding experience. Please, find some of our recommended ornithological sites around Nairobi.
Weave Your Lifetime African Luxury Bird Watching Safari
We’ll listen to you passionately, provide our expertise giving you available luxury birding safari options, and then weave matching itineraries for you. We leave nothing to chance knowing very well how valuable your African luxury bird watching safari holiday is to you.
The Kenya’s central highlands are remarkably beautiful! The green of the fields, the morning mists and the smiling faces of its community give a sense of wonder to every guest with equal measures.
From the beauty of Mount Kenya, this UNESCO World Heritage site is a haven for high-elevation specialists. The montane woodlands and bamboo zones are home to the rarely-seen Abyssinian Owl, Kenrick’s Starling (found in only two spots in Kenya), and the stunning Malachite Kingfisher.
Up in the high moorlands, look out for the vibrant Red-tufted sunbird and the Jackson’s Francolin. Early morning walks around trails like the Chogoria Camp route provide exceptional visibility.
Away from the Aberdare National Park, the park is known for its misty, atmospheric rainforests and deep gorges. The Aberdares National Park hosts over 290 recorded bird species.
For keen birders, a visit specifically to track down threatened and range-restricted species such as the Aberdare Cisticola, Abbott’s Starling, Sharpe’s Longclaw, and Jackson’s Widowbird.
Some of the well-known bird watching hotspots in Kenya’s Central Highlands include (Aberdare/Nyandarua Mountains, Kinangop Plateau, Kieni and Gatamaiyu Forests, Mount Kenya, Nyambene Hills, Imenti and Njuki-ini Forests) for Aberdare Cisticola, Kikuyu White-eye and Sharpe’s Longclaw, Elgon Francolin, Jackson’s Spurfowl, Kenrick’s (ESS bensoni) and Abbott’s Starlings, Golden-winged (reichenowi) and Eastern Double-collared Sunbirds and Jackson’s Widowbird, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Olive Ibis, Cape Eagle-Owl (mackinderi), Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Eastern Grey Woodpecker (rhodeogaster), Mountain Oriole, Hunter’s Cisticola, Black-collared Apalis, Abyssinian Ground Thrush (kilimensis), Moorland (ernesti) and Anteater (cryptoleuca) Chats, Scarlet-tufted Sunbird (johnstoni), Baglafecht (reichenowi) and Brown-capped Weavers, Abyssinian Crimsonwing (kilimensis) and Kandt’s Waxbill (ESS keniensis), as well as Common Quail, Scaly Spurfowl (schuetti), Montane Nightjar (poliocephalus), Scarce Swift, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo (montanus), African Olive and Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeons, Lemon and Dusky Turtle Doves, Blue-headed Coucal (monachus), Striped Flufftail, Black-winged Lapwing, African Snipe, Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk, Mountain Buzzard, African Grass Owl, Bar-tailed Trogon, White-headed Wood Hoopoe, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Moustached Tinkerbird, Fine-banded Woodpecker (hausburgi), Red-fronted Parrot, Black-fronted and Doherty’s Bushshrikes, Grey and Purple-throated Cuckooshrikes, White-tailed Crested Flycatcher, Slender-billed (ESS percivali), Kikuyu Mountain, Yellow-whiskered and Cabanis’s (placidus) Greenbuls, Black Saw-wing (massaica), White-browed Crombec, Brown Woodland (mackenzianus), Common Reed (cinnamomeus), Mountain Yellow, Evergreen Forest (mariae) and Cinnamon Bracken Warblers, Levaillant’s (ESS oreophilus) and Wing-snapping (ESS mauensis) Cisticolas, Black-throated, Black-headed (ESS nigrodorsalis), Chestnut-throated and Grey Apalises, African Hill Babbler (abyssinica), Slender-billed (theresae), Waller’s (walleri) and Sharpe’s Starlings, Orange Ground Thrush (ESS chuka), Abyssinian Thrush (abyssinicus), Brown-backed Scrub Robin, White-eyed Slaty (fischeri) and African Dusky (pumila) Flycatchers, White-starred Robin (intensa), Brown-chested Alethe (ESS akeleyae), Cape Robin-Chat (iolaema), Rüppell’s Robin-Chat (intercedens), African Stonechat (axillaris), Collared (garguensis), Green-headed (viridisplendens), Olive (neglecta), Tacazze (jacksoni), Bronze (kilimensis), Malachite (cupreonitens) and Northern Double-collared (reichenowi) Sunbirds, Long-tailed Widowbird (delamerei), Black-and-white Mannikin (nigriceps), Yellow-bellied Waxbill (kilimensis), Grey-headed Nigrita (diabolicus), Cape Wagtail (wellsi), Oriole Finch (elgonensis), Thick-billed (ESS albifrons) and Streaky Seedeaters, and Yellow-crowned Canary, also Green Malkoha, African Cuckoo-Hawk, Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle, White-eared Barbet (kilimensis), Pallid Honeyguide, Black-and-white Shrike-Flycatcher (changamwensis), Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Greenbul, White-headed Saw-wing, Green-capped Eremomela (ESS kikuyuensis), Black-bellied Starling, Green Twinspot and Red-headed Bluebill, and, at least formerly, Mottled Spinetail, Red-chested Owlet (medje), Abyssinian Owl (graueri) and African Broadbill (medianus)
Thika for Hinde’s Babbler as well as Purple-crested Turaco, Brown-hooded Kingfisher (prentissgrayi), White-headed Barbet (ESS senex), Green-backed Honeybird, Black-throated Wattle-eye, Sombre and Grey-olive Greenbuls, and Mountain Wagtail and much more.
Weave Your Lifetime African Luxury Bird Watching Safari
We’ll listen to you passionately, provide our expertise giving you available luxury birding safari options, and then weave matching itineraries for you. We leave nothing to chance knowing very well how valuable your African luxury bird watching safari holiday is to you.
