- Species
- More than 1,000 recorded in Kenya
- Best time
- Nov – Apr, when migrants are in
- Suits
- Beginners to serious listers
- Length
- 6 days and up
Kenya has recorded more than a thousand bird species, and a single week can turn up several hundred of them. The Rift Valley lakes alone hold flamingos, pelicans, fish eagles and kingfishers, while the savannah adds bustards, rollers, secretary birds and raptors.
A birding safari slows the pace. We stop for the small brown bird as readily as for the lion, and plan the route around habitats, not just the Big Five. November to April is best, when Palearctic migrants arrive from Europe and Asia.
Habitats, not just parks
A good birding route crosses as many habitats as it can: the soda and freshwater lakes of the Rift Valley, open savannah, acacia woodland, the dry north and, if you have time, forest. Each adds species you won't see anywhere else on the trip.
Our standard routes already cover several of these. For serious birders we can add Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria in the Rift, or the Kakamega rainforest in the west, home to species found nowhere else in Kenya.
Birders and non-birders together
Most birding couples have one keen birder and one who is there for the elephants. That works well on a private safari: the guide balances the day, stopping for birds without losing the big game, and lodges with gardens give the birder an extra hour at dawn.
What we arrange
- A guide with strong birding knowledge, matched to your level
- Routes built around habitat: lakes, savannah, forest and dry country
- Time for walks where parks allow, and early starts for the dawn chorus
- A boat ride on Lake Naivasha for fish eagles and kingfishers
- A daily checklist so you leave with a record of what you saw
A sample birding day at Naivasha
- 6:00
Dawn chorus in the lodge gardens, which are often as rich as the park.
- 8:00
Breakfast, then a boat ride on the lake for fish eagles, herons and kingfishers.
- 11:00
Walk on Crescent Island among giraffe and plains game.
- 15:30
Afternoon drive or walk along the lakeshore woodland.
- 19:30
Dinner and the day's checklist with your guide.
Routes to build on
Our existing itineraries, ready to adapt. Tell us which appeals and we'll tailor it to you.
Good to know
When is the best time for birding?
November to April, when migrants from Europe and Asia are present and many resident birds are in breeding plumage. Birding is good all year.
Can a birder and a non-birder travel together?
Yes, and it is common. We balance the days so one of you gets the birds and the other still gets the big game.
How many species might I see?
On a week-long route covering lakes and savannah, 250 to 350 species is realistic with a good guide. A dedicated two-week birding trip can pass 500.
Should I bring binoculars?
Every vehicle carries a pair, but a serious birder should bring their own, ideally 8x42 or 10x42, plus a field guide such as Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania.
Tell us when you can travel. We'll do the rest.
Send your dates and a rough idea of what you want to see. We come back with a day-by-day route and a quote, usually within one working day.