10 Days Birds Special
The ultimate birding safari in Kenya including Lakes Naivasha, Nakuru, Baringo, Bogoria and Kakamega Forest, with opportunities to see vast flocks of flamingoes as well as hundreds of species of other birds at Kenya's top birding sites.
This will not only be a specialised birding safari, but will also offer you opportunities for sightseeing and watching and photographing other wildlife. You will be able to see the stunning countryside including a breath-taking view of the Rift Valley dropping thousands of feet. En route to several destinations, you will also have a chance to see the different local tribes and observe their way of living.
We will be staying in 5 star accommodation with comfortable transport between destinations by minibus.
The maximum number of guests is 4 per trip. This are window guaranteed seats .At the various destinations we may split the group into smaller numbers for better viewing and here will use resident guides who have vast knowledge of the local areas. All selected destinations are Kenya's IBAs (Important Bird Areas).
ITINERARY
Day 1:
Arrive at JKIA Airport - : Pickedup at JKIA Airport and transfer to Nairobi
Stop over in Nairobi for Breakfast
Set off to Naivasha with a stop over at the Rift Valley viewing point
Arrive in Naivasha (Country club)
Lunch at hotel and thereafter depart for the Lake for bird watching on boat
Return to hotel then depart for Nakuru and overnight at Hotel Meric.
LAKE NAIVASHA
This Rift Valley lake is categorized in Kenya as an IBA 1
( Important bird area) and boasts amazing aquatic birdlife including some globally threatened species like Grey Crested helmet shrike, Basra reed warbler(winter visitor). There are roughly 80 species to look for. In general about 20,000 water birds live here according to a census done 1991-1997. Apart from the birds there are also other animals to look for including hippos and buffalo.
Day 2
Early breakfast and set off to the lake with picnic lunch
Return to hotel and overnight.
LAKE NAKURU
Undoubtedly, this park is a must-visit destination for birders. Flocks of both lesser and greater flamingoes sometimes numbering 1.5 million can be seen here together with almost 450 other species. The park was gazetted as a bird sanctuary in 1960. A species of fish (oreochromis alcalicus platensis) was introduced at that time to curb mosquitoes, but in turn supported a number of secondary consumers mostly birds. This lake is a transient home to a large number of Palearctic waders who use it on passage or winter.
The lake is not only for birders, because it is a national park, there are other larger animals including the black and the white rhinoceros, Rothschild giraffe, water bucks, leopard, lion, buffalo etc. This park therefore will serve all purpose for both birds and big game. There is no better place in Kenya to watch white rhinos.
Day 3
Early breakfast and off to the lake
Return to hotel and check out. Depart for lake Baringo
Arrive Lake Baringo country club + lunch
Set out birding on boats
Return to hotel
LAKE BARINGO
This is a well known destination for birdwatchers and over 500 species have been recorded. A colony of 20 Goliath herons have nested on one of the Islands in the lake. While the diversity of water birds is considerable, total numbers are usually in low thousands. Species of global conservation concern include lesser kestrel (a passage migrant in small flocks) lesser flamingo, Madagascar squacco heron, pallid harrier etc. This lake is also a home to the fish eagle. Watch and photograph them swooping down on fish. The lake also supports a large population of Nile crocodile and hippopotamus.
Day 4
0630hrs: All day birding around the lake and overnight stay.
Day 5
Drive to Lake Bogoria + Picnic Breakfast
Lunch at Lake Bogoria Hotel + birding around hotel + swim in warm pool.
Drive back to the lake for birding.
Overnight stay at Lake Bogoria hotel.
LAKE BOGORIA
This lake is spectacular. The extraordinary hot springs and geysers, the rugged faulted landscape, an enormous concentration of flamingoes and a chance of seeing a greater Kudu are great attractions. This is one of the reasons for designating this lake as a national reserve. A part from the above the lake is a home to some regionally threatened species such as great crested grebe, African darter, white backed duck, white headed vulture and martial eagle.
Day 7
Early game drive to the lake before breakfast .
Drive to Kakamega Forest (Rondo Retreat Centre) lunch en route.
Arrive at Rondo Retreat Centre and check in.
Birding around lodge + overnight.
KAKAMEGA FOREST
This is the crown of any Kenya birding Safari. Kakamega forest is a mid-altitude tropical rainforest, the easternmost of the Congo basin forests. Its West African affinities are unique in Kenya, and the forest contains many species found nowhere else in the country. The avifauna is well known, rich, and unusual in its composition. Two globally threatened species occur, Chapin's fly catcher and Turners Eremomela.
The 194 forest dependent bird species (the highest total for any Kenyan forests) include 40 of Kenya's 43 Guinea-Congo forests biome species, as well as 33 of Kenya�s 67 Afro tropical Highlands biome species. At least 16 bird species occur only in Kakamega but nowhere else in Kenya. The forest also holds large populations of Black and white Columbus, Red tailed monkey and small numbers of de Brazza monkey.
Day 8
0615hrs: Full day birding activities.
Day 9
Half day birding activities + lunch.
Depart for Kisumu (Dunga Beach) for afternoon birding.
Drive to Kericho ( Kericho Tea Hotel) for overnight stay.
DUNGA SWAMPS-KISUMU
This swamp is one of the most reliable IBA site in Kenya for the scarce and threatened Papyrus yellow warbler. It is also an important home for Papyrus gonolek, white winged warbler and Papyrus canary, all papyrus endemics. There are also a host of other aquatic birds.
Day 10
Birding around the arboretum.
Breakfast and departure for Nairobi.
Arrive Nairobi - lunch and visit to the museum.
check to rooms change.
Dinner at the famous Carnivore Restaurant.
Depart for airport or overnight at Nairobi.
