This 12 Days, 11 Nights Kenya Bird Watching Safari is a carefully crafted journey through Kenya’s most iconic birding hotspots, offering an unmatched blend of endemic species, spectacular landscapes, and rich wildlife encounters. Your adventure begins in the scenic Samburu National Reserve, home to the rare Samburu Special Five and over 365 bird species. From here, you ascend to the cool highlands of Mt. Kenya Forest, known for unique montane birdlife, elephants, primates, and breathtaking forest scenery.

The tour continues into the heart of the Great Rift Valley with immersive experiences at Lake Baringo and the flamingo-rich Lake Bogoria, famous for massive bird concentrations and dramatic geothermal activity. You will then explore the legendary Kakamega Forest, Kenya’s only equatorial rainforest and a haven for Congo-region species, primates, and rare forest mammals.

Your journey proceeds to the world-renowned Lake Nakuru National Park, famed for flamingos, rhinos, and diverse waterbirds. The safari culminates in the iconic Masai Mara National Reserve, home to the Big Five, abundant raptors, rolling savannahs, and exceptional birding transects.

This safari is ideal for passionate birders seeking maximum species diversity, unforgettable wildlife moments, and a deep connection to Kenya’s natural heritage.

Superb Starling perched on rustic fence with golden savannah sunset in Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Green Wood Hoopoe perched on mossy branch in Kakamega Forest, Kenya – rainforest birdwatching safari

Overview

Itinerary

This immersive safari explores Kenya’s top birding hotspots, from Samburu and Mt. Kenya to Lake Baringo, Bogoria, Kakamega Forest, Lake Nakuru, and the Masai Mara. Expect exceptional bird diversity, rich wildlife, stunning landscapes, and unforgettable sightings across forests, lakes, and savannah.

Highlights

Explore 7+ top birding ecosystems across Kenya, including forests, lakes, and savannahs.
Spot 500+ bird species, from forest specials to raptors and wetland birds.
Enjoy premium birding in Samburu, Mt. Kenya, Lake Baringo, Bogoria, Kakamega, Nakuru, and Masai Mara.
Witness massive Flamingo congregations at Lake Bogoria and Lake Nakuru.
Experience rare sightings like Great Blue Turaco, Egyptian Vulture, Somali Ostrich, and Fish Eagles.
Two full days in the Masai Mara for unmatched birding and big-cat encounters.
Scenic drives across the Rift Valley, Equator crossing, and breathtaking landscapes.
Guided boat ride on Lake Baringo for close-up waterbird photography.
Cultural interactions with local communities along the route.
Comfortable stays in handpicked lodges close to prime birding zones.

Day 01 :

Nairobi-Samburu National Reserve

After breakfast, depart from Nairobi and journey north, crossing the Equator and enjoying stunning views of Mount Kenya on your way to the expansive Samburu National Reserve. Upon arrival, check in at your camp and enjoy lunch before some time to relax and soak in the serene surroundings.

In the afternoon, embark on your first game drive, where the open savannah offers incredible opportunities to spot both wildlife and birding highlights. Look out for unique species such as the Steel-blue Whydah and the Egyptian Vulture, alongside the majestic African Big Five – lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinos.

After a thrilling afternoon on the reserve, return to the camp for dinner and an overnight stay, surrounded by the sounds and sights of the Samburu wilderness.

Accommodation: Ashnil Samburu Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinking water

Day 02 :

Full Day in Samburu National Reserve

Spend a full day exploring the breathtaking Samburu National Reserve, with morning and evening game drives to maximize wildlife sightings. The reserve is renowned for its stunning landscapes, including scenic savannahs, rivers, and pockets of forest, making every drive a visual delight.

Samburu is also rich in cultural heritage, home to local communities with vibrant traditions. The reserve’s permanent springs and the Ewaso Nyiro River support an impressive variety of wildlife, including leopards, lions, elephants, hippos, reticulated giraffes, Grevy’s zebras, and crocodiles.

For birding enthusiasts, Samburu is a paradise: over 365 bird species have been recorded here, offering rare sightings such as carmine bee-eaters, Somali ostriches, and northern carmine bee-eaters, alongside many raptors and waterbirds.

After a day filled with wildlife encounters and nature exploration, return to Ashnil Samburu Camp for dinner and an overnight stay, enjoying the peaceful ambiance of the Samburu wilderness.

Accommodation: Ashnil Samburu Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinking water

Day 03 :

Samburu-Mt.Kenya

After breakfast, check out of Samburu National Reserve and begin your journey towards Mount Kenya, with an en-route game drive to enjoy any remaining wildlife sightings along the way. The drive offers scenic views of the northern savannah gradually giving way to montane forests, making for a memorable transition from lowland plains to highland ecosystems.

Upon arrival at Mount Kenya Forest, take time to explore the local birdlife and keep an eye out for montane mammals, which may include monkeys, antelopes, mongooses, genets, wild pigs, Savannah elephants, and Cape buffalo. The forest provides a rich habitat for both wildlife and birds, making it an ideal stop for nature lovers and birdwatchers alike.

In the evening, check in at Serena Mountain Lodge for dinner and an overnight stay, surrounded by the lush greenery and tranquil environment of Mount Kenya.

Accommodation: Serena Mountain Lodge
Meal Plan: Lunch, dinner, and drinking water

Day 04 :

Mt. Kenya-Lake Baringo

After breakfast, spend the morning continuing your birding adventure in Mount Kenya, focusing on species you may have missed the previous day. The montane forests and surrounding habitats provide excellent opportunities to spot rare and endemic birds, making the morning a rewarding experience for birdwatchers.

Later, begin your journey towards the Rift Valley, leaving the highlands behind. Along the way, make several stops to enjoy additional birding opportunities and take in the changing landscapes of central Kenya.

By afternoon, arrive at Lake Baringo, a serene freshwater lake nestled in the heart of the Rift Valley. Spend the afternoon exploring the lake’s rich birdlife, which includes waterbirds, raptors, and migratory species, making this a prime destination for avid birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike.

In the evening, check in at Soi Safari Lodge for dinner and an overnight stay, surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the lake and its lush surroundings.

Accommodation: Soi Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Lunch, dinner, and drinking water

Day 05 :

Lake Baringo – Lake Bogoria

Begin the day with an early morning boat ride on Lake Baringo, offering one of the most iconic experiences of your Kenya Prime Birding Tour. This serene excursion provides the chance to observe African Fish Eagles in action, as they soar and hunt along the lake’s edge, while enjoying the tranquil beauty of the freshwater ecosystem.

Afterward, depart for Lake Bogoria, famous for its dramatic volcanic hot springs and remarkable flamingo populations. At certain times, over one million flamingos have been recorded feeding along the lake, making it a truly spectacular sight for bird enthusiasts.

Lake Bogoria is also home to a rich diversity of wildlife and bird species, making it an ornithologist’s paradise and one of the best birding spots in East Africa. Keep an eye out for Greater Kudu, with its distinctive spiraling horns, as well as Cheetahs, Impalas, Grant’s Gazelles, and Waterbucks. The combination of stunning landscapes, volcanic features, and abundant wildlife ensures a memorable day for nature and birdwatching enthusiasts.

In the evening, check in at Bogoria Spa Resort for dinner and an overnight stay, surrounded by the breathtaking scenery and peaceful environment of Lake Bogoria.

Accommodation: Bogoria Spa Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinking water

Day 06 :

Lake Bogoria – Kakamega Forest

After breakfast, depart for Kakamega Forest, a lush remnant of the Guineo-Congolian Equatorial rainforest in western Kenya. This forest is a hotspot of biodiversity, offering birdwatchers an exceptional opportunity to add rare and endemic species to their Kenya Prime Birding Tour birdlist.

Spend the afternoon exploring the forest on foot, walking along shaded trails in search of local avian specialties. The forest is home to a variety of unique monkeys, antelopes, and squirrel species, making wildlife spotting both exciting and diverse. Along the way, take breaks to enjoy the sights and sounds of this verdant environment, including its myriad birds, insects, and plant life.

In the evening, check in at Rondo Retreat for dinner and an overnight stay, surrounded by the tranquil beauty of Kakamega Forest.

Accommodation: Rondo Retreat
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinking water

Day 07 :

Kakamega Forest Reserve

After breakfast, embark on a walking safari through Kakamega Forest, focusing on the park’s incredible birdlife and primates. The forest is renowned for its avian specialties, including the striking West African Great Blue Turaco and the distinctive Black-and-White Casqued Hornbill, making it a paradise for birdwatchers.

While exploring, you may also encounter a variety of wildlife species, such as bush pigs, duikers, bushbucks, African clawless otters, mongooses, giant African water shrews, squirrels, porcupines, and tree pangolins. The forest is particularly rich in primates, including blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, De Brazza’s monkeys, baboons, potto, and the occasional vervet monkey.

Take your time walking through the shaded trails, observing both wildlife and the lush rainforest ecosystem, and enjoy the serene atmosphere that makes Kakamega one of Kenya’s most unique forests.

Return to Rondo Retreat for dinner and an overnight stay, resting after a day full of immersive nature experiences.

Accommodation: Rondo Retreat
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinking water

Day 08 :

Kakamega Forest – Lake Nakuru National Park

After breakfast, depart Kakamega Forest and drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, a world-renowned birdwatching paradise and a key highlight of the Kenya Prime Birding Tour. Established as one of Africa’s first parks with a focus on avian conservation, Lake Nakuru is famous for its massive flamingo populations, with up to one million Lesser Flamingos recorded at peak times, alongside smaller numbers of Greater Flamingos.

In addition to flamingos, the park hosts a wide variety of specialist bird species, including Palearctic water migrants during the right season, making it a must-visit destination for avid birders.

Lake Nakuru National Park is also a wildlife haven, offering excellent opportunities to spot four of the Big Five – leopards, African lions, Cape buffaloes, and black rhinos. The park is home to abundant herds of grazing herbivores and iconic species such as Rothschild’s giraffe, providing unforgettable game viewing experiences.

Spend the day exploring the park’s scenic landscapes, from its sparkling lake shores to acacia-dotted savannahs, capturing both wildlife and birding highlights.

In the evening, check in at Lake Nakuru Lodge for dinner and an overnight stay, enjoying the peaceful surroundings and the sounds of the park at dusk.

Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinking water

Day 09 :

Lake Nakuru – Masai Mara

After breakfast, spend the morning enjoying additional birding in Lake Nakuru National Park, aiming to spot species that may have been missed earlier in your Kenya Prime Birding Tour. This is the perfect opportunity to capture more of the park’s flamingos, waterbirds, and rare avian species.

Later, depart for the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve, the crown jewel of Kenya’s safari destinations. Along the way, enjoy an en-route game drive, spotting wildlife in the rolling savannah before arriving at your camp.

In the evening, check in at Ashnil Mara Camp for dinner and an overnight stay, preparing for the exciting game drives ahead in one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife reserves.

Accommodation: Ashnil Mara Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinking water

Day 10 &11 :

Masai Mara National Reserve

Spend these two days exploring the vast Masai Mara National Reserve, one of Kenya’s most celebrated wildlife destinations and a highlight of the Kenya Prime Birding Tour. The Mara offers an incredible mix of birdlife and mammals, providing countless opportunities for both birdwatching and game viewing.

During your morning and afternoon game drives, search for the Big Five – lions, elephants, leopards, Cape buffaloes, and rhinos – alongside herds of grazing antelopes, zebras, and wildebeest. The reserve is also famous for the Annual Wildebeest Migration, a spectacular natural phenomenon that attracts visitors from around the world.

For birding enthusiasts, Masai Mara is a paradise, with transects across the open savannah offering sightings of numerous resident and migratory species. From raptors and waterbirds to colorful savannah species, every drive is an opportunity to expand your Kenya birdlist.

These two days allow for a thorough exploration of the Mara, combining thrilling wildlife encounters with immersive birdwatching experiences, making it one of the crown jewels of your Kenya birding adventure.

Return to Ashnil Mara Camp each evening for dinner and overnight stays, enjoying the tranquil camp setting amidst the iconic Mara landscapes.

Accommodation: Ashnil Mara Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinking water

Day 12 :

: Masai Mara – Nairobi / Departure

After breakfast, begin the journey back to Nairobi, making birding stops along the way to catch any species missed during the tour. Enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, sampling some of Kenya’s finest dishes and traditional barbecues.

For guests with late evening flights, there may be an opportunity to explore a few Nairobi attractions before your departure. Finally, proceed to the airport for your flight home, marking the conclusion of your unforgettable Kenya Prime Birding Tour.

Accommodation: None
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch, and drinking water