Kenya’s Rift Valley is home to some of Africa’s most spectacular birding and wildlife destinations. On this safari, you will explore Lake Nakuru, Lake Baringo, and Lake Bogoria, each offering unique habitats, incredible bird diversity, and breathtaking landscapes.

Lake Nakuru National Park, famously called the “Pink Lake,” is renowned for its massive flamingo flocks, which can number up to a million at peak season. The park hosts over 450 bird species, including pelicans, storks, waders, kingfishers, and majestic raptors such as the African Fish Eagle. Beyond birds, Lake Nakuru is a sanctuary for wildlife, offering sightings of rhinos, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, and other herbivores, making it an ideal combination of birding and classic safari experiences.

Lake Baringo presents a contrasting freshwater ecosystem with lush papyrus swamps, scrublands, and rocky cliffs. Birders can expect over 470 species, including Verreaux’s Eagle, Dark Chanting-Goshawk, hornbills, herons, and migratory waterfowl. The lake’s calm waters also attract hippos and crocodiles, creating dynamic wildlife encounters alongside the abundant birdlife.

Lake Bogoria is famous for its dramatic geothermal hot springs and geysers, set against alkaline shores frequented by thousands of Lesser and Greater Flamingos. The reserve is recognized as an Important Bird Area, with more than 300 bird species. Its semi-arid bushland and rocky terrain also support rare cliff-dwelling and dry-zone species, making it a paradise for adventurous birdwatchers.

Together, these three Rift Valley lakes offer an unforgettable birding safari, blending spectacular flamingo displays, diverse waterbirds, raptors, and woodland species with iconic African wildlife. Whether you are a passionate birder, wildlife photographer, or first-time safari traveler, this journey promises breathtaking landscapes, rich biodiversity, and world-class birdwatching experiences in the heart of Kenya.

Great White Pelicans cooperatively fishing on Lake Nakuru in Kenya

Overview

Itinerary

Explore Kenya’s Rift Valley on a birding and wildlife safari through Lake Nakuru, Lake Baringo, and Lake Bogoria. Witness massive flamingo flocks, African Fish Eagles, and diverse waterbirds, alongside rhinos, giraffes, hippos, and more. Enjoy stunning landscapes, wetlands, and unique ecosystems, perfect for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Highlights

Witness massive flamingo flocks at Lake Nakuru and Lake Bogoria.
Spot over 450 bird species including African Fish Eagles, pelicans, herons, and hornbills.
Explore diverse habitats: wetlands, papyrus swamps, alkaline lakes, scrublands, and rocky cliffs.
Encounter iconic wildlife: rhinos, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, hippos, and crocodiles.
Enjoy boat rides on Lake Baringo for close-up birding and wildlife viewing.
Visit geothermal hot springs and geysers at Lake Bogoria.
Ideal for birdwatchers, photographers, and wildlife enthusiasts.
Combine Rift Valley landscapes with unmatched birding experiences in a compact safari.

Day 01 :

Nairobi to Lake Bogoria & Lake Baringo

Begin your adventure with an early morning pick-up from Nairobi airport or your hotel, then drive north to the stunning Lake Bogoria National Reserve. Famous for its dramatic geothermal hot springs and breathtaking landscapes, Lake Bogoria is also a haven for bird enthusiasts. Here, you may witness massive flocks of flamingos, with counts sometimes exceeding one million birds, creating an unforgettable pink spectacle along the lake’s shores.

The reserve is rich in wildlife, including the elegant Greater Kudu with its spiraling horns, as well as cheetahs, impalas, Grant’s gazelles, and waterbucks. Birdwatchers will delight in the diversity of species that inhabit this remarkable ecosystem, making it one of the top birding destinations in East Africa.

After exploring Lake Bogoria, continue to Lake Baringo, a peaceful freshwater lake renowned for its abundant waterbirds and lakeside wildlife. Enjoy some relaxed birding and take in the serene surroundings before heading to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay, resting up for the days of birdwatching and safari adventures ahead.

Accommodation: Lake Bogoria Spa Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinking Water

Day 02 :

Lake Baringo to Lake Nakuru

After breakfast, begin the day with a boat excursion on Lake Baringo, a freshwater haven in the heart of the Rift Valley. Glide across calm waters in search of elusive bird species, while observing African Fish Eagles as they hunt and call across their territories. Keep an eye out for hippos and crocodiles, adding to the lake’s dynamic wildlife experience.

Following your boat ride, enjoy lunch before exploring the scrublands and dramatic cliffs surrounding Lake Baringo. This area is a prime location for birds of prey, including the Dark Chanting-Goshawk, Spotted Scops Owl, and Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, alongside numerous other resident and migratory species. Birders will find this region rich in both diversity and unique photographic opportunities.

In the afternoon, depart for Lake Nakuru National Park, arriving in the evening. Along the way, enjoy an en-route game drive, spotting wildlife as you traverse the Rift Valley landscapes. Upon arrival, check in to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay, preparing for the next day of spectacular birdwatching and safari adventures.

Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinking Water

Day 03 :

Lake Nakuru National Park – Birding & Wildlife Finale

After breakfast, embark on a morning game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, famously known as the “Pink Lake” and celebrated as a true birdwatcher’s paradise. Marvel at the spectacular sight of flamingos, which at peak season can number up to one million, painting the lake’s shores in breathtaking pink hues.

Lake Nakuru was Africa’s first national park established primarily for bird conservation, and today it continues to attract birding enthusiasts from around the world. In addition to its incredible avian diversity, the park is home to Africa’s Big Five, including lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and the rare black rhino, alongside giraffes, zebras, and a variety of grazing mammals.

Spend the morning discovering the park’s remarkable bird species and wildlife, capturing memorable photos of flamingos, waterbirds, and the occasional rhino or buffalo on the rolling grasslands.

After your safari experience, depart Lake Nakuru and return to Nairobi, where you will be dropped off at your hotel or airport, concluding your unforgettable Rift Valley birding and wildlife adventure.

Accommodation: None
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Drinking Water