Experience the best of Kenya birding and wildlife on this immersive safari through Nairobi National Park, Lake Naivasha, and Lake Nakuru National Park. Discover a unique blend of wetlands, grasslands, woodlands, and lakeshores, teeming with diverse bird species and iconic African wildlife.

Begin at Nairobi National Park, the only national park bordering a capital city. Spot waterbirds, raptors, and forest birds, while witnessing giraffes, zebras, buffalo, and lions roaming freely against the city skyline. This park is perfect for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts looking for a safari experience close to Nairobi.

Next, visit Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake in the Rift Valley known for its abundant birdlife, including African Fish Eagles, kingfishers, and reed-dwelling species. Take a relaxing boat ride to observe hippos and waterbirds up close, while enjoying the lake’s serene natural beauty.

Finally, explore Lake Nakuru National Park, a top birding destination in Kenya, famous for its spectacular flamingo gatherings, pelicans, and over 450 recorded bird species. The park also offers incredible wildlife sightings, including endangered black and white rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, and buffaloes, set against a backdrop of alkaline lake shores and acacia woodlands.

This safari delivers unforgettable birdwatching, wildlife encounters, and scenic landscapes, making it perfect for nature photographers, birding enthusiasts, and first-time safari travelers seeking a complete Rift Valley experience.

African Fish Eagle swooping to catch a fish on Lake Naivasha.

Secretary Bird walking through golden savannah in Nairobi National Park

Overview

Itinerary

Overview

Explore the best of Kenya birding and wildlife on this safari through Nairobi National Park, Lake Naivasha, and Lake Nakuru. Witness spectacular flamingo flocks, African Fish Eagles, and diverse bird species, alongside rhinos, giraffes, zebras, and other iconic wildlife, set against stunning Rift Valley landscapes.

Highlights

Explore Nairobi National Park, the only park bordering a capital city, with abundant birds and wildlife.
Enjoy a boat ride on Lake Naivasha, spotting hippos, African Fish Eagles, and waterbirds.
Visit Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for flamingo congregations and over 450 bird species.
Spot endangered black and white rhinos, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, and other iconic African mammals.
Experience diverse habitats: wetlands, grasslands, woodlands, and lakeshores.
Ideal for birdwatchers, wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and first-time safari travelers.
Witness raptors, kingfishers, and reed-dwelling species across Kenya’s Rift Valley.
Enjoy scenic drives and unforgettable wildlife sightings in a compact 4-day safari.

Day 01 :

Nairobi National Park

After enjoying breakfast, you will set off for Nairobi National Park, a legendary wildlife haven and the only national park in the world bordering a capital city. Despite its close proximity to Nairobi, the park protects an impressive mix of habitats including woodlands, sweeping grasslands, riverine thickets, and seasonal wetlands.

These diverse ecosystems make it one of Kenya’s most rewarding sites for birding. It is not unusual to record well over 100 bird species in a single outing, ranging from raptors and waterbirds to woodland specialists. Along the way, you also stand a good chance of encountering iconic mammals that freely roam the plains, giving you a classic safari feel within minutes of the city.

After your birding and game-viewing experience, you will return to your hotel in Nairobi to unwind before dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Inter-Continental Nairobi Hotel
Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner & Drinking Water

Day 02 :

Nairobi to Lake Naivasha

After an early breakfast, you will depart Nairobi and drive toward the beautiful Lake Naivasha, one of the most celebrated freshwater lakes in the Rift Valley. Just a short 1.5-hour journey from the city, Naivasha is renowned for its rich biodiversity and peaceful scenery.

The lake is internationally recognized as both a Ramsar Wetland Site and an Important Bird Area (IBA) thanks to its remarkable productivity and thriving populations of resident and migratory birds. With more than 400 recorded bird species, the area offers exceptional opportunities for birdwatching and photography.

A guided boat ride on the lake will bring you even closer to its wildlife treasures. You may witness the impressive African Fish Eagle swooping down for its catch, spot a variety of waterbirds, and observe hippos resting along the shores.

Later, you will head to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay, surrounded by the serene beauty of Naivasha.

Accommodation: Lake Naivasha Crescent Camp or Naivasha Sopa Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Drinking Water

Day 03 :

Lake Naivasha - Lake Nakuru National Park

After an early breakfast, depart Lake Naivasha and drive toward the breathtaking Lake Nakuru National Park, arriving by mid-morning. Along the way, enjoy an en-route game drive, spotting grazing herbivores and keeping an eye out for wildlife that thrives along the Rift Valley escarpments.

After checking in and having lunch, take some time to relax before heading out for an afternoon birding adventure. Lake Nakuru is a world-famous birding hotspot, celebrated for its massive flamingo gatherings, with counts reaching up to one million birds at peak season—a truly awe-inspiring sight. Beyond flamingos, the park hosts a wide variety of waterbirds, raptors, and woodland species, making it a must-visit destination for birdwatchers and wildlife photographers alike.

Lake Nakuru also supports a rich diversity of mammals, including rhinos, buffalo, and Rothschild’s giraffes, providing an unforgettable combination of birding and classic safari experiences.

Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay, surrounded by the scenic beauty of the park.

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

Day 04 :

Lake Nakuru National Park to Nairobi

After breakfast, embark on a second day of exploration at Lake Nakuru National Park, focusing on bird species you may have missed on the previous day. The park is renowned for its incredible diversity, from vast flocks of flamingos to a variety of waterbirds, raptors, and woodland species, making it a true birdwatcher’s paradise.

Beyond birds, Lake Nakuru provides opportunities to spot Africa’s Big Five, including lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos, with the park being particularly famous for its endangered black rhino population. Grazing herbivores and Rothschild’s giraffes also roam the scenic landscapes, adding to the park’s magical charm.

In the afternoon, depart Nakuru and drive back to Nairobi, arriving by evening for a hotel drop-off or airport transfer, marking the conclusion of your unforgettable birding and wildlife experience.

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