16 Days Central, Northern and Western Kenya Birding
Kenya birding route through Nairobi, Mount Kenya, Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Lake Baringo, Kakamega, Kisumu, Masai Mara, Naivasha and Kinangop.
About this tour
Cross Kenya from Nairobi to the Mount Kenya forests, the dry northern reserves and the Great Rift Valley before turning west to Kakamega and Lake Victoria. The return route uses the Masai Mara, Naivasha and the Kinangop Plateau, linking very different bird communities in one 16-day private journey.
Montane forest around Castle Forest contrasts with Samburu and Shaba scrub, the lakes and cliffs of Nakuru and Baringo, and the Guinea-Congo influence of Kakamega Forest. Papyrus birding at Dunga Swamp, open-country searches in the Mara and highland grasslands at Kinangop add further habitat changes.
The programme is designed for birdwatching and photography, with road transfers, forest walks, game drives and a Lake Baringo boat session. Named birds are search priorities rather than guaranteed sightings; daily activity depends on weather, access and wildlife conditions.
Published per-person prices vary with party size, from USD 9,031 for one guest to USD 3,767 for six guests, with a USD 470 single-room supplement. Dates, room availability and the final operating plan are confirmed through a BirdWatch inquiry.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Kenya.
Birds you can spot
African Black Duck
Anas sparsa
target
Anas sparsa
target
African Darter
Anhinga rufa
target
Anhinga rufa
target
African Emerald Cuckoo
Chrysococcyx cupreus
target
Chrysococcyx cupreus
target
African Finfoot
Podica senegalensis
target
Podica senegalensis
target
African Fish Eagle
Haliaeetus vocifer
target
Haliaeetus vocifer
target
African Jacana
Actophilornis africanus
target
Actophilornis africanus
target
African Openbill
Anastomus lamelligerus
target
Anastomus lamelligerus
target
African Pygmy Goose
Nettapus auritus
target
Nettapus auritus
target
African Skimmer
Rynchops flavirostris
target
Rynchops flavirostris
target
African Spoonbill
Platalea alba
target
Platalea alba
target
African Wood Owl
Strix woodfordii
target
Strix woodfordii
target
Cassin's Hawk-Eagle
Aquila africana
target
Aquila africana
target
Pallid Scops Owl
Otus brucei
target
Otus brucei
target
Yellow-bellied Waxbill
Coccopygia quartinia
target
Coccopygia quartinia
target
Guides
Davis Kibuga
English
Itinerary
Day 1
Airport Pick Up, Nairobi National Park & Transfer to Mount Kenya
Nairobi
Begin with about three hours in Nairobi National Park, combining grassland birding with the city skyline before the 3-4 hour transfer toward Mount Kenya. Pangani Longclaw, African Quailfinch, bustards, larks and other open-country birds are among the stated priorities. Dinner and overnight are planned at Castle Forest Lodge.
Day 2
Full Day Birding at Castle Forest
Nairobi
Spend the day in montane rainforest, bamboo and undergrowth around Castle Forest. Hartlaub’s Turaco, Abbott’s Starling, Bar-tailed Trogon and Olive Ibis are prominent search species, with greenbuls, robins and other forest birds also possible. Return to Castle Forest Lodge for the night.
Day 3
Transfer to Samburu, Buffalo Springs & Shaba Reserves
Nairobi
Use the early morning along the Mount Kenya forest edge, then drive about 3-4 hours into the dry Samburu region. Afternoon birding in the Buffalo Springs and Shaba area focuses on species such as Somali Ostrich, Golden-breasted Starling and Vulturine Guineafowl. Overnight is planned at Lion’s Cave Camp.
Day 4
Whole Day Birding in Samburu National Park
Nairobi
Explore the Samburu landscape and the Ewaso Nyiro River through the day. William’s Lark, Pink-breasted Lark, Northern Crombec, sandgrouse, bustards and dry-country sunbirds form part of the search list, alongside the region’s characteristic mammals. Return to Lion’s Cave Camp.
Day 5
Travel to Lake Nakuru National Park
Nairobi
Take an early riverside birding walk before the 5-6 hour transfer to Lake Nakuru National Park. Afternoon work covers the alkaline shoreline and acacia woodland; priorities range from flamingos and swifts to woodland birds such as Rüppell’s Robin-Chat, with Long-crested Eagle also on the search list. Overnight is listed at Eagle’s Palace Nakuru.
Day 6
Lake Nakuru Morning & Transfer to Lake Baringo
Nairobi
Bird Lake Nakuru for roughly three hours in the morning, then continue about three hours north to Lake Baringo. A late-afternoon walk introduces the rocky and dry-country habitats, with Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse, Hemprich’s Hornbill, raptors, owls and coursers among the priorities. Overnight is at Sandai Resort.
Day 7
Full Day Birding at Lake Baringo
Nairobi
Combine a morning boat outing on Lake Baringo with later birding around basalt cliffs and acacia scrub. The programme names herons, African Skimmer, African Fish Eagle, kingfishers, Verreaux’s Eagle and Northern White-faced Owl as possible photographic subjects. Spend a second night at Sandai Resort.
Day 8
Travel to Kakamega Equatorial Rainforest
Nairobi
After an early walk at Baringo, drive 4-5 hours west to Kakamega Forest. Afternoon trail birding introduces Kenya’s Guinea-Congo forest community, with Great Blue Turaco, African Emerald Cuckoo, Turner’s Eremomela, hornbills, barbets and greenbuls on the working list. Overnight is planned at Rondo Retreat Camp.
Day 9
Full Day Birding in Kakamega Forest
Nairobi
Devote a full day to Kakamega’s canopy and shaded understory. Chapin’s Flycatcher, Blue-headed Bee-eater, greenbuls, wattle-eyes, weavers and forest sunbirds are among the named targets, with the pace set by trail conditions and bird activity. Return to Rondo Retreat Camp.
Day 10
Travel to Kisumu & Dunga Swamp Birding
Nairobi
Start with about 2.5 hours around Rondo, then transfer 1.5-2 hours to Kisumu and Dunga Swamp on Lake Victoria. A local boat session searches the papyrus zone for Papyrus Gonolek, Papyrus Canary, Carruthers’s Cisticola and other wetland birds. Overnight is listed at Sunset Hotel Kisumu.
Day 11
Transfer to the World-Famous Masai Mara
Nairobi
Bird the Lake Victoria shoreline early, then make the 5-6 hour journey to the Masai Mara. An afternoon game drive adds open savanna, with Martial Eagle, Secretarybird, vultures, bustards, larks and lapwings among the published priorities. The exact lodge is selected according to availability.
Day 12
Full Day Morning & Afternoon in Masai Mara
Nairobi
Use morning and afternoon drives to cover the varied Mara habitats. Lilac-breasted Roller, Usambiro Barbet, Rufous-bellied Heron and African Finfoot are highlighted, together with a broad raptor list and the reserve’s large mammals. Return to the confirmed Mara accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Day 13
Travel to Naivasha & Crater Lake Sanctuary
Nairobi
Begin with an early Mara session, then drive about 4.5-5 hours to the Naivasha area. Afternoon walking at Crater Lake Game Sanctuary focuses on fever-tree woodland and the volcanic lake, with Schalow’s Turaco, sunbirds, warblers and waterbirds among the possible sightings. Overnight is at Eseriani The Resort.
Day 14
Hell's Gate Birding Experience
Nairobi
Spend the day among the cliffs, grasslands and geothermal features of Hell’s Gate National Park. The route looks for cliff-nesting raptors, swifts, wheatears, pipits and Common Ostrich, with walking or cycling possible where current park rules and conditions allow. Return to Eseriani The Resort.
Day 15
Kinangop Plateau Grasslands
Nairobi
Explore Kinangop Plateau’s cool upland fields and remaining tussock habitat, a key landscape for Sharpe’s Longclaw. Long-tailed Widowbird, Aberdare Cisticola and other grassland or highland birds are additional priorities. Descend to the Naivasha area for the final overnight.
Day 16
Manguo Swamp to Nairobi Airport for Departure
Nairobi
Use the early light for about two hours of Lake Naivasha birding, then drive toward Nairobi with a stop at Manguo Swamp. The final wetland session searches for Maccoa Duck, Hottentot Teal, Red-knobbed Coot and other resident or seasonal waterbirds before the transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Locations & map
- Nairobi - Nairobi Kenya (Kenya birding route through Nairobi, Mount Kenya, Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Lake Baringo, Kakamega, Kisumu, Masai Mara, Naivasha and Kinangop.)
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request · Season: Available dates and best season will be confirmed after enquiry.
Package
Amount
Terms
Single room supplement
USD 470
Single traveler supplement: USD 470
6 guests
USD 3,767 / person
-
5 guests
USD 3,999 / person
-
4 guests
USD 4,195 / person
-
3 guests
USD 4,725 / person
-
2 guests
USD 5,521 / person
-
1 guest
USD 9,031 / person
-
Included
- Accommodation as specified - Confirm exact details with Davis Kibuga.
- Professional bird guide - Confirm exact details with Davis Kibuga.
- Ground transportation - Confirm exact details with Davis Kibuga.
- Park and conservation fees where listed - Confirm exact details with Davis Kibuga.
- Meals as per itinerary - Confirm exact details with Davis Kibuga.
- Airport transfers - Confirm exact details with Davis Kibuga.
- Drinking water during tour days - Confirm exact details with Davis Kibuga.
Not included
- International flights - Confirm exact details with Davis Kibuga.
- Visas - Confirm exact details with Davis Kibuga.
- Travel and medical insurance - Confirm exact details with Davis Kibuga.
- Tips and gratuities - Confirm exact details with Davis Kibuga.
- Personal expenses - Confirm exact details with Davis Kibuga.
- Optional activities or extras not listed - Confirm exact details with Davis Kibuga.
- Government imposed increases of taxes or park fees - Confirm exact details with Davis Kibuga.
Transport & stays
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle Itinerary documents specify ground transportation with a professional bird guide. Exact vehicle and pickup logistics should be confirmed before booking. | Meet: Airport or hotel pickup point to be confirmed through BirdWatch inquiry follow-up. | Pickup: Airport transfer is listed in the supplied itinerary material where applicable.
Policies & FAQ
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation and rescheduling terms will be confirmed after enquiry before booking.
Payment Terms
The supplied itinerary material generally states a 50% deposit and balance before arrival or departure; confirm the current payment schedule before booking.
Insurance & Safety
Travel insurance with medical, evacuation and trip interruption cover is recommended.
Follow the guide, park rules and local site instructions. Road, trail, permit and weather conditions can change.
Are the dates and prices final?
Please confirm current dates, availability, group size and price through the BirdWatch inquiry form before booking.
How are enquiries handled?
BirdWatch receives the enquiry first and forwards it to Davis Kibuga / Wide Birding Eco Tours for confirmation and follow-up.
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.