17 Days Kenya Birding Photography: Coast, Taita and Highlands

Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta airport and begin the drive to Tsavo West, estimated at five hours and about 240 kilometers. Settle at Ngulia Safari Lodge or Severin Safari Camp and begin looking for dry-country birds, including Golden-breasted Starling and Vulturine Guineafowl. Ngulia’s migrant activity depends on season and conditions.

Explore acacia woodland and open plains, with a visit around Mzima Springs for water-associated birds and wildlife. Look for hornbills, Pink-breasted Lark, Scaly Chatterer and Martial Eagle. Hippos, crocodiles, elephants and giraffes may also be encountered during the day.

Use the morning light for a final Tsavo session before the two-to-three-hour drive to Taita. Begin birding the hill habitats and forest fragments, watching for bushbuck and monkeys as well as birds. Stay at Taita Hills Safari Resort.

Devote the day to the high forest patches of Ngangao and Vuria. Taita Thrush, Taita Apalis and Taita White-eye are the main targets. The trails can be steep, so lighter camera support is useful. Continue watching for forest birds and the local two-horned chameleon.

Travel approximately 200 kilometers to Watamu, allowing four to five hours. Settle at Turtle Bay Beach Resort and begin coastal birding around the new surroundings. Look for weavers, storks, gulls and other birds of the coastal habitat as the itinerary changes from mountains to the Indian Ocean shore.

Spend the day in the coastal forest, concentrating on Sokoke Scops Owl, Clarke’s Weaver, Sokoke Pipit and Amani Sunbird. Forest-floor and canopy searches require patience in the variable light. Golden-rumped sengis and other mammals are possible additional encounters.

Return to Arabuko-Sokoke for birds missed earlier, then continue to Mida Creek for afternoon birding around the tide. Scan the mudflats and mangrove margins for Crab-plover, Terek Sandpiper, curlews and terns. The creek’s open views provide a different photographic setting from the forest.

Drive inland for about three hours to Tsavo East and stay at Ashnil Aruba Lodge near the dam. Search the dry habitats for sandgrouse, coursers, larks and Golden-breasted Starling while watching for elephants and other plains wildlife. The park visit continues the contrast between coastal and inland bird communities.

Take an early game drive before the six-to-seven-hour journey back to Nairobi. Check into Hotel Troy near the national park. Any remaining time offers opportunities for local birds such as Speke’s Weaver, Superb Starling and Variable Sunbird.

Explore the park for birds and wildlife, with the city skyline forming part of the setting. Kori Bustard, Secretarybird, Jackson’s Widowbird and cisticolas are among the photographic possibilities. Watch also for rhino, eland and impala during the day.

Drive toward the central highlands, allowing roughly three hours and stopping near the Sagana River to search for Hinde’s Babbler. Continue up Mount Kenya to Castle Forest Lodge. Look for Mountain Wagtail, Giant Kingfisher and montane forest birds as the elevation changes.

Explore Mount Kenya’s forest, searching for Abbott’s Starling, Bar-tailed Trogon and White-starred Robin. Sunbirds and other montane species add opportunities under the canopy and around the edges. Watch for monkeys while continuing the photographic work from Castle Forest Lodge.

Travel about four hours toward Samburu’s arid country and the Ewaso Ng’iro River. Stay at Lions Cave Camp. Begin searching for Vulturine Guineafowl, Golden-breasted Starling and dry-country sunbirds, with Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe among the possible mammals.

Use the day for the three reserve areas, moving between open dry country and riverine vegetation. Targets include Somali Ostrich, sandgrouse, larks and Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill. Riverine shade offers a useful focus during stronger midday light; gerenuk and oryx may also be seen.

Allow five to six hours for the journey into the Rift Valley and settle at Lake Nakuru Lodge. Search for pelicans, flamingos and African Fish Eagle around suitable waterside areas, then look for woodland and rocky-country birds. Rhinos and giraffes are additional possibilities.

Drive about two hours to the plateau for a focused search for Sharpe’s Longclaw. Continue looking for widowbirds, larks and other grassland species. Stay at Eseriani The Resort in the Naivasha area before the return to Nairobi.

Return toward Nairobi on an approximately two-hour drive. If the flight schedule allows, stop at Limuru’s ponds for waterbirds such as Maccoa Duck, grebes, teals and coots. Continue to the airport for the afternoon departure.