Kenya Big Game and Birds Exploration with Johnnie Uganda Safaris
12-day Kenya birding and wildlife itinerary with Johnnie Uganda Safaris, prepared for partner review.
About this tour
This BirdWatch review draft is based on Johnnie Uganda Safaris' approved public tour material for Kenya's Big Game & Birds Exploration.
Tsavo West, Amboseli, Mt. Kenya, Samburu, Aberdares, Nakuru & Masai Mara National Parks.
The route is presented as a birding-first draft for partner review. Johnnie should confirm current dates, price, group size, inclusions, pickup logistics, target birds and image order before travellers book.
Customer inquiries are routed through BirdWatch.info.
Birds you can spot
Terathopius ecaudatus
target
Lissotis melanogaster
target
Gallinago media
target
Balearica regulorum
target
Ardeotis kori
target
Phoeniconaias minor
target
Oxyura maccoa
target
Pterocles namaqua
target
Circus macrourus
target
Macronyx ameliae
target
Plectropterus gambensis
target
Acryllium vulturinum
target
Staphida torqueola
target
Guides
Itinerary ▼
Depart from Nairobi in the morning for the drive south-east to Tsavo West National Park, arriving at Kilaguni Lodge in time for a late lunch. This lodge is located next to a water hole that attracts a wide variety of animals.
You will head out for a late afternoon game drive before dinner.
Dinner and overnight at Kilaguni Lodge on full board.
An early morning game drive explores one of Kenya's largest national parks, with dramatic scenery, resident mammals and dry-country birding.
Return to the lodge for breakfast, relax, and prepare for an afternoon game drive via Mzima Springs, where resident hippos and other wildlife may be seen.
Birds to look for include Vulturine Guineafowl, bustards, raptors and other Tsavo species. Dinner and overnight at Kilaguni Lodge on full board.
After an early breakfast, head west to Amboseli, driving close to Mount Kilimanjaro and arriving at the lodge in time for lunch.
Enjoy an afternoon game drive with chances for wetland birds, raptors and open-country species as well as zebra, giraffe, buffalo and other wildlife.
Dinner and overnight at Amboseli Serena Lodge on full board.
Spend an additional day and night in Amboseli as requested in Johnnie's review comments. The extra time allows a less rushed exploration of the park's wetlands, plains and Kilimanjaro-view habitats.
Morning and afternoon drives can focus on waterbirds, raptors, dry-country species and mammal viewing according to current conditions.
Dinner and overnight in the Amboseli area on full board.
After breakfast, return toward Nairobi for lunch at a convenient restaurant before continuing north to the slopes of Mount Kenya.
This stage positions the route for the northern Kenya birding and Samburu section.
Dinner and overnight at Naro Moru River Lodge or similar on full board.
Drive north, crossing the equator toward Samburu National Reserve, arriving at the lodge in time for lunch.
Afternoon game drives may produce Black-capped Social Weaver, Black-faced Sandgrouse, D'Arnaud's Barbet, Vulturine Guineafowl, White-bellied Bustard and other northern Kenya species.
Dinner and overnight in Samburu on full board.
Early morning game drive in Samburu, an area of wild beauty with desert scrub, open savannah and rugged hills.
The reserve is known for species such as Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy's Zebra, Gerenuk, Somali Ostrich and Beisa Oryx, alongside dry-country birds.
Return to the lodge for lunch and downtime before a late afternoon drive. Dinner and overnight in Samburu on full board.
Head back across the equator to the central highlands in time for lunch, then continue toward the Aberdare area.
A short game drive or lodge-based wildlife viewing may produce highland species and mammals such as Black Rhino, Bongo, Giant Forest Hog or other forest wildlife when conditions are favorable.
Dinner and overnight in the Aberdare area on full board.
After breakfast, drive west to Lake Nakuru, arriving at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge or similar in time for lunch.
Lake Nakuru is an important birding site with lake, grassland, forest and cliff habitats supporting a large bird list and a range of mammals.
Birds may include Lesser Flamingos, Great Snipe, Bateleur, Pallid Harrier, Maccoa Duck and Grey Crowned Crane, depending on season and water levels. Dinner and overnight at Lake Nakuru on full board.
Spend an additional day and night at Lake Nakuru as requested in Johnnie's review comments. The extra time allows a fuller birding pass through lakeshore, woodland, grassland and escarpment habitats.
Use the day to improve chances for waterbirds, raptors and grassland species, and to revisit productive areas according to current conditions.
Dinner and overnight at Lake Nakuru on full board.
Head to the Maasai Mara with an en-route lunch along the way and views of Lake Naivasha and Mount Longonot from afar where routing allows.
Arrive in the late afternoon or evening with an en-route game drive to the lodge.
Dinner and overnight in the Maasai Mara on full board.
Spend a full day in the Maasai Mara, the Kenya section of the Serengeti plains and traditional land of the Maasai people.
The day can focus on savannah birds, raptors and wildlife, with cultural options only if appropriate for the group. The review revision keeps this as a two-night Maasai Mara section rather than the previous third night.
Dinner and overnight in the Maasai Mara on full board.
After breakfast, return to Nairobi and continue to the airport or agreed drop-off point for onward travel.
Locations & map
- Nairobi - Nairobi County Kenya (Access city for the Kenya route.)
- Tsavo West National Park - Tsavo Kenya (Early route birding and game-viewing area.)
- Amboseli National Park - Kajiado Kenya (Savannah and wetland birding below Kilimanjaro.)
- Mount Kenya / Naro Moru - Central Kenya Kenya (Highland transfer and overnight section near Mount Kenya.)
- Samburu National Reserve - Samburu Kenya (Dry-country birding and northern Kenya wildlife section.)
- Aberdare National Park - Central Highlands Kenya (Highland forest and wildlife section.)
- Lake Nakuru National Park - Nakuru Kenya (Important lake, grassland and cliff birding site.)
- Maasai Mara National Reserve - Narok Kenya (Savannah birding and wildlife section.)
Included
- Guided birding and safari itinerary - Source itinerary supplied by Johnnie Uganda Safaris; exact package inclusions to be confirmed.
- Route planning and local guiding - Pickup, vehicle, accommodation, meals, park fees and permits require partner confirmation.
- Flights, visas, insurance and personal expenses - Not confirmed as included in the source trip record.
- Unconfirmed permits, park fees, accommodation and meals - Confirm current package scope with Johnnie after inquiry.
Transport & stays
- Safari vehicle / arranged locally Vehicle, pickup point and transfers to be confirmed after inquiry through BirdWatch.info. | Meet: Nairobi; exact pickup point confirmed after inquiry through BirdWatch.info.
Policies & FAQ
Are dates and prices fixed?
Dates, availability, group size and current price are not published in the source record and should be confirmed by Johnnie after inquiry.
Are the listed target birds guaranteed?
No. The listed birds are targets from the source itinerary and BirdWatch review process. Seasonal likelihood should be confirmed by Johnnie.