Kenya - Bird Safari

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January 8th - 24th 2011 - 16 nights / 17 days - £3850 (s/s £580)

Leaders: Bob Buckler and Local Guides

Kenya (interior) - the ultimate Birding Destination

Kenya, a fabulous experience for anyone interested in birds and natural history, superb habitats, tremendous biodiversity, a holiday of a life-time and memories to treasure forever.

This large East African country consists of 583000 square kilometers has the second highest bird species count in Africa with over 1090 species recorded. The interior of the country consists of a wide spectrum of habitats ranging from the peak of Mt. Kenya, rising over 5,00 meters (17,000 ft.), to desert and semi-desert through grassland and savanna to woodland and forest. You will sample them all as we travel from Nairobi to – Mt. Kenya – Samburu – Lake Nakuru - Lake Baringo - Kakamega Forest via Lake Victoria – Massai Mara – Lake Naivasha back to Nairobi, completing a fantastic circuit and savouring some superb experiences.

To see a map of the country and to read up on all the sites you will be visiting click here With such a great variation in habitat you are guaranteed some fantastic bird-watching and because so much of the country is open grassland or bush the birds are also relatively easy to see. A typical birding safari such as ours will produce some 500-600 species over the seventeen days. Taking it fairly gently with a relaxed pace we will seen many mammals and butterflies too.

Itinerary

Day 01: Nairobi National Park

On arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Morning Flight 0630hrs) we will be met and greeted by our local guides and driven to our hotel on the outskirts of Nairobi. Later we cross over (by bus) to the Nairobi National Park, which despite being only a few kilometers from the city is a home to big game. In its open grasslands scattered with acacia trees we will see the first game like gazelles, zebras, giraffes and maybe some of the cats. We will spend our first day at Nairobi National Park, which lies within the shadows of the large capital city. With highland forest, Acacia woodland, rocky, escarpments, open grassland, large ponds, and small streams, this park is home to a wide variety of birds and mammals. Some of the key species we will search for here are Shelley’s Francolin, Hartlaub’s Bustard, Spotted Thick-knee, Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, Singing Cisticola, Banded and Brown Warblers, African Yellow Warbler, Northern Pied Babbler, Montane White-eye, Long-tailed Fiscal and White-winged Widowbird. Nairobi National Park is without a doubt the best place in Kenya to see the endangered Black Rhino, and we have a very good chance of locating this very impressive species together with many of the other mammals we have seen before. Spend your evening overnight at Nairobi Silver Springs Hotel

Day 02: Nairobi – Mt. Kenya

This morning we leave Nairobi and transfer to Serena Mountain Lodge, with several short stops enroute. Our first destination is the Blue Post Hotel in Thika, where we will bird the hotel grounds and woodlands along the Chania River. Here we will start seeing our first exciting African species, which may include Hadada Ibis, Red-eyed Dove, Trumpet Hornbill, African Green-pigeon, Speckled Mousebird, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, and Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, White-headed and Spot-flanked Barbets, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Mountain Wagtail, Grey- olive Greenbul, Black-throated Wattle-eye, Grey-capped Warbler, Variable, Collared and Scarlet-Chested Sunbirds, Holub’s Golden-weaver, Baglafecht Weaver and African Citril. We will also make a stop at Wajee Camp, a noted site for the Kenya endemic Hinde’s Pied-babbler. While birding the steep forested slopes of the camp, we stand a chance of locating Ayer’s Hawk-eagle, African Wood-owl, Brown-hooded Kingfisher, and Green-headed Sunbird. Serena Mountain Lodge is located on the lower slopes of Mt. Kenya, Africa’s second tallest mountain, and is an excellent place to locate many highland forest species. Along the entrance road we may encounter Augur Buzzard, African Crowned Hawk-eagle, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Moustached Tinkerbird, Mosque Swallow, Black Saw-wing, Sharpe’s Starling, Black-tailed Oriole, Purple-throated Cuckoo-shrike, and Eastern Double-collared Sunbird. The large waterhole and salt lick at the lodge is host to many mammals and we can expect Blue Sykes Monkey, White-tailed and Marsh Mongooses, Common Genet, Deffassa Waterbuck, Giant Forest Hog, and the tiny Suni. At an elevation of almost 8,000ft nights can be quite chilly. One night stay at the Serena Mountain Lodge.

Days 03 & 04: Mt. Kenya – Samburu

Early – morning birding from the lodge balcony is always productive and may include Marabou Stork, Black Goshawk, Fine-banded Woodpecker, Cape Wagtail, Slender-billed and Mountain Greenbuls, Ruppell’s Robin-chat, Hunter’s Cisticola, Grey and Black-throated Apalis, Grey-headed Negrofinch and Yellow-crowned Canary. We will also take a short walk from the lodge along the entrance road in search of the more secretive species of the area such as Scaly Francolin, African Hill Babbler, White-starred Robin, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Mountain Yellow Warbler, White-browed Crombec, Yellow-bellied Waxbill and Oriole Finch. Mid-morning we will leave the cool climate of Mt. Kenya for more arid country in the North, specifically the Samburu Game Reserve. The drive will offer spectacular scenery, and the grasslands along the roadside are a great place for Black-winged Plover, Black-shouldered Kite, Dusky Turtle-dove, Greater Blue-eared Glossy-starling, Cape Rook, Tacazze Sunbird, Red-collared and Long-tailed Widowbirds (seasonal) and Speke’s Weaver. Samburu is one if the most exciting reserves in East Africa. The semi-desert habitat and the rich woodlands along the Ewaso Nyiro River are teeming with wildlife. Explorations, of the fantastic reserve will produce an almost overwhelming array of bird species: Palm-nut and Hooded Vultures, Bateleur, Martial Eagle, African Hawk-eagle, Crested and Yellow-necked Francolins, Vulturine Guinea fowl, Buff-crested and White-bellied Bustards, Black-faced and Liechtenstein’s Sandgrouse, Red-bellied Parrot, African Scops-owl, Pearl-spotted Owlet, Somali Bee-eater, Rufous-crowned Roller, Von der Decken’s Hornbill, Red-and-yellow Barbet, Bearded Woodpecker, Pink-breasted Lark, African Bare-eyed Thrush, Rosy-patched Bush-shrike, Hunter’s and Black-bellied Sunbirds, Golden-breasted and Fischer’s Starlings, Donaldson-Smith’s Sparrow-weaver, Cut-throat and the stunning Somali Bunting. Mammal life is also prolific, with many species not seen elsewhere on our tour. Just a few of the many possibilities are Olive Baboon, Black-faced Vervet Monkey, Dwarf Mongoose, Striped Hyena, Grevy’s Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, Kirk’s dik dik, Common Waterbuck, Gerenuk and the magnificent Beisa Oryx. Three nights stay at the Samburu Serena Lodge.

Day 05: Samburu – Mt. Kenya area Via Meru

During our last morning in Samburu we will visit the nearby Buffalo Springs Game Reserve. The slightly different habitat is home to many specialties: Somali Ostrich, Lappet-faced Vulture, Ruppell’s Griffon-Vulture, Eastern Pale Chanting-goshawk, Pygmy Falcon, Cream-coloured (Somali) Courser, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, White-headed Mousebird, Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill, Nubian and Cardinal Woodpeckers, Fischer’s and Chestnut-headed Sparrow-larks, Yellow-vented Eremomela, Spotted Morning-Thrush, Mariqua Sunbird, Taita Fiscal, Golden Palm Weaver, Black-capped Social Weaver and African Silverbill. We then have a mid-morning departure for the Naro Moro River Lodge located on the northern edge of Mt Kenya. En route we will make a stop at the Meru Forest, where many unique species can be found. Much of the bird life here resembles the coastal avifauna of Kenya. Here we will search for White-eared Barbet, Yellow-bellied Greenbul, Black-headed Apalis, African Crested-flycatcher and Kenrick's and Black-bellied Glossy-starlings. Our lodge is set in the perfect setting of highland forest, flowing brooks, and gorgeous flower filled grounds. The birding in this area is also very nice and we may see African Black Duck, Narina Trogon, Sulphur-breasted Bush-shrike, Tropical Boubou, Chin-spot Batis, African Black-headed Oriole, and Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu. One night stay at the Naro Moro River Lodge. Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Silvery-cheeked and Trumpeter Hornbills and Brown-hooded Kingfisher can all be seen here.

Day 06: Mt. Kenya – Lake Nakuru

Leaving early we will make an ascent onto Mt Kenya entering the vast and pristine montane forest of Mt Kenya National Park. Making our way up the winding road to the Meteorological Station we will keep and eye out for such birds as African Goshawk, Mountain Buzzard, Rameron Pigeon, African Emerald Cuckoo, Red-fronted Parrot, White-headed Wood-hoopoe, Grey Cuckoo-shrike, Brown Woodland-warbler, Waller's Starling, Abyssinian Crimson-wing and Black-headed Waxbill. Reaching 10,000 ft, birds more commonly seen at this higher altitude are Jackson's Francolin, Abyssinian Ground-thrush, Olive Thrush, Cinnamon Bracken-warbler and Moorland Chat. We will be leaving mid-day and transferring to Lake Nakuru National Park allowing time to search for several key species along the way. A large rocky escarpment en route is a favorite roosting spot for the Mackinder's Eagle Owl and with some luck we should be able to locate this highly sought-after species. The Acacia scrub by a nearby lake is a favourite haunt for Little Grebe, Yellow-billed Duck, Red-winged Starling, Little Rock-thrush, Pale Flycatcher, and Purple Grenadier. In the afternoon we will arrive at Lake Nakuru National Park, which is called by some, the greatest birding spectacle on earth! Huge numbers of Lesser Flamingos feed in the shallow alkaline water, sometimes up to a million, with smaller numbers of Greater Flamingos. Exploring the Acacia woodland and the lakeside marshes we will no doubt encounter many wonderful avian delights: Great White Pelican, Great Cormorant, African Spoonbill, African Fish-eagle, African Harrier-hawk, Hildebrandt's Francolin, Grey-headed Gull, Broad-billed Roller, Levaillant's Cuckoo, White-browed Coucal, Green Wood-hoopoe, Rufous-necked Wryneck, Grey Woodpecker, Black Cuckoo-shrike, Northern Anteater-chat, Grey-backed Fiscal, Brown-crowned Tchagra and African Firefinch. Mammals are also quite common in the park and it is one of the few places in East Africa where the endangered White Rhino can be found. Some of the other mammals we hope to find include Rothschild’s Giraffe and Reedbuck. One night stay at the Sarova Lion Hill.

Days 07 & 08: Lake Nakuru – Lake Baringo

All morning will be spent in Lake Nakuru National Park. More bird possibilities include Hamerkop, Cape and Hottentots Teals, Tawny Eagle, Kittlitz's Plover, Red-chested and Klaas' Cuckoos, Nyanza Swift, Greater Honeyguide, White-browed Robin-chat, Arrow-marked Babbler, Grey-crested Helmet-shrike, Rüppell's Glossy-starling, and Golden-breasted Bunting. Our next destination is a fresh-water lake in the north called Lake Baringo. Here the combination of a large lake in semi-desert country and the nearby Baringo cliffs provide the perfect habitat for a great diversity of bird life. Specialities in this area are Dark Chanting-goshawk, Heuglin's Courser, Northern White-faced Owl, Greyish Eagle-owl, Slender-tailed Nightjar, Jackson's and Hemprich's Hornbills, Black-throated Barbet, Red-fronted Warbler, Brown-tailed Chat, Somali Tit, Beautiful Sunbird, Bristle-crowned Starling, Golden-backed and Little Weavers, Northern Masked-weaver and Northern Red Bishop. Other possibilities in the area include Lanner Falcon, Verreaux's Eagle, Blue-naped Mousebird, Madagascar Bee-eater, Red-fronted Barbet, Northern Crombec, Pygmy Batis, Cardinal Quelea and Eastern Paradise-whydah. Two night stay at the Lake Baringo Country Club.

Days 09 & 10: Lake Baringo – - Kakamega Forest

Today our birding safari will depart Lake Baringo and drive towards Kakamega Rainforest in the western highlands, en route we may stop for special interest birds along the road. These may include Angolan swallows. Kakamega Rainforest is the eastern most extension of the Congo Rainforest and is without doubt the best birding destination in the entire country. Many of the species here are found nowhere else in Kenya and the list of possibilities is seemingly endless. Such avian gems as White-spotted Flufftail, Great Blue Turaco, Bar-tailed Trogon, Blue-headed Bee-eater, Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, Grey-throated, Yellow-spotted and Yellow-billed Barbets, Golden-crowned and Brown-eared Woodpeckers, African Broadbill, 13 species of greenbul, Brown-chested Alethe, Banded and White-chinned Prinias, Black-faced Rufous-warbler, Equatorial Akalat, Snowy-crowned Robin-chat, African Shrike-flycatcher, Chestnut, Jameson's, Brown-throated and Yellow-bellied Wattle-eyes, African Blue Flycatcher, Dusky Tit, Green-throated, Green and Northern Double-collared Sunbirds, Western Black-headed Oriole, Mackinnon's Fiscal, Pink-footed Puffback, Grey-green and Luhder's Bush-shrikes, Stuhlmann's Starling, Black-billed and Vieillot's Weavers, Red-headed Malimbe, Red-headed Bluebill, and Black-and-White Mankin. Rainforest mammals to be expected are: Eastern Black-and-white Colubus, Gentle and Red-tailed Monkeys and the very active Red-legged Sun-squirrel. Two nights stay at Rondo Retreat Centre.

Days 11: Kakamega Forest

Kakamega Forest is a unique area of evergreen forest near the western frontier of Kenya. The flora and fauna of the forest is closely a kin to that of the Central African rainforests and many of the birds found here are at the eastern most point of their distribution. Birding amongst the huge trees and dense undergrowth can be hard work, for many of the forest birds and are very shy. Sometimes the forest seems quite empty but all such thoughts are forgotten when a feeding party is found. Then the problem is identifying everything before the birds move on. The day typically begins with an impressive down chorus. Huge Black and white casqued Hornbills noisily leave their roosts and ridiculously to knotted Great Blue Turacos emit their distinctive guttural cries from deep inside the forest canopy. Out on dead snags, silhouetted against the sky, sit Grey –throated Barbets with their startling pale eyes and strange nasal tufts. Stuhlmann’s Starlings sometimes join them, while attractive White – headed Saw-wings fly overhead. Our attentions will soon turn, however, to the skulking birds of the undergrowth. The persistent squeak of Black faced Rufous Warblers and the joyful duets of Chubb’s Cisticolas are commonly heard sounds at Kakamega, but we will also be hoping for such secretive species as Brown – Chested Alethe and Brown, Scaly –breasted and Grey – Chested Illadopsises to betray their presence by their whistled calls. Two of the main specialties of the forest are Uganda Woodland Warbler and Turner’s Eremomela, and we shall be scanning the canopy in order to find these charming little warblers. Greenbuls are a feature of the forest and we shall be hoping to identify Cameroon Sombre, Little Grey, Ansorge’s, Shelley’s, Toro Olive, Honeyguide and Joyful Greenbuls. Other species we may find here include Tambourine Dove, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, African Emerald Cuckoo, Thick-billed Honeyguide, Buff spotted and Brown –eared woodpeckers, White –tailed Ant Thrush. African Thrush, Olive –green Camaroptera, Buff-throated and Black- collared Apalises, Yellow White eye, Dusky Tit, Ashy and African Blue Flycatchers, Common Wattle – eye, Mackinnon’s fiscal, Pink-footed Puffback, Petit’s and Purple – throated Cuckoo-shrikes, Square-tailed Drongo, Western Black headed Oriole, Green, Olive and Green –throated Sunbirds, Black –billed, Black –necked, Vieillot’s Black and Dark Backed Weavers, red-headed Malimbe, Red-headed Bluebill, White-breasted Negrofinch and Black – crowned Waxbill. With perseverance and modicum of luck we should also be able to find several of the other more elusive specialties of Kakamega, which include White –spotted Flufftail, Bar- tailed Trogon, African Broadbill, Blue-headed Bee-eater, Red-tailed Bristlebill, Equatorial Akalat, Grey-winged Robin, Blue –shouldered and Snowy-headed robin-Chats, Jameson’s, Chestnut and Yellow –bellied Wattle-eyes and Bocages Bush Shrike. The ‘blue’ form of the Gentle Monkey can also be seen in the forest. Night stay at Rondo Retreat in the forest

Day 12: Kakamega Forest – Kisumu - Mara

Early morning we will depart for Kisumu on the northeastern shore of Lake Victoria where we will search for the specialties of the area, some of which are found only in the papyrus swamps surrounding this great lake. Species we are likely to see are African Open bill, Abdim's Stork, Water Thick-knee, Long-toed Lapwing, Eastern Grey Plantain-eater, Blue-headed Coucal, Black-billed Barbet, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Greater Swamp-warbler, Swamp Flycatcher, Birds to be Red-chested and Copper Sunbirds, Papyrus Gonolek, Slender-billed, Black-headed and Northern Brown-throated Weavers, Black-winged Bishop, Fan-tailed Widowbird and Papyrus Canary. From Lake Victoria we will proceed to the Masai Mara Game Reserve in Southwestern Kenya. The Mara is the northern extension of the famous Serengeti plains. Here we will find a wide assortment of bird life, as well as some of the most spectacular mammals on the continent. Complimenting the wildlife is the dramatic scenery of endless grasslands, lush river valleys, and steep rock strewn escarpments. Birds we can expect in this area of the Mara are Rufous-bellied Heron (depending on the situation of the locals), Saddle-billed Stork, Wahlberg's Eagle, Coqui and Red-necked Francolins, Grey Crowned-crane, Temminck's Courser, Wattled Lapwing, Ross' and Schalow's Turaco, Malachite and Woodland Kingfishers, Yellow-throated Longclaw, Rufous-chested Swallow, White-tailed Lark, Familiar Chat, Silverbird, Red-faced, Trilling and Tabora Cisticolas, Green-capped Eremomela, Black-crowned Tchagra, Hildebrandt's and Violet-backed Starlings, Yellow-fronted Canary and Cinnamon-breasted Bunting. This is the best area in the Mara to see big game up close and some of the many mammals to be seen here include Black-backed Jackal, Bat-eared Fox, Banded Mongoose, Spotted Hyena, Serval Cat, African Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Bush Hyrax, African Elephant, Common Zebra, Hippopotamus, Common Warthog, Masai Giraffe, African Buffalo, Eland, Steinbuck, Bohor Reedbuck, Thomson's and Grant's Gazelles, Impala, Topi, Coke's Hartebeest, and thousands of Wildebeest. We will also see many massive Nile Crocodiles, some over 15ft in length, basking in the sun along the banks of the Mara River. One night stay at the Mara Serena or Mara West Lodge.

Day 13 -14: Masai Mara

Leaving early we will travel across the Mara, en route crossing the famous Mara River. We will make a stop at the well-named Hippo Pools to see these huge beasts at close range. While birding the bush-covered hills and open grasslands we should find Secretary-bird, White-headed Vulture, Black-breasted and Brown Snake-eagles, Grey Kestrel, Southern Ground-hornbill, Little Bee-eater, Rosy-breasted Longclaw, Rufous-naped and Flappet Larks, Sooty Chat, Red-billed and Yellow-billed Ox-peckers, Cardinal Quelea, Yellow-shouldered Widowbird, Grey-capped Social-weaver and African Quail-finch. Two night stay at the Mara Sarova Luxury Tented Camp.

Day 15 & 16: Masai Mara - Lake Naivasha

Leaving early we will bird on the way area of the southern Mara. We will depart for Lake Naivasha traveling through the Great Rift Valley. While en route we may come across Egyptian Vulture, Greater Kestrel, Kori Bustard, Grey-rumped Swallow, Schalow's and Capped Wheatears and Red-billed Quelea. An afternoon arrival will allow us to bird the tall Acacia woodland on the beautiful hotel grounds, expected here are Gabar Goshawk, Dideric and Black Cuckoos, Barn Owl, Verreaux's Eagle-owl, White-fronted Bee-eater, Lesser and Wahlberg's Honeyguide, Black-lored Babbler, Amethyst Sunbird, Grey-headed Bush-shrike and Spectacled Weaver. Lake Naivasha, the only freshwater lake in the Rift Valley. From the top of the Rift Valley escarpment, you can see the lake sparkling under the sun thousands of feet below you. The lake is home to large colony of hippos and it’s also a Mecca for bird watchers and researchers since over 400 different species of birds have been recorded here. e.g. Long toed plover, Great white Egret, Grey Headed Gull, Southern Pochard, Red billed Teal and not to mention the Lilly Trotter. The lake location and wildlife makes it and ideal place for an afternoon boat ride. Lake Naivasha Country Club, which has retained its colonial architecture since it was built in 1937 as a staging post for the Imperial Airways flying water boat services from Durban to London. The lodge is built on 55 acres of lakeside green lawns shaded by mature acacias and spreading fever trees. Two nights stay at the Lake Naivasha Country Club.

Day 17: Lake Naivasha – Nairobi Via Kinnangop

The morning will begin with an exciting boat trip on Lake Naivasha. Specialty birds we will be looking for while out on the lake include Pink-backed Pelican, Goliath and Purple Herons, Southern Pochard, African Marsh-harrier, Purple Swamphen, Lesser Moorhen, Three-banded Plover and Lesser Swamp-warbler. Mid-morning we will depart for Nairobi, making several birding stops en route. Our first destination is the Kinnangop Plateau where we hope to find the endemic Sharpe's Pipit. This species has been on the decline in the last few years, mainly due to habitat loss, but with some luck we'll be able to locate this very special bird. Next will be the Gatamaiyu Forest on the Kikuyu Escarpment, an area of middle-elevation forest, which is home to several species not yet seen on the tour. The main target birds in this area are Cameroon Scrub-warbler, White-tailed Crested-flycatcher, Placid Greenbul, Black-fronted Bush-shrike and the nomadic Abbott's Starling. Our final birding stop is at the Limuru Pond located just off the main highway. A large ridge overlooks the pond and from this vantage point we should be able to locate Madagascar Pond-heron, Intermediate Egret, White-backed and Maccoa Ducks, White-faced and Fulvous Whistling-ducks, Black Crake and Whiskered Tern. We will transfer you in the evening at the Airport for you scheduled flight departure from Nairobi back home.

The price includes:

• - International return airfare London - Nairobi
• - Arrival & Departure airport transfers
• - All meals from lunch on day 1 until lunch on day 17
• - Transportation in a 4 x4 08-seater microbus for the duration of the safari, fitted with VHF radio call and Pop-up roof for viewing wildlife.
• - 1 Night at Silver Springs Hotel
• - 1 Night at Serena Mountain lodge
• - 3 Nights at Samburu Serena Lodge
• - 1 Night at Naro Moru River Lodge
• - 1 Night at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge
• - 2 Nights at Lake Baringo Country Club
• - 3 Nights at Rondo Retreat Center
• - 1 Night at Mara Serena or Mara West Lodge
• - 2 Nights at Mara Sarova Tented Camp
• - 1 Night at Lake Naivasha Country Club
• - All Park entrance fees
• - Experienced drivers/ guide
• - Experienced Local Bird Guides
• - Complimentary mineral water throughout your safari

Not included in the price

• - Visa charges
• - Items of personal nature
• - Tips to driver guide/ Bird Guide
• - Any kind of drinks at the lodges/hotels.

Group Size

- min group size for the tour to go ahead 6. max group size 12 with two or three leaders

a deposit of £400 will secure your place