The Best of Kenya Birding Tour - RTS 331
DAY 1 Nairobi - Tsavo West National Park
Pick and drive Southeast to TSAVO WEST NATIONAL PARK having a
short stop over at HUNTERS LODGE to view the bustling colony of
African Golden Weavers and have a chance to look for the Resident
Giant Kingfishers before proceeding to enter the park arriving
at SERENA KILAGUNI SAFARI LODGE in time for lunch. Afternoon spend
looking for species typical of this dry acacia country such as
Crested Francolin, Black-headed plover black-faced Sandgrouse
and Golden-breasted Starling. Dinner and overnight at SERENA KILAGUNI
SAFARI LODGE.
DAY 2 : Tsavo West National Park
Early Morning birding looking for bird species typical of this
acacia country. We'll claimb Roaring Rocks to view falcons, eagles
and buzzards whirling over the plains. Then visit Mzima Springs
to see many animals especially elephants ,hippo and crocodile.
Giraffe, gazelles and zebra can be seen wondering around the banks
through the raffia palms and thick acacia together with hundreds
of chattering monkeys and birds. Dinner and overnight at Kilaguni
Serena Safari Lodge
DAY 3: Tsavo West National Park- Lake Jipe
After an early breakfast we depart and drive for an hour stopping
at VOYAGER ZIWANI LUXURY CAMP where we leave our luggage and then
we'll drive southeast to the bird-rich Lake Jipe , where we'll
search for waterbirds..After a picnic lunch on the lakeshore we'll
drive to back to VOYAGER ZIWANI LUXURY CAMP. By the way
in some dry scrub close to Ziwani Camp we'll look for White-headed
Mousebird, Scaly Chatterer and White-throated Robin. Dinner and
overnight at VOYAGER ZIWANI LUXURY CAMP.
DAY 4: Tsavo West National Park - Amboseli
National Park
Depart after breakfast and drive to Amboseli National Park arriving
in time for LUNCH at AMBOSELI SERENA SAFARI LODGE or OLTUKAI LODGE.
Afternoon spend looking for species typical of this area especially
on the marshlands. Dinner and overnight at AMBOSELI SERENA SAFARI
LODGE or OLTUKAI LODGE. (Driving time – Approx. 2 1/2 hrs)
DAY 5: Amboseli National Park
Full day game and bird watching in this park. Overnight at AMBOSELI
SERENA SAFARI LODGE or OLTUKAI LODGE
DAY 6: Amboseli National Park - Mount
Kenya region
Depart after an early breakfast, we'll drive north toward Mt.
Kenya stopping en route at the Blue Posts Hotel where we'll look
for Brown-hooded Kingfisher and Trumpeter Hornbill in the well-wooded
gardens. We'll continue to Mountain Lodge arriving in time for
a late lunch. Birdwatching from the open roof is excellent as
the forest presses in on three sides and we'll see many species.
The waterhole in front of the lodge attracts a variety of mammals.
Afternoon spend around the lodge bird watching Dinner and overnight
at Senera Mountain Lodge. (Driving time – Approx.
5 hrs)
DAY 7: Mount Kenya region
After breakfast we'll leave the lodge, driving slowly down through
a forest rich in birds. We'll arrive at Naro Moru River Lodge
in time for lunch. Afternoon we'll walk a shaded riverside trail
in search of Black Duck, Crowned Hornbill, Mountain Wagtail and
up to eight species of sunbirds including the stunning Tacazze.
Night at Naro Moru River Lodge. (Driving time – Approx.
1 hr)
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DAY 8: Mount Kenya region - Thomson's Falls
- Lake Nakuru
After a earlybreakfast we’ll drive north to the spectacular
Thomson's Falls, taking a short walk to look for Slender-billed
Starling, then we’ll climb high into the mountains where
flowering roadside Leonotis bushes attract brilliant Golden-winged
and the occasional Malachite Sunbirds. We’ll drop down through
the eastern Escarpment of The Great Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru.
We may arrive in time for lunch at Lionhill Lodge. Afternoon game
and bird viewing at Lake Nakuru national Park. We will be
looking to see millions of greater and lesser flamingoes and other
bird species such as Narina Trogon. Red-throated Wryneck, Greater
and scaly throated Honey guides, Arrow Marked Babbler and African
Fire finch. Dinner and overnight at Lion hill Lodge. (Driving
time – Approx. 41/2 hrs)
DAY 9:Lake Nakuru - Lake Bogoria - Lake Baringo
After breakfast birding around the lake. About 0930 drive to Lake
Bogoria National Reserve.Lunch at Lake Bogoria Hotel. Afternoon
game and bird viewing. Also visit the Hot Springs. Afterwards
drive north to Lake Baringo Country Club .We'll spend time in
the garden and along the lakeshore. Dinner and overnight at Lake
Baringo Country Club. (Driving time – Approx. 4 hrs)
DAY 10: Lake Baringo
We'll visit the nearby cliffs at sunrise scanning for Fan-tailed
Raven, Hemprich's Hornbill, Cliff Chat, Brown-tailed Rock-Chat
and Bristle-crowned Starling. After breakfast we'll venture out
into the nearby scrub. Lunch, dinner and overnight at Lake Baringo
Country Club.
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DAY 11: Lake Baringo - Kerio valley - Kakamega
Forest Reserve
After breakfast we'll travel up the west side of the Rift to Kabarnet
and descend into the spectacular Kerio valley. On rocky hillsides
amongst large scattered trees we'll search for Green-backed Eremomela
and Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver, before stopping for picnic
in the wooded valley bottom where Brown Parrot, White-crested
Turaco, Pearl-spotted Owlet and Black-headed Gonolek may well
liven up our picnic. At a spectacular viewpoint halfway up the
western escarpment of the valley may offer as well the very local
Boran Cisticola. Afternoon we'll reach Kakamega Forest. Birding
around Rondo Retreat Center. Dinner and overnight in Rondo Retreat
Center. (Driving time – Approx. 41/2 hrs)
DAY 12: Kakamega Forest Reserve
Full day spend viewing birds at this once extensive woodland forest.
Dinner and overnight at Rondo Retreat Center.
DAY 13: Kakamega Forest Reserve - Ugandan border
- Kakamega
Morning we'll drive west toward the Ugandan border. Just after
dawn we'll reach a major river where a pair of delightful Rock
Pratincoles normally reside on some isolated boulders A nearby
area of streamside bushes and cultivated fields which holds a
number of western species birds with small or localized Kenyan
populations . Dinner and overnight at Rondo Retreat Center. (Driving
time – Approx. 2 1/2 hrs ONE WAY)
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DAY 14: Kakamega - Lake Naivasha
Early morning birding at the grounds of your hotel then depart
after breakfast and After breakfast, drive South East through
the Western Escarpment of The Great Rift Valley and down on its
floor viewing the beautiful landscape to arrive to Lake Naivasha
arriving in time for LUNCH at Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge or Lake
Naivasha Simba Lodge. Afternoon free to do bird viewing on the
grounds of the hotel. Dinner and overnight at Lake Naivasha Sopa
Lodge or Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge. (Driving time – Approx.
5 hrs)
DAY 15: Lake Naivasha - Hell’s Gate
Morning spend birding at the grounds of your hotel and surrounding
areas then take a boat ride to the Lake looking for Goliath Heron
and Giant Kingfisher among the masses of other water birds. After
lunch drive to HELLS GATE NATIONAL PARK well known for its colonies
of Rupell’s Vultures and hordes of Mottled and Nyanza Swifts
and Lanners hunting the swifts along the cliffs. With Luck we
may see the Spooted Eagle Owl. Dinner and overnight Lake Naivasha
Sopa Lodge or Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge
DAY 16: Lake Naivasha - Nairobi
Morning spend birding at the grounds of lodge.. Breakfast and
drive back to Nairobi arriving at around 1300 hrs. Afternoon free
for last minute shopping. Transfer to the airport to connect KQ
flight to home where the tour concludes. (Driving time –
Approx. 1 1/2 hrs)
COST: -
- 3 PAX IN A MINIBUS = US $ 3,500 PER PERSON SHARING
- 4 PAX IN A MINIBUS = US $ 3,282 PER PERSON SHARING
- 5 PAX IN A MINIBUS = US $ 3,154 PER PERSON SHARING
- 6 PAX IN A MINIBUS = US $ 3,067 PER PERSON SHARING
- 7 PAX IN A MINIBUS = US $ 3,005 PER PERSON SHARING
