ADVENTURE BIRD WATCHING SAFARI - 21 NIGHTS/22 DAYS - RW 221

DAY 1: Arrive on Kenya Airways at 0420 hrs. Transfer to the domestic flight and fly to Malindi on a KQ flight departing with a morning flight to arrive after 1 hours. Pick from Malindi Airport and transfer to TURTLE BAY BEACH RESORT for check in and short rest to take care of the Jetlag. TURTLE BAY BEACH RESORT is situated in WATAMU a 20 mins drive from Malindi Airport. Over 450 Species have been recorded within a radius of 25 Kilometres of Watamu and Turtle Bay Beach Club is superbly located in a hotspot for East African coastal birds.

DAY 2: With PICNIC LUNCHES we spend full day spend birding around the wonderful sites covering a range of habitats from tidal mangroves and East African dry forest, to dry bush. This means we visit the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest the largest Kenyan remnant of East African coastal dry forest which consists of three vegetation types each with its own assemblage of species. “The Small Six” are the six Globally Threatened birds which occur in the forest, The presence of these six rare birds has resulted in the forest being ranked by BirdLife International as one of the ten most important forests in mainland Africa for bird conservation. These Special Species: Sokoke Scops Owl – Africa’s smallest owl, confined to the Cynometra Thicket.

Clarke’s Weaver – endemic and found from March to December in Brachystegia Forest. Amani Sunbird – found in open Brachystegia Forest. Sokoke Pipit – present year round in Brachystegia Forest and easiest to observe flying over the tree canopy early in the morning. East Coast Akalat – shy and difficult to see. Spotted Ground Thrush – a migrant from South Africa and the most endangered of the six. Dinner & Overnight at TURTLE BAY BEACH CLUB.

DAY 3: Depart from Nairobi and drive southeast with 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 Saltlick Safari Lodge, famous for the large number of elephants that visit its floodlit waterhole each night to arrive for LATE LUNCH. Afternoon spend birdwatching in a remnant patch of forest at the top of the Taita Hills. Dinner and over night at SALT LICK SAFARI LODGE.

DAY 4: Early Morning bird watching at TAITA HILLS. Return to the Lodge for breakfast and there after we depart and drive to the bird-rich Lake Jipe, where we'll search for waterbirds. After a picnic lunch on the lakeshore we'll drive to VOYAGER ZIWANI LUXURY CAMP where we will arrive late afternoon. 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 5: An early breakfast at Voyager Ziwani Camp, then drive to Kitovu Forest close to the border with Tanzania for bird viewing then return to Voyager Ziwani Camp for lunch lunch. Then drive through Tsavo West National Park to Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge arriving late afternoon. After check in do a late afternoon game drive with a visit Mzima Springs. Dinner and overnight at Kilaguni Serena Safari

DAY 6: 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.

DAY 7: Full day spend bird watching in this park with LUNCH & DINNER INCLUDED. Overnight at AMBOSELI SERENA SAFARI LODGE or OLTUKAI LODGE.

DAY 8: Depart after an early breakfast and drive Mount Kenya region arriving at either SERENA MOUNTAIN LODGE or NARO MORU RIVER LODGE in time for lunch. Afternoon spend around the lodge bird watching. Dinner and overnight at NARO MORU RIVER LODGE or SERENA MOUNTAIN LODGE.

DAY 9: After breakfast and drive with PICNIC LUNCHES to the moorland habitat of Mount Kenya then ascend to above 10,000 feet to view the Alpine Chats that are common at this altitude and can be found around this area. We also look for Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird. In the late afternoon we drive back to NARO MORU RIVER LODGE or SERENA MOUNTAIN LODGE for Dinner and overnight.

DAY 10: Depart after breakfast in the lodge and drive northwest on the floor of the world’s greatest Valley viewing the beautiful landscape to arrive at Lake Nakuru National Park. Arrive in good time to do some birding before going for LUNCH at Lionhill Lodge. Afternoon game and bird viewing at Lake Nakuru national Park. Dinner and overnight at Lion Hill Lodge. The park is also a Sanctuary for both black and white rhinos, famous for 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. This park is also a good area to see the leopard.

DAY 11: Full day spend bird watching in this park looking for black and white rhinos, 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. This park is also a good area to see the leopard. Dinner & overnight at Lion Hill Lodge

DAY 12: Depart after breakfast and drive further northwest stopping for Black Headed Lapwings, Dark Chanting-Goshawk and silver birds to arrive at Lake Baringo arriving in time for lunch at Lake Baringo Country Club. Afternoon spent on the grounds of the Hotel bird viewing. Dinner and overnight at Lake Baringo Country Club.

DAY 13: Breakfast at the Hotel. Morning free to view birds. Depart there after around 0900 drive to Lake Bogoria National Reserve which is a short distance away arriving in time for lunch at Lake Bogoria Hotel. Afternoon game and bird viewing. Also visit the Hot Springs. Afterwards drive back to Lake Baringo Country Club for Dinner and overnight

DAY 14: After breakfast drive through the Scenic Western Escarpment of The Great Rift Valley to Western Kenya region, arriving at KAKAMEGA FOREST in time for lunch at RONDO RETREAT CENTER. Afternoon visit the Kakamega Rain Forest to view the rare Red Columbus monkeys and the elusive forest animals, the abundant bird life like the beautiful Rose Turaco, butterflies and much more. Dinner and overnight at RONDO RETREAT CENTER

DAY 15: Full day spend viewing birds at this once extensive woodland forest. Dinner and overnight at Rondo Retreat Center.

DAY 16: Very early breakfast and depart just after dawn With PICNIC LUNCHES driving westwards towards the UGANDA BORDER where we will go looking for Rock Pratincoles that normally reside on some isolated boulders. Also on the nearby streamside bushes we look for Senagal Coucal, Yellow Fronted Tinkerbird Yellow Throated Leaf-love, Copper Sunbird, Bar breastedFirefinch Compact Weaver and many more other species. Evening drive back to RONDO RETREAT CENTER for Dinner and overnight.

DAY 17: After an early breakfast depart and drive stopping along the shores of Lake Victoria for some bird watching then South East through the Western Escarpment of The Great Rift Valley and down on its floor viewing the beautiful landscape and plains to the World famous Masai Mara, arriving in time for Lunch at Mara Serena Lodge. Afternoon Game viewing. Dinner and overnight at Mara Serena Safari Lodge

DAY 18: Early Morning Game drive. Return to the Lodge for breakfast then with PICNIC LUNCH drive to western part of the Reserve around the Musiara Swamps doing game drives and bird watching. Dinner and overnight in Mara Serena Safari Lodger.

DAY 19: After breakfast drive through the center of the Masai Mara doing BIRD and GAME VIEWING. LUNCH at KEEKOROK LODGE. Afterrnoon do a bird viewing at Keekorok Lodge for 30 minutes then drive slowly viewing game through Sekenani Gate to Siana Springs Intrepids for Dinner and overnight. This day you can have an optional night drive.

DAY 20: Before breakfast we'll explore a valley near camp. Return to the Camp for breakfast and thereafter drive on the floor of the Great Rift Valley via Narok Town to Lake Naivasha which is highest of all the Rift Valley lakes at an altitude of 1880 metres above the sea level and also Kenya’s second largest Fresh water lake to arrive Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort lunch. Afternoon spend birding in the grounds of our Resort. Dinner and overnight at Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort.

DAY 21: Early Morning spend birding at the grounds of your hotel and surrounding areas before breakfast then after breakfast take a 2 hour boat trip for bird watching in the lake looking for Goliath Heron and Giant Kingfisher among the masses of other water birds. After lunch drive south-east 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 Lodget.

DAY 22: Morning spend birding at the grounds of lodge. Breakfast and drive back to Nairobi arriving at around 1300 hrs.