Best of Kenya’s Rift Valley Lakes Birding Tour

Kenya’s Great Rift Valley Lakes are simply legendary. The sheer volume of species that can be found around these lakes is unparalleled. Take Lake Baringo, where the world record for the number of bird species observed in one single area was broken once.

Nestled in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, Lake Baringo, Lake Bogoria National Reserve, and Lake Nakuru offer exceptional birding. Lake Baringo’s diverse habitats draw over an impressive 450 species. Nearby, Lake Bogoria’s National Reserve’s hot springs attract huge flocks of flamingos (in their millions). UNESCO-listed Lake Nakuru National Park hosts 400 bird species as well as being an impressive big game viewing park – the best place in Kenya to see White and Black Rhinos. These remarkable Great Rift Valley Lakes are must-visit destinations for birders exploring Kenya.

We’ve put together a 3-day tour that showcases the best of them. An extension to Lake Naivasha, Lake Elementaita, or to Africa’s largest desert lake, Lake Turkana can be easily arranged.

Tour pace:
Medium

Tour difficulty:
Easy – on-foot birding at Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria National Reserve but nothing too strenuous.

Best time of year to visit:
All year round, but prime birding season in Kenya falls during the short rains of November and early December. This period showcases most species in vibrant breeding plumage, featuring captivating display behaviours of whydahs, widowbirds, and bishops. Additionally, it’s when numerous Palearctic migrants make their presence felt, so the count will be high.

Cost:
The above cost is based on a small group. This is not scheduled as a group tour. Please get in touch if you’d like us to arrange a private tailor made tour.

Sustainability:
At Sustainable Birding, our goal is to ensure that every birding holiday we create contributes positively to bird conservation efforts and local communities. Our determination to promote sustainable travel led us to become founding members of Tourism Declares Climate Emergency. As part of this commitment, we have established the world’s pioneering carbon scoring and offsetting framework for tailor-made holidays. Feel free to request us to carbon score your individual trip! 

Tour Leader:
Paul grew up in the northern part of Kenya, particularly in Laikipia, an area abundant in cultural heritage and wildlife. His upbringing played a crucial role in cultivating his passion for adventure.

As an energetic and resourceful tour guide with several years of experience in travel arrangement and reservation services in East Africa, Paul is adept at conducting research to optimize travel plans. He possesses extensive experience in organizing itineraries based on time frames, weather conditions, and events, always dedicated to providing clients with the best customer service and travel experience possible.

Paul holds a special attachment and attention to authentic wildlife, birdlife, culture, scenic land, historical sites, flora, and fauna in East Africa. It is his pleasure to guide clients through most, if not all, attractions to experience the untamed savannah bush fully—wildlife viewing, relaxing on sunny, sandy white beaches, tackling challenging landscapes for mountain climbing, exploring the hot, unending great plains of the north during desert safaris, and discovering unimaginable destinations and landscapes during sightseeing. This includes exclusive hidden gems and safaris tailored for honeymooners, among others.

As a staunch supporter and promoter of eco-tourism, Paul advocates for the preservation of parks’ sensitive ecosystems and actively advocates for safe and sustainable safaris, guaranteeing clients’ safety by ensuring they have the right tour vehicle and equipment to conquer terrains, coupled with excellent service delivery in both guiding and comfortable stays, ensuring nothing but the best and most memorable experiences.

His favourite bird is the Kenya endemic, William’s Lark.

Bird species highlights:

• African Fish Eagle
• Dark Chanting-Goshawk
• Spotted Eagle-Owl
• African Scops Owl
• Northern White-faced Scops Owl
• Shikra
• Verreaux’s Eagle
• Slender-tailed Nightjar
• Heuglin’s Courser
• Blue-capped Cordon-bleu
• D’Arnaud’s Barbet
• Black-throated Barbet
• Brubru
• Grey-headed Bushshrike
• Jackson’s Golden-backed Weaver
• Northern Masked Weaver
• Flamingos (species not specified)
• White-backed Duck
• Saddle-billed Stork
• Marabou Stork
• African Spoonbill
• Great Crested Grebe
• African Jacana
• Black-headed Oriole
• Red-chested Cuckoo
• Pearl-spotted Owlet
• Grey-backed Fiscal