Kenya Ultimate Bird Photography Tour

Practically everything in Kenya is photogenic, and this exceptional bird photography tour has been meticulously designed with photography as its focal point. Spanning 14 days, it takes you through Kenya’s premier birding and game parks at a leisurely pace, providing ample time to capture target species. You’ll explore diverse landscapes and habitats, from soda lakes and grasslands to bushlands, savannahs, and rainforests, each boasting its unique array of bird species and other fauna and flora. Anticipate encounters with abundant big game, including numerous rare and distinctive species, enriching this immersive photography experience. Ultimately, the tour aims to foster a deep appreciation for the beauty of Kenya, offering a truly unforgettable birding photography experience.

Days 1, 2 and 3: Pick up from Nairobi – Samburu National Reserve

Our tour starts by travelling north to the raggy, rugged but exceptionally beautiful Samburu National Reserve. Samburu stands renowned as one of Kenya’s premier reserves, celebrated for its impressive array of big mammals and diverse bird species, promising an unforgettable experience. In the ensuing days, we will leisurely immerse ourselves in the surroundings, taking our time to capture exceptional photographs.

Our primary focus will be on observing and capturing images of regional bird species, such as Somali Ostrich, Somali Courser, White-headed Mousebird, Hunter’s Sunbird, Shining Sunbird, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Somali Bee-eater, Stone Partridge, Red-billed Hornbill, Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill, African, Orange-bellied Parrot and Vulturine Guineafowl, among many more.

Where you will be staying: Elephant’s Bedroom Camp

Day 4: Ol Pejeta Conservancy

After an early breakfast, we travel to the award-winning and world-recognised Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The lush rolling landscapes scatted with large herds of elephants here are such a joy to see. The birdlife is also terrific, and we will be on the lookout for species such as Red-billed and Yellow-billed Oxpeckers, Fischer’s Sparrow-Lark, Northern White-crowned Shrike, Meyer’s Parrot, and Augur Buzzard. The beautiful Long-tailed and Red-collared Widowbirds in their full breeding plumage are such a pleasure to see and we hope to capture some outstanding displays.

We intend to take our time transecting the conservancy, which will be a short but rewarding stay.

Where you will be staying: Sweetwaters Serena Camp

Days 5 & 6: Lake Nakuru National Park

We will go out birding early in the morning one final time at Ol Pejeta, and then drive to the Lake Nakuru National Park. Acclaimed as the ‘Birdwatcher’s Paradise,’ this is an unparalleled birding location and a highlight of the trip. With over 300+ species found around this magnificent alkaline lake, we will take our time capturing photographs of target bird species such as 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, along with numerous amounts of big game found here.

Where you will be staying: Lake Nakuru Lodge

Days 7 & 8: Lake Bogoria National Reserve and Lake Baringo

In the morning, we will be visiting Lake Bogoria National Reserve, renowned for its breathtaking volcanic hot springs and an astonishing population of flamingos—often surpassing a million at once! A perfect opportunity to capture some great photos of this mass congregation.

After Lake Bogoria, we will travel a little further north to the exceptional Lake Baringo. Our focus will be photographing species around the captivating Lake Baringo. We will get to venture onto the lake by boat to seek out elusive species, keeping an out for African Fish Eagles while they hunt and vocalize their territorial calls. Additionally, we will be exploring the scrubland and dramatic cliffs encircling the lake, aiming to photograph raptors like the Dark Chanting-Goshawk, Spotted Eagle-Owl, African Scops Owl, Northern White-faced Scops Owl, Shikra, and Verreaux’s Eagle. Other species to look forward to are the 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, to name a few.

Where you will be staying: Tumbili Cliff Lodge

Days 9 & 10: Kakamega Forest

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Kakamega Forest stands as one of the few remaining ancient rainforests in Kenya, boasting an exceptional diversity of birdlife. Formerly a part of the expansive Guineo-Congolian forest that once blanketed Central Africa, Kakamega Forest retains its magnificence, offering a glimpse into the past. Our target species for photography will be the Blue-headed Bee-eater, Great Blue Turaco, Ross’s Turaco and Turner’s Eremomela, but of course, we will be seeing many other species along the way.

Where you will be staying: Rondo Retreat

Day 11: Lake Victoria

As Africa’s largest freshwater body and the world’s second-largest lake, it spans Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Known as the Nile River’s source, this lake hosts well-sought-after bird species like the Papyrus Gonolek, Papyrus Canary, and Carruthers’s Cisticola, which will be our primary targets. We will also be taking a leisurely boat ride to capture the ever-present African Fish Eagles, along with dashes of colour from Malachite Kingfishers – lookout for hippos!

Where you will be staying: Acacia Premier

Days 12, 13, 14 & 15: Masai Mara National Reserve

During our final days on the tour, you will experience a captivating wildlife spectacle at the Masai Mara. Widely acclaimed not just within Kenya but globally, this park offers an abundance of attractions. From encountering the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo) and witnessing the awe-inspiring Wildebeest Migration to the fascinating array of birdlife, it is undeniably a paradise for nature enthusiasts and nature photographers.

Expect vibrant birding activities traversing this expansive savannah with species such as Lilac-breasted Roller, Secretarybird, Kori Bustard, Southern Ground Hornbill, Martial Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Rosy- breasted Longclaw, Bare-faced Go- away-bird, Red-necked Spurfowl, being a highlight. Over the next two days, we will journey through diverse habitats within the park, including the Musiara Marsh, the Tanzania border, the reserve’s major rivers, and the scenic Oloololo Escarpment area. Each distinct habitat presents a unique opportunity to seek out different bird species across various sections of the reserve.

Where you will be staying: Basecamp Mara

Tour pace:
Slow/medium paced with a few long drives.

Tour difficulty:
On-foot birding at Lake Baringo, Lake Bogoria, Kakamega Forest and Lake Victoria, but nothing too strenuous with the remaining birding activities achieved via safari vehicle.

Price:
Price above based on a group of 6. Please get in touch if you would like us to make this a private tailor-made tour.

Deposit:
25% deposit needed to secure a place on this tour.

Single supplement:
£725

Best time of year to visit:
All year round, although prime birding season in Kenya falls during the short rains of November and early December. This period highlights most species in vibrant breeding plumage, featuring captivating display behaviours of whydahs, widowbirds, and bishops. Additionally, it is when numerous Palearctic migrants make their presence felt, so the count will be high. However, if you want to see the wildebeest migration at the Masai Mara, then September is highly recommended.

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.

Kenya Birding Tour

Bird species highlights:

Somali Ostrich
Somali Courser
White-headed Mousebird
Hunter’s Sunbird
Shining Sunbird
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse
Somali Bee-eater
Stone Partridge
Red-billed Hornbill
Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill
African Orange-bellied Parrot
Vulturine Guineafowl
Red-billed Oxpecker
Yellow-billed Oxpecker
Fischer’s Sparrow-Lark
Northern White-crowned Shrike
Meyer’s Parrot
Augur Buzzard
Long-tailed Widowbird
Red-collared Widowbird
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
Flamingos
African Fish Eagles
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
Blue-headed Bee-eater
Great Blue Turaco
Ross’s Turaco
Turner’s Eremomela
Papyrus Gonolek
Papyrus Canary
Carruthers’s Cisticola
Malachite Kingfishers
Lilac-breasted Roller
Secretarybird
Kori Bustard
Southern Ground Hornbill
Martial Eagle
Tawny Eagle
Rosy-breasted Longclaw
Bare-faced Go-away-bird
Red-necked Spurfowl

Departure

Nairobi

Departure Time

5th December

Return Time

19th December

Included

Professional English-speaking guide/driver

Accommodation as per itinerary

Full-board basis (breakfast, lunch & dinner)

Airport Transfers

Private safari 4WD Toyota Land Cruiser with a 'pop-up' roof

Mineral water in the vehicle

All national park entrance fees

Wi-Fi in the vehicle

Medical emergency evacuation cover

Not Included

Flights

Optional activities unless specified as included

Excessive baggage charges

Soft drinks & alcoholic beverages

Visas

From £1,100

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