12 DAYS BIRD WATCHING SAFARI

Kenya is one of the richest spots for bird watching in the world. With a wealth of different habitats, often close to each other, it is quite easy to spot over 100 species in one day. ... Eagles, vultures, and the ostrich, the largest bird on earth, are also spotted frequently as they co-exist with the big five animals. This tour Combines Kenya's rift valley lakes and tropical rain forest in the Kakamega forest. Spices it up by visiting the world-famous Masai Mara for another memorable moment.

DETAILED ITINERARY

DAY 1: ARRIVAL –MASAI LODGE

Arrive at JKIA Airport to be met and transferred to Masai lodge for check-in and refreshments before embarking on Nairobi National Park birding. Have a picnic lunch at the Impala point or at the many picnic sites located in the park. The park boasts of over 515 species in an area of only 117km². All Meals and overnight at the lodge or camp

Main Destination:  Nairobi

Activities: Afternoon Nairobi national park Game Drives Sightseeing & excursions

Accommodation: Masai Lodge / Similar lodge or camp

-Mid-Luxury 4 Star rated lodge located near Nairobi national park

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch & dinner (Drinks not included)

Drinking water (Other drinks not included

DAY 2:  MASAI LODGE - OLORGESAILLE-MASAI LODGE

We will drive birding down the rift valley to Olorgesaille along Magadi Road typically a hot country 75 km away from Nairobi. The museum interprets the pre-historic site. One can then take a walk to see the actual site and the discoveries made here before embarking on the site bird watcher’s paradise citing the highest number of migratory bird species in Kenya.

Mountain climbing- Mt. Olorgesailie was named after a renowned Maasai elder who used to meditate and hold meetings with village elders up the mountain. On average it takes 3 hours to ascend and the same to descend best climbed from 5:00 am.

Main Destination:  Nairobi / Lake Magadi / Nairobi

Activities: Morning excursion and bird watching in Lake Magadi

Accommodation: Masai Lodge / Similar lodge or camp

-Mid-Luxury 4 Star rated lodge located near Nairobi national park

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch & dinner (Drinks not included)

Drinking water (Other drinks not included

DAY 3:  NAIROBI - GATAMAIYU FOREST - LAKE   NAIVASHA

Today we head for Gatamaiyu Forest, a central highlands montane forest. Thereafter depart for Lake Naivasha. You will do a boat ride along the shores of Lake Naivasha. Take a 1 hour boat ride to see the Hippos and different species of birds a mongst other wild game.  Lake Naivasha gives you access to the unique Crescent Island Wildlife Sanctuary. There is also possibility to access it by road passing through the "Horse Riding Complex" A wide variety of wildlife, birdlife and flora lives quite freely out there and as there are no predators to be found, quite happily as well. Crescent Island Game Sanctuary is a peninsula or island on the eastern side of Lake Naivasha. Crescent Island was created in 1988, when Lake Naivasha level dropped sufficiently to allow Crescent Island to become part of the mainland. On the eastern end of the island sailing is possible at a private boating club. Activities includes: Nature walk and Boat Ride. Accommodation and Meals @ Lake Naivasha sopa lodge 

Main Destination:  Gatamayu forest, Lake Naivasha 

Activities: Bird watching, Sightseeing & excursions

Accommodation: Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort / Lake Naivasha Country club / similar

-Mid-Luxury 3/4 Star rated lodge located on the shores of Lake Naivasha

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch & dinner (Drinks not included)

Drinking water (Other drinks not included

DAY 4:  LAKE NAIVASHA - LAKE NAKURU

After early morning breakfast, we leave for the Highland Grassland birding in search of two Kenyan endemics Aberdare Cisticola and Sharpe’s Longclaw will also look for more specialties like Wing-snapping, Hunter’s, Levaillant’s Cisticolas, Great Crested Grebe, Maccoa & African White-backed Ducks, Lesser Jacana among many others.

Activities: Afternoon game drive Accommodation and Meals @ Lake Nakuru Sopa lodge

Main Destination:  Lake Nakuru national park

Activities: Afternoon game drives, Bird watching, Sightseeing & excursions

Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge / Lake Nakuru lodge / similar

-Mid-Luxury 3/4 Star rated lodge located inside Lake Nakuru n.p

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch & dinner (Drinks not included)

Drinking water (Other drinks not included

DAY 5:  LAKE NAKURU / LAKE BARINGO

Today we will spend most part of the day in Lake Nakuru National Park birding most of the habitats such as the alkaline shores, acacia woodland, grassland, rivers, and inlets with marshes holds residents as well as migratory species departing to Lake Baringo after lunch at Nakuru. Dinner and overnight at Soi safari lodge

Main Destination:  Lake Baringo national park

Activities: Afternoon walking safari, Bird watching, Sightseeing & excursions

Accommodation: Lake Soi Safari  Lodge / Lake Bogoria Spa and Resort  / similar

-Mid-Luxury 3/4 Star rated lodge located along the shores of Lake Bogoria & Baringo

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch & dinner (Drinks not included)

Drinking water (Other drinks not included

DAY 6: LAKE BARINGO/ BOGORIA

Birding around Lake Baringo Conservation Area is interesting by the fact that we spend most of the day outside the car. All meals and overnight at Soi Safari Lodge

Main Destination:  Lake Baringo & Baringo national park

Activities: Afternoon walking safari, Bird watching, Sightseeing & excursions

Accommodation: Lake Soi Safari  Lodge / Lake Bogoria Spa and Resort  / similar

-Mid-Luxury 3/4 Star rated lodge located along the shores of Lake Bogoria & Baringo

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch & dinner (Drinks not included)

Drinking water (Other drinks not included 

DAY 7: LAKE BARINGO – KAKAMEGA FOREST RESERVE

After breakfast, we leave for Kakamega Forest Reserve. You will do Birding en-route to Kakamega Forest. Activities includes Birding along the trails. All meals and overnight at Rondo Retreat Centre

Main Destination:  Kakamega Forest reserve

Activities: Afternoon walking safari, Bird watching, Sightseeing & excursions

Accommodation: Rondo retreat Centre / similar

-Mid-Luxury 3 Star rated lodge located near Kakamega Forest 

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch & dinner (Drinks not included)

Drinking water (Other drinks not included

DAY 8: KAKAMEGA FOREST RESERVE

This is the only true rain forest remaining in Kenya and was once a continuation of the Guinea-Congolian rainforest, rich in species nowhere else to be seen in Kenya.

All meals and overnight at Rondo Retreat centre.

DAY 9: KAKAMEGA FOREST – KISUMU LAKE VICTORIA

After early morning breakfast, we head on the west in search of the localized Rock Pratincole along the river while birding the whole morning on the villages, farmland, and the Busia Grasslands. We hope to find a few more localized birds such as the Bar-breasted Firefinch, Yellow-throated Leaf love, Senegal Coucal, White-crested Turaco, and Copper’s Sunbird, among others. Arrive in Kisumu late afternoon. Check in at Victoria comfort inn hotel for dinner and overnight.

Main Destination:  Lake Victoria 

Activities: Afternoon walking safari, Sightseeing & excursions

Accommodation: Lake Victoria Inn Hotel / similar

-Mid-range 3 Star rated lodge located along the shores of Lake Bogoria & Baringo

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch & dinner (Drinks not included)

Drinking water (Other drinks not included 

DAY 10: KISUMU LAKE VICTORIA – MAASAI MARA RESERVE

A morning birding along with the Papyrus vegetation with the expectation to see some of the specialties like the Papyrus Gonolek, Swamp Flycatcher, Greater Swamp Warbler, White-winged Warbler, Red-chested, Copper Sunbirds, Slender-billed, Northern Brown-throated, Yellow-backed, Jackson’s Golden-backed Weavers, Southern Red Bishop, Black-billed Barbet. Thereafter explore the world-famous Masai Mara Reserve. Dinner & Overnight at Masai Mara Sopa Lodge

Main Destination:  Masai Mara Game Reserve

Activities: Afternoon game drive, Sightseeing and Bird watching 

Accommodation: Masai Mara Sopa Lodge / Mara River Lodge / Jambo Mara Safari Lodge / similar

-Mid-range 3/4 Star rated lodge located just outside of Masai Mara Game Reserve

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch & dinner (Drinks not included)

Drinking water (Other drinks not included

DAY 11: MAASAI MARA RESERVE GAME RESERVE

We’ll take a bird walk and game drive in search of the Red-tailed Chat, Long-tailed & Rock Cisticolas, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, Schalow’s Turaco, Pale Wren Warbler while a bonus of the Mwanza Flat-headed Agama is almost guaranteed. Lunch at the camp later in the afternoon proceed for another game drive in the park returning to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

DAY 12: MAASAI MARA RESERVE GAME RESERVE

Today you will do a full-day game drive in the Maasai Mara reserve looking for birds specialties of the eastern parts of Mara, over 450 bird’s species; including over 50 birds of prey. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight

DAY 12: MASAI MARA – NAIROBI - DEPARTURE

After breakfast, check out and drive back to Nairobi, arriving late afternoon for a late lunch and onward transfer for your international flight. 

Main Destination:  Nairobi City or Jomo Kenyatta International airport

Activities: Morning Game drive and  Sightseeing 

Accommodation: Not Applicable / End of the safari 

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)  (Drinks not included)

Drinking water (Other drinks not included

INCLUDED:

Airport Transfers upon arrival and departure meet & greet service by our local representatives.

11 nights full board accommodation in the above-mentioned lodges with private en-suite facilities.

3 Meals a day as described by B (Buffet Breakfast), L (Lunch), D (Dinner)

Unlimited cold mineral water and soft drinks in  4x4 safari jeep

Transportation by specially equipped non-air-conditioned 6-seater 4x4 safari jeep landcruiser with pop-up roofs suitable for game viewing and photography or (4x4 safari jeep with radio call, fridge, wifi).

Services of a professional English speaking driver guides

Game drives, sightseeing, and excursions as described in the itinerary, inclusive of applicable entrance  fees

Complimentary Last day carnivore dinner experience.

AMREF Flying Doctors in case of an emergency arising when in national parks (your safety is a top priority 

EXCLUDED:

International air fares, airport taxes and security-related fees unless mentioned here 

Meals not described in the itinerary above

Tips and gratitude to the driver/guides; Hotels/camp and restaurant staff; room service 

Items of personal nature i.e, telephone/internet usage,laundry 

     Bottled Mineral water, and other alcoholic or non alcoholic drinks at the safari lodges

    Any other optional tours or excursions or any other tour not mentioned in the itinerary above

     Sudden Increase in government taxes and entry fees