This 5-day birding safari is a perfect adventure for avid birdwatchers and nature lovers, combining three of Kenya’s top birding destinations: Nairobi National Park, Lake Nakuru, and the Masai Mara. It offers an opportunity to explore diverse habitats, from city-edge savannas to Rift Valley lakes and world-renowned savannahs teeming with wildlife.
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi & Birding in Nairobi National Park
- Morning: Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. After a meet-and-greet with your birding guide, you will be transferred to Nairobi National Park for a full day of birdwatching. Despite its proximity to the city, this park hosts over 550 bird species, including African Crowned Eagle, Martial Eagle, and Secretarybird.
- Bird Highlights:
- Hartlaub’s Turaco
- Little Bee-eater
- Kori Bustard
- White-bellied Bustard
- Lappet-faced Vulture
- Evening: Return to a comfortable Nairobi hotel to rest for the next day.
Day 2: Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park
- Morning: After an early breakfast, you’ll leave Nairobi for a scenic drive to Lake Nakuru National Park in the Great Rift Valley. The park is famous for its alkaline lake, which attracts vast flocks of Lesser and Greater Flamingos. The acacia woodlands and grasslands around the lake host numerous bird species.
- Bird Highlights:
- Greater and Lesser Flamingos
- White Pelicans
- Narina Trogon
- Arrow-marked Babbler
- Hildebrandt’s Francolin
- Wildlife Viewing: Aside from birds, you may also spot White Rhinos, Rothschild Giraffes, and other mammals.
- Evening: Overnight stay at a lodge inside or near Lake Nakuru National Park.
Day 3: Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara National Reserve
- Morning: After a morning birding drive in Lake Nakuru, depart for the Masai Mara, one of the best wildlife and birding destinations in the world. The drive takes you through scenic landscapes, including the Great Rift Valley.
- Afternoon: Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy your first game drive in the Masai Mara National Reserve, where open savannahs are dotted with wildlife and birds.
- Bird Highlights:
- Secretarybird
- Maasai Ostrich
- Crowned Plover
- Yellow-throated Sandgrouse
- Evening: Check in at your safari camp or lodge in the Masai Mara for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Full Day Birding in the Masai Mara
- Morning: Set out early for a full day of birdwatching and wildlife viewing in the Masai Mara. The reserve boasts over 450 bird species, making it a prime destination for birders. You’ll explore the vast savannahs, riverine forests, and marshy areas, observing raptors, waterfowl, and ground birds.
- Bird Highlights:
- Temminck’s Courser
- Red-necked Spurfowl
- Yellow-throated Longclaw
- Black-bellied Bustard
- Bateleur Eagle
- Wildlife Viewing: You’ll also witness large herds of wildebeest, zebras, topis, and gazelles, along with big cats like lions, cheetahs, and leopards.
- Evening: Enjoy a bush dinner and an overnight stay at your Masai Mara camp or lodge.
Day 5: Morning Game Drive and Return to Nairobi
- Morning: Your final morning in the Masai Mara begins with an early birding game drive. Spot species you may have missed on the previous day, and take in the breathtaking scenery one last time.
- Bird Highlights:
- Heuglin’s Courser
- Crowned Eagle
- African Fish Eagle
- Afternoon: After a hearty breakfast, you’ll depart the Masai Mara and drive back to Nairobi, arriving in the afternoon. You’ll have the option of being dropped off at your Nairobi hotel or directly at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward flight.
Safari Inclusions:
- All transfers and game drives in a 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for birdwatching and photography
- Services of a professional birding driver-guide
- Full-board accommodation at lodges/camps in Nairobi, Lake Nakuru, and the Masai Mara
- Park entry fees for Nairobi National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, and the Masai Mara National Reserve
- Bottled water during game drives
Safari Exclusions:
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
- Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
- Optional activities, such as Maasai Village visits
- Alcoholic beverages and personal expenses
Best Time to Go:
- The best time for this birding safari is from October to April, during the arrival of Palearctic migrants. Kenya also experiences breeding seasons for resident species, offering vibrant plumage and bird activity.
This 5-day birding safari provides an in-depth look at Kenya’s remarkable bird diversity, from the savannahs of the Masai Mara to the wetlands of Lake Nakuru and the city-edge ecosystem of Nairobi National Park. It offers birdwatchers a chance to observe some of Africa’s most iconic bird species while enjoying the breathtaking landscapes and wildlife of Kenya.