Kenya Birdwatching Safari - 5 Days
Highlights
- Walk on an island to look for giraffes, zebras, and other non-predatory animals
- Look for exotic birds like the greater blue-eared starlings and Hottentot teals
- Take a sunset boat ride to encounter the sights and sounds of evening birdlife
- Choose lodging options that may include panoramic views or naturally heated pools
- Visit the Nairobi National Museum with more than 900 stuffed bird species
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Nairobi, Transfer to Lake Nakuru via Lake Naivasha | Nakuru |
| Day 2 | Morning Safari, Transfer to Lake Baringo & Lake Bogoria & Sunset Tour | Baringo |
| Days 3-4 | Explore Lake Bogoria & Lake Baringo | Baringo |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Nairobi, Museum Tour & Depart Kenya |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Nairobi, Transfer to Lake Nakuru via Lake Naivasha
Welcome to Nairobi! Upon arrival at the capital's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport this morning, you'll be picked up and transferred by a private driver to Lake Nakuru (104 miles/167 km). Along the way, you'll stop in Lake Naivasha for a boat tour where you might encounter hippos, waterbucks, and countless birds, such as saddle-billed storks, great white pelicans, goliath herons, giant kingfishers, and African fish eagles, to name a few.
During the boat tour, you'll climb onshore at Crescent Island for a guided walk among possible giraffes, zebras, and other peaceful and relaxed animals, thanks in part to the absence of predators.
Then, continue the drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, one of Kenya's most beautiful wildlife parks, with rocky mountains, pockets of acacia forest, and at least one waterfall. You'll end the afternoon with a driving safari where you might see black and white rhinos, leopards, hippos, and endangered Rothschild's giraffes. The forested area below Flamingo Hill is a popular lion-spotting point—lionesses love to sleep in the trees—while leopards frequent the same area. Notable birds include great white pelicans, greater blue-eared starlings, greater and lesser flamingos, and Hottentot teals.
You'll spend the evening at Sarova Lion Hill Camp with panoramic views from most rooms and sitting areas. The lodge incorporates natural landscaping with tall trees, winding walkways, and bird feeders.
Day 2: Morning Safari, Transfer to Lake Baringo & Lake Bogoria & Sunset Tour
After breakfast at your lodge, you'll join a morning game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, followed by lunch. You'll then transfer to Lake Baringo/Lake Bogoria (85 miles/136 km), where you'll take a sunset boat ride and enjoy the evening birdlife. As similar as the names of Baringo and Bogoria are—and both lie at approximately the same altitude—these two lakes in the Kenyan Rift Valley couldn't be more different. Here is where the differences lie:
- Lake Bogoria is an alkaline body of water replete with mineral spas and one of the highest concentrations of geysers in Africa (at least 18). Hot water geysers can be found on the western coastline and provide proof of the volcanic history of the area. It constitutes one of the few conservation areas you can enter by foot or bicycle to encounter zebras, buffalo, and the greater kudu (a rare antelope). Also, there are more than 370 bird species, most notably flamingoes, in clear blue water set beneath the towering cliffs of the Laikipia Plateau.
- Lake Baringo, meanwhile, nourishes healthy fish, birds, hippos, and crocodile populations, and a boat trip provides a great opportunity for viewing. The area is also a birdwatchers' paradise, with more than 460 species, including owls, nightjars, Goliath herons, and rare Hemprich's hornbills. Gibraltar Island is a breeding area for a large colony of Goliath herons, and the plateau on the west side of the lake is the home of the Verreaux's Eagle. Walks on the lakeshore offer opportunities to see an abundant number of birds up close.
There are a few options on where you can stay overnight. They include:
-
Lake Bogoria Spa Resort is the only resort in Kenya with a naturally heated pool. The property is known as the healing place because of the therapeutic values associated with the spa and the hot spring geysers.
- Lake Baringo Soi Safari Lodge is located on the western shores of the freshwater Lake Baringo, surrounded by bushy acacia trees and rugged, majestic scenery. To the east of the lake are the Laikipia mountains and to the west are the dramatic Tugen Hills.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Days 3-4: Explore Lake Bogoria & Lake Baringo
Over the next two days, you'll continue your exploration of the two lakes, Bogoria and Baringo, with a range of guided bird and wildlife tours using various means of transportation including vehicles, boats, bicycles, as well as on foot.
As you return to your lodge in the evenings, enjoy bird-spotting around the property as day turns to night.
Day 5: Transfer to Nairobi, Museum Tour & Depart Kenya
It's time to say goodbye to Kenya! In the morning, you'll depart for Nairobi (178 miles/287 km), where you'll visit the Nairobi National Museum. The museum is known for its excellent bird exhibit, with more than 900 stuffed specimens—a chance to catch a glimpse of any birds you may have missed earlier in the trip.
At the designated time, your driver will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. Safe travels!
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