8 Days Kenya Birding Tour

Day 1. Mombasa – Shimba Hills

You will be picked by our driver from your hotel early in the morning and drive you to Shimba Hills Rain Forest Reserve for birding watching with chances of seeing species like red-necked-Spurfowl, Croaking Cisticola and Zanzibar Red Bishop. The reserve is also home to a number of other wildlife species such as the elephant, bush pig, waterbuck, reedbuck, warthog and the roan antelope which was recently introduced. Lunch at Shimba Hills Lodge. Afternoon birding within Shimba Hills National Park. Dinner and overnight at Shimba Hills Lodge.

Day 2: Shimba Hills – Tsavo East

After breakfast, depart for Tsavo East for birding and game watching. Lunch at the Voi Safari Lodge. An afternoon drive looking for different bird species which is as varied as Tsavo’s landscape, from the conspicuous flocks of Golden-breasted Starlings to the dull, skulking Evergreen Forest Warbler, both species of Kenyan Ostrich with the Common Ostrich present in Tsavo West and the Somali Ostrich in Tsavo East and Hartlaub’s Bustard among other birds. Dinner and overnight at Ashnil Aruba Lodge.

Day 3 : Tsavo East – Tsavo West

Pre-breakfast local birding within the park. After breakfast depart for Tsavo West. Afternoon visit Mzima Springs which is a haven of many species of birds. Tsavo lies on one of the main migration routes for northern hemisphere birds. Each year from September to November the Ngulia region becomes the base for a large-scale netting and ringing exercise. This provides important information on the migratory routes and the habits of many common northern species. This position on the migration route makes Tsavo a good place to spot some of the rarer migrant falcons, with Eleonora’s Falcon and the Sooty Falcon both being on the bird list for the region

Tsavo West’s southern part is also fairly close to the Taita Hills – home to the Taita Thrush, an endangered species endemic to Kenya, and the Taita White-eye both of which are found only in that part of Kenya. The South-West corner of Tsavo on the border with Tanzania is Lake Jipe where some of Kenya’s less common water birds, such as the African Water Rail, Purple Swamphen and Lesser Jacana can be seen. Dinner and overnight at Ngulia Safari Lodge.

Day 4: Tsavo West – Amboseli

Pre-breakfast local birding within Ngulia lodge in Tsavo West. After breakfast depart for Amboseli arriving in time for lunch. Afternoon birding drive within the park. Amboseli is home to over 50 species of mammal and 400 species of birds many of which live in and around the swamps. During October-December rains the local birds are joined by migrants from the Northern hemisphere, sometimes in fairly large numbers, and bird watching around the swamps can be very rewarding. Dinner and overnight at Kibo/Amboseli Sentrim Safari Lodge.

Day 5. Amboseli

Pre and after breakfast birding drives within the park. Lunch at your safari Lodge. An afternoon birding drive in further search of birds. Dinner and overnight at Kibo/Amboseli Lodge.

Day 6. Amboseli – Malindi

Pre-breakfast local birding within the lodge. After breakfast depart for Malindi. Lunch at a stop over hotel. Arrive Malindi late evening. Dinner and overnight at Driftwood Village.

Day 7: Malindi – Arabuko Sokoke Forest

A full day program visiting Arabuko Sokoke Forest where there are chances of seeing bird species like Clarke’s Weaver – completely endemic to the forest, Sokoke Scops Owl, Sokoke Pipit, the Amani Sunbird and Spotted Ground Thrush are only found in the park and a few in Tanzania. Lunch in a restaurant Later visit Mida Creek, an excellent places to see waders and Crab-plover, Lesser and Greater Sandplover as well as Roseate and Saunder’s Tern. Dinner and overnight at Driftwood Village.

Day 8: Arabuko Sokoke – Sabaki River Mouth

A repeat visit to some of the already visited areas, Arabuko Sokoke Forest and a visit of Sabaki River Mouth, this is not only the best area to see the Malindi Pipit (an endemic with a very small range) but it is also an important area for Madagascar Pratincole, Sooty Tern, Saunder’s Tern and Lesser Crested Tern. The species count for this area is massive and the area itself is beautiful, quiet and a wonderful place to wander and watch birds. Other bird that may be seen arounbd here include the Southern Banded Snake Eagle, Fischer’s Turaco, Sokoke Pipit and Clarke’s Weaver (in fact it may even be the breeding area for this species although little is known about its breeding habits and the nest site hasn’t yet been identified. You can also reach Gongoni Ponds (which are settling pools for the salt works) and see a variety of waders and salt tolerant species such as Greater Flamingo.
Later drive to Mombasa and back to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Tour Price Includes:

Full board accommodation whilst on safari.
All meals and activities as stated in the itinerary
Accommodation in double/twin/triple room sharing.
All park entrance fees to include government taxes and service of an English,German,Italian speaking professional driver/guide.
Game drives as detailed in the itinerary.
Extensive Game drives
Game viewing in camps 4×4 vehicles and UHF radio.
Recommended Mineral Water while on safari

Things you need to budget for. The price does not include:

Visa
Airport Taxes- client pay direct
Tips
Laundry
Drinks
Items of a personal nature
Christmas and Easter Supplements