13 Days Kenya Endemic Birding Tour
This Kenya Endemics birding tour explores Kenya’s uniqueness in birds and diverse habitats, targeting endemic species. From coastal forests to montane landscapes and arid savannahs to highland grasslands and forests, you’ll enjoy the beauty of Kenyan birds in depth.
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi
Upon arrival in Nairobi, you will be met by a Marspec Birding and Wildlife Safaris representative for a briefing and transferred to a comfortable hotel for a rest.
Day 2: Nairobi - Watamu
We will start our Kenya endemics birding tour with the coastal endemic birding hotspots. This day will allow a transfer from Nairobi to Watamu with interesting birding stops. In the evening, we will brief you on the tour and have dinner—night at Watamu.
Day 3: Arabuko Sokoke Forest and Mida Creek
Arabuko Sokoke Forest is home to three of Kenya’s endemic bird species: the Sokoke Scops Owl, Clarke’s Weaver, and the Sokoke Pipit. This coastal forest has unique habitats, including Brachystegia woodland and mixed forest. We will embark on early morning birding walks, searching for these endemics and other specialties like the Scaly Babbler, Amani Sunbird, and Fischer’s Turaco.
Later, at Mida Creek, we will explore its rich mangrove and mudflat ecosystem, looking for species such as the Mangrove Kingfisher and Sooty Gull.
Day 4: Arabuko Sokoke Forest and Sabaki River Mouth
We will return to Arabuko early this morning, targeting species we might have missed the previous day. After this session, we will visit this coastal top birding destination, Sabaki River Mouth, a prime spot for waders and estuarine birds, including Terek Sandpiper, Greater Sand Plover, and Crab Plover. In the evening, we can go birding for nocturnal species and nightjars.
The nights will be spent in Watamu.
Day 5& 6: Taita Hills
In the morning, we will depart early for the Taita Hills. The drive will take you through diverse landscapes, offering opportunities for roadside birding. Taita Hills has three highly localized endemic species: the Taita Apalis, White-eye, and Taita Thrush. This montane forest, part of the Eastern Arc Mountains, supports rich biodiversity. We will spend the mornings exploring key birding sites, such as Ngangao and Vuria Forests while watching for African Crowned Eagle and Stripe-cheeked Greenbul.
Afternoons will be dedicated to scanning the lower altitudes for Green-headed Oriole, Eastern Double-collared Sunbirds, and the elusive Southern Banded Snake Eagle.
On day 5, we enjoy a full day of birding in the various habitats of the Taita hills in search of species we may have missed the previous day.
We will spend the night in Taita.
Day 7: Taita Hills to Nairobi
After an early morning birding session, targeting any missed species in the Taita Hills, we drive back to Nairobi, enjoying birding stops along the way. Upon arrival, we check into a city lodge and relax. We shall have lunch en route and spend the night in Nairobi.
Day 8: Nairobi National Park
On this day, we will enjoy a full day of birding in Nairobi National Park, a birding paradise with over 500 species and an Important Birding Area (IBA). Morning game drives will focus on species such as the Jackson’s Widowbird (seasonal), Grey Crowned Crane, endemic Snowy (Brown-and-White) Barbet, and Kikuyu White-eye.
The park’s diverse habitats, including open savannah, riverine forests, and acacia woodlands, also host Secretary bird, Martial Eagle, and Kori Bustard. The afternoon will be spent birding along the Athi Basin and Hyena Dam areas.
The night will be spent in Nairobi.
Day 8: Nairobi and Ngong Forest; to Lake Naivasha
We begin our day in Ngong Forest, looking for localized species such as the African Wood Owl and Crowned Eagle. Mid-morning, we drive to Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake surrounded by papyrus swamps and acacia woodlands. Afternoon activities include a boat ride and a bird walk, providing excellent opportunities to spot the African Fish Eagle and grey-crested Helmetshrike. The night will be spent in Naivasha.
Day 9: Kinangop Grasslands and Aberdare National Park; to Mt. Kenya
We will leave Naivasha in the morning and head to the Kinangop Grasslands, where our Kenya endemics birding tour continues. Here, we target Sharpe’s Longclaw, Kenya’s endemic pipit, and other grassland specialists like the Levaillant’s Cisticola.
In the afternoon, we then proceed to Aberdare National Park, a montane forest with rare species such as the Jackson’s Spurfowl, Aberdare Cisticola, Kikuyu White-eye, Mountain Yellow Warbler, and the Hartlaub’s Turaco. The evening will be spent at the foothills of Mt. Kenya, preparing for the next day’s exploration.
Day 10: Mount Kenya
The mountain is home to over 300 species, including highland-specialized species. On this day, we shall enjoy a full birding day at Mount Kenya, and we hope to spot the rare Olive Ibis, Hinde’s Babbler, Kandt’s Waxbill, Tacazze Sunbird, Evergreen-forest Warbler, Jackson’s Francolin, and other forest species. We will spend the night at Mount Kenya.
Day 11 & 12: Shaba National Reserve
On this day, after searching for endemics around Mt. Kenya in the morning, we travel north to Shaba National Reserve, an arid landscape home to specialized dry-country birds. We will search for the endemic Williams’s Lark, Donaldson-Smith’s Nightjar, Somali Ostrich, and the striking Vulturine Guineafowl. Other key targets include the Somali Courser, White-headed Mousebird, and Golden Pipit.
On day 12, we will continue to explore the plains and riverine habitats for the African Finfoot and Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill. Evening bird walks around the lodge might yield sightings of Heuglin’s Courser and Verreaux’s eagle owl.
The nights will be spent in Shaba.
Day 13: Shaba National Reserve to Nairobi
After a final morning of birding in Shaba, we return to Nairobi and do an airport transfer, marking the end of an unforgettable Kenya endemic birding tour.
Other Wildlife Highlights
Besides the diverse birdlife in this travel plan, we expect to experience the big five: Leopards, Elephants, both Black and White Rhinos, Buffalos and Lions. The Samburu and Buffalo Spring National Reserves are home to the northern specials Gerenuk, Reticulated Giraffe, Beisa Orrys and Grevy’s Zebra. These, amongst others, are globally sort out for species and will complement our Kenya birding safari experience.
