Birds of Kenya

Nairobi | Samburu | Lake Nakuru | Lake Baringo

Customize this safari
Customize this safari

Kenya is a paradise for bird lovers, with over 1,000 species, including several that are endemic to the country. From the ostrich, the world's largest bird, to flamingos, raptors, weavers, and rollers. Our expert ornithologist safari guide will take you to the best spots where you can observe an abundance of birdlife.

NAIROBI

A bird flying in the sky with outstretched wings against a background of blue sky and clouds.

Arrive in Nairobi, where you will begin and end your safari.

Depending on your international flight times, you will likely spend one full day here either at the start or end of your trip.

Named the world’s best city to visit in 2024 by Lonely Planet, Nairobi is Kenya’s bustling, dynamic, cosmopolitan capital.

Wildlife -“The World’s Only Wildlife Capital”. Visit Nairobi National Park or one of Nairobi’s world-famous animal sanctuaries such as the Giraffe Centre, Elephant Orphanage, Nairobi Safari Walk, Snake Park, and Karura Forest.

Culture - Experience the city’s cultural and arts scene with a visit to an art gallery or collective, artisanal market, the National Museum or Karen Blixen Museum, or sample its world-class restaurants.

 

SAMBURU

Somali ostrich Samburu birds Kenya

NAIROBI - SAMBURU 1.5H (AIR)

Arrive in Nairobi, where your journey begins as you travel north to Samburu, the start of your safari adventure.

River Oasis - Samburu National Reserve stretches along the Ewaso Nyiro River, which acts as a magnet for wildlife in search of water, vegetation, and prey. This life-giving river supports a remarkable concentration of animals in an otherwise dry and rugged landscape.

A Birder’s Paradise - The reserve is a haven for birdlife, with more than 400 species of resident and migratory birds recorded here, including many dry-country specials such as the Somali ostrich, along with an impressive variety of raptors.

Vulturine guineafowl, sandgrouse, and hornbills can often be seen across the open plains, while African orange-bellied parrots are found among the doum palms, and Speke’s weavers nest in the surrounding acacia trees.

Specialist Guide - Our bird specialist guide will help you spot and identify the many species found in the reserve, offering expert insight throughout your time in Samburu. Don’t forget your binoculars.

Unique Northern Wildlife - Samburu is also home to several species rarely seen elsewhere in Kenya, often known as the “Samburu Special Five,” including Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, gerenuk, and the Somali ostrich. Elephant, lion, leopard, and cheetah are also regularly seen, making the reserve one of the most rewarding wildlife areas in northern Kenya.

A yellow and black bird, possibly a baltimore oriole, sitting under a tree near its nest, with branches and leaves surrounding it.

Activities Include
Birdwatching (guided walks and drives); wildlife viewing.

 

LAKE NAKURU

A close-up of a pelican swimming in water, showing its large colorful bill and white feathers.

SAMBURU - LAKE NAKURU 5.5H (ROAD)

From Samburu, you will journey south into the Great Rift Valley to visit its most famous soda lake, Lake Nakuru. One of Kenya’s oldest and best-known National Parks, Lake Nakuru is part of the UNESCO-listed Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley, renowned around the world for its flamingos, which can gather here in their thousands — sometimes even millions.

Flamingos and Waterbirds - The lake’s shores are teaming with birdlife, including great white and pink-backed pelicans, storks, egrets, herons, ducks, and cormorants, creating one of the richest bird habitats in Kenya.

Diverse Habitats - Beyond the lake itself, the park contains a surprising variety of ecosystems, from rocky escarpments and open grasslands to pockets of acacia forest and woodland. These varied habitats support more than 400 species of birds, along with a wide range of wildlife, including both black and white rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffe, buffalo, zebra, waterbuck, and the occasional lion or leopard.

A group of flamingos wading in a shallow water body with zebras grazing on land in the background, set against a vast landscape with mountains in the distance.

Activities Include
Birdwatching; wildlife viewing; viewpoint visit.

 

LAKE BARINGO

Eagle flying low over a body of water with greenery and a cloudy sky in the background.

LAKE NAKURU - LAKE BARINGO 2.5H (ROAD)

Continue your safari with a drive north through the Great Rift Valley to Lake Baringo, one of Kenya’s few freshwater lakes, set in a striking and rugged landscape.

World-Class Birding Destination - A remarkable 480 bird species have been recorded here, making Lake Baringo one of the world’s great avian hotspots. The dramatic scenery — with small islands scattered across the lake, drowned trees along the shoreline, acacia woodland, open grassland, and the nearby escarpment — creates ideal habitats for an extraordinary variety of birdlife.

Birdlife Highlights - African fish eagles are frequently seen, along with local specialties such as lesser moorhens, giant kingfishers, Hemprich’s hornbills, and brown-tailed rock chats, all of which thrive in this unique environment.

On the Water - Enjoy a boat ride on the lake and take in the beauty of this remarkable setting. Lake Baringo is a highlight for anyone interested in East Africa’s rich birdlife and provides a wonderful and peaceful ending to this special safari.

A large bird, possibly a kingfisher, holding a fish in its beak, with the fish's head in the air and the fish's body hanging down, on a wooden surface.

Activities Include
Birdwatching (guided walks and drives); boat ride.

 

EXTENSION OPTIONS

A cormorant bird with its wings spread, perched on a branch near water with waterplants in the foreground and a distant shoreline in the background.

Lake Naivasha

Continue through the Great Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake known for its rich birdlife and peaceful scenery. Boat trips reveal fish eagles, kingfishers, pelicans, and herons, while nearby Crescent Island offers guided walks among giraffe, zebra, and antelope in a beautiful lakeside setting.

Two southern yellow-billed hornbills perched on a tree branch against a pale sky background.

Kakamega Forest

For dedicated birders, continue to Kakamega Forest, Kenya’s only true tropical rainforest and a remnant of the ancient Guineo-Congolese forest. This unique habitat is a hotspot of biodiversity, with nearly 450 species recorded, including many forest birds not found elsewhere in the country, offering exceptional birding in a lush and peaceful setting unlike anywhere else in Kenya.

Colorful bird with purple, blue, and turquoise feathers perched on a tree stump with a blurred green leafy background.

Laikipia

WALKING SAFARI - Extend your safari in Laikipia, where vast private conservancies offer excellent opportunities for guided walking safaris. Exploring on foot allows you to focus on birdlife, tracks, and smaller wildlife often missed on game drives, while enjoying the wide-open landscapes of northern Kenya.

CUSTOM PRICING INCLUDES:

  • Airport transfers

  • Accommodation

  • Activities

  • Domestic Transportation

  • Entrance fees to National Parks, National Reserves, and Community/Private Conservancies

  • Expert private driver guide for your entire trip

  • Fully equipped 4x4 Safari Land Cruiser

  • Supplemental medical emergency insurance (evacuation cover)

  • Accommodation comes in a wide range of options depending on location. We source the best and have options to suit most budgets.

  • Add-ons are optional activities offered at an extra cost.

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