🐦 East Coast Kenya Birding Safari

9 Days | Nairobi to Kenya Coast Birding Expedition
Safari Starts in Nairobi | Ends in Nairobi

A focused birding journey from the highlands near Mount Kilimanjaro through Tsavo’s vast landscapes to Kenya’s rich coastal forests and wetlands. This safari combines dry savannah species, endemic forest birds, and coastal specialties.

🌍 Safari Route Overview

Nairobi → Thika → Oloitoktok → Tsavo West → Taita Hills → Tsavo East → Watamu → Arabuko Sokoke → Sabaki River → Mombasa → Nairobi

📅 Detailed Itinerary

🦜 Day 1 – Nairobi to Oloitoktok (Via Thika & Kimana)

• Early morning departure from Nairobi

• Birding stop at Blue Post Hotel, Thika

• Continue drive toward Oloitoktok

• Afternoon roadside birding along Kimana–Amboseli Road

Target Species Include:
African Finfoot, Holub’s Golden Weaver, Somali Tit, Red-throated Tit, White-browed Scrub-Robin, Vitelline Masked Weaver, Blue-capped Cordonbleu.

🏨 Overnight: Oloitoktok

🌄 Day 2 – Oloitoktok to Tsavo West (Lake Jipe)

• Early breakfast and birding within resort grounds

• Birding at Outward Bound School & surroundings

• Mandege Farm birding session

• Scenic drive to Tsavo West via Lake Jipe

Special Focus Species:
Bar-throated Apalis, Kilimanjaro White-eye, Black-throated Wattle-eye, Brown-breasted Barbet, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl.

🏨 Overnight: Tsavo West

🌿 Day 3 – Tsavo West National Park

• Early morning birding around Lake Jipe

• Game drive toward northern Tsavo West

• Afternoon birding around the lodge

Target Species Include:
Buff-crested Bustard, Pink-breasted Lark, Tsavo Sunbird, Fischer’s Starling, Red-naped Bushrike, Von der Decken’s Hornbill, Black-faced Sandgrouse.

🏨 Overnight: Tsavo West

🌳 Day 4 – Tsavo West to Taita Hills

• Exit via Tsavo River Gate

• Drive to Taita Hills

• Extensive birding at Gangao Forest

Taita Endemics:
Taita White-eye
Taita Apalis
Taita Thrush

Other species include Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler, Usambara Double-collared Sunbird, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill.

🏨 Overnight: Taita Hills

🦓 Day 5 – Taita Hills to Tsavo East

• Early drive via Voi Gate

• Focus on Satao area

• Opportunity to search for rare Hirola antelope

• Evening transfer to Watamu

🏨 Overnight: Watamu

🌊 Day 6 – Tsavo East to Watamu Coast

• Morning birding near park gate

• Stop at Lake Jilore

• Scenic drive via Arabuko Sokoke Forest

🏨 Overnight: Watamu

🌴 Day 7 – Arabuko Sokoke Forest & Mida Creek

• Full-day birding in coastal rainforest

• Evening visit to Mida Creek depending on tides

Key Coastal Targets Include:
Sokoke Scops Owl
Sokoke Pipit
Amani Sunbird
East Coast Akalat
Retz’s Helmetshrike

🏨 Overnight: Watamu

🌊 Day 8 – Sabaki River Estuary & Forest Revisit

• Early morning birding at Sabaki River

• Lunch in Malindi

• Afternoon revisit to Arabuko Sokoke for missed species

Waterbird Highlights:
Terns, plovers, sandpipers, gulls and estuarine specialties.

🏨 Overnight: Watamu

🚆 Day 9 – Return to Nairobi

• Early transfer to Mombasa Terminus

• Train departure at 8:00am

• Arrival in Nairobi around 2:00pm

• Transfer to your residence or hotel

End of the East Coast Kenya Birding Safari