🦉 Kenya Birding & Nature Safari – Owls Targeted Itinerary

10 Days | Nairobi – Rift Valley – Mount Kenya – Taita – Coast

A specialized birding safari focused on Kenya’s owl species, combined with diverse ecosystems including grasslands, Rift Valley lakes, montane forests, savannah, and coastal rainforest.

Safari begins and ends in Nairobi.

🌍 Safari Highlights

✔ Multiple owl species targeted
✔ High-altitude forest birding
✔ Rift Valley lake ecosystems
✔ Taita Hills endemics
✔ Coastal rainforest specialists
✔ Big game viewing opportunities

📅 Detailed Itinerary

🦁 Day 1 – Arrival & Nairobi National Park

• Airport pickup and hotel check-in

• Afternoon game drive in Nairobi National Park

• Easy introduction to Kenyan birdlife and wildlife

Possible Sightings:
Shelley’s Francolin, various cisticolas, rhino, lion, giraffe and other plains game.

🏨 Overnight: Nairobi

🌾 Day 2 – Kinangop Grasslands & Lake Nakuru

• Early drive via Limuru and Manguo Swamp

• Morning birding in Kinangop grasslands

Key Species:
Golden-winged Sunbird
Sharpe’s Longclaw
Jackson’s Widowbird

• Afternoon transfer to Lake Nakuru National Park

• First targeted owl: Spotted Eagle-Owl

🏨 Overnight: Nakuru

🌊 Days 3–4 – Lake Baringo (Owl Focus Area)

• Scenic drive to Lake Baringo

• Boat ride and cliff birding

• Full day exploring multiple hotspots

Owl & Night Species Targets:
Greyish Eagle-Owl
Northern White-faced Scops Owl
African Scops Owl
Western Barn Owl

Other Highlights:
Jackson’s Hornbill
Slender-tailed Nightjar
Three-banded Courser

🏨 Overnight: Lake Baringo

🌲 Day 5 – Castle Forest (Mount Kenya Slopes)

• Early departure toward Mount Kenya

• Stop along Nyahururu–Nyeri highway for Cape Eagle-Owl

• Afternoon birding at Castle Forest Lodge

Forest Specialties:
Olive Ibis
Hartlaub’s Turaco
Bar-tailed Trogon
Abyssinian Crimsonwing

🏨 Overnight: Kerugoya

🌿 Day 6 – Sagana & Return to Nairobi

• Morning birding in Castle Forest

• Search for Hinde’s Babbler near Sagana

• Afternoon birding at Blue Post Hotel

• Return to Nairobi

🏨 Overnight: Nairobi

🌳 Day 7 – Taita Hills (Endemic Focus)

• Train transfer to Voi

• Transfer to Taita Hills

• Afternoon birding at Gangao Forest

Taita Endemics:
Taita Apalis
Taita Thrush
Taita White-eye

🏨 Overnight: Undanyi

🦓 Day 8 – Tsavo East to Watamu

• Full-day game drive in Tsavo East

• Strong opportunity for large mammals

• Owl targets include:
  Pearl-spotted Owlet
  Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl

• Evening transfer to Watamu

🏨 Overnight: Watamu

🌴 Day 9 – Arabuko Sokoke Forest & Mida Creek

Full day in Kenya’s coastal rainforest.

Major Owl Targets:
African Wood-Owl
Sokoke Scops Owl
African Barred Owlet

Other Coastal Specialties:
Sokoke Pipit
Amani Sunbird
East Coast Akalat

Optional late visit to Mida Creek depending on tides.

🏨 Overnight: Watamu

🚆 Day 10 – Return to Nairobi

• Early transfer to Mombasa Terminus

• Train to Nairobi

• Optional visit to Giraffe Centre

• Evening hotel check-in

Early morning airport transfer on departure day.

End of Kenya Birding & Nature Safari – Owl Focus