The Ultimate Western & Northern Kenya Birding Odyssey

16 Days | Highlands, Rainforest & Northern Kenya

An immersive birding expedition across Kenya’s most diverse ecosystems, from Rift Valley lakes and tropical rainforest to highland forests and the arid north.

🌍 Safari Highlights

• Kinangop highland grasslands

• Lake Nakuru & Lake Naivasha ecosystems

• Kakamega tropical rainforest

• Saiwa Swamp wetlands

• Lake Baringo owl territory

• Samburu Special Five

• Mount Kenya highland forests

🗓 Itinerary Overview

Day 1

Kinangop Grasslands & Lake Naivasha

Morning birding in Kinangop grasslands.

Target species:
Golden-winged Sunbird
Sharpe’s Longclaw
Jackson’s Widowbird

Afternoon:
• Lunch at Elsamere
• Boat ride on Lake Naivasha
• Acacia woodland bird walk

Overnight: Naivasha

Day 2

Lake Nakuru National Park

Full-day game drive with strong photography opportunities.

Highlights:
• Rothschild’s Giraffe
• Flamingos
• White-crested Helmetshrike

Overnight: Nakuru

Days 3–5

Kakamega Forest

Kenya’s only tropical rainforest.

Focus on forest specialists including:
Western Crested Guineafowl
Blue-headed Bee-eater
Jameson’s Wattle-eye
White-tailed Ant Thrush

Overnight: Rondo Retreat

Day 6

Saiwa Swamp & Kitale Region

Wetland habitat exploration.

Possible sightings:
Ross’s Turaco
Grey-winged Pytilia
Blue-headed Coucal

Overnight: Kitale

Days 7–8

Cherengani Hills & Kongelai Escarpment

Escarpment and highland birding.

Key species:
African Spotted Creeper
Meyer’s Parrot
Red-throated Wryneck
Marico Sunbird

Overnight: Kitale

Days 9–10

Lake Baringo

Boat ride and cliff exploration.

Owl highlights:
Greyish Eagle-Owl
Spotted Eagle-Owl
Western Barn Owl

Overnight: Lake Baringo

Day 11

Naro Moru (Mount Kenya Region)

Transfer and evening birding session.

Overnight: Naro Moru

Days 12–13

Buffalo Springs & Samburu

Dry country and northern specialties.

Samburu Special Five:
Reticulated Giraffe
Grevy’s Zebra
Beisa Oryx
Somali Ostrich
Gerenuk

Overnight: Samburu

Days 14–15

Imenti & Castle Forest

Highland forest birding at 2000m altitude.

Key species:
Olive Ibis
Hartlaub’s Turaco
Kikuyu White-eye
Tacazze Sunbird

Overnight: Castle Forest Lodge

Day 16

Sagana & Return to Nairobi

Morning birding for missed species.

Search for:
Hinde’s Babbler (Kenya endemic)

Lunch at Blue Post Hotel before return to Nairobi.

⭐ Why This Safari Works

• Covers western forest to arid north in one circuit

• Strong endemic and range-restricted species focus

• Balanced pace with productive birding time

• Mix of wetlands, escarpments, forest and savannah

• Designed for serious life-list birders