BIRD WATCHING ITENERARY

With Ontdek Kenya Ltd hiking is not the tough test on endurance, it is guided non-competitive walking in small groups of like-minded walkers and the pace-setters are the hikers making it ideal for bird watching. Check our luxury bird watch program.

Day 1 : Nairobi. O/N Panafric hotel

Arrival at the airport at night and reception by Ontdek Kenya Ltd. Transfer from the airport and overnight in Panafric hotel in Nairobi.

Day 2: Crater Lake. O/N Lake Naivasha Lodge

After breakfast there is the briefing by the guide about the program. By 9.00 a.m. we leave Nairobi via Nakuru road to the Rift valley. The Nairobi - Nakuru road is on a contour along the rim of the Rift valley and on view points we will be able to see our whole route for the next days. Our destination is Lake Naivasha, which is a fresh water lake in the Rift Valley.
The lake is at an altitude of 1890 m in the Rift Valley. It has facilities for fishing, boating, sailing and water sports. But its biggest attraction is the variety of bird life seen on it and its vicinity. A bird count of 400 species has been done in this area.

We arrive at Crater Lake in time for lunch. This lake is a

lesser lake in the Rift Valley but a place where nature is at its best. We start our walk from the lodge of the sanctuary towards the lake. We then do a circular trek on the top of the crater from where we see the lake from various angles. This also gives a close view of the many birdst are found here. The walk
ends at the Crater lodge for an optional cold drink, we later walk back to the vehicle for a return journey to the hotel for dinner and overnight. Today's program should be taken as lightly as possible so that clients can be able to wear off the jet lag.

Day 3: Hell's Gate National Park. O/N Lake Naivasha Lodge

We wake up for breakfast with the sun giving a wonderful effect over the Lake. An early morning here should not be missed by anyone with an eye for birds since the lake boasts a wide variety of water birds. After breakfast we do a short transfer to the gate of the park. This is a unique park where walking is done in the middle of wildlife. Giraffes, zebras, warthogs and many types of gazelles are found here. The first part of this walk is done in typical flat African savannah in a volcanic area with huge rock boundaries. There are acacia trees all over and this is where to look for the giraffe as they mainly feed on them. A picnic lunch provided by the Lake Naivasha Lodge will be at the Rangers post. The last part of the walk is done in the Hell's Gate Gorge by descending into a steep canyon with running water from geysers and wild vegetation. The climax of the day is in walking in the Side Gorge where the rocks have split to leave only a walking path. We climb back to the rangers post for transfer back to the hotel through the geo-thermal plant of Ol Karia.

Day 4: Longonot Crater. O/N Lake Naivasha Lodge.

An early rising will ensure that one gets another magical display of the water birds. After breakfast we do a transfer by bus to Longonot National Park. This is an extinct crater in the rift Valley. The first part of today's trekking is a climb to the crater rim. We are encouraged along the climb by the herds of zebras, giraffes and gazelles. The chance should not be lost to observe the birds which are also found here in a wide variety. This takes us to the rim of the crater, the highest point in the Rift Valley and it rewards with a wide view of the crater which is full of monkeys and soaring eagles.
The second part of today's trek is around the rim of the crater. This is a 3 hr walk with the picnic on a scenic spot, the highest point on the rim. On completing the circuit we descend to the park gate. A bus transfer to Naivasha town for a well deserved drink in the best known pub of the area, "La Belle Inn". Here we can see how the "urban" African town goes through life. We then drive back to the hotel.

On our way back we climb to a cliff where we get a wonderful view of Longonot, Lake Naivasha and the northern Rift Valley. We then make a detour across the bridge over the Malewa river and to the lodge where we have a late lunch.

Departure Dates 2001

July 21 - 30
August 8 -17
August 19 - 28
September 1 - 10
October 13 - 22
November 24 - December 3
December 22 - 31

After lunch we drive to Nairobi National Park. In its open grass lands scattered with acacia trees we will see the first game like Gazelles, Zebras, Giraffes and maybe some of the Cats. If the season is right the wildebeest which migrates from Tanzania through Masai Mara will also be there. This afternoon we will see Ostrich, Secretary Bird, Crowned Crane, Vulture, Cattle Egret ,a herd of bufalloes should provide Red-billed Oxpecker perched on their backs. Black Kite, Marabou Storks and Pied Crows are also available in the park.
Overnight at Fairview Hotel.

Day 2 + 3: Amboseli

After breakfast we head south east of Nairobi towards Amboseli National Park. On the road we have the chance to see Kori Bustard, Hoopoe, Pale Chanting Goshawk and the very common Augur Buzzard which feels comfortable perched on telephone posts along the road.
Amboseli is at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro and has the advantage of having many swamps which are fed by underground rivers coming from the mountain. Of course this attracts a large population of water birds like African Jacana, Red Knobbed Coot, Egyptian Goose and a wide range of Herons and Egrets. The park has 425 species of birds, so our 2 days here should be able to give us a chance to see Ostriches, Vultures, Eagles, Bustards, Sandgrouses, Ground Hornbills , Larks and Rosy-breasted Longclaw which are common in the grassland.

Of course we also take the time to see the big game including Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs, Impalas, Grant's Gazelles and Elands and with the backdrop of the snow capped Kilimanjaro .

We stay full board in the Amboseli Serena Lodge.

We head back to Nairobi and to Thika. Thika is in a fertile area where coffee and pineapples are grown. Our destination is Blue Posts hotel which is sandwiched between the Chania and Thika river and has two falls in its extensive garden. The Little Bee-Eater, Red-eyed Dove, Superb and Blue Eared Glossy Starling, Weaver birds, Scarlet Chested Sun bird, Silvery Cheeked and Trumpeter Hornbill, Brown Hooded Kingfisher and Violet Backed Starling can be seen here. Overnight in the Blue Posts Hotel.

We continue North, through the area inhabited by the Kikuyu tribe. The day is spent in the Mt. Kenya Game Reserve. The evergreen rain forest gives us a chance to see highland birds and we hope to see Olive and Eastern Bronze Naped Pigeons, Ruppell's Robin -Chat, Mountain Yellow Warbler, Verreaux's Eagle Owl, Black-headed Waxbill and Hartlaub's Turacos. Slender-billed Greenbul and Jackson's Francolin are also found. The White-starred Bush Robin and Abyssinian Crimsonwing are also residents in the area.

We proceed to Naro Moru River Lodge which is located on the banks of Naro Moru river and it is still coverded by some patches of forest. The lodge's own rich garden adds to the variety of bird life. The afternoon will be free to explore the trails along the Naro Moru River for Green Pigeon, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Crowned Hornbill, Grey Cuckoo-Shrike, and a great variety of sunbirds such as Amethyst, Collared, Bronze, Golden-winged and Tacazze. The Paradise Fly Catcher, Kikuyu White-eye, Black and White Mannikin are also common. If we look carefully we might have the pleasure of seeing a most unusual relative of the Elephant, the tiny Tree Hyrax. Night at Naro Moru River Lodge.

We drive slowly along Solio Ranch expecting to see Red-naped Widowbird and if it is during the breeding season the elongated tail and the red nape of the male should be easy to see. Lesser Kestrels, Rattling Cisticolas and White-fronted Bee-eater, on fence posts the Long-crested Eagle will be a likely find.
The Aberdare Country Club is a private club at the foot of the Aberdare mountains set in its own 500 hectares of wildlife sanctuary. Like every where else in Kenya the animals receive all attention but for any bird watch this club is a gem. 250 species have been recorded. After settling down in the very comfortable rooms with fire place and excellent views of Mt. Kenya and plains below, we start our day's birding activity by searching in the gardens and in the woods.
Here we should expect to see Mountain Buzzard, African Crowned Eagle, Crested Guinea Fowl, African Harrier-Hawk, Grey Apalis, Cape Rook, Nubian Woodpecker and Cardinal Woodpecker. Wire Tailed, Mosque and Barn Swallows, Wagtails and Pipits are also common.
In the game sanctuary Elands, Giraffes, Gazelles and Zebras will be found in large numbers. With these herbivorous it is natural that some carnivores should be found to complete the food chain. This position is aptly filled with few leopards which should be visible in a night drive.

We leave the central Highlands and go to the Rift Valley. The Aberdare mountains will be on our left. The huge acacia trees along the roads are favorites with Blue-Eared Glossy Starling and Ruppell's Long-Tailed Starling. Our destination is Lake Elementaita Lodge on the shores of Lake Elmentaita which is another alkaline lake in the Rift Valley. The lake, the surrounding acacias, hot springs and the open grasslands have a lot of birds and the added advantage that the area has a low population of the mass tourist. 305 species have been recorded at the Lake and its surroundings. For two days we will stay in a small luxury hotel in unspoiled nature, in comfortable en suite accommodation.
We should expect to increase our count of water birds with Gulls, Pied Kingfisher, African Spoonbills, African Pochard, Hottentot Teal, Blacksmith Plovers.
In the wooded acacias we may find Emerald-Spotted Wood Dove, Green Wood Hoopoe, Red-headed Weaver, Black-headed Oriole and Lilac-Breasted Roller.
At the hot springs which feed the lake Ruffs, Garganey Teal, Red-Billed Duck, Common Sandpiper and Egyptian Goose are residents. On the open grasslands there are the resident Sacred Ibis, Helmeted Guinea Fowl, Common Rock Thrush and Hilderbrandt’s Francolin.
The set up of the hotel rooms is in a mature garden with different trees and flowers. This means there is no official starting time for our bird watching activity. Resting on the verandah of your room, it will be possible to see the early risers leave their nests. Check for Purple Grenadier, Mourning Dove, Red Checked Cordon Blue, Klaas’ Cuckoo, Black-Headed Weaver, Tropical Boubou and Black-Headed Bush Shrike.

After breakfast we head further north to Lake Baringo. This is a fresh water lake with a slight degree of alkalinity. The climate is dry and the cliffs around house a variety of bird life.
Over 400 species of birds have been recorded. The woodlands by the lake are alive with White-Browed Sparrow Weavers, Jackson's and Yellow-billed Hornbills, Bristle-crowned Starling, and the rare Northern Masked Weaver, there are several Hamerkops along the lakeshore and with luck we should be able to see their nest which a pair of Grey Kestrels have adopted as a home. There will be time to relax, enjoy the pool, and bird the grounds of the Lodge for the resident Spotted Eagle Owls, and Sunbirds such as Beautiful, Hunter's and Violet-backed. A boat ride on Lake Baringo will bring us close to Goliath Heron, African Fish Eagle, Malachite Kingfisher, West Nile Red Bishop, plus swimming hippo and crocodiles. We will also bird the escarpment and surrounding countryside for Hemprich's Hornbill, White-crested Turaco, Madagascar Bee-eater, Rufous-crowned Roller, Cliff Chat, Curly-crested Helmet Shrike and Verraux's Eagle which feeds on the Rock Hyrax. Other interesting birds are Gabar Goshawks and Jackson's Hornbill. Nightjars are common on the Lake shores at night and the Hippos graze freely on the lodge's lawn. Overnight is at Lake Baringo Country Club

We head south to Lake Nakuru which is famous for its thousands of Lesser Flamingos, the Greater Flamingoes will be easily distinguishable by their height. White Pelicans, Dark Egret, Black-winged Stilt are also there.
The lake has a low concentration of salt, so it supports fish which of course attract other water birds. It is a good place to look for Avocet, Storks, Ibises, Ducks, Cormorants, Herons, and Terns. In the wooded acacias there is a chance to see the African Fire Finch, Arrow-marked Babbler and Narina Trogon.
Overnight at Lake Nakuru Lodge.

We transfer to lake Naivasha, this is a fresh water lake without a known outlet. The lake has a dense vegetation which in turn supports a variety of birds. The area has a bird count of 350 species. To have the best sightings Crescent Island is the place of choice. It is a lagoon from where we should be able to see Grey-capped Warbler, Spectacled Weaver, Brimstone canary and Red-billed Fire Finch. There are also a lot of fish eaters. Both the Long-tailed and Great Cormorants together with Fish Eagles and Pied King Fishers are common here. Overnight is in the Lake Naivasha Lodge.

We spend the day at Hell's Gate National Park where walking is allowed within the park.
The first section of the walk is in open Savannah with acacias where it’s possible to see Ruppell's Vulture and the Lammergeier vulture which has recently been introduced from Ethiopia.

We head to the famous Masai Mara National Reserve which borders Serengeti in Tanzania. Mara is the gem of game viewing and bird watching in Kenya with 450 species recorded. We will drive through Masai land, home to one of the most fascinating cultures in Africa. In the vast grasslands we expect to see Elephants; the large Cats - Lion, Leopard, and Cheetah; the herd animals - Zebra, Wildebeest, Thompson's and Grant's Gazelles; and specialties like Hartebeest and Topi. Expected bird species are the highly conspicuous Common Ostrich, the small but still conspicuous Cardinal Quelea , Sooty Chats, Ground Hornbills, Open-billed Storks, Temminck's Courser, Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, Usambiro Barbet, and Denham's Bustard. Lilac-breasted Rollers are commonly seen perching and the buffalo and other game carry Yellow-billed Oxpeckers on their backs. If we find a kill, we may see six species of vultures all dining together: Egyptian, Hooded, Griffon, Nubian, White-backed and White-headed. It will be a double reward should a Hyena or a Jackal join in the scramble for the kill. In addition we will encounter numerous raptors such as Bateleur, Martial, and Tawny Eagles, as well as Pale Chanting Goshawk, Augur Buzzards and Black-chested Harrier Eagles. Along the Mara River we'll watch for African Finfoot, Schalow's and Ross' Turaco, Crested Guinea Fowl, Woodland Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Barbet, Black-billed Weaver, Violet-backed Starling, and perhaps with luck, Pel's Fishing Owl. Any tapping noise on the trees may be indicative of the relatively uncommon Woodpeckers (Golden-tailed, Little Spotted and Fine -banded). Hopefully we will be lucky enough to see some of the more difficult to see mammals such as Bat Eared Fox, Hunting Dog, Serval and the delightful Banded Mongoose. Overnight is at Sarova Mara Lodge which is built with great natural set up so we will be able to bird watch easily from the room

We leave Masai Mara after breakfast and drive east to Nairobi. We arrive in time for lunch at the Fair View hotel where we have day rooms in order to be able to refresh ourselves. Transport at night to the airport where we say goodbye.

Reception by Ontdek Kenya Ltd, transfer from the airport and overnight in Panafric hotel in Nairobi.

Day 2: Beginning of the climb of Mount Kenya

After breakfast in the hotel transfer to Naro Moro, the town which is the base for Mt. Kenya expeditions. Here we connect with our mountain guide and porters. A drive of 15 km takes us to the park gate from where we walk through the rain forest aiming to get to Met Station (3050m) in the early afternoon. Today's walk allows us to see birds which are only found on high altitude. Overnight is in a mountain hut.

Day 3: To Mackinder’s Camp

The birds and the monkeys will wake us up with their songs. We will continue on easily walkable paths for about one and half hours until we cross the tree line where the vegetation changes. For the first time we encounter the lobelias which will be covering most of the ground. All around us will be various streams and the area is at times

We start with a light breakfast early in the morning. We then set off for the ultimate of our trip, that is point Lenana which we hope to reach with sun rise. We will walk through loose gravel and reach the Austrian hut from where we will see the glacier that we will climb to reach Lenana. After a short rest we start the ascending along the glacier to reach Point Lenana after half an hour. The view from here is truly rewarding as the whole of the area, including the complete Aberdare range can be overviewed. We then make a descent to Shipton's Camp for a welcoming brunch. In the afternoon an optional walk is planned in the surrounding area. Dinner and overnight at Shipton's Camp (4100 m).

A chance to see the peaks with the sun rising behind them should not be missed. After breakfast we start the journey down to Old Moses Camp (3350 m) which is already below the tree line.

Further descent to the park gate followed by a transfer direction Samburu National Park. We stop for lunch in the colorful town of Isiolo where there's a mixture of cultures, religions and tribes. After two hours drive we reach the national park in time to have an evening game drive. Expect to see large herds of elephants, giraffes, zebras, gazelles, ostriches, lions, cheetahs and leopards. Overnight Sarova Shaba Lodge.

Both in the morning as in the afternoon we do game drives in the park where you can not miss the wild life. In the afternoon there's time to relax at the swimming pool. Overnight Sarova Shaba Lodge.

After breakfast we head south towards Nairobi, stopping for lunch at Outspan hotel in Nyeri. Expect to reach Nairobi in the late afternoon. Evening transfer to the airport.