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A Martial Eagle regularly seen on Kenya birding tours

Kenya Birding Tours

Experience incredible diversity of habitats and species on a birdwatching safari in Kenya

KENYA BIRDING TOURS ARE VERY HARD TO BEAT

Kenya’s diverse regions include savannahs, mountain forests, lakes, and a stunning coastline. They are home to an incredible variety of wildlife and 1,158 bird species.

The birdlife is such an iconic part of Kenya’s landscape that you’ll be struck by birdsong as soon as you arrive. On a Kenya birding tours, you decide where to go and what to see.

We’re here to guide your adventure and take you to unique places to stay.

A Fish Eagle catching a fish at Lake Bogoria seen on a Kenya birding tour
Who should go

Nature lovers who adore birds will love this immersion into the wilderness

Birdwatching safaris are for both novice and experienced birders. We’ll match you with an expert guide and private vehicle to achieve your birdwatching goals.

Together, you explore national parks and conservancies to spot birds on your bucket list. You will discover that birdwatching is one part of an unforgettable safari.

Enjoy the food, people, landscapes and wildlife while staying in tented camps or lodges. Nature enthusiasts and photographers will also relish Kenya birding tours.

  • Photographers
  • Nature Lovers
Arno Snellenberg | Kenya Travel Expert
‘As soon as you touch down, you’ll be struck by the birdsong in Kenya. This is just a taste of what is to come on a birdwatching safari. On a single trip, you can easily see over 200 birds, not to mention all of the other wildlife.’
Arno | Kenya Travel Expert
A king fisher bird sitting on a branch.
WHERE TO EXPERIENCE IT

EXPLORE A VARIETY OF HABITATS DISCOVER WORLD-CLASS BIRDWATCHING

Kenya is home for exceptional birding tours thanks to its vast variety of habitats: from dense and lush mountain forests to alkaline lakes and grass savannahs.

Different ecosystems support different types of birds resulting in a great variety of birds to see.

The north is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which includes Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Ngare Ndare Forest Reserve, and Mount Kenya National Park.

The centre has the Aberdare National Park and a network of lakes, including Naivasha, Nakuru, Elementaita, and Bogoria.

The south has Masai Mara, Nairobi, Amboseli, and Tsavo National Parks.

When to go

Thanks to its abundant wildlife, tropical climate, and consistently pleasant temperatures, Kenya is an excellent destination for year-round birdwatching safaris.

However, the best times to go on Kenya birding tours are the shoulder seasons from November to the third week of December, January to March, and the first three weeks of June.

During this time, you can expect fewer visitors, green landscapes and dust-free skies for superb birdlife photography. Moreover, birders will love observing migratory birds and nesting behaviour.

Two lilac breasted roller sit on a branch in the dry season.

Dry Season

June to OctoberBest for seeing savannah birdlife

June to OctoberBest for seeing savannah birdlife

Kenya experiences two dry seasons. The first is a shorter period from January to March, while the second is the more commonly recognised dry season from June to October.

This extended season offers excellent wildlife viewing and good weather. During this period, the grass is shorter, and the animals gather around remaining water sources, making it easier to spot them.

Additionally, the dry weather creates favourable conditions for algae to grow in Kenya’s alkaline lakes, attracting large flocks of flamingos. It’s a perfect time to observe birdlife in the savannahs, particularly at dusk and dawn near water sources.

 

A large ground hornbill in tall green grass during the rainy season

Rainy Season

April to MayBest for observing nesting behaviour

April to MayBest for observing nesting behaviour

The short rains in Kenya are unpredictable, occurring from November to December as passing afternoon or nighttime thunderstorms. Fortunately, these rains rarely affect early morning game drives. At the coast, the weather is fantastic with a chance of rain. A highlight of this season for Kenya birding tours is the return of migratory birds.

The long rains occur from April to May. Temperatures rise, and daily downpours transpire, turning the landscapes green. It is the low season with fewer visitors and lower prices. So, don’t let the rain put you off from visiting Kenya during these months.

KENYA BIRDING TOURS

Join us on a birdwatching safari in Kenya – together with your experienced guide who is just as passionate about the life of birds as you are.

We plan, book and run your tailor-made trip focusing on Kenya’s birdlife.

Accommodations

EXPERIENCE TENTED CAMPS FOR AN IMMERSIVE GETAWAY IN NATURE

Kenya’s well-established tourism industry offers visitors a wide range of accommodation options. You can stay in elegant lodges with horizon pools or opt for permanent tented camps with sweeping views.

Tented Camps are favoured amongst most birders for their immediate proximity to nature. Since your walls are made of canvas, not a concrete structure, you will fall asleep and awaken to the sound of bird song.

View of Kilimanjaro from Elerai Camp in Amboseli

Elerai Camp

A guest cottage at Naivasha Sopa Lodge

Naivasha Sopa Lodge

View from guest room at The Cliff across Lake Nakuru

The Cliff

Guest cabin interior and veranda at Cedar Retreat in the Aberdare Region

Cedar Retreat

Guest tent at night at Matira Camp

Matira Camp

Main area and surroundings of Elephant Pepper Camp

Elewana Elephant Pepper Camp

Elephant outside a guest tent at Satao Camp in Tsavo East National Park.

Satao Camp

Highlights of Kenya birding tours

What to expect on your birding safari in Kenya

Kenya is home to over 1,150 bird species; consequently, it is common to spot hundreds of bird species during a birdwatching safari. Moreover, you’ll learn fascinating insights from expert guides regarding their behaviours, relationships with other animals, and cultural significance.

While a birding safari focuses on spotting and observing a variety of birds, you can see other wildlife along the way – from zebras, to elephants and lions.

We recommend booking a private safari, with private guide and vehicle, to make the most of your Kenya birding tour.

Kingfisher sitting on a branch in Kenya

Kenya's birdlife is surprising and colourful. Kingfishers can be seen regularly.

A large flock of pelicans at Lake Nakuru in the Rift Valley.

The Great Rift Valley lakes like Lake Nakuru are spectacular birding spots. You can see large birds like Pelicans here in big numbers.

A Martial Eagle on a branch seen on a birding tour in Kenya.

The birdlife is as diverse as the different habitats. A Martial Eagle rests on a branch in the Aberdare region near Solio.

A safari vehicle for birding safaris at sunset in the Masai Mara.

The pop up roof and large sliding windows of our safari vehicles allow for excellent bird viewing.

A fish eagle sits on a big branch on the shore of Lake Naivasha.

Lake Naivasha is known for its Fish Eagles - sit on the lake shore and observe them up close.

Which birds can you see in Kenya?

Kenya boasts exceptional birdwatching opportunities, particularly around its great lakes.

Lake Nakuru, established initially as a bird sanctuary due to the abundance of birdlife, later became a national park. It’s a small but stunning destination for photographers to capture numerous bird species, including the Oxpecker, Long-tailed widowbird, Long-crested eagle and Verreaux’s eagle.

Along with Nakuru, Elementaita and Bogoria Lakes form the Kenya Lake System. It is home to 75% of the world’s Lesser Flamingo population, one of the largest breeding colonies of Great White Pelicans, and over 100 migratory bird species.

Lake Naivasha and Hell’s Gate National Park are home to numerous bird species, including Fish Eagles, Grey Crowned Cranes, Kingfishers, and Sacred Ibises.

Lammergeiers used to breed at Hell’s Gate but are only occasional visitors today. However, Egyptian and Ruppell’s vultures still nest in the cliffs. At Naivasha Raptor Centre, you can learn how the centre rescues, rehabilitates and frees some of Kenya’s 70 diurnal and 19 nocturnal birds of prey.

Kenya’s mountains, such as Aberdare National Park, are home to several unique bird species, including the Aberdare fan-tailed warbler, Kikuyu White-Eye, Eastern Double Collared Sunbird, Moorland Chat, Hunter’s Sunbird, Aberdare Cisticola, and the Golden-Winged Sunbird.

In Kenya’s savannahs, you can spot the Common Ostrich, Lilac-Breasted Roller, Ground Hornbill, Secretary Bird, Kori Bustard and Egyptian Geese.

Along Kenya’s coasts, visitors can explore the Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest, Arabuko Sokoke National Reserve, Mida Creek, and Galana Delta, which are home to hundreds of coastal bird species, including Pelicans, Sand Plover, Curlew Sandpipers, Whimbrel, Western Reef-egret, Lesser Crested Tern, and Roseate Tern.

What to bring on Kenya birding tours?

Knowing what to pack is essential if planning a safari to Kenya. In addition to our standard packing list suggestions, we recommend bringing the following items for a birdwatching safari:

  • Binoculars or monoculars for long-distance identification.
  • An excellent hat to reduce glare from the sun.
  • A pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes and enhance visibility.
  • A camera to capture memories of your trip.
  • A pocket notebook to take field notes.
  • A guidebook to help you identify East African birds.

We recommend two guidebooks in particular:

The Birds of East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi by Terry Stevenson and John Fanshawe.

Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania by Dale A. Zimmerman, David J. Pearson, Donald A. Turner.

 

What else can you see on a bird-watching safari in Kenya?

Kenya is a country in East Africa with one of the most impressive wildlife densities in the region. Visitors can see numerous species, including the Big Five.

One of the highlights of a safari is spotting elephants, whose population in Africa is declining.

However, due to antipoaching initiatives in Kenya, their population has increased annually by 5% since 2021. Elephants are seen in Amboseli, Tsavo National Parks, and Samburu National Reserve, to name a few destinations.

Northern Kenya is home to a group of animals known as the Northern Five, which include the Reticulated Giraffe, Beisa Oryx, Somali Ostrich, Grevy’s Zebra, and Gerenuk.

Unfortunately, their populations are decreasing, but you can still spot all five at Samburu National Reserve, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, and Meru National Park.

Kenya has several rare species that you can see thanks to pioneering projects.

For example, you can spot endangered rhinos at Nairobi National Park, Lewa Wildlife, and Ol Pejeta Conservancies. Ol Pejeta is also home to African Wild Hunting Dogs. At Aberdare National Park, a birdwatcher’s paradise, you can see rare Black Leopards and Eastern Bongo if very lucky. While in Tsavo East National Park, you may spot the very rare Hirola.

If you’re a fan of predators, the Masai Mara National Reserve is where you can spot all the big cats. At the same time, Amboseli National Park is a great place to spot cheetahs. Water-based predators such as Nile crocodiles can be found in several parks throughout Kenya.

Kenya’s parks also offer some breathtaking landscapes. Some of the most beautiful are found in Mount Kenya, Aberdare, Amboseli and Tsavo West National Parks, and Samburu National Reserve. All home to exceptional birdlife as well. The perfect combination for Kenya birding tours.

Woman looking out of a safari vehicle.
Safari Vehicles

Enjoy undisturbed views from your 4x4 safari vehicle.

A lilac breasted roller sits on a branch in the savannah.
Diverse Habitats

From lakes to savannahs and woodlands - the birdlife is as diverse as the ecosystems.

A male lion with a large beautiful mane lying on the ground
Kenya Specialist Taher Nassrulla
A safari vehicle is driving in the Masai Mara at sunset.

Experience Kenya with us

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