
Enjoy undisturbed views from your 4x4 safari vehicle.

Experience incredible diversity of habitats and species on a birdwatching safari in Kenya
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.
‘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
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.
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.
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’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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
We will get back to you within 2 working days.