5 Day Best of Kenya Birding Safari

After breakfast, depart Nairobi for a scenic drive to the Great Rift Valley. Arriving by mid-morning, you’ll begin your Kenya birding safari with a guided walk exploring the freshwater shores of Lake Naivasha. This renowned bird sanctuary hosts over 450 species, including African fish eagles and ospreys. After lunch, enjoy a boat transfer to Crescent Island for a unique "walk with wildlife" experience among giraffes and waterbucks. This segment of your Kenya birding safari offers a spectacular mix of ornithology and scenery under the shadow of Mt. Longonot—dinner and overnight at Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge.

Key Avian Targets in the Mara

• African Fish Eagle: Naivasha has one of the highest concentrations of these iconic raptors in the world.

• African Jacana: Often called "Lily-trotters," seen walking on floating vegetation.

• Kingfishers: Look for the Pied, Malachite, and the massive Giant Kingfisher.

• Herons & Egrets: Includes the Goliath Heron (the world's largest), Squacco Heron, and the Black Heron (known for its "umbrella" fishing technique).

• Great White Pelican: A major breeding colony frequently seen gliding over the water.

Leaving Naivasha, we journey to Lake Nakuru, a world-renowned ornithological spectacle. This vital stop on your Kenya birding safari is famous for vibrant pink flamingos and diverse pelicans. After a mid-morning game drive and lunch, explore the shores to spot fish eagles, tawny eagles, and rare rhinos. As a highlight of your Kenya birding safari, you will witness incredible migratory species and the majestic Rothschild giraffe in their natural habitat. Dinner and overnight at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge.

Top Species to Spot at Lake Nakuru

After breakfast, traverse the Great Rift Valley toward the Maasai Mara, an indispensable destination for any Kenya birding safari. While famous for its mammals, the Mara’s true treasure is its 470 recorded bird species. Spend your afternoon traversing the grassland biomes in search of the Secretary Bird, Ground Hornbill, and various vultures circling above the plains. This leg of your Kenya birding safari focuses on spotting localized specialties and magnificent raptors perched atop acacia trees as the sun sets over the horizon, providing a perfect backdrop for avian photography. Dinner and overnight at Prideinn Mara Camp.

Key Avian Targets in the Mara

• Grassland Specialists: Secretary Bird, Southern Ground Hornbill, and Denham's Bustard.
• Raptors: Martial Eagle, Bateleur, and Lappet-faced Vulture.
• Colorful Residents: Lilac-breasted Roller and Schalow’s Turaco.

Spend a full day exploring the Mara’s vast grasslands, a critical stronghold for the threatened Corncrake and Jackson’s widowbird. This stage of your Kenya birding safari focuses on the reserve's 450 recorded species, including specialized residents like the Rock Cisticola, Denham’s Bustard, and Magpie Shrike. Traverse the bush and woodlands to identify various birds of prey and unique species such as the Yellow-bellied Hyliota and Green-capped Eremomela. Your Kenya birding safari also provides a chance to observe Palearctic migrants, including Caspian Plovers and White Storks, wintering in these rich habitats. From the rare Rufous-bellied Heron to elusive cisticolas, the avian diversity here is unparalleled. Dinner and overnight at PrideInn Mara Camp.

Mara Birding Checklist