Kenya Coastal Birding Tour embark on an unforgettable 12 day journey, where passionate birders can encounter an impressive array of avian species in their natural habitats. This carefully crafted expedition takes you through Eastern Kenya’s most remarkable birding hotspots, from the stunning beaches to the magnificent cloud forests of Taita Hills.
Overview
Most importantly, this tour offers exceptional opportunities to spot Kenya’s three endemic birds: the elusive Taita Thrush, the rare Taita Apalis, and the charming Taita White-Eye. Moreover, you’ll visit prime locations to observe other sought-after species, such as the Sokoke Scops-Owl, Sokoke Pipit, Malindi Pipit, and the majestic Crab Plover.
Additionally, our comprehensive tour includes chances to witness Kenya’s iconic wildlife, including the Big Five, cheetahs, and unique species like the Golden-rumped Elephant-shrew. Throughout your adventure, you’ll enjoy luxurious accommodations and the expertise of local bird guides, with guaranteed window seats for unobstructed viewing in our comfortable safari vehicles.
Highlights
- Iconic Wildlife Viewing
- Cultural Experiences
- Scenic Landscapes
- Diverse Bird Species
Itinerary
Our Kenya Coastal Birding Tour begins with a transfer to Amboseli National Park with an en-route birding where habitat is relatively denser thicket of savanna dominated by acacia-Commiphora bush land with Baobab, grassy plains, riverine woodland. The park is also famous for the autumn bird ringing at the Kibo Safari Lodge with thousands of European and Asian Palearctic migrants on their way south.
Overnight at Kibo Safari Camp.
At the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, where open plains meet endless sky, Kibo Safari Camp offers a peaceful retreat just outside Amboseli National Park. Built with sustainability in mind and working closely with local communities, Kibo is a place where nature, conservation, and warm Kenyan hospitality come together.
Depending on the time of your visit Amboseli National Park may be the site for the enigmatic Friedmann’s Lark, Red-naped Bush Shrike, Scaly Chatter which would be some of the star birds of this Kenya Birding Tour. Other birds may include Singing Bush Lark, Bare-eyed Thrush, Rufous Chatterer, Black-headed Plover, Quail-Plover, Somali Courser, African Scops Owl, Pringle’s Puffback, Olive-tree, Basra Reed Warbler, Violet Wood-hoopoe, Southern Black, Spot-flanked, Red & Yellow, D’Arnaud’s, Black-throated, White-headed Barbet, Greater, Scaly-throated, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Vulturine Guineafowl, Northern Brownbul, Desert, Zitting, Ashy, Rattling, Tiny Cisticola, Tsavo Sunbird, Hunter’s Sunbird, Jameson’s Firefinch, Green-winged Pytilia & Fire-fronted Bishop.
Overnight at Kibo Safari Lodge.
At the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, where open plains meet endless sky, Kibo Safari Camp offers a peaceful retreat just outside Amboseli National Park. Built with sustainability in mind and working closely with local communities, Kibo is a place where nature, conservation, and warm Kenyan hospitality come together.
Kenya Coastal Birding Tour takes us to Tsavo West National Park
Overnight at Kilaguni Serena Lodge
A tranquil, hushed and cool refuge framed by Mount Kilimanjaro and the rolling, volcanic landscapes of the deep green Chyulu Hills, Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge in Tsavo West National Park immerses you in stunning beauty and exhilarating adventures while surrounding you with every modern comfort. Arriving guests are enchanted by our classic stone design and views of elephants, buffalo and other plains game drinking and cooling off in our water hole.
Our Kenya Coastal Birding Tour takes us deep into Tsavo West National Park.
Overnight at Kilaguni Serena Lodge
A tranquil, hushed and cool refuge framed by Mount Kilimanjaro and the rolling, volcanic landscapes of the deep green Chyulu Hills, Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge in Tsavo West National Park immerses you in stunning beauty and exhilarating adventures while surrounding you with every modern comfort. Arriving guests are enchanted by our classic stone design and views of elephants, buffalo and other plains game drinking and cooling off in our water hole.
Taita Rocks Hotel promises a majestic experience that blends world-class amenities with the beauty of the natural surroundings. Step into a world of sophistication and let us treat you to the royal treatment you deserve.
Today we drive to Taita Hills Forests and spend most of the day birding up the hills. If lucky enough these hills and patches of bits of forest, rising abruptly to 2200m are home to 3 Kenyan endemic “The Taita Three” namely the Taita Apalis, Taita Thrush and Taita White-eye. It’s the only site on our Kenya Birding Tour that gives us a chance to see 3 kenya endemic birds. Also look for are Striped-cheeked Greenbul, Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler and Striped Pipit. Hopefully after locating them we will drive back making several stops for other birds.
In the late afternoon birding in Rukinga Wildlife Sanctuary bordering Tsavo East National Park. Here we have (though very limited) walking space in search of birds unlike in the park and we will take a nocturnal birding drive. Birds may include Friedmann’s Lark in case it were still wet. Bare-eyed Thrush, Scaly & Rufous Chatterers, Black-headed Plover, Quail-Plover, Somali Courser, Hartlaub’s, Bustard, African Scops Owl, Pringle’s Puffback, Southern Black Flycather, Red-winged Lark, Tiny Cisticola, Tsavo & Hunter’s Sunbird, Orange-bellied Parrot, Jameson’s Firefinch, Dolnaldson Smith Nightjar and Spotted Eagle-Owl and Red-naped Bush-Shrike
Overnight at Ndovu House.
The recently refurbished Ndovu House is a rustically simple though comfortable private house located at Kivuli Camp
Today Kenya Coastal Birding Tour takes us to Tsavo East National Park afternoon birding en-route to our lodge.
Overnight at Ashnil Aruba Lodge
Ashnil Aruba Lodge is African-inspired. Each room includes a seating area, a wardrobe and an en suite bathroom with a bath, a shower and free toiletries.
Morning birding in Tsavo East National Park before transfer to Watamu. On arrival, our Kenya costal birding tour takes us straight to the beach for a relaxing evening.
Overnight at Ocean Sport Resort
Ocean Sports Resort is located on 14,5 acres of tropical gardens filled with an oasis of exotic plants,
sitting alongside a white sand beach and sparkling blue waters of Watamu’s Marine Park.
Our Kenya costal birding tour takes us straight into the Arabuko Sokoke Forest and with the help of the local guides we will track down Africa’s smallest owl the Sokoke Scops Owl.
Overnight at Ocean Sport Resort
Ocean Sports’ spacious accommodation, has spectacular views and a choice of room sizes to meet all requirements.
Birding in Arabuko Sokoke Forest in search of a near endemic the Manda Boubou. Also Mouse-coloured Sunbird, Purple-banded Sunbird etc
Overnight at Ocean Sport Resort
Ocean Sports’ spacious accommodation, has spectacular views and a choice of room sizes to meet all requirements.
Birding tour in Arabuko and later or in between squeeze some time to visit Sabaki River Estuary an area characterized by sandbanks, mudflats, mud banks, sanddunes, fresh pools and marshes. The site is important for both intra-African and Palearctic migrants for roosting, resting and feeding ground for gulls and terns.
A good site for Madagascar Pratincole, African Skimmer. Also Dimorphic & Little Egrets, Great & Lesser Flamingos, Water Thick-knee, Ruddy Turnstone, Heuglin’s, Sooty and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Gull-billed, Caspian, Greater-crested, Lesser-crested & Common Terns, also the Southern Carmine Bee-eater, Ethiopian Swallow, Zanzibar Red Bishop also nearby Malindi Pipit.
Overnight at Ocean Sport Resort
Ocean Sports’ spacious accommodation, has spectacular views and a choice of room sizes to meet all requirements.
More birding in Tsavo East National Park and later transfer flight to Nairobi.
Cost
The Cost Includes
- Transport with exclusive use of the safari van as from the 1st day to departure day as per itinerary.
- Pick up and drop off on arrival and departure at the airport.
- Accommodation in lodges as per the itinerary with all three meals a day
- Services of a knowledgeable bird guide
- Boat ride at Lakes Naivasha and Baringo
- Parks, reserve, and conservation areas entry fee
- Emergency evacuation
- Drinking water available from the van cool box
- Other pre-tour information
The Cost Excludes
- Medical and travel insurance including luggage.
- Beverages
- Items of personal nature such as telephone, laundry, gifts among others
- Visa, airport tax
- Tipping of Safari driver guide, lodge porters, waiters, etc
- Other extras such as balloon Safari, Masai Village visit
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The optimal time for this birding tour is during the dry seasons (January-February and June-October) when birds are more active and paths are accessible. For migratory species, November-April offers the best opportunities
This tour involves mostly easy to moderate walking on established trails. Some sections in Taita Hills and Arabuko Sokoke Forest may require moderate fitness levels. Alternative activities can be arranged for those with mobility concerns.
Essential items include good binoculars (8×42 recommended), a field guide to East African birds, lightweight clothing in neutral colors, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a camera with telephoto lens if possible.
Absolutely! This tour visits several national parks where you’ll have excellent opportunities to see Kenya’s famous mammals including elephants, lions, leopards, and various antelope species.
Most participants record between 350-420 species during the 12-day tour, including many of Kenya’s specialties and endemics.
Yes, while designed to find specialties that experienced birders seek, our guides are patient and happy to assist beginners in bird identification and appreciation.
Map
