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- 16 days Kenya Epic birding safari
After this we leave for the world famous Masai Mara National Reserve, a plain of rolling grassland dotted with a mixture of acacia trees and the plain game which includes large herds of elephants, zebras, topis, hartebeests, gazelles, Impala’s not forgetting the well known Mara/ Serengeti Wildebeest’s migration, lions, cheetah.
We'll stay on the western part of the reserve along the Olololoo Escarpments blended by river, swampy, grassy and forested habitats. Specialties could include the Long-tailed, Rock Cisticola, Wattled Plover, Rufous-bellied Heron, Penduline Tit, Pale Wren Warbler.
Other birds could include Rosy-breasted Longclaw, African Wattled Plover, Ashy Flycatcher, Grey-rumped, Red-rumped, Rufous-chested Swallow, White-headed, Lappet-faced, White-headed Vulture, White-naped Raven, Ross Turaco, Black-backed Puffback, Croaking Cisticola, Fan-tailed Widowbird, Hildebrandt’s Starling, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Black & White Casqued Hornbill, Narina Trogon, Lilac-breasted Roller, Common Wattle-eye, Silverbird, Plain and Long-billed Pipit, Saddle-billed, Woolly-necked Stork, Yellow-fronted Canary, Yellow-bellied Hyliota.
Route

- Nairobi-Taita
- Tsavo West National Park
- Tsavo West National Park
- Amboseli National Park
- Amboseli National Park
- Mount Kenya Central Highlands
- Mount Kenya Central Highlands
- Rift Valley - Lake Nakuru National Park
- Lake Nakuru - Kakamega Forest
- Kakamega Forest
- Western Kenya - Kakamega Forest
- Kakamega Forest – Kisumu
- Kisumu- Masai Mara National Reserve
Main Destination:
Masai Mara National Reserve | Mount Kenya Central Highlands |
Kakamega Forest | Amboseli National Park |
Tsavo West National Park | Lake Nakuru National Park |
Depart from Nairobi and drive southeast with a short stopover at Hunters Lodge to view the bustling colony of African Golden Weavers and have a chance to look for the Resident Giant Kingfishers before proceeding to Saltlick Safari Lodge, famous for the large number of elephants that visit its floodlit waterhole each night to arrive for late lunch. Afternoon spends birdwatching in a remnant patch of forest at the top of the Taita Hills. Dinner and over night at Salt Lick Lodge.
Tsavo West National Park
Early Morning bird watching at Taita Hills. Return to the Lodge for breakfast and there after we depart and drive to the bird-rich Lake Jipe, where we'll search for waterbirds. After a picnic lunch on the lakeshore we'll drive to Voyager Ziwani Tented Camp where we will arrive late afternoon. By the way in some dry scrub close to Ziwani Camp we'll look for White-headed Mousebird, Scaly Chatterer and White-throated Robin. Dinner and overnight at Voyager Ziwani Tented Camp.
Tsavo West National Park (Kenya)
Ziwani tented camp or similar
Mid-range tented Lodge
Lunch & dinner
Drinking Water (Other Drinks not Included)
Tsavo West National park
An early breakfast at Voyager Ziwani Camp, then drive to Kitovu Forest close to the border with Tanzania for bird viewing then return to Voyager Ziwani Camp for lunch lunch. Then drive through Tsavo West National Park to Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge arriving late afternoon. After check in do a late afternoon game drive with a visit Mzima Springs. Dinner and overnight at Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge
Kilaguni Serena lodge or similar
Luxury Lodge
Lunch & dinner
Drinking Water (Other Drinks not Included)
Amboseli National Park
Early morning game around Chaimu Crater and Roaring Rocks to view falcons, eagles and buzzards whirling over the plains. Breakfast then depart thereafter and drive to Amboseli National Park arriving in time for Lunch at a Lodge. Afternoon spend looking for species typical of this area especially on the marshlands. Dinner and overnight at Ol Tukai Lodge/ Amboseli Serena lodge .
Amboseli Serena lodge or similar
Ol Tukai Lodge or similar
Luxury Lodge in or Near Amboseli National Park
Lunch & dinner
Drinking Water (Other Drinks not Included)
Amboseli National Park
Full day game and bird watching in this park. Overnight at Ol Tukai Lodge/ Amboseli serena lodge.
Amboseli Serena lodge or similar
Ol Tukai Lodge or similar
Luxury Lodge in or Near Amboseli National Park
Lunch & dinner
Drinking Water (Other Drinks not Included)
Mount Kenya Central Highlands
Depart after an early breakfast, we'll drive north toward Mt. Kenya stopping en route at the Blue Posts Hotel where we'll look for Brown-hooded Kingfisher and Trumpeter Hornbill in the well-wooded gardens. We'll continue to Mountain Lodge arriving in time for a late lunch. Birdwatching from the open roof is excellent as the forest presses in on three sides and we'll see many species. The waterhole in front of the lodge attracts a variety of mammals. Afternoon spend around the lodge bird watching Dinner and overnight at Serena Mountain Lodge.
Mount Kenya National Park (Kenya)
Serena Mountain Lodge. or similar
Luxury Lodge in or Near Mount Kenya Central Highlands
Lunch & dinner
Drinking Water (Other Drinks not Included)
Mount Kenya Central Highlands
After breakfast we'll leave the lodge, driving slowly down through a forest rich in birds. We'll arrive at Naro Moru River Lodge in time for lunch. Afternoon we'll walk a shaded riverside trail in search of Black Duck, Crowned Hornbill, Mountain Wagtail and up to eight species of sunbirds including the stunning Tacazze. Night at Naro Moru River Lodge
Mount Kenya National Park (Kenya)
Naro Moru River Lodge or similar
Luxury Lodge in or Near Lake Nakuru National Park
Lunch & dinner
Drinking Water (Other Drinks not Included)
Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park (Kenya)
Lake Nakuru - Kakamega Forest
After breakfast we'll travel up the west side of the Rift to Kabarnet and descend into the spectacular Kerio valley. On rocky hillsides amongst large scattered trees, we'll search for Green-backed Eremomela and Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver, before stopping for a picnic in the wooded valley bottom where Brown Parrot, White-crested Turaco, Pearl-spotted Owlet and Black-headed Gonolek may well liven up our picnic. At a spectacular viewpoint halfway up the western escarpment of the valley may offer as well the very local Boran Cisticola. Afternoon we'll reach Kakamega Forest. Birding around Rondo Retreat Center. Dinner and overnight in Rondo Retreat Center.
Rondo Retreat Center or similar
Retreat in or Near Kakamega Forest
Lunch & dinner
Drinking Water (Other Drinks not Included)
Kakamega Forest
This is the crown of any Kenya birding Safari. Kakamega forest is a mid-altitude tropical rainforest, the easternmost of the Congo basin forests. Its West African affinities are unique in Kenya, and the forest contains many species found nowhere else in the country. The avifauna is well known, rich, and unusual in its composition. Two globally threatened species occur, Chapin’s flycatcher and Turners Eremomela. The 194 forest-dependent bird species (the highest total for any Kenyan forests) includes 40 of Kenya’s 43 Guinea-Congo forests biome species, as well as 33 of Kenya’s 67 Afro tropical Highlands biome species. At least 16 bird species occur only in Kakamega but nowhere else in Kenya. The forest also holds large populations of Black and white colobus, Red tailed monkey and small numbers of de Brazza monkey.
Kakamega Forest (Kenya )
Rondo Retreat Center or similar
Retreat in or Near Kakamega Forest
Lunch & dinner
Drinking Water (Other Drinks not Included)
Western Kenya - Kakamega Forest
Morning we'll drive west toward the Ugandan border. Just after dawn we'll reach a major river where a pair of delightful Rock Pratincoles normally reside on some isolated boulders A nearby area of streamside bushes and cultivated fields which holds a number of western species birds with small or localized Kenyan populations. Dinner and overnight at Rondo Retreat Center.
Rondo Retreat Center or similar
Retreat in or Near Kakamega Forest
Lunch & dinner
Drinking Water (Other Drinks not Included)
Kakamega Forest – Kisumu
After breakfast drive to Kisumu City just-by the second largest fresh-water lake in the world. We’ll try out the Rock Pratincole along the river nearby while birding the whole day on the villages, farmland and the Busia grasslands to the west arriving Kisumu in the late afternoon or evening. We hope to see the Bar-breasted Firefinch, Yellow-throated Leaflove, Senegal Coucal, White-crested Turaco, among others. Overnight at a Kisumu Hotel
Lake Victoria (Kenya)
Kisumu Hotel or similar
Mid - Range Hotel in or Near Kakamega Forest
Lunch & dinner
Drinking Water (Other Drinks not Included)
Kisumu- Masai Mara National Reserve.
Today we take an early morning boat ride along the Papyrus vegetation at the Dunga Beach (an old fishing village/jet) with expectation to see some of the specialties like the Papyrus Gonolek, Swamp Flycatcher, Greater Swamp Warbler, White-winged Warbler, other birds includes Hamerkop, Little Egret, Yellow-billed Stork, Pied Kingfisher, White-winged, Whiskered Tern, African Skimmer, Red-chested, Copper Sunbird, Shikra, African Thrush, Black-headed Gonolek, Slender-billed, Northern Brown-throated, Yellow-backed, Jackson’s Golden-backed Weaver, Fan-tailed Widowbird, Southern Red Bishop. After this we leave for the world famous Masai Mara National Reserve, a plain of rolling grassland dotted with a mixture of acacia trees and the plain game which includes large herds of elephants, zebras, topis, hartebeests, gazelles, Impala’s not forgetting the well known Mara/ Serengeti Wildebeest’s migration, lions, cheetah. We'll stay on the western part of the reserve along the Olololoo Escarpments blended by river, swampy, grassy and forested habitats. Specialties could include the Specialties could include the Long-tailed, Rock Cisticola, Wattled Plover, Rufous-bellied Heron, Penduline Tit, Pale Wren Warbler. Other birds could include Rosy-breasted Longclaw, African Wattled Plover, Ashy Flycatcher, Grey-rumped, Red-rumped, Rufous-chested Swallow, White-headed, Lappet-faced, White-headed Vulture, White-naped Raven, Ross Turaco, Black-backed Puffback, Croaking Cisticola, Fan-tailed Widowbird, Hildebrandt’s Starling, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Black & White Casqued Hornbill, Narina Trogon, Lilac-breasted Roller, Common Wattle-eye, Silverbird, Plain and Long-billed Pipit, Saddle-billed, Woolly-necked Stork, Yellow-fronted Canary, Yellow-bellied Hyliota. Overnight at Mara Siria Camp.
Mara Siria camp or similar
luxury tented camp
Lunch & dinner
Drinking Water (Other Drinks not Included)
Masai Mara National reserve
We take an early morning birdwalk along the escarpment in search specialties such as Red-tailed Chat, Long-tailed, Rock Cisticola while if lucky we get a bonus of the Mwanza Flat-headed Agama. Overnight at Mara Siria Camp or similar
Mara Siria camp or similar
Luxury camp in or Near Masai Mara National reserve
Lunch & dinner
Drinking Water (Other Drinks not Included)
Morning spend birding at the grounds of lodge. Breakfast and drive back to Nairobi arriving at around 1500 hrs.
Rate Per Person
What's Included
-
Guaranteed safari confirmation
-
Ground transport on safari in a 4 x4 land cruiser/Jeep
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Full board accommodation whilst on safari
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Accommodation in double/twin room in lodges/Tented camps specified above
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All park entrance fees to include government taxes
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Service of an English speaking professional driver/guide
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All game drives as detailed in the itinerary
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bird walks
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mineral water whilst on safari- kindly bring along your own portable water bottle
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complementary Nairobi airport transfers
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Flying Doctors evacuation emergency cover
- mineral water while on safari
- Tour starts and ends in Nairobi
What's not included
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All personal travel insurance
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All personal expenses; e.g. laundry, telephones, beverages, tips,
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Hotel accommodations in Nairobi before and after the safari
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water bottle
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Any other extras not stated as included above
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Cultural visits to Masai villages – can be arranged with our guide
-
Boat rides
- binoculars, cameras
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Customer Reviews

Violeta -
DE
Reviewed: May 11, 2019
Above and Beyond!
My children and I travelled with Asili for our 7 day Kenya Safari. Visiting places of unsurpassed beauty, seeing amazing animals and experiencing new cultures.
Full Review
Leonie P -
UK
Reviewed: May 11, 2019
Kenya safari of a lifetime - made spectacular by Asili
My children and I travelled with Asili for our 7 day Kenya Safari. Visiting places of unsurpassed beauty, seeing amazing animals and experiencing new cultures. Thank you Asili,
Full Review
Best Time to travel
All Year Round

Activity level:
Leisurely / Moderate

Activity
Wildlife Holidays