Central Kenya Endemics Birding Tour
CENTRAL KENYA ENDEMICS BIRDING TOUR
Trip duration
5 days/ 4 nights
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN NAIROBI
We shall arrive on our Central Kenya Endemics Birding Tour via Nairobi; the tourism capital of Kenya.
Depending on your arrival time and how tired you may be from the flights, you can choose to add an extra birding session this afternoon. Otherwise, you can relax and enjoy the local birds from your hotel.
Night in Nairobi.
DAY 2: NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK
Home of the endemic Snowy (Brown-and-White) Barbet and Kikuyu White-eye.
Note:- A little-known “race” of Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis found here has been proposed as a distinct species- “Nairobi Pipit Anthus chyuluensis”. This work was published in the Ostrich Journal 84 (2). More field work was proposed to conclusively analyse the “race”.
We shall spend the entire day in Nairobi National Park, which has always proven very successful on our tours. This is Kenya’s oldest National Park, located just 7 kilometres from the edge of the Nairobi city centre, Kenya’s capital city. Indeed, this is Kenya’s capital birding location with over 500 species recorded in the park.
The park also hosts four of the African Big Five (Black Rhino, African Lion, Leopard, Cape Buffalo) and many other interesting animals that you’ll enjoy during the Central Kenya Endemics Birding Tour.
Night in Nairobi.
DAY 3: KINANGOP GRASSLANDS AND ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK; TO MT. KENYA FOOTHILLS
Home of the endemic Kikuyu White-eye, Sharpe’s Longclaw, Aberdare Cisticola, Hinde’s Babbler and Jackson’s Francolin.
We shall start the day early and continue with our Central Kenya Endemics Birding Tour; moving to this highland region. Home to some of the best Kenya’s endemic birds, Kinangop area promises to be rewarding on each trip. The biggest quest here will be the Endangered Sharpe’s Longclaw, a species whose population and habitat is decreasing rapidly.
We shall start from the lower grasslands and gain elevation up to the Aberdare National Park. Local wetlands will also be sampled for the highland water birds.
Later in the afternoon we shall proceed to the foothills of Mt. Kenya where we seek out the rare Hinde’s Babbler.
Night in Nyeri.
DAY 4: MT. KENYA
Home of the endemic Kikuyu White-eye, Hinde’s Babbler and Jackson’s Francolin.
We shall have the morning to try again for the Hinde’s Babbler, if we missed it earlier; before heading deeper into the Mt. Kenya Forest.
We shall bird near the forest edge and then head deeper into the mountain forest in our vehicle. We shall scan the forest, rivers and grasslands for the montane specials all day; seeking more species for our Central Kenya Endemics Birding Tour checklist.
Montane mammals are likely, including monkeys, antelopes, mongooses, genets, pigs, hogs and squirrels.
Night at Mt. Kenya.
DAY 5: MT. KENYA TO NAIROBI
Home of the endemic Kikuyu White-eye, Hinde’s Babbler and Jackson’s Francolin.
We shall have the chance to try again for any special birds we are still missing this morning.
We shall later drive to Nairobi, where we catch our evening flights home- marking the end to our exciting Central Kenya Endemics Birding Tour.
Highlight Kenyan endemic birds
Kikuyu White-eye, Snowy (Brown-and-white) Barbet, Aberdare Cisticola, Jackson’s Francolin, Hinde’s Babbler, Sharpe’s Longclaw
Highlight Near-endemic birds shared between Kenya and Tanzania
Grey-crested Helmetshrike, Red-throated Tit, Northern Pied Babbler, Hidebrandt’s Starling, Abbott’s Starling, Kenrick’s Starling, Jackson’s Widowbird
Highlight Near-endemic birds shared between Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda
Hartlaub’s Turaco, Lynes’s Cisticola, Hunter’s Cisticola, Black-lored Babbler, Kenya Rufous Sparrow
Highlight mammals and others
Leopard, African Lion, White Rhino, Black Rhino, Cape Buffalo, Savannah Elephant, Nile Crocodile
Habitats covered
Savannah, Highland Moist Forest, Alpine Moorland, Highland Grasslands, Inland Wetlands
Photographic opportunities
Excellent
Special moments
Kenya’s endemic birds, Visit to the historic Ivory Burning Site, African Big 5
