This 8-day Kenya birding safari is one of the most popular bird-watching tours for travelers who want to explore Kenya’s famous lakes and national parks, including Lake Magadi, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, Lake Baringo, and Samburu National Reserve.
Kenya is home to about 1,090 bird species, making it one of Africa’s best birding destinations. Eight of these species are endemic to Kenya, while around 170 are migratory birds from Russia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Siberia. Over 60 species migrate through Madagascar and the Afrotropics, while more than 335 species live in Kenya’s forests.
The main goal of this Kenya birding safari is to capture amazing photographs and enjoy the rich bird-life with the help of an experienced birding guide.
8-Day Kenya Birding Safari Highlights
- Explore Kenya’s best birding destinations including Lake Magadi, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, Lake Baringo, and Samburu National Reserve
- Spot hundreds of bird species such as flamingos, pelicans, kingfishers, bee-eaters, and hornbills
- Enjoy guided bird walks and photography sessions around Kenya’s lakes and parks
- Visit Lake Nakuru National Park, home to millions of flamingos and the Big Five
- Go on a birding and boat safari at Lake Naivasha and Lake Baringo
- Experience full-day birding in Samburu National Reserve and search for rare species like the Vulturine Guineafowl and Golden-breasted Starling
- Enjoy game drives to see wildlife such as elephants, giraffes, zebras, and hippos
- Learn from expert birding guides and take part in identifying and photographing rare bird species
- Travel through scenic routes of the Great Rift Valley and northern Kenya landscapes
- End the safari in Nairobi with optional city tours or a visit to the famous Carnivore Restaurant
Brief 8-Day Kenya Birding Safari Itinerary
- Day 1: Nairobi – Lake Magadi
- Day 2: Nairobi – Lake Naivasha
- Day 3: Transfer to Lake Nakuru
- Day 4: Birding in Lake Nakuru National Park
- Day 5: Transfer to Lake Baringo
- Day 6: Transfer to Samburu National Reserve
- Day 7: Full-day birding in Samburu National Reserve
- Day 8: Samburu – Nairobi
Detailed 8-Day Kenya Birding Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi – Lake Magadi
Meet your company representative in Nairobi for a briefing about your 8-day Kenya birding safari. Later, drive to Lake Magadi in southern Kenya for your first birding experience. Some of the birds you may spot include the Chestnut-banded Plover, Grey-capped Social-Weaver, Cut-Throat Finch, Northern Crombec, White-bellied Canary, Blue-capped Cordonbleu, Von der Decken’s Hornbill, Fischer’s Sparrow-Lark, Grey-headed Silverbill, Red-fronted Tinkerbird, and Straw-tailed Whydah.
After birding and photography, have lunch and drive back to Nairobi for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Nairobi – Lake Naivasha
After an early breakfast, depart Nairobi for Lake Naivasha along the scenic Great North Road. Stop briefly at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint to admire the landscape before proceeding to Lake Naivasha.
Enjoy a walking birding safari around the lake, home to more than 450 bird species including Fish Eagles, Cormorants, Pink-backed Pelicans, Goliath Herons, Jacanas, Great White Egrets, Saddle-billed Storks, White-fronted Bee-eaters, and colorful Kingfishers.
After lunch, take a relaxing boat ride or visit Hell’s Gate National Park for more birding opportunities.
Day 3: Transfer to Lake Nakuru
After breakfast, drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, one of the best birdwatching sites in Africa. The park is famous for millions of flamingos that gather along its shores.
Check in at your lodge, have lunch, and then go for an afternoon birding and game viewing drive. Look out for White Rhinos, Black Rhinos, Rothschild Giraffes, and birds such as the African Fish Eagle, Greater Flamingo, Tawny Eagle, Cliff Chat, Green Wood Hoopoe, Great White Pelican, and Pink-backed Pelican.
Day 4: Birding in Lake Nakuru National Park
Spend the full day birdwatching in Lake Nakuru National Park. Look for birds like the Greater Spotted Eagle, Abyssinian Thrush, European Roller, Bateleur, Grey-crested Helmet-shrike, Brimstone Canary, Black-winged Lapwing, Crab-plover, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Grey-crowned Crane, Lesser Flamingo, Maccoa Duck, Rüppell’s Vulture, Rufous Sparrow, Lesser Kestrel, Speke’s Weaver, and White-fronted Bee-eater.
If you’re lucky, you might spot a leopard or other wildlife in the park.
Day 5: Transfer to Lake Baringo
After breakfast, drive north to Lake Baringo, arriving in time for a walking birding safari. The lake is a freshwater habitat rich in birdlife such as the White-faced Scops Owl, Brimstone Canary, Little Weaver, Goliath Heron, Jackson’s Hornbill, Hemprich’s Hornbill, and Violet-crowned Starling.
After lunch and some relaxation, explore the cliffs nearby to look for the Mouse-colored Penduline Tit, Black-throated Barbet, and other species. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: Transfer to Samburu National Reserve
After breakfast, drive to Samburu National Reserve, known for its red soils, open savannah, and palm-lined rivers. The reserve lies on the edge of the Northern Frontier District and offers excellent birding opportunities.
Birds to look out for include the White-headed Mousebird, Golden Pipit, Black-capped Social Weaver, Golden-breasted Starling, Donaldson-Smith’s Sparrow-Weaver, Somali Bee-eater, and Vulturine Guineafowl.
Enjoy lunch in Nanyuki town, then continue to your lodge in Samburu for dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Full-Day Birding in Samburu National Reserve
After breakfast, spend the entire day birding in Samburu. Look for species such as the Acacia Tit, Bare-eyed Thrush, African Pink-breasted Lark, Ashy Cisticola, Red-necked Falcon, Black-bellied Sunbird, Fischer’s Starling, Chestnut-headed Sparrow-Lark, Reichenow’s Seedeater, Greater Kestrel, Golden-breasted Starling, Mariqua Sunbird, Secretary Bird, Somali Ostrich, and Singing Bush Lark.
Later in the day, take a short game drive to see zebras, giraffes, hippos, elephants, and other wildlife. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8: Samburu – Nairobi
After breakfast, begin your journey back to Nairobi. Stop for lunch at Pampa Grill Restaurant or another local spot. Depending on your flight schedule, you may enjoy a short city tour or visit the famous Carnivore Restaurant before being transferred to the airport for your departure flight.