Compare 8-day best of Kenya Safari by Ker & Downey Africa vs 27 days Magical Birding Safari in Kenya by Dav Safaris
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 27 days |
| Price From | $ 6,768 | $ 24,700 |
| Price Per Day | $ 846 | $ 915 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Retreats |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included |
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25 Breakfasts, 26 Lunches & 26 Dinners |
| Description |
This 8-day trip combines two of Kenya's gems, Lake Nakuru & the Mara. Witness thousands of flamingoes, thousands of wildebeests, and abundant other wildlife in this journey. Whether you are a bird lover, wildlife photographer or just a seasoned safari-goer, this trip gives you the best of Kenya. You will also get to see Pride Rock where the famous Lion King Movie was made. |
On these adventurous 9 days Kenya wildlife safari, explore some of the best National Parks in Kenya, starting with the stunning Amboseli National park to the scenic Lake Nakuru National park which is the birders’ paradise, and look out for lions, leopards, and elephants and wildebeests in the wilderness of the Masai Mara National Reserve, your experience in Kenya will give you touch to the authentic African culture with the Masai community. This is specifically a private safari where the vehicle or rooms are not shared with anyone who is not part of your group or family. |
Day 1: Nairobi
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyetta International Airport, our representative will collect you and transfer you to your hotel. This is the perfect start of your 8 days Kenya safari as you unwind after a long-haul flight. You'll spend the night at Palacina, an oasis of peace and calm in the bustling city of Nairobi.
Days 2 to 3: Nakuru
Your guide will collect you and take you to your next stop, Lake Nakuru. Here you will not only enjoy game drives but also make a stop at the famous 'Pride Rock'. You will visit Hell's Gate gorge and the Elephant Graveyard (all part of the Lion King movie). Journey through this park as you witness dramatic landscapes and wildlife.
Perched at the top of a 100-meter high rock face sits Lake Nakuru's newest and smartest addition, The Cliff, a 10 room luxury camp opened in June 2018. While 'luxury camp' is the simplest description, in reality, The Cliff location inside the park defies conventional labels, being a combination of a safari lodge, tented camp and a boutique hotel. It is constructed and furnished in a contemporary European style.
Activities And Services
The Cliff Restuarant
Days 4 to 6: Masai Mara
Following Lake Nakuru, you will head to the famous Masai Mara, one of the homes to the wildebeest migration. With an authentic safari experience, superb cuisine, a well-stocked cellar, sparkling pool and your private viewing deck, Sand River Masai Mara offers a winning combination.
Activities And Services
Game drives
Sundowners
Bush Meals
Swimming
Cultural Village or School Visit
Day 7: End Of Itinerary
Embark on your journey back to the airport. From here you can explore Tanzania or one of Kenya's beaches.
Day 1: Birding Kinangop Grasslands
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
We kick off our Magical Kenya Birding Tour in Kinangop Plateaus. This incredible ecosystem is home to some of the best Kenya’s endemic birds which are now unfortunately disappearing. These gorgeous grasslands offer so much birdlife they’ll be sure to get your binoculars misty! Starting on the lower grasslands and then gaining elevation as we go up to the edge of the Aberdare forest whilst also sampling the local wetlands for highland water birds along the way. Later that afternoon, we proceed to back Nairobi for the night as we wind up our trip and go through the many bird species we’ve encountered and also share all the wonderful photos you’ve acquired. It’ll be sad to say goodbye, but the memories will last forever.
Day 2: Birding Lake Naivasha
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
On the second day of this birding tour you’ll get the chance to visit the wonderful Lake Naivasha. This incredible lake has an abundance in Wildlife and Birdlife alike, and being just an hour and a half away from Nairobi, it’s no wonder why this stunning lake is so popular! It’s the most productive of all the Rift Valley lakes, so you can only imagine how much this place has to offer. With over 400 species of birds known from the area, we promise you an unforgettable day!
Day 3-4: Birding Masai Mara National Reserve
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Well, what can we say about this place? Described by many as not only the best National Reserve in Kenya, but the World! Frankly, this place has it all. From Mass Migration of Wildebeest to the Big 5. Yet, the best thing of all the birding is exceptional with over 500+ species! On this birding tour, you’ll be spending two nights here, that’ll make you wanting more and more…
Day 5-6: Birding Kakamega Forest Reserve
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5 and 6, on this Magical Birding Tour, are very special. We’ll be heading to the incredible Kakamega Forest. It is one of Kenya’s last remaining pristine Ancient Forests, that is Kakamega. This place holds a ridiculous amount of birdlife that is bound to get your binoculars misty! Kakamega Forest is home to some truly awesome birdlife, which among them is the famous Great Blue Turaco! It’s also home to the majestic yet powerful Crowned Eagle which spends it’s days preying on the monkey species that call this wonderful forest their home.
Day 7: Birding Busia Grasslands
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
On Day 7, we will be looking for local and interesting species around much less visited locations. This one won’t disappoint!
Day 8-10: Birding Saiwa Swamp National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Will be packed full of birding hidden gems and Kenya’s lesser visited areas. You’ll get to visit Saiwa Swamp National Park which is famed for it’s rare mammal species such as the Sitatunga Antelope, a great swamp dwelling ungulate and the Gandalf the Grey lookalike De Brazza’s Monkey! However, due to the wetland environment, the area is rich in birdlife and home to some fascinating and eye-catching species such as the African Blue Flycatcher.
Day 11-12: Birding Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
On our of the 11th day of this epic Magical Kenya Birding Tour, we’ll be heading north to Lake Bogoria National Reserve. Lake Bogoria is famed for not only it’s dramatic volcanic hot springs but also for it’s Flamingo population – a staggering figure of over one million individuals have been spotted at one time! We’ll then travel to Lake Baringo where we’ll do a spot of birding and then get some well deserved rest!! On your 12th day, we’ll go birding around the stunning Lake Baringo as well as going onto the lake via a leisurely boat ride to find the trickier to spot species whilst looking out for African Fish Eagles hunting and displaying their territory calls. After lunch where we’ll take you birding around the scrubland in search of interesting species of this region.
Day 13-14: Birding Lake Nakuru National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Renowned as the “Birdwatcher’s Paradise”, this park will blow your feathers off! Up to a million flamingos have been recorded here at one given time. That’s a million flamingos people! It was also the first National Park in Africa to be established due to the abundance of birdlife found there. Lake Nakuru National Park, also gives you the opportunity to see 4 of the ‘Big 5’ mammal species, along with many other interesting fauna.The park is also famed for it’s Black Rhino population, which is unfortunately now endangered.
Day 15: Birding Thompson’s Falls
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
On our 14th day of the birding tour, we’ll be taking you to the spectacular Thompson’s Falls where not only is there a breathtaking waterfall but there’s also as huge amount of birdlife to be seen and if luck is on our side we’ll get to encounter the elusive and beautiful Cape Eagle-owl. Make sure your binoculars are well dusted for this one!
Day 16: Birding Mount Kenya
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
On Day 16, we’ll be birding at Africa’s second largest mountain, Mt Kenya. Expect to be blown away by engaging in some altitude birding and being immersed in one of Africa’s most unique environments with a wide array of unique species to be encountered.
Day 17-19: Birding Samburu National Reserve
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
On Day 17, 18 & 19 of this birding tour, we’ll be heading to Samburu National Reserve where you’ll spend the next three days. Samburu is one of the very best reserves in Africa and is actually where the settings for the films Born Free and Out of Africa. Here you’ll get the opportunity see some birding gems such as the Steel-blue Whydah and the Egyptian Vulture along with some unbelievably good game viewing! This is a true highlight of the birding tour, which will not be forgotten in a hurry.
Day 20: Birding Nairobi National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
On our 20th day of the tour you’ll get a taste of Kenya’s oldest yet still very valuable National Park, the one and only Nairobi National Park! This irreplaceable park will give you a chance to experience forest, grassland, terrestrial and wetland species with over 500 species have been recorded!
Day 21-23: Birding Tsavo East National Park and Transfer Taita Hills
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
The sight of red stained elephants wallowing, rolling and spraying each other with the midnight blue waters of palm-shaded Galana River is one of the most evocative images in Africa. This, along with the 300 kilometre long Yatta Plateau, the longest lava flow in the world, make for a unforgettable time. Tsavo really is a world wonder. Oh, and I forgot about the part with the infamous man-eating lions… but don’t worry, you’re safe with us! Tsavo is the largest protected area in Kenya and is home to large mammals and vast herds of dust with elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, pods of hippo, crocodile, waterbucks, lesser kudu, gerenuk and much more. However, the prolific birdlife here is absolutely incredible, with over 500 recorded species! This place will serve you well for two days as you soak in the wildlife and birdlife alike, and you too become red from the Tsavo dust. After you’ve dusted yourself off, we’ll head to the beautiful Taita Hills, where you’ll find many endemic species such as the Taita White-eye, Taita Thrush and Taita Apalis.
Day 24: Birding Shimba Hills National Reserve
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
On Day 24 of this Magical Kenya Birding Tour, we’ll be heading to Shimba Hills, a local protected area within the coastal region, is one of the best birding and game drive spots in the Kenyan southern end. This area is famous for hosting the Sable Antelope, one of the most beautiful ungulates in Kenya and is also home to a large population of African Elephants. Close to the Tanzanian border, this park offers the chance to see species from further south while just a short drive from Kenya’s most popular coastal spots.
Day 25-26: Birding Arabuko Sokoke Forest and Mida Creek
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve is a staggering 420 km2 coastal forest. It is the largest and most intact coastal forest in all of East Africa, with 20% of all Kenya’s bird species, 30% butterfly species and at least 24 rare and endemic bird, mammal and butterfly species! It’s pretty incredible, I’m not going to lie to you! As well as doing some of the best birding in the world, you’ll also get the chance to cool off and go for a dip in some of the creeks too. Don’t forget to bring your swimming gear!
Day 27: Birding Dakatcha Woodlands
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
On our last day of this incredible Magical Kenya Birding Tour, we’ll be venturing into the lush woodlands of Dakatcha, in hope of seeing the endemic Clarke’s Weaver. It’s the only place in the world where this unique weaver species nests. Our partners Nature Kenya & RSPB are working tirelessly to stop this woodland from being cleared for the Jatropha curcas crop – whose seeds produce oil which is used to make bio-diesel. Seeing it on the last day would be the icing on the cake – fingers crossed! If needed we can arrange domestics flights for you back to Nairobi or you can simply relax on gorgeous white sands of Malindi whilst sipping on a cocktail!
