3-Day Budget Birding Tour in Kenya

Lion in Nairobi National Park

Ostrich En route Lake Magadi

Birds in Gatamaiyu Forest

Highlights

Explore the grasslands and savannah of Nairobi National Park

Observe southern white-crowned shrike and superb starling on Magadi Road

Explore the diverse montane forest habitat of Gatamaiyu

Nairobi National Park

bird, nature, safari

Group Tour

3 Days

Medium

English

Description

This 3-day birding tour in Kenya has been customized to accommodate birdwatching enthusiasts with limited time for an extended safari in pursuit of birds and big game. We have carefully selected the three sites, i.e. Nairobi National Park, Magadi Road and Gatamaiyu Forest, to optimize the best sites for birding with proximity to the capital city of Nairobi at an equally pocket-friendly budget. Habitats covered include lowland & highland forests, wooded & open grasslands, semi-arid scrublands, dry woodlands and a simmering soda lake.

Itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi National Park
- Morning (6:30 AM): Start the day early at the Nairobi National Park. Arrive at the main gate and meet with your birding guide.
- Morning (6:45 AM - 10:00 AM): Begin your birding adventure by exploring the grasslands and savannah of Nairobi National Park. Look out for species like the secretary bird, rüppell's long-tailed starling, Fischer's sparrow lark, and other grassland and acacia species.
- Lunch (12:30 PM): Take a break for lunch at a picnic area within the park.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Continue birding in different parks' habitats, such as the Athi Basin wetlands, where you might spot waterfowl like African fish eagle, African spoonbill, and amerkop.
- Evening (5:30 PM): Leave the park and return to your accommodation.
Day 2: Magadi Road from Kona Baridi to Lake Magadi
- Morning (6:30 AM): Depart your accommodation and head southwest towards Kona Baridi.
- Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Start birding on Magadi Road, which offers a variety of bird species, including southern white-crowned shrike, superb starling, and Speke's weaver.
- Lunch (12:30 PM): Enjoy a packed lunch at a scenic spot along Magadi Road.
- Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM): Continue your journey towards Lake Magadi, exploring the surrounding areas. Look out for flamingos, ostriches, and other water-associated birds.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Return to your accommodation and perhaps take some time to relax and review your birding checklist.
Day 3: Gatamaiyu Forest
- Morning (6:30 AM): Depart for Gatamaiyu Forest, located north of Nairobi.
- Morning (7:45 AM - 12:00 PM): Explore the diverse montane forest habitat of Gatamaiyu. Look for highland bird species such as the hartlaub's turaco, bar-tailed trogon, and the African olive pigeon.
- Lunch (12:30 PM): Have a picnic lunch in a suitable spot within the forest.
- Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:30 PM): Continue birding in the forest, paying attention to canopy and understory species.
- Evening (5:00 PM): Conclude your birding tour at Gatamaiyu Forest and start your journey back to Nairobi.
- Evening (6:30 PM): Arrive back in Nairobi, marking the end of your three-day birding adventure.
- Please note that this itinerary is just a suggestion, and it can be customized based on the group's specific interests and birding goals.

What's Included

Accommodation on a full board basis; lunch, dinner & breakfast for 2 nights at a hotel in the capital city of Nairobi

Park entry fees

Transport in a tour van with an open-hatched roof, fuel, and game drive for the 3-day tour

Bottle of water while on tour

What's Excluded

Travel and personal accident insurance

All international flights + taxes

Tips and personal expenses such as telephone calls, etc.

Excursions not detailed in the above itinerary

Visas

Know Before You Go

While at the park, leaving the car is prohibited unless in designated areas where the guide will advise when necessary.

All park rules must be observed, failure to which may terminate the tour for the person involved, and relevant authorities must be informed adequately.

For optimum time to spend during game drives or bird walks, a picnic lunch is recommended for this tour unless otherwise advised.

It may be hot in Magadi, so drinking plenty of water is advised, and light clothes may be ideal for the day.

It is an ideal tour to observe some of the big game, including the Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Black Rhino, White Rhino, Cape Buffalo, Maasai Giraffe, Giant Eland, Burchell's Zebra, Impala, Gazelles, Warthogs, Coke's Hartebeest and Dikdiks just to name but few.

Special birds expected to see include the majestic Maasai Ostrich, Secretary Bird, Grey Crowned Cranes, Kori Bustard, Hartlaub's Bustard, Black-bellied Bustard, Martial Eagle, Long-crested Eagle, African Crowned-Eagle, Verreaux's Eagle, Ruppell's Griffon Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Narina Trogon, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Dusky Turtle Dove, Red-throated Tit, Rufous-naped Lark, Singing Bush-Lark, White-tailed Lark, Sulphur-breasted Bush-shrike, Lesser Honeyguide, Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Beautiful Sunbird, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Green-headed Sunbird, Northern Double-colored Sunbird, Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird, Nubian Woodpecker, Winding Cisticola, Red-faced Cisticola, Pectoral-patched Cisticola, Grey Apalis, Chestnut-fronted Plover, Greater Flamingoes, Lesser Flamingoes, Pied Avocets, Purple Gallinule, African Hill Babbler, White-starred Robin and Grey-headed Negrofinch among others. There are abundant sites to visit in Kenya, with over 1,100 recorded bird species in diverse habitats.

Photographic opportunities for both wildlife and beautiful landscapes.

Note: The tour will be done primarily while in the vehicle but intermittent with bird walks where necessary, especially in the forest and along the Magadi road to Soda Lake.

What To Bring

Pair of binoculars

Camera, if you have one

Field bird guide/mammals book

Hat with round brim to protect you from the sunlight

Insect repellent may be used while walking in the forest

Shirt with long sleeves and long pants while walking in the highland forest

Extra bottle of water, if possible

Meeting Point

Nairobi, Kenya

Cancellation Policy

For cancellations within 24 hours before the tour -

Refund of 50% of the tour price.

3-Day Budget Birding Tour in Kenya

Highlights

Description

Itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi National Park

Day 2: Magadi Road from Kona Baridi to Lake Magadi

Day 3: Gatamaiyu Forest

What's Included

What's Excluded

Know Before You Go

What To Bring

Meeting Point

Cancellation Policy

Check Availability Hide

Price On Request

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3-Day Budget Birding Tour in Kenya

Highlights

Description

Itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi National Park

Day 2: Magadi Road from Kona Baridi to Lake Magadi

Day 3: Gatamaiyu Forest

What's Included

What's Excluded

Know Before You Go

What To Bring

Meeting Point

Cancellation Policy

Check Availability Hide

Price On Request

Can't Find the Perfect Tour? Tailor Your Dream Trip!

Create your own adventure!

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