What are the most popular destinations for birding tours in Kenya? Kenya is renowned for its diverse and abundant birdlife, making it a prime destination for birding enthusiasts from around the world. With a variety of ecosystems, from savannah and forest to lakes and mountains. Kenya offers a plethora of birding opportunities; Kenya birding tours offer a chance to witness the beauty and diversity of African birdlife in stunning natural settings. Kenya is home to a variety of bird species, including raptors, waterbirds, and various species of colorful songbirds it’s home to over 1,100 bird species which are in different categories and the most common bird species that are spotted in the country is known as the common bulbul which is characterized because of its colors. Birders planning to go for birding tours are always encouraged to carry binoculars in order to capture classic views of birds as they fly around the sky. The best time for birding tours in Kenya is during the dry seasons (late June to October) which coincides with the peak tourist season, and the wet season (November to May), each offering unique and remarkable birding tour opportunities, whether you’re a bird watcher or photographer seeking to capture the beauty of Kenya’s birds, the county’s abundant biodiversity and breathtaking landscape makes it a premier. Some of the most popular destinations for birding tours in Kenya include;
Amboseli National Park.
Amboseli National Park is located in the Southern region of Kenya and it covers a total surface area of about 392 square kilometers being under the management of the Kenya Wildlife Service. More so, this national park was first gazette as a game reserve in 1906 and later it was officially established as a national park in 1974. More so, this national park is famously known for hosting large herds of elephants and other wildlife species however, it is also seen as a good birding destination. The national park harbors over 400 bird species and some of these include; the crowned Crane, Superb Starling, Hamerkop, Yellow-Necked Spur Fowl, Yellow Billed Stork, Goliath Heron, African Harrier Hawk, Bearded Vulture and many others.
Mount Kenya National Park
Mount Kanya National Park is an excellent birdwatching destination. mountain peaks, lush forests, moorland and abundant waters create a habitat for abounded birdlife. The scenery alone makes birding in these fascinating locations unforgettable. Mount Kenya is home to the viote-backed starling, green-pigeons, and Myer’s parrot, the olive ibis, abbott’s starling, White-faced Whistling-Duck, Egyptian Goose, African Black Duck, Yellow-billed Duck, Red-billed Duck, Red-eyed Dove, Delegorgue’s Pigeon, Blacksmith Lapwing, Common Sandpiper, Gray Crowned-Crane, Great White Pelican, Pink-backed Pelican, Bearded Vulture, Mountain Buzzard, Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk, African Harrier-Hawk, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, Speckled Mousebird, Crowned Hornbill, Malachite Kingfisher, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater among others
Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is a unique and special destination for birding enthusiasts seeking to explore the diverse birdlike of Kenya’s capital city, despite being located a short drive distance from the city, Nairobi National Park is home to over 400 bird species, making it prime destination for birdwatching tours in east Africa. Birding tours in Nairobi National Park offer a unique and remarkable birding experience for tourists seeking to explore the unique birdlife species of Nairobi National Park. the park encompasses grasslands, woodland and wetlands which harbor a variety of different kinds of birds including migratory birds. some of the birds you may encounter while on a Kenya birding tour in Nairobi national park Includes the Goliath Haron, European Honey Buzzard, Caprimulgidae, African Rail, Crowned Eagle, Kori Bustard, Black Kite, Egyptian Goose, Phalacroracidae, Abyssinian Thrush, Squacco Heron, African Snipe, African Finfoot among others
Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve.
Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve is located on the coast of Kenya and is situated at a distance of about 110 kilometers from the North or Mombasa this area is famously known because of its high endemism, and plant species, and hosts large numbers of mammal species and it also harbors around 230 bird species and some of these include; Sokoke Pipit, Clarke’s Weaver, Sokoke Scops Owl, Clarke’s Weaver, Sokoke Scoops Owl, Sokoke Pipit, Amani Sunbird, Southern Banded Snake Eagle and many others.
Lake Nakuru National Park.
Lake Nakuru National Park is located in the Southwestern part of Kenya it is known to have been established as a national park in 1961 and is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service who have the major role of the protecting all the national parks in the country. In addition, it is famously known for hosting over 100 endangered rhinos, which are in different categories such as; the black rhinos and the white rhinos. Lake Nakuru National Park is one of the best destinations to visit while on a birding safari in the country due to the fact that it hosts over 450 bird species which people can see as they tour different areas of the park and some of these include; Flamingos which are considered as the top birds to that attract many tourists to travel from many different parts of the world and others include; Grey Crowned Crane, Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo, Yellow Billed Stork, Marobou Stork, Bustards, Owl, Pigeons And Doves, Egyptian Goose, Osprey, Larks, Starlings, Great White Pelicans, European White Stork, Maccoa Duck, Long Crested Eagle, African Fish Eagle, White Faced Whistling Duck and many others.
Kakamega Forest National Park
Kakamega Forest National Park is a tropical rainforest situated in the western part of Kenya in Kakamega County near Kakamega town. the national park is approximately 50 km northwest of Kisumu which is near the eastern shores of Lake Victoria. Kakamega forest was first gazette as a Trust Forest in 1933 and it covers an area of approximately 238 square kilometers. This beautiful forest is home to over 330 bird species, making it the best birding destination for bird lovers. While on your Kenya birding tour in Kakamega Forest National Park, you’ll have the opportunity to spot different birds such as Turner’s Eremomela, Jamieson’s and Yellow-Bellied Wattle-Eyes, Shrike Flycatcher, Fairy Blue Flycatcher, Bar-Tailed Trogon, Great Blue Turaco, Black-Billed Turaco, Black & White Casqued Hornbill, Blue-Headed Bee-Eater, Various Barbets, Yellow-Billed, Hairy Breasted, Grey-Throated and Double-Toothed among others
Lake Naivasha
Lake Naivasha is one of the freshwater lakes along the Great Rift Valley of Kenya, the lake is famously known as a birders paradise that attracts ornithologists and nature enthusiasts from around the world. with its diverse range of habitats, and comprises freshwater marshes and acacia woodland, papyrus wetlands and open savannah that acts as habitats to a variety of birdlife species. Lake Naivasha dwells in over 350 different kinds of colorful bird species, making it a haven for both residents and migratory birds. some of the bird species spotted while on your Kenya birding tour include, the African fish eagle, Goliath heron, Malachite kingfisher, Red-knobbed Coots, Black and Grey Herons, Great White, Little and Cattle Egrets, African Spoonbills, Great White and Pink-Backed Pelicans, Reed and Great Cormorants, African Darters, Yellow-billed Ducks, Red-billed and Hottentot teals, Wahlberg’s Honeybird, Black-lored and Arrow-marked Babblers, Variable Sunbird, Green Woodhoopoe, African Grey, Cardinal and Nubian Woodpeckers among others
Maasai Mara National Reserve
The Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya is not only famous for its exceptional wildlife viewing adventure experience but also for its astonishing bird-watching opportunities. Birding in the Maasai Mara National Reserve offers a unique and breathtaking experience for birdwatchers, allowing them a chance to explore a diverse range of birds in one of Africa’s most diverse safari destinations. The Maasai Mara National Reserve is home to over 450 bird species, making it the haven for both residents and migratory birds. some of the bird species you can spot while on your Kenya birding tour in Maasai Mara National Reserve include, Grey Kestrel, Tawny Eagle, African Harrier- Hawk, Scaly-Throated Honeyguide, Hadada Ibis, Grey-Headed Kingfisher, Kori Bustard, Three-Banded Courser, Southern Ground Hornbill, African Wood Owl, Giant Kingfisher and Red-Throated Wryneck among others.
Contact our trusted tour operators for more information and inquiries about the popular destinations for birding tours in Kenya. and Book with our tours and travel companies such as; Achieve Global Safari who offer the best tour packages who offer the best tour packages while on your birding safaris in Kenya.
