12 Day Kenya Endemics Bird Tour

12-day Kenya Endemics Birding Trip

Overview

Highlights include Clarke’s Weaver, Taita Thrush, Taita Apalis, Taita White-eye, Kikuyu White-eye, Brown-and-White Barbet, Aberdare Cisticola, Jackson’s Francolin, Hinde’s Babbler, Sharpe’s Longclaw, and Williams’s Lark. We shall add a bonus mix of endemics shared between Kenya and Tanzania; namely, Sokoke Scops-Owl, Northern Pied Babbler, Hildebrandt’s Starling, Abbott’s Starling, Kenrick’s Starling, Amani Sunbird, Tsavo Sunbird, Taveta Golden Weaver, Jackson’s Widowbird, and Sokoke Pipit

Summary

Day 1: Arrivals at Malindi or Mombasa International Airport
Day 2: Visit Dakatcha Woodland Forest
Day 3: Birding to Arabuko Sokoke Forest in the morning, afternoon visit the Mida Creek
Day 4: Drive to Taveta
Day 5: Birding to Ngangao Forest
Day 6: Drive from Taita Hills – Taveta to Nairobi
Day 7: Birding in Nairobi National Park
Day 8: Birding to Gatamaiyu Forest, Kikuyu Escarpment and Kinangop Plateau grasslands
Day 9: Drive to Samburu with a brief stopover at Sagana for Hinde’s Babbler
Day 10: Birding whole day in Samburu National Reserve
Day 11: Birding from Samburu to Mt Kenya
Day 12: Bird Mt Kenya for Jackson’s Francolin and later drive to Nairobi for your flight

12-Day Kenya Endemics Birding trip – itinerary details

Day 1: Arrivals at Malindi or Mombasa International Airport

Depending on the choice of flights, you will be picked from the Airport by your guide and driven straight to your Hotel in Watamu for refreshments and overnight stay. For Mombasa early arrivals will give a chance to bird along Haller Park; Taveta Golden Weaver and Golden Palm Weavers, Narina Trogon are present here. The drive from the Airport to Haller Park is about 45minutes.

Overnight: Seven Islands Resort, Watamu B&B

Day 2: Visit Dakatcha Woodland Forest

Also known as the Kilifi Weaver, the Clarke’s Weaver localized a small marsh in Dakatcha Woodland where it nests. January and July are the best times to find these weavers nesting. There are several other species that we are likely to encounter in this area including the vagrant Dwarf Bittern, Violet-breasted Sunbird, and many others. We spend the whole morning here and afternoon drive back to Watamu. We shall visit the Sabaki River Mouth famous for waders.

Overnight: Seven Islands Resort, Watamu FB

Day 3: Birding to Arabuko Sokoke Forest in the morning, afternoon visit the Mida Creek

Targets at Arabuko Sokoke include the Sokoke Scops Owl, Sokoke Pipit, Amani Sunbird, Sokoke Batis or Short-tailed Batis and the Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew. There are ofcourse a good selection of other interesting birds like the Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher, Little Yellow Flycatcher, Eastern nicator, Four-coloured Bushshrike, Retz’s Helemtshrike, Chestnut Crowned Helmet Shrike, Bearded Scrub-robin, and Green Twinspot.

Overnight: Seven Islands Resort, Watamu FB

Day 4: Drive to Taveta

Start early and leave this part of the country and drive to Taveta. We shall stay at Taita hills resort and spa. We spent the rest of the day birding along the lodge gardens. Alternatively, we can spend another morning in Arabuko Sokoke and later drive to Taita hills in the Afternoon

Overnight: Taita Hills Resort and Spa FB

Day 5: Birding to Ngangao Forest

The particular endemics we look for here are Taita Thrush, Taita Apalis and Taita White-eye. They occupy a very small, encroached forest section of about 1,390 hectares. The other locations in total occupy just over 3,000hectares putting these species at verge of extinction.

Overnight: Taita Hills Resort & Spa FB

Day 6: Drive from Taita Hills – Taveta to Nairobi

This a long journey that will take us most the day. Normal traffic flow driving time is about 5.6hours. We pass via Voi. The Nairobi – Mombasa Highway is a busy road but with chances of making several stops to look at birds. We reach our lodge late this afternoon and refresh ready to start again the next day. When we get time, we can spend the rest of the day at Ngong forest. Situated in the outskirts of Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, Ngong Nature Reserve covers an area of 1,224 hectares. There are 113 species of birds recorded in this forest and quite a number of mammals including the duikers, bush bucks, bush pigs, genets, civets, bush babies, porcupines, sykes monkeys, squirrels, hares, epauletted fruit bats and clawless otters, hyenas, dik diks, leopards, olive baboons, mongooses, aardvarks and warthogs.

Overnight: Fairview Hotel, Nairobi FB

Day 7: Birding in Nairobi National Park

This is Kenya’s oldest National Park, located just 7 kilometres from the edge of the Nairobi city. It boosts of over 500 bird species, and the big five. It is home of the endemic Snowy (Brown-and-White) Barbet and Kikuyu White-eye, Red-throated Tit,

Nairobi Pipit (Anthus chyuluensis) and the Northern Pied Babbler, yellow-throated Sandgrouse are also found here.

Overnight: Fairview Hotel Nairobi FB

Day 8: Birding to Gatamaiyu Forest, Kikuyu Escarpment and Kinangop Plateau grasslands

Gatamaiyu Forest is a tropical montane forest at the foothills of the Aberdare range. We look for Abbott’s Starling, Jackson’s Spurfowl and Hunter’s Cisticola, Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk, Crowned Eagle, African Hill Babbler, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Mountain Greenbul, Hartlaub’s Turaco and Slender-billed Greenbul among many others. Later birding in Kinangop grasslands for Sharpe’s Longclaw and Kikuyu White eye, Jackson’s Widowbird, Long-tailed Widowbird, Pangani Longclaw, Kori Bustard etc

Overnight: Dove Nest Hotel, FB

Day 9: Drive to Samburu with a brief stopover at Sagana for Hinde’s Babbler

The Globally vulnerable and Kenyan endemic, Hinde’s Babbler (Turdoides hindei) is found on the fertile southern slopes of Mt Kenya. We shall divert to look for this species before continuing to Samburu.

Samburu National Reserve is semi-desert habitat and rich woodlands along the Ewaso Ng’iro River, and it is a wildlife spectacle! Here we look for William’s Lark.

Overnight: Lion’s Cave Camp FB

Day 10: Birding whole day in Samburu National Reserve

Besides the William’s Lark, there are several other spectacular birds to look for here including, among others Somali Ostrich, African Hawk-Eagle, Crested Francolin, Yellow-necked Spurfowl, Vulturine Guineafowl, Kori Bustard, Buff-crested Bustard, White-bellied Bustard, Black-faced Sandgrouse and Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse, Red-bellied Parrot, Somali Bee-eater, Von der Decken’s Hornbill, Red-and-yellow Barbet, Pink-breasted Lark, Rosy-patched Bushshrike, Hunter’s Sunbird, Black-bellied Sunbirds, Golden-breasted Starling, Fischer’s Starling, Donaldson and Smith’s Sparrow-Weaver, and Cut-throat Finch. The beautiful Beisa Oryx, the Grevy’s Zebra, Generuk, Reticulated Giraffe are also found here.

Besides Shaba Reserve, there is a new /alternative sight for the Williams Lark, in Ndomoru, near Isiolo.

Overnight: Lion’s Cave Camp FB

Day 11: Birding from Samburu to Mt Kenya

This is just a 3 hours’ drive.

Castle Forest Lodge is located deep in the thick forest on the slopes to the south of Mount Kenya. It is set in natural surroundings of rainforest, freshwater rivers with falls, a fabulous view of the valley on one side of the lodge, and the impressive peaks of Mount Kenya on the other. We shall have time to bird around the lodge for the rest of the day.

Overnight: Castle Forest Lodge FB

Day 12: Bird Mt Kenya for Jackson’s Francolin and later drive to Nairobi for your flight

Today we start early to look for the Jackson’s Francolin, lunch at the Lodge and later travel to Nairobi for your departure.

Birding trip costs, inclusions and exclusions

Costs

6 Persons, start from USD2766.82, in shared accommodation

4 Persons, start from USD3103.74, in shared accommodation

2 Persons, start from USD4178.08, in shared accommodation

Included

All ground travel between and within destinations, including airport transfers
car hire and fuel throughout the trip (4×4 7-seater extended Toyota Land cruiser)
bottled drinking water throughout the trip
all accommodations and meals ONLY as mentioned in the itinerary
English-speaking professional birding guide charges
National Parks and National reserves entrance fees and all activity fees

Excluded

Visa fees and international flights to and fro country of origin
Optional activities
Extra beverages like sodas, alcoholic drinks or juices
Any extra meals not mentioned in the details of the meal plan
Medical and travel insurance
Tips, souvenirs, plus any other expenses of personal nature

Note: tipping is recommended of up to 10dollars per guest per day or depending on the satisfaction with the level of service by the guides

11-Day Uganda Shoebill & Albertine Rift Endemics Birding

11-day Uganda Shoebill and Albertine Rift Endemics Birding tour

Map

Trip Summary

This tour starts in Entebbe at the shores of Lake Victoria with an introductory birding at the famous National Botanical Gardens. We shall head west of Lake Victoria in the Mabamba Marshes—an Important Bird Area that is well known for inhabiting several pairs of shoebills. We drive further west to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Mountain National Parks via Lake Mburo National Park.

Summary

Day 1: Birding Entebbe Botanical gardens and transfer to Mabamba Shovel wetland

Day 2: Bird Mabamba Wetland in the morning and afternoon transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

Day 3: Lake Mburo National Park to Kisoro

Day 4: Bird to Mgahinga NP for the whole day

Day 5: Birding to Ruhiija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Day 6: Birding in Ruhiija sector to the Mubwindi Swamp

Day 7: Bird to Buhoma Sector of Bwindi Forest via the Neck

Day 8: Birding Buhoma main trail

Day 9: Transfer to Kibale National Park via the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 10: Birding in Kibale forest looking for the pitta

Day 11: Transfer to the Airport

Albertine Rift Endemics and Shoebill birding tour – Uganda

Itinerary details

Day 1: Birding Entebbe Botanical gardens and transfer to Mabamba shoebill wetland

Established in 1898 as a research site for preserving valuable flora, the approximately 40.7ha garden is situated in Entebbe City; just 5minutes drive from the Airport. It adjoins about one mile along the shores of Lake Victoria and is currently under the management of Uganda Wildlife Authority. The gardens house a diverse collection of plant species both indigenous and exotic – with over 300 species which support birdlife of over 250species, Vervet Monkeys, Black and White Colobus and squirrels are also found here.

Spend the whole morning here and in the afternoon drive to Mabamba shoebill swamp.

Overnight: Nkima Forest Lodge FB

Day 2: Bird Mabamba Wetland in the morning and afternoon transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

We start very early after breakfast and drive for a few minutes to the swamp from our lodge in the morning to look for the shoebill. We be here till mid-morning, have lunch at our lodge and later drive to Lake Mburo NP in the afternoon – we stay at Rwakobo Rock just outside the park as a stopover. Birding in the Swamp will be on a canoe.

Overnight: Rwakobo Rock Safari Lodge FB

Day 3: Lake Mburo National Park to Kisoro

Today, we shall check out the the lodge, have an early morning breakfast and drive as we bird on the way. We shall have a chance to bird along the main road at Echuya forest, or Muchuya Swamp which is famous for the Malachite sunbird, African Black Duck, Abyssinian thrush, white-starred robin, Rwenzori Batis, plus so many other Albertine rift endemics and high-altitude forest birds. Our ultimate stop will be Kisoro town.

Overnight: Mucha Riverside FB

Day 4: Bird to Mgahinga NP for the whole day

Mgahinga merits a visit to appreciate scenery and abundant flora and avifauna. We do gentle strolls along slopes covered with a series of distinct altitudinal bands of vegetation. From grass and bushland on the lower slopes, to montane woodland followed by the bamboo zone, montane forest and the ericaceous zone. Our intuition will only be satisfied when we encounter such species as the endemic Rwenzori turaco, evergreen forest warbler, western green tinkerbird, malachite sunbird, cape robinchat, dusky turtle dove, Dwarf honeyguide, lemon dove, Doherty’s bush shrike, Albertine boubou, Rwenzori hill babbler, white-starred robin, barred-long-tailed cuckoo, white-browed crombec, Abyssinian Crimson-wing, mountain yellow warbler, dusky crimson-wing, Archer’s Robinchat, Stulmann’s Sunbird, bamboo warbler; plus any other interesting creature that may come our way.

We shall do picnic lunch and be here till 5:00pm. We drive back later to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Overnight: Much Riverside Lodge FB

Day 5: Birding to Ruhiija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

We leave Kisoro and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable forest. Spend the whole afternoon on the community trail in Bwindi Forest – very good location for most of the Albertine rift endemics like the Strange weaver, Grauer’s Warbler, Rwenzori Batis, Rwenzori Hill Babbler, Stripe-breasted Tit, Rwenzori Apalis, yellow-streaked greenbul, Mountain-masked Apalis, red-faced woodland warbler etc.

Overnight: Bakiga Lodge FB

Day 6: Birding in Ruhiija sector to the Mubwindi Swamp

After breakfast, we shall carry our picnic lunch and head for a whole day birding following the famous trail through the forest up to Mubwindi Swamp. The 4km trail to Mubwindi Swamp drops from 2350m to 2050m ASL and is the best place for some of the most difficult to find of all the Albertine Rift Endemics including the rare and localized Grauer’s Rush Warbler, African Green Broadbill, the beautiful Regal Sunbird, and Archer’s Robin Chat. Mubwindi Swamp is home to Dwarf Honeyguide, Stripe-breasted Tit, Rwenzori Apalis, African/Rwenzori Hill Babbler and Carruthers’ Cisticola. Other key species here include Fraser’s Eagle-Owl, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Blue-headed Sunbird, Eastern Mountain-Greenbul, Strange Weaver, Black-headed Waxbill, Bar-tailed Trogon, White-headed Wood-hoopoe, Waller’s Starling, Stuhlmann’s Starling, Ludher’s Bush-shrike, Handsome Francolin and Montane Nightjar.

Overnight: Bakiga Lodge FB

Day 7: Bird to Buhoma Sector of Bwindi Forest via the Neck

We shall spend some time birding along the main road in the forest along the “NECK” – a narrow stretch of Bwindi forest connecting the northern sector to the broader main body in the south comprising of riverine forest vegetation crossed by River Ihihizo.

There species can be easily seen here compared to other parts of the forest. The many-coloured bush shrike, dwarf honey guide, black bee-eater, red-throated Alethe, Narina and bar-tailed trogon, Doherty’s bush shrike, Cassin’s flycatcher, dusky blue flycatcher, mountain wagtail etc are quite common here. Birding is along the main road.

Overnight: Ride 4 a Woman Guest House FB

Day 8: Birding Buhoma main trail

Starting at 6:30am with packed lunch, head for the whole day in the most celebrated forest for hosting over 90% of Albertine Rift endemics. Amongst those that we look for here are equatorial Akalat, grey-winged Akalat, red-capped robin chat, bar-tailed trogon, Ant-pecker, African broadbill, oriole finch, Tullbergs’ woodpecker, olive woodpecker, pink-footed puff back, yellow-footed flycatcher, to mention but a few.

Overnight: Ride for a Woman Guest House

Day 9: Transfer to Kibale National Park via the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park

Ishasha is the southern distant segement of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famed for tree climbing lions – we pass through here along the main road, which is a birdy area. The black coucal, Stout Cisticola, plain-backed Pipit, croaking Cisticola, etc are usual encounters. We have lunch in Fort Portal Town and later continue driving to Kibale.

Early arrivals here will give a chance to do an afternoon walk along the Bigodi Community wetland famous for different species of monkeys – red colobus, grey-cheeked Mangabey, white-nosed, black and white colobus etc.

Overnight: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge FB

Day 10: Birding in Kibale forest looking for the pitta

The Pitta normally displays from 5:00am – 6:30 as a way of communicating to its mate and then later come together and stay on the ground for the rest of the day feeding. We go to the forest very early morning in order to catch up with the display time which makes it easy to locate it in the forest. We do this for till late morning.

In the afternoon, we shall spend time birding along the main road in the forest, or otherwise bird the famous Bigodi community swamp – optional.

Overnight: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge FB

Day 11: Transfer to the Airport

Today, there is no major activity. We may bird around the lodge for a couple of hours before traveling to Entebbe Airport. The airport is just 5hours drive from here, so we have plenty of time.

11 days Uganda Shoebill and Albertine Rift Endemics Bird watching tour

Cost, Inclusions and Exclusions

Rates: USD3,092 per person sharing for 2 people

Included

All ground travel between and within destinations, including airport transfers
car hire and fuel throughout the trip (4×4 7-seater extended Toyota Land cruiser)
bottled drinking water throughout the trip
all accommodations and meals as mentioned in the itinerary
English-speaking professional birding guide charges
National Parks and National reserves entrance fees and all activity fees

Excluded

Visa fees and international flights to and fro country of origin
Optional activities
Extra beverages like sodas, alcoholic drinks or juices
Any extra meals not mentioned in the details of the meal plan
Medical and travel insurance
Tips, souvenirs, plus any other expenses of personal nature

Note: tipping is recommended of up to 10dollars per guest per day or depending on the satisfaction with the level of service by the guides

4 Day Pemba Island Endemics bird tour

Pemba Island Endemics bird tour

Birding Itinerary Summary

Day 1: Morning birding at Ngezi Forest (Chokaani area); afternoon search for Pemba Scops Owl at Ngezi Tiisi.
Day 2: Full-day birding at Maziwa Ng’ombe Forest and surrounding areas; visit Makangale and lighthouse for Nightjars.
Day 3: Full-day birding at Mtambwe Forest; end at Msuka coastal beach area.
Day 4: Birding at Kisiwani kwa Bi Abeid; visit Wete for Pemba flying fox and Kondeni area

Note: this tour can as well be done in a single day for listers

4-day Pemba Island endemics bird tour

Itinerary details

Day 1: Pick up at 06:00am from your hotel

Drive to Ngezi forest. Will be birding Chokaani area until mid of the day. Drive back to the hotel around 11:00am for short break.

In the afternoon hours: around 02:00 PM.

Pick up again from the hotel to Ngezi Tiisi area. The area is popular for Pemba Scops Owl. We will start searching for Scops Owl when it get around 06:00PM. Then before that time we will be birding areas around Tisii while waiting for Scops Owl time. The equipment like spot light torch is very

important to come with it on this trip.

Day 2: Early morning pick up from hotel drive Maziwa Ng’ombe Forest

It’s 35km from Pemba paradise hotel. The area is popular for Pemba White-eye, Pemba Sunbird and sometime Pemba Green Pigeon. It is full day birding. On the way back will pass through open Swamp area of Ngezi forest and spend short time birding around. Then drive again Makangale area for birding then to the light house. Where it’s perfect hotspot for Nightjars.

Day 3: Early morning pick up from hotel drive to Mtambwe forest.

It is 45 km from Pemba paradise Hotel. The area is popular for Broadbilled Roller, Pemba Goshawk, Mozambique Nightjar. It is full day birding. Then our last point will be coastal beach area known as msuka spend the rest of the day birding to see other species birds then back to the hotel finish the birding tour.

Day 4: Early morning pick up from hotel drive to Kisiwani kwa Bi Abeid hotspot

The area is popular for African Pygmy goose, Brown-headed Parrot, Pemba Scops Owl, Pemba Green Pigeon, Pemba Sunbird, Pemba white eye. After this point then drive straight to Wete, Pemba north to see Pemba flying fox. Spend couple of minutes then heading Kondeni area. After this point drive back to the hotel and overnight.

Note: the search for these endemics can as well be done in a single day

4-day Pemba endemics bird tour

costs, inclusions and exclusions

Rates

from USD 180 per person

Included:

professional birding guide fees, entrance to reserve, car and fuel

Excluded:

meals, accommodation, drinks plus any other items of personal nature

14-Day Uganda Rwanda, Birding, Big Game & Monkeys Tour

Overview

An ideal safari for those looking for variety in terms of big animals, birds, primates (Chimpanzees, gorillas, and other monkeys). This tour explores mostly savanna habitats for the big game/’Big Five’ and a few forested areas for the primates. The trip considers more leisurely birding while enjoying other animals.

Summary Itinerary

Day 1: Arrivals at Entebbe International Airport

Day 2: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park

Day 3: Explore Murray Falls National Park

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale National Park

Day 5: Morning Birding in the Forest and Optional Chimp trekking

Day 6: Game drive and birding along Kasenyi

Day 7: Transfer to Ishasha

Day 8: Game drive and birding in Ishasha

Day 9: Optional Gorilla tracking in Bwindi

Day 10: Transfer to Rwanda

Day 11: Bird Nyungwe Forest

Day 12: Transfer to Akagera National Park

Day 13: Whole day game drive and birding in Akagera

Day 14: Transfer to Kigali for your flight back home

Day 1: Arrivals at Entebbe International Airport

Arrivals at Entebbe Airport and transfer to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Early arrivals will give a chance to bird Entebbe botanical gardens. We shall have a chance for a leisurely birding walk at the archetypal tropical rainforest of National Botanical Gardens of Uganda along Victoria shores in Entebbe as we get over jetlag. Likely encounters: Bat-hawk, Southern White-faced Scops-Owl, African Cuckoo-hawk, Orange Weaver, Golden-backed Weaver, Black & White Casqued Hornbill, African Pied and Crowned Hornbills.

Overnight: Papyrus Guesthouse B&B

Day 2: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park

Stopover at Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary for tracking Rhinos, Search for shoebill and other birds.

Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest national conservation area, and it is famous for its big game, spectacular scenery and the falls for which the park was named.

Overnight: Bamboo Village Safari Lodge FB

Day 3: Explore Murchison Falls National Park

Visit the northern sector of the park in the morning for birding and big game. Afternoon boat cruise along the river Nile up to the bottom of the falls where the Nile narrows, squeezes and plunges spectacularly over the escarpment with unfathomable might!

Overnight: Bamboo Village Safari Lodge

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale National Park

This is a long trip to western Uganda. Lunch break will be in Fort Portal Town and we spend the rest of the afternoon on a walk along the famous Bigodi community wetland

Kibale is an extensive National Park, protecting a large block of rainforest that is most celebrated for its greatest variety and concentration of primates than any other reserve in East Africa; the most prominent being the Chimpanzee. The forest protects a remarkable 13 primate species, including the very localized Red Colobus and L’Hoest’s Monkey, Galagos, Blue monkey, Black and White Colobus, Red-tailed and Vervet Monkey.

Overnight: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge

Day 5: Morning Birding in the Forest and Optional Chimp trekking

Start very early for the special bird of this forest – the green-breasted Pitta, plus several other encounters with occasional chimpanzees. Look out for Red-chested Owlet, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Hairy-breasted Barbet, White-throated Greenbul, Red-tailed Bristle bill etc. Afternoon transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park direct to our Lodge.

Overnight: Bush Lodge Banda FB

Day 6: Game drive and birding along Kasenyi

Game drive long the Kasenyi tracks, afternoon boating safari on the Kazinga Channel. Along the Kasenyi tracks, we look out for Temmincks Courser, Common button Quail, African Quailfinch, Rufous-naped Lark, Crowned Lapwing etc.

The boat trip is the most popular activity at Mweya. Kazinga Channel is a natural narrow neck of water body connecting lakes Edward and George; measuring up to 40km long and is the most luxurious in the region. Along the Kazinga Channel, there are chances of Giant Nile crocodiles basking in the sun, elephants, hippos, and giant forest hog are rarely missed.

Overnight: Bush Lodge Banda FB

Day 7: Transfer to Ishasha

Start early and transfer to Ishasha (Queen Elizabeth National Park – Southern distant segment of the park)

On our way, we shall pay a visit to one of the fishing villages along the Kazinga channel. Spend the rest of the day in Ishasha on a game drive. Birds here include Stout Cisticola, Red-collared Widowbird, Black Cuckoo, Red-throated Wryneck, black coucal, Diederick cuckoo etc.

Overnight: Ishasha Pride Lodge FB

Day 8: Game drive and birding in Ishasha

You will explore Ishasha, considered by some experts as one of the most alluring game viewing area of East Africa, famous for the largest concentration of hippos along the Ishasha River, large herds of Elephant… Birding is mostly exciting along the road to the communities where we expect broad-tailed grassbird, black bishop, Yellow Bishop, Southern Red bishop, greater honeyguide and many others.

We return to the lodge for a lunch break, and short siesta, and later drive to Bwindi.

Overnight: Bakiga Lodge FB/Ride 4 a Woman Rest House FB

Day 9: Optional Gorilla tracking in Bwindi

Bwindi has a unique rich and varied ecosystem and has lowland rainforest and afromontane forest. It’s considered as one of the most unique and important forests of Africa. UNESCO declared it as a Natural World Heritage Site for Humanity for his many values and because it is vital to the survival of many endangered species. Gorillas are a hot cake here! Those who choose the Gorilla trek will be required to pay an extra USD800

After here, drive to Kisoro.

Overnight: Travellers’s Rest Hotel Kisoro FB

Day 10: Transfer to Rwanda

Today we start off and cross to the Land of a thousand hills through the Cyanika Border in Kisoro. We drive through the tranquil southwestern part of the country via Ruhengyeri with a view of the Virungas up to the most protected forest in Africa, Nyungwe forest. The drive will take most of our day.

Overnight: EAR Ken Barham Guest House FB

Day 11: Bird Nyungwe Forest

We spend the whole day birding in the forest. Optional Canopy Walk. Nyungwe is the biggest mountain rain forest, and the most preserved forest on the African continent! It is by far the most important site for biodiversity in Rwanda inhabiting several species of fauna and flora. Nyungwe is also very well known for a good number of Albertine Rift Endemics. The Handsome Spurfowl, Blue-headed Sunbird, Grauer’s Warbler, Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Rwenzori Turaco, Rockerfeller’s Sunbird, Lagden’s Bush Shrike etc are easy to see here.

Overnight: EAR Ken Barham Guest house

Day 12: Transfer to Akagera National Park

Today we start very early and transfer to Akagera National Park through the Most beautiful City in Africa; Kigali City. Akagera National Park is famous for its varied biomes protecting a multitude of habitats and associated species of flora fauna. These include swamps and Lakes that flow into river Akagera.

Overnight: Akagera Transit Lodge FB

Day 13: Whole day game drive and birding in Akagera

Besides being home to the Big Five; Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo and Elephant. Akagera National Park in Rwanda is a fantastic destination for birdwatching! The park boasts a diverse range of habitats, from savannas to wetlands, which attract a variety of bird species including Papyrus Gonolek, Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle, Cabanis Bunting, Short-tailed Pipit, Brown-chested Lapwing etc.

Overnight: Akagera Transit Lodge FB

Day 14: Transfer to Kigali for your flight back home

Included

All ground travel between and within destinations, including airport transfers
car hire and fuel throughout the trip (4×4 7-seater extended Toyota Land cruiser)
bottled drinking water throughout the trip
all accommodations and meals as mentioned in the itinerary
English-speaking professional birding guide charges
National Parks and National reserves entrance fees and all activity fees

Excluded

Visa fees and international flights to and fro country of origin
Optional activities
Extra beverages like sodas, alcoholic drinks or juices
Any extra meals not mentioned in the details of the meal plan
Medical and travel insurance
Tips, souvenirs, plus any other expenses of personal nature

Note: tipping is recommended of up to 10dollars per guest per day or depending on the satisfaction with the level of service by the guides

8 Day Tarangire & Serengeti National Park Birding Trip

8-days Birding Serengeti and Tarangire National Parks

Highlights

Tanzania as a country is a place of endemism in terms of birdlife, holding over 50 species only known in Tanzania. The well-preserved natural habitats have enabled these species to breed successfully with no external threats, hence appearing in large numbers and making the birds easy to see. This trip will take you to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire, and Serengeti National Parks, which are known to be among the prime conservation areas in the entire East African Region.

Summary

Day 1: Arrivals at Kilimanjaro International Airport and Transfer to Arusha

Day 2: Birding Tarangire National Park

Day 3: Early morning birding drive

Day 4: Drive to Serengeti National Park

Day 5: Birding Serengeti the whole day

Day 6: Birding to Ndutu area in Serengeti

Day 7: Bird to Ngorongoro Crater Rim

Day 8: Bird walk to the Endoro falls and later drive to Arusha for Departure

8-days Birding Serengeti and Tarangire National Parks

Itinerary details

Day 1: Arrivals at Kilimanjaro International Airport and Transfer to Arusha

Meet your birding guide today at the airport and transfer to your lodge in Arusha for refreshments, dinner, and an overnight stay. For early arrivals, we can decide on a nearby site for birding; for example, around Ngongongare-Usa River for the special Tevata Weaver and any other common birds we can find around.

Overnight: Korona Villa Lodge Bed Only

Day 2: Birding Tarangire National Park

Driving from Arusha city to Tarangire National Park takes about 2 hours. Tarangire is well known for holding the two endemics, i.e., Ashy Starling and Rufous-tailed Weaver. Several other species include, among others, Swahili Sparrow, Buff-crested Bustard, White-bellied Bustard, Black-bellied Bustard, Four-banded Courser, and Yellow-throated Sandgrouse.

Overnight: Tarangire Safari Lodge FB

Day 3: Early morning birding drive

Morning game/birding drive. Lunch at your lodge, check out after lunch, and drive to Karatu. While still at Tarangire, we look out for Common Ostrich, Kori Bustard, pigmy falcon, Amur Falcon, Yellow-collared and Fischer’s Lovebirds, White-crested Helmet-shrike, Black-bellied Sunbird, and many others.

Overnight: Bougainvillea Safari Lodge FB

Day 4: Drive to Serengeti National Park

Start very early and drive to the Serengeti area via Ngorongoro. Along the way in Ngorongoro highland forest, we look out for Hildebrandt’s Spurfowl, Augur Buzzard, Cinnamon Chested Bee-eater, Bar-breasted Apalis, Brown-headed Apalis, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Waller’s Starling, White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher, etc. Arrival at the lodge will be later in the evening as we go birding along the way.

Overnight: Serengeti serena Safari Lodge FB

Day 5: Birding Serengeti the whole day

Ring-necked Dove, Laughing Dove, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Lappet-faced Vulture, Dark Chanting-Goshawk, Blue-naped Mousebird, Von der Decken’s Hornbill, Lilac-breasted Roller, D’Arnaud’s Barbet (Usambiro), Cardinal Woodpecker, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Slate-colored Boubou, Fork-tailed Drongo, Magpie Shrike, White-rumped Shrike, Rüppell’s Starling, Superb Starling, African Gray Flycatcher, and White-headed Buffalo-Weaver are some of the species in this area. The main targets will be the Karamoja Apalis, Tanzania Red-billed Hornbill and the Brey-breasted Spurfowl.

Overnight: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge FB

Day 6: Birding to Ndutu area in Serengeti

This is a very rich habitat with several species of animals and birdlife. The Coqui Francolin, the Tanzania Red-billed Hornbill, Speke’s Weaver, Common Ostrich, Grey-breasted Spurfowl, Usambiro Barbet, Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, Fischer’s Lovebird, Rosy-throated Long-claw, Banded Parisoma, and Pink-breasted Lark are among the many specials here.

Overnight: Ndutu Safari Lodge FB

Day 7: Bird to Ngorongoro Crater Rim

The Ngorongoro crater is one of the world’s most protected areas! It is home to several species of wild game, including elephants, rhinos, lions, and leopards, and protects over 500 bird species, including numerous waterfowl, which makes it an incredible destination for bird lovers. We do a day trip here and later in the afternoon drive out and stay in Karatu.

Overnight: Hotel Bougainvillea, Karatu HB

Day 8: Bird walk to the Endoro falls and later drive to Arusha for Departure

This morning after breakfast we will have a short 4 hours walk in Endoro Trail looking for the Endemic Mbulu White-eye. Other interesting species are the Purple-throated Cuckooshrike, White-tailed Blue-flycatcher, Green-headed and Eastern Double-collared Sunbird, Brown-headed Apalis, Grey-capped Warbler, Thick-billed Seedeater, Schalow’s Turaco, and many more high-altitude birds. Then drive back to Arusha for departure.

8-days Birding Serengeti and Tarangire National Parks

Costs, Inclusions and Exclusions

Rates:

solo Traveler: USD7377

Two Pax sharing one room: USD5018 per person

Three Pax sharing two rooms: USD4491 per person

Four Par sharing two rooms: USD4402 per person

Five Pax sharing three rooms: USD3914 per person

Six Pax sharing three rooms: USD3705

Included

All ground travel between and within destinations, including airport transfers
car hire and fuel throughout the trip (4×4 7-seater extended Toyota Land cruiser)
bottled drinking water throughout the trip
all accommodations and meals as mentioned in the itinerary
English-speaking professional birding guide charges
National Parks and National reserves entrance fees and all activity fees

Excluded

Visa fees and international flights to and fro country of origin
Optional activities
Extra beverages like sodas, alcoholic drinks or juices
Any extra meals not mentioned in the details of the meal plan
Medical and travel insurance
Tips, souvenirs, plus any other expenses of personal nature

Note: tipping is recommended of up to 10dollars per guest per day or depending on the satisfaction with the level of service by the guides

Tanzania Arc Mountains & Endemics Birding Tour

3-week Tanzania Arc Mountains and Endemics Birding trip

Highlights

Western and Eastern Arc Mountains, southern Serengeti area, the Lark plains, Southern Tanzania, and Kilombero Valley. Special targets: Beesley’s Lark, Böhm’s Bee-eater, Rubeho Akalat, Pel’s Fishing owl, Chapin’s Apalis, Mrs Moreau’s Sunbird, Kilombero weaver, Kilombero Cisticola, South Pare white-eye, Bar-throated Apalis (Pareensis), Schalow’s, Ficher’s, Harlaub’s and Livingstone Turacos, Mbulu white-eye, Mbulu robin-chat, etc.

Summary

Day 1: Arrivals at Kilimanjaro International Airport

Day 2: Birding to the Lark Plains

Day 3: Birding to Maasai Steppe in Mererani area

Day 4: Birding Arusha National Park

Day 5: Morning Drive to Same and Visit South Pare Mountains

Day 6: Birding along the road to Mkomazi National Park gate

Day 7: Bird Magamba Forest

Day 8: Drive to East Usambara Arc Mountains

Day 9: Full day birding in Amani Nature Reserve

Day 10: Drive to Morogoro

Day 11: Drive to Udzungwa Mountains National Park

Day 12: Birding to Kilombero Valley, Ifakara – Magufuli Bridge for the Kilombero Endemics

Day 13: Morning Birding in Udzungwa Mountains National Park

Day 14: Full day birding in Mikumi National Park

Day 15: Birding Miombo Woodlands Mikumi Reserve and later drive to Gairo town

Day 16: Birding to Ukaguru Mountains

Day 17: Drive to Babati town for Nou Forest Birding in Mbulu Hills

Day 18: Birding to Mbulu hills – Nou Forest Reserve

Day 19: Birding to Tarangire National Park

Day 20: Morning bird drive and wildlife viewing in Tarangire National Park

Day 21: Morning Drive to Serengeti National Park via Ngongoro Conservation area

Day 22: Drive to Arusha for departure

3-week Tanzania Arc Mountains and Endemics Bird watching trip

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Arrivals at Kilimanjaro International Airport

You will be picked up from the airport by your guide upon arrival at the airport. You’ll transfer to Arusha City for refreshments, get over jetlag, dinner, and an overnight stay. This is an arrival day and no specific activity is planned. Your lodge will be outside the city center.

Overnight Korona Villa Lodge B&B (4nights)

Day 2: Birding to the Lark Plains

You will enjoy birding to the Lark Plains and Oldonyosambu. This is a dry open savannah area managed by the Masai herdsmen. It is the only location for the Tanzania Endemic Beesley’s Lark, plus other interesting species like the Rosy-patched bush-shrike, foxy lark, red-capped lark, short-tailed lark, Fischer’s sparrow lark, and many others.

Overnight: Korona Villa Lodge HB

Day 3: Birding to Maasai Steppe in Mererani area

Birding will be driving along the main road. Highlights in this location include the black-capped social weaver; steel blue, straw-tailed, and Eastern Paradise Whydahs, silverbill, Tsavo and hunter’s sunbirds, Fischer’s starling, Von der Decken’s Hornbill, etc.

Overnight: Korona Villa Lodge HB

Day 4: Birding Arusha National Park

This is a very rich woodland park mixed with tropical forest habitat where the endemic Kilimanjaro white-eye is normally seen. Hartlaub’s Turaco, bar-tailed Trogon, Kenrick’s Starling, and Ruppel’s Robinchat are amongst the many expected here. The water habitat includes the Momella Lakes which are very famous for flamingos, Hottentot Teals, etc. Other animals in the park include the cape buffalos, blue monkeys, black and white Colobus monkeys, bushbucks, zebras, and giraffes.

Overnight: Korona Villa Lodge HB

Day 5: Morning Drive to Same and Visit South Pare Mountains

You will do roadside birding along the road to Nyumba ya Mungu Dam which is very rich with red-bellied parrots, Wahlberg’s Honeyguide, Pringle’s Puffback, Somali Tit, grey Wren warbler, Scaly Chatterer, Somali bunting to mention but a few.

After arrival and check-in at our lodge, you’ll drive to South Pare Mountains for South Pare white-eye, bar-throated Apalis, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Moustached Tinkerbird, and the Delegorgue’s Pigeon.

Overnight: Elephant Motel HB

Day 6: Birding along the road to Mkomazi National Park gate

You will bird along the road to Mkomazi National Park in the early morning before Lushoto. Lunch will be along the way. Toward Your lodge, along the escarpment, there are nice spots to look for the grey-olive greenbul Mocking Cliff chat. If you get to the lodge on time, you may go to the forest for the last hours of the day’s birding.

Overnight: Mullers Mountain Lodge FB

Day 7: Bird Magamba Forest

Bird Magamba Forest starts at the old sawmill for the whole day. Lovely forest birding on the main road may produce Fulleborn’s Boubou, the Black-fronted Boubou, African Tailorbird, Usambara Drongo, Usambara Akalat, the white-chested Alethe, Usambara double-collared sunbird, Usambara Thrush, and yellow-throated woodland warbler.

Overnight: Mullers Mountain Lodge FB

Day 8: Drive to East Usambara arc mountains

You will check out here and drive to the East Usambara Mountains. Your next stop will be in Amani Forest. The afternoon/evening birding near the lodge is very productive. You will look out for the Amani sunbird, Uluguru violet-backed sunbird, green-headed Oriole, green barbet, etc.

Overnight: Amani Rest House HB

Day 9: Full day birding in Amani Nature Reserve

Here, you will look out for the Pale Batis, green-headed Oriole, fascinated snake-eagle, green barbet and white-eared barbet, half-collared Kingfisher, Fischer’s and Livingstone turacos, long-billed tailorbird (Kretschmer’s Longbill), forest weaver plus many others. The birding here is more productive at the forest edge along the tea plantation.

Overnight: Amani Rest House HB

Day 10: Drive to Morogoro

You will drive to Morogoro. This will be a long day drive with limited birding. You will particularly stop at the Wami Bridge to look for the Böhm’s bee-eater, and the endemic Ruvu weaver. Red-fronted barbet, lack-collared barbet, African golden weaver, Zanzibar red Bishop, etc, can also be seen here.

Overnight: Simbamwenni Lodge B&B

Day 11: Drive to Udzungwa Mountains National Park

You will enjoy afternoon birding at the forest edge in the lodge gardens. Trumpeter and silvery-cheeked hornbills are most common here. The Livingstone Turaco, Uluguru violet-backed sunbird, yellow-bellied greenbul plus many others. You will try the Pel’s fishing owl in Magombera forest in the evening. Today, you will also look out for Peters’s twinspot.

Overnight: Udzungwa Forest Tented Camp FB

Day 12: Birding to Kilombero Valley, Ifakara – Magufuli Bridge for the Kilombero Endemics

The famous Magufuli Bridge is known for the coppery-tailed Coucal, Kilombero weaver, Kilombero Cisticola, and white-tailed Cisticola. You will spend the whole morning here. In the afternoon/evening, you will bird to Magombera forest for the Pel’s fishing owl.

Overnight: Udzungwa Forest Tented Camp FB

Day 13: Morning Birding in Udzungwa Mountains National Park

Today, you will start early and hike to the forest following the fall trail. The hikes here are challenging. Sounds of the Livingstone Turaco, Trumpeter hornbills, and African crowned eagles fill the forest canopies. The Zanzibar Boubou, Kretchmer’s Longbill, bar-throated Apalis, Uluguru violet-backed sunbird, etc are also known here. In the afternoon, you will drive to Mikumi.

Overnight: Tan-Swiss Lodge B&B

Day 14: Full day birding in Mikumi National Park

You will spend the whole day birding in Mikumi National Park. The vegetation of this area consists of savannah dotted with acacia, baobab, and tamarinds. Wildlife is abundant with greater kudu, eland, sable antelope, lion, leopard, giraffe, and elephant etc. The birdlife includes among others; red-backed and lesser grey shrikes, long-tailed Fiscal, desert Cisticola, collared palm-thrush, Zanzibar red-bishop, and Piping Cisticola.

Overnight: Tan-Swiss Lodge B&B

Day 15: Birding Miombo Woodlands Mikumi Reserve and later drive to Gairo town

Our targets today include Crested barbet, white-breasted Cuckoo-shrike, green cap Eremomela, Rufous-bellied Tit, Sterling’s Wren Warbler, Kurrichane Thrush, Miombo Starling, brown-necked Parrots, Eastern Miombo sunbird, black-eared seedeater, Arnot’s Chat plus many others.

Overnight: Kossey Lodge B&B

Day 16: Birding to Ukaguru Mountains

This is another area of endemism —the Rubeho Akalat, Rubeho warbler, dark Batis, olive-flanked robin, Livingstone’s flycatcher, and the Chapin’s Apalis will be your main targets here. You will watch out for the stripped pipit, the Peregrine Falcon along the rocks as you drive up to the mountains.

Overnight: Kossey Lodge B&B

Day 17: Drive to Babati town for Nou Forest Birding in Mbulu Hills

You will drive to Babati for the Mbulu Mountains —another long drive. The name Mbulu comes from the tribe that occupies mostly this part of Tanzania. Meals will be at Uzunguni Restaurant. This is a rather long journey that will take most of your day with minimal chances of birding. These mountains form some of the western arc mountains of Tanzania.

Overnight: Asmorein Hotel B&B

Day 18: Birding to Mbulu hills – Nou Forest Reserve

Here, you will set out to look for the Mbulu white-eye, Mbulu robin-chat, bar-throated Apalis, Schalow’s Turaco, orange ground thrush, the beautiful Oriole Finch, Eastern double-collared sunbird, and many more. The road to Nou Forest winds its way through the remote hills of Mbulu. Driving to this rarely visited forest takes up to 2 hours.

Overnight: Asmorein Hotel B&B

Day 19: Birding to Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park covers an area of 2850 sq km. It is very famous for its swamps and the iconic baobab trees. Birding is very productive with some of the critically endangered species like the Egyptian vulture. Some famous Tanzania endemics like the Ashy starling and Rufous-tailed weaver can also be found here.

Overnight: Tarangire Safari Lodge FB

Day 20: Morning bird drive and wildlife viewing in Tarangire National Park

Black-faced Sandgrouse, double-banded Courser, yellow-collared Lovebird, white-bellied bustard, secretary bird, pearl-spotted owlet, Eastern red-billed hornbill, Von der Decken’s hornbill, D’Arnaud’s barbet, Magpie shrike, etc are amongst the many specials here. You will bird the whole morning and enjoy an afternoon lunch at the lodge. Later, you will drive to Karatu.

Overnight: Hotel Bougainvillea Karatu HB

Day 21: Morning Drive to Serengeti National Park via Ngongoro Conservation area

You will do a day trip in the Ndutu plains and return to Karatu later in the evening (no entry into the main Serengeti National Park). This is a very rich habitat with several species of animals and birdlife. The Coqui Francolin, Tanzania red-billed hornbill, Karamoja Apalis, Speke’s weaver, Common ostrich, grey-breasted Spurfowl, Usambiro barbet, yellow-throated Sandgrouse, Fischer’s lovebird, rosy-throated long-claw, Banded Parisoma, Pink-breasted lark, etc are amongst the many specials here.

Overnight: Hotel Bougainvillea Karatu HB

Day 22: Drive to Arusha for departure

Today marks the end of our birding trip. We shall transfer to the airport for departure.

Price: per person for 6 people sharing accommodation

3 weeks Tanzania Arc Mountains and Endemics Bird tour

Costs, Inclusions and Exclusions

Small group tours of 2 – 6 Participants

Costs

2 persons sharing accommodation in 1 room: USD6609.15 per person

3 persons sharing accommodation in 2 rooms: USD5450.04 per person

4 persons sharing accommodation in 2 rooms: USD4543.99 per person

5 persons sharing accommodation in 3 rooms: USD4261.96 per person

6 persons sharing accommodation in 3 rooms: USD3812.67 per person

Included

All ground travel between and within destinations, including airport transfers
car hire and fuel throughout the trip (4×4 7-seater extended Toyota Land cruiser)
bottled drinking water throughout the trip
all accommodations and meals as mentioned in the itinerary
English-speaking professional birding guide charges
National Parks and National reserves entrance fees and all activity fees

Excluded

Visa fees and international flights to and fro country of origin
Optional activities
Extra beverages like sodas, alcoholic drinks or juices
Any extra meals not mentioned in the details of the meal plan
Medical and travel insurance
Tips, souvenirs, plus any other expenses of personal nature

Note: tipping is recommended of up to 10dollars per guest per day or depending on the satisfaction with the level of service by the guides

4 Day Birding Masai Mara and Nairobi National Park

Birdwatching tour of Masai Mara Reserve and Nairobi National Park – Kenya

Overview

The trip combines the famous Masai Mara National Reserve, Nairobi National Park, and the surroundings. We shall explore the Beautiful Karura Forest in Nairobi City and the Mara, the northern portion of the magnificent Serengeti system, which offers spectacular vistas over flat-topped acacia and grassy plains riddled with ungulates, cats, and many other animals and birds

Summary

Day 1: Pick up from your hotel in Nairobi or Airport and head straight to Karura forest for a bird walk

Day 2: From Nairobi City to Masai Mara

Day 3: Whole day Birding at Masai Mara

Day 4: From Mara to Nairobi National Park

4-day Birdwatching tour of Masai Mara National Reserve and Nairobi National Park – Kenya

Day-by-day Itinerary details

Day 1: Pick up from your hotel in Nairobi or Airport and head straight to Karura forest for a bird walk

Karura Forest is located north of central Nairobi, gazetted in 1932. It provides a quiet and tranquil environment that inhabits more than 200 bird species. Possible bird encounters include Mountain Wagtail, Yellow Bishop, and spectacled weaver; African Crowned Eagle; Brown-chested Alethe; Narina Trogon; White-backed Duck; Hartlaub’s Turaco; African Black Duck; and Red-chested Flufftail.

After here, we shall go birding in Nairobi National Park. It offers a remarkable diversity of birdlife, with a recorded count of over 500 species. With expansive open plains set against the backdrop of the city’s impressive skyline, it stands as the sole national park bordering a metropolis. Secretary Bird, Black-winged Plover, Pangani Longclaw, Jackson’s Widowbird, Kori Bustard, Hartlaub’s Bustard, Common Nightingale, Northern Pied Babbler, White-tailed Lark, Somali Short-toed Lark, Red-throated Tit, Speke’s Weaver, Martial Eagle, African Quail-finch, Zebra Waxbill, and Harlequin Quail can be found here.

Overnight: Fairview Hotel, Nairobi HB

Day 2: From Nairobi City to Masai Mara

Driving time is 5-6 hours. We shall do an afternoon birding. The Mara, the northern portion of the magnificent Serengeti system, offers spectacular vistas over flat-topped acacia and grassy plains riddled with ungulates and other animals and birds. The reserve is famous for lions, leopards, cheetahs, African elephants, gazelles, and other wildlife. For birding we should be rewarded with views of many large raptors and vultures that gather at the kills, as well as storks, Kori Bustard, Southern Ground-Hornbill, Temminck’s Courser, Sooty Chat, Schalow’s Turaco, Secretary Bird, Black-winged Plover, Pangani Longclaw, rosy-patched bush-shrike, Jackson’s Widowbird, Long-tailed Widowbird, Rosy-throated Longclaw, Kori Bustard, Hartlaub’s Bustard, etc.

Day 3: Whole day Birding at Masai Mara

Start very early; look out for cinnamon-breasted Bunting, Rosy-throated Longclaw, African Quailfinch, Jackson’s Widowbird, Northern Ant-eater chat, Pectoral perch Cisticola, Stout Cisticola, Red-fronted Barbet, Gabar Goshawk, yellow-throated Sandgrouse, Common Ostrich, Reichnow’s Seedeater, etc.

Day 4: From Mara to Nairobi National Park

Drive time is 5-6 hours. The park is located on the southern outskirts of the city and is one of Africa’s smallest national parks (117 sq km). We look out for Secretary Bird, Black-winged Plover, Pangani Longclaw, Jackson’s Widowbird, Kori Bustard, Hartlaub’s Bustard, Common Nightingale, Northern Pied Babbler, White-tailed Lark, Somali Short-toed Lark, Red-throated Tit, Speke’s Weaver, Martial Eagle, African Quail-finch, Zebra Waxbill, and Harlequin Quail.

After here, we drop you at the hotel or airport.

4-day Birding Safari in Masai Mara National Reserve and Nairobi National Park – Kenya

Rates, Inclusions and Exclusions

Rates

from USD1769.4 for a solo traveler

from USD1482.9 per person for a couple

from USD1489.2 per person for three participants

from USD1104.9 per person for four participants

from USD1184.3 per person for five participants

from USD978.9 per person for six participants

Included

All ground travel between and within destinations, including airport transfers
car hire and fuel throughout the trip (4×4 safari vehicle)
bottled drinking water throughout the trip
all accommodations and meals as mentioned in the itinerary
English-speaking professional birding guide charges
National Parks and National reserves entrance fees and all activity fees

Excluded

Visa fees and international flights to and fro country of origin
Optional activities
Extra beverages like sodas, alcoholic drinks or juices
Any extra meals not mentioned in the details of the meal plan
Medical and travel insurance
Tips, souvenirs, plus any other expenses of personal nature

Note: tipping is recommended of up to 10dollars per guest per day or depending on the satisfaction with the level of service by the guides

10-Day Kenya Coastal Forests and Woodlands Birding Trip

10-day Kenya Eastern Coastal Forests and Woodlands Birdwatching Safari

Overview

This trip starts in Mombasa with an optional visit to Haller Park. Main focus are the endemics of this part of Kenya. We shall explore the Taita hills for the Taita Endemics, including the Taita Apalis, Taita Thrush, and Taita White-eye in Ngangao Forest. We shall also visit the Arabuko Sokoke Forest looking for the Amani Sunbird, Sokoke-scops Owl, and Sokoke Pipit. Dakatcha woodland forest will also be on the menu for the endemic Clarke’s Weaver and the Violet-breasted Sunbird. We shall have time to pay a visit to the Shimba hills National Reserve & Sabaki River Estuary along the Indian Ocean in Malindi

Summary Itinerary

Day 1: Arrivals at Moi International Airport

Day 2: Birding to Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary

Day 3: Birding to Taita Hills—Ngangao Forest

Day 4: Transfer to Shimba Hills National Reserve

Day 5: Whole day birding in Shimba hills Reserve

Day 6: Transfer to Malindi

Day 7: Birding to Dakatcha Woodland forest for the endemic Clarke’s Weaver

Day 8: Birding to Lake Jilore

Day 9: Birding in Arabuko Sokoke Forest

Day 10: Birding in Arabuko Sokoke Forest and later departure

10 Days Kenya Eastern Coastal Forests and Woodlands Birding tour Itinerary

Day 1: Arrivals at Moi International Airport

Arrivals at Moi International Airport, Mombasa. Meet your guide and transfer to your hotel for refreshments / get over jetlag, dinner and overnight stay. Early arrivals will give chance for optional birding to the Haller Park or Nguuni nature Sanctuary

Overnight: Severin Sea Lodge B&B

Day 2: Birding to Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary

The sanctuary is an integral part of the Eastern Arc forests. The topography is generally mountainous that offers breathtaking landscape views of the Kilimanjaro, Pare, Uluguru Mountains and the clusters of Taita Hills with a seasonal river dividing the sanctuary into valleys and lowland plains. Our visit here is mainly to look for the endemics in the hills at Ngangao forest. Early arrivals will give a chance to bird around the lodge or optional drive into the wildlife sanctuary this evening.

Overnight: Taita Hills Safari Resort and Spa FB

Day 3: Birding to Taita hills – Ngangao Forest

We carry picnic lunch and drive uphill to Ngangao Forest. Our main targets are three endemics here: the Taita Apalis, Taita thrush, and Taita white-eye. These three endemics occupy a very small, and heavily encroached section of the forest of about 1,390 hectares. The other locations in totality occupy just over 3,000 hectares. There are several other species we are likely going to see here including Placid Greenbul, Evergreen Forest Warbler, African Emeral Cuckoo, Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler, Black-headed Apalis, Stripe-cheeked Greenbul etc.

Overnight: Taita Hills Safari Resort & Spa FB

Day 4: Transfer to Shimba Hills National Reserve

Famously known as the home for sable antelope, this reserve is very well known for coastal endemic birds and many other small mammals like the the Golden-rumped Sengi or Elephant Shrew, bush-tailed mongoose, etc. There are several other common species like the Eastern Nicator, brown-hooded Kingfisher, Zanzibar red bishop, Coastal cisticola, etc. There are also big mammals like elephants, giraffes, leopards, etc.

Overnight: Shimba Hills Lodge FB

Day 5: Whole day birding in Shimba hills Reserve

Our main targets of the day include among others; the green-headed Oriole, white-eared barbet, green-backed Twinspot, Usambara double-collared sunbird, green Malkoha, little yellow flycatcher, the bearded scrub robin, the eastern nicator, Southern Banded Snake-eagle, chestnut-fronted helmet shrike, Fischer’s Turaco, Retz’s helmet-shrike, Sombre greenbul, Eastern nicator, etc. We shall bird the whole morning, come back to the lodge for a hot lunch and continue later in the afternoon.

Overnight: Shimba Hills FB

Day 6: Transfer to Malindi

We have time to do a couple of hours birding here before transferring to Malindi via the Mombasa Ferry. We shall have an early lunch in Mombasa. upon arrival in Malindi, this afternoon, we shall visit the Sabaki River Estuary. The mudflats and the seashore are very rich with Sooty gulls, Mongolian sand plover, sanderling, broad-billed sandpiper, little-ringed plover, lesser and great crested terns, curlew sandpiper, Caspian tern, whimbrel, crab plover, white-fronted plover, and many others.

Overnight: Lion’s Luxury Resort and Spa HB

Day 7: Birding to Dakatcha Woodland forest for the endemic Clarke’s Weaver

The Clarke’s Weaver is an endangered species due to continuous loss of its breeding habitats. These birds are forest weavers but breed in small wetlands. Today we shall visit the breeding site of the bird. There are other birds to expect; African barred owlet, violet-breasted sunbird, thick-billed cuckoo, Miombo starlings, Allen’s gallinule, Dwarf bittern, green woodhoopoe, martial eagle, black cuckoo-shrike, golden palm weaver etc.

Overnight: Lion’s Luxury Resort and Spa HB

Day 8: Birding to Lake Jilore

You’ll enjoy early morning birding in the Lake Jilore area. Later in the afternoon, we bird to the Mida Creek before the tide – a place for waders; lots of sand plovers, and sandpipers. The bush along the lake escarpment is famous for the scaly babbler, the African Golden Oriole, the emerald-spotted wood dove, etc. Mida Creek is famous for crab plovers.

Overnight: Seven Islands Resort Watamu HB

Day 9: Birding in Arabuko Sokoke Forest

We start at the visitors’ center. Very interesting coastal forest and easy birding. Species include Sokoke scops owl, Amani sunbird, East Coast Akalat, Sokoke Pipit, Malindi Pipit, tiny greenbul, gorgeous bushshrike, scaly-throated honeyguide, Forest Batis, Eastern green tinkerbird, Peters’ twinspot, pale Batis, plain-backed sunbird, Amani sunbird, Narina Trogon, little-yellow flycatcher, and blue-mantled crested flycatcher, bat hawk, tiny greenbul, Fischer’s greenbul.

Overnight: Seven Islands Resort Watamu HB

Day 10: Birding in Arabuko Sokoke Forest and later departure

You’ll enjoy morning birding in Arabuko Sokoke Forest again and later in the afternoon end the trip to prepare for departure via the Malindi Airport or Moi. Today, you will go through the forest again to comb the forest and possible chances of those missed the previous day. The golden-rumped elephant shrew is a common resident here.

10-day East Coast Kenya Forests and Woodlands Birding Safari: Costs, Inclusions and Exclusions

Small groups of 2 to 6. Solo travelers accepted

Costs

Solo traveler $ 4898

2pax: $3012.66 per person in shared accommodation ~ 1 room

3pax: $2720.38 per person in shared accommodation ~ 2 rooms

4pax: $ 2186.73 per person in shared accommodation ~ 2 rooms

5pax: $2276.54 per person in shared accommodation ~ 3 rooms

6pax: $1911.42 per person in shared accommodation ~ 3 rooms

Included

All ground travel between and within destinations, including airport transfers
car hire and fuel throughout the trip (4×4 7-seater extended Toyota Land cruiser)
bottled drinking water throughout the trip
all accommodations and meals ONLY as mentioned in the itinerary
English-speaking professional birding guide charges
National Parks and National reserves entrance fees and all activity fees

Excluded

Visa fees and international flights to and fro country of origin
Optional activities
Extra beverages like sodas, alcoholic drinks or juices
Any extra meals not mentioned in the details of the meal plan
Medical and travel insurance
Tips, souvenirs, plus any other expenses of personal nature

Note: tipping is recommended of up to 10dollars per guest per day or depending on the satisfaction with the level of service by the guides

3-weeks Uganda custom birding trip

Overview

This tour explores the rarely visited eastern part of Uganda; the Pian Upe game reserve that is famous for Uganda’s two endemics: the Fox’s Weaver and the Karamoja Apalis. We shall also visit the remote northeastern corner of the country in Kidepo valley national park. Highlights include the Shoebill, Albertine Rift Endemics, Gorillas and Chimps and the Fox’s Weaver.

Summary itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe international Airport

Day 2: Mabamba wetland in the morning, drive to Mbale Town later

Day 3: Pian Upe Game Reserve for the whole day

Day 4: Drive to Kidepo Valley NP.

Day 5: Kidepo Valley NP

Day 6: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park

Day 7: Murchison Falls NP

Day 8: Budongo Forest Reserve

Day 9: Drive to Kibale National Park

Day 10: Kibale Forest National Park

Day 11: Bigodi Wetland and travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 12: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 13: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 14: Queen Elizabeth NP Ishasha- Bwindi Impenetrable NP

Day 15: Bwindi Impenetrable NP- Buhoma Sector

Day 16: Bwindi Impenetrable NP – Ruhiija Sector

Day 17: Gorilla tracking at Ruhiija

Day 18: Drive to Lake Mburo National Park

Day 19: Lake Mburo National Park

Day 20: Lake Mburo to Entebbe

3-weeks Uganda custom birding trip

itinerary details

Day 1

Arrival at Entebbe international Airport

Pick up and transfer to a nearby Lodge for refreshment, dinner and overnight stay. Early arrivals will give a chance for a leisurely birding walk at the archetypal tropical rainforest of National Botanical Gardens of Uganda along Victoria shores in Entebbe as we get over jetlag. Likely encounters: Bat-hawk, Southern White-faced Scops-Owl, African Cuckoo-hawk, Orange Weaver, Golden-backed Weaver, Black & White Casqued Hornbill, African Pied and Crowned Hornbills

Overnight: Papyrus Guest House/Jet Villas Entebbe for 1 night

Day 2

Mabamba wetland in the morning, drive to Mbale Town later

Start very early in the morning and drive to Mabamba marsh along the shores of Lake Victoria We look for the shoebill along the channels and lagoons in the marsh. After we drive to Kampala, have lunch and later drive to Mbale town.

Stay at Mt. Elgon Hotel

Day 3

Pian Upe Game Reserve for the whole day

We drive to this second largest protected area in Uganda which is home to the gigantic Roan Antelope, cheetahs and the Uganda Endemics; Fox’s Weaver and the Karamoja Apalis. We spend the whole day here in search of the Karamoja Apalis, Fox’s Weaver, Bronze-tailed Starling, black-breasted barbet, stone partridges etc. the Roan Antelope is a specialty of this reserve. A Cheetah is an occasional encounter and extremely rare.

Overnight: Karatunga Safari camp, Moroto for 1night

Day 4

Drive to Kidepo Valley NP

Long and birdy drive all the way. Arrivals at our lodge in the park will be late in the afternoon – may have a late lunch there. Birding around the lodge this afternoon/evening – always very productive.

Overnight: Kidepo Zebra Safari Lodge/Mara Safari Lodge for 2nights

Day 5

Kidepo Valley NP

Spend the whole day in the park – white-crested Turaco black-breasted barbet, Red pate Cisticola, Rose-ringed Parakeet numerous species of mammals…. Large Herds African Buffalo, Lions, Elephant etc.

Day 6

Drive to Murchison Falls National Park

It a long journey, and may likely take us most of the day. A few stops on the way to stretch and look at birds. Lunch break will be in Gulu town. Arrival in the park will be late this afternoon.

Overnight: Fort Murchison/Elephant Plains River Safari Lodge for 1night

Day 7

Murchison Falls NP

Spend the whole morning in the northern sector of the park. Afternoon boat cruise along the Nile to the Bottom of the falls. Highlights of the day: Lions, Leopard, Hyena, Giraffe, Hartebeest, Uganda Kob, Nile Crocodiles, plus a diverse array of birds found in this park. We drive to Masindi town after here.

Overnight: Masindi Hotel for 2nights

Day 8

Budongo Forest Reserve

Drive to Budongo forest and spend the day birding along the Royale Mile. Drive time is just an hour. Special Species: Ituri batis, Uganda Woodland Warbler, brown twinspot, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Dwarf Kingfisher, Rufous-crowned Eremomela etc. There occasional encounters are chimps. Black-and White Colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkey, blue monkey etc are also present

Day 9

Drive to Kibale National Park

Birding to Kibale forest with a few stops along the way to look at some specials. Late lunch in Fort Portal town. Spend the rest of the afternoon along the main road in the forest or around the lodge gardens.

Overnight: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse

Day 10

Kibale Forest National Park

Start very early for the special bird of this forest – the green-breasted Pitta, plus several other encounters with occasional chimpanzees. Afternoon drive Chimp tracking in the forest.

Day 11

Bigodi Wetland and travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Start early for birding in the forest later drive to Fort Portal Town for lunch and later drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Highlights at the famous Bigodi Community wetland include white-spotted flufftail, white-tailed anti-thrush, great blue turaco, red colobus monkey, black and white colobus monkey, white-nosed monkey, Uganda Mangbey etc.

Stay at Bush Lodge/Twin Lakes Safari Lodge

Day 12

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Morning game drive along the Kasenyi plains and spend this afternoon at Kazinga Channel on a birding and mammal watching cruise.

Overnight: Bush Lodge

Day 13

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Do another birding stroll in the morning along the Kasenyi plains where African crake, small button quails, temminck’s coursers, collared pratincoles etc are normally encountered before transferring to Ishasha sector of the park that is mostly famous for tree climbing Lions. Early morning of this day, we look for the papyrus gonolek at the Katunguru Bridge.

Overnight: Topi Lodge 1night

Day 14

Queen Elizabeth NP Ishasha- Bwindi Impenetrable NP

Birding here the whole morning is always very productive: Fan-tailed grass warbler, dwarf-bittern, Black coucal, re-collared widowbird, blue-cheeked bee-eaters etc are possible encounters. In the afternoon we drive to Bwindi Impenetrable NP – spend the last couple of hours at the forest edge birding.

Overnight: Ride for a Woman for 1night

Day 15

Bwindi Impenetrable NP- Buhoma Sector

Bwindi Impenetrable NP – Birding along the main trail at Buhoma. Specials: Neumann’s Warbler, Kivu ground Thrush, Red-throated Alethe, and Jameson’s Ant-pecker, Many-coloured Bushshrike, African Broadbill and many other Albertine rift endemics.

Transfer to Ruhiija late in the afternoon.

Overnight: Bakiga Lodge 3nights

Day 16

Bwindi Impenetrable NP – Ruhiija Sector

Bird to the Mubwindi Swamp – the Green broadbill trail. The yellow-eyed black flycatcher, Lagden’s Bushshrike, Grauer’s rush warbler, the African green broadbill, Grey-chested Babbler, White-bellied Crested Flycatcher, Archer’s Robin Chat and may others, are some of the targets here.

Day 17

Gorilla tracking at Ruhiija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Day 18

Drive to Lake Mburo National Park

Drive to lake Mburo NP. Afternoon/evening birding around the lodge, or depending on the time we arrive here, we may do a short stroll in the park.

Overnight: Hyena hill Lodge for two nights

Day 19

Lake Mburo National Park

Early Morning walk in the woods looking at animals and birds as they graze along, is a fascinating experience. Zebras, Impala, Giraffe, Bufalo can’t be missed here. There are chances of African water rail, shoebill, Greencap eremomela, Tabora Cisticola, Black-collared barbet etc. we shall also do a boat ride to look for African finfoot, giant kingfisher plus may others.

Day 20

Lake Mburo to Entebbe

Check out the hotel and drive straight to Entebbe for your flight back home. Lunch in Entebbe

3-weeks Uganda custom birding trip – group departures

Costs, inclusions and Exclusions

Rates:

One 4X4 Customized Land cruiser

4pax: USD7166 P/P

5pax: USD6385

6pax: USD5866

7pax: USD5,515

Two 4×4 customized Land cruisers

8pax: USD6,180

9 pax: USD 5,876

10pax: USD5,646

11 pax: USD 5,446

Single Room Supplement USD577

This is an inclusive ground price – Gorillas and Chimps trekking fees

Costs of International Tour Leader
Car hire and fuel
Gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking
Local Birding guide fees & site guides charges
All accommodations (shared) and meals
Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
Birding drives/walks and game drives
Boat trips

Excluded are flights, visa fees tips of any kind, snacks and any other extra meals and drinks

Alcoholic beverages