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BIRDING IN AFRICA
(Bird watching tours and safaris in Africa, Ornithological tours and safaris in Africa, Birding Travel, Birds of Africa, Birding in Africa)
Bird watching in Africa started a long way ago and bird watchers come annually into Africa for this purpose. Africa is a continent where you still find forests and lakes which are the livelihood basis for birdlife. Africa has very many species spanning over 500,000 different types of birds straying and living within the continent some of which are migratory therefore traverse to the other continents when necessary. Due to its abundant sunshine and perfect weather, the bird watchers are ever in Africa where there are different species to research and take photographs of. Ornithological tours and safaris as much as they are best in Africa, are not cheap travel packages since it requires some specialty in the knowledge and livelihood of bird species by specialist birders / tour guides. Niche Africa urges bird watchers to book or customize their travel with us since we have the Know-how and the capacity to handle bird watching tours and safaris in Africa.
BIRD WATCHING IN EAST AFRICA
With its remaining tropical forests which include; the Kakamega forest, Arabuko sosoke and Mabira forests in Kenya and Uganda respectively, not to mention the Northern Tanzania bird sanctuaries in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and the lake manyara, bird watchers refer the East African part of the continent of Africa as their Paradise for birding.
In Kenya, we have the flamingoes which are based in Lake Nakuru, Elementaita, Baringo and Bogoria and also transverse into Lake Natron which is on the Tanzania side near the Kenyan border. The other species which are also within the lake Nakuru birding sanctuaries include the pelicans which its numbers are increasing by the day. You will also find the other bird species which live in the tiny forests and sanctuaries within Kenya.
Uganda being a swampy country is the most preferred country for bird watchers, in view of this most bird watchers prefer going for the same in Uganda where there are over 1,000 species of birds. Birding in Uganda is based on the swampy parts and the little forests which emerge due to the availability of abundant water in Uganda. The Mabira forest is the back bone of birdlife in this country; as such bird watchers spend a lot of their time in both the Uganda forests and the swampy lakes where birds live.
Tanzania is best for bird watchers. Since there is abundant wildlife and forests which contribute to the livelihoods for many different species; the likes of the vultures, Tanzania leads in carnivorous birds. Lake Manyara is the paradise for bird watchers with over 1000 different species. Many bird watchers come to Tanzania and go straight to the Lake Manyara National Park for birding.
Niche Africa holidays have special itineraries which are suitable for birding / Ornithological tours and safaris within the east African part of the continent.
Some of the preferred bird watching tours and safaris in East Africa include:-
BIRD WATCHING TOURS & SAFARIS IN KENYA
(Bird watching tours and safaris in Kenya, Ornithological tours and safaris in Kenya).
Kenya has two remaining tropical forests which include; Kakamega and Arabuko Sokoke forests in western Kenya and the Kenyan coast respectively. Apart from these forests which host a lot of birds, some small bushes, forests and bird sanctuaries are within Kenya and harbour some of the species which are not inhabitants of these forests. Birding in Kenya as much as it is expensive, several bird watchers visit this country annually where they spent several dollars for hotel and lodge accommodation and birding safaris.
Western Kenya tourist Circuit; the virgin treasure, unknown and untapped, have some special birding sanctuaries within its area. These include the small lakes around Lake Victoria such as Lake Kanyaboli, Lake Sare, Lake Nambolo, and the main Lake Victoria gulf.
In addition to these lakes, the Dominion farm which is a modern farm started recently at the delta of river Yala, is a host to various bird species which feed on the corn and other farm produce within this former swampy area. Dominion Farm is located within the western Kenya where there has been a swamp for many years known as Yala Swamp; where different bird species have lived all along. But due to its unknown location birders have never ventured in this part of the country.
The Kakamega forest is backbone of bird watchers in Western Kenya, not to mention the Ruma National Park, the Ahero Rice scheme, the Tea farms within kericho and the Mount Elgon chepkitale National Reserve and Park, the Simbi Nyaima and the Nandi hills; this entire area have several places which are good for birdlife. The islands in Lake Victoria which include Mfangano, Takawiri, Rusinga, Ndere, and kirika islands near Kisumu city are some of the islands which have several different species of birds in western Kenya. The national parks where birding is also available include the Maasai Mara national park and lake Nakuru where you find the flamingoes and pelicans, Lake Naivasha which is the most preferred lake for bird watchers. The Crater Lake, Lake Elemetaita, Amboseli National Park, Tsavo East and West, the coast province. In the northern part of Kenya you will find the Nasolot National Reserve, South Turkana, Lake Baringo and Bogoria are bird watchers paradises.
In Nairobi city; birding is done for bird watchers in the Nairobi National park, the swampy areas within the Nairobi suburbs and Nairobi walk which includes the national museum and giraffe centre walking trails and within the vicinity .
Niche Africa holidays; being a tour operator company has several Ornithological staff with vast experience in bird life who undertake day to day birding safaris within Kenya and East Africa as a whole.
Some of the most Kenya birding safaris and tours include the following:-
Birding in Nairobi- Kenya
• 22 Days / 21 nights: The Classical Kenya Birding Tour
• 14 Days/ 13 nights: Birding in Central Kenya
• 8 Days / 7 Nights: Kenya Rift Valley & Western Region Birding Safari
• 5 days/4 nights: Rift Valley Birding Tour
8 Days / 7 Nights Kenya Rift Valley & Western Region Birding Safari
Highlights: This is an 8 days safari into Kenya’s best bird watching regions. You start from Nairobi then proceed to the Kenya’s Rift Valley and then to Lake Victoria and end at Nairobi on the last day. You will stay in Kenya’s top lodges while on this safari. You will use a 4x4 vehicle during this safari.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Nairobi- Naivasha- Nakuru
Met at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta international airport by our tour manager, briefed on your safari and then drive to Naivasha and Nakuru having a stop over at view point to view the magnificent Gregory Rift Valley. View birds that inhabit Lake Naivasha, the highest rift valley lake in Kenya. The lake has over 350 species of birds. Look for flocks of cormorants, kingfishers, and pelicans among other species of birds. As a better option, take a boat ride as you watch the birds. Lunch enroute. Proceed to Lake Nakuru National Park. Dinner and overnight at Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge
Lake Nakuru on the Floor of the Rift-Valley; here we will see the spectacular gathering of lesser Flamingoes in there hundreds of thousand together with an abundance of other water birds like the Western Reef Heron, Lesser Jacana, and black-headed Gull. We will also look for Acacia forest species, including Green-wood Hoopoe, Hildebrandt’s and Coqui Francolins, Rufous-naped and Fawn-colored Larks, scarce Grey-crowned Helmet-shrike, Arrow-marked Babbler, Bearded Woodpecker, Mottled swift and White-shouldered Cliff Chat. On the baboon cliff we shall be on the lookout for fox Kestrels and other species of falcons.
Day 2: Full day at Lake Nakuru
Early morning breakfast, followed by full day game viewing and bird-watching .Lake Nakuru national park is a world well known habitat for birds as flamingoes flock here in thousands feeding on crustaceans and small animals that in habit the lake as well as the algae. The flamingoes are accompanied by other species of birds including the gregarious white pelicans ‘fishing’, geese, jacanas, secretary birds, fish eagles and the vulturine fowls found in the bushy and forest parts of the park among other birds. Dinner and overnight at Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge
Day 3: L. Nakuru – Lake Baringo & Lake Bogoria
Have an early game viewing, followed breakfast. Mid morning at leisure. Have lunch and drive to Lake Baringo. Lake Baringo is one of the flesh water lakes on the floor of Kenya Rift Valley. Watch out for the red bishop, the solitary pink backed pelicans, fish eagles among other bird. Dinner and overnight at Lake Baringo country club.
Lake Baringo & Lake Bogoria
From Lake Nakuru we head North-west towards the fresh water Lake Baringo, with a stopover near the Menengai crater and here, we find the Brown Parisoma and Brown Snake-Eagle in these farm lands. At Lake Baringo and its environs, we search for rare species restricted to the north-western part of the country including Hemprich’s and Jackson’s Hornbills, Heuglin’s Courser, Nubian Nightjar, Brown-tailed Rock Chat, Northern Grey Tit, Gambaga flycatcher, Mouse-colored Penduline Tit, Beautiful Sunbird, Bristle-crowned Starling, Jackson’s Golden-backed, Little and Northern Masked Weavers. In the evening we visit several sites looking for Vereaux and Spotted-Eagle Owls, as well as the White-faced Scops Owl.
Day 4: Full Day Birding Activities at Lake Baringo.
After breakfast, have a full day birding activities as Lake Baringo has a multitude of birds. 400 species have been recorded here. Have an experience of bird watching on foot or by boat. Have lunch at the country club. Dinner and overnight at Lake Baringo Country Club.
Day 5: Travel to Kakamega, sight seeing en route.
Travel to Kakamega after breakfast and sight see enroute. Lunch enroute. Check in at Rondo Retreat in Kakamega forest. Dinner and overnight at Rondo Retreat Resort.
Day 6: Full Day - Birding Activities at Kakamega Forest
After breakfast, have full day birding activity at Kakamega forest with a picnic lunch. The forest is well known for diversity of birds. There are 367 species of birds that have been recorded here. Dinner and overnight at Rondo Retreat.
Kakamega Forest
In this Western part of Kenya, the remnant Congolese rainforest has species which are found nowhere else in Kenya. This includes Blue-headed Bee-eater, African Broadbill Toro Olive, and Shelley’s Greenbuls, Grey-throated Barbet, Chapin’s flycatcher, Black-faced Rofous Warbler, Veillot’s Black Weaver, Uganda Woodland Warbler Mackinnon’s Fiscal, Chubb’s Cisticola, Brown-throated Wattle-eye among others. We will venture further field outside the forest for some more western specialties like Rock Pratincole, White-chinned Prinia, Marsh Widowbird, Black Bishop, Red-headed Lovebird, Green Crombec, Red-chested Sunbird, Purple Starling, Locust Finch, Zebra Waxbill, Brown Twinspot, Bar-breasted Fire finch and be on the lookout for rare Speckled-breasted Woodpecker and Bedouin Snake-eagle.
Day 7: Kakamega – Dunga beach – Kericho
After breakfast do the last bird watch at Kakamega forest. Have lunch and do birding at Dunga Beach on Lake Victoria. Dinner and overnight at kericho tea hotel.
.Bird species found around Lake Victoria but rarely if ever seen anywhere else in Kenya include the Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Blue Swallow, Swamp Flycatcher, Greater Swamp-warbler, White-winged Warbler, Papyrus Yellow Warbler, Caruthers' Cisticola, Papyrus Gonolek, Red-chested Sunbird, Red-headed Quelea, Slender-billed Weaver, Yellow-backed Weaver, Northern Brown-throated Weaver, Black-throated Seedeater and the Papyrus Canary.
Day 8: Nairobi – Departure
Early morning birding at the arboretum, drive to Nairobi after lunch. Check in Nairobi a Nairobi hotel for your Day room. Dinner at carnivore. Depart for JKIA for your outbound flight.
Cost: In US$: 3200 per person sharing. Single Supplement US$ 1050.
Cost Inclusions:-
• Transport based on a safari minibus / 4x4 Land cruiser with pop up roof for game viewing.
• Park entry fee where applicable
• Accommodation and all meals as stated in the itinerary
• Service of an English-speaking driver
• Guarantee of going for this trip.
• Game viewing drives as per the Itinerary
• Driver allowances and park fees for vehicle and driver
• Government taxes
Cost Excludes:
• Tips to driver guide, porters and hotel staff.
• Extras at the Lodges – tips, drinks, telephone bills, drinks both alcoholic and non – alcoholic.
Rift Valley Birding Tour- 5 Days/ 4 Nights
Day 1 Nairobi – Lake Naivasha
From our Nairobi Hotel we depart after breakfast headed for the Great Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha. A couple of stops en-route for the stunning view points of the rift valley. We arrive at Lake Naivasha by mid-morning and do a bird-walk before lunch time. Lunch in Naivasha lodge.
Lake Naivasha was declared a bird sanctuary in 1967 and supports pastoral industries, of wine and flowers. Ospreys, fish eagles, herons, lily-trotters will be seen here.
Day 2 Lake Naivasha – Lake Nakuru
We head for Lake Nakuru National Park after breakfast. The Park is regarded by many as the Greatest Bird Spectacle on the Earth. We arrive in the park by mid-morning, followed by lunch at Lake Nakuru lodge. This will be our chance to watch the great populations of Lesser and Greater flamingoes among other species including Cliff Chat, Tawny eagle, etc. Other mammals share this park and we will have a good chance to see the white rhino, black rhino, and Rothschild giraffe. Overnight stay in Lake Nakuru Lodge.
Lake Nakuru National Park A sea of flaming pink as far as the eye can see. These are the millions of flamingoes seeking for their food in the salty deep green waters of Lake Nakuru. The lake is a world famous as the location of the greatest spectacle of birds in the world – the pink and white flamingos. The protected area is primarily for birds of which 400 to 500 species can be found here, from the fish eating birds such as pelicans and cormorants which fishes on the Tilapia gramini that was introduced in the lake in 1960’s, to other birds found in the surrounding of the parks such as secretary birds, eagles and the vulturine guinea fowls.
Day 3 Lake Nakuru – Masai Mara
After breakfast we will drive along the floor of the longest crust on Earth to Masai Mara National Reserve. A portion of the Great Plains known as Serengeti Ecosystem, Masai Mara stands prominent in the populations of plains game not to mention the world famous migration. You will have a chance to compare notes as you sort out the various bird species that you add to your list. Like Nakuru, Mara has a good share of the ornithological paradise. Lunch, Dinner and over night in Masai Mara.
The Mara reserve offers a unique variety of wildlife species facilitative of its diverse fauna ranging from the big five, to the crafty hyena, which may be heard laughing at night, to the Mara River abundant in crocodiles and hippos. The banks of the rivers are covered in thick forest which is gradually makes way for bush and grassland thus the excellent availability of food for the diverse wildlife.
Day 4 Masai Mara
Full day in Masai Mara exploring the extensive grasslands. Large numbers of palearctic migrants will be recorded e.g. Caspian plovers, white storks among the local species which will include Rock Cisticola, Yellow Bellied Hyliota, Pale Wren Warbler etc. Meals and overnight in a lodge or camp.
Day 5 Masai Mara – Nairobi
We leave Masai Mara after breakfast followed by lunch in Nairobi. Dinner will be served in the Carnivore Restaurant in the early evening and there after your transfer for your departure flight.
Cost: In US$: 2000 per person sharing. Single Supplement US$ 1050.
Cost Inclusions:-
• Transport based on a safari minibus / 4x4 Land cruiser with pop up roof for game viewing.
• Park entry fee where applicable
• Accommodation and all meals as stated in the itinerary
• Service of an English-speaking driver
• Guarantee of going for this trip.
• Game viewing drives as per the Itinerary
• Driver allowances and park fees for vehicle and driver
• Government taxes
Cost Excludes:
• Tips to driver guide, porters and hotel staff.
Extras at the Lodges – tips, drinks, telephone bills, drinks both alcoholic and non –alcoholic
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