Kenya is famous for its wide variety of birds, attracting birdwatchers from all over the globe. There are many different types of environments, including grasslands, forests, lakes, and mountains. Kenya has many great options for birdwatching. Birding tours in Kenya let you see the amazing variety of African birds in beautiful outdoor environments. Kenya has many bird species, including birds of prey, water birds, and bright songbirds. The country has over 1,100 types of birds. The most common one seen there is the common bulbul, which is known for its colorful appearance. Bird watchers going on birding tours should always take binoculars to get a good look at the birds flying in the sky. The ideal time for birdwatching tours in Kenya is during the dry seasons from late June to October, which is also the busiest tourist season. The wet season, from November to May, also offers great birdwatching chances. Whether you’re a birdwatcher or a photographer wanting to capture Kenya’s beautiful birds, the country’s rich wildlife and stunning scenery make it a top choice. Some of the best places for birdwatching tours in Kenya are:
Amboseli National Park is in southern Kenya and covers about 392 square kilometers. It is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service. This national park was first named a game area in 1906 and became an official national park in 1974. This national park is well-known for having many elephants and other animals, and it’s also a great place for birdwatching. The national park is home to more than 400 types of birds. Some of these include the crowned crane, superb starling, hamerkop, yellow-necked spur fowl, yellow-billed stork, goliath heron, African harrier hawk, and bearded vulture, among others.
Mount Kanya National Park is a great place for birding. Mountain tops, green woods, open moors, and plenty of water provide a home for many birds. The beautiful views make birdwatching in these amazing places memorable. Mount Kenya is home to the viote-backed starling, green pigeons, Myer’s parrot, olive ibis, and 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 is a great place for birdwatching in Kenya’s capital city. It’s just a short drive from the city and has more than 400 different bird species, making it a top spot for birdwatching in East Africa. Birding walks in Nairobi National Park provide a special opportunity for visitors to see the unique birds that live in the park. The park has grasslands, woods, and marshes that are home to many types of birds, including those that migrate. Here are some birds you might see on a birdwatching tour in Nairobi National Park, Kenya. 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
The Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve is on the coast of Kenya, about 110 kilometers north of Mombasa. This area is well-known for its many unique plants and animals. It is home to a wide variety of mammals and about 230 bird species. Some of these birds include the Sokoke Pipit, Clarke’s Weaver, Sokoke Scops Owl, Amani Sunbird, and Southern Banded Snake Eagle, among others.
Lake Nakuru National Park is in the southwest of Kenya. It was created as a national park in 1961 and is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service, which is responsible for protecting all national parks in the country. It is also well-known for having more than 100 rare rhinos, including black rhinos and white rhinos. Lake Nakuru National Park is a top spot for birdwatching in the country. It is home to over 450 bird species, making it a popular place for tourists. Some of the notable birds you can see include Flamingos, Grey Crowned Crane, Greater and Lesser Flamingos, Yellow Billed Stork, Marabou Stork, Bustards, Owls, Pigeons, Doves, Egyptian Goose, Osprey, Larks, Starlings, Great White Pelicans, European White Stork, Maccoa Duck, Long Crested Eagle, and African Fish Eagle, among others.
Kakamega Forest National Park
Kakamega Forest National Park is a tropical jungle located in western Kenya, close to Kakamega town. The national park is about 50 km northwest of Kisumu, located near the eastern side of Lake Victoria. Kakamega Forest was officially labeled a Trust Forest in 1933 and spans about 238 square kilometers. This beautiful forest is home to more than 330 types of birds, making it a great place for birdwatchers. 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 a freshwater lake in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley. It’s well-known as a great place for birdwatching, drawing bird lovers and nature fans from all over the world. It has different types of environments, including freshwater marshes, acacia forests, papyrus swamps, and open savannah. These areas provide homes for many types of birds. Lake Naivasha is home to over 350 types of colorful birds, making it a great place for both local and migrating birds. During your birding tour in Kenya, you might see various bird species, including the African fish eagle, Goliath heron, Malachite kingfisher, Red-knobbed coot, and different types of herons (Black and Grey). You may also spot 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, and 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 possibilities. Birdwatching in the Maasai Mara National Reserve is a special and amazing experience. It gives birdwatchers the opportunity to see many different types of birds in one of Africa’s top tourist spots. The Maasai Mara National Reserve has more than 450 types of birds, making it a great place for both local and migrating birds.
During your bird watching tour in the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, you can see various bird species. Some of these include the 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.
Get in touch with our reliable tour providers for details and questions about popular birding tour spots in Kenya. Book with our travel companies.
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