Kenya birding safaris offer great sights. Bird watching in Kenya can be enjoyed in several national parks. When it comes to birding, no birder wants to miss out on a birding safari in Kenya. Kenya has recorded over 1,000 bird species, making it a perfect destination to visit. The most recent information on African bird biodiversity ranks Kenya third, following Tanzania and The Democratic Republic of Congo.
These statistics include two of the largest birds on Earth: the Kori bustard and the Somali Ostrich, along with various raptors and a beautiful collection of colorful bee-eaters, parrots, passerines, and Turaco. A significant factor that has greatly contributed to the multiplication and presence of a massive variety of birds in Kenya is its favorable climate and the natural geographical setting of mountains. This makes Kenya a perfect destination for migratory birds. Book your birding safaris to Kenya below.
Kenya’s southern reserves, composed of open savannas in Masai Mara and Amboseli, offer an exceptional introduction to East Africa’s common birds, including the African gray hornbill, lilac-breasted roller, and the wonderful starling, all visible in the region.
Birds such as the Bogoria can be observed inside the Rift Valley lakes; Lake Nakuru, well-known for its astounding flamingo population, and perhaps the unidentified Lake Naivasha and Baringo provide a complete birding adventure for all birders.
The European Roller in Tsavo West National Park
To spot some of the endemic coastal birds, including the Amani sunbird, Clarke weaver, the grey-crested helmet-shrike, Sharpe’s longclaw, Hinde’s babbler, and the Aberdare cisticola, birders can visit the highlands and Arabuko-Sokoke National Park close to Watamu.
If you seek to find Kenya’s unique and endangered bird species, you’ll need to venture into the forests and grasslands located away from the farmlands.
Arabuko-Sokoke Forest near Malindi tops the list, with six threatened bird species: the Amani Sunbird, Sokoke Pipit, Sokoke Scops Owl, Spotted Ground Thrush, East Coast Akalat, and Clarke’s Weaver.
Kakamega Forest is a small piece of Guinea-Congolian rainforest in Kenya that’s home to numerous rainforest species, including hornbills, the endangered Turner’s Eremomela, and magnificent Turaco.
The rare Papyrus Yellow Warbler inhabits the papyrus swamps on the banks of Lake Victoria, along with the Papyrus Gonolek, Papyrus Canary, White-winged Warbler, and all papyrus endemics.
The Southern Coast is a perfect region for coastal birding, with bird species such as the Southern Banded Snake Eagle, Little Yellow Flycatcher, Fischer’s Turaco, and the Uluguru Violet Backed Sunbird.
Birding in Kenya can be carried out all year round, although the primary season is from October to March when the resident birds are joined by the Palaearctic migrants.
This time also coincides with Kenya’s rainy season when numerous resident species shed their drab eclipse plumage in favor of bright breeding colors.
All you need is to prepare with good hiking footwear for trekking in the forest, insect repellent to protect yourself from insect bites, a camera for photography, suitable trekking attire, and enough water to quench your thirst during the search, along with all the necessary documents and other requirements.
Kenya makes your birding safari a successful and remarkable experience. Come prepared with the necessary documents, suitable clothing, binoculars, and a notebook ready for discoveries.
Why go birding in Kenya
The lilac-breasted Roller in Masai Mara National Reserve
Kenya is one of the best birding destinations in the world, with a location that supports a diverse range of bird species, offering bird enthusiasts a very satisfying experience.
The country’s rich avifauna includes 1,132 recorded bird species.
It is subdivided into geographical regions: the coastal region, northern plains, western plateau, highlands, and Rift Valley regions.
Bird Species of Kenya
Kenya is home to 1,132 recorded bird species, with 335 of these species being forest birds, of which 230 are totally forest-dependent.
The country also has 40 species of global conservation concern, with 16 species considered vulnerable and 4 species critically endangered.
The country is host to 94 species of the 129 Somali-Masai biome species, 13 species of the 155 Sudan-Guinea Savannah biome species, 70 species of the 226 large Afrotropical biome species, 29 species of the 38 East African coastal biome species, 43 of the 270 Guinea-Congo forest biome species, and 9 species of the 12 Victoria Basin biome species.
Some of these include the Hinde’s pied warbler, Clarke’s weaver, Taita white-eye, Tana River cisticola, Aberdare cisticola, Kulal white-eye, African fish eagle, bateleur, common ostrich, and secretary bird, among others.
Top Kenya Birding Destinations
Birding in Kenya can be enjoyed throughout the country, but certain areas are better for specific species.
Some of the top birding destinations in Kenya include:
Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park, located on the outskirts of Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya, is a birder’s paradise with over 520 species of birds recorded.
Species found in the park include the dark-capped bulbul, Jackson’s widowbird, Madagascar pond-heron, red-throated tit, shoebill storks, black-headed heron, Fischer’s lovebird, sooty falcon, white-bellied bustard, white-headed vulture, and secretary bird, to name a few.
Kakamega Forest is home to over 350 recorded bird species, with 36 species endemic to the forest.
It represents a significant extension of the great Congo Basin forest into East Africa.
Common species in the park include the great blue turaco, cinnamon-chested bee-eater, African broadbill, African goshawk, black-billed weaver, brown-chested alethe, black cuckoo, black-crowned waxbill, chestnut wattle-eye, grey parrot, red-headed bluebill, Ugandan woodland warbler, thick-billed honeyguide, red-bellied paradise flycatcher, and yellow-spotted barbet, among others.
Mida Creek, located in coastal Kenya at Watamu, has been recognized as an International Bird Area, forming a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve together with Arabuko Sokoke National Park.
Birds that can be spotted here include Saunders’s tern, grey plover, Terek sandpiper, greater sand plover, crab plover, and many others.
Malindi Watamu
Watamu Malindi is also a birder’s paradise, boasting over 450 species of birds recorded, including migratory birds such as the red-capped robin-chat, white-throated bee-eater, carmine bee-eater, African pygmy kingfisher, osprey, African paradise flycatcher, black cuckoo-shrike, rufous bush chat, and spotted flycatcher.
Mount Kenya National Park
Mount Kenya National Park is home to the spectacular Mount Kenya, which is the second-highest mountain on the African continent.
The forested slopes of this mountain provide a habitat for montane species of birds as well as moorland species.
Some examples of birds found in the park include the white-headed wood hoopoe, slender-billed greenbul, thick-billed seedeater, moorland chat, golden-winged sunbird, scarlet-tufted sunbird, olive ibis, black-fronted bushshrike, bar-tailed trogon, Abyssinian ground thrush, mountain buzzard, Jackson’s francolin, Abbott’s starling, oriole finch, and white-starred robin, to mention just a few.
Lake Baringo
Lake Baringo is also a birder’s paradise, with over 500 species of birds recorded.
Some examples of birds inhabiting the lake and its surroundings include the African scops owl, white-faced owl, Verreaux’s eagle, red-fronted warbler, pygmy batis, bristle-crowned starling, Jackson’s hornbill, northern red bishop, golden-backed weaver, black crake, and spotted thick-knee, among many others.
These areas are home to unique species of birds you might not find in other parts of the country; the common species are North and East African species also found in Ethiopia and Somalia.
Some examples of birds found here include the Somali ostrich, black-cheeked waxbill, eastern pale chanting goshawk, black-capped social weaver, rosy-patched bushshrike, Fischer’s starling, pygmy falcon, white-backed vulture, Somali bee-eater, Donaldson-Smith’s sparrow weaver, buff-crested bustard, white-bellied bustard, white-headed buffalo weaver, African orange-bellied parrot, and black-faced sandgrouse among the rest.
Arabuko Sokoke Forest
Arabuko Sokoke Forest should be on your bucket list if you’re a bird enthusiast visiting Kenya.
The forest is home to some of the endangered species of birds in the world, with over 230 species of birds recorded.
Here, you can find the crested guineafowl, scaly babbler, Fischer’s turaco, Amani sunbird, African pitta, East Coast akalat, Sokoke pipit, little yellow flycatcher, Clarke’s weaver, and Peter’s twinspot among the rest.
Examples of birds seen here include the common swift, red-knobbed coot, grey crowned crane, black-bellied plover, African jacana, African openbill, marabou stork, long-tailed cormorant, great white pelican, intermediate egret, African sacred ibis, secretary bird, European honey buzzard, speckled mousebird, common scimitarbill, African grey hornbill, white-fronted bee-eater, lilac-breasted roller, African pied barbet, Wahlberg’s honeyguide, African grey woodpecker, greater kestrel, yellow-collared lovebird, African black-headed oriole, sulphur-breasted bushshrike, African paradise flycatcher, red-backed shrike, white-billed tit, mouse-colored penduline tit, rufous-napped lark, tawny-flanked prinia, and African yellow warbler among others.
Packing List for your Kenyan Birding Tour
When preparing to go birding, you need to make sure you have packed some of the following:
A pair of good binoculars: Binoculars are a must-have for every birder. They will help you magnify and see birds from a distance a person without binoculars might not see.
Waterproof day pack/bag: You should carry a waterproof day pack or bag so that in case of any rains, your camera, field guide, binoculars, and other belongings don’t get ruined.
Light rain jacket: A light raincoat will also be helpful in case of some drizzles.
Right clothing: Wearing the right clothing is advisable, especially dark colors or greenish-brown to blend with the environment so that birds assume there are no humans in their habitat.
Hiking boots: As most birds live in forests and hilly places, and considering that birding requires some good walking, you need to wear waterproof hiking boots to be comfortable.
Field guide book: A field guide book will help you to cross-check birds and confirm their identities, hence avoiding misidentification.
Cameras: Having photos of birds you encounter will help you in updating your bird checklist easily, and even if you don’t know the
Water bottle: It’s important to stay hydrated, especially while birding since hiking can lead to a lot of sweating.
Flashlight/headlamp: A flashlight or headlamp is very useful for night birding.
Best Time for Birding in Kenya
Birding in Kenya can be done all year round, but the best time is from October to February when migratory birds are present in the country.
Approximately 170 Palearctic species migrate from Europe.
Between June and July, about 60 species of migratory birds from the southern parts of Africa, North Africa, and some parts of Europe are also present.
The optimal birding times are early morning or late evening when most birds are active.
Kenyan National Bird
Lilac-breasted Roller, the Kenya National Park
The Kenyan national bird is the Lilac-breasted Roller, also known as Kambu in the Kiswahili language.
This bird was chosen as the national bird of Kenya to represent the many tribes found in the country, due to the multiple colors the bird has, namely lilac, reddish-brown, black, yellow, white, dark blue, turquoise, and green.
The bird belongs to the roller family of birds found in the southern Arabian Peninsula and sub-Saharan Africa.
The Lilac-breasted Roller has two subspecies: the Blue-breasted Roller, also known as the Lilac-throated Roller, and the Lilac-breasted Roller itself.
The bird nests in trees, where both the male and female take part in the incubation process for a period of 22-24 days.
The Lilac-breasted Roller is a fearless hunter, usually unafraid of even animals larger than itself.
They have a unique hunting technique of swooping down on prey and sometimes discombobulating larger prey with their wings.
Lilac-breasted Rollers feed on invertebrates and arthropods. Their average lifespan is 10 years.
They prefer to live in open savannah grasslands and woodlands.
Unlike other birds, where the coloration and appearance differ between males and females, the Lilac-breasted Roller is dimorphic, meaning both females and males show no major differences.
Bird Watching in Nairobi
Nairobi is the only city in the world with a national park within its outskirts.
The city itself is green and forested, attracting a large number of birds, especially from Nairobi National Park.
Some of the birds you are most likely to see include the Grey Olive Greenbul, Bar-tailed Trogon, Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk, Bearded Scrub Robin, African Black Duck, Mountain Buzzard, African Crowned Eagle, Hybrid Lovebird, and Martial Eagle, to name a few.
Bird Watching in Masai Mara
Masai Mara is a bird enthusiast’s destination, with over 500 species of birds recorded, of which 47 species are birds of prey.
Some of the best spots within the reserve for birding include Musiara Marsh, the Mara River, and the Rift Valley area.
Some of the birds found in the park are the African Openbill Stork, the endangered Madagascar Squacco, Yellow-billed Stork, Black-headed Heron, Goliath Heron, Kori Bustard, Secretary Bird, Common Ostrich, and Grey Crowned Crane, among others.
Birding in Lake Nakuru
Lake Nakuru National Park attracts thousands of visitors every year; the lake is famous for its millions of Greater and Lesser Flamingoes and Pelicans breeding in the alkaline waters.
Though flamingoes are the main attraction, there are over 400 species of birds found within Lake Nakuru National Park, including the African Fish Eagle, Pied Kingfisher, Hottentot Teal, Great White Pelican, Lesser Kestrel, Great Snipe, Northern Puffback, Red-capped Lark, Montane White-eye, and Rufous-throated Wryneck, among others.
Kenya Birding Tips
Birding is one of the most challenging tourist activities but also one of the most rewarding adventures.
For a successful Kenya birding safari, you will need some tips to have a memorable experience, and some of these tips are as follows:
Look all around: While birding, you should always be on the lookout, even when observing another flock, as you might miss another flock flying overhead.
Stay quiet: Birds are easily startled by even the smallest noises. This is because they have a very acute sense of hearing compared to humans.
Study habitat: Most birds prefer to stay within their habitat range. For example, woodpeckers prefer certain trees, Southern Ground Hornbills prefer the ground, and flamingoes love water. Therefore, it’s important to first study the birds and their preferred habitats for a successful birding trip.
Try Pishing: Sometimes, when you’ve tried all possible ways to get a bird to stay put for a good look and it suddenly flies away, you can try out pishing. Some birds are attracted by the sound and may turn back to investigate the source of the noise.
Right Binoculars: Equipping yourself with the right pair of binoculars will help you spot hidden birds and identify them from a distance.
Birding at the Right Time: Although birding can be done throughout the day, some birds are active during specific hours. For example, owls, nightjars, and other nocturnal birds can be seen at night. Songbirds and foragers tend to be active at dawn and in the morning hours. Eagles and hawks prefer to come out mid-morning and afternoon because they rely on warm currents to soar.
Four-Step Bird Identification Process: Birds aren’t always easy to identify, as many look alike and can sometimes be hidden in thickets or far away. Even when you have a clear view of a bird, don’t forget to take the four-step bird identification process to avoid misidentification. The steps are: habitat, behavior, size and shape, and then coloration and pattern.
Identify by Ear: Learning to identify birds by sound is very helpful because you will be able to recognize a bird even before seeing it.
Wear the Right Clothing: Brightly colored clothes stand out in a bird’s habitat; for example, white makes you easily noticeable because birds can see contrast, even though their vision is not as good as humans’. Consider wearing green, black, or brownish clothes to blend into the birds’ environment.
Use Bird Hides: Bird hides are human-made structures created specifically for birding. Watching birds from inside these hides allows you to remain concealed, as the hide is designed to blend with the natural environment. This way, you won’t startle the birds, enabling peaceful observation.
Follow the Crowd: As the saying goes, “Birds of a feather flock together.” It’s common to find birds that feed in the same habitat and seek the same type of shelter congregating together.
Beyond Birding
Apart from birding in Kenya, Kenya has much more to offer, from the best wildlife viewing in the country’s national parks to beach holidays on the coastal areas, and so much more.
