7 Days Luxury Kenya Birdwatching Safari from Samburu to Maasai Mara

Your guide will collect you from Nairobi in the early morning and begin the journey north. Bird observations may start along the road, with possible storks, raptors, doves, weavers and farmland species. As you travel toward Samburu, the vegetation becomes increasingly dry and supports a different community of birds. Meal, refreshment and washroom stops will be arranged before arrival. After lodge check-in, a short afternoon birding drive may introduce hornbills, Somali ostriches, raptors and species associated with the Ewaso Nyiro River.

Distance: Approximately 310–340 km
Driving Time: Approximately 5½–7 hours
Birding Time: Roadside observations plus approximately 1½–2½ hours after arrival
Main Attractions: Raptors, hornbills, Somali ostriches and northern landscapes
Scenery and Habitat: Highland farmland, rocky hills, dry scrub and riverine forest

Destination:

SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE

Overnight:

Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Lunch, Dinner

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After breakfast, you will explore Samburu’s dry plains, rocky habitats, acacia scrub and riverine vegetation. Possible birds include Somali ostriches, hornbills, bee-eaters, kingfishers, raptors, weavers, starlings and other dry-country species. The guide will listen for calls, scan exposed branches and stop for smaller birds that may otherwise be missed. Reticulated giraffes, Grevy’s zebras, elephants and predators may also be encountered.

Distance: Approximately 40–80 km inside the reserve
Driving Time: Birding throughout the programme
Birding Time: Approximately 7–9 hours
Main Attractions: Somali ostriches, hornbills, bee-eaters, kingfishers and raptors
Scenery and Habitat: Semi-arid plains, rocky country, acacia scrub and riverine vegetation

Destination:

SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE

Overnight:

Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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After breakfast and check-out, you will travel toward Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Roadside birding may reveal storks, raptors, swallows and species associated with the changing highland vegetation. After arrival and lunch, you will begin an afternoon birding and wildlife drive. Possible birds include grassland species, water-associated birds, raptors and woodland species, while rhinos, elephants and giraffes may also be observed.

Distance: Approximately 160–190 km
Driving Time: Approximately 3½–4½ hours
Birding Time: Approximately 2½–4 hours after arrival
Main Attractions: Highland birds, raptors, rhinos and conservation landscapes
Scenery and Habitat: Open grassland, ranchland, woodland and possible mountain scenery

Destination:

SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE

Overnight:

Ol Pejeta Bush Camp

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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After breakfast, you may enjoy an early Ol Pejeta birding drive before travelling toward Lake Naivasha. The guide may search grassland and woodland areas for birds that were not observed during the previous afternoon. The transfer passes highland farmland and Great Rift Valley landscapes. After arrival, late-afternoon lodge-ground birding or an optional short boat activity may be possible.

Distance: Ol Pejeta activity approximately 20–40 km; transfer approximately 180–220 km
Driving Time: Approximately 4–5 hours
Birding Time: Ol Pejeta approximately 2–3 hours plus optional Naivasha birding
Main Attractions: Highland species, garden birds, freshwater birds and Rift Valley scenery
Scenery and Habitat: Grasslands, farms, escarpments, gardens and freshwater shoreline

Destination:

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Overnight:

Sawela Lodge

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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The morning may include a boat birding safari lasting approximately one to one and a half hours when included in the package. Possible sightings include African fish eagles, kingfishers, pelicans, cormorants, herons and hippos. After returning to the lodge, you will travel to the Maasai Mara. Roadside birding may add raptors, storks, weavers and grassland species before your late-afternoon arrival.

Distance: Approximately 230–260 km
Driving Time: Approximately 5–6 hours
Birding Time: Boat activity approximately 1–1½ hours plus roadside observations
Main Attractions: Fish eagles, kingfishers, pelicans, herons and hippos
Scenery and Habitat: Freshwater lake, farmland, rolling hills and savannah

Destination:

LAKE NAIVASHA NATIONAL PARK

Overnight:

Basecamp Maasai Mara

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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After breakfast, you will leave with a picnic lunch for a complete birding day. Possible observations include secretary birds, martial eagles, tawny eagles, bateleurs, vultures, bustards, rollers, larks, weavers, storks and riverine birds. Lions, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes and grazing herds may also be encountered. The private guide will balance large mammals with detailed birding rather than abandoning productive bird habitats whenever another vehicle reports a predator.

Distance: Approximately 50–90 km inside the reserve
Driving Time: Birding throughout the day
Birding Time: Approximately 7–9 hours
Main Attractions: Secretary birds, eagles, vultures, bustards, rollers and large mammals
Scenery and Habitat: Open grassland, woodland, riverbanks and seasonal marshes

Destination:

MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

Overnight:

Basecamp Maasai Mara

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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After breakfast, you will check out and travel to Nairobi. Opportunistic birding may continue during safe and authorised stops, with possible raptors, storks, weavers and agricultural species. Lunch and comfort stops will be included before final drop-off.

Distance: Approximately 260–280 km
Driving Time: Approximately 5–6 hours
Birding Time: Opportunistic roadside observations
Main Attractions: Raptors, storks, farmland birds and Rift Valley scenery
Scenery and  Habitat: Savannah, pastoral land, agricultural highlands and escarpments