Africa bird watching safaris

East Africa is a paradise for birdwatching enthusiasts, boasting a remarkable diversity of bird species, from colorful tropical birds to majestic raptors. Birdwatching safaris in East Africa offer unique opportunities to observe and photograph birds in their natural habitats, including national parks, wetlands, forests, and savannas. Here are some of the top destinations for birdwatching safaris in East Africa:

Best bird watching safari destinations in Kenya:

Kenya is renowned for its incredible birdlife, with over 1,100 species recorded across various habitats, including savannas, forests, wetlands, and coastal areas. Here are some of the best birdwatching destinations in Kenya:

1. Maasai Mara National Reserve: While famous for its spectacular wildlife, the Maasai Mara also offers excellent birdwatching opportunities, especially during the wet season when migrant birds flock to the region. Look out for raptors, ostriches, and various waterbirds along the Mara River and surrounding plains.
2. Lake Nakuru National Park: Known as the “Birdwatchers’ Paradise,” Lake Nakuru is home to millions of flamingos, as well as over 450 bird species, including pelicans, cormorants, and various waterfowl. The lake’s alkaline waters attract large flocks of birds throughout the year.
3. Samburu National Reserve: Located in northern Kenya, Samburu is home to several endemic and rare bird species, such as the Somali ostrich, the vulturine guineafowl, and the golden-breasted starling. Keep an eye out for raptors, hornbills, and weaverbirds in the acacia scrubland and along the Ewaso Ng’iro River.
4. Lake Bogoria National Reserve: This alkaline lake in the Great Rift Valley is famous for its hot springs and geysers, as well as its resident flamingo population. Birdwatchers can spot over 200 bird species here, including greater and lesser flamingos, pelicans, and various shorebirds.
5. Tsavo National Parks (East and West): Tsavo is Kenya’s largest national park and offers diverse birdwatching opportunities across its vast savannas, riverine forests, and volcanic hills. Look out for ostriches, secretary birds, hornbills, and raptors such as martial eagles and bateleurs.
6. Mount Kenya National Park: The montane forests and alpine moorlands of Mount Kenya are home to numerous bird species, including the endemic Jackson’s francolin, alpine swift, and scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird. Birdwatchers can also spot various species of turacos, sunbirds, and mountain chats.
7. Aberdare National Park: This mountainous park is known for its dense forests and abundant birdlife, including the endangered Aberdare cisticola, Aberdare warbler, and Aberdare robin-chat. Visitors may also encounter turacos, sunbirds, and various species of raptors and waterbirds.
8. Kakamega Forest Reserve: Located in western Kenya, Kakamega Forest is one of the last remaining tracts of tropical rainforest in the country and is home to over 400 bird species. Look out for endemic species such as the Turner’s eremomela, grey-winged robin-chat, and blue-headed bee-eater.
9. Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve: Located near Malindi, Arabuko Sokoke is the largest remnant of coastal forest in East Africa and a biodiversity hotspot. Birdwatchers can spot over 270 bird species here, including the endangered Sokoke scops owl, Clarke’s weaver, and Amani sunbird.
10. Mida Creek: This expansive tidal creek near Watamu is surrounded by mangrove forests and mudflats, providing habitat for a variety of bird species. Visitors can take boat trips or kayak tours to explore the creek and spot birds such as mangrove kingfishers, crab plovers, and various waders and herons.
11. Watamu Marine National Park and Reserve: While known primarily for its coral reefs and marine life, Watamu Marine Park also offers birdwatching opportunities, especially on the adjacent Mida Creek and along the shoreline. Look out for seabirds, shorebirds, and waders, as well as mangrove specialists such as the mangrove kingfisher.
12. Diani Beach and Shimba Hills: The coastal forests and wetlands around Diani Beach and the nearby Shimba Hills provide habitat for a variety of bird species. Visitors can explore the Shimba Hills National Reserve and spot birds such as the Fischer’s turaco, green-headed oriole, and red-bellied turaco.
13. Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park and Reserve: Located near the Tanzanian border, Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park is known for its coral reefs and marine life, but it also offers birdwatching opportunities, especially on the surrounding islands and along the shoreline. Look out for seabirds, terns, and shorebirds, as well as migratory species during the winter months.
14. Tana River Delta: The Tana River Delta is a vast wetland ecosystem that supports a rich diversity of birdlife, including waterfowl, herons, storks, and raptors. Visitors can explore the delta by boat or on foot and spot birds such as the African skimmer, palm-nut vulture, and white-backed vulture.

These are just a few examples of the many birdwatching destinations in Kenya. Whether you’re a novice birder or a seasoned enthusiast, Kenya offers a wealth of opportunities to observe and appreciate its rich avian diversity.

Best bird watching safari destinations in Tanzania:

Tanzania offers exceptional birdwatching opportunities across its diverse range of habitats, from savannas and forests to wetlands and coastal areas. Here are some of the best birdwatching safari destinations in Tanzania:

1. Serengeti National Park: Known for its incredible wildlife, the Serengeti also offers excellent birdwatching opportunities, especially during the wet season when migrant birds flock to the region. Look out for raptors, ostriches, and various waterbirds along the Grumeti and Mara rivers.
2. Ngorongoro Crater: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to a variety of bird species, including flamingos, storks, and raptors, as well as several endemic species such as the Schalow’s turaco and the Fischer’s lovebird. Birdwatchers can spot birds around the crater’s saline lakes and grasslands.
3. Lake Manyara National Park: Famous for its tree-climbing lions, Lake Manyara is also a haven for birdwatchers, with over 400 bird species recorded. Visitors can spot flamingos, pelicans, herons, and various waterfowl along the lake’s shores and in the surrounding forests.
4. Tarangire National Park: Known for its large elephant herds, Tarangire is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 550 bird species recorded. Look out for birds such as the endemic yellow-collared lovebird and the Kori bustard, as well as raptors, hornbills, and weaverbirds.
5. Selous Game Reserve: This vast wilderness area in southern Tanzania offers excellent birdwatching opportunities along the Rufiji River and its tributaries. Visitors can spot waterbirds, raptors, and various savanna species, as well as endemic species such as the Selous’ mongoose and the Rufiji sunbird.
6. Ruaha National Park: Located in central Tanzania, Ruaha is the country’s largest national park and home to over 570 bird species. Birdwatchers can spot birds such as the African fish eagle, martial eagle, and white-headed buffalo weaver, as well as migratory species during the wet season.
7. Zanzibar Archipelago: The islands of Zanzibar offer unique birdwatching opportunities, especially on the main island of Unguja and the smaller island of Pemba. Visitors can spot seabirds, shorebirds, and forest species such as the Zanzibar red bishop and the Pemba green pigeon.

These are just a few examples of the many birdwatching safari destinations in Tanzania. Whether you’re exploring the savannas of the Serengeti, the wetlands of Tarangire, or the forests of Ruaha, Tanzania offers a wealth of opportunities to observe and appreciate its rich avian diversity.

Best bird watching safari destinations in Uganda:

Uganda is a haven for birdwatchers, boasting a remarkable diversity of bird species across its varied landscapes, including savannas, forests, wetlands, and mountains. Here are some of the best birdwatching safari destinations in Uganda:

1. Queen Elizabeth National Park: Situated in western Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to over 600 bird species, making it one of the best birdwatching destinations in East Africa. Visitors can spot birds such as the African skimmer, shoebill stork, martial eagle, and various waterfowl along the Kazinga Channel and in the park’s diverse habitats.
2. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest: Famous for its mountain gorillas, Bwindi is also one of the best places for birdwatching in Africa, with over 350 bird species recorded, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics. Visitors can spot birds such as the African green broadbill, Shelley’s crimsonwing, and the endangered African green broadbill.
3. Murchison Falls National Park: Located in northern Uganda, Murchison Falls is the country’s largest national park and offers excellent birdwatching opportunities along the Nile River and its tributaries. Visitors can spot birds such as the rare shoebill stork, Goliath heron, African fish eagle, and various waterfowl and raptors.
4. Kibale National Park: Known for its chimpanzee trekking experiences, Kibale is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 370 bird species recorded. Visitors can spot birds such as the African pitta, green-breasted pitta, and various species of turacos, cuckoos, and sunbirds in the park’s lush forests.
5. Semuliki National Park: Situated in western Uganda, Semuliki is one of Africa’s most biodiverse forests and a hotspot for birdwatching. Visitors can spot birds such as the rare shoebill stork, African grey parrot, Nkulengu rail, and various species of hornbills, kingfishers, and owls.
6. Lake Mburo National Park: This small but diverse park in western Uganda is home to over 350 bird species, including the rare African finfoot, shoebill stork, and papyrus gonolek. Visitors can spot birds along the park’s lakeshores, acacia woodlands, and grassy plains.
7. Kidepo Valley National Park: Located in northeastern Uganda, Kidepo Valley is one of Africa’s most remote and pristine wilderness areas, with over 470 bird species recorded. Visitors can spot birds such as the Karamoja apalis, Abyssinian roller, and various species of raptors, bustards, and vultures.

These are just a few examples of the many birdwatching safari destinations in Uganda. Whether you’re exploring the forests of Bwindi, the savannas of Queen Elizabeth, or the wetlands of Murchison Falls, Uganda offers a wealth of opportunities to observe and appreciate its rich avian diversity.

Best bird watching safari destinations in Rwanda:

Rwanda may be a small country, but it’s incredibly rich in birdlife, with a diverse range of habitats supporting a variety of species. Here are some of the best birdwatching safari destinations in Rwanda:

1. Nyungwe Forest National Park: This ancient rainforest is one of the most important birdwatching destinations in Rwanda, with over 300 bird species recorded, including numerous Albertine Rift endemics. Visitors can spot birds such as the Rwenzori turaco, Ruwenzori double-collared sunbird, red-collared babbler, and handsome francolin.
2. Volcanoes National Park: While famous for its mountain gorillas, Volcanoes National Park also offers excellent birdwatching opportunities in the montane forests of the Virunga Mountains. Visitors can spot birds such as the Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori batis, and various species of sunbirds, barbets, and francolins.
3. Akagera National Park: Located in eastern Rwanda, Akagera is the country’s only savanna national park and offers unique birdwatching opportunities. Visitors can spot birds such as the shoebill stork, papyrus gonolek, red-faced barbet, and various species of raptors, waterfowl, and grassland birds.
4. Rugezi Marsh: Situated near the northern shores of Lake Burera, Rugezi Marsh is a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance and a haven for birdwatchers. Visitors can spot birds such as the papyrus gonolek, white-winged scrub-warbler, and various species of herons, egrets, and waterfowl.
5. Cyamudongo Forest: Located near Nyungwe Forest National Park, Cyamudongo is a smaller but equally biodiverse forest that offers excellent birdwatching opportunities. Visitors can spot birds such as the African broadbill, white-headed wood-hoopoe, and great blue turaco, as well as various species of sunbirds, barbets, and forest-dwelling birds.
6. Rwanda’s Lakes: Rwanda’s numerous lakes and wetlands are excellent birdwatching destinations, especially for waterfowl and wetland species. Lake Kivu, Lake Ruhondo, Lake Burera, and other lakes offer opportunities to spot birds such as the African fish eagle, grey-crowned crane, pied kingfisher, and various species of herons, egrets, and ducks.

These are just a few examples of the many birdwatching safari destinations in Rwanda. Whether you’re exploring the forests of Nyungwe, the savannas of Akagera, or the wetlands of Rugezi Marsh, Rwanda offers a wealth of opportunities to observe and appreciate its rich avian diversity.

Check below our best selling Kenya long-haul bird watching safari:

14 Days Best of Kenya Bird Watching Safari Tour

Day 1: Arrival Nairobi

On arrival Nairobi, you are met by representative.  Transfer to Boulevard Hotel for overnight.  Dinner and overnight at the Hotel

Day 2: Drive Nairobi  – Naro Moru River Lodge

An early walk in the gardens of the hotel provides our first counts of Kenyan birds: Northern Pied Babbler, Holub’s Golden Weaver, Speckled Mousebird, Black Kite, Pied Crow, Olive Thrush. After breakfast we will drive north towards Mt. Kenya stopping at the Karatina Dam, which is a seasonal swamp that is partly covered by reeds and water hyacinth. Some common finds here are African Jacana gracefully trotting on the wide hyacinth leaves, Little Grebe, White-faced Whistling Duck, Black-headed Heron, Sacred and Hadada Ibis, Black Cuckoo-shrike and African Paradise Flycatcher.

We will continue to the Naro Moru River Lodge arriving in time for lunch. Generally the Naro Moru area is very dry but there is a remaining patch of the Mt. Kenya Forest and the lodge is set just on the forest border. The gentle flowing Naro Moru River separates the lodge from the forest and all the cottages are facing the river. Add to this the extensive garden with a lot of flowering plants and you have a birding paradise.

The afternoon walk will be on the river trail looking for such residents as the African Green Pigeon, a range of Sunbirds (we think of the Tacazze, Bronze and the Variable), Rufous Chatterer, Chin-spot Batis, Giant Kingfisher…

Day 3: Mount Kenya National park

After birding in the garden we will drive to the Mount Kenya National park to look for the highland species. Interruptions during this drive could come from Long-tailed and Red-collared Widowbirds and Pin-tailed Whydas that are common on the long grass. Leaving the vehicles at the park gate, we will walk in the forest and we will see many species including Hartlaub’s Turaco, Olive and Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, Silvery-cheeked and Crowned Hornbill, Rüppell’s Robin-Chat and the Yellow-crowned Canary.

Day 4: Drive Mount Kenya to Lake Nakuru

We head west to Lake Nakuru, which is famous for its thousands of Lesser Flamingos – the Greater Flamingoes will be easily distinguishable by their height. The Great White and Pink-backed Pelican and Black-winged Stilt are also there.  Dinner and overnight at Flamingo Hill Tented Camp.

Day 5: Lake Nakuru National Park

The lake has a low concentration of salt, so it supports fish that of course attract other water birds.It is a good place to look for Avocets, Storks, Ibises, Ducks, Cormorants, Herons, and Terns. In the wooded acacias there is a chance to see the White-browed Coucal, Broad-billed Roller, Arrow-marked Babbler and the Narina Trogon. Overnight in Flamingo Hill Tented Camp.

Day 6: Drive Lake Nakuru to Lake Baringo

After breakfast we head further north to Lake Baringo. This is a fresh water lake with a slight degree of alkalinity. The climate is dry and the cliffs around house a variety of bird life. Over 400 species of birds have been recorded. The woodlands by the lake are alive with White-browed Sparrow-Weavers, Jackson’s and Red-billed Hornbills, Bristle-crowned Starlings, and the rare Northern Masked Weavers, there are several Hamerkops along the lakeshore and with luck we should be able to see their nest, which a pair of Grey Kestrels have adopted as a home.

There will be time to relax, enjoy the pool, and bird the grounds of the lodge for the resident Spotted Eagle-owls, and Sunbirds such as the Beautiful, Hunter’s and the Violet-backed. Nightjars are common on the lakeshores at night and the Hippos graze freely on the lodge’s lawn. Overnight is at Lake Baringo Country Club.

Day 7: Day in Lake Baringo

Before breakfast, we will bird the escarpment and surrounding countryside for Hemprich’s and Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill, White-crested Turaco, Madagascar Bee-eater, Rufous-crowned Roller, Gabar Goshawk, Cliff Chat and Verreaux’s Eagle which feeds on the Rock Hyrax.

Later on the day we make a boat ride over Lake Baringo, always on the lookout for new bird species. We will come close to the Goliath Heron, African Fish Eagle, Malachite Kingfisher, plus swimming hippo and crocodiles. Dinner and overnight at Rondo Retreat.

Day 8 : Drive Lake Baringo to Kakamega Forest

We aim to reach Kakamega Forest for a late lunch. This forest, in the heart of an intensively cultivated agricultural area, is a superb remainder of virgin tropical rainforest and is of course the home to a wide range of specialty birds, many which are not found anywhere else in Kenya. The forest is not only home to the rare De Brazza’s monkey (only found in Kakamega Forest), but also to the Hammer-headed Fruit Bat, Flying Squirrel, 400 species of butterflies and no less than 330 species of birds.  Overnight at Rondo Retreat.

Day 9: Kakamega Forest

Yes, birding in a forest has its fair share of difficulties but this is easily forgotten when our count increases with hopeful sightings of the impressive Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, Ross’ and the Great Blue Turaco. Other notables are the Grey-headed Negro-finch, Red-headed Bluebill, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Mackinnon’s Shrike and many more. Overnight in the Rondo Retreat in the forest.

Day 10: Drive Kakamega Forest to Lake Naivasha– Crater Lake Tented Camp

A scenic transfer through the Nandi Hills and the tea rich area of Kericho takes us back to Nakuru and further south to the Lake Naivasha area.We reach Crater Lake in time for a late lunch where we’ll stay for the next two nights. In the afternoon we do a bird walk in the Crater Lake game sanctuary. Dinner and overnight is in the luxury tented camp of Crater Lake. Here each tent is furnished with a giant four-poster bed, dressing room and an en suite bathroom with hot shower.

Day 11: Lake Naivasha – Crater Lake Tented Camp

To have the best sightings of the bird life in Lake Naivasha, Crescent Island is the place of choice. It is a lagoon from where we should be able to see Grey-capped Warbler, Spectacled Weaver, Brimstone Canary and Red-billed Firefinch. There are also a lot of fish eaters. Both the Long-tailed and Great Cormorant together with the Fish Eagle and the Pied Kingfisher are common here.

Day 12: Drive Lake Naivasha  – Maasai Mara

We head to the famous Masai Mara National Reserve, which borders Serengeti in Tanzania. Mara is the gem of game viewing and bird watching in Kenya with 450 species recorded. We will drive through Masai land, home to one of the most fascinating cultures in Africa.In the vast grasslands we expect to see Elephants; the large Cats – Lion, Leopard, and Cheetah; the herd animals – Zebra, Wildebeest, Thompson’s and Grant’s Gazelles; and specialties like the Hartebeest and the Topi.

Expected bird species are the highly conspicuous Common Ostrich, the small but still conspicuous Cardinal Quelea, Sooty Chat, Ground Hornbill, Open-billed Stork, Temminck’s Courser, Yellow-throated Sandgrouse and Denham’s Bustard. Lilac-breasted Rollers are common. If we find a kill, we may see six species of vultures all dining together: Egyptian, Hooded, Griffon, Lappet-faced, White-backed and White-headed. It will be a double reward should a Hyena or a Jackal join in the scramble for the kill.

Day 13: Days in Maasai Mara Game Reserve

All day  bird-watching in the Maasai Mara. Along the Mara River we’ll watch for African Finfoot, Schalow’s and Ross’ Turaco, Crested Guineafowl, Woodland Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Barbet, Black-billed Weaver, Violet-backed Starling, and perhaps with luck, Pel’s Fishing Owl.

Any tapping noise on the trees may be indicative of the relatively uncommon Woodpeckers (Golden-tailed and Fine-banded). Hopefully we will be lucky enough to see some of the more difficult to see mammals such as Bat-eared Fox, Hunting Dog, Serval and the delightful Banded Mongoose. Mara Simba Lodge

Day 14: Drive Maasai Mara to Nairobi and depart

After early morning game drive and breakfast, transfer back to Nairobi in time for lunch. Later transfer to the airport for your homebound flight.   End of Safari – Kwaheri!