Day 1: Nairobi to Lake Naivasha (via Limuru Wetlands).
Depart Nairobi early, stopping briefly at the Limuru Ponds (Manguo Swamp) for highland waterbirds like the Maccoa Duck, Southern Pochard, and various rails. Proceed into the Great Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha for an afternoon private boat safari. Focus on the papyrus fringes to spot the African Fish Eagle, Malachite Kingfisher, Lesser Swamp Warbler, and nesting colonies of herons and cormorants. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Transfer to Hell’s Gate National Park and Lake Oloiden.
Spend the morning exploring the towering volcanic cliffs of Hell’s Gate National Park, an exceptional location for cliff-nesting raptors such as the Lanner Falcon, Verreaux’s Eagle, and Augur Buzzard. In the afternoon, bird around the fringes of Lake Oloiden, a smaller crater lake that alternates in salinity and often hosts localized waterbird species.
Day 3: Transfer Lake Naivasha to Lake Nakuru National Park.
Drive north to Lake Nakuru National Park. And you will spend the day at the alkaline mudflats for Greater and Lesser Flamingos, Pied Avocets, and massive rafts of Great White Pelicans.
In the late afternoon, explore the yellow-fever acacia woodlands and rocky ridges for the Rüppell’s Glossy Starling, Green Wood-Hoopoe, and Narina Trogon. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Lake Nakuru to Lake Baringo through Lake Bogoria.
After breakfast, move further north into the arid floor of the Rift Valley. Stop at Lake Bogoria to witness boiling geysers and massive congregations of migratory waterbirds. Continue to the freshwater sanctuary of Lake Baringo. Take a late afternoon boat trip to look for specialized northern species and watch African Fish Eagles and among others. Dinner and overnight stay
Day 5: Full Day at Lake Baringo.
Spend the morning on a guided foot safari along the rocky basalt cliffs of Baringo with a local specialist tracker. This area is unmatched for finding elusive nocturnal species like the Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, Northern White-faced Owl, and Slender-tailed Nightjar. Use the afternoon to bird the dry acacia scrub for the Jackson’s Hornbill, Beautiful Sunbird, and various bristle necks. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: Lake Baringo to Kinangop Plateau to Nairobi and Departure.
Depart Baringo early and ascend into the misty, high-altitude montane grasslands of the Kinangop Plateau. This unique habitat is crucial for tracking down Kenya’s best endemic: Sharpe’s Longclaw. As well you will spot the tussock grass for the Wing-snapping Cisticola before driving back to Nairobi for your evening international flight.
