Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi
Upon your arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be warmly received by an Explore Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. The afternoon is at your leisure to relax. In the evening, you will receive a detailed briefing from your professional birding guide. Dinner and overnight are at your Nairobi hotel.
Day 2: Flamingo Spectacle at Lake Nakuru
After breakfast, we will depart for the famous Lake Nakuru National Park. We arrive in time for lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive. The lake's alkaline waters attract massive flocks of lesser and greater flamingos, creating a stunning pink ribbon along the shoreline. The park is also home to over 400 bird species, including the African fish eagle, Goliath heron, and various raptors, alongside both black and white rhinos.
Day 3: Freshwater Wonders of Lake Naivasha
After an early breakfast, we depart for Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake in the Great Rift Valley. We will take a guided boat ride to explore the papyrus-fringed shores, offering excellent sightings of African fish eagles, pelicans, cormorants, and malachite kingfishers. We may also visit Crescent Island for a walking safari among giraffes and zebras.
Day 4: Journey to the Rainforest - Kakamega
After breakfast, we will depart Naivasha for the Kakamega Forest National Reserve. The journey offers beautiful scenic views as we climb into the lush western highlands. Upon arrival, the rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the serene environment and listen to the initial chorus of forest birds.
Day 5: Full Day Birding in Kakamega Forest
We will have an early breakfast to maximize our time in Kakamega Forest, Kenya's only tropical rainforest. With our expert guide and a local forest ranger, we will spend the full day walking the trails beneath a rich canopy. This is a premier birding destination, where we will target spectacular species like the Great Blue Turaco, Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, Blue-headed Bee-eater, and numerous hornbill and barbet species.
Day 6: Papyrus Specialties at Lake Victoria
After breakfast, we depart for the Lake Victoria basin. We will take a boat trip to explore the papyrus swamps and inlets, searching for rare and localized species such as the Papyrus Gonolek, Swamp Flycatcher, and various weaver species. The afternoon includes a visit to the Kisumu Impala Sanctuary for more birding opportunities.
Day 7: Return to Nairobi and Departure
After a final early morning bird walk around the lodge, we will enjoy breakfast before transferring to the Kisumu Airport for your scheduled flight back to Nairobi. Upon arrival in Nairobi, you will be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your international departure flight.