BIRDVENTURES Itinerary

This is a specialized 13-day birding safari that also affords you the opportunity to observe and study the other spectacular wildlife of this incredible nation. This itinerary is especially designed for the 'involved naturalist' who does not want to simply view the animals of Kenya from the confines of a vehicle. You will walk in a mountain moorland at 11,000 feet, through the acacia bush habitat of the Great Rift Valley in the Soysambu Wildlife Sanctuary, and into the dense jungle-like forest of Kakamega. On this safari we hope to see 400 species of birds, as well as a great diversity of mammals, insects, spiders, fungi, orchids and other plants.

DAY ONE This morning we will drive north from Nairobi through the fertile, green country of the Kikuyu tribe, past traditional farms and pineapple and sisal estates. Our destination: Mountain Lodge, one of Kenya's famous tree hotels, located in the Kahari Game Corridor on the lower slopes of Mount Kenya. The bird watching here is particularly fine, and common sights include Olive and Bronze-naped Pigeons, Silvery-cheeked Hornbills, Mountain Greenbul, Stuhlman's Starling, and maybe Verreaux Eagle Owl. We will arrive in time for lunch, and have a full afternoon to look for birds, Black-and-white Colobus Monkeys, and the procession of animals such as elephant, buffalo, antelope, and the possibility of Giant Forest Hog as they arrive at the waterhole below our private verandas. In the evening we will await specialties such as the Black Rhino, Bongo, Bush-Pig as well as a chance for several species of mongooses. Night at Mountain Lodge.

DAY TWO An early start to visit Mount Kenya, which rises 10,000 feet above the surrounding highland plateau. This spectacular park is surrounded by evergreen forest which merges into bamboo forest and hypericum scrub. In this area we will look for White-starred Bush Robin, Abyssinian Crimsonwing, and if the hypericum is in flower a host of brightly hued sunbirds. We will ascend into the moorlands famous for giant Senecios, Lobelias and Heaths. In this alien landscape we will look for Mountain Chat and Jackson's Francolin, as well as the unusual plant life of the alpine moors.

We will drive to Naro Moru River Lodge in time for a late lunch. The afternoon will be free to explore the trails along the Naro Moru River for Green Pigeon, Hartlaub's Turaco, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Crowned Hornbill, Grey Cuckoo-Shrike, and great looks at sunbirds such as Amethyst, Collared, Bronze, Golden-winged and Tacazze. If we look carefully we might have the pleasure of seeing a most unusual relative of the Elephant, the tiny Tree Hyrax. Night at Naro Moru Lodge.

DAYS THREE AND FOUR Today we will travel to Lake Nakuru and the Great Rift Valley. The lodge is beautifully situated on the shores of Lake Nakuru, famous for the sighting of hundreds of thousands of Flamingos. We will explore this diverse National Park - its grassland, acacia bush and riverine forest, looking for mammals such as reedbuck, waterbuck, and Oribi. Nakuru is famous for leopard, and we will search for this very special mammal while on our game drives. We will also look for waterbirds such as pelicans, Sacred Ibis, African Spoonbill, African Pochard, Hottentot Teal, and for woodland species such as Narina's Trogon, Green Wood Hoopoe, Arrow-marked Babbler, Red-headed Weaver, Hilderbrandt's Francolin, Montane and Dusky Nightjars and Emerald-Spotted Wood Dove. Nights at Lake Nakuru Lion Hill Lodge.

DAYS FIVE AND SIX Today we will travel through the Rift Valley to Lake Baringo, arriving in time for lunch. Lake Baringo is a bird-watcher's paradise with over 400 species of birds having been recorded. The woodlands by the lake are alive with White-Browed Sparrow Weavers, Jackson's and Yellow-billed Hornbills, Bristle-crowned Starling, and Brown-tailed Rock Chat. One of the most interesting birds in this region is the Hamerkop, whose massive head gives it its name, and we should observe several along the lakeshore. We should also see Spotted Eagle Owls, and sunbirds such as Beautiful and Violet-backed. A boat ride on Lake Baringo will bring us close to Goliath Heron, African Fish Eagle, Malachite Kingfisher, and with luck, West Nile Red Bishop, plus swimming hippo and crocodiles. We will be based at the very special Island Camp, a lodge perched on an island right in the middle of Lake Baringo. This private lodge will make for a very special experience. Nights at the Island Camp.

DAYS SEVEN AND EIGHT Today we will spend the day crossing the beautiful Kerio Valley and the Serikwa plateau into western Kenya, and Kakamega Forest. Kakamega is the eastern most remnant of the west Africa rain forest, that once stretched the width of the African continent. Today its flora and fauna remain fascinatingly distinct. Here we will look for unique species found no where else in Kenya - Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill, Great Blue Turaco, Emerald Cuckoo, Blue-headed Bee-eater, Gray-green Bush Shrike, Black-billed and Vieillot's Black Weavers, as well as various barbets, greenbuls, and wattle-eyes; and the showy Black-and-White Colobus Monkeys. Nights at the Rondo Retreat.

DAY NINE This morning, driving past Lake Victoria, we head to the famous Masai Mara National Reserve, northern terminus of the fabled Serengeti. Here we see one of nature's greatest wildlife spectacles, the migrating plains animals. En route to our base of operations, a luxury tented camp in the Mara, we will drive through Masailand, home to one of the most fascinating cultures in Africa. After lunch, we will set out on our first game drive into this spectacular grassland, in search of elephants; the large cats - lion, leopard, and cheetah; the herd animals - zebra, wildebeest, Thompson's and Grant's Gazelles; and specialties like Kongoni and Topi. The Mara also has fine bird-watching; commonly seen species include Sooty Chats, Ground Hornbills, Open-billed Storks, Temminck's Courser, Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, Usambiro Barbet, and Denham's Bustard. Lilac-breasted Rollers are commonly seen perching and the buffalo and other game carry Yellow-billed Oxpeckers on their backs. If we find a kill, we may see five species of vultures all dining together. In addition we will encounter numerous raptors such as Bateleur, Martial, and Tawny Eagles, as well as Pale Chanting Goshawk, Augur Buzzards and Black-chested Harrier Eagles. The Mara is truly a paradise for the nature enthusiast, birder and photographer! Night Mara Intrepids Camp.

DAYS TEN, ELEVEN AND TWELVE We will spend three more days in this superb wildlife region. Each day we will take morning and evening game drives, never knowing what wildlife spectacle awaits us. We are sure to see the attendent species at a kill - jackals, hyena and vultures. 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. Along the Mara River we'll watch for African Finfoot, Schalow's and Ross' Turacao, Crested Guinea-fowl, Woodland Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Barbet, Black-billed Weaver, Violet-backed Starling, and perhaps with luck, Pel's Fishing Owl.

Our base, the Mara Intrepids Camp, has a superb location in the center of the Masai Mara National Reserve, on the banks of the Talek River, near one of the major wildlife migration crossings. Each tent is furnished in the classic style of the grand African safaris, with large four-poster beds and handsome reproduction furniture offset by modern en suite bathrooms with hot showers, flush toilets and all modern amenities. Nights at Mara Intrepids Camp.

DAY THIRTEEN Following breakfast we will return to Nairobi where you will be transferred to the hotel of your choice. For an additional charge you may fly back to Nairobi from the Mara.

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