KENYA BIRDING TRIP REPORT

3rd – 18th  NOVEMBER 2008
By Philippa Hodgins  ( AUSTRALIA )
Email: philippa.hodgins@hunterlink.net.au

Highlight locations included Kakamega Forest, Lake Baringo, Lake Bogoria, Nakuru and Samburu National Parks, providing a great range of habitats as well as spectacular scenery – Lake Victoria, Mount Kenya, the Rift Valley and its soda lakes, and a magical equatorial rainforest remnant at Kakamega.

In November 2008, I was fortunate to travel to Kenya on a bird-watching safari with my friend Julianne Schwenke (spouse of our esteemed editor). We used a Tanzania-based company, Birding and Beyond Safaris, who I would heartily recommend. They tailored an itinerary to our time restraints and were happy to run a 15 day tour just for the two of us. We travelled in the delightful company of our local Kenyan guide, Cliff and Tanzanian driver, Geitane, in whose care we felt safe at all times. Cliff has completed the ornithological guiding course at the Kenyan National Museum and is a fount of knowledge and boundless enthusiasm, who went birdwatching during his hours off and is responsible for training a cohort of young birdwatchers in his home village of Lake Baringo. We used an extended troop carrier with a safari-viewing “pop-top” – our personal mobile bird hide! Accommodation varied from absolute luxury (at Samburu River Lodge, Rondo Retreat and Naoromoru River Lodge) to only-just-reasonable (at Wajee Nature Park). All meals were included and food was of excellent quality and freshness, ensuring we remained in perfect health.

Highlight locations included Kakamega Forest, Lake Baringo, Lake Bogoria, Nakuru and Samburu National Parks, providing a great range of habitats as well as spectacular scenery – Lake Victoria, Mount Kenya, the Rift Valley and its soda lakes, and a magical equatorial rainforest remnant at Kakamega.

I was pleasantly surprised by the climate: as we were never below ~ 1500 metres, the days were in the balmy mid 20s and the nights chilled for good sleeping (and open fires). There were brief periods of rain but nothing seriously discouraging.

And the birds! I saw 390 species and it’s hard to say which were the most memorable. I guess the countless flamingos were the most extraordinary spectacle, but wonderful views of common and Somali ostriches, nesting secretary birds, herons and storks, a huge variety of raptors, coursers, dikkops, owls, owlets and nightjars and so on and so on….. . Seeing multiple species of which there are only 1 or 2 representatives in Australia was exciting – bee-eaters, sunbirds, rollers, starlings and of course those species of which we have no examples here – barbets, hornbills, woodpeckers, tchagras, weavers, widows, turacaos. I guess the rarest birds that we were privileged to see were the blue-headed bee-eater at Kakamega and the Hinde’s babbler at Wajee. My infamous dip was on the grey parrot, a pair of which flew overhead at Kakamega whilst I was taking a pee in the forest! Somehow seeing a pair in the aviary in Dunedin Botanic Gardens a few weeks later was not consoling. If I never see another cisticola it won’t be too soon.

“Birds of East Africa” by Stevenson and Fanshawe was a very adequate field guide, but what was a coincidental delight was “A Guide to the Birds of East Africa – a Novel” by Nicholas Drayson, which we had found in Australia a few weeks before our departure. This latter is recommended reading for all birdwatchers regardless of any lack of travel plans. For the interest of those who have come upon this gem of a book, a hadada is an ibis.

Of course, we also took notice on mammalian species which appeared in our field of view. There were many monkeys, antelope species, huge families of elephants, two species of zebras and giraffes, a solitary rhino, and lots of cranky hippos and crocs. Sadly for Julianne, we saw no big cats.

Of non-birding interest was our timing: we were in Kenya during the US presidential election and in fact at Kisumu, near the home of Obama’s grandmother, at the time of his victory. This was huge in Kenya – there was great revelry, an immediate public holiday, huge press coverage, and apparently a dozen new born males named Barek within 24 hours of the result. Julianne wore a selection of Obama tee-shirts which were great ice-breakers.

I would recommend Kenya as a birdwatching destination, as it is accessible, fairly safe, quite economical, there is a fabulous array of species, and English is spoken everywhere. I really endorse Birding and Beyond as an operator, and would definitely use them again if biriding in Tanzania or Uganda, which are their other destinations.

KENYA BIRDING TRIP
REPORT
Kenya 2001
By Mark Sutton

Introduction

This report covers a birding trip taken to Kenya,
covering sites north of Nairobi. The group consisted of myself, my wife
Linda, 8 year-old son Brent, my brother Richard & his girlfriend
Ann-Marie. This was our first trip to East Africa, but had birded Africa
previously in South Africa (twice) and the Gambia. We were initially
going to arrange a completely independent trip, but found that hiring
a minibus & driver was not much more expensive, and the thought
of somebody else with local knowledge, doing the driving was very tempting.
We eventually booked the vehicle through Anthony W. Raphael of Birding
and Beyond Safaris, who also pre-booked most of our accommodation and
provided very useful advice & site information. Our driver, James,
proved to be a very experienced safari driver and had a good knowledge
of the sites we visited, as well as being good company.

Transport

We hired a safari minibus for the duration of
the trip; this is a minibus where the roof lifts up to allow the passengers
to stand. This is extremely useful for birding and mammal watching in
the National Parks. The vehicle capacity was about 10 passengers (but
realistically about 7 plus baggage) so it proved to be very spacious
and comfortable for the 5 of us.

Health

No problems – we all took either Larium or Doxycycline
anti-malarials, Brent had to take Larium as Doxy. is not suitable for
children.

Food

Food was generally very good even for vegetarians,
with most meals being taken in the hotels.

At the Kakamega forest we had to cook our own
meals, but cooking utensils & firewood were provided at both sites.
At the mount Kenya met. station all food was provided & cooked by
the guides, as part of the package.

Weather

We visited Kenya during the “mini” wet
season, but this had little effect on the birding, although it made
some areas difficult to drive and stopped the vehicle driving up Mount
Kenya to the Met. Station.

We were unable to get to a couple of sites around
Siaport, Lake Victoria, due to the poor road conditions.

Books & Tapes

Trip reports: The following 2 reports proved to
be very useful:

Bird watching in Kenya Feb/March 1995 by Mike
Hunter
Birding in Kenya (1980 to 83) by Steve Whitehouse.

Site Guides: Where to watch birds
in Africa – Nigel Wheatley, published by Helm – Invaluable.

Field Guides: Field Guide to
the Birds of East Africa – Terry Stephenson & John Fanshawe, published
by T& A D Poyser. This had only been recently published and proved
to be an excellent field guide. The format of having the text and range
map opposite the illustration is very useful.

Birds of Kenya & Northern Tanzania – Zimmerman,
Turner and Pearson published by Helm. A good guide, but I preferred
the East African guide.

The Kingdom Field Guide to African Mammals (Poyser)
– very good.

Sound guides: African bird sounds volume 2, 11
CD set , with target species transferred to tape.

Costs

The “Safari” cost USD 5,350, which was
split between the 5 of us. This included the vehicle & driver plus
all running costs, most accommodation and food at the hotels and the
cost of the Mount Kenya trip (4WD, guide & food).

National park & site costs:

Hells Gate N.P. USD 15$ per person
Lake Nakuru USD 27$ per person
Kakemega approx KSh 100sh per day per group plus guide tips.
Saiwa Swamp N.P. USD 15$ per person.
Thomson’s Falls KSh 100sh.
Mount Kenya N.P. USD 15$ per person.
Samburu N.P. USD 27$ per person.
Nairobi N.P. USD 20$ per person.

Flights, booked with Sabina through Trail finders
cost £419 from Manchester (incl Airport Taxes). We had to transfer
to Swiss Air at the last minute, due to Sabina going into liquidation.

Accommodation

Lake Naivasha Hotel – Expensive
@ £60.00 per room B&B, very comfortable with easy access to
the Lake.

Stem Hotel – Just before Nakuru
on road from Lake Navasha, B&B included in the package price. A
little shabby but clean and comfortable. Swimming pool.

Sunset Hotel – Kazumu. Half Board
included in the package price. Used by bird tour companies. Good standard
hotel. Swimming pool.

Golf Hotel – Kakamega. Half Board
included in the package price. Used by bird tour companies. Good standard
hotel. Swimming pool.

Isechenco Guest House – Kakamega
Forest. Self-Catering included in the package price. A row of wooden
chalets on stilts in the middle of forest. Very basic but excellent.
Cooked on open fire.

Udos Bandas – Kakamega Forest.
Self-catering included in the package price. Several thatched bandas
of various sizes. Good clean accommodation. Cooked on open fire. Pit
toilets.

Alakara Hotel – Kitale. B&B
included in the package price. Shabby noisy hotel in the middle of Kitale.
Good restaurant.

Roberts Camp – Lake Barringo.
Self-Catering. Stayed in excellent bandas. Camp next door to Lake Barringo
Club where swimming pool can be used for 200 shillings per day.

Naromoru River Lodge – Half Board
included in the package price. Used by bird tour companies. Excellent
accommodation and food plus swimming pool. ahl@africaonline.co.ke

Met Station – c/o Naromoru River
Lodge, Mt Kenya. Wooden dorm type chalets very basic with pit toilets.
Food provided and cooked by hire staff.

Samburu Lodge – Samburu Game reserve, Full Board
included in package price. Used by tour companies, excellent standard
excellent pool.

Wajee Bungalows – Wajee Camp
Nature Reserve. Pre booked bandas but upgraded to bungalow at an extra
1000 shillings. Basic but clean and comfortable.

Blue Posts Thika – Near Kieni
Forest. Half Board included in package price. Good standard hotel.

Paradise Hotel – Centre of Niarobi.
Clean and comfortable, cost 2600 shillings for triple and 2100 shillings
for a double.

Contacts
Birding and Beyond Safaris, Tel +255 744 286058
tours@tanzaniabirding.com
Web site www.tanzaniabirding.com

Itinerary

10/11 Am: Arrived Nairobi at 06.45, met Anthony
and our driver James. Drove to Naivasha, with a short stop at Limuru
Pond.Pm : Birded around hotel grounds and lake shore.Highlights: Limuru
Pond – White-headed Duck. Naivasha- Fischers and Yellow-collared Lovebirds
(Plus hybrids?), Sharpes Pied babbler.

11/11 Am: Birded around grounds
before going into Hells Gate N.P.Pm: Drove the 70Km to Nakuru stopping
briefly to view Lake Elmenteita from the road. Spent the evening birding
along the road to the South of the N.P.Highlights: Hells Gate – Hildebrants
Francolin, Schalow’s Wheatear. On route – Adnims Stork, Lake Elmenteita
– Lesser Flamingos.

12/11 Am: Spent the morning in
Lake Nakuru N.P.Pm: Spent the afternoon travelling to Kisumu, briefly
calling into a site for Sharpes Pipit, arriving at the hotel at dusk.
Nakuru to Kisumu 200Km which look 3 hours Highlights: Nakuru – Grey-rumped
Swallow & Mocking Cliff-chat. On route – Sharpes Pipit & African
Openbill.

13/11 Am: Early morning spent
around the hotel grounds & nearby gardens, before moving to Hippo
Point after breakfast.Pm: Journey to Kakamaga. Birded an area of fields
& wet grassland to the West of Mumias bridge before moving to Mumias
bridge. The evening was spent around the hotel grounds.Highlights: Hippo
point – Carruther’s Cisticola, Black-billed Barbet, Marsh Tchagra &
Black-headed Gonolek. Mumias area – Blue-breasted Bee-eater & Rock
Pratincole. Golf Hotel – Ross’s Turaco & Red-headed lovebird.

14/11 Am: Early am around the
hotel grounds, before driving to Isecheno.Pm: Spent the afternoon and
evening birding the Zimmerman grid.Highlights: Isecheno – Blue-headed
Bee-eater, Turners Eremomelia, Uganda Woodland Warbler.

15/11 Am: The morning was spent
birding around Isecheno.Pm : Drove to Buyangu and spent the afternoon
and evening birding near the Bandas. Highlights: Isecheno – Great Blue
Turaco, Petit’s Cuckoo shrike, Grey-green Bush-shrike, Red-headed Malimbe,Buyangu
– Crested Guineafowl, Blue-shouldered Robinchat.

16/11 Am: The morning was spent
birding around Buyangu.Pm: Drove for 2.5 hours to Kitale and booked
into the hotel, the late afternoon was spent around Saiaw Swamp.Highlights:
Buyangu – Purple-throated Cuckooshrike. Saiwa Swamp – Blue-headed Coucal,
Double-toothed Barbet, Chubb’s Cisticola & Grey Winged Robinchat
(RS only)

17/11 Am: Early morning was spent
around Saiwa Swamp before returning to the hotel for breakfast and the
5-hour journey to Lake Baringo.Pm: The afternoon & evening was spent
around the grounds of Roberts Camp & the adjoining Hotel.Highlights:
Saiwa Swamp – Grey-winged Robinchat (for MS)Lake Baringo – Bristle-crowned
Staring & Northern Masked Weaver.

18/11 Am: pre-dawn walk to the nearby cliffs, returning
to Robrts Camp late morning.Pm: The afternoon was spent birding the
nearby scrub, enlisting the help of local “guides” for Courser,
Owl and Nightjar. Highlights: Cliffs – Hemprich’s Hornbill, Pallid Honeyguide
& Brown-tailed Chat, Roberts Camp area- Heuglins Courser, White-faced
Scops owl & Slender- tailed Nightjar.

19/11: Birded around Lake Baringo
first thing, before departing for the Naromoru river lodge, calling
in on Thompson’s Falls en-route. In the afternoon we took a short cut,
along a dirt road, across the plains to the lodge, but managed to get
the vehicle stuck. We spent about 3 hours, unsuccessfully, trying to
free the vehicle from a muddy pot hole until, fortunately, a Landrover
came by which managed to tow us out. Highlights: Thompson’s Falls –
Cinnamon Chester Bee-eater, Tinkling Cisticola, Tacazze & Golden
Winged Sunbirds.Short cut across plains – White & Black bellied
Bustards, Red-footed Falcon, & 100’s of Lesser Kestrels.

20/11 Am: Spent the early morning
around the grounds of the river lodge, before departing for Mount Kenya
in the hotel 4WD vehicle. The vehicle was not allowed to drive to the
meteorological station, due to the wet & slippery condition of the
road, instead it dropped us of at the entrance to the National Park.
Pm: Walked from the entrance gates to the Meteorological station, a
4 hour walk of about 8 Kms. Highlights: Naro Moru – Hartlubs Turaco
& Red-fronted Parrot.Mt Kenya- Mountain Greenbul, Moorland Chat,
Brown Woodland Warbler & Mountain Yellow Warbler.

21/11: Early morning was spent
birding around the Met. Station.After breakfast we walked up to the
high altitude moorland, returning to the met. station late afternoon.
Highlights: Jackson’s Francolin & Cinnamon Bracken Warbler. Richard
had Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird, a couple of hours walk above the
tree line.

22/11 Am: Walked back down to
the Entrance gates where we met the vehicle, which took us back to the
Naro Moru river lodge where we had lunch.Drove the 4.5-hour journey
to Samburu, with a short stop near Isiolo for Boran Cisticola.We arrived
at Samburu at approx. 16.00 and spent the last few hours of daylight
exploring the reserve.Highlights: Mk Kenya – Abysinian Ground-thrush.
Journey – Jackson’s Widowbird, Boran Cisticola. Samburu – Kori Bustard,
Senegal Courser, Golden Pipit & Vulturine Guinea fowl. Cheetah &
Leopard.

23/11: Spent the whole day around
Samburu.Highlights: Pygmy Falcon, Harlequin Quail, Black-faced Sandgrouse,
Yellow vented Eremomelia, Pygmy Batis, & White-faced Mousebird

24/11 Am: After an early breakfast we left Samburu
and headed to Wajee Camp which took 6 hours, This site had been recommended
for Hinde’s Pied Babbler, an extremely localised endemic Pm: Birded
around Wajee Camp, & the nature trail, where we were accompanied
by the resident guide.Highlights: Samburu – Somali OstrichWajee Camp
– Hinde’s Pied Babbler.

25/11 Am: Early morning was spent
birding around the grounds, before departing for an area of Paddy fields
which were on route to the Blue Posts Hotel . (Wajee to Blue Posts took
3 hours including the stop at the paddy fields) Pm: Booked into the
hotel before moving on to Keini Forest, a couple of hours drive away.
James, our driver was not happy with us visiting this site as it has
a reputation for theft & car jacking. We spent a couple of hours
in the forest before departing well before dark. We did not spend enough
time at this site, which showed a lot of potential.Highlights: Paddies
– White-winged Widow birdKieni Forest – White-browed Crombec & Black-tailed
Oriole.

26/11: Early morning around the
hotel grounds before moving on to Nairobi National Park. The journey
from Blue Posts to Nairobi N.P. took 2 hours, through rush hour traffic.Highlights:
Nairobi N.P. – Black Rhino, Pengani Longclaw, Northen pied Babbler &
Red-throated Tit.

27/11: Departed for the UK.

Sites Visited

Limuru Pond

Situated about 30Km from Nairobi alongside the
A104. If approaching from Nairobi, a minor road on the right just before
the lake on the right can give good views over the lake and surrounding
marsh.

Lake Naivasha

All our birding was carried out around the grounds
of the Lake Naivasha hotel and adjacent lake shore.

Hells Gate N.P.

Situated just south of Lake Naivasha and can be
accessed from the road to Fisherman’s camp.

Lake Nakuru

We entered the park at the main gate, on the south
side of Nakuru Town, skirted around the west shore of the lake and drove
to the southern shore, which was the most productive for White Rhino.

The track passed below Baboon rocks, a popular
view point, this section of, wooded track, produced Cliff Chat. The
whole shoreline was fringed with Lesser Flamingos.

Kisumu – Lake Victoria

The best birding around Kisumu is at Hippo point,
which is about 1 mile from the Sunset Hotel.

Kakemega – Isecheno

We birded the network of paths known as the Zimmerman
Grid, located behind the Rest House and also a circuit to the pumping
station, down the path to the main track leading to Shinyalu & back
to the Rest House.

Kakamega – Buyangu

All our birding was either around the immediate
environs of the campsite or on the track to & from the viewpoint.

Saiwa Swamp

The boardwalk here gives excellent views over
the marsh, which was very productive on both our evening and morning
visits to the reserve. Several Blue-headed Coucal were seen on both
visits, perched on dead trees, which protrude from the marsh. We also
birded the woodland on the far side of the boardwalk and it was form
this track where we saw several Sitatunga antelope.

Lake Baringo

We stayed at Roberts camp, the camp and the grounds
of the Hotel next door proved to be an excellent birding area. We walked
to the nearby cliffs, starting off just before dawn and birded the area
around the base of the cliffs until late morning. Local guides tout
for business in the village & even outside the gates of the camp,
these guides are very useful for the Heuglin’s Courser & day roosting
night birds.

This area held a huge variety of species and supposedly
holds (held?) the record for the highest number of species recorded
in a day.

Thomson’s Falls

A couple of hours were spent here on the way to
the Naro Moru River Lodge. We birded from the falls viewpoint &
an area of marshland both between the falls and the main road and on
the far side of the main road.

Mount Kenya

The Naro Moru River Lodge was used as a base to
cover Mount Kenya. We pre-booked a two-night stay at the meteorological
Station. The hotel provided: transport to/from the National Park gates,
guide/cook and porters. We originally arranged for the vehicle to take
us all the way to the Met. Station, but the road was closed due to the
heavy rains. This proved to be advantageous, as the walk provided excellent
birding. We spent the full day on the mountain birding the area from
the met. Station, to the open “Moorland” just above the area
of giant heather.

Accommodation at the Met station is very basic
(several shared chalets with bunk beds), it can also be very cold at
night, so a good sleeping bag is recommended.

Isiolo

This is the traditional site for Boran Cisticola,
which is located on the route to Samburu. Much of the scrub appeared
to be in the process of being destroyed.

We found 1+ Boran Cisticola just after we turned
left to Isolo (but still on the A2) in area of scrub between the junction
and an area of cultivation.

Samburu
The vast majority of the birding here was done from the vehicle, driving
slowly around the maize of track that crisscross both Samburu &
Buffalo Springs reserves.

We also birded the grounds of the hotel complex.

Wajee

As far as we know this is the only know site for
Hinde’s Pied Babbler. A small group of birds live in the grounds of
this small private reserve. The wardens initially insisted that we use
a guide to show us the birds, which he did. Once we had paid for the
tour, we were then allows to wander freely around the reserve.

Contact details:
Tel (0171) 60359, Fax 60438 or 02 743615 Nairobi.
PO Box 148, Mukurwe-ni, Nyeri, Kenya.

Kieni Forest

Our driver, James was very reluctant to visit
this site, as it is notorious for car jacking. We only spent a couple
of hours here so did not really give it justice. We parked near a small
track leading into to the forest & birded the track for a couple
of 100 meters.

Nairobi N.P.
Situated on the outskirts of Nairobi, this
is an excellent site to start or finish a trip to Kenya. Most birding
was carried out from the vehicle, with a couple of hours on foot around
the hippo pools.

Other Tanzania Trip Reports arranged by years.

2014  |   2013  |  2012  |  2011  |  2010   |  2008   |  2006  |  2005    |  2003

TANZANIA – Important Bird Areas (IBA’s)

Tanzania is a very important country ornithologically. It has one of the largest species’ lists of any African country with over 1,000 species, of which over 800 species are resident and nearly 200 are regular migrants. 56 Species are of global conservation concern, of which 21 are endemic to Tanzania and a further 43 species occur in only one or two other countries.

Tanzania holds parts of several Endemic Bird Areas (EBAs): the Tanzania ­Malawi mountains with 32 of its restricted range species occurring in Tanzania; the Albertine Rift mountains; the Serengeti plains with all 6 restricted range species; the Kenyan mountains with 5 of the 9 restricted range species; the East African coastal forests with 5 of the 7 restricted range species, and Pemba with 4 restricted range species. In addition, there are three secondary endemic bird areas:

South-west Tanzanian swamps; Kilombero flood-plain; and Dry woodlands west of Lake Victoria.

Parts of 6 biome restricted areas occur in Tanzania: Guinea-Congo Forests of which 56 of its restricted range species have been recorded; the Lake Victoria basin with 11 species; the Afrotropical Highlands with 91 species; the Somali ­Masai with 77 species; the East African coast with 26 species; and the Zambezian biome with 40 species.

Tanzania’s 80 IBA’s cover a total of more than 167,000 km2 or about 18% of the land area with sites varying in size from 3 hectares to 5 million hectares. Only a small number of the better known IBA’s are documented here .

1. Mount Kilimanjaro is forested between 1,500 m and 3,000 m with the National Park lying above 2,700 m. It holds a range of forest species including Olive Ibis Bostrychia olivacea and alpine species such as Hill Chat Cercomela sordida and Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird Nectarinia johnstoni. It is also well known for Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus and Abbott’s Starling Pholia femoralis.

2. Ruaha National Park is one of the driest protected areas in Tanzania and has a list of over 400 species. It holds important populations of two Tanzanian endemics Ashy Starling Lamprotornis unicolor and Yellow-collared Lovebird Agapornis personatus.

3. The Serengeti National Park is one of the best known National Parks in Africa, lying between Lake Victoria and the Eastern Rift Valley, and adjacent to Kenya’s Masai Mara Reserve and bordering the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The Park holds three Tanzanian endemics Grey-breasted Spurfowl Francolinus rufopictus, Fischer’s Lovebird Agapornis fischeri and Rufous-tailed Weaver Histurgops ruficaudus. Many large flocks of African and Palearctic migrants are easily observed in the Serengeti during peak migratory periods.

4. Ngorongoro Conservation Area is part of the crater highlands and varies in altitude from 1,700 m at the crater floor to some 3,000 m at the rim. Over 500 species are known from this site including the largest known population of Fischer’s Lovebird Agapornis fischeri. Several important wetlands lie within the site, which is important for both Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber and Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor. Large mammals, including the endangered Black Rhinoceros, are cradled in this scenic caldera.

5. Selous Game Reserve lies in the south-east of Tanzania and with an area of 50,000 km2 is one of the largest protected areas in Africa. There is no official species list for this site but numerous miombo endemics occur here, and the Rufigi River is excellent for water-birds such as African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris.

6. Dar es Salaam Coast includes tidal mudflats, river inlets, saltpans, mangroves, thickets and offshore islands which create a diverse habitat with a remarkable list of over 450 species. It is of major importance for migratory waders including Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola, Little Stint Calidris minuta and Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea.

7. Lake Natron is a shallow soda lake on the floor of the Eastern Rift valley and extends 58 km south from the Kenyan border. It is the most important breeding site for the majority of the world population of Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor and its arid surrounding habitat, especially if one traverses across country toward Mt. Longido and West Kilimanjaro plains, offers unique opportunities for Buff-crested Bustard Eupodotis gindiana, Spike-heeled Lark Chersomanes albofasciata etc. It is also excellent for mammals such as Gerenuk, Steenbok and occasionally Lesser Kudu.

8. Lake Victoria has four IBA’s which are important for cormorants, egrets and herons and one of which Rubondo Island National Park holds Sitatunga and Spotted-necked Otters.

9. Kitulo Plateau National Park is one of the best places to see Denham’s Bustard Neotis denhami and Blue Swallow Hirundo atrocaerulea as well as amazing ground orchids.

10. Mkomazi Game Reserve holds a number of species which are found at the southern limit of their range, extending to the southern base of the South Pare Mountains. These include Friedmann’s Lark Mirafra pulpa, Pygmy Batis Batis perkeo, Three-streaked Tchagra Tchagra jamesi, Shelley’s Starling Lamprotornis shelleyi and Pringle’s Puffback Dryoscopus pringlii.

11. Zanzibar has two IBA’s which are important for waders and terns including non-breeding populations of Crab-plover Dromas ardeola. In addition, the Jozani Forest Reserve on Zanzibar contains the only remaining forest on the island and holds endemic races of Fischer’s Turaco Tauraco fischeri, Little Greenbul Andropadus virens and Grey Sunbird Cyanomitra veroxii. East Coast Akalat Sheppardia gunningi can be found as well as a number of interesting mammal species such as Zanzibar Red Colobus, Ader’s Duiker and Pemba Flying Fox.

12. Udzungwa mountains to the south-west of Dar es Salaam have forest reserves which hold species such as Udzungwa Partridge Xenoperdix udzungwensis, Dappled Mountain-Robin Arcanator orostruthus, Sharpe’s Akalat Sheppardia sharpei, Olive-flanked Robin-Chat Cossypha anomala and White-chested Alethe Alethe fuelleborni. The area can be reached from a variety of places, but best is the ascent to the spectacular Sanje waterfalls from the base of the Udzungwa National Park HQ at Mangula.

13. The Uluguru mountains are situated about halfway between Udzungwa and Dar and are the only locality for Uluguru Bush-Shrike Malaconotus alius and Loveridge’s Sunbird Cinnyris loveridgei as well as 5 endemic subspecies. If lucky, Abbott’s Duiker, one of the rarest African antelopes may be seen.

14. East Usambara mountains is one of the most important areas on the African mainland for the conservation of globally threatened species. Usambara Eagle Owl Bubo vosseleri, Sokoke Scops Owl Otus ireneae, Long-billed Tailorbird Orthotomus moreaui, Dappled Mountain-Robin Arcanator orostruthus, Swynnerton’s Robin Swynnertonia swynnertoni and Usambara Weaver Ploceus nicolli all occur here. The West Usambara mountains have been less studied outside the Lushoto area but are none the less important for species such as Usambara Akalat Sheppardia montana, Banded Sunbird Anthreptes rubritorques, Sharpe’s Starling Pholia sharpii and Usambara Weaver Ploceus nicolli. The best locations to find this species regularly being Mazumbai and Magamba.

15. Lindi District Coastal Forests are important for coastal forest birds such as Southern Banded Snake Eagle Circaetus fasciolatus, East Coast Akalat Sheppardia gunningi, Spotted Ground-Thrush Zoothera guttata and other specialities like Livingstone’s Flycatcher Erythrocercus livingstonei.

16. Pemba Island lies 55 km off the mainland and holds 4 endemic species, Pemba Green Pigeon Treron pembaensis, Pemba Scops Owl Otus pembaensis, Pemba Sunbird Cinnyris pembae and Pemba White-eye Zosterops vaughani.

17. Kilombero flood-plain is 260 km long and up to 52 km wide, the Kilombero flood-plain in Tanzania is one of the largest wetlands in Africa. This confluence of rivers and seasonally-flooded marshes and swamps is home to a rich array of birdlife, including species that are endemic to the region, such as the Kilombero weaver, Kilombero cisticola, Melodius cisticola, Iringa akalat and the Dappled throated mountain robin.

UGANDA – Important Bird Areas (IBA’s)

Three endemic bird areas (EBA’s) lie partly within Uganda: the Albertine Rift mountains; the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo lowlands; and the Kenyan mountains as well as three secondary areas: dry woodlands west of Lake Victoria; north Ugandan swamps and north-east Uganda. Uganda has over 30 restricted range species, of which 24 are found only in the Albertine Rift mountains.

Uganda has 30 Important Bird Areas (IBA’s) covering some 7% of the area of the country.

Four are in the south-west of the country: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park; Echuya Forest Reserve; Nyamuriro Swamp and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Six are in the west near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo: Rwenzori Mountains National Park; Kibale National Park; Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake George; Kyambura Wildlife Reserve; Semliki National Park and Semliki Reserves.

Eight are in the Lake Victoria Basin in the south-central region of the country: Lake Mburo National Park; Sango Bay area; Nabugabo Wetland; Musambwa Islands;Lutoboka Point (Ssese Islands); Mabamba Bay; Lutembe Bay and Mabira Forest Reserve. Five are in the north-west: Budongo Forest Reserve; Murchison Falls National Park; Ajai Wildlife Reserve; Mount Kei Forest Reserve and Mount Otzi Forest Reserve.

A further seven are in the east towards the Kenyan border: Doho Rice Scheme; Lake Nakuwa; Lake Bisina; Lake Opeta; Mount Elgon National Park; Mount Moroto Forest Reserve and Kidepo Valley National Park.

Most of the above IBA’s are now accessible by birdwatchers with the help of the Uganda Bird Guides’ club members; see visiting section. The most frequently visited areas have site guides’ clubs. Many of the sites are close to Kampala, the capital, and examples include:
Mabamba Bay with an extensive marsh fringed with papyrus and is the nearest known site for Shoebill Balaeniceps rex, Blue Swallow Hirundo atrocaerulea and Papyrus Gonolek Laniarius mufumbiri.
The Lutembe bay is popular for its capacity to accommodate millions of migrant White-winged Terns Chlidonias leucopterus.

KENYA – Important Bird Areas (IBA’s)

Kenya has one of the richest avifaunas in Africa with about 1,090 species recorded. Around 170 of these are Palearctic migrants and at least a further 60 are intra-Africa migrants. Some 230 species are entirely forest dependent and 110 require undisturbed habitat.

There are 9 restricted range species of the Kenya Mountains Endemic Bird Area (EBA) and 7 of the East African coastal forests EBA. Kenya also has small portions of other EBA’s: Tanzanian Malawi mountains; Serengeti plains; Jubba and Shabeelle valleys.

The most significant biomes are Somali-Masai with 94 out of 129 species in Kenya; East African Coast with 29 out of 38 species; Afrotropical Highlands with 70 out of 226 species; and the small Lake Victoria Basin with 9 out of 12 species. The eastern-most part of the Guinea-Congo Forest biome holds 43 out of 277 species and Sudan-Guinea Savanna holds 13 out of 55 species.

Kenya’s 60 IBA’s cover a total of 5.7 million hectares or about 10% of the land area with sites varying in size from 1 hectare to 1 million hectares. Only a small number of the better known IBA’s are documented here, but the total list can be found in the references below.

1. Aberdare Mountains and Mount Kenya hold many species of the Afrotropical Highlands biome including Hartlaub’s Turaco Tauraco hartlaubi, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater Merops oreobates, Sharpe’s Longclaw Macronyx sharpei, Abbott’s Starling Pholia femoralis and a range of montane sunbird species, Sokoke Scops Owl Otus ireneae – a near endemic species.

2. The Arabuko-Sokoke forest lies some 110 km north of Mombasa and a few km inland from the coast. It is the largest remaining fragment of forest which once covered much of the East African coast. It holds the bulk of the world’s population of Sokoke Scops Owl Otus ireneae and probably East Coast Akalat Sheppardia gunningi and is a world stronghold for Sokoke Pipit Anthus sokokensis.

Taita (Montane) White-eye Zosterops (poliogaster) silvanus

3. Taita Hills forests rise abruptly from the semi-arid plains of the Tsavo National Parks. The forests hold several threatened subspecies which have at times been considered separate species, such as Taita (Olive) Thrush Turdus (olivaceus) helleri, Taita (Bar-throated) Apalis Apalis (thoracica) fuscigularis and Taita (Montane) White-eye Zosterops (poliogaster) silvanus.

3. Although Nairobi National Park is only 7 km from the centre of Nairobi, a remarkable 516 species have been recorded. The large areas of undisturbed grassland are important for species such as Jackson’s Widowbird Euplectes jacksoni and the park is an important roost for large flocks of Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni on passage.

4. Lake Naivasha lies in the Rift Valley, some 80 km north of Nairobi and consists of a shallow freshwater lake and its fringing acacia woodland. It is a prime site for waterbirds with 80 species recorded during counts with significant numbers of Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata, African Spoonbill Platalea alba and Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis. It is one of several IBA’s in the Rift Valley.

5. Masai Mara is probably the most visited Game Reserve in Kenya because of the high concentration and the spectacular migration of mammals. It adjoins the Serengeti National Park along the border with Tanzania and is a part of the same ecosystem. The extensive grasslands hold important populations of Corn crake Crex crex and Jackson’s Widowbird Euplectes jacksoni. More than 500 species have been recorded including 12 species of Cisticola and 53 birds of prey.

Budget Birding Tours
TANZANIA BIRDING  now operates Budget bird tours to Tanzania ,Kenya and Uganda. These tours can depart anytime depending on availability of guides and accommodations. The Tour can also be taken as a combination of Kenya and Tanzania and or Uganda ( A Gorilla Option in Uganda if required will also be subject to availability of Gorilla space ).

The Tanzania Budget Birding Tours have 2 Options, the Southern Tanzania Specialties and the second Option for the Northern Tanzania standard Tourist Route. Read through the options.

Tour Price depends on Time of the year and group size. Maximum group size is 6 persons.

Email / contact us for a detailed Tour Itinerary and Price

TANZANIA BUDGET BIRDING TOUR –DEPARTS ANY TIME

NORTHERN TANZANIA OPTION

Day 1: Arrive Arusha

Day 2: Visit Arusha NP

Day 3: Do Lark Plains North of Arusha for the beesley`s  Lark and dry country stuff

Day 4: Drive To Tarangire NP, and night near Lake Manyara

Day 5:Morning  Birding & Big game viewing in Lake Manyara NP

Day 6:Visit the Ngorongoro Crater Floor and birding the Crater Rim,return to Karatu Village

Day  7: Birding Ngongoro Highlands and on to Arusha

Day 8: Drive to the South Pare Mountains via the Nyumba ya Mungu water Dam

Day 9: Local Birding around  South Pare Mountains

Day 10:Visit Mkomazi NP,Birding & Big game viewing

Day 11: Drive to West Usambara Mountains’

Day 11 & 12: Birding West Usambara Endemics

Day 13: Return to Arusha / Kilimanjaro International for Intl Flight Home

South Africa Birding Safaris

THIS TOUR SHALL BE RUN IN COLLARBORATION WITH ROCKJUMPER BIRDING TOURS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Our South African tours offer, quite simply, the best of African birding. South Africa boasts the highest total of endemic bird species of any African country. In addition, a rich seabird assemblage and large numbers of more widespread, yet no less spectacular, African birds and large mammals occur. Add to this the rich botanical heritage and scenic splendor of Africa’s most varied country, fine food and wines, comfortable accommodations, first-world infrastructure and superb value for money. It’s not hard to see why this is our biggest selling destination!

As South Africa is our backyard and our team of guides are some of the country’s most experienced birders, we have specially designed several different tours to maximize various aspects of our magnificent country.

Most popular is the combination of our two-week Eastern South Africa tour and six-day Cape Extension. Eastern South Africa offers the classic African savanna of the world-renowned Kruger National Park (we also stay at an adjoining exclusive private game reserve), the teeming Zululand game parks, the endemic-rich mist-belt forests and grasslands of the Natal Midlands and the lofty peaks of the magnificent Drakensberg. Target birds include Southern Bald Ibis, Bearded Vulture, the rare Taita Falcon, Blue and Wattled Crane, Barrow’s and Blue Korhaan, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Ground Woodpecker, Rudd’s and Botha’s Lark, the endangered Blue Swallow, Spotted Ground Thrush, Drakensberg Rockjumper, Gurney’s Sugarbird and the lovely Pink-throated Twinspot. Our chances of achieving the classic ‘Big Five’ (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo and Rhino) are excellent and less common mammals on the route include African Wild Dog, Cheetah, the endemic Black Wildebeest and even Aardvark.

The Mother City, Cape Town, widely considered one of the world’s most beautiful cities, is our axis for exploring the breathtaking Cape Peninsula, the succulent Tanqua-Karoo, flower-laden West Coast and teeming offshore pelagic waters. Cape targets include the comical Jackass Penguin, Black Harrier, Ludwig’s Bustard, the elusive Cinnamon-breasted Warbler, attractive Victorin’s Warbler, stunning Orange-breasted Sunbird, Cape Rockjumper and Cape Sugarbird. The last two mentioned species belong to families entirely endemic to southern Africa. These combined tours produce up to an incredible 500 bird and 50 mammal species.

Our Cape Wildflowers and Birding tour is scheduled to take in the very best of the Fairest Cape, at a time when the Cape Fynbos biome and Namaqualand Spring flowers are at their peak. This wildflower display is one of the Mother Nature’s most colorful ceremonies and a once-in-a-lifetime event that no nature-lover should miss. Whilst we are in the region, we will explore the Mother City, enjoy the breath-taking revolving cable-car trip to the top of Table Mountain, visit famous wine estates, revel at Southern Right Whales frolicking just off the coast, seek out-of-the-way endemic birds in the plains of Bushmanland and safari in the famous Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park. Here the huge blond-maned Kalahari Lions hunt Gemsbok and other big game, and chances for the seldom seen Brown Hyena are better than anywhere else.

The Best of the West, Cape Town to Windhoek tour is a two-week adventure that can be taken in conjunction with our overland Namibia, Botswana & Zambia tour. Besides covering much of the same ground as our Wildflowers and Birding tour, we also include a pelagic birding trip off the Cape and the endless plains of southern Namibia and the Great Fish River Canyon, one of the world’s deepest and largest gorges.

Our South African Mega-Birding Tour is the ultimate South African adventure. We visit every far-flung corner of our beautiful land and target all 146 regionally endemic bird species! From Barlow’s Lark in Port Nolloth to Black-rumped (Hottentot) Buttonquail at Cape Point and Short-clawed Lark near Polokwane, we will traverse deserts, Fynbos, high mountain passes, tropical dune forests and prime Acacia savanna. In the course of this 24-day tour, we can expect to amass a huge bird list, observe scores of mammal and herp species and intimately get to know one of the world’s most spectacular countries.

Please contact us for the detailed itineraries for these tours.

tour name & dates for 2010

South African Endemics Mega-Birding Tour I: 3 -26 Oct (24 days)
South African Endemics Mega-Birding Tour II: 19 Oct – 11 Nov (24 days)
South African Endemics Mega-Birding Tour III: 20 Nov – 13 Dec (24 days)

tour cost 2010

South African Endemics Mega-Birding Tours: US$6,175 pp, US$450 ss

max group size

8 & 1 Rockjumper leader

tour leaders 2010

Gavin Lautenbach (I), Erik Forsyth (II & III)

habitats covered

dune and mist-belt forest, Acacia savanna, high elevation and coastal grasslands, mountains, semi-desert, Fynbos, coastal and pelagic waters, wetlands

climate

subtropical conditions with occasional rain, cooler in highlands and Cape

tour pace & walking

moderate to brisk, undemanding walking, some long drives

accommodation

comfortable guesthouses and lodges

ease of birding

easy with some difficult species

no. of species expected

500 – 550

top mammals

Black and White Rhinoceros, Leopard, Meerkat, African Wild Dog, Black Wildebeest, Nyala, Cape Grysbok, Aardvark

other attractions

Cape Peninsula, Sani Pass, Lake St. Lucia, Zululand game reserves, superb food & wine, remote and seldom visited areas, spectacular scenery

photographic opportunities

excellent

tour name & dates for 2010

Eastern South Africa I: 7 – 20 Feb; Eastern South Africa II: 1 – 14 Aug;
Eastern South Africa III: 19 Oct – 1 Nov; Eastern South Africa IV: 12 – 25 Nov (14 days)
Cape Extension I: 20 – 25 Feb; II: 14 – 19 Aug; III: 1 – 6 Nov; IV: 25 – 30 Nov (6 days)

tour cost 2010

Eastern SA: US$3,850 pp, US$ 350 ss; Cape Extension US$1,750 pp, US$110 ss

max group size

8 & 1 Rockjumper leader

tour leaders 2009

Markus Lilje (II), Athol Marchant (III & IV)

habitats covered

dune and mist-belt forest, Acacia savanna, high elevation and coastal grasslands, mountains, semi-desert, Fynbos, coastal and pelagic waters, wetlands

climate

subtropical with occasional rain, cooler in highlands and Cape, can be cold in winter

tour pace & walking

moderate pace with undemanding walks, some long drives

accomodation

comfortable guesthouses and lodges

ease of birding

easy

no. of species expected

400 (winter) – 500 (summer)

top mammals

The ‘Big 5’, Meerkat, African Wild Dog, Black Wildebeest, Nyala, Aardvark

other attractions

Kruger, Sani Pass, Cape Peninsula, great food & wine, Zulu culture,
whale watching

photographic opportunities

excellent

tour na
me & dates for 2010

Wildflowers & Birding: 20 Aug – 2 Sep (14 days)
Cape to Windhoek – The Best of the West: 17 Sep – 1 Oct (15 days)
Drakensberg Birds & Wildflowers: 1 – 9 Nov (9 days)
Kruger Extension: 9 – 13 Nov (5 days)

tour cost 2010

Wildflowers & Birding: US$ 3,950 pp, US$ 500 ss
Cape to Windhoek – The Best of the West: US$ 3,950 pp, US$450 ss
Drakensberg Birds & Wildflowers: US$ 2,650 pp, US$ 200 ss
Kruger Extension: US$ 1,650 pp, US$ 375 ss

max group size

Wildflowers & Birding: 8 & 1 Rockjumper leader
Cape to Windhoek – The Best of the West: 6 & 1 Rockjumper leader
Drakensberg Birds & Wildflowers & Kruger Extension: 8 & 1 Rockjumper leader

tour leaders 2010

Fraser Gear – Wildflowers; Rainer Summers – Best of the West;
Jeremy Exelby – Drakensberg Birds & Wildflowers & Kruger Extension

habitats covered

Fynbos, semi desert, wetlands, coastal estuaries, mountain passes, bushveld, savanna

climate

Cape to Windhoek & Wildflowers & Birding: Mediterranean conditions with cool evenings, warmer in the north

Drakensberg Birds & Wildflowers & Kruger Extension: Hot and mostly dry in Kruger with occasional afternoon thunder showers, Thunder showers in Drakensberg, very variable from cool to quite hot, weather can change quickly and without much warning

tour pace & walking

leisurely pace with undemanding walks, some long drives

accommodation

comfortable guesthouses and lodges

ease of birding

easy

no. of species expected

250+

top birds

Cape to Windhoek & Wildflowers & Birding: Jackass Penguin, Black Harrier, Ludwig’s Bustard, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Cinnamon-breasted Warbler, Cape Rockjumper, Cape Sugarbird, Pygmy Falcon, Namaqua Sandgrouse

Drakensberg Birds & Wildflowers & Kruger Extension: Bearded Vulture, Rudd’s & Botha’s Lark, Blue Korhaan, Blue Crane, Cape Parrot, Blue Swallow, Bald Ibis, Yellow-breasted Pipit, Southern Ground Hornbill, Secretarybird

top mammals

Cape to Windhoek & Wildflowers & Birding: Southern Right Whale, Kalahari Lion, Cheetah, Brown Hyaena, Aardvark, Bat-eared Fox

Drakensberg Birds & Wildflowers & Kruger Extension: Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Spotted Hyaena, African Elephant, Cape Buffalo, White Rhinoceros, African Wilddog

other attractions

Cape to Windhoek & Wildflowers & Birding: Namaqualand & Fynbos flowers, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Fish River Canyon, Augrabies Falls, Cape Peninsula, wine estates, shopping

Drakensberg Birds & Wildflowers & Kruger Extension: Drakensberg Mountains including foothills and majestic peaks, Kruger national Park

photographic opportunities

excellent