A Field Guides Birding Tours Report
Wild Kenya: A Tented Camp Safari II 2021
August 16-31, 2021 with Terry Stevenson guiding
This was our regular Wild Kenya: A Tented Camp Safari, but with a difference. As you can imagine, due to the Covid-19 pandemic a lot of things have changed around the world. Here in Kenya we've been extremely lucky, with very few deaths and most businesses remaining open. On a personal note, Jane and I have travelled around the country freely over the past 17 months, visiting national parks and reserves from the arid north, to the Rift Valley, Masai Mara, the western and central highlands, and more recently to the coast. While, of course, we have been vaccinated and take all the usual precautions, we have thoroughly enjoyed all our travels and now (August 2021) it's been my great pleasure to take a full Field Guides group on the Wild Kenya tour.
I began above by saying a Wild Kenya tour with a difference, and that's because we changed several of our lodges and camps, and replaced one of our destinations in the Rift Valley.
With 345 bird species and 48 mammals seen, I consider this tour to have been a great success – and so did our participants too! Not just the spectacular wildlife, but the varied habitats, quality lodges, camps, and food, and still plenty time for photography, and even a little relaxation.
We began in Nairobi with a two night stay at The Residences, a small exclusive hotel in the grounds of the famous Karen Country Club. There's forest and wetland right next to the rooms so we could start birding immediately, with just a few highlights being Dusky Turtle-Dove, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Black Crake, African Sacred and Hadada ibis, Cardinal Woodpecker, African Paradise-Flycatcher, Cabanis’s Greenbul, Abyssinian Thrush, Rueppell’s Robin-Chat, White-starred Robin, Collared Sunbird, Reichenow’s Seedeater, and Abyssinian Nightjar at night. Meals are taken in the private members Club House which also added a nice touch!
We saw our first mammals in the nearby Nairobi NP, which included Olive Baboon, a variety of antelopes, including the massive Common Eland, Coke's Hartebeest, Impala, and the less common Bohor Reedbuck. Others species included Burchell's Zebra, Common Giraffe, African Buffalo, and a mother and baby White Rhino. First day birding is also always great, with just a few being Common Ostrich, Helmeted Guineafowl, African Jacana, African Darter, a good selection of herons, egrets and shorebirds, White-backed Vulture, Bateleur, African Fish-Eagle, Blue-naped Mousebird, Spot-flanked Barbet, Black Cuckooshrike, Long-tailed Fiscal, 4 species of cisticola, Northern Pied-Babbler, both Red-billed and Yellow-billed oxpeckers, and Purple Grenadier.
Heading north, we then drove through the farms and rolling hills of the central highlands and spent a night at The Ark on the slopes of the Aberdare Mts. About 70 elephants were at the mineral lick on our arrival and stayed with us throughout the afternoon and in to the night – with others coming and going – we saw perhaps 150 in all. The star mammal here is Giant Forest Hog and I was hoping for one, but amazingly we ended up with repeated looks at about 30, absolutely a record! Suni and Large-spotted Genet were great too!
Favorite birds included Scaly Francolin, African Harrier-Hawk, Long-crested Eagle, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Red-fronted Parrot, Tropical Boubou, Black-collared Apalis, African Hill Babbler, Kikuyu White-eye, and Golden-winged Sunbird.
Heading further north, our next destination was three nights in Samburu at Ashnil's, our new camp with the uncommon Violet Woodhoopoe and African Scops-Owl right in the grounds. Other highlights here were Somali Ostrich, Vulturine Guineafowl, Chestnut-bellied and Black-faced Sandgrouse, Buff-crested Bustard, Somali Courser, Secretarybird, 5 species of Vulture, Martial Eagle, White-headed Mousebird, Somali Bee-eater, Pygmy Falcon, Red-bellied Parrot, Rosy-patched Bushshrike, Somali Tit, Fischer’s Starling, Hunter’s Sunbird, Donaldson-Smith’s Sparrow-Weaver, Golden Palm Weaver, and Somali Bunting. Mammals included all the Samburu specials; Grevy’s Zebra (600 is the most I’ve ever seen) Reticulated Giraffe, Beisa Oryx, and Gerenuk. We also saw a Leopard, 8 Lion, and about 150 Elephants.
Back tracking, we then spent a night at Naro Moru River Lodge where the star attraction was a flowering bottlebrush tree right next to our rooms – 8 species of sunbirds were here, including the gorgeous Green-headed, super colorful Northern Double-collared, and at least 15 dazzling Tacazze.
Our next stop was Lake Elementaita in the Great Rift Valley. New to our tour, we based ourselves in the luxurious Serena Camp – set in giant Yellow-barked Acacia trees next to the sparkling lake with Greater and Lesser flamingos visible right from our tents. Based in a private conservancy, we had the freedom to drive anywhere (day or night) as we discovered White-bellied Go-away-bird, Dideric, Klass's, Red-chested and African cuckoos, Sombre Nightjar, thousand of roosting Nyanza Swifts, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, Southern Ground-hornbill, Crowned Hornbill, White-fronted Bee-eater, Broad-billed Roller, Greater Honeyguide, Gray-backed Fiscal, Arrow-marked Babbler, Northern Anteater-Chat, and Speke’s weaver. The star mammal was Springhare, sole member of the family Pedetidae.
After a return visit to Nairobi, we concluded our tour by flying to Masai Mara with a 3 night stay at the famous Little Governors’ Camp. This classic camp was a real hit with everyone; lunches were served under the trees with Ross's Turacos above us, and crakes, herons and cranes in the marsh only a few meters away. Old style, the camp is unfenced, so you have to be escorted by guards between your safari tent and the dining room – elephants, buffalo, and hippo wander the grounds feeding at night!
The main activity is the daily drives in an open-sided Toyota Landcruiser. It's a wonderful way to zigzag across the plains as we searched out Spotted Hyaena, Lions (including maned males, females and tiny cubs), a family of Cheetah, several hundred elephants, hippos, buffalo, herds of zebra, a variety of antelopes, and the beginnings of the Wildebeest migration. Of course, new birds were encountered too, with just some of the favorites for this group being Coqui Francolin, African Green-Pigeon, Black-bellied Bustard, Schalow’s Turaco, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Temminck’s Courser, Saddle-billed Stork, Goliath Heron, Rufous-bellied Heron, 15 species of raptors (including a striking White-headed Vulture, the unusual Lizard Buzzard, and the uncommon Banded Snake-Eagle), Black-and–white-casqued Hornbill, Rufous-necked Wryneck, Meyer’s Parrot, 9 species of swallow (including 7 together in one tree), Hildebrandt’s Starling (an East African endemic) and Golden-breasted Bunting.
Our next scheduled Wild Kenya tour is July 30 to August 14 2022, but if reading this makes you want to just get up and get there - why not contact our office and see if an earlier private tour can be arranged!
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
Struthionidae (Ostriches)
COMMON OSTRICH (Struthio camelus)
First seen in Nairobi National Park and then more commonly in Masai Mara; in all we saw about 60. This form, where the males have pink necks and legs, is now considered specifically distinct from Somali Ostrich.
SOMALI OSTRICH (Struthio molybdophanes)
Thirty at Samburu were more than usual and included some great looking males with blue necks and legs.
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
WHITE-FACED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata)
About 60 at the ponds and rice fields near Sagana, and then 30 at Limuru Pond.
WHITE-BACKED DUCK (Thalassornis leuconotus)
One at Limuru Pond.
EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Alopochen aegyptiaca)
Common and widespread throughout the tour.
SPUR-WINGED GOOSE (Plectropterus gambensis)
Three in a flooded old ox-bow wetland in Masai Mara.
HOTTENTOT TEAL (Spatula hottentota)
Six at Limuru Pond.
YELLOW-BILLED DUCK (Anas undulata)
First seen near Sagana (12), then at Kiawara (1), and finally at Limuru Pond (40).
CAPE TEAL (Anas capensis)
This species prefers alkaline waters and we saw about 50 at Lake Elementaita.
RED-BILLED DUCK (Anas erythrorhyncha)
Twenty at Limuru Pond.
Numididae (Guineafowl)
HELMETED GUINEAFOWL (Numida meleagris)
Common and widespread in bush country and grassland throughout the tour.
VULTURINE GUINEAFOWL (Acryllium vulturinum)
We saw several hundred of this arid country guineafowl at Samburu – a group favorite!
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
SCALY FRANCOLIN (Pternistis squamatus)
Often shy, but we saw at least 8 at and around The Ark.
YELLOW-NECKED FRANCOLIN (Pternistis leucoscepus)
About 100 at Samburu.
RED-NECKED FRANCOLIN (Pternistis afer)
Ten at Masai Mara.
CRESTED FRANCOLIN (Dendroperdix sephaena)
Good looks at Samburu, where we saw a total of about 18.
COQUI FRANCOLIN (Peliperdix coqui)
A male and then a pair in the Masai Mara grasslands.
Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
GREATER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus roseus)
Nice looks at about 1000+ along the shores of Lake Elementaita.
LESSER FLAMINGO (Phoeniconaias minor)
Mixed together with the previous species, we saw 5000+ at Elementaita.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
LITTLE GREBE (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
Most common at Limuru Pond (40+) but we also saw small numbers at scattered wetlands elsewhere.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea)
Strangely difficult this tour, but eventually we all got good looks at the gate to Masai Mara.
RAMERON PIGEON (Columba arquatrix)
Two at Masai Mara.
DUSKY TURTLE-DOVE (Streptopelia lugens)
One at The Residences in Karen, and then 4 at Elementaita.
MOURNING COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decipiens)
Common at Samburu.
RED-EYED DOVE (Streptopelia semitorquata)
Widespread away from the more arid areas.
RING-NECKED DOVE (Streptopelia capicola)
By far the most common and widespread of the 'ring-necked doves'.
LAUGHING DOVE (Streptopelia senegalensis)
Common at Samburu, and we also saw them at Elementaita.
EMERALD-SPOTTED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur chalcospilos)
Frequently heard, and several seen at Samburu, Naro Moru, and Masai Mara.
NAMAQUA DOVE (Oena capensis)
About 30 at Samburu, and 8 at Elementaita.
AFRICAN GREEN-PIGEON (Treron calvus)
After some frustration, 5 in the open at Masai Mara were enjoyed by everyone.
Pteroclidae (Sandgrouse)
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles exustus)
About 40 at Samburu.
BLACK-FACED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles decoratus)
We saw a pair at Samburu.
Otididae (Bustards)
KORI BUSTARD (Ardeotis kori)
One making a long low flight at Masai Mara was rather unexpected.
WHITE-BELLIED BUSTARD (Eupodotis senegalensis)
We saw a pair at Samburu.
BUFF-CRESTED BUSTARD (Eupodotis gindiana)
Nice looks at 2 singles at Samburu.
BLACK-BELLIED BUSTARD (Lissotis melanogaster)
We found a single male in the tall grassland at Masai Mara.
Musophagidae (Turacos)
SCHALOW'S TURACO (Tauraco schalowi)
Great looks in our camp at Masai Mara.
HARTLAUB'S TURACO (Tauraco hartlaubi)
We saw this East African endemic in the forest around our lodge at The Residences.
ROSS'S TURACO (Musophaga rossae)
Great looks around the dining tent at Little Governors' Camp.
BARE-FACED GO-AWAY-BIRD (Corythaixoides personatus)
Three at Masai Mara.
WHITE-BELLIED GO-AWAY-BIRD (Corythaixoides leucogaster)
About 16 at Samburu, and then 2 near Naro Moru.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
WHITE-BROWED COUCAL (Centropus superciliosus)
Widespread in small numbers, with a total of about 17.
DIDERIC CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx caprius)
Good scope views of 1 at Elementaita.
KLAAS'S CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx klaas)
Several heard and 2 seen at Elementaita.
RED-CHESTED CUCKOO (Cuculus solitarius)
Three at Elementaita.
AFRICAN CUCKOO (Cuculus gularis)
Yet another cuckoo we saw well at Elementaita.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
SOMBRE NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus fraenatus)
One on our night drive at Elementaita.
ABYSSINIAN NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus poliocephalus)
Fabulous looks at a calling and then flying bird at The Residences.
Apodidae (Swifts)
NYANZA SWIFT (Apus niansae)
Many thousands at Lake Elementaita.
LITTLE SWIFT (Apus affinis)
Small numbers at Nairobi, Elementaita, and Masai Mara; in all we saw about 60.
WHITE-RUMPED SWIFT (Apus caffer)
One with other swift species at Elementaita.
AFRICAN PALM-SWIFT (Cypsiurus parvus)
We saw a total of about 90 at Nairobi NP and Samburu.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
EURASIAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)
Six at Nairobi NP, 15 at The Ark, and about 20 at Limuru Pond.
RED-KNOBBED COOT (Fulica cristata)
One near Thomson's Falls, and about 50 at Limuru Pond.
AFRICAN SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio madagascariensis)
Two singles at Limuru Pond.
BLACK CRAKE (Zapornia flavirostra)
Common at a variety of wetlands; in all we saw about 30.
Gruidae (Cranes)
GRAY CROWNED-CRANE (Balearica regulorum)
Amazing to see 70 right next to the road at Solio, and then another 4 at Thomson Falls and Elementaita.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus)
About 80 at Elementaita were the most for any one area, but we also saw small numbers at Nairobi, Sagana, and at Masai Mara.
PIED AVOCET (Recurvirostra avosetta)
Thirty at Lake Elementaita.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
LONG-TOED LAPWING (Vanellus crassirostris)
Eight in the marshy areas at Masai Mara.
BLACKSMITH LAPWING (Vanellus armatus)
Small numbers were widespread in wetland areas.
SPUR-WINGED LAPWING (Vanellus spinosus)
Another widespread wetland lapwing; in all we saw about 60.
BLACK-WINGED LAPWING (Vanellus melanopterus)
Five on the short grass plains at Masai Mara.
CROWNED LAPWING (Vanellus coronatus)
Widespread in open areas throughout the tour; in all we saw about 50.
WATTLED LAPWING (Vanellus senegallus)
Ten at Masai Mara.
KITTLITZ'S PLOVER (Charadrius pecuarius)
About 20 along the shore at Lake Elementaita.
COMMON RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius hiaticula)
Two at Lake Elementaita.
THREE-BANDED PLOVER (Charadrius tricollaris)
About 25 at Nairobi NP, and a few others elsewhere.
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus)
Widespread at wetlands (especially with floating vegetation) throughout the tour.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
RUFF (Calidris pugnax)
At least 100 were at Lake Elementaita.
CURLEW SANDPIPER (Calidris ferruginea)
About 40 at Lake Elementaita.
LITTLE STINT (Calidris minuta)
About 150 were along the shore with other sandpipers at Lake Elementaita.
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos)
Singles at Samburu and Naivasha, and 3 at Masai Mara.
GREEN SANDPIPER (Tringa ochropus)
Three along the river at Samburu.
COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia)
Singles at Nairobi NP and Masai Mara.
MARSH SANDPIPER (Tringa stagnatilis)
About 30 at Lake Elementaita.
WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola)
Widespread in small numbers on a variety of scattered wetlands; in all we saw about 35.
Glareolidae (Pratincoles and Coursers)
SOMALI COURSER (Cursorius somalensis)
Two on the arid white open plains at Samburu.
TEMMINCK'S COURSER (Cursorius temminckii)
Five at Masai Mara.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
GRAY-HOODED GULL (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus)
Common at Elementaita where we saw about 130.
Ciconiidae (Storks)
WOOLLY-NECKED STORK (AFRICAN) (Ciconia episcopus microscelis)
Five in the Musiara marshes, Masai Mara.
SADDLE-BILLED STORK (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis)
Two adults and 3 juveniles at Masai Mara.
MARABOU STORK (Leptoptilos crumenifer)
About 40 in the Nairobi area, and 50+ at Masai Mara.
YELLOW-BILLED STORK (Mycteria ibis)
Common at wetlands throughout the tour; in total we saw about 170.
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
AFRICAN DARTER (Anhinga rufa)
Nine at Nairobi NP.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
LONG-TAILED CORMORANT (Microcarbo africanus)
Singles at Nairobi, Sagana, and Kiawara, and 4 at Masai Mara.
GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo)
Three at Elementaita, and 6 at Naivasha.
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
GREAT WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus onocrotalus)
We saw a total of about 180 at Lake Elementaita.
Scopidae (Hamerkop)
HAMERKOP (Scopus umbretta)
First seen in the Sagana area (20), and then at Naivasha (6), and Masai Mara (100).
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea)
Common and widespread at wetlands throughout the tour.
BLACK-HEADED HERON (Ardea melanocephala)
More of a grassland species than Gray Heron; they were common in many areas with a total of about 260.
GOLIATH HERON (Ardea goliath)
One at Masai Mara – the world's largest heron!
GREAT EGRET (AFRICAN) (Ardea alba melanorhynchos)
Widespread in small numbers with a total of about 35.
INTERMEDIATE EGRET (Ardea intermedia)
Thirty in the Sagana area, 1 at Solio, 3 at Naivasha, and about a dozen at Masai Mara.
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)
Two at Elementaita, and 6 at Naivasha.
CATTLE EGRET (WESTERN) (Bubulcus ibis ibis)
Common and widespread throughout the tour.
SQUACCO HERON (Ardeola ralloides)
Singles at Samburu and Naivasha, and 2 at Masai Mara.
RUFOUS-BELLIED HERON (Ardeola rufiventris)
Great looks at this localized species at Masai Mara; in all we saw about 6.
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)
One at Samburu.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Four at Kiawara.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus)
One at Samburu, and 20+ at Limuru Pond.
AFRICAN SACRED IBIS (Threskiornis aethiopicus)
Common and widespread with a total of about 300.
HADADA IBIS (Bostrychia hagedash)
Widespread throughout the tour; with a total of about 120.
AFRICAN SPOONBILL (Platalea alba)
Small numbers at a variety of scattered wetlands; with a total of about 20.
Sagittariidae (Secretarybird)
SECRETARYBIRD (Sagittarius serpentarius)
One at Samburu.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
BLACK-WINGED KITE (Elanus caeruleus)
Common at Masai Mara (30+) and a couple of others at Nairobi NP and Solio.
AFRICAN HARRIER-HAWK (Polyboroides typus)
Two near The Ark, and 1 at Masai Mara.
WHITE-HEADED VULTURE (Trigonoceps occipitalis)
We saw an immature bird at Samburu, and an adult at Masai Mara.
LAPPET-FACED VULTURE (Torgos tracheliotos)
Three at Samburu.
HOODED VULTURE (Necrosyrtes monachus)
Like many other African vultures they are severely threatened these days so it was great to see at pair building a nest at Samburu, and then another 3 there.
WHITE-BACKED VULTURE (Gyps africanus)
The most common vulture (but still a declining species); we saw a total of about 85.
RUEPPELL'S GRIFFON (Gyps rueppelli)
Two at Samburu.
BATELEUR (Terathopius ecaudatus)
A classic African species of big open skies; widespread, we saw about 36.
BLACK-CHESTED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus pectoralis)
Three at Masai Mara.
BROWN SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus cinereus)
One at Masai Mara.
BANDED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus cinerascens)
Uncommon in Kenya, so a single bird at Masai Mara was quite a surprise.
MARTIAL EAGLE (Polemaetus bellicosus)
We saw an adult bird, and then another adult on a nest with a juvenile at Samburu, and then 1 at Elementaita.
LONG-CRESTED EAGLE (Lophaetus occipitalis)
Singles near Thika and the gate to the Aberdare NP, and then another at Elementaita, and about 25 at Masai Mara.
WAHLBERG'S EAGLE (Hieraaetus wahlbergi)
Two very strange plumaged birds at Masai Mara give us a confusing time for a while. One bird was largely white on the underparts, while the other had numerous cream scaly fringed upperparts.
TAWNY EAGLE (Aquila rapax)
Small numbers at Samburu, Elementaita, and Masai Mara.
AFRICAN HAWK-EAGLE (Aquila spilogaster)
Good looks at a pair (mostly in flight) at Masai Mara.
LIZARD BUZZARD (Kaupifalco monogrammicus)
Brief looks at 1 at Sagana, and then great close views of 1 at Masai Mara.
EASTERN CHANTING-GOSHAWK (Melierax poliopterus)
Two singles at Samburu.
GABAR GOSHAWK (Micronisus gabar)
One at Samburu.
AFRICAN GOSHAWK (Accipiter tachiro)
One at Nairobi NP.
BLACK KITE (Milvus migrans)
Most common in the Nairobi area, but we also saw them around the Aberdares, Elementaita, and at Naivasha.
AFRICAN FISH-EAGLE (Haliaeetus vocifer)
Two at Nairobi NP, 2 at Naivasha, and 4 at Masai Mara.
AUGUR BUZZARD (Buteo augur)
Widespread in small numbers with a total of about 22.
Strigidae (Owls)
AFRICAN SCOPS-OWL (Otus senegalensis)
Two in our camp at Samburu.
CAPE EAGLE-OWL (NORTHERN) (Bubo capensis mackinderi)
Thanks to our local guide Paul, we had nice scope views of one near Kiawara.
VERREAUX'S EAGLE-OWL (Bubo lacteus)
One on our night drive at Elementaita.
PEARL-SPOTTED OWLET (Glaucidium perlatum)
One at Samburu.
Coliidae (Mousebirds)
SPECKLED MOUSEBIRD (Colius striatus)
Common and widespread.
WHITE-HEADED MOUSEBIRD (Colius leucocephalus)
We had great views of this localized species at Samburu; first we saw 8 and then 3.
BLUE-NAPED MOUSEBIRD (Urocolius macrourus)
Most common at Samburu, where we saw about 60, with others at Nairobi NP (7) and at Masai Mara (4).
Upupidae (Hoopoes)
EURASIAN HOOPOE (AFRICAN) (Upupa epops africana)
Two at Samburu, and 8 at Elementaita.
Phoeniculidae (Woodhoopoes and Scimitarbills)
GREEN WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus purpureus)
A dozen at Elementaita, 5 at Naivasha, and 7 at Masai Mara.
VIOLET WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus damarensis)
Four in our camp at Samburu.
COMMON SCIMITARBILL (Rhinopomastus cyanomelas)
Two at Elementaita, and 2 at Masai Mara.
ABYSSINIAN SCIMITARBILL (Rhinopomastus minor)
Four at Samburu.
Bucorvidae (Ground-Hornbills)
SOUTHERN GROUND-HORNBILL (Bucorvus leadbeateri)
Our best and closest views were of 4 in the open acacia woodland at Elementaita, but we also saw 3 and 2 more distantly at Masai Mara.
Bucerotidae (Hornbills)
CROWNED HORNBILL (Lophoceros alboterminatus)
Two in flight at Elementaita, and then 3 at Masai Mara.
HEMPRICH'S HORNBILL (Lophoceros hemprichii)
We saw a pair of this 'northern species' at the south end of the Elementaita area – probably the farthest south ever recorded.
AFRICAN GRAY HORNBILL (Lophoceros nasutus)
One at Samburu.
EASTERN YELLOW-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus flavirostris)
Two in the Salvadora trees at Samburu.
NORTHERN RED-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus erythrorhynchus)
About 60 at Samburu.
SILVERY-CHEEKED HORNBILL (Bycanistes brevis)
Two on the way to The Ark.
BLACK-AND-WHITE-CASQUED HORNBILL (Bycanistes subcylindricus)
Two pairs in the riverine woodland at Masai Mara.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
MALACHITE KINGFISHER (Corythornis cristatus)
Singles or pairs at Nairobi NP, Naivasha, and Masai Mara.
GRAY-HEADED KINGFISHER (Halcyon leucocephala)
Two at Sagana, 8 at Samburu, and 1 at Elementaita.
WOODLAND KINGFISHER (Halcyon senegalensis)
We saw about 7 of these gorgeous kingfishers at Masai Mara.
STRIPED KINGFISHER (Halcyon chelicuti)
One at Elementaita.
GIANT KINGFISHER (Megaceryle maxima)
Heard at Naro Moru River Lodge, and then seen nicely at Lake Naivasha.
PIED KINGFISHER (Ceryle rudis)
Common in wetland areas with a total of about 16.
Meropidae (Bee-eaters)
WHITE-FRONTED BEE-EATER (Merops bullockoides)
Five at Elementaita.
LITTLE BEE-EATER (Merops pusillus)
Widespread in open acacia country; in all we saw about 65.
CINNAMON-CHESTED BEE-EATER (Merops oreobates)
Four at The Ark, and singles at Naro Moru and Thomson's Falls.
SOMALI BEE-EATER (Merops revoilii)
Great looks at this northern arid country species at Samburu.
Coraciidae (Rollers)
LILAC-BREASTED ROLLER (Coracias caudatus)
These super colorful rollers were widespread in open country; in all we saw about 60.
BROAD-BILLED ROLLER (Eurystomus glaucurus)
One at Elementaita.
Lybiidae (African Barbets)
RED-AND-YELLOW BARBET (Trachyphonus erythrocephalus)
We saw a pair at Samburu.
D'ARNAUD'S BARBET (Trachyphonus darnaudii)
Two at Samburu.
D'ARNAUD'S BARBET (USAMBIRO) (Trachyphonus darnaudii usambiro)
One along the Oloololo Escarpment, Masai Mara.
MOUSTACHED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus leucomystax)
Two at Thomson's Falls.
RED-FRONTED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus pusillus)
Two at Masai Mara.
RED-FRONTED BARBET (Tricholaema diademata)
Two singles at Samburu, and 1 at Naro Moru.
SPOT-FLANKED BARBET (Tricholaema lacrymosa)
Singles at Nairobi NP, Elementaita, and Masai Mara.
WHITE-HEADED BARBET (WHITE-HEADED) (Lybius leucocephalus albicauda)
Two on the Oloololo Escarpment.
Indicatoridae (Honeyguides)
LESSER HONEYGUIDE (Indicator minor)
One at Samburu.
GREATER HONEYGUIDE (Indicator indicator)
We saw a nice calling male at Elementaita.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
RUFOUS-NECKED WRYNECK (Jynx ruficollis)
Two on the higher slopes of the Oloololo Escarpment.
CARDINAL WOODPECKER (Chloropicus fuscescens)
Two at Nairobi NP, 4 at Samburu, and 4 at Masai Mara.
BEARDED WOODPECKER (Chloropicus namaquus)
One at Elementaita.
AFRICAN GRAY WOODPECKER (GRAY) (Chloropicus goertae goertae)
One at Samburu.
MOUNTAIN GRAY WOODPECKER (Chloropicus spodocephalus rhodeogaster)
One at Elementaita, and a pair at Naivasha.
NUBIAN WOODPECKER (Campethera nubica)
Three at Samburu, and 2 at Naivasha.
GOLDEN-TAILED WOODPECKER (Campethera abingoni)
Two in the riverine woodland at our camp in Masai Mara.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
PYGMY FALCON (Polihierax semitorquatus)
We saw a single male at Samburu.
GRAY KESTREL (Falco ardosiaceus)
One at Masai Mara.
LANNER FALCON (Falco biarmicus)
One in flight at Samburu.
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus)
One over the quarry at Kiawara.
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
RED-FRONTED PARROT (Poicephalus gulielmi)
About 20 (all in flight) at The Ark.
MEYER'S PARROT (Poicephalus meyeri)
About 20 at Masai Mara.
RED-BELLIED PARROT (Poicephalus rufiventris)
Also known as African Orange-bellied Parrot; we saw 6 at Samburu.
Campephagidae (Cuckooshrikes)
BLACK CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga flava)
Females at Nairobi NP and Naivasha, and a male near Nanyuki.
Oriolidae (Old World Orioles)
AFRICAN BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE (Oriolus larvatus)
Singles at Samburu, Elementaita, and Masai Mara.
Platysteiridae (Wattle-eyes and Batises)
CHINSPOT BATIS (Batis molitor)
Three at Naro Moru, 2 at Naivasha, and 4 at Masai Mara.
Malaconotidae (Bushshrikes and Allies)
BRUBRU (Nilaus afer)
Heard at Nairobi NP, and then seen at Samburu, and Elementaita.
NORTHERN PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus gambensis)
We saw a pair in the large acacias along the river at Samburu.
BLACK-BACKED PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus cubla)
Two at Masai Mara.
BROWN-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra australis)
Two at Nairobi NP.
TROPICAL BOUBOU (Laniarius major)
Widespread away from the most arid areas; in total we saw about 20 and heard many more.
SLATE-COLORED BOUBOU (Laniarius funebris)
Two at Nairobi NP, 5 at Samburu, and 2 at Masai Mara.
ROSY-PATCHED BUSHSHRIKE (Rhodophoneus cruentus)
We saw 2 of these striking bushshrikes at Samburu.
SULPHUR-BREASTED BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus sulfureopectus)
One at Samburu.
GRAY-HEADED BUSHSHRIKE (Malaconotus blanchoti)
Great looks at this huge colorful bushshrike at Naro Moru.
Dicruridae (Drongos)
FORK-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus adsimilis)
Very common and widespread.
Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers)
AFRICAN PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (Terpsiphone viridis)
Widespread in small numbers; in all we saw about 24.
Laniidae (Shrikes)
GRAY-BACKED FISCAL (Lanius excubitoroides)
Eight at Elementaita, and 3 at Masai Mara.
LONG-TAILED FISCAL (Lanius cabanisi)
Five at Nairobi NP.
TAITA FISCAL (Lanius dorsalis)
Seven at Samburu.
NORTHERN FISCAL (Lanius humeralis)
Common and widespread except in the low country at Samburu.
WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE (Eurocephalus ruppelli)
14 at Samburu.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
CAPE CROW (Corvus capensis)
We saw about 40 in the central highlands especially around Naro Moru.
PIED CROW (Corvus albus)
Another common highland species, and frequently seen in towns.
Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice)
WHITE-BELLIED TIT (Melaniparus albiventris)
Singles at Naro Moru and Masai Mara.
SOMALI TIT (Melaniparus thruppi)
One at Samburu.
Alaudidae (Larks)
FISCHER'S SPARROW-LARK (Eremopterix leucopareia)
Four at Solio, about 40 at Samburu, and 6 at Masai Mara.
PINK-BREASTED LARK (Calendulauda poecilosterna)
About 10 at Samburu.
FOXY LARK (Calendulauda alopex intercedens)
Two singles at Samburu.
RUFOUS-NAPED LARK (Mirafra africana)
Six at Nairobi NP, and 40+ at Masai Mara.
RED-CAPPED LARK (Calandrella cinerea)
Two at Solio, and a dozen at Masai Mara.
Macrosphenidae (African Warblers)
NORTHERN CROMBEC (EASTERN) (Sylvietta brachyura leucopsis)
One at Samburu.
RED-FACED CROMBEC (Sylvietta whytii)
One at Naro Moru.
Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)
YELLOW-BELLIED EREMOMELA (Eremomela icteropygialis)
Two at Elementaita.
BLACK-COLLARED APALIS (Oreolais pulcher)
We saw this beautiful apalis in the undergrowth at The Ark.
GRAY WREN-WARBLER (Calamonastes simplex)
Two at Samburu.
GREEN-BACKED CAMAROPTERA (GRAY-BACKED) (Camaroptera brachyura brevicaudata)
Widespread in small numbers with a total of about 12.
BUFF-BELLIED WARBLER (Phyllolais pulchella)
Two at Naivasha.
YELLOW-BREASTED APALIS (Apalis flavida)
Singles or pairs at Nairobi NP, Naro Moru, Elementaita, and Masai Mara.
GRAY APALIS (Apalis cinerea)
Two from the walkway at The Ark.
TAWNY-FLANKED PRINIA (Prinia subflava)
Three at Nairobi NP, 1 at Elementaita, and 2 at Masai Mara.
PALE PRINIA (Prinia somalica)
One at Samburu.
RED-FRONTED PRINIA (Prinia rufifrons)
Recently placed in the genus Prinia; we saw a single bird at Samburu.
GRAY-CAPPED WARBLER (Eminia lepida)
One at the gate to the Aberdare NP.
SINGING CISTICOLA (Cisticola cantans)
Two at Nairobi NP, 2 at Naro Moru, and 1 at Elementaita.
TRILLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola woosnami) [*]
Heard on the Oloololo Escarpment, Masai Mara.
HUNTER'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola hunteri)
About 6 at The Ark.
RATTLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola chiniana)
One at Nairobi for a few of the group, and then about a dozen for everyone at Elementaita.
WINDING CISTICOLA (Cisticola marginatus amphilectus)
Singles at Nairobi NP and Samburu.
STOUT CISTICOLA (Cisticola robustus)
Several hundred in the Masai Mara grasslands, and 1 at Nairobi NP.
SIFFLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola brachypterus)
Nice looks at 1 at Nairobi NP.
PECTORAL-PATCH CISTICOLA (Cisticola brunnescens)
About 30 at Masai Mara (although only a few were seen well).
Acrocephalidae (Reed Warblers and Allies)
LESSER SWAMP WARBLER (Acrocephalus gracilirostris)
Two at Limuru Pond.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
PLAIN MARTIN (Riparia paludicola)
Fairly common around wetlands in the central highlands and at Masai Mara; in all we saw about 140.
BANDED MARTIN (Riparia cincta)
Five at Nairobi NP, and 15 at Masai Mara.
ROCK MARTIN (RED-THROATED) (Ptyonoprogne fuligula fusciventris)
Small numbers around buildings, bridges, and cliffs, with a total of about 30.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
Appears to have arrived early this year, with records most days from widely scattered areas.
WIRE-TAILED SWALLOW (Hirundo smithii)
Usually near water, they were fairly common with a total of about 30.
RED-RUMPED SWALLOW (RED-RUMPED) (Cecropis daurica emini)
Another widespread swallow, although absent from the lowlands around Samburu.
LESSER STRIPED SWALLOW (Cecropis abyssinica)
Two in a tree with other swallows at Masai Mara.
RUFOUS-CHESTED SWALLOW (Cecropis semirufa)
About a dozen with other swallows at Masai Mara.
MOSQUE SWALLOW (Cecropis senegalensis)
At least 50 at Masai Mara.
WHITE-HEADED SAWWING (Psalidoprocne albiceps)
Ten at Masai Mara.
BLACK SAWWING (Psalidoprocne pristoptera)
First seen around The Residences in Nairobi, and then at The ark, Elementaita, and Masai Mara.
Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)
NORTHERN BROWNBUL (Phyllastrephus strepitans)
One at Samburu.
CABANIS'S GREENBUL (PLACID) (Phyllastrephus cabanisi placidus)
Three in the forest at The Residences, and then 1 at Naro Moru.
COMMON BULBUL (DODSON'S) (Pycnonotus barbatus dodsoni)
About 40 at Samburu.
COMMON BULBUL (DARK-CAPPED) (Pycnonotus barbatus tricolor)
Replaces the previous 'form' away from Samburu.
Sylviidae (Sylviid Warblers, Parrotbills, and Allies)
AFRICAN HILL BABBLER (Sylvia abyssinica)
Nice looks at this often shy species at The Ark.
BANDED PARISOMA (Sylvia boehmi)
Two at Samburu.
Zosteropidae (White-eyes, Yuhinas, and Allies)
KIKUYU WHITE-EYE (Zosterops kikuyuensis)
One at The Ark.
AFRICAN YELLOW WHITE-EYE (Zosterops senegalensis)
Singles at Elementaita and Naivasha.
Leiothrichidae (Laughingthrushes and Allies)
RUFOUS CHATTERER (Turdoides rubiginosa)
About 10 at Samburu.
NORTHERN PIED-BABBLER (Turdoides hypoleuca)
One at Nairobi NP, and 1 near Nanyuki.
ARROW-MARKED BABBLER (Turdoides jardineii)
About 20 at Elementaita, and another 20 at Masai Mara.
Buphagidae (Oxpeckers)
RED-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus erythrorynchus)
Common on a variety of big game throughout the tour.
YELLOW-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus africanus)
Less common than the previous species, and only seen at Nairobi NP and Masai Mara.
Sturnidae (Starlings)
WATTLED STARLING (Creatophora cinerea)
About 50 at Samburu.
VIOLET-BACKED STARLING (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster)
These stunning starlings were seen at Samburu and Masai Mara, with a total of about 40.
RED-WINGED STARLING (Onychognathus morio)
One at Wilson Airport on our last afternoon.
MAGPIE STARLING (Speculipastor bicolor)
Two in flight at Samburu.
HILDEBRANDT'S STARLING (Lamprotornis hildebrandti)
Two at the top of the Oloololo Escarpment, Masai Mara.
RUEPPELL'S STARLING (Lamprotornis purpuroptera)
First seen at Elementaita (8), and then about 30 at Masai Mara.
SUPERB STARLING (Lamprotornis superbus)
Common and widespread.
FISCHER'S STARLING (Lamprotornis fischeri)
Four at Archer's Post just outside Samburu GR.
GREATER BLUE-EARED STARLING (Lamprotornis chalybaeus)
About 25 at Elementaita, and 10 at Masai Mara.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
ABYSSINIAN THRUSH (Turdus abyssinicus)
One at The Residences, 4 at The Ark, and 1 at Elementaita.
AFRICAN THRUSH (Turdus pelios)
Two of our group saw 1 at Elementaita.
Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)
AFRICAN DUSKY FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa adusta)
We saw about 10 at Naro Moru, Thomson's Falls, and Elementaita.
AFRICAN GRAY FLYCATCHER (Bradornis microrhynchus)
Two at Nairobi NP, and 8 at Samburu.
PALE FLYCATCHER (Agricola pallidus)
One at Elementaita.
NORTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis edolioides)
Five (including a couple of juveniles) around our camp in Masai Mara.
SOUTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis pammelaina)
One at Sagana, 6 at Samburu, and 2 at Elementaita.
WHITE-EYED SLATY-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis fischeri)
We saw about 30 of these attractive highland flycatchers from Nairobi to The Ark, and at Naro Moru and Elementaita.
RED-BACKED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas leucophrys)
Two at Nairobi NP, and 2 at Samburu.
CAPE ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha caffra)
Small numbers at The Ark, Naro Moru, and north of Nairobi.
RUEPPELL'S ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha semirufa)
Nice looks at this often shy species at The Residences and The Ark.
WHITE-BROWED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha heuglini)
First seen at Naro Moru, and then at Elementaita, Naivasha, and Masai Mara.
SPOTTED MORNING-THRUSH (Cichladusa guttata)
One at Nairobi NP, and 5 at Samburu.
WHITE-STARRED ROBIN (Pogonocichla stellata)
Some of the group saw a couple along the forest trail at The Residences.
AFRICAN STONECHAT (Saxicola torquatus)
Two on the north side of Mt. Kenya, and 2 at Limuru Pond.
SOOTY CHAT (Myrmecocichla nigra)
About 14 at Masai Mara.
NORTHERN ANTEATER-CHAT (Myrmecocichla aethiops)
Two at Solio, and 6 at Elementaita.
ABYSSINIAN WHEATEAR (Oenanthe lugubris schalowi)
We saw a single male perched next to the road at the south side of Lake Elementaita.
Nectariniidae (Sunbirds and Spiderhunters)
EASTERN VIOLET-BACKED SUNBIRD (Anthreptes orientalis)
One male at Samburu.
COLLARED SUNBIRD (Hedydipna collaris)
Two at Nairobi NP, 6 at Naro Moru, and 1 at Naivasha.
GREEN-HEADED SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra verticalis)
Four at Naro Moru, and 2 at Thomson's Falls.
AMETHYST SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra amethystina)
Six at Naro Moru.
SCARLET-CHESTED SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra senegalensis)
First seen at Nairobi NP, and then at Elementaita and Masai Mara; in all we saw about 20.
HUNTER'S SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra hunteri)
Two males at Samburu.
TACAZZE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia tacazze)
Simply stunning, about 15 of these gorgeous sunbirds were feeding on a bottlebrush tree at Naro Moru.
BRONZE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia kilimensis)
Widespread in the central highlands with a total of about 40.
GOLDEN-WINGED SUNBIRD (Drepanorhynchus reichenowi)
Yet another fabulous sunbird; we saw 3 of this species at The Ark.
NORTHERN DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris reichenowi)
Eight at Naro Moru.
EASTERN DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris mediocris)
About 10 in The Ark area.
MARIQUA SUNBIRD (Cinnyris mariquensis)
Three at Samburu.
BLACK-BELLIED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris nectarinioides)
Two at Sagana, and about 8 at Samburu.
VARIABLE SUNBIRD (Cinnyris venustus)
Widespread in the highland areas throughout the tour; in all we saw about 50.
Ploceidae (Weavers and Allies)
RED-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Bubalornis niger)
About 40 at Samburu.
WHITE-HEADED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Dinemellia dinemelli)
At least 100 were seen at Samburu.
SPECKLE-FRONTED WEAVER (Sporopipes frontalis)
Six at Nairobi NP, and 8 at Samburu.
WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser mahali)
A dozen at Nairobi NP, and then several hundred at Samburu.
DONALDSON-SMITH'S SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser donaldsoni)
We saw about 100 of this northern arid country species at Samburu.
GRAY-HEADED SOCIAL-WEAVER (Pseudonigrita arnaudi)
Some of the group saw 2 at Elementaita.
BLACK-CAPPED SOCIAL-WEAVER (Pseudonigrita cabanisi)
Several flocks of these attractive Social-Weavers at Samburu.
RED-HEADED WEAVER (Anaplectes rubriceps)
Widespread in acacia country, we saw a total of 7 in six different locations.
BAGLAFECHT WEAVER (Ploceus baglafecht)
Common in the central highlands.
BLACK-NECKED WEAVER (Ploceus nigricollis)
We saw a male at Samburu.
SPECTACLED WEAVER (Ploceus ocularis)
One at Nairobi NP, and 2 at Naivasha.
HOLUB'S GOLDEN-WEAVER (Ploceus xanthops)
A pair at Nairobi NP, and a single male at Naro Moru.
GOLDEN PALM WEAVER (Ploceus bojeri)
Nice looks at a male along a stream bed at Samburu.
SPEKE'S WEAVER (Ploceus spekei)
One at Kisima, 30 at Elementaita, and 1 at Masai Mara.
VILLAGE WEAVER (Ploceus cucullatus)
We saw a single male at the Oloololo Gate, Masai Mara.
RED-BILLED QUELEA (Quelea quelea)
Six at Nairobi NP, and 4 at Limuru Pond.
RED-COLLARED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes ardens)
Thirty at Nairobi NP, and 1 near Thomson's Falls.
FAN-TAILED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes axillaris)
About 30 in the Musiara Swamp, Masai Mara.
JACKSON'S WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes jacksoni)
Fifteen (including 1 male) at Masai Mara.
Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)
COMMON WAXBILL (Estrilda astrild)
Twelve at Nairobi NP, 15 at Limuru Pond, and 50+ at Masai Mara.
BLACK-CHEEKED WAXBILL (Estrilda charmosyna)
Two at Samburu.
RED-CHEEKED CORDONBLEU (Uraeginthus bengalus)
About 30 in the Nairobi area, 6 at Kiawara, 20 at Elementaita, and 6 at Masai Mara.
PURPLE GRENADIER (Granatina ianthinogaster)
These striking waxbills were seen at Nairobi, Naro Moru, Elementaita, and Masai Mara; in all we saw about 45.
RED-BILLED FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta senegala)
About 30 in the Nairobi to Aberdare region, and 4 at Samburu.
BRONZE MANNIKIN (Spermestes cucullata)
Thirty at Nairobi NP, and 10 at Thomson's Falls.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus)
Small numbers at a couple of fuel stations in the highlands, and 2 at the gate to Masai Mara.
KENYA RUFOUS SPARROW (Passer rufocinctus)
Forty in the Nairobi area, another 40 near the Aberdares, 4 at Naro Moru, and 2 at Masai Mara.
PARROT-BILLED SPARROW (Passer gongonensis)
We saw a total of about 110 at Samburu.
SWAHILI SPARROW (Passer suahelicus)
Three at the Oloololo Gate, Masai Mara.
CHESTNUT SPARROW (Passer eminibey)
Seventy at Samburu.
YELLOW-SPOTTED BUSH SPARROW (Gymnoris pyrgita)
Two singles at Samburu, and 1 at Elementaita.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
CAPE WAGTAIL (Motacilla capensis)
One at The Ark, and 2 near Thomson's Falls.
AFRICAN PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla aguimp)
Fairly common and widespread away from the Samburu lowlands.
AFRICAN PIPIT (Anthus cinnamomeus)
Most common at Masai Mara (18), and a few others in scattered grasslands elsewhere.
PLAIN-BACKED PIPIT (Anthus leucophrys)
Another grassland pipit with a similar distribution to African Pipit; they were widespread in small numbers with a total of about 30.
YELLOW-THROATED LONGCLAW (Macronyx croceus)
Three at Nairobi NP, and nearly 40 at Masai Mara.
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
YELLOW-FRONTED CANARY (Crithagra mozambica)
About 20 at Masai Mara.
REICHENOW'S SEEDEATER (Crithagra reichenowi)
Small numbers around Nairobi, Thomson's Falls, and Elementaita.
WHITE-BELLIED CANARY (Crithagra dorsostriata)
Ten at Nairobi NP, and about a dozen at Samburu.
BRIMSTONE CANARY (Crithagra sulphurata)
Six in the Nairobi area.
STREAKY SEEDEATER (Crithagra striolata)
Two at The Residences, about 20 in The Ark area, 4 at Thomson's Falls, and 1 a Elementaita.
THICK-BILLED SEEDEATER (Crithagra burtoni)
One at The ark.
YELLOW-CROWNED CANARY (Serinus flavivertex)
Two near the gate to the Aberdare NP.
Emberizidae (Old World Buntings)
GOLDEN-BREASTED BUNTING (Emberiza flaviventris)
Two at Governors' Camp as we ate lunch.
SOMALI BUNTING (Emberiza poliopleura)
One at Samburu.
CINNAMON-BREASTED BUNTING (Emberiza tahapisi)
We saw a male as we walked down the road on the Oloololo Escarpment.
MAMMALS
WAHLBERG'S EPAULETTED FRUIT BAT (Epomophorus wahlbergi)
About 50 were at the gate to Nairobi NP.
BLUE MONKEY (Cercopithecus mitis)
A few were seen around our camp at Masai Mara.
SYKES MONKEY (Cercopithecus albogularis)
Four along the road just north of Nanyuki.
BLACK-FACED VERVET MONKEY (Cercopithecus aethiops)
Common and widespread with a total of about 700.
OLIVE BABOON (Papio anubis)
Another very common and widespread primate; in all we saw about 850.
MANTLED GUEREZA (Colobus guereza)
Four at Naro Moru.
CAPE HARE (Lepus capensis)
Five singles at Samburu.
UNSTRIPED GROUND SQUIRREL (Xerus rutilus)
About 100 at Samburu.
SPRINGHARE (Pedetes capensis)
Several distantly and two close during our night drive at Elementaita. Springhare is the sole member of the family Pedetidae.
BLACK-BACKED JACKAL (Canis mesomelas)
Two at Samburu, and 2 at Masai Mara.
LARGE-SPOTTED GENET (Genetta tigrina)
Nice looks at 3 beneath the bird feeding platform at The ark.
SLENDER MONGOOSE (Herpestes sanguineus)
Singles at Nairobi NP, and Elementaita.
BANDED MONGOOSE (Mungos mungo)
Several large groups were seen at Masai Mara, with a total of about 70.
EASTERN DWARF MONGOOSE (Helogale hirtula)
Three at Samburu, and 7 at Masai Mara.
WHITE-TAILED MONGOOSE (Ichneumia albicauda)
One on our night drive at Elementaita.
SPOTTED HYAENA (Crocuta crocuta)
Four at The Ark for some of the group, and then at Elementaita, and about 30 at Masai Mara for everyone.
SERVAL (Felis serval)
Fantastic close looks at this normally shy cat at Masai Mara.
LEOPARD (Panthera pardus)
Nice looks at 1 in an open tree at Samburu, and then a tail and other small areas of body of a hidden one at Masai Mara.
LION (Panthera leo)
Eight at Samburu, and then about a dozen at Masai Mara, which included a males, females, tiny cubs, and a mating pair.
CHEETAH (Acinonyx jubatus)
We saw a mother and her 3 large young feeding on a gazelle at Masai Mara.
AFRICAN BUSH ELEPHANT (Loxodonta africana)
Just fantastic this tour, with 150+ at The Ark, another 150 at Samburu, and perhaps 400 at Masai Mara – large bulls, females, tiny babies – all just fabulous!
TREE HYRAX (Dendrohyrax arboreus)
Heard several times, and then thanks to a baggage porter, 2 were seen well at Naro Moru River Lodge.
GREVY'S ZEBRA (Equus grevyi)
Just amazing this tour, with at least 600 of these endangered mammals at Samburu.
BURCHELL'S ZEBRA (Equus burchelli)
Very common and widespread, with several thousand at Masai Mara being the most for any single area.
WHITE RHINOCEROS (Ceratotherium simum) [I]
We saw a female and a young one at Nairobi NP, and then 7 as we drove along the road on the north side of Solio.
WARTHOG (Phacochoerus aethiopicus)
Very common and widespread, with a total of about 300.
GIANT FOREST HOG (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni)
Often considered shy and nocturnal, but they are becoming increasingly used to people at The Ark, where we had great views of about 30.
HIPPOPOTAMUS (Hippopotamus amphibius)
Six at Nairobi NP, and then about 350 at Masai Mara.
COMMON GIRAFFE (Giraffa camelopardalis)
Thirty-five at Nairobi NP, 3 near Naivasha, and about 55 at Masai Mara.
RETICULATED GIRAFFE (Giraffa reticulata)
We saw a total of about 90 at Samburu.
ROTHSCHILD'S GIRAFFE (Giraffa rothschildi)
After a lot of searching, we finally found 3 as we were leaving the Lake Elementaita area.
BUSHBUCK (Tragelaphus scriptus)
About 12 at The Ark, and 2 at Naro Moru.
COMMON ELAND (Taurotragus oryx)
We saw these massive antelopes at Nairobi (5), Solio (20), Elementaita (40), and Masai Mara (60+).
AFRICAN BUFFALO (Syncerus caffer)
Common in reserves with large open grassland areas like Nairobi NP (200) Elementaita (300+), and Masai Mara (800+).
COMMON WATERBUCK (Kobus ellipsiprymnus)
Three at Nairobi NP, and 150 at Samburu.
DEFASSA WATERBUCK (Kobus defassa)
Six at Solio, 300 at Elementaita, and 150+ at Masai Mara.
BOHOR REEDBUCK (Redunca redunca)
We saw a single male at Nairobi NP.
BEISA ORYX (Oryx beisa)
About 450 at Samburu.
TOPI (Damaliscus lunatus)
At least 400 were seen at Masai Mara.
HARTEBEEST (KONGONI) (Alcelaphus buselaphus)
Also known as Coke's Hartebeest, we saw about 50 at Nairobi NP, and 70 at Masai Mara.
JACKSON'S HARTEBEEST (Alcelaphus jacksoni)
We saw 4 of these uncommon antelopes at Solio.
BLUE WILDEBEEST (Connochaetes taurinus)
Due to the dry conditions, numbers were low this year, but we still enjoyed seeing herds of several thousand at Masai Mara.
SUNI (Neotragus moschatus)
Three at The Ark were feeding beneath the bird feeding platform.
KIRK'S DIK-DIK (Modoqua kirki)
About 60 at Samburu.
IMPALA (Aepyceros malampus)
Very common and widespread, with a total of about 1600.
GERENUK (Litocranius walleri)
About 75 at Samburu.
THOMSON'S GAZELLE (Gazella thomsoni)
At least 200 were seen at Elementaita, and then 3000+ at Masai Mara.
GRANT'S GAZELLE (Gazella granti)
Most common in the arid country at Samburu (250), but we also saw about 30 at Elementaita, and 70 at Masai Mara.
Totals for the tour: 345 bird taxa and 48 mammal taxa