Our August 2022 Wild Kenya: A Tented Camp Safari took place with a full group of six, plus long term driver John Ngige, and leader Terry Stevenson. Over 300 species of birds were seen and 48 mammals, with just a few highlights being Vulturine Guineafowl at Samburu, Greater and Lesser flamingos at Elementaita, Schalow's Turaco at Kichwa Tembo, dancing Grey-Crowned-Cranes at The Ark, Secretarybird on the Mara grasslands, and 15 species of gorgeous sunbirds. Mammals included Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, many groups of African Bush Elephant, Reticulated Giraffe, and the rare Black Rhino.
We began this trip at The Residences in the outskirts of Nairobi at Karen Country Club. Highlights here were Hartlaub's Turaco right around the rooms, our first Speckled Mousebirds, Black-backed Puffback, African Paradise-flycatcher, and fabulous iridescent Variable Sunbirds. We followed this with a day to Nairobi National Park where our first mammals were Burchell's Zebra, Common Giraffe, African Buffalo, Hartebeest, Impala, about 50 hippos at pool, and on our way out of the park a pair of mating Lions with another female waiting nearby – what a great first day.
The next day found us heading north to the Great Rift Valley for a two night stay at the upmarket Serena Camp in Soysambu Conservancy. First though, we stopped for a couple of hours at Lake Naivasha where a boat trip introduced us to Little Grebe, Red-knobbed Coot, Gray-hooded Gull, Great White and Pink-backed pelicans, Hamerkop, Purple and Squacco herons, African Spoonbill, African Fish-Eagle, and both Giant and Malachite kingfishers. On to Elementaita; we had two nights at this lovely camp and as it's on a private conservancy we were able to take an after dinner night drive. Highlights here were Cape Teal, Greater and Lesser flamingos, Klaas's Cuckoo, Pied Avocet, Kittlitz's Plover, Black-chested Snake-Eagle, Martial Eagle, Common Scimitarbill, White-fronted Bee-eater, Broad-billed Roller, Bearded, Mountain Gray and Nubian woodpeckers, the rare Fox Kestrel (way south of its normal range), Tropical Boubou, White-bellied Tit, Black-lored Babbler, Violet-backed Starling, Amethyst Sunbird, Purple Grenadier, and Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu. Mammals included large troops of Olive Baboons, Black-backed Jackal, Spotted Hyaena, Buffalo, Eland, Defassa Waterbuck and the rare Rothschild's Giraffe.
Leaving Elementaita behind, we then climbed out of the Rift and east to Naro Moru, but with stops along the way to see Tacazze Sunbird at Thomson's Falls, and Cape Eagle-Owl (Mackinder's) near Kiawara on the way. Our walk in the grounds of the Naro Moru River Lodge added Red-fronted Parrot, Black Cuckooshrike, Chestnut-throated and Gray apalises, Wire-tailed Swallow, African Dusky Flycatcher, Bronze Sunbird, and Mountain Wagtail.
We then headed to the northern-most place on our tour and a three night stay in the arid country at Samburu. Such a new habitat brought us numerous new birds and mammals, with just a few birding highlights including Somali Ostrich, Vulturine Guineafowl, Black-faced Sandgrouse, White-bellied and Buff-crested bustards, Water Thick-knee, Greater Painted-snipe, Goliath Heron, Bateleur, Wahlberg's and Tawny eagles, African Hawk-Eagle, Pearl-spotted Owlet, White-headed Mousebird, Violet Woodhoopoe, Von Der Decken's and Northern Red-billed hornbills, Lesser Honeyguide, Red-bellied Parrot, Pygmy Batis, Rosy-patched Bushshrike, Bristle-crowned Starling, Spotted Morning Thrush, Hunter's Sunbird, and Donaldson-Smith's Sparrow-Weaver. Mammals were not to be left out either, with the four 'specials', Grevy's Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, Beisa Oryx and Gerenuk, all being seen well, plus, 3 more Lion, many groups of Elephant, Warthog, Common Waterbuck, Kirk's Dikdik, and Grant's Gazelle.
We then headed south towards Nairobi breaking the journey with a one night stop at The Ark. Again, a totally different habitat with the setting in afro-montane forest about 7,500 feet. The mineral lick and waterhole provided an endless procession of coming and going with Elephant, Buffalo, Spotted Hyaena, Warthog and Giant Forest Hog, the main large mammals, but little Suni, Slender Mongoose and Large-spotted Genet putting on a show too!
As usual, we then finished our tour by flying to Masai Mara and spending three nights there – this time in the well known Kichwa Tembo Camp. By taking both morning and afternoon drives in an open 4x4 Landcruiser, we slowly added to our impressive list, watching, photographing and enjoying such wonderful sights as hundreds of thousands of Blue Wildebeest walking across the plains, playful Banded Mongoose and Blue Monkeys right within the camp, Spotted Hyaenas with their young, 9 more Lion, two Cheetah brothers and then a mother with four kittens, a mother and calf Black Rhino, and of course the mixed herds of Giraffe, Buffalo, Burchell's Zebra, Topi, and Thomson's Gazelle. New species for our bird list included Coqui and Red-necked francolins, African Green-Pigeon, Black-bellied Bustard, Schalow's and Ross's turacos, Wattled Lapwing, Woolly-necked Stork, Rufous-bellied Heron, Secretarybird, White-headed Vulture, Rueppell's Griffon, Black Goshawk, Southern Ground-hornbill, Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, D'Arnaud's (Usambiro) and White-headed barbets, Rufous-necked Wryneck, Grey Kestrel, Meyer's Parrot, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Gray-headed Bushshrike, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, and Quailfinch.
Our next Wild Kenya; A Tented Camp Safari runs July 29 to August 23, 2023.
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
COMMON OSTRICH (Struthio camelus)
About 30 at Nairobi NP, and 3 at Masai Mara.
SOMALI OSTRICH (Struthio molybdophanes)
Eighteen at Samburu.
EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Alopochen aegyptiaca)
Common and widespread at wetlands throughout the tour, with a total of about 280.
SPUR-WINGED GOOSE (Plectropterus gambensis)
One at Masai Mara.
YELLOW-BILLED DUCK (Anas undulata)
Eight at Lake Naivasha, 2 at Naro Moru, and 4 at The Ark.
CAPE TEAL (Anas capensis)
About a dozen at Lake Elementaita.
RED-BILLED DUCK (Anas erythrorhyncha)
We saw a pair at Nairobi NP.
HELMETED GUINEAFOWL (Numida meleagris)
Common in open bushland and wooded country, with a total of about 450.
VULTURINE GUINEAFOWL (Acryllium vulturinum)
At least 500 were seen at Samburu and Shaba.
CRESTED FRANCOLIN (Ortygornis sephaena)
Six at Samburu.
COQUI FRANCOLIN (Campocolinus coqui)
Nice looks at a male along a track in Masai Mara.
SCALY FRANCOLIN (Pternistis squamatus)
About 20 in The Ark area, and 2 for one of the group at Kichwa Tembo.
YELLOW-NECKED FRANCOLIN (Pternistis leucoscepus)
Four at Solio, and about 70 at Samburu.
RED-NECKED FRANCOLIN (Pternistis afer)
Twelve at Masai Mara.
GREATER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus roseus)
Twenty at Naivasha, and 400+ at Elementaita.
LESSER FLAMINGO (Phoeniconaias minor)
About 2000 at Elementaita.
LITTLE GREBE (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
Singles at Nairobi NP and Elementaita, and 6 at Naivasha.
SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea)
One at Samburu, 15 at Shaba, and about a dozen at Masai Mara.
MOURNING COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decipiens)
About 40 at Samburu.
RED-EYED DOVE (Streptopelia semitorquata)
One at The Residences, 20 at Elementaita, and about 10 at Masai Mara.
RING-NECKED DOVE (Streptopelia capicola)
Widespread in open wooded country; in all we saw about 550.
LAUGHING DOVE (Streptopelia senegalensis)
Two at Naivasha, 4 at Elementaita, 7 at Samburu, and 1 at Masai Mara.
EMERALD-SPOTTED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur chalcospilos)
One at Nairobi NP, 5 at Samburu, and 2 at Masai Mara.
AFRICAN GREEN-PIGEON (Treron calvus)
Nice looks at 14 in a bare tree top at Masai Mara.
YELLOW-THROATED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles gutturalis)
Two in flight at Nairobi NP.
BLACK-FACED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles decoratus)
About 40 at Samburu.
WHITE-BELLIED BUSTARD (Eupodotis senegalensis)
Great looks this tour, with a total of 9 birds.
BUFF-CRESTED BUSTARD (Eupodotis gindiana)
Two single males at Samburu.
BLACK-BELLIED BUSTARD (Lissotis melanogaster)
We saw a female at Masai Mara.
SCHALOW'S TURACO (Tauraco schalowi)
Great looks on our walk at Kichwa Tembo Camp.
HARTLAUB'S TURACO (Tauraco hartlaubi)
Two high in the tree tops at The Residences, and then fabulous looks at 1 at Naro Moru.
ROSS'S TURACO (Musophaga rossae)
One in the grounds of our camp at Kichwa Tembo.
WHITE-BELLIED GO-AWAY-BIRD (Corythaixoides leucogaster)
Two at Nairobi NP, and 4 at Shaba.
WHITE-BROWED COUCAL (Centropus superciliosus)
Two at Nairobi NP, and 2 at Masai Mara.
KLAAS'S CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx klaas)
Nice looks at 1 at Elementaita.
RED-CHESTED CUCKOO (Cuculus solitarius)
Heard frequently around our tents at Elementaita, and finally seen well on our walk there.
AFRICAN CUCKOO (Cuculus gularis)
Heard in the Yellow-barked Acacia trees at Naivasha.
AFRICAN SWIFT (Apus barbatus)
About 50 at Elementaita.
AFRICAN PALM-SWIFT (Cypsiurus parvus)
Twelve at Nairobi NP.
EURASIAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)
Six at Nairobi NP, 8 at Naivasha, and 4 at The Ark.
RED-KNOBBED COOT (Fulica cristata)
About 80 on our boat trip at Lake Naivasha, and 1 at The Ark.
BLACK CRAKE (Zapornia flavirostra)
Six at Nairobi NP, 10 at Naivasha, 2 at The Ark, and 1 at Masai Mara.
GRAY CROWNED-CRANE (Balearica regulorum)
Great looks at this fabulous bird at Nairobi NP (4), and then at The Ark (2 displaying birds).
WATER THICK-KNEE (Burhinus vermiculatus)
Three at Shaba.
BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus)
Most common at Elementaita (50+), but we also saw them at Nairobi NP (4) and Naivasha (6).
PIED AVOCET (Recurvirostra avosetta)
Nine at Elementaita.
LONG-TOED LAPWING (Vanellus crassirostris)
One at Nairobi NP.
BLACKSMITH LAPWING (Vanellus armatus)
Fairly common at a variety of scattered wetlands; with a total of about 80.
SPUR-WINGED LAPWING (Vanellus spinosus)
Another common and widespread lapwing; in all we saw about 50.
CROWNED LAPWING (Vanellus coronatus)
This dry country lapwing was widespread in the grasslands at Nairobi, Elementaita, Samburu and Masai Mara.
WATTLED LAPWING (Vanellus senegallus)
Five at Masai Mara.
KITTLITZ'S PLOVER (Charadrius pecuarius)
About 20 along the shore at Elementaita.
THREE-BANDED PLOVER (Charadrius tricollaris)
Sixteen at Nairobi NP.
GREATER PAINTED-SNIPE (Rostratula benghalensis)
We saw a single male at Samburu.
AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus)
One at Nairobi NP, 6 at Naivasha, and 1 at Shaba.
BLACK-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa limosa)
Two at Lake Naivasha were still showing signs of breeding plumage; a very early record for this species.
RUFF (Calidris pugnax)
About a dozen at Elementaita.
LITTLE STINT (Calidris minuta)
Ten at Elementaita were exceptionally early migrants this year.
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos)
One at Naivasha, and 3 at Samburu.
GREEN SANDPIPER (Tringa ochropus)
One at Samburu, and 1 at Masai Mara.
WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola)
Twelve at Samburu, and 2 at Masai Mara.
GULL-BILLED TERN (Gelochelidon nilotica)
One from the boat at Naivasha.
WOOLLY-NECKED STORK (AFRICAN) (Ciconia episcopus microscelis)
Six at Masai Mara.
MARABOU STORK (Leptoptilos crumenifer)
We saw these huge birds at Nairobi, Naivasha, Elementaita, and Masai Mara; with a total of 120.
YELLOW-BILLED STORK (Mycteria ibis)
Fairly common at a variety of widespread wetlands; in all we saw about 95.
AFRICAN DARTER (Anhinga rufa)
Sadly becoming rare in Kenya, but we saw 8 at Nairobi NP including birds on nests.
LONG-TAILED CORMORANT (Microcarbo africanus)
Two at Nairobi NP, and 10 at Naivasha.
GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo)
Two hundred and fifty at Naivasha, and 1 at Elementaita.
GREAT WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus onocrotalus)
About 60 at Naivasha, 80+ at Elementaita, and 9 in flight at Shaba.
PINK-BACKED PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens)
One at Naivasha.
HAMERKOP (Scopus umbretta)
Ten at Lake Naivasha, 2 at Samburu, and about a dozen at Masai Mara.
GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea)
Small numbers were widespread at a variety of wetlands, with a total of about 16.
BLACK-HEADED HERON (Ardea melanocephala)
One at The Ark, and about 40 at Masai Mara.
GOLIATH HERON (Ardea goliath)
Great looks at 1 at Samburu; this is the world's largest heron.
PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea)
Two along the reedy shore at Naivasha.
GREAT EGRET (AFRICAN) (Ardea alba melanorhynchos)
Widespread at a variety of wetlands; with a total of 14.
INTERMEDIATE EGRET (Ardea intermedia)
Singles at Nairobi NP and Naivasha.
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)
Four at Naivasha, and 2 at Elementaita.
CATTLE EGRET (WESTERN) (Bubulcus ibis ibis)
About 60 in the Nairobi to Elementaita area, 3 at Samburu, and 500+ at Masai Mara.
SQUACCO HERON (Ardeola ralloides)
Three at Naivasha, and 2 at Samburu.
RUFOUS-BELLIED HERON (Ardeola rufiventris)
We saw this very localized heron at Masai Mara.
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)
Singles at Naivasha and Samburu.
GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus)
One (together with Hadada Ibis) at Naivasha.
AFRICAN SACRED IBIS (Threskiornis aethiopicus)
About 30 in the Nairobi area, 60 at Naivasha, and 5 at Masai Mara.
HADADA IBIS (Bostrychia hagedash)
Widespread throughout the tour with a total of about 70.
AFRICAN SPOONBILL (Platalea alba)
Six at Naivasha, 10 at Elementaita, and 2 at Shaba.
SECRETARYBIRD (Sagittarius serpentarius)
Four singles at Masai Mara.
BLACK-WINGED KITE (Elanus caeruleus)
Two singles at Nairobi NP, and 1 at Masai Mara.
AFRICAN HARRIER-HAWK (Polyboroides typus)
Good looks at a low flying adult at Masai Mara.
WHITE-HEADED VULTURE (Trigonoceps occipitalis)
One at Masai Mara.
LAPPET-FACED VULTURE (Torgos tracheliotos)
Two at Samburu, and 8 at Masai Mara.
HOODED VULTURE (Necrosyrtes monachus)
Four at Shaba, and 2 at Masai Mara.
WHITE-BACKED VULTURE (Gyps africanus)
Thirty at Nairobi NP, 1 at Elementaita, and about 60 at Masai Mara.
RUEPPELL'S GRIFFON (Gyps rueppelli)
About 55 at Masai Mara.
BATELEUR (Terathopius ecaudatus)
Seven at Samburu, and 18 at Masai Mara.
BLACK-CHESTED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus pectoralis)
Two single adults at Elementaita, and then an adult and an immature at Masai Mara.
BROWN SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus cinereus)
One at Masai Mara.
MARTIAL EAGLE (Polemaetus bellicosus)
Two adults and 1 immature at Elementaita, and another adult at Samburu.
LONG-CRESTED EAGLE (Lophaetus occipitalis)
One at The Ark, and 8 at Masai Mara.
WAHLBERG'S EAGLE (Hieraaetus wahlbergi)
One at Samburu, and 1 at Masai Mara.
TAWNY EAGLE (Aquila rapax)
Twenty at Samburu, and 8 at Masai Mara.
AFRICAN HAWK-EAGLE (Aquila spilogaster)
We saw a pair at Samburu.
DARK CHANTING-GOSHAWK (Melierax metabates)
One immature at Masai Mara.
GABAR GOSHAWK (Micronisus gabar)
One at Nairobi NP (chasing a Black Kite).
AFRICAN GOSHAWK (Accipiter tachiro)
Some of the group saw 1 in flight at Naro Moru.
BLACK GOSHAWK (Accipiter melanoleucus)
Good scope views of an adult at Masai Mara.
BLACK KITE (Milvus migrans)
About 30 in the Nairobi area, and 10 at Naivasha.
AFRICAN FISH-EAGLE (Haliaeetus vocifer)
Two distantly at Nairobi NP and then great looks at 8 at Naivasha, and 2 at Masai Mara.
AUGUR BUZZARD (Buteo augur)
One near Kisima, and 3 at Masai Mara.
CAPE EAGLE-OWL (NORTHERN) (Bubo capensis mackinderi)
Thanks to our local guide Paul, we had fabulous scope views of 2 at the quarry near Kiawara.
PEARL-SPOTTED OWLET (Glaucidium perlatum)
Singles at Shaba and Samburu.
SPECKLED MOUSEBIRD (Colius striatus)
Common and widespread away from the arid country at Samburu.
WHITE-HEADED MOUSEBIRD (Colius leucocephalus)
Seven at Samburu.
BLUE-NAPED MOUSEBIRD (Urocolius macrourus)
Ten at Nairobi NP, and 8 at Samburu.
EURASIAN HOOPOE (CENTRAL AFRICAN) (Upupa epops senegalensis)
One at Samburu.
EURASIAN HOOPOE (AFRICAN) (Upupa epops africana)
One at Nairobi NP.
GREEN WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus purpureus)
Three at Samburu.
VIOLET WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus damarensis)
Three at Shaba, and 4 at Samburu.
WHITE-HEADED WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus bollei)
Four at Thomson's Falls Lodge.
COMMON SCIMITARBILL (Rhinopomastus cyanomelas)
We saw a pair at Elementaita.
ABYSSINIAN SCIMITARBILL (Rhinopomastus minor)
Great looks at a very close feeding bird at Samburu.
SOUTHERN GROUND-HORNBILL (Bucorvus leadbeateri)
Two at Masai Mara were a great sighting of what is becoming a rather rare bird.
VON DER DECKEN'S HORNBILL (Tockus deckeni)
We saw a single female at Shaba.
NORTHERN RED-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus erythrorhynchus)
Eighteen at Samburu.
BLACK-AND-WHITE-CASQUED HORNBILL (Bycanistes subcylindricus)
Two and then a single at Masai Mara.
MALACHITE KINGFISHER (Corythornis cristatus)
We saw an immature from the boat at Naivasha, a fabulous close adult at Samburu, and 4 at Masai Mara.
AFRICAN PYGMY KINGFISHER (Ispidina picta)
Two singles at Samburu.
GRAY-HEADED KINGFISHER (Halcyon leucocephala)
Six at Samburu.
STRIPED KINGFISHER (Halcyon chelicuti)
One in the wooded grasslands at Elementaita.
GIANT KINGFISHER (Megaceryle maxima)
Two from the boat at Naivasha.
PIED KINGFISHER (Ceryle rudis)
About 30 at Naivasha was by far the most for one area, but we also saw a few at Nairobi NP, Samburu, and Shaba.
WHITE-FRONTED BEE-EATER (Merops bullockoides)
Five at Elementaita.
LITTLE BEE-EATER (Merops pusillus)
Two at Nairobi NP, about 20 at Samburu, and 10 at Masai Mara.
CINNAMON-CHESTED BEE-EATER (Merops oreobates)
Eight at Kiawara.
WHITE-THROATED BEE-EATER (Merops albicollis)
One as we were leaving Samburu.
LILAC-BREASTED ROLLER (Coracias caudatus)
Small numbers at Nairobi NP, Elementaita, Samburu, and Masai Mara; in all we saw about 20.
RUFOUS-CROWNED ROLLER (Coracias naevius)
One at Elementaita.
BROAD-BILLED ROLLER (Eurystomus glaucurus)
Two near our camp at Elementaita.
D'ARNAUD'S BARBET (USAMBIRO) (Trachyphonus darnaudii usambiro)
Two on the escarpment at Masai Mara.
GRAY-THROATED BARBET (Gymnobucco bonapartei)
Two on our walk at Kichwa Tembo Camp, Masai Mara.
MOUSTACHED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus leucomystax) [*]
Heard at The Ark.
YELLOW-RUMPED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus bilineatus)
Two singles at Masai Mara.
RED-FRONTED BARBET (Tricholaema diademata)
Two at Elementaita.
SPOT-FLANKED BARBET (Tricholaema lacrymosa)
One at Kiawara, and 4 at Masai Mara.
WHITE-HEADED BARBET (WHITE-HEADED) (Lybius leucocephalus albicauda)
Three at Masai Mara.
LESSER HONEYGUIDE (Indicator minor)
One at Shaba.
RUFOUS-NECKED WRYNECK (Jynx ruficollis)
One on the top of the Oloololo Escarpment.
CARDINAL WOODPECKER (Chloropicus fuscescens)
We saw a female at Samburu, and both a male and female at Masai Mara.
BEARDED WOODPECKER (Chloropicus namaquus)
A pair at Elementaita, and then 1 at Samburu.
MOUNTAIN GRAY WOODPECKER (Chloropicus spodocephalus rhodeogaster)
Two singles at Elementaita.
NUBIAN WOODPECKER (Campethera nubica)
One at Elementaita, and 3 at Samburu.
PYGMY FALCON (Polihierax semitorquatus)
One at Samburu.
FOX KESTREL (Falco alopex)
Fantastic record of this 'northern desert bird' at the south end of Lake Elementaita.
GRAY KESTREL (Falco ardosiaceus)
Two at Masai Mara.
RED-FRONTED PARROT (Poicephalus gulielmi)
Two in flight at Naro Moru.
MEYER'S PARROT (Poicephalus meyeri)
Eight at Masai Mara.
RED-BELLIED PARROT (Poicephalus rufiventris)
Also known as African Orange-bellied Parrot, we saw a total of 8 at Samburu and Shaba.
BLACK CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga flava)
One at Nairobi NP, 3 at Elementaita, and 1 at Naro Moru.
PURPLE-THROATED CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga quiscalina)
We saw a male at Naro Moru.
AFRICAN BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE (Oriolus larvatus)
Two at Elementaita, and 3 at Masai Mara.
BROWN-THROATED WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira cyanea)
Nice looks at a male at Kichwa Tembo Camp.
CHINSPOT BATIS (Batis molitor)
Two singles at Elementaita, and 2 at Masai Mara.
PYGMY BATIS (Batis perkeo)
We saw a single male at Samburu.
BRUBRU (Nilaus afer)
Singles at Nairobi NP, Elementaita, and Samburu.
BLACK-BACKED PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus cubla)
One at The Residences, and 2 at Masai Mara.
BLACK-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra senegalus)
Two on top of the Oloololo Escarpment.
BROWN-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra australis)
One at Kichwa Tembo Camp, Masai Mara.
TROPICAL BOUBOU (Laniarius major)
One at Naivasha, 4 at Elementaita, 8 at The Ark, and 2 at Masai Mara.
SLATE-COLORED BOUBOU (Laniarius funebris)
Four at Samburu, and heard at Masai Mara.
ROSY-PATCHED BUSHSHRIKE (Rhodophoneus cruentus)
One at Samburu.
SULPHUR-BREASTED BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus sulfureopectus)
Two at Nairobi NP, and 1 at Masai Mara.
GRAY-HEADED BUSHSHRIKE (Malaconotus blanchoti)
One on our walk on the Oloololo Escarpment.
FORK-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus adsimilis)
Common and widespread in open country with trees; in all we saw about 85.
AFRICAN PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (Terpsiphone viridis)
We saw a couple of females at Nairobi and Shaba, and then a superb white morph male at Samburu.
GRAY-BACKED FISCAL (Lanius excubitoroides)
Five at Elementaita, and 10 at Masai Mara.
LONG-TAILED FISCAL (Lanius cabanisi)
Six at Nairobi NP.
TAITA FISCAL (Lanius dorsalis)
Three at Samburu.
NORTHERN FISCAL (Lanius humeralis)
Small numbers (especially along roadside wires) in the high country; in all we saw about 30.
WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE (Eurocephalus ruppelli)
About a dozen at Samburu and Shaba.
CAPE CROW (Corvus capensis)
Four on the way to Naivasha, and then about 20 between Thomson's Falls and Naro Moru.
PIED CROW (Corvus albus)
Widespread in the highlands; in all we saw about 160.
FAN-TAILED RAVEN (Corvus rhipidurus)
Nine at Samburu GR.
WHITE-BELLIED TIT (Melaniparus albiventris)
Eight in the acacias at Elementaita.
FISCHER'S SPARROW-LARK (Eremopterix leucopareia)
Some of the group saw at least 1 (of 2) at Samburu.
PINK-BREASTED LARK (Calendulauda poecilosterna)
Four at Samburu.
FOXY LARK (Calendulauda alopex intercedens)
One at Samburu.
RUFOUS-NAPED LARK (Mirafra africana)
Singles at Nairobi NP and Elementaita, and then 5 at Masai Mara.
RED-CAPPED LARK (Calandrella cinerea)
Two at Elementaita.
RED-FACED CROMBEC (Sylvietta whytii)
One on the higher slopes of the Oloololo Escarpment.
MOUSTACHED GRASS-WARBLER (Melocichla mentalis)
One in the thick undergrowth at Nairobi NP.
BLACK-COLLARED APALIS (Oreolais pulcher)
One at The Ark for some of the group.
GRAY WREN-WARBLER (Calamonastes simplex)
Two singles at Samburu.
GREEN-BACKED CAMAROPTERA (GRAY-BACKED) (Camaroptera brachyura brevicaudata)
We saw about 8 of the 'gray-backed form' at Elementaita, 2 at Samburu, and 3 at Masai Mara.
BUFF-BELLIED WARBLER (Phyllolais pulchella)
One at Elementaita.
YELLOW-BREASTED APALIS (Apalis flavida)
Three at Nairobi NP, and 2 at Masai Mara.
YELLOW-BREASTED APALIS (BROWN-TAILED) (Apalis flavida flavocincta)
Two at Samburu; this dry country race has a different call to those in the highlands and may eventually be considered a different species.
CHESTNUT-THROATED APALIS (Apalis porphyrolaema)
Good looks at 1 at Naro Moru River Lodge.
GRAY APALIS (Apalis cinerea)
Two at Naro Moru, and 2 at The Ark.
TAWNY-FLANKED PRINIA (Prinia subflava)
One along the roadside north of Nanyuki, and 4 at Masai Mara.
PALE PRINIA (Prinia somalica)
One at Samburu.
GRAY-CAPPED WARBLER (Eminia lepida) [*]
Heard at The Ark.
SINGING CISTICOLA (Cisticola cantans)
Three at The Residences.
HUNTER'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola hunteri)
Good close looks at duetting pairs at The Ark.
RATTLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola chiniana)
About 20 at Elementaita.
STOUT CISTICOLA (Cisticola robustus)
About 120 at Masai Mara.
PECTORAL-PATCH CISTICOLA (Cisticola brunnescens)
Two at Nairobi NP.
MOUNTAIN YELLOW-WARBLER (Iduna similis)
One along the wooden walkway at The Ark.
PLAIN MARTIN (AFRICAN) (Riparia paludicola ducis)
One of the group saw about 8 at the Tamarind Tree Hotel, and then we all saw about 20 at Masai Mara.
BANDED MARTIN (Neophedina cincta)
About 20 low over the grasslands at Nairobi NP.
ROCK MARTIN (RED-THROATED) (Ptyonoprogne fuligula fusciventris)
Six at The Residences, 16 at Elementaita, and 2 at Kiawara.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
Six at Masai Mara.
WIRE-TAILED SWALLOW (Hirundo smithii)
Two at Naro Moru River Lodge swimming pool area, and 2 at Masai Mara.
RED-RUMPED SWALLOW (RED-RUMPED) (Cecropis daurica emini)
Six at The Ark.
LESSER STRIPED SWALLOW (Cecropis abyssinica)
Four at Nairobi NP, and 3 at Kichwa Tembo.
WHITE-HEADED SAWWING (Psalidoprocne albiceps)
Two at Masai Mara.
BLACK SAWWING (Psalidoprocne pristoptera)
Two at The Residences, 20 at Elementaita, and 2 at Naro Moru, and 4 at Masai Mara.
EASTERN MOUNTAIN GREENBUL (OLIVE-BREASTED) (Arizelocichla nigriceps kikuyuensis)
One along the wooden walkway at The Ark.
CABANIS'S GREENBUL (PLACID) (Phyllastrephus cabanisi placidus)
Some of the group saw 3 at The Residences.
COMMON BULBUL (DODSON'S) (Pycnonotus barbatus dodsoni)
About 100 at Samburu and Shaba.
COMMON BULBUL (DARK-CAPPED) (Pycnonotus barbatus tricolor)
Very common and widespread away from the Samburu-Shaba areas.
KIKUYU WHITE-EYE (Zosterops kikuyuensis)
Two at Kisima, and 4 at The Ark.
NORTHERN YELLOW WHITE-EYE (Zosterops senegalensis)
Three at Elementaita, and 4 on top of the Oloololo Escarpment.
RUFOUS CHATTERER (Argya rubiginosa)
Five at Samburu.
ARROW-MARKED BABBLER (Turdoides jardineii)
Five at Naivasha, 20 at Elementaita, and 3 at Masai Mara.
BLACK-LORED BABBLER (Turdoides sharpei)
Five at Elementaita.
NORTHERN PIED-BABBLER (Turdoides hypoleuca)
About 10 at Nairobi NP.
RED-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus erythrorynchus)
Twelve at Nairobi NP, 4 at Elementaita, and about 30 at Samburu.
YELLOW-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus africanus)
About 35 at Masai Mara (especially on Buffalo and Giraffe).
WATTLED STARLING (Creatophora cinerea)
At least 200 at Nairobi NP, 50 at Elementaita, 1 at Samburu, and 80+ at Masai Mara.
VIOLET-BACKED STARLING (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster)
Three at The Residences, 2 at Elementaita, and 1 at Masai Mara.
RED-WINGED STARLING (Onychognathus morio)
Two at Shaba.
BRISTLE-CROWNED STARLING (Onychognathus salvadorii)
Four in the fruiting trees at Shaba.
HILDEBRANDT'S STARLING (Lamprotornis hildebrandti)
One at Nairobi NP, and 2 on the Oloololo Escarpment.
RUEPPELL'S STARLING (Lamprotornis purpuroptera)
Six at Elementaita, and 4 at Masai Mara.
SUPERB STARLING (Lamprotornis superbus)
Common and widespread throughout the tour with a total of about 250.
GREATER BLUE-EARED STARLING (Lamprotornis chalybaeus)
One at Nairobi NP, about 10 at Naivasha and Elementaita, and 20 at Masai Mara.
ABYSSINIAN THRUSH (Turdus abyssinicus)
Two at The Residences, and about 10 at The Ark.
AFRICAN THRUSH (Turdus pelios)
One at our camp at Elementaita.
AFRICAN DUSKY FLYCATCHER
Four at Naro Moru, 6 at The Ark.
AFRICAN GRAY FLYCATCHER (Bradornis microrhynchus)
Two at Shaba.
PALE FLYCATCHER (Agricola pallidus)
We saw a pair at Elementaita, and 1 at Masai Mara.
NORTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis edolioides)
Some of the group saw 1 at Masai Mara.
SOUTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis pammelaina)
One along a dry river-bed at Samburu.
WHITE-EYED SLATY-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis fischeri)
Small numbers were widespread in the highlands and at Masai Mara; in all we saw about 30.
RED-BACKED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas leucophrys)
Two at Nairobi NP, and 1 at Samburu.
CAPE ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha caffra)
One at The Residences, 2 at Thomson's Falls, and 4 at The Ark.
One for some of the group at The Residences, and then 1 at Naro Moru, and 4 at The Ark for everyone.
WHITE-BROWED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha heuglini)
Three at Naivasha, about 8 at Elementaita, and 6 at Masai Mara.
SPOTTED MORNING-THRUSH (Cichladusa guttata)
Three at Samburu.
SOOTY CHAT (Myrmecocichla nigra)
About 40 at Masai Mara.
NORTHERN ANTEATER-CHAT (Myrmecocichla aethiops)
Six at Elementaita.
BROWN-TAILED CHAT (Oenanthe scotocerca)
Two at Shaba.
ABYSSINIAN WHEATEAR (Oenanthe lugubris schalowi)
We saw 2 at the southern end of Lake Elementaita.
COLLARED SUNBIRD (Hedydipna collaris)
Small numbers at The Residences, Elementaita, The Ark, and Masai Mara, with a total of about 9.
GREEN-HEADED SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra verticalis)
Two at Thomson's Falls.
AMETHYST SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra amethystina)
Great looks at a male at our camp at Elementaita.
SCARLET-CHESTED SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra senegalensis)
One at Nairobi, and 2 at Elementaita.
HUNTER'S SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra hunteri)
We saw a single male at Samburu.
TACAZZE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia tacazze)
Great looks at this gorgeous sunbird at Thomson's Falls (3 males and 1 female).
BRONZE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia kilimensis)
Six at Naro Moru, and 5 at The Ark.
GOLDEN-WINGED SUNBIRD (Drepanorhynchus reichenowi)
Yet another gorgeous sunbird; we saw 4 males and 1 female at The Ark.
NORTHERN DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris reichenowi)
One at Naro Moru River Lodge.
EASTERN DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris mediocris)
Four at The Ark.
BEAUTIFUL SUNBIRD (Cinnyris pulchellus)
One at the gate to the Shaba Game Reserve.
MARIQUA SUNBIRD (Cinnyris mariquensis)
One at Samburu.
BLACK-BELLIED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris nectarinioides)
Four at Shaba, were a good comparison to the Beautiful Sunbird we had seen just previously.
VARIABLE SUNBIRD (Cinnyris venustus)
Widespread in small numbers in the highlands; in all we saw about 10.
RED-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Bubalornis niger)
Four at Samburu.
WHITE-HEADED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Dinemellia dinemelli)
About 80 at Samburu.
WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser mahali)
At least 300 were seen at Samburu and Shaba.
DONALDSON-SMITH'S SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser donaldsoni)
About 100 at Samburu.
RED-HEADED WEAVER (Anaplectes rubriceps)
Two at Elementaita were feeding young, and we then saw a single male at Shaba.
BAGLAFECHT WEAVER (Ploceus baglafecht)
Fairly widespread in the highlands and at Masai Mara; in all we saw about 60.
SPECTACLED WEAVER (Ploceus ocularis)
Two at The Residences, and 5 at Elementaita.
HOLUB'S GOLDEN-WEAVER (Ploceus xanthops)
Singles at The Residences and Masai Mara.
GOLDEN PALM WEAVER (Ploceus bojeri)
About 10 at our camp at Samburu.
SPEKE'S WEAVER (Ploceus spekei)
Ten at The Residences, 20 at Elementaita, and 2 at Masai Mara.
RED-BILLED QUELEA (Quelea quelea)
About 100 at Nairobi NP.
YELLOW BISHOP (Euplectes capensis)
Three in non-breeding plumage at Masai Mara.
WHITE-WINGED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes albonotatus)
One in non-breeding plumage in the Nairobi NP grasslands.
RED-COLLARED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes ardens)
About a dozen in non-breeding plumage at Masai Mara.
JACKSON'S WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes jacksoni)
We saw a flock of about 30 (in non-breeding plumage) at Masai Mara.
GROSBEAK WEAVER (Amblyospiza albifrons)
Fourteen around the small marsh at The Residences.
BRONZE MANNIKIN (Spermestes cucullata)
Fifteen at Nairobi NP.
COMMON WAXBILL (Estrilda astrild)
One at Nairobi NP, and 10 along the road to The Ark.
QUAILFINCH (Ortygospiza atricollis)
Two at Masai Mara.
PURPLE GRENADIER (Granatina ianthinogaster)
We saw an immature at Nairobi NP, and then 4 (including beautiful males) at Elementaita, and 4 more at Masai Mara.
RED-CHEEKED CORDONBLEU (Uraeginthus bengalus)
About a dozen at Elementaita, and 2 at Naro Moru.
RED-BILLED FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta senegala)
Four at Elementaita.
KENYA RUFOUS SPARROW (Passer rufocinctus)
Six at Nairobi NP, and 30 at Elementaita.
PARROT-BILLED SPARROW (Passer gongonensis)
About 70 at Samburu and Shaba.
CHESTNUT SPARROW (Passer eminibey)
We saw a single male in breeding plumage at Samburu.
CAPE WAGTAIL (Motacilla capensis)
Two at The Ark.
MOUNTAIN WAGTAIL (Motacilla clara)
Two along the rocky river at Naro Moru.
AFRICAN PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla aguimp)
Widespread in small numbers, with a total of about 30.
AFRICAN PIPIT (Anthus cinnamomeus)
Five in the grasslands around Lake Elementaita.
LONG-BILLED PIPIT (Anthus similis)
One by the rocky hill at the south end of Elementaita.
PLAIN-BACKED PIPIT (Anthus leucophrys)
Four at Elementaita, and about a dozen at Masai Mara.
YELLOW-THROATED LONGCLAW (Macronyx croceus)
Good looks at about 30 at Masai Mara.
YELLOW-FRONTED CANARY (Crithagra mozambica)
About a dozen at Masai Mara.
AFRICAN CITRIL (Crithagra citrinelloides kikuyensis)
Two at Nairobi.
REICHENOW'S SEEDEATER (Crithagra reichenowi)
Four at Nairobi NP, and 2 at The Residences.
BRIMSTONE CANARY (Crithagra sulphurata)
One at Nairobi NP, and 4 at Elementaita.
STREAKY SEEDEATER (Crithagra striolata)
Two at Naivasha, 6 at Kisima, and 10 at The Ark.
YELLOW-CROWNED CANARY (Serinus flavivertex)
Ten at The Ark.
GOLDEN-BREASTED BUNTING (Emberiza flaviventris)
Two at our camp at Elementaita.
BLUE MONKEY (Cercopithecus mitis)
About 20 at Kichwa Tembo.
BLACK-CHEEKED WHITE-NOSED MONKEY (Cercopithecus ascanius)
Also known as Copper-tailed Monkey; we had good looks at 1 at Kichwa Tembo.
BLACK-FACED VERVET MONKEY (Cercopithecus aethiops)
Two at Nairobi, 200+ at Samburu, and about a dozen at Masai Mara.
OLIVE BABOON (Papio anubis)
Very common at Elementaita, Samburu, The Ark, and Masai Mara; in all we saw about 700.
CAPE HARE (Lepus capensis)
Two on the night drive at Elementaita, and 2 at the Samburu-Shaba area.
UNSTRIPED GROUND SQUIRREL (Xerus rutilus)
About 60 at Samburu.
OCHRE BUSH SQUIRREL (Paraxerus ochraceus)
One on the walkway at The Ark.
RED-LEGGED SUN SQUIRREL (Heliosciurus rufobrachium)
One in the forest at Kichwa Tembo Camp.
SPRINGHARE (Pedetes capensis)
Good looks at 1 on the night drive at Elementaita.
BLACK-BACKED JACKAL (Canis mesomelas)
Four at Elementaita, 2 at Samburu, and 6 at Masai Mara.
LARGE-SPOTTED GENET (Genetta tigrina)
At least 1 was seen by most of the group at The Ark.
SLENDER MONGOOSE (Herpestes sanguineus)
One at Samburu, and 2 at The Ark.
BANDED MONGOOSE (Mungos mungo)
Two and then a group of about 30 at Masai Mara.
EASTERN DWARF MONGOOSE (Helogale hirtula)
Five at Samburu, and 10 at Masai Mara.
WHITE-TAILED MONGOOSE (Ichneumia albicauda)
We saw a distant one on the Elementaita night drive.
SPOTTED HYAENA (Crocuta crocuta)
Five on night drive at Elementaita, 4 at The Ark, and 9 including young ones at Masai Mara.
LEOPARD (Panthera pardus)
One in the grasslands at Masai Mara.
LION (Panthera leo)
Three in Nairobi NP (included a mating pair), a male and 2 females at Samburu, and a total of 9 at Masai Mara.
CHEETAH (Acinonyx jubatus)
Amazing looks at Masai Mara; first we saw 2 brothers, and then a female and her 4 young.
AFRICAN BUSH ELEPHANT (Loxodonta africana)
About 140 at Samburu, 45 at The Ark, and 180+ at Masai Mara.
TREE HYRAX (Dendrohyrax arboreus)
One at Naro Moru River Lodge, and 3 at Kichwa Tembo.
GREVY'S ZEBRA (Equus grevyi)
One of the rarest mammals in East Africa, but we did well and had great looks at about 150 at Samburu.
BURCHELL'S ZEBRA (Equus burchelli)
Common in grasslands throughout the tour; in all we saw about 2000.
BLACK RHINOCEROS (Diceros bicornis)
We saw a mother and a large young one at Masai Mara.
WHITE RHINOCEROS (Ceratotherium simum) [E]
Four at the Solio Conservancy.
WARTHOG (Phacochoerus aethiopicus)
Common and widespread, with a total of about 250.
GIANT FOREST HOG (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni)
At least 20 were seen in and around The Ark.
HIPPOPOTAMUS (Hippopotamus amphibius)
Fifty at Nairobi NP, 30 at Naivasha, and 30 at Masai Mara.
COMMON GIRAFFE (Giraffa camelopardalis)
Forty at Nairobi NP, and 90 at Masai Mara.
RETICULATED GIRAFFE (Giraffa reticulata)
We saw a total of about 45 at Samburu.
ROTHSCHILD'S GIRAFFE (Giraffa rothschildi)
We saw 8 of these uncommon giraffes at Elementaita.
BUSHBUCK (Tragelaphus scriptus)
One at The Ark, and about a dozen at Masai Mara.
COMMON ELAND (Taurotragus oryx)
Two at Nairobi NP, 8 at Elementaita, and about 50 at Masai Mara.
AFRICAN BUFFALO (Syncerus caffer)
Widespread in both open grasslands and forested areas; in all we saw about 900.
COMMON WATERBUCK (Kobus ellipsiprymnus)
About 80 at Samburu.
DEFASSA WATERBUCK (Kobus defassa)
Thirty at Naivasha, 60 at Elementaita, and 10 at The Ark.
BOHOR REEDBUCK (Redunca redunca)
Four at Nairobi NP.
BEISA ORYX (Oryx beisa)
Four at Solio, and then 110+ at Samburu.
TOPI (Damaliscus lunatus)
About 220 at Masai Mara.
HARTEBEEST (KONGONI) (Alcelaphus buselaphus)
Also known as Coke's Hartebeest; we saw about 100 at Nairobi NP.
BLUE WILDEBEEST (Connochaetes taurinus)
Two at Nairobi NP, and several hundred thousand at Masai Mara.
ORIBI (Ourebia ourebi)
Two near the Oloololo Gate at Masai Mara.
SUNI (Neotragus moschatus)
Two at The Ark.
KIRK'S DIK-DIK (Modoqua kirki)
Three at Elementaita, about 100 at Samburu, and 2 at Masai Mara.
IMPALA (Aepyceros malampus)
Very common in open wooded grasslands; in all we saw about 1300.
GERENUK (Litocranius walleri)
We saw about 20 of these 'desert antelopes' at Samburu.
THOMSON'S GAZELLE (Gazella thomsoni)
Forty at Elementaita, and about 300 at Masai Mara.
GRANT'S GAZELLE (Gazella granti)
Thirty at Elementaita, and 200+ at Samburu.
Reptiles seen on the tour included;
Nile Crocodile, about 40 at Nairobi NP, 20 at Samburu, and 2 at Masai Mara.
Water Monitor, 1 (about 5 foot long) at Masai Mara.
Red-headed Rock Agama, about 10 at Samburu and Shaba.
Pond Terrapin, 1 at Masai Mara.
Totals for the tour: 306 bird taxa and 48 mammal taxa