Our 2024 Wild Kenya: A Tented Camp Safari ran July 27 to August 11 and had the slightly unusual addition of a visit to Lake Nakuru. Otherwise, all ran as normal and we had a fabulous time traveling from Nairobi to the Rift Valley lakes, the low semi-desert country at Samburu, the Aberdare Mountains, and finally the world famous grasslands of Masai Mara. Highlights were many, but just a few were Lion, Leopard and Cheetah, and the world famous Serengeti-Mara Wildebeest migration. Birding highlights included Somali Ostrich, Vulturine Guineafowl, Hartlaub's Turaco, Hamerkop, Secretarybird, Martial Eagle, Violet Woodhoopoe, Southern Ground-hornbill, Rosy-patched Bushshrike, both Red-billed and Yellow-billed Oxpeckers, and the gorgeous Tacazze Sunbird.
As usual we began in Nairobi at The Residences, situated within the grounds of the historic Karen Country Club. We spent two nights here giving us opportunity to not only bird the club grounds but to also make a visit to the nearby Nairobi National Park. Just a few of the most memorable birds here were Common Ostrich, Yellow-necked Spurfowl, Hartlaub's Turaco, Gray Crowned-Crane, African Darter, Hamerkop, Speckled Mousebird, White-bellied Tit, Red-faced Crombec, Northern Pied-Babbler, Rueppell's Robin-Chat, White-starred Robin, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Parasitic Weaver, and Purple Grenadier. While mammals included Skyes's and Black-faced Vervet monkey's, Lion, Hippo, Common Giraffe, African Buffalo, Hartebeest and Impala.
From Nairobi we then headed north and dropped 2000 ft. from the central highlands to three of the lakes within the Great Rift Valley. A short boat trip on Lake Naivasha gave us views of our first African Jacana, Marabou Stork, both Great White and Pink-backed pelicans, African Fish-Eagle, and Giant Kingfisher. At Lake Elementaita we were based at the luxurious Serena Camp with hundreds of thousands of Lesser Flamingo (some Greater's too) sweeping in a huge pink arch from our camp to the western shore and beyond. A night at The Cliff Camp overlooking Lake Nakuru not only gave us further looks at a multitude of waterbirds, but many new land birds too – Hildebrandt's Spurfowl, Red-chested Cuckoo, Wahlberg's Eagle, Green Woodhoopoe, Spot-flanked Barbet, African Black-headed Oriole, Northern Puffback, African Paradise-flycatcher, Gray-backed Fiscal, Buff-bellied Warbler, Brown Parisoma, Mocking Cliff-Chat, and Golden-breasted Bunting. Mammals around these lakes included our first Burchell's Zebra, Warthog, Common Eland, Defassa Waterbuck, Blue Wildebeest, and at least 70 endangered Rothschild's Giraffe – the most we've seen on any previous tour.
We then headed back to the central highlands stopping for a picnic lunch at Thomson's Falls. The lodge garden here provided us with good looks at Tacazze and Eastern Double-collared sunbirds, but we were soon on our way to meet local guide Paul Muriithi who had found us a roosting Cape Eagle-Owl. Having enjoyed nice scope looks at the owl, we then continued further east for an overnight stay at the Naro Moru River Lodge. Here a walk around the grounds gave us African Black Duck, Common Scimitarbill, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, a female Purple-throated Cuckooshrike, Wire-tailed Swallow, African Dusky Flycatcher, Collared, Bronze and Green-headed sunbirds, and Mountain Wagtail. A very close group of Mantled Guereza were another highlight, and for those of us who walked the path after dark some surprisingly tame Tree Hyrax.
We then continued, passing round the north side of Mount Kenya before dropping to 3000 ft. in the dry lowlands at Samburu. Here we had three nights at Ashnil's Camp spread along the Ewaso Nyiro River amongst Acacia trees and Doum Palms. Due to the presence of dangerous mammals most of our time was spent slowly driving the meandering tracks as we sought out Somali Ostrich, Vulturine Guineafowl, Harlequin Quail, Chestnut-bellied, Black-faced and Lichtenstein's sandgrouse, Kori, Hartlaub's and Buff-crested bustards, White-bellied Go-away-bird, the rarely seen White-backed Night-Heron, Lappet-faced and Hooded vultures, Bateleur, Tawny Eagle, Eastern Chanting-Goshawk, African Scops-owl, Pearl-spotted Owlet, White-headed and Blue-naped mousebirds, Violet Woodhoopoe, Eastern Yellow-billed and Northern Red-billed hornbills, Lesser Honeyguide, Nubian Woodpecker, Red-bellied Parrot, Brubru, Taita Fiscal, Somali Tit, Pink-breasted Lark, Red-fronted Prinia, Fischer's Starling, Marico Sunbird, White-headed Buffalo-Weaver, Donaldson Smith's Sparrow-Weaver, Red-headed Weaver, Red-billed Quelea, and Golden Pipit. Mammals were a real treat here too, with the four 'specials' – Grevy's Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, Beisa Oryx and Gerenuk all seen well, plus more Lion, a Leopard lounging in a tree, Cheetah, several herds of elephant, Common Waterbuck, Impala, Grant's Gazelle, and tiny Kirk's Dikdik.
Leaving Samburu behind we retraced our route south, passing Naro Moru and then a short way beyond to the Aberdares Mountains and a one night stay at The Ark. Here set beside a flood-lit mineral lick and waterhole we increased our list further, with great close views of Large-spotted Genet, Slender Mongoose, Spotted Hyaena, Giant Forest Hog, Bushbuck, and Suni. While birds varied from Scaly Spurfowl and Cape Wagtail on the ground, to Tropical Boubou, Gray-capped Warbler, Eastern Mountain Greenbul and Kikuyu White-eye in the bushes, Golden-winged Sunbird on flowering shrubs, and giant Silvery-cheeked Hornbills and Red-fronted Parrots flying over the roof top.
We then returned to Nairobi and spent a night before taking a 45 minute flight to Masai Mara and another three night stay - this time at the world famous Little Governors' Camp. This lovely more old-style camp is unfenced – as we saw with hippos walking between our tents at night, and elephants at the dining area during lunch.
Due to exceptional rains earlier this year, the Mara grass was taller than expected and we had to make longer drives than usual. However, we still all had a great time, enjoying close encounters with more Spotted Hyaena, Lion, a mother and four young Cheetah, many herds of elephant, buffalo, Topi, Impala, and Thomson's Gazelle, plus smaller groups of Warthog and Common Giraffe. Perhaps most impressive though was the beginning of the Blue Wildebeest migration and hundreds of thousands scattered across the central short-grass plains. Of course the Mara also gave us many new birds, including Red-necked Spurfowl, Rameron Pigeon, African Green-Pigeon, Small Buttonquail, Schalow's and Ross's turacos, Rueppell's Griffon, Black-chested Snake-Eagle, Narina Trogon, Crowned and Black-and-white-casqued hornbills, Woodland Kingfisher, White-headed Barbet, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, African Blue Flycatcher, Arrow-marked Babbler, Hildebrandt's Starling, Gray-headed Social-Weaver, and Rosy-throated Longclaw.
We finished the tour with another flight back to Nairobi and then all had rooms to shower and change before an early farewell dinner and our transfers for the international flights home – fond memories of our new birding friends and so many great birds and mammals still fresh in our minds.
Our next Wild Kenya: A Tented Camp Safari runs July 26 to August 10, 2025.
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 a dozen at Nairobi NP, and 7 at Masai Mara.
SOMALI OSTRICH (Struthio molybdophanes)
Good looks at about 22 of the these striking ostrich – now considered a distinct species.
EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Alopochen aegyptiaca)
Common and widespread at wetlands throughout the tour.
AFRICAN BLACK DUCK (Anas sparsa)
Some of our group saw a pair on the Naro Moru River, and then everyone saw another pair at The Ark.
YELLOW-BILLED DUCK (Anas undulata)
Four at The Ark.
HELMETED GUINEAFOWL (Numida meleagris)
Widespread in a variety of open country and bushland; in all we saw about 180.
VULTURINE GUINEAFOWL (Acryllium vulturinum)
Twenty-five at Samburu were a highlight of that area.
CRESTED FRANCOLIN (Ortygornis sephaena)
Fourteen at Samburu.
HARLEQUIN QUAIL (Coturnix delegorguei)
A single bird crossed the track at then flushed at Samburu.
HILDEBRANDT'S SPURFOWL (Pternistis hildebrandti)
We saw a pair high on a cliff-top at Nakuru.
SCALY SPURFOWL (Pternistis squamatus)
Nice looks at about 4 at The Ark.
YELLOW-NECKED SPURFOWL (Pternistis leucoscepus)
Five at Nairobi NP, and about 80 at Samburu.
RED-NECKED SPURFOWL (Pternistis afer)
One at Masai Mara.
GREATER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus roseus)
We saw a total of about 120 (together with Lesser Flamingo) at Lake Elementaita.
LESSER FLAMINGO (Phoeniconaias minor)
Spectacular! With several hundred thousand at Lake Elementaita, and smaller, but still impressive numbers at Lake Nakuru.
LITTLE GREBE (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
One at Nakuru.
SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea)
Small numbers were widespread around buildings; in all we saw about 35.
RAMERON PIGEON (Columba arquatrix)
Great looks at 2 feeding in a fruiting tree at Little Governors' Camp.
MOURNING COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decipiens)
About 80 in the dry country at Samburu.
RED-EYED DOVE (Streptopelia semitorquata)
Widespread in a variety of woodland; with a total of about 50.
RING-NECKED DOVE (Streptopelia capicola)
Very common and widespread.
LAUGHING DOVE (Spilopelia senegalensis)
About 50 in the Samburu-Shaba area.
EMERALD-SPOTTED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur chalcospilos)
Widespread in small numbers; in all we saw about 18.
NAMAQUA DOVE (Oena capensis)
About 100 at Samburu.
AFRICAN GREEN-PIGEON (Treron calvus)
Nice looks at 2 at Little Governors' Camp.
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles exustus)
Six at Samburu.
BLACK-FACED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles decoratus)
About 14 at Samburu.
LICHTENSTEIN'S SANDGROUSE (Pterocles lichtensteinii)
Rather local in Kenya, so we were lucky at see a pair at Samburu.
KORI BUSTARD (Ardeotis kori)
Nice close looks at a large male at Samburu.
BUFF-CRESTED BUSTARD (Lophotis gindiana)
We saw a single male at Samburu.
HARTLAUB'S BUSTARD (Lissotis hartlaubii)
One at Samburu was rather unexpected.
SCHALOW'S TURACO (Tauraco schalowi)
Good looks at 2 at Little Governors' Camp and then a single in flight at the main camp.
HARTLAUB'S TURACO (Tauraco hartlaubi)
Two at The Residences, 1 at Naro Moru, and 2 near The Ark.
ROSS'S TURACO (Musophaga rossae)
Great looks at Little Governors' Camp.
BARE-FACED GO-AWAY-BIRD (Crinifer personatus)
Two singles on the Oloololo Escarpment, Masai Mara.
WHITE-BELLIED GO-AWAY-BIRD (Crinifer leucogaster)
One at Nairobi NP, and 5 at Samburu.
WHITE-BROWED COUCAL (Centropus superciliosus)
Widespread in small numbers; in all we saw about 22.
KLAAS'S CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx klaas)
Singles at Elementaita and Masai Mara.
RED-CHESTED CUCKOO (Cuculus solitarius)
Heard at Elementaita, and then seen well at Nakuru.
MONTANE NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus poliocephalus)
Some of the group saw 2 at The Residences.
NYANZA SWIFT (Apus niansae)
Six at the quarry near Kiawara.
AFRICAN SWIFT (Apus barbatus)
About 10 at Elementaita.
LITTLE SWIFT (Apus affinis)
Common (especially around the gates to parks and reserves) and on a few building elswehere; in all we saw about 200.
HORUS SWIFT (Apus horus)
Ten at Masai Mara.
AFRICAN PALM SWIFT (Cypsiurus parvus)
Four at Naro Moru, and about 60 at Samburu.
EURASIAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)
Two at The Ark.
BLACK CRAKE (Zapornia flavirostra)
Common at a variety of wetlands in Masai Mara; with a total of about 26.
GRAY CROWNED-CRANE (Balearica regulorum)
Pairs in Nairobi NP, and at The Ark.
SPOTTED THICK-KNEE (Burhinus capensis)
Nice looks at 3 at Nairobi NP.
WATER THICK-KNEE (Burhinus vermiculatus)
Two along the river at Shaba.
PIED AVOCET (Recurvirostra avosetta)
One at Lake Nakuru.
THREE-BANDED PLOVER (Charadrius tricollaris)
Singles at Elementaita, Samburu, and Masai Mara.
LONG-TOED LAPWING (Vanellus crassirostris)
About a dozen in the Masai Mara wetlands.
BLACKSMITH LAPWING (Vanellus armatus)
Widespread in small numbers.
SPUR-WINGED LAPWING (Vanellus spinosus)
Another widespread lapwing.
BLACK-WINGED LAPWING (Vanellus melanopterus)
Two on the short dry grasslands at Masai Mara.
CROWNED LAPWING (Vanellus coronatus)
Another dry-land lapwing; we saw small numbers at Elementaita, Nakuru, Samburu, and Masai Mara.
WATTLED LAPWING (Vanellus senegallus)
One at Masai Mara.
KITTLITZ'S PLOVER (Anarhynchus pecuarius)
About 15 along the shore at Lake Elementaita.
AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus)
Four at Naivasha, and about 25 at Masai Mara.
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos)
One at Elementaita, 3 at Nakuru, and 1 at Masai Mara.
WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola)
One at Samburu.
COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia)
Singles at Nakuru, and Masai Mara.
SMALL BUTTONQUAIL (Turnix sylvaticus)
We flushed 1 in the grasslands at Masai Mara.
GRAY-HOODED GULL (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus)
About 20 at Elementaita, and 80+ at Nakuru.
AFRICAN SKIMMER (Rynchops flavirostris)
One on the shore at Nakuru was totally unexpected.
GULL-BILLED TERN (Gelochelidon nilotica)
One from our boat trip at Naivasha.
WHISKERED TERN (Chlidonias hybrida)
One at Nakuru.
AFRICAN OPENBILL (Anastomus lamelligerus)
We saw a flock of about 40 in flight at Lake Elementaita.
SADDLE-BILLED STORK (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis)
One at Nakuru, and an adult with 2 juveniles at Masai Mara.
MARABOU STORK (Leptoptilos crumenifer)
Fairly widespread; with a total of about 80.
YELLOW-BILLED STORK (Mycteria ibis)
Common at a variety of wetlands; in all we saw about 350.
AFRICAN DARTER (Anhinga rufa)
Five at Nairobi NP.
LONG-TAILED CORMORANT (Microcarbo africanus)
We saw a total of about 50 between Nairobi NP, Naivasha, Elementaita, and Nakuru.
GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo)
One at Nairobi NP, 30 at Naivasha, and 400+ at Nakuru.
GREAT WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus onocrotalus)
About 150 from the boat at Naivasha, and then 1500+ at Nakuru.
PINK-BACKED PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens)
Twelve at Naivasha, and 6 at Nakuru.
HAMERKOP (Scopus umbretta)
Widespread in small numbers throughout the tour; in all we saw about 55.
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)
About 30 at Lake Naivasha.
WHITE-BACKED NIGHT HERON (Calherodius leuconotus)
The biggest surprise of the tour was seeing a very close immature bird at Samburu.
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)
Three singles at Samburu-Shaba.
RUFOUS-BELLIED HERON (Ardeola rufiventris)
About 18 were seen in the wetlands around Governors' Camp.
SQUACCO HERON (Ardeola ralloides)
One along the Mara River.
WESTERN CATTLE EGRET (Bulbulcus ibis)
Common and widespread.
GREAT EGRET (AFRICAN) (Ardea alba melanorhynchos)
About a dozen at Naivasha were the most for a single site, but we also saw another 8 at scattered wetlands elsewhere.
YELLOW-BILLED EGRET (Ardea brachyrhyncha)
One at Nairobi NP, and 4 at Naivasha.
GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea)
Widespread in small numbers; with a total of about 80.
PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea)
Two singles at Masai Mara.
BLACK-HEADED HERON (Ardea melanocephala)
Common in grassland areas; in all we saw about 160.
AFRICAN SACRED IBIS (Threskiornis aethiopicus)
Common away from arid areas like Samburu; in all we saw about 430.
HADADA IBIS (Bostrychia hagedash)
Widespread in small numbers.
AFRICAN SPOONBILL (Platalea alba)
Two at Nairobi NP, and 14 at Nakuru.
SECRETARYBIRD (Sagittarius serpentarius)
One at Elementaita, 3 at Samburu, and 1 at Masai Mara.
BLACK-WINGED KITE (Elanus caeruleus)
Most common at Samburu where we saw about 40, and we also had a further 8 in widespread scattered areas.
AFRICAN HARRIER-HAWK (Polyboroides typus)
One at Kiawara, 2 at Samburu, and 2 at Masai Mara.
LAPPET-FACED VULTURE (Torgos tracheliotos)
One distantly at Samburu, and then good close looks at 1 at Masai Mara.
HOODED VULTURE (Necrosyrtes monachus)
We saw about a dozen of these rather scarce vultures at Samburu.
WHITE-BACKED VULTURE (Gyps africanus)
Four at Nairobi NP, and about 45 at Masai Mara.
RUEPPELL'S GRIFFON (Gyps rueppelli)
One in flight at Masai Mara.
BATELEUR (Terathopius ecaudatus)
Beautiful in flight; we saw 14 at Samburu, and 3 at Masai Mara.
BLACK-CHESTED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus pectoralis)
Three at Masai Mara.
MARTIAL EAGLE (Polemaetus bellicosus)
Three single sub-adult birds at Samburu, and then 2 adults also there.
LONG-CRESTED EAGLE (Lophaetus occipitalis)
Widespread in small numbers; with a total of 11.
WAHLBERG'S EAGLE (Hieraaetus wahlbergi)
One at Nakuru.
TAWNY EAGLE (Aquila rapax)
Seven at Samburu, and 3 at Masai Mara.
EASTERN CHANTING-GOSHAWK (Melierax poliopterus)
Two singles at Samburu.
AFRICAN GOSHAWK (Accipiter tachiro)
One near The Ark.
AFRICAN FISH-EAGLE (Icthyophaga vocifer)
About a dozen at Naivasha, 20 at Nakuru, and 4 at Samburu.
AUGUR BUZZARD (Buteo augur)
Small numbers around the Rift Valley lakes and at Samburu.
AFRICAN SCOPS-OWL (Otus senegalensis)
One in the grounds of our camp at Samburu.
CAPE EAGLE-OWL (NORTHERN) (Bubo capensis mackinderi)
Thanks to local guide Paul we had good scope views at Kiawara.
PEARL-SPOTTED OWLET (Glaucidium perlatum)
Two singles at Samburu.
SPECKLED MOUSEBIRD (Colius striatus)
Very common and widespread.
WHITE-HEADED MOUSEBIRD (Colius leucocephalus)
We saw 5 of this localized 'northern species' at Samburu.
BLUE-NAPED MOUSEBIRD (Urocolius macrourus)
Ten at Samburu.
NARINA TROGON (Apaloderma narina)
A single female was in the the grounds of Little Governors' Camp.
EURASIAN HOOPOE (AFRICAN) (Upupa epops africana)
Small numbers around the Rift Valley lakes and at Samburu.
GREEN WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus purpureus)
Six at Nakuru, and 3 at Masai Mara.
VIOLET WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus damarensis)
Five in the palms along the river at Samburu.
COMMON SCIMITARBILL (Rhinopomastus cyanomelas)
Two at Naro Moru.
ABYSSINIAN SCIMITARBILL (Rhinopomastus minor)
One at Samburu.
SOUTHERN GROUND-HORNBILL (Bucorvus leadbeateri)
Great looks at a group of 5 in the grasslands at Elementaita.
CROWNED HORNBILL (Lophoceros alboterminatus)
Three and then 1 at Masai Mara.
EASTERN YELLOW-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus flavirostris)
Two at Samburu.
NORTHERN RED-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus erythrorhynchus)
Common at Samburu and Shaba; with a total of about 90.
SILVERY-CHEEKED HORNBILL (Bycanistes brevis)
Two at The Ark.
BLACK-AND-WHITE-CASQUED HORNBILL (Bycanistes subcylindricus)
Great looks at these huge hornbills at Little Governors' Camp.
MALACHITE KINGFISHER (Corythornis cristatus)
Two at Nairobi NP, and 2 at Masai Mara.
GRAY-HEADED KINGFISHER (Halcyon leucocephala)
About 10 at Samburu, and 1 at Masai Mara.
WOODLAND KINGFISHER (Halcyon senegalensis)
Five at Masai Mara.
GIANT KINGFISHER (Megaceryle maxima)
Three from the boat at Lake Naivasha.
PIED KINGFISHER (Ceryle rudis)
Widespread at many scattered wetlands; with a total of about 30.
WHITE-FRONTED BEE-EATER (Merops bullockoides)
Eight at Elementaita.
LITTLE BEE-EATER (Merops pusillus)
Small numbers in a variety of open country; in all we saw about 25.
CINNAMON-CHESTED BEE-EATER (Merops oreobates)
Two at Nairobi, 2 at Nakuru, 6 at Thomson's Falls, and 2 at Masai Mara.
WHITE-THROATED BEE-EATER (Merops albicollis)
One at Samburu.
LILAC-BREASTED ROLLER (Coracias caudatus)
This glorious bird was common in open country throughout the tour.
RUFOUS-CROWNED ROLLER (Coracias naevius)
Two at Samburu.
D'ARNAUD'S BARBET (USAMBIRO) (Trachyphonus darnaudii usambiro)
Four along the Oloololo Escarpment, Masai Mara.
YELLOW-RUMPED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus bilineatus)
Singles at Nakuru and Naro Moru.
RED-FRONTED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus pusillus) [I]
Heard in Nairobi NP.
SPOT-FLANKED BARBET (Tricholaema lacrymosa)
One at The Residences, 1 at Nakuru, and 3 at Masai Mara.
WHITE-HEADED BARBET (BROWN-AND-WHITE) (Lybius leucocephalus senex)
Four at Masai Mara. The race 'senex' is sometimes split as Brown-and-white Barbet.
LESSER HONEYGUIDE (Indicator minor)
Nice looks at 1 at Samburu.
CARDINAL WOODPECKER (Dendropicos fuscescens)
Singles at Elementaita, Samburu, and Masai Mara.
GREEN-BACKED WOODPECKER (SPOT-BACKED) (Campethera maculosa cailliautii)
Some of the group saw 1 at Masai Mara.
NUBIAN WOODPECKER (Campethera nubica)
About 10 at Samburu.
GOLDEN-TAILED WOODPECKER (Campethera abingoni)
Seen by one or two of the group at Little Governors' Camp.
EURASIAN KESTREL (RUFESCENT) (Falco tinnunculus rufescens)
One at Samburu.
RED-FRONTED PARROT (Poicephalus gulielmi)
About 15 (all seen in flight) over The Ark.
MEYER'S PARROT (Poicephalus meyeri)
Great looks at about 10 at Masai Mara.
RED-BELLIED PARROT (Poicephalus rufiventris)
Another parrot we saw well; with nice looks at a pair at Shaba.
BLACK CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga flava)
We saw a pair at Elementaita, and then a female at Masai Mara.
PURPLE-THROATED CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga quiscalina)
A single female was at Naro Moru River Lodge.
AFRICAN BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE (Oriolus larvatus)
One at Nakuru, and 6 at Masai Mara.
BROWN-THROATED WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira cyanea)
Nice looks at a male at Little Governors' Camp.
CHINSPOT BATIS (Batis molitor)
Seen at Elementaita (1), Naro Moru (20), and The Ark (10).
BRUBRU (Nilaus afer)
One at Samburu.
NORTHERN PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus gambensis)
We saw a single male at Nakuru.
BLACK-BACKED PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus cubla)
A female was in the forest at Little Governors' Camp.
BROWN-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra australis)
Two at Elementaita.
TROPICAL BOUBOU (Laniarius major)
Widespread in small numbers; with a total of about a dozen.
SLATE-COLORED BOUBOU (Laniarius funebris)
Four at Samburu, and 1 at Masai Mara.
ROSY-PATCHED BUSHSHRIKE (Rhodophoneus cruentus)
We saw 2 of these striking bushshrikes at Samburu.
GRAY-HEADED BUSHSHRIKE (Malaconotus blanchoti)
Fabulous looks at Little Governors' Camp.
FORK-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus adsimilis)
Very common and widespread.
AFRICAN PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (Terpsiphone viridis)
Common and widespread in small numbers; in all we saw about 20.
GRAY-BACKED FISCAL (Lanius excubitoroides)
Four at Nakuru, and a dozen in Masai Mara.
LONG-TAILED FISCAL (Lanius cabanisi)
About 10 at Nairobi NP.
TAITA FISCAL (Lanius dorsalis)
Four at Samburu.
NORTHERN FISCAL (Lanius humeralis)
Widespread (especially along telephone lines and fences) throughout the tour.
WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE (Eurocephalus ruppelli)
Fourteen at Samburu.
CAPE CROW (Corvus capensis)
Small numbers at several widespread areas in the central highlands; in all we saw about 40.
PIED CROW (Corvus albus)
Common and widespread.
FAN-TAILED RAVEN (Corvus rhipidurus)
Two flew over Isiolo town.
AFRICAN BLUE FLYCATCHER (Elminia longicauda)
One at Little Governors' Camp.
WHITE-BELLIED TIT (Melaniparus albiventris)
Five between Nairobi, Elementaita and Nakuru, and 2 at Masai Mara.
SOMALI TIT (Melaniparus thruppi)
One at Samburu.
FISCHER'S SPARROW-LARK (Eremopterix leucopareia)
About 80 at Samburu.
PINK-BREASTED LARK (Calendulauda poecilosterna)
Ten at Samburu.
FAWN-COLORED LARK (FOXY) (Calendulauda africanoides intercedens)
Nice looks at 1 at Samburu.
RUFOUS-NAPED LARK (Mirafra africana)
Six at Nairobi NP, 2 at Nakuru, and 20+ at Masai Mara.
RED-CAPPED LARK (Calandrella cinerea)
Seven at Masai Mara.
RED-FACED CROMBEC (Sylvietta whytii)
One at Nairobi NP.
GRAY WREN-WARBLER (Calamonastes simplex)
One at Samburu.
GREEN-BACKED CAMAROPTERA (GRAY-BACKED) (Camaroptera brachyura brevicaudata)
Fairly widespread in small numbers; all were the gray-backed race 'brevicaudata'.
BUFF-BELLIED WARBLER (Phyllolais pulchella)
Two in the Acacia trees at Nakuru.
YELLOW-BREASTED APALIS (Apalis flavida)
Mostly in pairs, we saw them at Naivasha, Nakuru, Naro Moru, and Masai Mara.
GRAY APALIS (Apalis cinerea)
Two at The Ark.
RED-FRONTED PRINIA (Prinia rufifrons)
Two in the low undergrowth at Samburu.
GRAY-CAPPED WARBLER (Eminia lepida)
One at The Ark.
HUNTER'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola hunteri)
About 4 at The Ark.
RATTLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola chiniana)
One in the Acacia bush at Nairobi NP.
WINDING CISTICOLA (Cisticola marginatus amphilectus)
Two in the damp grasslands at Nairobi NP.
STOUT CISTICOLA (Cisticola robustus)
Very common in the Mara grasslands.
DESERT CISTICOLA (Cisticola aridulus)
One at Samburu.
MOUNTAIN YELLOW-WARBLER (Iduna similis)
One at The Ark.
WHITE-HEADED SAWWING (Psalidoprocne albiceps)
About 30 (mainly along the river) at Masai Mara.
BLACK SAWWING (Psalidoprocne pristoptera)
At least a dozen along the Oloololo Escarpment.
BANDED MARTIN (Neophedina cincta)
Ten over the Mara grasslands.
PLAIN MARTIN (Riparia paludicola)
Thirty at Nairobi NP, and 20 at Masai Mara.
ROCK MARTIN (RED-THROATED) (Ptyonoprogne fuligula fusciventris)
Small numbers especially around buildings and cliffs.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
About 150 at Nakuru, and 20 at Masai Mara.
WIRE-TAILED SWALLOW (Hirundo smithii)
Widespread in small numbers; with a total of about 30.
RED-RUMPED SWALLOW (RED-RUMPED) (Cecropis daurica emini)
About 15 at The Ark.
EASTERN MOUNTAIN GREENBUL (OLIVE-BREASTED) (Arizelocichla nigriceps kikuyuensis)
Two along the boardwalk at The Ark.
YELLOW-WHISKERED GREENBUL (Eurillas latirostris) [*]
Heard at Naro Moru river Lodge.
NORTHERN BROWNBUL (Phyllastrephus strepitans)
Four at Shaba.
COMMON BULBUL (DODSON'S) (Pycnonotus barbatus dodsoni)
About 30 in the Samburu-Shaba area.
COMMON BULBUL (DARK-CAPPED) (Pycnonotus barbatus tricolor)
Very common away from the Samburu-Shaba area.
BROWN PARISOMA (Curruca lugens)
One at Nakuru, and 2 at Naro Moru.
KIKUYU WHITE-EYE (Zosterops kikuyuensis)
Two at The Ark.
NORTHERN YELLOW WHITE-EYE (Zosterops senegalensis)
One at Thomson's Falls, and 3 at Masai Mara.
RUFOUS CHATTERER (Argya rubiginosa)
Nine in the Naro Moru to Nanyuki area, and 16 at Samburu.
ARROW-MARKED BABBLER (Turdoides jardineii)
About 40 at Masai Mara.
NORTHERN PIED-BABBLER (Turdoides hypoleuca)
Two at Nairobi NP.
RED-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus erythrorynchus)
Fairly common and widespread in areas with big game.
YELLOW-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus africanus)
About 40 in Masai Mara where they favor feeding on giraffe and buffalo.
WATTLED STARLING (Creatophora cinerea)
Common and widespread.
VIOLET-BACKED STARLING (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster)
We saw these gorgeous starlings at Elementaita (1), and Masai Mara (35).
HILDEBRANDT'S STARLING (Lamprotornis hildebrandti)
Three on top of the Oloololo Escarpment.
RUEPPELL'S STARLING (Lamprotornis purpuroptera)
One at Nakuru, and 20+ at Masai Mara.
SUPERB STARLING (Lamprotornis superbus)
Very common and widespread.
FISCHER'S STARLING (Lamprotornis fischeri)
Three at the gate to the Samburu Reserve.
GREATER BLUE-EARED STARLING (Lamprotornis chalybaeus)
Widespread in small numbers; in all we saw about 70.
ABYSSINIAN THRUSH (Turdus abyssinicus)
Two at The Residences, 8 in the Nakuru area, and 5 at The Ark.
AFRICAN DUSKY FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa adusta)
One at Naro Moru River Lodge.
AFRICAN GRAY FLYCATCHER (Bradornis microrhynchus)
Singles at Nairobi NP and Nakuru, and 6 at Masai Mara.
PALE FLYCATCHER (Agricola pallidus)
Two at Nairobi NP, and 4 at Elementaita.
ASHY FLYCATCHER (Fraseria caerulescens)
Two at Little Governors' Camp.
NORTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis edolioides)
About 10 at Masai Mara.
SOUTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis pammelaina)
Six at Samburu.
WHITE-EYED SLATY-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis fischeri)
Small numbers in the Great Rift Valley and central highlands; in all we saw about about a dozen.
RED-BACKED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas leucophrys)
Good looks at 2 around our picnic site at Nairobi NP.
CAPE ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha caffra)
One at Nairobi, and 1 at The Ark.
RUEPPELL'S ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha semirufa)
One in the thick forest undergrowth at The Residences.
WHITE-BROWED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha heuglini)
Two at Elementaita, and about 10 at Masai Mara.
SPOTTED MORNING-THRUSH (Cichladusa guttata)
One at Nairobi NP, and 8 at Samburu.
WHITE-STARRED ROBIN (Pogonocichla stellata)
We saw this shy forest undergrowth species at The Residences.
MOCKING CLIFF-CHAT (Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris)
Three along the cliff-top at Nakuru.
SOOTY CHAT (Myrmecocichla nigra)
About 16 at Masai Mara.
NORTHERN ANTEATER-CHAT (Myrmecocichla aethiops)
Two at Elementaita, and 3 at Nakuru.
CAPPED WHEATEAR (Oenanthe pileata)
Nice looks at 1 at Masai Mara.
COLLARED SUNBIRD (Hedydipna collaris)
Two at Naro Moru River Lodge.
GREEN-HEADED SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra verticalis)
We saw a female at Naivasha, and then a male at Thomson's Falls.
SCARLET-CHESTED SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra senegalensis)
About a dozen between Nairobi, Naivasha Elementaita, and Nakuru.
TACAZZE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia tacazze)
Nice looks at this gorgeous sunbird at Thomson's Falls and Naro Moru River Lodge.
BRONZE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia kilimensis)
About 20 between Nakuru, Thomson's Falls, and Naro Moru.
GOLDEN-WINGED SUNBIRD (Drepanorhynchus reichenowi)
Another gorgeous sunbird; we saw 4 at The Ark.
NORTHERN DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris reichenowi)
Four at Thomson's Falls and Naro Moru.
EASTERN DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris mediocris)
Singles at Thomson's Falls and Naro Moru, and 3 at The Ark.
MARICO SUNBIRD (Cinnyris mariquensis)
We saw a single male at Samburu, and then about 6 others (including females) at Masai Mara.
BLACK-BELLIED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris nectarinioides)
Three at Shaba.
VARIABLE SUNBIRD (Cinnyris venustus)
Common at The Residences, Naivasha, and Elementaita; in all we saw about 25.
RED-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Bubalornis niger)
About 50 at Samburu.
WHITE-HEADED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Dinemellia dinemelli)
Forty at Samburu.
WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser mahali)
Very common at Samburu (where we saw about 250), and smaller numbers at Nairobi (8), and Nakuru (5).
DONALDSON SMITH'S SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser donaldsoni)
A 'special bird' of the north; we saw about 200 at Samburu.
GRAY-HEADED SOCIAL-WEAVER (Pseudonigrita arnaudi)
Six at Masai Mara.
BLACK-CAPPED SOCIAL-WEAVER (Pseudonigrita cabanisi)
About 30 at Samburu.
RED-HEADED WEAVER (Anaplectes rubriceps)
We saw this striking species at Naivasha, Elementaita, and Samburu.
BAGLAFECHT WEAVER (Ploceus baglafecht)
Widespread in the central highlands and Great Rift Valley, and a few at Masai Mara; in all we saw about 70.
BLACK-NECKED WEAVER (Ploceus nigricollis)
One in our camp car park at Samburu.
SPECTACLED WEAVER (Ploceus ocularis)
Nice looks at a male at The Ark.
HOLUB'S GOLDEN-WEAVER (Ploceus xanthops)
One at Masai Mara.
GOLDEN PALM WEAVER (Ploceus bojeri)
One at Samburu.
SPEKE'S WEAVER (Ploceus spekei)
Small numbers at Naivasha, Elementaita, and Nakuru.
VILLAGE WEAVER (Ploceus cucullatus)
About 20 were nest building at our camp at Elementaita.
RED-BILLED QUELEA (Quelea quelea)
We saw several flocks at Samburu; with a total of around 1000.
YELLOW BISHOP (Euplectes capensis)
Two along the bottom of the Oloololo Escarpment, Masai Mara.
BRONZE MANNIKIN (Spermestes cucullata)
About 10 at The Residences and Nairobi NP.
COMMON WAXBILL (Estrilda astrild)
At least 100 at Nairobi NP, and 6 at Naro Moru.
PURPLE GRENADIER (Granatina ianthinogaster)
About 10 at Nairobi NP, 6 at Elementaita, and 3 at Masai Mara.
RED-CHEEKED CORDONBLEU (Uraeginthus bengalus)
About 75 between Nairobi, Naivasha, Elementaita and Nakuru, and then 8 at Masai Mara.
RED-BILLED FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta senegala)
About 30 at Nairobi, and 20 at Elementaita and Nakuru.
PARASITIC WEAVER (Anomalospiza imberbis)
Also known as Cuckoo-Finch, we saw 6 of these uncommon birds along track at Nairobi NP.
KENYA RUFOUS SPARROW (Passer rufocinctus)
Small numbers at Nairobi NP, Elementaita, Nakuru, and Naro Moru.
NORTHERN GRAY-HEADED SPARROW (Passer griseus)
Four at the gate to Nakuru NP.
PARROT-BILLED SPARROW (Passer gongonensis)
About 60 at Samburu-Shaba.
SWAHILI SPARROW (Passer suahelicus)
We saw a total of 16 at Masai Mara.
CHESTNUT SPARROW (Passer eminibey)
About 80 at Samburu.
YELLOW-SPOTTED BUSH SPARROW (Gymnoris pyrgita)
Previously known as Yellow-spotted Petronia; we saw 1 near the staff houses at the entrance to Samburu.
CAPE WAGTAIL (Motacilla capensis)
Two at The Ark.
MOUNTAIN WAGTAIL (Motacilla clara)
Three along the river at Naro Moru.
AFRICAN PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla aguimp)
Common and widespread throughout the tour; in all we saw about 45.
PLAIN-BACKED PIPIT (Anthus leucophrys)
About 10 in the open grasslands at Masai Mara.
GOLDEN PIPIT (Tmetothylacus tenellus)
We saw a single female at Samburu.
YELLOW-THROATED LONGCLAW (Macronyx croceus)
Six at Nairobi NP, and 20+ at Masai Mara.
ROSY-THROATED LONGCLAW (Macronyx ameliae)
Good looks at 2 at Masai Mara.
YELLOW-FRONTED CANARY (Crithagra mozambica)
Three at Little Governors' Camp.
AFRICAN CITRIL (Crithagra citrinelloides kikuyensis)
Two at The Residences.
REICHENOW'S SEEDEATER (Crithagra reichenowi)
About 30 at Nairobi NP.
WHITE-BELLIED CANARY (Crithagra dorsostriata)
One at Masai Mara.
BRIMSTONE CANARY (Crithagra sulphurata)
Two at Nairobi NP, 2 at Elementaita, and 4 at Nakuru.
STREAKY SEEDEATER (Crithagra striolata)
One at Nakuru, 4 at Thomson's Falls, and 6 at The Ark.
GOLDEN-BREASTED BUNTING (Emberiza flaviventris)
Two at Nakuru, and 1 at Masai Mara.
WAHLBERG'S EPAULETTED FRUIT BAT (Epomophorus wahlbergi)
Fifteen at the gate to Nairobi NP.
BROWN GREATER GALAGO (Otolemur crassicaudatus)
One of our group saw 1 at The Ark, and then everyone saw up to 3 at Little Governors' Camp.
BLUE MONKEY (Cercopithecus mitis)
About a dozen were in the forest at Little Governors' Camp.
SYKES MONKEY (Cercopithecus albogularis)
Five at the entrance to Nairobi NP.
BLACK-FACED VERVET MONKEY (Cercopithecus aethiops)
Common and widespread; with a total of about 500.
OLIVE BABOON (Papio anubis)
Another very common and widespread primate; in all we saw about 950.
MANTLED GUEREZA (Colobus guereza)
We saw 7 of the striking monkeys at Naro Moru River Lodge.
CAPE HARE (Lepus capensis)
Singles at Samburu and The Ark.
UNSTRIPED GROUND SQUIRREL (Xerus rutilus)
At least 100 were seen at Samburu and Shaba.
OCHRE BUSH SQUIRREL (Paraxerus ochraceus)
Eight at The Ark.
BLACK-BACKED JACKAL (Canis mesomelas)
Two pairs at Samburu.
LARGE-SPOTTED GENET (Genetta tigrina)
One at The Ark.
SLENDER MONGOOSE (Herpestes sanguineus)
Singles at Nakuru and Naro Moru, and 4 at The Ark.
BANDED MONGOOSE (Mungos mungo)
Great to see several groups of these (including babies) at Masai Mara.
WHITE-TAILED MONGOOSE (Ichneumia albicauda)
One of our group saw 1 at The Ark.
SPOTTED HYAENA (Crocuta crocuta)
Five at The Ark, and then scattered groups totaling 9 at Masai Mara.
LEOPARD (Panthera pardus)
One resting in a tree at Samburu.
LION (Panthera leo)
Poor views of 3 at Nairobi NP, but then much better looks at another 3 at Samburu, and finally 7 at Masai Mara included a couple of magnificent big-maned males.
CHEETAH (Acinonyx jubatus)
At Samburu we saw 1 in tall vegetation so it wasn't really satisfactory, but then at Masai Mara we had better looks at a mother and 4 large young ones.
AFRICAN BUSH ELEPHANT (Loxodonta africana)
Common at Samburu (90+), The Ark (about 20), and Masai Mara (600+). All in all a great tour for seeing elephants of all different age groups and in a wide variety of habitats.
ROCK HYRAX (Procavia capensis)
Five at Nakuru.
TREE HYRAX (Dendrohyrax arboreus)
Three at Naro Moru River Lodge.
GREVY'S ZEBRA (Equus grevyi)
Now rare and endangered, we saw just 9 at Samburu.
BURCHELL'S ZEBRA (Equus burchelli)
Widespread in open grasslands areas around Elementaita and Masai Mara; in all we saw about 3000.
WHITE RHINOCEROS (Ceratotherium simum) [E]
Five at Nairobi NP, 8 at Nakuru, and 1 at Solio.
WARTHOG (Phacochoerus aethiopicus)
Common and widespread in small numbers; in all we saw about 300.
GIANT FOREST HOG (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni)
Great looks at this localized and often shy species at The Ark where we saw 14.
HIPPOPOTAMUS (Hippopotamus amphibius)
Thirty at Nairobi NP, 10 at Naivasha, and about 140 at Masai Mara.
COMMON GIRAFFE (Giraffa camelopardalis)
Five at Nairobi NP, 10 from the boat at Naivasha, and then about 90 at Masai Mara.
RETICULATED GIRAFFE (Giraffa reticulata)
Perhaps the most attractive giraffe; we saw about 55 at Samburu.
ROTHSCHILD'S GIRAFFE (Giraffa rothschildi)
Certainly the least common giraffe, but we did exceptionally well this tour with at least 40 at Elementaita and 30 at Nakuru.
BUSHBUCK (Tragelaphus scriptus)
About 10 at The Ark.
COMMON ELAND (Taurotragus oryx)
One at Elementaita, and 6 at Masai Mara.
AFRICAN BUFFALO (Syncerus caffer)
Two at Nairobi NP, 60 between Naivasha-Elementaita-Nakuru, 16 at The Ark, and 600+ at Masai Mara.
COMMON WATERBUCK (Kobus ellipsiprymnus)
Eight at Shaba.
DEFASSA WATERBUCK (Kobus defassa)
About 20 at Naivasha, 50 at Elementaita, and 60 at Masai Mara.
BOHOR REEDBUCK (Redunca redunca)
Laying-up in long grass we flushed 1 at Masai Mara.
BEISA ORYX (Oryx beisa)
We saw 26 of these attractive antelopes at Samburu.
TOPI (Damaliscus lunatus)
About 180 at Masai Mara.
HARTEBEEST (KONGONI) (Alcelaphus buselaphus)
Also known as Coke's Hartebeest; we saw 20 at Nairobi NP.
BLUE WILDEBEEST (Connochaetes taurinus)
Forty at Naivasha, and then a few hundred thousand at Masai Mara – the beginning of 'the great migration'.
STEENBOK (Raphicerus campestris)
One at Masai Mara.
SUNI (Neotragus moschatus)
Two under the bird feeding table at The Ark.
KIRK'S DIK-DIK (Modoqua kirki)
About 30 at Samburu.
IMPALA (Aepyceros malampus)
Very common and widespread; in all we saw about 1300.
GERENUK (Litocranius walleri)
This dry country antelope was at Samburu; where we saw about 25.
THOMSON'S GAZELLE (Gazella thomsoni)
About 50 at Naivasha-Elementaita, 30 at Nakuru, and 450+ at Masai Mara.
GRANT'S GAZELLE (Gazella granti)
Twenty at Elementaita, and 140 at Samburu.
Additional mammals seen on the tour included;
African Grass Rat, Arvicanthis sp. 6 at Elementaita, 50+ at Samburu, and 50+ at Masai Mara.
Zebra Mouse, Lemniscomys sp. 4 at Elementaita.
Reptiles seen in the tour included;
Nile Crocodile: 10 at Nairobi NP, 5 at Samburu-Shaba, and 14 at Masai Mara (included some huge ones).
Water (Nile) Monitor: 1 at Samburu.
Red-headed Rock Agama: 6 at Nakuru, and 12 at Samburu-Shaba.
Elementaita Rock Agama: 3 at Elementaita.
Mwanza Rock Agama: 4 at Masai Mara.
Tropical House Gecko: widespread in small numbers.
Von Hoehnel's Chameleon: 6 at Kisima were almost certainly this species.
Egyptian Cobra: 1 at Samburu.
Pond Terrapin: 1 at Samburu.
Totals for the tour: 296 bird taxa and 48 mammal taxa