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This was our first ever Kenya Highlights tour, with just over two weeks on the ground, visiting the best of Kenya's parks, reserves, and other birding areas.
From our base in Nairobi, we started with a day trip to Lake Magadi, seeing over 80 species from 42 different families. It was a fabulous start, with new birds at every stop as we made the descent from 7000 to 2000 feet, pausing along the way in a variety of wooded and bush country habitats. Just some of the highlights were Eastern Chanting-Goshawk, White-bellied Go-away-bird, Blue-naped Mousebird, Red-and-yellow Barbet, African Penduline-Tit, Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Superb Starling, Blue-capped Cordon-bleu, and Eastern Paradise-Whydah. And then at the lake itself we enjoyed both Greater and Lesser flamingos, Pink-backed Pelican, Chestnut-banded Plover and Pied Avocet. And on our return journey, a brief stop in the Ngong Hills at a flowering patch of 'Leonotis' gave us time to enjoy Bronze, Golden-winged, Variable, and Scarlet-chested sunbirds, as they repeatedly returned to feed on this rich source of nectar- it was a great first day!
After a comfortable night in Nairobi, we then headed north through the Kikuyu farmlands to Mountain Lodge on the south-west slopes of Mt. Kenya. In this area we added Scaly Francolin, Crowned Hawk-Eagle, Delegorgue's Pigeon, Red-fronted Parrot, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Grey-headed Bushshrike, Black-tailed Oriole, Mountain Yellow Warbler, Black-throated Apalis, African Hill Babbler, Rueppell's Robin-Chat, White-starred Robin, and Oriole Finch. And we also saw our first big mammals, with African Elephant, African Buffalo, and Bushbuck present at the waterhole for most of the afternoon, and then at night some seldom seen species like Marsh Mongoose, Large-spotted Genet, and a gorgeous male Leopard - another fabulous day!
From the forested slopes around Mountain Lodge (at 7200 ft.) we then continued still further north, but also dropped in elevation to around 3000ft at Samburu - a small reserve with a mix of semi-desert bush country, Doum Palms, and large riverine Acacia trees. The bird life here was totally different from the previous two days and we were soon enjoying such varied species as 'Somali' Ostrich, Helmeted and Vulturine guineafowl, Lappet-faced Vulture, Martial Eagle, Pygmy Falcon, Buff-crested Bustard, Black-faced Sandgrouse, White-headed Mousebird, Lilac-breasted Roller, Nubian Woodpecker, Rosy-patched Bushshrike, Somali Tit, Golden-breasted Starling, Golden Pipit (surely the world's most gorgeous pipit) and Somali Bunting. Samburu is also the home to three rather localized mammals, and we had excellent close looks at Reticulated Giraffe, Beisa Oryx, and Gerenuk, plus no less than three separate sightings of Cheetah, and a Leopard with its prey - a freshly killed Impala in an Acacia tree - amazing!
We then back-tracked to Naro Moru as we broke the journey to one of Kenya's most famous Rift Valley lakes - Lake Baringo. After almost 2 years of exceptional rains the lake was at an all-time high, with the water literally lapping the steps of many of the guest rooms - this was of course great for our birding, as Black Crakes, Squacco Herons, and African Jacanas all fed busily just feet from our verandas. Walks in the nearby bush and along the cliffs provided us with many new birds, including the local 'specials'; just some of the most memorable sightings were African Fish-Eagle (right in the garden), Three-banded Courser (a difficult crepuscular species), African Scops-Owl, Northern White-faced Owl, Grayish Eagle-Owl, Slender-tailed Nighjar, Jackson's Hornbill, White Helmetshrike, Mocking Cliffchat, Brown-tailed Chat, Bristle-crowned and Magpie starlings, White-billed Buffalo-Weaver, Northern Masked Weaver, and the gorgeous Green-winged Pytilia.
Leaving Baringo behind, we then headed west for a three night stay at the famed Kakamega Forest, seeing White-crested Turaco, Narina Trogon, Double-toothed Barbet, and Black-headed Gonolek along the way. However, it was within the forest itself that we really began to find new birds, with just some of our favorites being Great Blue Turaco, Blue-headed Bee-eater, flocks of Black-and-white-casqued Hornbills, Yellow-billed and Yellow-spotted barbets, Brown-eared Woodpecker, a displaying African Broadbill, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Luehder's Bushshrike, Western Black-headed Oriole, 10 species of greenbuls, Banded Prinia, Turner's Eremomela, Southern Hyliota (now placed in the new family Hyliotidae), Equatorial Akalat, Green-throated Sunbird, Red-headed Malimbe, and Red-headed Bluebill.
We then headed back to the Great Rift Valley for a one night stay at Lake Nakuru. As at Baringo, the lake was exceptionally high, with a different mix of birds than what are usually present. Hottentot and Cape teals were new ducks for us, as were hundreds of Great White Pelicans, Saddle-billed Stork, Madagascar Pond-Heron, and Greater Painted-snipe, while in the grasslands we added Coqui and Hildebrandt's francolins, Gray-backed Fiscal, Rufous-naped Lark, Arrow-marked Babbler, Little Rock-Thrush, Yellow-throated Longclaw, and spectacular Long-tailed Widowbirds. An ambling close Black Rhino was a totally unexpected bonus.
We concluded our tour with a flight to Masai Mara, and then a three night stay at Bateleur Camp. Ecologically speaking the Mara is the northern part of the Serengeti, and is world-famous for its numbers and variety of large African mammals. During both morning and afternoon drives, we slowly made our way across the plains in an open-sided Land Rover, enjoying such wonderful sightings as female Lions with 5 large cubs, two male Lions feeding on a buffalo, two large Cheetahs stalking through the long grass, many Elephants with young of all ages, Spotted Hyaenas, herds of Burchell's Zebra and Blue Wildebeest, Warthog, Common Giraffes, Common Eland, Defassa Waterbuck, Topi, Impala, and Thomson's Gazelles. While bird highlights were Red-necked Francolin, the uncommon Rufous-bellied Heron, Banded Snake-Eagle, Gray Kestrel, White-bellied Bustard, Wattled Lapwing, Temminck's Courser, Meyer's Parrot, Schalow's and Ross's turacos, Black Coucal, Southern Ground-Hornbill, Rufous-necked Wryneck, Black-crowned Tchagra, Moustached Grass-Warbler, and Violet-backed Starling - just stunning!
All in all, it was an exciting inaugural Kenya Highlights tour, hopefully just the first of many. Many thanks for joining me on this trip; I look forward to birding with you all on another tour soon.
--Terry
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
BIRDS
Struthionidae (Ostrich)
OSTRICH (COMMON) (Struthio camelus massaicus) – Two males and a female at Lake Baringo,
and then about 14 at Masai Mara; these are the pink- necked
form. OSTRICH (SOMALI)
(Struthio camelus molybdophanes)
– We had a fabulous close encounter
with a pair and 15 half grown young birds at Samburu; these
blue-necked birds are often split as Somali Ostrich.
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
WHITE-FACED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata) – About 80 at roadside pools on the way to
Lake Baringo, 35 at Lake Victoria, and 6 at Limuru Pond.
WHITE-BACKED DUCK
(Thalassornis leuconotus) – Six adults and a pair with 9 tiny
juveniles at Limuru Pond.
COMB DUCK (OLD
WORLD) (Sarkidiornis melanotos
melanotos) – A saw a female
on a small pool north of Isiolo.
EGYPTIAN GOOSE
(Alopochen aegyptiaca) – Common and widespread at a variety of
wetlands throughout the tour; in all we saw about 160.
YELLOW-BILLED DUCK
(Anas undulata) – About 15 at Gatarakwa, and 12 at Lake
Nakuru.
RED-BILLED DUCK
(Anas erythrorhyncha) – Two at Sagana Fish Ponds, and 8 at Lake
Nakuru.
HOTTENTOT TEAL
(Anas hottentota) – Six at Lake Nakuru.
CAPE TEAL (Anas capensis) – About 30 at Lake Nakuru.
Numididae (Guineafowl)
HELMETED GUINEAFOWL (Numida meleagris) – About 100 at Samburu, 30 at Solio, 30 at
Nakuru, and 20 in Masai Mara. VULTURINE
GUINEAFOWL (Acryllium
vulturinum) – Excellent close
looks at about 100 at Samburu.
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and
Allies)
COQUI FRANCOLIN (Francolinus coqui) – We saw pairs of these rather shy
francolins at Nakuru and Masai Mara. CRESTED FRANCOLIN
(Francolinus sephaena) – Six at Samburu.
SCALY FRANCOLIN
(Francolinus squamatus) – Another shy farncolin, so we were lucky
to get good looks at pairs on the track to Mountain Lodge
and at Masai Mara.
HILDEBRANDT'S
FRANCOLIN (Francolinus
hildebrandti) – Two fighting
and chasing females at Lake Nakuru.
YELLOW-NECKED
FRANCOLIN (Francolinus
leucoscepus) – Common at
Samburu and along the road through Solio Game Ranch; in all
we saw about 80.
RED-NECKED
FRANCOLIN (Francolinus afer)
– Ten at Masai Mara.
HARLEQUIN QUAIL
(Coturnix delegorguei) – We flushed a female as we drove through
long grass at Masai Mara.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
LITTLE GREBE (Tachybaptus ruficollis) – About 10 on the dam near Gatarakwa, 60 at
Lake Nakuru, and 20 at Limuru Pond. Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
GREATER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus roseus) – Two hundred and fifty at Lake Magadi.
LESSER FLAMINGO
(Phoenicopterus minor) – About 150 at Lake Magadi.
Ciconiidae (Storks)
AFRICAN OPENBILL (Anastomus lamelligerus) – Two in a marshy field near Lake Victoria.
WOOLLY-NECKED
STORK (Ciconia episcopus)
– A pair flew along the top of the
cliffs at Lake Baringo, and we then saw 2 singles at Masai
Mara.
SADDLE-BILLED
STORK (Ephippiorhynchus
senegalensis) – One at Lake
Nakuru.
MARABOU STORK
(Leptoptilos crumeniferus) – About 20 in Nairobi, 1 at Samburu, and
about 40 at Lake Nakuru.
YELLOW-BILLED
STORK (Mycteria ibis) – Two hundred and fifty at Lake Nakuru were
by far the largest concentration, but we also saw about 20
others at a variety of widespread wetlands.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo) – About 800 at Lake Nakuru were the first
time in many years that so many have been present there.
LONG-TAILED
CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax
africanus) – Small numbers
were widespread at a variety of wetlands throughout the
tour.
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
AFRICAN DARTER (Anhinga rufa) – Two singles at Lake Baringo. Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
GREAT WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus onocrotalus) – Several large flocks (totalling about
1000) were at Lake Nakuru. PINK-BACKED
PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens)
– Two at Lake Magadi.
Scopidae (Hamerkop)
HAMERKOP (Scopus
umbretta) – Common and
widespread at wetlands throughout the tour. Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
GRAY HERON (Ardea
cinerea) – Small numbers
along the shores of several widspread lakes and rivers.
BLACK-HEADED HERON
(Ardea melanocephala) – Prefers more marshy grasslands than the
previous species; in all we saw about 110, including a
breeding colony of 40 at Masai Mara.
GREAT EGRET
(AFRICAN) (Ardea alba
melanorhyncha) – One at
Sagana, 3 at Baringo, 40 at Lake Nakuru, and 2 at Masai
Mara.
INTERMEDIATE EGRET
(Mesophoyx intermedia) – We saw a distant bird at the Ahero rice
fields and then good close looks at Lake Nakuru.
LITTLE EGRET
(Egretta garzetta) – Singles at Magadi and Baringo, and about
70 at Lake Victoria.
CATTLE EGRET
(IBIS) (Bubulcus ibis ibis)
– Common and widespread throughout the
tour.
SQUACCO HERON
(Ardeola ralloides) – Great looks right in front of our rooms
at Lake Baringo.
MADAGASCAR
POND-HERON (Ardeola idae)
– One at Lake Nakuru; generally an
uncommon 'winter visitor' from Madagascar.
RUFOUS-BELLIED
HERON (Ardeola rufiventris)
– Uncommon and restricted to Masai Mara
in Kenya; we saw 2 adults near Little Governor's Camp.
STRIATED HERON
(Butorides striata) – About 5 along the shore at Lake Baringo
Club.
BLACK-CROWNED
NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax
nycticorax) – Six at Masai
Mara.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus) – About 12 at Lake Nakuru. SACRED IBIS
(Threskiornis aethiopicus) – Common and widespread throughout the
tour; in all we saw about 500.
HADADA IBIS
(Bostrychia hagedash) – Most common in the high country, but we
also saw them in lower areas like Samburu and Baringo.
AFRICAN SPOONBILL
(Platalea alba) – One at Lake Magadi, and 40 at Lake
Nakuru.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE (Elanus caeruleus) – Singles at Samburu, Solio, Nakuru, and
Masai Mara. BLACK KITE
(Milvus migrans) – Common around Nairobi; all the birds we
saw were the form 'parasitus' which is often split as
Yellow-billed Kite.
AFRICAN FISH-EAGLE
(Haliaeetus vocifer) – Fabulous close scope views of a pair at
Lake Baringo.
HOODED VULTURE
(Necrosyrtes monachus) – Three at Samburu; very uncommon in Kenya
these days.
WHITE-BACKED
VULTURE (Gyps africanus)
– About 60 along the river at Samburu,
and 20 at Masai Mara.
LAPPET-FACED
VULTURE (Torgos tracheliotus)
– Two at Samburu, and 1 at Masai Mara.
BLACK-BREASTED
SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus
pectoralis) – Three at Masai
Mara.
BROWN SNAKE-EAGLE
(Circaetus cinereus) – Two singles at Masai Mara.
BANDED SNAKE-EAGLE
(Circaetus cinerascens) – We saw this rather uncommon snake-eagle
along the Oloololo Escarpment, Masai Mara.
BATELEUR (Terathopius ecaudatus) – Singles at Samburu, Solio, and Masai
Mara.
AFRICAN
HARRIER-HAWK (Polyboroides
typus) – We saw a single
adults at Samburu and Masai Mara.
EASTERN
CHANTING-GOSHAWK (Melierax
poliopterus) – Three along
the Magadi road and 5 at Samburu.
GABAR GOSHAWK
(Micronisus gabar) – An immature in the grounds of our lodge
at Samburu.
BLACK GOSHAWK
(Accipiter melanoleucus) – Some of the group saw an immature bird
near Mt. Kenya.
MOUNTAIN BUZZARD
(Buteo oreophilus) – One on the way to Mountain Lodge.
AUGUR BUZZARD
(Buteo augur) – Small numbers in the highlands; in all we
saw about 20.
TAWNY EAGLE
(Aquila rapax) – Six at Samburu, 1 at Solio, and 2 at Lake
Nakuru.
AFRICAN HAWK-EAGLE
(Aquila spilogaster) – Nice looks at a flying adult over the
cliffs at Baringo, and then 2 more adults at Masai Mara.
AYRES'S HAWK-EAGLE
(Hieraaetus ayresii) – We saw this uncommon eagle circling over
the Kakamega Forest.
MARTIAL EAGLE
(Polemaetus bellicosus) – Just fantastic this tour with 2 adults
and an immature at Samburu, another immature at Gatarakwa,
and then 2 more adults at Nakuru and Masai Mara.
LONG-CRESTED EAGLE
(Lophaetus occipitalis) – Singles at Gatarakwa, in the Tugen Hills,
Kakamega, Nakuru, and at Masai Mara.
CROWNED HAWK-EAGLE
(Stephanoaetus coronatus) – One at Mountain Lodge.
Sagittariidae (Secretary-bird)
SECRETARY-BIRD (Sagittarius serpentarius) – Two close birds at Samburu. Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
PYGMY FALCON (Polihierax semitorquatus) – Two singles (a male and then a female) at
Samburu. EURASIAN KESTREL
(EURASIAN) (Falco tinnunculus
rufescens) – One over the
cliffs at Baringo; the form 'rufescens' is sometimes split
as Rock Kestrel.
GRAY KESTREL
(Falco ardosiaceus) – Good looks at a perched bird at Masai
Mara.
LANNER FALCON
(Falco biarmicus) – Good looks at an adult at Samburu.
Otididae (Bustards)
WHITE-BELLIED BUSTARD (Eupodotis senegalensis) – A pair at Masai Mara. BUFF-CRESTED
BUSTARD (Eupodotis gindiana)
– Four at Samburu.
BLACK-BELLIED
BUSTARD (Lissotis
melanogaster) – We saw a
single female right next to the vehicle at Masai Mara.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
WHITE-SPOTTED FLUFFTAIL (Sarothrura pulchra) – Heard at Kakamega Forest. BLACK CRAKE
(Amaurornis flavirostra) – We saw about half a dozen really tame
birds at Lake Baringo.
EURASIAN MOORHEN
(Gallinula chloropus) – Recently split from the American birds;
we saw 3 at Masai Mara.
LESSER MOORHEN
(Gallinula angulata) – One in the floating vegetation at the
Sagana Fish Ponds.
RED-KNOBBED COOT
(Fulica cristata) – One at Gatarakwa, and about 100 at Limuru
Pond.
Gruidae (Cranes)
GRAY CROWNED-CRANE (Balearica regulorum) – We saw these striking cranes at Isiolo,
Eldoret, Lake Nakuru, and at Masai Mara; in all we saw about
85. Burhinidae (Thick-knees)
WATER THICK-KNEE (Burhinus vermiculatus) – At least 6 were along the river bank at
Samburu, 3 at Lake Victoria, and 1 at Masai Mara. SPOTTED THICK-KNEE
(Burhinus capensis) – We saw 2 of these well camouflaged birds
at Samburu.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
LONG-TOED LAPWING (Vanellus crassirostris) – Two at Lake Victoria. BLACKSMITH PLOVER
(Vanellus armatus) – Small numbers were widespread at a
variety of widespread wetlands; in all we saw about 25.
SPUR-WINGED PLOVER
(Vanellus spinosus) – Two near Isiolo, 4 at Lake Victoria, and
about a dozen at Masai Mara.
BLACK-HEADED
LAPWING (Vanellus tectus)
– We saw 2 adults and a juvenile at
Lake Baringo; generally rather scarce and localized.
BLACK-WINGED
LAPWING (Vanellus
melanopterus) – Three in the
highland grasslands east of Naro Moru.
CROWNED LAPWING
(Vanellus coronatus) – Two in the grasslands east of Naro Moru,
10 at Nakuru, and about 30 at Masai Mara.
WATTLED LAPWING
(Vanellus senegallus) – Sixteen at Masai Mara.
KITTLITZ'S PLOVER
(Charadrius pecuarius) – Two at Lake Magadi.
THREE-BANDED
PLOVER (Charadrius
tricollaris) – Small numbers
at Mogotio, Nakuru, and at Masai Mara.
CHESTNUT-BANDED
PLOVER (Charadrius pallidus)
– Very localized in Kenya; we had great
looks at an adult at Lake Magadi.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus) – Four at Lake Magadi, and 6 at Lake
Nakuru. PIED AVOCET
(Recurvirostra avosetta) – Eight at Lake Magadi.
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus) – Great close looks right in front of our
rooms at Lake Baringo (12), and then 10 at Masai Mara.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos) – One at the Ahero rice fields. GREEN SANDPIPER
(Tringa ochropus) – One at Lake Nakuru.
WOOD SANDPIPER
(Tringa glareola) – Singles at Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara.
Glareolidae (Pratincoles and Coursers)
TEMMINCK'S COURSER (Cursorius temminckii) – Two on the Kichwa Plains, Masai Mara.
THREE-BANDED
COURSER (Rhinoptilus cinctus)
– Thanks to our local guide we all had
wonderful looks at a pair at Lake Baringo.
Rostratulidae (Painted-Snipes)
GREATER PAINTED-SNIPE (Rostratula benghalensis) – Two males and a female in the flooded
grasslands at Lake Nakuru. Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
GRAY-HOODED GULL (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus) – More commonly known as Grey-headed Gull,
we saw 3 at Lake Magadi, and about 200 at Lake Nakuru.
GULL-BILLED TERN
(Gelochelidon nilotica) – Twenty at Lake Nakuru.
WHISKERED TERN
(Chlidonias hybrida) – Six (including 2 in fine breeding
plumage) at Lake Magadi, and about 20 at Lake Nakuru.
Pteroclidae (Sandgrouse)
BLACK-FACED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles decoratus) – We saw a total of about 60 at Samburu.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) – Six near Thomson's Falls. SPECKLED PIGEON
(Columba guinea) – Small numbers were widespread throughout
the tour.
RAMERON PIGEON
(Columba arquatrix) – About 20 at Masai Mara.
DELEGORGUE'S
PIGEON (Columba delegorguei)
– We saw a single female from the roof
of Mountain Lodge.
DUSKY TURTLE-DOVE
(Streptopelia lugens) – Four on the north side of Mt. Kenya.
MOURNING
COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia
decipiens) – Common in the
dry country like Magadi, Samburu and Baringo; in all we saw
about 160.
RED-EYED DOVE
(Streptopelia semitorquata) – Small numbers at several sites in the
highlands and at Masai Mara; in all we saw about 50.
RING-NECKED DOVE
(Streptopelia capicola) – Common and widespread.
LAUGHING DOVE
(Streptopelia senegalensis) – Common and widespread.
EMERALD-SPOTTED
WOOD-DOVE (Turtur
chalcospilos) – Two at
Magadi, 8 at Samburu, 3 near Lake Victoria, and 4 at Masai
Mara.
BLUE-SPOTTED
WOOD-DOVE (Turtur afer)
– One at Dunga Point, Lake Victoria.
TAMBOURINE DOVE
(Turtur tympanistria) – Good looks at a male at Gatarakwa.
NAMAQUA DOVE
(Oena capensis) – Six at Magadi, and about 45 at Samburu.
AFRICAN
GREEN-PIGEON (Treron calvus)
– A shy pair were at a nest at the Blue
Posts Hotel near Thika, but we then had excellent looks at a
flock of 12 at Masai Mara.
Psittacidae (Parrots)
RED-FRONTED PARROT (Poicephalus gulielmi) – About 6 were seen flying over Mountain
Lodge. MEYER'S PARROT
(Poicephalus meyeri) – We saw a total of about 15 at Masai Mara.
RED-BELLIED PARROT
(Poicephalus rufiventris) – More commonly known as African
Orange-bellied Parrot, we saw 8 at Samburu.
Musophagidae (Turacos)
GREAT BLUE TURACO (Corythaeola cristata) – After a couple of 'heard only' flocks
that got away, we then had great scope looks at 2 in the
Kakamega Forest. SCHALOW'S TURACO
(Tauraco schalowi) – Nice looks at 1 during our last morning
walk at Masai Mara.
WHITE-CRESTED
TURACO (Tauraco leucolophus)
– We saw 2 of these beautiful turacos
in the Kerio Valley.
HARTLAUB'S TURACO
(Tauraco hartlaubi) – Fabulous looks at 1 along the river at
Naro Moru River Lodge.
ROSS'S TURACO
(Musophaga rossae) – One at Masai Mara.
WHITE-BELLIED
GO-AWAY-BIRD (Corythaixoides
leucogaster) – Fairly common
at Samburu and Baringo, with a few others at Lake Magadi.
EASTERN
PLANTAIN-EATER (Crinifer
zonurus) – About a dozen
along the shore near Kisumu, Lake Victoria.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
RED-CHESTED CUCKOO (Cuculus solitarius) – One seen well at Lake Baringo, and a few
other 'heards' at several widespread locations. KLAAS'S CUCKOO
(Chrysococcyx klaas) – One near Mountain Lodge.
AFRICAN EMERALD
CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx cupreus)
– Heard in the Tugen Hills.
BLACK COUCAL
(Centropus grillii) – Good looks at this rather shy coucal at
Masai Mara.
WHITE-BROWED
COUCAL (Centropus
superciliosus) – Two singles
at Masai Mara.
Strigidae (Owls)
AFRICAN SCOPS-OWL (Otus senegalensis) – One at Lake Baringo. NORTHERN
WHITE-FACED OWL (Ptilopsis
leucotis) – Again, thanks to
our local guides, we had excellent looks at Lake Baringo.
CAPE EAGLE-OWL
(Bubo capensis mackinderi) – Sometimes split as Mackinder's Eagle-Owl,
we had good views of a roosting bird near Gatarakwa.
GRAYISH EAGLE-OWL
(Bubo cinerascens) – One along the cliffs at Baringo.
VERREAUX'S
EAGLE-OWL (Bubo lacteus)
– One at Mountain Lodge.
PEARL-SPOTTED
OWLET (Glaucidium perlatum)
– After a good deal of effort we
finally found a responsive bird at Samburu.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
SLENDER-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus clarus) – Good day time views at Lake Baringo.
Apodidae (Swifts)
SCARCE SWIFT (Schoutedenapus myoptilus) – About 15 over the Kakamega Forest.
NYANZA SWIFT
(Apus niansae) – Ten at Thomson's Falls, and about 50 at
Lake Nakuru.
LITTLE SWIFT
(Apus affinis) – Widespread (especially around buildings)
throughout the tour.
AFRICAN PALM-SWIFT
(Cypsiurus parvus) – Four at Kisumu.
Coliidae (Mousebirds)
SPECKLED MOUSEBIRD (Colius striatus) – Common and widespread throughout the
tour. WHITE-HEADED
MOUSEBIRD (Colius
leucocephalus) – We saw 5 of
this very localized species at Samburu.
BLUE-NAPED
MOUSEBIRD (Urocolius
macrourus) – Fairly common in
the dry acacia country.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
NARINA TROGON (Apaloderma narina) – Great looks at a male in the Tugen Hills.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
MALACHITE KINGFISHER (Corythornis cristatus) – Four at Sagana, 4 at Lake Baringo, 10 at
Lake Victoria, and about 12 at Masai Mara. AFRICAN
PYGMY-KINGFISHER (Ispidina
picta) – Singles at Baringo
and Kakamega.
GRAY-HEADED
KINGFISHER (Halcyon
leucocephala) – Widespread in
small numbers; in all we saw about 16.
WOODLAND
KINGFISHER (Halcyon
senegalensis) – One at Lake
Baringo, and 3 near Kisumu.
STRIPED KINGFISHER
(Halcyon chelicuti) – Some of the group saw 1 at Masai Mara.
GIANT KINGFISHER
(Megaceryle maximus) – We did well for these kingfishers this
tour, with no less than 6 at Baringo, Nakuru and Masai Mara.
PIED KINGFISHER
(Ceryle rudis) – Common at wetlands throughout the tour.
Meropidae (Bee-eaters)
BLUE-HEADED BEE-EATER (Merops muelleri) – Generally very rare but we were lucky and
saw them on three separate occasions at Kakamega Forest.
LITTLE BEE-EATER
(Merops pusillus) – Four near Lake Magadi, 3 at Samburu, and
4 at Masai Mara.
CINNAMON-CHESTED
BEE-EATER (Merops oreobates)
– About a dozen at Mt. Kenya, 10 at
Kakamega, and 2 at Masai Mara.
SOMALI BEE-EATER
(Merops revoilii) – We saw this localized 'northern species'
at Samburu.
WHITE-THROATED
BEE-EATER (Merops albicollis)
– Common at Magadi, Samburu and
Baringo.
MADAGASCAR
BEE-EATER (Merops
superciliosus) – One at Lake
Baringo.
Coraciidae (Rollers)
LILAC-BREASTED ROLLER (Coracias caudatus) – This striking species was fairly common
in areas of open bushed grassland throughout the tour.
RUFOUS-CROWNED
ROLLER (Coracias naevius)
– A total of 5 at Samburu.
BROAD-BILLED
ROLLER (Eurystomus glaucurus)
– One along the shore at Lake Victoria.
Upupidae (Hoopoes)
EURASIAN HOOPOE (AFRICAN) (Upupa epops africana) – One on the way to Lake Magadi, and 1 at
Nakuru. Phoeniculidae (Woodhoopoes and
Scimitar-bills)
GREEN WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus purpureus) – Five at Naro Moru River Lodge, and 2 at
Lake Baringo. ABYSSINIAN
SCIMITAR-BILL (Rhinopomastus
minor) – Four near Lake
Magadi, and 2 at Samburu.
Bucerotidae (Hornbills)
NORTHERN RED-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus erythrorhynchus) – About 150 at Samburu. EASTERN
YELLOW-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus
flavirostris) – Three at
Samburu.
JACKSON'S HORNBILL
(Tockus jacksoni) – About 20 in the Baringo area, including
some exceptionally tame birds at the Club.
VON DER DECKEN'S
HORNBILL (Tockus deckeni)
– Four near Lake Magadi, and about 10
at Samburu.
CROWNED HORNBILL
(Tockus alboterminatus) – Good looks at 3 in the grounds of Naro
Moru River Lodge.
HEMPRICH'S
HORNBILL (Tockus hemprichii)
– One in flight as we left Lake
Baringo.
AFRICAN GRAY
HORNBILL (Tockus nasutus)
– Four at Baringo.
SILVERY-CHEEKED
HORNBILL (Ceratogymna brevis)
– Two on the lower slopes of Mt. Kenya.
BLACK-AND-WHITE-CASQUED
HORNBILL (Ceratogymna
subcylindrica) – About 40 at
Kakamega, and 1 at Masai Mara.
SOUTHERN
GROUND-HORNBILL (Bucorvus
leadbeateri) – We had brief
looks at 1 in flight at Lake Nakuru, but then good long
looks at 5 at Masai Mara.
Lybiidae (African Barbets)
YELLOW-BILLED BARBET (Trachyphonus purpuratus) – Good looks at 1 feeding on fruits at
Kakamega. RED-AND-YELLOW
BARBET (Trachyphonus
erythrocephalus) – We saw
these striking barbets at Magadi, Samburu, and Baringo.
D'ARNAUD'S BARBET
(Trachyphonus darnaudii) – About 15 at Samburu.
D'ARNAUD'S BARBET
(USAMBIRO) (Trachyphonus
darnaudii usambiro) – Four at
Masai Mara; most African authorities now split this form as
Usambiro Barbet.
GRAY-THROATED
BARBET (Gymnobucco bonapartei)
– Small numbers at Kakamega, and in the
forest above Kichwa Tembo.
YELLOW-RUMPED
TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus
bilineatus) – Singles at
Mountain Lodge and Kakamega.
RED-FRONTED
TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus
pusillus) – We saw a very
responsive bird at Baringo.
YELLOW-SPOTTED
BARBET (Buccanodon duchaillui)
– Two in the garden at Rondo Retreat,
Kakamega.
HAIRY-BREASTED
BARBET (Tricholaema hirsuta)
– Heard in the canopy at Kakamega
Forest.
SPOT-FLANKED
BARBET (Tricholaema lacrymosa)
– Two near Thika, and 1 at Masai Mara.
BLACK-THROATED
BARBET (Tricholaema
melanocephala) – Four in the
bush country north of Lake Magadi.
WHITE-HEADED
BARBET (Lybius leucocephalus)
– One near Thika.
BLACK-BILLED
BARBET (Lybius guifsobalito)
– We had a responsive bird along the
shore at Lake Victoria.
DOUBLE-TOOTHED
BARBET (Lybius bidentatus)
– One in the Kerio Valley.
Indicatoridae (Honeyguides)
LEAST HONEYGUIDE (Indicator exilis) – Two in the Kakamega Forest. LESSER HONEYGUIDE
(Indicator minor) – One along the cliffs at Baringo.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
RUFOUS-NECKED WRYNECK (Jynx ruficollis) – Great looks along the Oloololo
Escarpment, Masai Mara. NUBIAN WOODPECKER
(Campethera nubica) – Two were seen well at Samburu, and we had
'heard' birds at Baringo and Masai Mara.
BUFF-SPOTTED
WOODPECKER (Campethera nivosa)
– One in the canopy at Kakamega.
BROWN-EARED
WOODPECKER (Campethera caroli)
– One at Kakamega.
CARDINAL
WOODPECKER (Dendropicos
fuscescens) – Singles and
pairs at Magadi, Samburu, Baringo, and Kakamega.
BEARDED WOODPECKER
(Dendropicos namaquus) – One at Masai Mara.
GRAY WOODPECKER
(Dendropicos goertae) – One at Kisumu.
GRAY-HEADED
WOODPECKER (Dendropicos
spodocephalus) – One near Mt.
Kenya.
Calyptomenidae (African and Green
Broadbills)
AFRICAN BROADBILL (Smithornis capensis) – Fantastic looks at a close displaying
bird at Kakamega. Platysteiridae (Wattle-eyes and Batises)
BROWN-THROATED WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira cyanea) – We saw a single male at Kakamega, and
heard several around Kichwa Tembo. JAMESON'S
WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira
jamesoni) – Some of the group
saw 1 in the undergrowth at Kakamega.
CHINSPOT BATIS
(Batis molitor) – One on the way to Mountain Lodge.
PYGMY BATIS
(Batis perkeo) – Pairs at Samburu and Baringo.
Prionopidae (Helmetshrikes and Allies)
WHITE HELMETSHRIKE (Prionops plumatus) – We saw about 6 of these fabulous birds at
Lake Baringo, and then another 3 at Lake Nakuru. Malaconotidae (Bushshrikes and Allies)
BRUBRU (Nilaus
afer) – We saw 4 singles in
widespread areas of acacia country. NORTHERN PUFFBACK
(Dryoscopus gambensis) – Two at Samburu, and 1 in the Kerio
Valley.
BLACK-BACKED
PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus cubla)
– One at Sagana, and 2 at Masai Mara.
PINK-FOOTED
PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus
angolensis) – A pair at
Kakamega.
BLACK-CROWNED
TCHAGRA (Tchagra senegalus)
– One on the Oloololo Escarpment, Masai
Mara.
BROWN-CROWNED
TCHAGRA (Tchagra australis)
– One along the forest edge at
Kakamega.
LUEHDER'S
BUSHSHRIKE (Laniarius
luehderi) – Two at Kakamega.
TROPICAL BOUBOU
(Laniarius aethiopicus) – Common at Mt. Kenya, and others heard
elsewhere in the highlands.
BLACK-HEADED
GONOLEK (Laniarius
erythrogaster) – Four in the
Kerio Valley.
SLATE-COLORED
BOUBOU (Laniarius funebris)
– Small numbers at Magadi, Samburu, and
Baringo.
ROSY-PATCHED
BUSHSHRIKE (Rhodophoneus
cruentus) – Six at Samburu.
GRAY-GREEN
BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus
bocagei) – Also known as
Bocage's Bushshrike, we saw 1 at Kakamega.
GRAY-HEADED
BUSHSHRIKE (Malaconotus
blanchoti) – Great looks at 1
feeding in the undergrowth on the lower slopes of Mt. Kenya.
Campephagidae (Cuckoo-shrikes)
BLACK CUCKOO-SHRIKE (Campephaga flava) – We saw females at Lake Magadi, Kakamega,
and at Masai Mara. PURPLE-THROATED
CUCKOO-SHRIKE (Campephaga
quiscalina) – We saw a single
male at Mt. Kenya.
Laniidae (Shrikes)
GRAY-BACKED FISCAL (Lanius excubitoroides) – Five at Lake Nakuru, and 8 at Masai Mara.
TAITA FISCAL
(Lanius dorsalis) – Three at Samburu.
MACKINNON'S SHRIKE
(Lanius mackinnoni) – Three at Kakamega.
COMMON FISCAL
(Lanius collaris) – Common and widespread in the highlands.
WHITE-RUMPED
SHRIKE (Eurocephalus
rueppelli) – Small numbers at
Samburu and Baringo.
Oriolidae (Old World Orioles)
WESTERN BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE (Oriolus brachyrhynchus) – We saw a pair in the canopy at Kakamega.
AFRICAN
BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE (Oriolus
larvatus) – Singles at Naro
Moru and Baringo.
BLACK-TAILED
ORIOLE (Oriolus percivali)
– Good looks in the forest around
Mountain Lodge.
Dicruridae (Drongos)
SQUARE-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus ludwigii) – One seen and several heard in the forest
interior at Kakamega. FORK-TAILED DRONGO
(Dicrurus adsimilis) – Common and widespread in a variety of
habitats away from forest.
Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers)
AFRICAN PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (Terpsiphone viridis) – Widespread in small numbers. Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
CAPE CROW (Corvus
capensis) – Small numbers in
the highlands. PIED CROW (Corvus albus) – Common and widespread; in all we saw
about 200.
FAN-TAILED RAVEN
(Corvus rhipidurus) – About 8 at Samburu, and 1 at Baringo.
Alaudidae (Larks)
RUFOUS-NAPED LARK (Mirafra africana) – Two at Nakuru, and about a dozen at Masai
Mara. PINK-BREASTED LARK
(Calendulauda poecilosterna) – Eight at Samburu.
FOXY LARK (Calendulauda alopex) – Six at Samburu; formerly lumped with
southern Africa's Fawn-colored Lark.
FISCHER'S
SPARROW-LARK (Eremopterix
leucopareia) – About 20 to
the north of Lake Magadi.
RED-CAPPED LARK
(Calandrella cinerea) – Two on the Kichwa Plains, Masai Mara.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
PLAIN MARTIN (Riparia paludicola) – Six over the Sagana Fish Ponds, and about
100 at Masai Mara. ROCK MARTIN
(Ptyonoprogne fuligula) – Small numbers near Magadi, Mt. Kenya,
Baringo, and Nakuru.
ANGOLA SWALLOW
(Hirundo angolensis) – About 40 on the electricity wires near
Kisumu.
WIRE-TAILED
SWALLOW (Hirundo smithii)
– Widespread; in all we saw about 50.
RED-RUMPED SWALLOW
(Cecropis daurica) – Singles on the way to Magadi, at Sagana,
and about 12 at Nakuru.
LESSER
STRIPED-SWALLOW (Cecropis
abyssinica) – Two at Sagana,
2 in the Kerio Valley, 6 near Kisumu, and 4 at Masai Mara.
MOSQUE SWALLOW
(Cecropis senegalensis) – Nice looks at 2 perched birds near
Thomson's Falls, and 4 at Lake Nakuru.
WHITE-HEADED
SAWWING (Psalidoprocne
albiceps) – We saw about 50
of these attractive swallows in the Kakamega area, and 20 at
Masai Mara.
BLACK SAWWING
(Psalidoprocne pristoptera) – About 40 in the Mt. Kenya to Naro Moru
area.
Stenostiridae (Fairy Flycatchers)
AFRICAN BLUE-FLYCATCHER (Elminia longicauda) – About 8 of these attractive little
monarchs were along the forest edge at Kakamega, we also saw
a single bird at Bateleur Camp, Masai Mara. WHITE-TAILED
CRESTED-FLYCATCHER (Elminia
albonotata) – Two in the
Tugen Hills.
Paridae (Chickadees and Tits)
WHITE-BELLIED TIT (Melaniparus albiventris) – One on top of the Oloololo Escarpment.
DUSKY TIT (Melaniparus funereus) – Six at Kakamega.
SOMALI TIT
(Melaniparus thruppi) – Two distantly at Samburu, and then 4
(very close) at Baringo.
Remizidae (Penduline-Tits)
AFRICAN PENDULINE-TIT (Anthoscopus caroli sylviella) – The form 'sylviella' is often considered
a distinct species, Buff-bellied Penduline-Tit; we saw 3 at
the bottom of the Ngong Hills during our day trip to Lake
Magadi. Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)
SLENDER-BILLED GREENBUL (Stelgidillas gracilirostris) – Four at Mountain Lodge, and 2 at
Kakamega. SHELLEY'S GREENBUL
(KAKAMEGA) (Arizelocichla
masukuensis kakamegae) – The
form 'kakamegae ' is often split as Kakamega Greenbul; we
had good looks at 1 as it crept along a mossy branch in
Kakamega Forest.
JOYFUL GREENBUL
(Chlorocichla laetissima) – We saw several small flocks at Kakamega.
ANSORGE'S GREENBUL
(Eurillas ansorgei) – Good looks at this globally threatened
species at Kakamega.
PLAIN GREENBUL
(Eurillas curvirostris) – Two were seen feeding on fruits in the
middle-levels at Kakamega Forest.
YELLOW-WHISKERED
GREENBUL (Eurillas
latirostris) – Singles at
Mountain Lodge and Naro Moru, and then several at Kakamega.
LITTLE GREENBUL
(Eurillas virens) – Many were heard, and some of the group
saw 1 at Kakamega.
NORTHERN BROWNBUL
(Phyllastrephus strepitans) – One at Samburu.
TORO
OLIVE-GREENBUL (Phyllastrephus
hypochloris) – We had good
looks at this rather uncommon greenbul at Kakamega Forest.
CABANIS'S GREENBUL
(CABANIS'S) (Phyllastrephus
cabanisi placidus) – One
along the river at Naro Moru.
CABANIS'S GREENBUL
(CABANIS'S) (Phyllastrephus
cabanisi sucosus) – One (of a
group of 3-4) was very responsive to playback at the edge of
Kakamega Forest.
COMMON BULBUL
(DODSON'S) (Pycnonotus
barbatus dodsoni) – The form
with the white neck-patch 'dodsoni' was common at Samburu.
COMMON BULBUL
(DARK-CAPPED) (Pycnonotus
barbatus tricolor) – Very
common and widespread.
Macrosphenidae (African Warblers)
NORTHERN CROMBEC (Sylvietta brachyura) – Two near Lake Magadi, and 4 at Samburu.
MOUSTACHED
GRASS-WARBLER (Melocichla
mentalis) – One near our camp
at Masai Mara.
Phylloscopidae (Leaf-Warblers)
UGANDA WOOD-WARBLER (Phylloscopus budongoensis) – Many heard and 1 seen at Kakamega.
Acrocephalidae (Reed-Warblers and Allies)
MOUNTAIN YELLOW WARBLER (Chloropeta similis) – Nice looks at a singing bird at Mountain
Lodge. LESSER
SWAMP-WARBLER (Acrocephalus
gracilirostris) – Three at
the Sagana Fish Ponds.
Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)
BLACK-COLLARED APALIS (Apalis pulchra) – Three in the undergrowth at Kakamega.
BLACK-THROATED
APALIS (Apalis jacksoni)
– Great looks from the roof at Mountain
Lodge.
YELLOW-BREASTED
APALIS (Apalis flavida)
– Two at Sagana, and 5 at Naro Moru.
BUFF-THROATED
APALIS (Apalis rufogularis)
– Several heard and a single male seen
at Kakamega.
CHESTNUT-THROATED
APALIS (Apalis porphyrolaema)
– Heard at Mountain Lodge.
GRAY APALIS
(Apalis cinerea) – One at Mountain Lodge, and 4 in the Tugen
Hills.
GREEN-BACKED
CAMAROPTERA (GRAY-BACKED) (Camaroptera
brachyura brevicaudata) –
Common and widespread throughout the tour.
OLIVE-GREEN
CAMAROPTERA (Camaroptera
chloronota) – Four singles at
Kakamega Forest.
RED-FRONTED
WARBLER (Urorhipis rufifrons)
– One on the way to Lake Magadi, and 4
at Baringo.
GRAY WREN-WARBLER
(Calamonastes simplex) – Two near Lake Magadi.
WHITE-CHINNED
PRINIA (Schistolais
leucopogon) – Common along
the forest edge at Kakamega; in all we saw about 40.
RED-FACED
CISTICOLA (Cisticola
erythrops) – One in the
tangled undergrowth at Masai Mara.
TRILLING CISTICOLA
(Cisticola woosnami) – Good looks at 1 on the Oloololo
Escarpment, Masai Mara.
CHUBB'S CISTICOLA
(Cisticola chubbi) – Five at Kakamega.
HUNTER'S CISTICOLA
(Cisticola hunteri) – Three at Mountain Lodge.
RATTLING CISTICOLA
(Cisticola chiniana) – Small numbers at Nakuru and Masai Mara.
WINDING CISTICOLA
(WINDING) (Cisticola
galactotes amphilectus) –
Four along the dykes at Sagana Fish Ponds.
CARRUTHERS'S
CISTICOLA (Cisticola
carruthersi) – One in the
papyrus at Lake Victoria.
TINKLING CISTICOLA
(Cisticola tinniens) – More commonly known as Levaillant's
Cisticola, we saw 1 at the small dam near Gatarakwa.
STOUT CISTICOLA
(Cisticola robustus) – Two in the clearing at Kakamega, and then
'hundreds' at Masai Mara.
GRAY-CAPPED
WARBLER (Eminia lepida)
– Two at the Blue Posts Hotel near
Thika, and 2 at Mountain Lodge.
BLACK-FACED
RUFOUS-WARBLER (Bathmocercus
rufus) – Nice looks at a
striking male in the Kakamega undergrowth.
BANDED PRINIA
(Prinia bairdii) – Difficult this tour, but eventually we
all had good looks at Kakamega.
YELLOW-VENTED
EREMOMELA (Eremomela
flavicrissalis) – Two singles
at Samburu.
YELLOW-BELLIED
EREMOMELA (Eremomela
icteropygialis) – Two on the
way to Lake Magadi.
TURNER'S EREMOMELA
(Eremomela turneri) – We saw 2 of these globally threatened
birds in the canopy at Kakamega.
Sylviidae (Old World Warblers)
AFRICAN HILL BABBLER (Pseudoalcippe abyssinica) – One at Mountain Lodge. BROWN WARBLER
(Parisoma lugens) – Two at Naro Moru.
BANDED WARBLER
(Parisoma boehmi) – One at Samburu.
GREEN HYLIA
(Hylia prasina) – One at the edge of Kakamega Forest.
Zosteropidae (Yuhinas, White-eyes, and
Allies)
AFRICAN YELLOW WHITE-EYE (Zosterops senegalensis) – Four in the Tugen Hills, and about a
dozen at Kakamega. BROAD-RINGED
WHITE-EYE (KIKUYU) (Zosterops
poliogastrus kikuyuensis) –
One at Mountain Lodge.
WHITE-BREASTED
WHITE-EYE (Zosterops
abyssinicus flavilateralis) –
More commonly known as Abyssinian White-eye, we saw 1 near
the Ngong Hills, and 4 at Thika.
Pellorneidae (Fulvettas and Ground
Babblers)
SCALY-BREASTED ILLADOPSIS (Illadopsis albipectus) – Two on a small track within Kakamega
Forest. Leiothrichidae (Laughingthrushes)
RUFOUS CHATTERER (Turdoides rubiginosa) – One at Samburu, and 5 at Baringo.
BROWN BABBLER
(Turdoides plebejus) – A flock of 7 were seen both days at Lake
Baringo.
ARROW-MARKED
BABBLER (Turdoides jardineii)
– Three at Lake Nakuru.
Promeropidae (Sugarbirds)
GRAY-CHESTED ILLADOPSIS (Kakamega poliothorax) – Two birds were heard at Kakamega.
Hyliotidae (Hyliotas)
SOUTHERN HYLIOTA (Hyliota australis) – This uncommon species (recently placed in
the new family Hyliotidae) was seen in the canopy at
Kakamega Forest. Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)
PALE FLYCATCHER (Bradornis pallidus) – We saw an adult and 2 juveniles at Masai
Mara. GRAYISH FLYCATCHER
(Bradornis microrhynchus) – Small numbers at Magadi, Samburu, and
Baringo.
WHITE-EYED
SLATY-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis
fischeri) – Fairly widespread
in the central and western highlands.
NORTHERN
BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis
edolioides) – One at Rondo
Retreat, Kakamega, and 2 at Masai Mara.
SOUTHERN
BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis
pammelaina) – One at Thika.
SWAMP FLYCATCHER
(Muscicapa aquatica) – Six along the shores of Lake Victoria.
DUSKY-BROWN
FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa adusta)
– Usually known as African Dusky
Flycatcher they were common in the Mt. Kenya area.
BROWN-BACKED
SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas
hartlaubi) – Very localized
in Kenya, but we had great views of 1 on the lower slopes of
Mt. Kenya.
RED-BACKED
SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas
leucophrys) – About a dozen
along the Magadi Road, and 2 at Samburu.
CAPE ROBIN-CHAT
(Cossypha caffra) – One at Thomson's Falls, and 1 in the
Tugen Hills.
GRAY-WINGED
ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha
polioptera) – Great looks at
this usually shy robin-chat at Kakamega.
RUEPPELL'S
ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha semirufa)
– Two at Mountian Lodge, and 1 near
Gatarakwa.
WHITE-BROWED
ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha heuglini)
– Singles at Thika and Naro Moru, and
then about 15 more at Nakuru and Masai Mara.
SNOWY-CROWNED
ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha
niveicapilla) – Great looks
in the garden at Rondo Retreat, Kakamega.
SPOTTED
MORNING-THRUSH (Cichladusa
guttata) – Small numbers near
Magadi, at Samburu, and at Lake Baringo; in all we saw about
30.
WHITE-STARRED
ROBIN (Pogonocichla stellata)
– One at Mountain Lodge, and 2 in the
Tugen Hills.
BROWN-CHESTED
ALETHE (Pseudalethe
poliocephala) – Some of the
group saw 1 on a trail within Kakamega Forest.
EQUATORIAL AKALAT
(Sheppardia aequatorialis) – One at Kakamega Forest.
LITTLE ROCK-THRUSH
(Monticola rufocinereus) – Good looks at a pair and a juvenile at
Lake Nakuru.
STONECHAT (Saxicola torquatus) – We saw a single male on the north side of
Mt. Kenya.
NORTHERN
ANTEATER-CHAT (Myrmecocichla
aethiops) – Four along the
Solio Game Ranch road, and about 20 at Lake Nakuru.
SOOTY CHAT
(Myrmecocichla nigra) – About a dozen at Masai Mara.
MOCKING CLIFF-CHAT
(Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris) – We saw a pair along the cliffs at
Baringo, and 2 males at Lake Nakuru.
BROWN-TAILED CHAT
(Cercomela scotocerca) – Very localiszed in Kenya, but common at
Baringo where we saw 10.
MOURNING WHEATEAR
(SCHALOW'S) (Oenanthe lugens
schalowi) – Often split and
known as Schalow's Wheatear, we saw a male at the bottom of
the Ngong Hills.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
ABYSSINIAN THRUSH (Turdus abyssinicus) – Small numbers in the central highlands
including Nairobi; previously known as Olive Thrush.
AFRICAN THRUSH
(Turdus pelios) – One at Rondo Retreat, Kakamega.
Sturnidae (Starlings)
WATTLED STARLING (Creatophora cinerea) – Flocks at Magadi, Samburu, and Baringo;
in all we saw about 400. GREATER BLUE-EARED
GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis
chalybaeus) – Small flocks at
Nanyuki, Naro Moru and Baringo, and then about 300 at
Nakuru, and 20 at Masai Mara.
RUEPPELL'S
GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis
purpuroptera) – About 30 at
Lake Baringo, 6 at Nakuru, and 20 at Masai Mara.
GOLDEN-BREASTED
STARLING (Lamprotornis regius)
– One of Africa's most gorgeous birds;
we saw 11 at Samburu.
SUPERB STARLING
(Lamprotornis superbus) – Another stunning starling, they were
widespread throughout the tour and we saw a total of about
500.
VIOLET-BACKED
STARLING (Cinnyricinclus
leucogaster) – Fabulous looks
at a male on the Oloololo Escarpment.
FISCHER'S STARLING
(Spreo fischeri) – One at Samburu.
RED-WINGED
STARLING (Onychognathus morio)
– Two along the cliffs at Baringo.
BRISTLE-CROWNED
STARLING (Onychognathus
salvadorii) – Largest of the
'red-winged group', we saw about 20 at Lake Baringo.
STUHLMANN'S
STARLING (Poeoptera
stuhlmanni) – Several small
flocks at Kakamega.
MAGPIE STARLING
(Speculipastor bicolor) – Some of the group saw 1 at Lake Baringo.
Buphagidae (Oxpeckers)
RED-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus erythrorhynchus) – Twenty at Mountain Lodge, 30 at Samburu,
and 40 at Masai Mara. YELLOW-BILLED
OXPECKER (Buphagus africanus)
– We saw a total of about 30 (mainly
feeding on giraffe and buffalo) at Masai Mara.
Nectariniidae (Sunbirds and Spiderhunters)
KENYA VIOLET-BACKED SUNBIRD (Anthreptes orientalis) – Six along the Magadi road, and 3 at
Baringo. COLLARED SUNBIRD
(Hedydipna collaris) – Four at Mountain Lodge, 4 at Kakamega,
and 1 at Masai Mara.
GREEN-HEADED
SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra
verticalis) – Two at Naro
Moru, and 6 at Kakamega.
EASTERN OLIVE
SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra olivacea)
– Two at Mountain Lodge.
WESTERN OLIVE
SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra obscura
ragazzii) – Two at Kakamega.
GREEN-THROATED
SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra
rubescens) – At least 2 males
were in a flowering treee in the grounds of Rondo Retreat.
AMETHYST SUNBIRD
(Chalcomitra amethystina) – One at the Blue Posts Hotel, Thika, and 1
on the Oloololo Escarpment, Masai Mara.
SCARLET-CHESTED
SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra
senegalensis) – Small numbers
at Nairobi, Naro Moru, Kakamega, and Nakuru.
HUNTER'S SUNBIRD
(Chalcomitra hunteri) – Singles at Samburu and Baringo.
TACAZZE SUNBIRD
(Nectarinia tacazze) – We saw a fabulous male at Thomson's
Falls.
BRONZE SUNBIRD
(Nectarinia kilimensis) – Common in both the central and western
highlands.
GOLDEN-WINGED
SUNBIRD (Drepanorhynchus
reichenowi) – We saw a single
male near the top of the Ngong Hills.
NORTHERN
DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris
reichenowi) – Common in both
the central and western highlands.
EASTERN
DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris
mediocris) – About 6 in the
forest around Mountain Lodge.
BEAUTIFUL SUNBIRD
(Cinnyris pulchellus) – Ten along the Magadi Road, and a dozen at
Lake Baringo.
MARIQUA SUNBIRD
(Cinnyris mariquensis) – Two females in the Ngong Hills, and about
6 (including some nice males) at Samburu.
RED-CHESTED
SUNBIRD (Cinnyris
erythrocercus) – Six in the
flowering shrubs along the shores of Lake Victoria.
BLACK-BELLIED
SUNBIRD (Cinnyris
nectarinioides) – Four (all
in non-breeding plumage) at Samburu.
SHINING SUNBIRD
(Cinnyris habessinicus) – We saw a single female at Samburu.
VARIABLE SUNBIRD
(Cinnyris venustus) – Six in the Ngong Hills, and 2 at
Kakamega.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
CAPE WAGTAIL (Motacilla capensis) – One at Mountain Lodge. MOUNTAIN WAGTAIL
(Motacilla clara) – One at Naro Moru River Lodge, 1 at
Kakamega, and 2 along the stream at Kichwa Tembo.
AFRICAN PIED
WAGTAIL (Motacilla aguimp)
– Common and widespread throughout the
tour.
AFRICAN PIPIT
(Anthus cinnamomeus) – One in the Masai Mara grasslands.
LONG-BILLED PIPIT
(Anthus similis) – One near the top of the Oloololo
Escarpment.
PLAIN-BACKED PIPIT
(Anthus leucophrys) – One at Nakuru, and about 20 at Masai
Mara.
GOLDEN PIPIT
(Tmetothylacus tenellus) – Probably the world's most beautiful
pipit; we saw a male and 2 females at Samburu.
YELLOW-THROATED
LONGCLAW (Macronyx croceus)
– Two at Nakuru, and about 40 at Masai
Mara.
Emberizidae (Buntings, Sparrows and
Allies)
CINNAMON-BREASTED BUNTING (Emberiza tahapisi) – Two along the Magadi Road. SOMALI BUNTING
(Emberiza poliopleura) – One at Samburu.
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and
Allies)
ORIOLE FINCH (Linurgus olivaceus) – Some of the group saw a male at Mountain
Lodge. YELLOW-CROWNED
CANARY (Serinus flavivertex)
– One at Mountain Lodge.
YELLOW-FRONTED
CANARY (Serinus mozambicus)
– Several small flocks at Masai Mara.
AFRICAN CITRIL
(Serinus citrinelloides kikuyensis)
– About 10 at the Blue Posts Hotel,
Thika.
REICHENOW'S
SEEDEATER (Serinus reichenowi)
– Three near Kisumu, Lake Victoria.
WHITE-BELLIED
CANARY (Serinus dorsostriatus)
– One along the Magadi Road.
BRIMSTONE CANARY
(Serinus sulphuratus) – Two were seen bathing in a puddle at
Nanyuki Airstrip.
STREAKY SEEDEATER
(Serinus striolatus) – Small numbers were widespread in the
central highlands.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) – Two at Eldoret, and 10 at Kericho.
KENYA RUFOUS
SPARROW (Passer rufocinctus)
– About 20 in the Mt. Kenya area, and
15 at Lake Nakuru.
NORTHERN
GRAY-HEADED SPARROW (Passer
griseus) – Two in the Ngong
Hills, and 6 at Kakamega.
PARROT-BILLED
SPARROW (Passer gongonensis)
– Common at Samburu, and few at Lake
Baringo.
SWAHILI SPARROW
(Passer suahelicus) – Two on the Kichwa Plains, Masai Mara.
CHESTNUT SPARROW
(Passer eminibey) – Flocks totalling several hundred were at
Samburu.
YELLOW-SPOTTED
PETRONIA (Petronia pyrgita)
– Three along Magadi Road, and 4 at
Samburu.
Ploceidae (Weavers and Allies)
WHITE-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Bubalornis albirostris) – About 60 in the grounds of Lake Baringo
Club. WHITE-HEADED
BUFFALO-WEAVER (Dinemellia
dinemelli) – Fairly common at
Samburu and Baringo; in all we saw about 50.
SPECKLE-FRONTED
WEAVER (Sporopipes frontalis)
– Two singles at Samburu.
WHITE-BROWED
SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser
mahali) – Common and
widespread in acacia country like along the Magadi Road, at
Samburu, and at Baringo.
CHESTNUT-CROWNED
SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser
superciliosus) – Two on the
lower slopes of the Tugen Hills.
DONALDSON-SMITH'S
SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser
donaldsoni) – We saw this
localised northern species at Samburu.
GRAY-HEADED
SOCIAL-WEAVER (Pseudonigrita
arnaudi) – Six along the
Magadi Road.
BLACK-CAPPED
SOCIAL-WEAVER (Pseudonigrita
cabanisi) – Several hundred
at Samburu.
RED-HEADED MALIMBE
(Malimbus rubricollis) – Good looks at 1 creeping along a mossy
branch in Kakamega Forest.
RED-HEADED WEAVER
(Anaplectes rubriceps) – Singles (including 3 nice males) at
Thika, Samburu, and at Masai Mara.
BAGLAFECHT WEAVER
(Ploceus baglafecht) – Common in both the central and western
highlands.
LITTLE WEAVER
(Ploceus luteolus) – Six at Lake Baringo.
BLACK-NECKED
WEAVER (Ploceus nigricollis)
– Two along Magadi road, 1 at Samburu,
and 1 at Kakamega.
SPECTACLED WEAVER
(Ploceus ocularis) – Four at Naro Moru River Lodge, and 2 at
Masai Mara.
BLACK-BILLED
WEAVER (Ploceus melanogaster)
– Four at Kakamega - very different
from other weavers - being black with a yellow face mask!
AFRICAN
GOLDEN-WEAVER (Ploceus
subaureus) – One at Sagana
Fish Ponds.
HOLUB'S
GOLDEN-WEAVER (Ploceus
xanthops) – Two at Masai
Mara.
NORTHERN
BROWN-THROATED WEAVER (Ploceus
castanops) – About 20 along
the shores of Lake Victoria.
NORTHERN
MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus
taeniopterus) – We saw this
very localized weaver along the shores of Lake Baringo.
LESSER
MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus
intermedius) – Four along the
Magadi Road.
VITELLINE
MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus
vitellinus) – Three along the
Magadi Road.
SPEKE'S WEAVER
(Ploceus spekei) – About 20 near Mt. Kenya, and 2 at Lake
Nakuru.
VIEILLOT'S WEAVER
(Ploceus nigerrimus) – Three in non-breeding plumage at
Kakamega.
VILLAGE WEAVER
(Ploceus cucullatus) – Very common at Lake Baringo.
BLACK-HEADED
WEAVER (Ploceus
melanocephalus) – Two males
and a female at Lake Victoria.
GOLDEN-BACKED
WEAVER (Ploceus jacksoni)
– We saw about 10 of these very
attractive weavers at Lake Baringo.
FOREST WEAVER
(Ploceus bicolor) – Four at Kakamega.
BROWN-CAPPED
WEAVER (Ploceus insignis)
– Two at Mountain Lodge, and 2 at
Kakamega.
RED-BILLED QUELEA
(Quelea quelea) – About 200 along the Magadi Road, and 100
at Samburu.
RED BISHOP
(Euplectes orix) – We saw a single rather pale orange bird
at the Ahero rice fields.
BLACK BISHOP
(Euplectes gierowii) – One was seen briefly in the maize fields
at the edge of Kakamega Forest.
YELLOW-CROWNED
BISHOP (Euplectes afer)
– About 6 at the Sagana rice fields.
YELLOW BISHOP
(Euplectes capensis) – We saw a very nice male in breeding
plumage at Gatarakwa.
WHITE-WINGED
WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes
albonotatus) – About 20 at
the Sagana rice fields.
RED-COLLARED
WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes ardens)
– A single male on the north side of
Mt. Kenya.
FAN-TAILED
WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes
axillaris) – Three at Lake
Victoria, and 2 at Masai Mara.
LONG-TAILED
WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes progne)
– We saw about 6 of these spectacular
birds at Lake Nakuru.
JACKSON'S
WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes jacksoni)
– Ten on the north side of Mt. Kenya.
GROSBEAK WEAVER
(Amblyospiza albifrons) – Ten at Sagana.
Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)
GRAY-HEADED NEGROFINCH (Nigrita canicapillus) – Two singles at Kakamega. WHITE-BREASTED
NEGROFINCH (Nigrita
fusconotus) – One at
Kakamega.
CRIMSON-RUMPED
WAXBILL (Estrilda rhodopyga)
– Six along the Magadi Road.
COMMON WAXBILL
(Estrilda astrild) – Small numbers at Kakamega, Nakuru, and at
Masai Mara; in all we saw about 60.
BLACK-CROWNED
WAXBILL (Estrilda nonnula)
– One at Kakamega.
BLACK-CHEEKED
WAXBILL (Estrilda
erythronotos) – Two on the
slopes of the Ngong Hills.
RED-RUMPED WAXBILL
(Estrilda charmosyna) – About a dozen at Samburu.
RED-HEADED
BLUEBILL (Spermophaga
ruficapilla) – One on the
road at Kakamega.
RED-CHEEKED
CORDONBLEU (Uraeginthus
bengalus) – Widespread in
small numbers.
BLUE-CAPPED
CORDONBLEU (Uraeginthus
cyanocephalus) – A male and 2
females along the Magadi Road.
PURPLE GRENADIER
(Granatina ianthinogaster) – Two on the Magadi Road, and 2 at
Gatarakwa.
GREEN-WINGED
PYTILIA (Pytilia melba)
– We saw a striking male at Lake
Baringo.
RED-BILLED
FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta
senegala) – Widespread in
small numbers.
CUT-THROAT
(Amadina fasciata) – We saw a single male along the Magadi
Road.
ZEBRA WAXBILL
(Sporaeginthus subflavus) – Six at the Sagana rice fields.
AFRICAN QUAILFINCH
(Ortygospiza fuscocrissa) – Hard to see well, but we were lucky and
watched 7 as they fed in the open along the road at Masai
Mara.
BRONZE MANNIKIN
(Spermestes cucullatus) – Six near Thika, and 8 at Masai Mara.
BLACK-AND-WHITE
MANNIKIN (BLACK-AND-WHITE) (Spermestes
bicolor poensis) – Eight in a
field at the edge of Kakamega Forest.
Viduidae (Indigobirds)
PIN-TAILED WHYDAH (Vidua macroura) – We saw single males at lakes Baringo and
Victoria. EASTERN
PARADISE-WHYDAH (Vidua
paradisaea) – A male in
breeding plumage was seen displaying over the road to Lake
Magadi.
MAMMALS
YELLOW-WINGED BAT
(Lavia frons) – Six at Samburu.
BLUE MONKEY
(Cercopithecus mitis) – Common at Kakamega (80) and a few at
Masai Mara (15).
SYKES MONKEY
(Cercopithecus albogularis) – Common (and somewhat pesty) at Mountain
Lodge.
BLACK-CHEEKED
WHITE-NOSED MONKEY (Cercopithecus
ascanius) – Also known as
Red-tailed Monkey, we saw 6 at Kakamega, and about 8 at
Masai Mara.
BLACK-FACED VERVET
MONKEY (Cercopithecus
aethiops) – Common and
widespread especially in areas with acacia trees.
OLIVE BABOON
(Papio anubis) – Very common and widespread throughout the
tour.
MANTLED GUEREZA
(Colobus guereza) – More commnoly known as Eastern
Black-and-white Colobus, we saw them at Mountain Lodge, Naro
Moru, and Kakamega.
CAPE HARE (Lepus capensis) – Singles at Mountain Lodge, Samburu, and
Masai Mara.
UNSTRIPED GROUND
SQUIRREL (Xerus rutilus)
– Common at Samburu, and a few others
elsewhere in semi-arid country.
OCHRE BUSH
SQUIRREL (Paraxerus ochraceus)
– Twenty at Mountain Lodge, and singles
at Naro Moru and Baringo.
RED-LEGGED SUN
SQUIRREL (Heliosciurus
rufobrachium) – One at
Kakamega.
BLACK-BACKED
JACKAL (Canis mesomelas)
– Two at Samburu, 4 at Nakuru, and 6 at
Masai Mara.
LARGE-SPOTTED
GENET (Genetta tigrina)
– One at Mountain Lodge.
SLENDER MONGOOSE
(Herpestes sanguineus) – Singles near Mt. Kenya and at Samburu.
BANDED MONGOOSE
(Mungos mungo) – Several large groups at Masai Mara.
EASTERN DWARF
MONGOOSE (Helogale hirtula)
– Five at Samburu.
MARSH MONGOOSE
(Atilax paludinosus) – We saw 1 of these seldom seen nocturnal
mongoose at Mountain Lodge.
SPOTTED HYAENA
(Crocuta crocuta) – One briefly at Mountain Lodge, and then
several good looks at about 8 at Masai Mara.
LEOPARD (Panthera pardus) – Great looks this tour, with 1 at Mountain
Lodge, and then 1 up a tree at Samburu with a freshly killed
Impala.
LION (Panthera leo) – In Masai Mara we saw 2 females with about
six young ones, and also for some of us 2 large males
feeding on a buffalo.
CHEETAH (Acinonyx jubatus) – Just amazing this tour with 3 sightings
at Samburu (including 1 feeding on a Grant's Gazelle) and
then 2 more at Masai Mara.
AFRICAN ELEPHANT
(Loxodonta africana) – One at Mountain Lodge, about 50 at
Samburu, and then several great encounters at Masai Mara
where we saw a total of about 120.
ROCK HYRAX
(Procavia capensis) – Small numbers at Baringo and Nakuru.
BUSH
(YELLOW-SPOTTED) HYRAX (Heterohyrax
brucei) – Five along the
cliffs at Baringo.
TREE HYRAX
(Dendrohyrax arboreus) – Great day time looks at a mother and baby
at Naro Moru.
GREVY'S ZEBRA
(Equus grevyi) – Three of these globally threatened zebras
were seen at Samburu.
BURCHELL'S ZEBRA
(Equus burchelli) – Eight at Solio, about 200 at Nakuru, and
2000+ at Masai Mara.
BLACK RHINOCEROS
(Diceros bicornis) – Good looks along the lake-shore at
Nakuru.
WHITE RHINOCEROS
(Ceratotherium simum) – We saw 4 of these introduced rhinos at
Lake Nakuru.
WARTHOG (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) – Common and widespread in the major game
parks like Samburu and Masai Mara.
HIPPOPOTAMUS
(Hippopotamus amphibius) – Five at Baringo, and 100 at Masai Mara.
COMMON GIRAFFE
(Giraffa camelopardalis) – About 100 at Masai Mara.
RETICULATED
GIRAFFE (Giraffa reticulata)
– Forty at Samburu.
ROTHSCHILD'S
GIRAFFE (Giraffa rothschildi)
– We saw about 30 of this range
restricted species at Lake Nakuru.
BUSHBUCK (Tragelaphus scriptus) – Twenty at Mountain Lodge, and 3 at Masai
Mara.
COMMON ELAND
(Taurotragus oryx) – About 30 at Masai Mara.
AFRICAN BUFFALO
(Syncerus caffer) – About 50 at Mountain Lodge, 400 at
Nakuru, and 550 at Masai Mara.
COMMON WATERBUCK
(Kobus ellipsiprymnus) – One at Samburu.
DEFASSA WATERBUCK
(Kobus defassa) – Very common at Lake Nakuru and Masai
Mara; in all we saw about 600.
BEISA ORYX
(Oryx beisa) – Great looks at about a dozen of these
beautiful 'northern' arid country antelopes at Samburu.
TOPI (Damaliscus lunatus) – About 550 at Masai Mara.
BLUE WILDEBEEST
(Connochaetes taurinus) – Close views of 20 and more distant views
of about 2000 at Masai Mara.
KLIPSPRINGER
(Oreotragus oreotragus) – Two on the Oloololo Escarpment, Masai
Mara.
KIRK'S DIK-DIK
(Modoqua kirki) – Very common at Samburu (150) and a few
others elsewhere.
IMPALA (Aepyceros malampus) – Common and widespread with a total of
about 750.
GERENUK (Litocranius walleri) – About 60 at Samburu.
THOMSON'S GAZELLE
(Gazella thomsoni) – Fifty in the grasslands of Solio, and
then about 1200 at Masai Mara.
GRANT'S GAZELLE
(Gazella granti) – Common at Samburu (150) and about 50 at
Masai Mara.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Reptiles seen on the tour included;
Red-headed Rock Agama; these orange and turquoise lizards were fairly common along the Magadi Road, at Baringo, and at Nakuru.
Mwanza Flat-headed Agama; we saw a few of these purple and pink agama's at Masai Mara.
Blue-headed Tree Agama; 1 in the Rift Valley.
Water Monitor; 3 at Lake Baringo.
Nile Crocodile; about 10 at Samburu, 3 at Baringo, and 10 (including some huge ones) in the Mara River.
Leopard Tortoise; 4 in the Baringo area, and 1 at Nakuru.
Totals for the tour: 462 bird taxa and 48 mammal taxa