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We treasure Kenya as a prime African destination, famous for its wealth of birds and wildlife in diverse and scenic landscapes. Designed to show off East Africa’s incredible birds, as well as wildlife (Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Jackal, Genet, Zebra, Elephant, Gazelle, and more!), our route includes western Kenya’s endemic-rich Kakamega Forest, the Rift-Valley lakes of Baringo, Nakuru, and Naivasha, in combination with world-class wildlife viewing during four nights in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, part of the Serengeti Ecosystem. Direct flights to Nairobi make getting there easier now; a short flight back from the Mara with its teeming wildlife is memorable and reduces driving time at the tour’s end.

This Kenya safari can be combined with our Uganda tour in early September, a chance to see Mountain Gorilla, Shoebill, and more. It is timed for the amazing spectacle of wildebeest migration—the sight of them pouring across the Mara River trying to avoid assembled predators is unforgettable!

You are coming so far that we recommend you arrive early in Nairobi to rest up from your flight. Birding is great, right from the hotel patio!

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Tour Highlights

  • Feed and interact with Giraffes and explore the Karen Blixen Museum in Nairobi
  • Discover and incredible mix of birds and big mammals on safari drives in diverse habitats throughout this stunning country
  • Explore the Rift Valley near Lake Baringo, enjoy boat ride on lakes famous for flamingos
  • Cross the Equator!
  • Explore deep in the Kakamega Forest, watching for bright and beautiful turacos and a number of regional endemics
  • Watch for Black and White Rhinos in Lake Nakuru National Park
  • Experience Kenya’s famed Maasai Mara at the peak of wildebeest migration
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Trip Itinerary

Itineraries are guidelines; variations in itinerary may occur to account for weather, road conditions, closures, etc. and to maximize your experience.

Sat., Sept. 7 : Early Arrivals


You are coming so far that we recommend you arrive a day early in Nairobi by at least the afternoon or evening today, September 7. You are met at the airport by one of our local representatives and transferred to our hotel. You receive a quick briefing on the next day’s activities and then take time to rest and relax at the hotel. Gather informally with any other group members who have arrived early or simply join the full group the following day as we kick-start our amazing adventure.
Accommodations at the Ole Sereni Hotel

Sun., Sept. 8 : Jambo to Kenya!


Our amazing adventure officially kicks off today in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city. Whether you arrived yesterday or come in today, you are met at the airport by one of our local representatives and transferred to our hotel. Today you receive a quick briefing on tomorrow’s activities and then take time to rest and relax at the hotel. There are two restaurants, with indoor and outdoor seating in a safe and relaxing environment where you can refuel and be ready for your safari that kicks off tomorrow.
Accommodations at the Ole Sereni Hotel (B,L,D)

Mon., Sept. 9 : Giraffe Centre | Karen Blixen Museum


Our hotel is located close to the airport and lies adjacent to Nairobi National Park. You may pick up some introductory bird species on your way, like the splendidly-colored Superb Starling or the majestic Marabou Stork. Today is designed for a leisurely start to some of Nairobi’s top attractions.

After birding with our breakfast on an outdoor patio, we head off to the Giraffe Centre. This local attraction breeds the endangered Rothschild’s Giraffe and repatriates them back into the wild. We enjoy a nice lecture about the conservation work being done here. Afterwards, we get to feed and interact with the giraffes! A grand start to the trip.

Depending on how time moves, we may choose to take a short walk in the local forest sanctuary, where we enjoy a few more birds. From here we continue to the nearby Karen Blixen Museum. This historic house belonged to the author of the legendary book Out of Africa. Karen lived here between 1914 and 1931; now the whole neighborhood is named Karen Estate. We take a guided tour of the museum and house. Afterwards, we bird the museum grounds where sunbirds frequent blooming flowers before returning to our hotel. Accommodations at the Ole Sereni Airport Hotel, Nairobi (B,L,D)

Tues., Sept. 10 : Nairobi National Park—The Safari Begins!


We spend our first day of birding in this amazing park, located next to our hotel. This is one of the most unique parks in the entire world, located literally inside a major city. The park hosts a huge diversity of species in habitats ranging from forests, grasslands, wetlands, and riverine woodland. The park is almost 50 square miles, and hosts over 500 species of birds and each year the park list keeps growing.

The park is a vital and functioning ecosystem that safeguards conservation species such as Southern White Rhino and Black Rhino. We drive a network of game-viewing roads, offering us surprisingly uncrowded viewing for being so close to the city. The park hosts interesting animals including African Lion and Leopard, Common Zebra, Cape Buffalo, and Masai Giraffe. Suni, Common Eland, Black Rhino, Bohor Reedbuck, and Leopard can also be seen!

The birding is terrific here. Some species we expect to find in the park include species associated with the river and small pond areas: African Water Rail, Spotted Thick-knee, Crowned Plover, Speke’s Weaver, Yellow-crowned Bishop, and Saddle-billed Stork, as well as those of grasslands: Pangani Longclaw, Jackson’s Widowbird, Kori Bustard, Hartlaub’s Bustard, a good variety of larks including White-tailed, Foxy, Rufous-naped, and Athi Short-toed. Large acacia and other trees provide us with the chance to see Snowy Barbet, Red-throated Tit, Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, Pale Scrub White-eye, Ruppell’s Robin-chat, and a bird with a big personality, the Northern Pied Babbler.

Overhead we keep a keen eye out for raptors: Martial Eagle, African Crowned Eagle, Lappet-faced Vulture, Secretarybird, Tawny Eagle, and more. And if this is not enough, today we have the chance to see African Quail-finch, Pin-tailed Whydah, Zebra Waxbill, Harlequin Quail, Violet Wood-hoopoe, and our expert local guides help us with often-confusing species such as Nairobi (Long-billed) Pipit, Grassland Pipit, Southern Black Flycatcher, and those pesky but vocal little brown birds: Siffling (Short-winged) Cisticola, Stout Cisticola, Croaking Cisticola, and Desert Cisticola.
Accommodations at the Ole Sereni Hotel, Nairobi (B,L,D)

Wed., Sept. 11 : Lake Baringo | Rift Valley | Equator Crossing


From Nairobi, we depart early to avoid traffic and to begin our adventure into the mighty Rift Valley. We break up the drive with time to enjoy many roadside birding opportunities. The first stop is a small highland wetland at the edge of the city where we try our luck for one of the rare ducks of Kenya—the Maccoa Duck. Other species here may include Golden-winged Sunbird, African Stonechat, Hunter’s Cisticola, Malachite Sunbird, and Cape Wagtail.

It’s a MUST stop at the Rift Valley viewing point to enjoy this landscape spectacle. Your guide provides background on Kenya’s geology. We also stop at the Equator as we enjoy crossing into the Northern Hemisphere. We try a local spot for the splendid Silverbird, a species that deserves its name, from the silvery-grey color of its back. Other possible roadside birds include the graceful White-bellied Go-away-bird and Dark Chanting-Goshawk. Big troops of Olive Baboon occur along the roadside.

We have snacks, and plan to arrive in Baringo for a late lunch. Settle in, and enjoy a break and some late-afternoon birding around the hotel. There are many Hippo in the Baringo area so we take special precautions here as they roam far and wide by night.

Our lodge is a simple but exciting facility located on the shores of Lake Baringo. The rooms are large enough and have modern facilities, despite being in a remote part of the country. It is quite common to find Common Ostrich and Grey Crowned Crane sneaking behind your room. Dawn here is phenomenal—witness the sun rise over the calm lake waters, right behind your room. Being at the shoreline, our boat ride starts at our door step, and this makes for a nice wake up activity. The lodge also has a nice swimming pool, where you can spend a few hours cooling off after a great sunny bird walk. Around the lodge grounds, birds light up the atmosphere with their beautiful sounds and you are likely entertained by a dazzling male Beautiful Sunbird or the rhythmic mimic song of a Spotted Palm (Morning) Thrush.
Accommodations at the Baringo-Tumbili Cliff Lodge (B,L,D)

Thurs., Sept. 12 : Lake Baringo | Lake Bogoria


This morning we make an early morning trip to Lake Bogoria. This beautiful soda lake is located on the Rift Valley floor and regularly hosts one of the biggest congregations of both Lesser and Greater Flamingos in the world, a spectacle you may have seen in the movie, Out of Africa. We spend the morning here enjoying many waterbirds and woodland species, too. We also keep an eye out for one of the rare mammals that calls this area home—the Greater Kudu. We should find Warthog, perhaps territorial Dik-Dik, Grant’s Gazelle, and Zebra.

We enjoy lunch here and then continue birding for the afternoon around the neighboring woodland between Lake Bogoria and Lake Baringo. We also explore some local cliffs (great for a geology lesson) that often host exciting owls and nightjars. Driving around the lake we may pick up sightings of Heuglin’s Courser, Black-headed Plover, Jackson’s Hornbill, Hemprich’s Hornbill, Northern Red Bishop, White-backed Night-Heron, Spotted Thick-knee, Senegal Thick-knee, perhaps African Pygmy Kingfisher, and flocks of feeding birds that could include Blue-capped Cordon-bleu, Crimson-rumped Waxbill, African Citril, and White-bellied Canary.

The list of other birds to expect here is long, and may include owls and raptors: the Greyish Eagle-Owl, African Scops-Owl, Northern White-faced Scops-Owl, Tawny Eagle, Shikra, and Verreaux’s Eagle. Forests are attractive to barbets, woodpeckers, and mixed flocks and in them we may find Red-and-yellow Barbet, D’Arnaud’s Barbet, Black-throated Barbet, Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Brubru, Grey-headed Bushshrike, Sulphur-breasted Bush-Shrike, Three-streaked Tchagra, Gambaga Flycatcher, Woodland Kingfisher, Bearded Woodpecker, Nubian Woodpecker, and more. We are thankful for our local experts that help us sort out the abundant and varied weaver clan, today perhaps finding Little Weaver, Village Weaver, Golden-backed Weaver, Northern Masked Weaver, and White-billed Buffalo-Weaver. Meet the group of birds that rivals our hummingbirds for beauty— possible today are both Beautiful and Shining Sunbirds. Cliffs attract Brown-tailed Rock Chat and Mocking Cliff-Chat and ubiquitous are Ruppell’s Starling and Bristle-crowned Starling. What a day!

We return to our lodge with time to change, meet for a lovely dinner and of course, tally up our wildlife and bird sightings for the day.
Accommodations at the Baringo-Tumbili Cliff Lodge (B,L,D)

Fri., Sept. 13: Lake Baringo to Kakamega Forest via Kerio Valley


We start the day with a boat ride on Lake Baringo in search of birds like African Jacana, Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Black Crake, Striated Heron, Goliath Heron, Little Bittern, Purple Heron, Lesser Swamp Warbler, and White-faced Whistling Duck. The boat ride experience also helps us enjoy the beauty of the lake and see the stunning African Fish Eagle advertising their territories.

From here we continue across the western wall of the Rift Valley, into the scenic Kerio Valley. We enjoy birding stops on this route, looking for specialties including the spectacular White-crested Turaco, Red-headed Bluebill, Grey-throated Barbet, Gambaga Flycatcher, Bearded Woodpecker, Rufous Chatter, African Emerald Cuckoo, and Boran Cisticola.

This is largely a travel day and by day’s end we end up in Kakamega Forest where our wonderful birding lodge awaits and our birding adventure expands greatly. On arrival, we can bird and explore around the lodge, located inside the forest. Garden birds here may include the spectacular Great Blue Turaco and the majestic African Crowned Eagle. We also scan the forest patch surrounding the lodge, as well as the roadside habitat. More species likely here include Chubb’s Cisticola, Mackinnon’s Fiscal, Joyful Greenbul, Grey-winged Robin, Tambourine Dove, Yellow-billed Barbet, and Bocage’s Bush-Shrike.

Our beautiful lodge is a small facility located in the heart of this beautiful forest. At the cool restaurant, we are served various delicacies by the dedicated lodge team. On the lodge grounds, the beautiful White-browed Robin-Chat keeps us entertained with their songs and you may get a photo or two as one hops in front of your cottage. The grounds are lush and green and form a welcome atmosphere to take a leisurely walk or just relax on a lawn. Being a small facility means that most of the day is spent with minimal guests and thus maintains the private touch of being in the forest.
Accommodations at the Kakamega-Rondo Retreat (B,L,D)

Sat., Sept. 14 & Sun. Sept. 15 : Two Full Days in Kenya’s Kakamega Forest


This is an important part of our trip as we sample Kenya’s famed biodiversity. We have two days to explore this easternmost forest in the famous Guinea-Congolian Equatorial Forest. The bird diversity here is just breathtaking and there are a good number of birds that occur here that are not easy to find in other parts of the Equatorial Forest, such as the rare Turner’s Eremomela. The forest has several micro-habitats that we explore during our stay here. These include: primary forest, roadside openings, grassland patches, and wetlands (including swamps and rivers). We also explore the neighboring farmlands and guava plantations that surround the forest.

This region is known for its colorful species, some shared with the mountains of neighboring Uganda. See Great Blue Turaco, Red-headed Malimbe, Bar-tailed Trogon, Luhder’s Bush-Shrike, and widespread but colorful species such as African Emerald and Klaas’s Cuckoo. It is a wild region, with raptors like African Crowned Eagle. Robin-chats may come down to feed on forest paths: Blue-shouldered and Snowy-headed and the forest rings with calls of barbets: Hairy-breasted, Yellow-spotted, and Yellow-billed. Colorful sunbirds include Green and Green-throated. Fruiting trees draw in woodpeckers, which may include Brown-eared and Yellow-crested Woodpeckers. In the lush forest canopy we find Blue-headed Bee-eater, and three species of wattle-eye: Common, Jameson’s, and Yellow-bellied.

There are also an assortment of monkeys to enjoy in this beautiful forest, such as the Mau Forest Guereza Colobus Monkey, Stuhlmann’s Blue Monkey, and Schmidt’s Red-tailed Monkey.
Accommodations at the Kakamega-Rondo Retreat (B,L,D)

Mon., Sept. 16 : Lake Nakuru National Park


We take one last walk in Kakamega Forest this morning before we set off. We then continue back towards the Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru. Along the way, we enjoy several birding stops, including a highland swamp that often hosts Lesser Jacana. Other birds may include the African Marsh-Harrier, Malachite Sunbird, Golden-winged Sunbird, Levaillant’s Cisticola, Streaky Seedeater, Baglafecht Weaver, and Red-knobbed Coot.

Eventually, we arrive at the famous Lake Nakuru. This park is a stronghold for numerous mammals, including both Southern White and Black Rhinos. It is an excellent place to see tree-climbing Lion and a beautiful landscape to witness numerous grazing mammals in a variety of habitats. Nakuru is also a true mega destination for birders, and was the first park in Africa to be set aside as a bird sanctuary. The afternoon game drive today passes quickly as we make our way around the lake.

Our lodge is up on a hillside overlooking the water. Lake Nakuru is a beautiful soda lake located in the heart of the Rift Valley. The lake has long been known for its vibrant population of Lesser Flamingo, but for the last decade, it has flooded quite significantly causing reduced flamingo numbers. The lake is surrounded by beautiful Yellow-barked Acacia woodland, which often shows soda-water staining on dry stems. Rivers flow into the lake from all directions, with the famous Makalia River forming a small waterfall on the southeastern end of the lake. These fresh-water rivers provide drinking water for the animals that live here.

Our lodge grounds host beautiful species such as the iridescent Greater Blue-eared Starling and the rare Schalow’s (Abyssinian) Wheatear. Dawn choruses are often the work of the beautiful White-browed Robin-Chat. Tonight we dine with beautiful views of Lake Nakuru and the surrounding park.
Accommodations at Nakuru-Sopa Lodge (B,L,D)

Tues., Sept. 17 : Lake Nakuru National Park


The sunrise here is a breathtaking sight. Awake this morning to witness the sunrise from the eastern end of the park, revealing bright red hues. Today we enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in Lake Nakuru National Park. Habitats we explore vary from the Acacia woodlands to riverine woodland, open grassland savannah, rocky cliff sides, and lake shores. In the heat of the day, we take a break and take in the views from the lodge and watch for birds right around our rooms.

Birds are varied and may include woodland species like Nubian Woodpecker, Nyanza Swift, Arrow-marked Babbler, Lilac-breasted Roller, Little Rock-Thrush, Mocking Cliff Chat, White-browed Robin-Chat, Plain-backed Pipit, Yellow-throated Longclaw, White-fronted Bee-eater, Little Bee-eater, Coqui Francolin, Hildebrandt's Francolin, Plain Martin, African Cuckoo, Black Cuckoo, Levaillant’s Cuckoo, Grey-crested Helmetshrike, Brimstone Canary, Dusky and Montane Nightjars, and Abyssinian Wheatear.

Wetland birds include Woolly-necked Stork, Red-billed Teal, Cape Teal, Hottentot Teal, Pink-backed Pelican, Great White Pelican, Pied Avocet, Kittlitz's Plover, Three-banded Plover, Blacksmith Plover, African Darter, and Reed Cormorant.

Yellow-fever Acacia are stately and picturesque along the lakeshore; we watch their spreading limbs closely for resting Leopard. Many other special mammals occur here and as we drive, we watch for Common Eland, Grant’s Gazelle, Defassa Waterbuck; and the endangered Rothschild’s Giraffe. Cliff habitats hold large troops of Baboon and other monkeys are possible.
Accommodations in Nakuru-Sopa Lodge (B,L,D)

Wed., Sept. 18 : Boat Ride on Lake Naivasha | Drive to Maasai Mara


We are up and out early this morning, and as we exit Lake Nakuru National Park we proceed to another nearby lake. We enjoy more birds at the beautiful Lake Naivasha, another lake inside the Rift Valley. This is the highest lake along this stretch of the Rift Valley, and is famed for being quite cool. The birds here are excellent and we can expect species such as Mosque Swallow, Lyne’s Cisticola, Chestnut Sparrow, Abyssinian Wheatear, Nyanza Swift, Mottled Swift, White-fronted Bee-eater, Mocking Cliff Chat, Bearded Woodpecker, Plain-backed Pipit, Giant Kingfisher, Grey-backed Fiscal, Grey-crested Helmet-Shrike, Brimstone Canary, Cape Teal, Pied Avocet, Black Heron, Goliath Heron, Lesser Flamingo, Great White Pelican, Common Greenshank, Ruff, Green Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, Hildebrandt’s Francolin, Arrow-marked Babbler, Black-lored Babbler, African Fish Eagle, Verreaux’s Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Osprey, Hybrid Lovebird, Red-throated Wryneck, Golden-breasted Bunting, Buff-bellied Warbler, Grey Crowned Crane, Black Cuckoo, and Hoopoe.

We then board our boat and keep watch for the graceful displays of the African Fish Eagle and all the other wonders this lake offers.

Once we arrive back on land, we start our journey towards Masai Mara, the climax of our tour. We have lunch en route, aiming to arrive at the Mara later in the afternoon. We are on the lookout for long lines of wildebeest, pouring into the region.

Our camp is located on the Northern end of the beautiful Masai Mara National Reserve along the beautiful Talek River. The camp’s swimming pool is a welcome relaxation station after a nice game drive in the reserve. The rooms are designed with a feel of the local Masai Culture and create a beautiful ambience. The rooms are tented, but still contain all amenities of a conventional lodge room. The fresh air flowing into your room from the surrounding nature makes it a homey setting. The camp’s lush grounds are often active with birds, such as the musical Common Drongo and the beautiful Grey-headed Bush-Shrike. The beautiful lounge area also offers a nice place to relax. The modern, yet safari-styled restaurant offers delicious meals.
Accommodations at Mara-Mara Leisure Camp (B,L,D)

Thurs. Sept. 19 – Sat. Sept. 21 : Three Full Days in Kenya’s Famed Maasai Mara


We spend the next three days exploring this amazing place. This is arguably the top conservation area in Africa, and its fame has been amplified by the numerous films done here. The annual Masai Mara-Serengeti Wildebeest migration is a spectacle that has made this place more famous and is often regarded as the Eighth Wonder of the World. These massive herds march across the plains like an army headed to battle. Hot on their heels are many other animals, mainly Common Zebra and an array of carnivores that don’t let the buffet pass by unnoticed. The Masai Mara is managed as a national reserve and hosts some of the top mammal populations in Africa. Our photographers delight in marvelous views of many species. The Mara forms the northernmost limit of the diverse Serengeti Ecosystem.

We enjoy game drives here scouting the vast savannah grassland and the riverine vegetation around the great plains. Though much of our Mara time we focus on mammals, many birds are also spotted here, including the Southern Ground-Hornbill, Rufous-bellied Heron, Pennant-winged Nightjar, Square-tailed Nightjar, Dusky Nightjar, stunning Schalow’s Turaco, Grey-crested Helmetshrike, Red-necked Spurfowl, Red-winged Francolin, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Rufous-chested Swallow, Lappet-faced Vulture, Brown Snake-Eagle, White-headed Vulture, Ruppell’s Vulture, Secretarybird, Grey Kestrel, Temminck’s Courser, Rosy-breasted Longclaw, Green-capped Eremomela, Black Coucal, African Quailfinch, Kori Bustard, Bush Pipit, Melodious Lark, Flappet Lark, Athi Short-toed Lark, Rufous-tailed Weaver, Grey-capped Social Weaver, Karamoja Apalis, Black-backed Cisticola, Long-tailed Cisticola, Pale Wren-Warbler, Usambiro Barbet, Familiar Chat, Sooty Chat, African Wattled Plover, Woolly-necked Stork, Saddle-billed Stork, and Magpie Shrike.

Mammals are in great abundance and we can expect all members of the “African Big 5:” African Lion, Cape Buffalo, Black Rhino, Africa Elephant, and Leopard. Other mammals include Nile Hippo, Topi, Common Eland, Common Zebra, Masai Giraffe, Blue Wildebeest, Thompson’s Gazelle, Cheetah, Spotted Hyena, Black-backed Jackal, and Grant’s Gazelle. We also scan the rivers for the massive and pre-historic Nile Crocodile.
Accommodations at the Mara-Mara Leisure Camp (B,L,D)

Sun., Sept. 22 : Flight from Maasai Mara to Nairobi | Evening Departures


On this final morning we take a short game drive to the local airstrip to catch our flight to Nairobi. On arrival we are transferred to a local restaurant for lunch and then spend some refreshing time at our hotel, where we have booked day rooms for you to shower and freshen up before your international flights home. We are transferred to the airport this evening, marking the end to our phenomenal tour. (B,L)

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    Lions

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    Migrating Wildebeest

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    Wildlife in Lake Nakuru National Park

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    Exploring the Market by Peg Abbott

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    Baglafecht Weaver by Robert Hill

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    Elephant

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    African Wood Owl

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    Hippo

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    Cheetah

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    Giraffes at sunset

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    Greater Flamingoes on Lake Nakuru

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    Storm Brewing on Maasai Mara

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    Leopard in Maasai Mara

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    Southern Ground Hornbill by Washington Wachira

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    Male Impala in Nairobi National Park

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    Red-headed Rock Agama

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    Lion Cub

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    African Fish Eagle

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    Wildebeest in Maasai Mara

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    Samango Monkey in Kakamega Forest

Cost of the Journey

Cost of this 15-Day / 14-Night Kenya Safari is $TBD DBL / $TBD SGL per person. This cost includes accommodations for 14 nights, all meals as noted in the itinerary (B,L,D), all land transportation, game park and other entry fees, boat rides on Lakes Naivasha and Baringo, and the one-way internal flight from Maasai Mara to Nairobi.

Tour cost does not include: transportation from your home city to Nairobi, optional activities, or items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone charges, gratuities for guides, lodges and drivers, or beverages from the bar. Costs exclude: International airfare; personal, medical, cancellation insurance; tips for guides, drivers, and lodges.

Travel Details

Please plan to make air travel plans only after the minimum group size has been met. We will send you a confirmation email as soon as the trip has been confirmed.

Arrival and Departure Airport: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi

Arrival Details: Please plan flights to arrive September 8, 2024 at your leisure. We encourage you to arrive a day early, on September 7, to rest up from your travels.

Departure Details: Please plan flights to depart September 22, 2024 after 5:00 PM.

Travel Tips: If you arrive early to rest up from your travels, you can book an early night at our first night tour hotel, the Ole Sereni Hotel. You can book online and send us the confirmation number, with the goal being you won’t have to switch rooms. The hotel is a great place to unwind and relax after a long flight. The patio has a nice view of Nairobi National Park and there are two restaurants, a bar, and a pool. Birding is really good right from the patio.

Visa Requirements: US citizens traveling to Kenya need a visa, which can be applied for easily through the country’s eVisa portal.

Browse below for trip reports and species lists from past versions of this and other tours from this destination.

Kenya

  • Jon Atwood

    Jon Atwood recently retired from his position as Director of Bird Conservation for Mass Audubon, where his work focused on grassland birds and full-life cycle conservation of Roseate and Least terns. He has been a practicing ornithologist and conservation biologist for more than 40 years, using behavioral studies of rare and endangered bird species to inform conservation planning. After completing his master’s and doctoral degrees in Southern California, where he studied Santa Cruz Island Scrub-Jay behavior, Least Tern breeding biology, and the taxonomy of gnatcatchers living in the deserts of North America, he moved to the East Coast in 1986. Building on his experience as a Master bird-bander, he worked at Manomet Bird Observatory and collaborated in the analysis of the first 30 years of Manomet’s landbird banding program. He also spearheaded federal protection of the California Gnatcatcher under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, led a long-term study of factors affecting Least Tern colony site selection, and contributed to early studies of Bicknell’s Thrush in New England. After leaving Manomet, Jon directed the Conservation Biology program at Antioch New England Graduate School where he taught Ornithology, Research Design, and GIS while mentoring more than 70 master’s and doctoral students. Jon has led field trips in Mexico (Yucatan and Baja California), Costa Rica, Belize, the Galapagos, the Amazon basin of Ecuador and Peru, Kenya, Southern California, Southeastern Arizona, Montana, and Maine.

    Other trips with Jon Atwood

Map for Kenya Wildlife Safari

Essential Information +

This information is important for being prepared for your journey; we want you to have Read more

This information is important for being prepared for your journey; we want you to have the best experience possible. If you only read one section, this one is key!

Ahead of Your Tour

  • Make sure your passport is valid for six months after your scheduled return to the U.S. Your passport should have the required number of blank pages per stamp. If you are from another country, please contact the Kenya embassy website for guidelines.
  • Obtain your VISA for Kenya. US citizens traveling to Kenya need a visa, which can be applied for easily through the country’s eVisa portal.
  • Please check current CDC recommendations for travel to Kenya and consult with your doctor about general travel vaccinations you should have as precaution for travel. See the “General Health and Inoculations” section below.
  • Travel insurance in case of serious medical emergency is strongly recommended. Full health coverage and repatriation is available through Allianz Travel Insurance.
  • Make your international flight reservations to arrive into and depart from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya. Please send your flight details to 
  • Make sure you select a duffle bag or large tote to store some of your luggage in Arusha if you wish to do so while we are on safari. This is mainly for those traveling to other areas that have clothing or items not needed on safari (or for our avid shoppers!).

Arrival into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi, Kenya

Please note: If you are delayed in travel, please refer to your emergency contact list, and contact your ground operator, with a back-up to our office. You may also phone or text your guide. Quite a few guides will set up a WhatsApp connection as an additional way to reach them.

We will coordinate your pick-ups close to your departure with operators and guides once we have all travelers completed travel information. Please make sure we have both your ARRIVAL and DEPARTURE information, so they can plan this.  It is imperative that we have your correct TRAVEL information; we appreciate if you email us a copy of your flight reservation. They will check internet for your updated flight information. We advise that you bring your eContact list of hotels for use at immigration as well.

Please check the Travel Details section of this tour for additional information and updates.

Departure from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi, Kenya

Please plan flights to depart out of Nairobi after 5:00 PM.

Please check the Travel Details section of this tour for additional information and updates.

Passports, Visas & Documents

You must have a passport that is in good condition and is valid for six months after your scheduled return to the U.S. Please check that expiration date! You should have at least one blank page per stamp. The blank pages need to say “Visas” at the top. Pages marked “Amendments and Endorsements” will not be accepted. If you are from another country, please contact the Kenya embassy website for guidelines. Information for U.S. citizens can be found at:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Kenya.html

A Visa is required for U.S. travelers to Kenya. You may obtain this by using Kenya's Electronic Visa Application System. It can take up to two days for your eVisa to be available on your eVisa account. You must provide your completed eVisa printout with your passport when you enter the country. While we make recommendations, conditions and timing for visa applications change frequently and compliance is the traveler's responsibility.

As a precaution for lost or misplaced documents you carry on your person during travel, we highly recommend you keep hard and digital backup copies on your phone (either photo or PDF scan), as well as a hard copy left with your emergency contact at home. The recommended important documents to copy include, but are not limited to; your passport ID page, travel visa, the front and back of your credit card(s), the airline barcode on your luggage. This will greatly expedite getting new ones if necessary – we hope everyone will always keep travel documents close so that losing them will not be an issue.  

General Health & Inoculations Information – Be Prepared!

We will share your health information with your guide. This information will be kept confidential but is very important as we want to be best prepared in case of a medical emergency. 

Malaria: Going to Africa requires some medical cautions; You will need medication to prevent malaria.

Vaccinations/Certifications: Bring all vaccination certifications with you. They are required for entry into some African countries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all travelers be up to date with routine vaccinations and basic travel vaccines (such as Hepatitis A and Typhoid) before traveling to any destination. Several other vaccines are commonly recommended for travelers to Africa including those against Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Yellow fever, Rabies and Meningitis. The best choice of vaccines for your trip depends on many individual factors.

Yellow Fever: At the time of writing, the U.S. Department of State is reporting for Kenya, “You should have proof of yellow fever immunizations, or you may be denied entry.” You should discuss the vaccine with your doctor to see what is recommended for you and if your health allows it. Your doctor might propose recommendations customized to your personal medical history. If you and your doctor determine the vaccine is right for you, then you will be given a Yellow Fever Card, also called an International Certificate of Vaccination. Keep this on you so it’s easy to find at arrival.

If you and your doctor agree that the vaccination is not right for you, then have your doctor provide you with an official vaccination waiver. The waiver should be on a business letterhead paper, signed and dated by your doctor, stamped using the doctor’s official yellow fever vaccination stamp, and clearly state the medical reason why you cannot get the vaccine. Also have this letter on you so you can provide to the local official at entry.

Additional information is available at: https://www.cdc.gov/yellowfever/maps/index.html.

There are occasional reports of Dengue Fever in lower elevation areas, for which there is no vaccine. Dengue Fever, Zika, and other diseases are contacted by mosquito bites so be sure to use mosquito repellant containing DEET or Picaridin. Travelers can reduce their risk of disease by protecting themselves from mosquito bites inl ower elevation areas by using protective clothing.

Please check with your doctor for recommendations well in advance, at least 4-6 weeks if not more, before departing on your trip, as some vaccines require multiple doses or take time to become effective before you depart. 

The Centers for Disease Control website is a helpful resource. You may also reach them by phone at (800) CDC-INFO.

Prescriptions and Allergies: It is a good idea to pack any meds you take regularly in your carry-on luggage.  Bring an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses. Bring an adequate supply of any prescription medications you use, a copy of the prescription and a list of generic names of your medicines as “back-up” in case it is necessary to purchase drugs while abroad.  You’ll want to keep medications in their original, labeled containers.  It is also recommended to carry with you an up-to-date record of known allergies, chronic medical problems and Medic Alerts so that, if necessary, emergency treatment can be carried out without endangering your health. The roads can be very dusty which may trigger allergies or breathing difficulties. If this is your concern, please bring your allergy and/or asthma medication. If you have severe allergies talk to your doctor about carrying an EpiPen and notify your guides.

Common Ailments: We recommend that you bring a travel-sized first aid kit and a supply of standard over-the-counter medications for common ailments (such as upset stomach, headache, motion sickness, diahhrea, minor scrapes, bug bites, etc.)

Weather & Climate

At night and on early morning game drives, temperatures average 50-60°F.  Daytime temperatures should range from 75-85°F depending on cloud cover and elevation.

Annoyances & Hazards

Mosquitoes can occur; therefore, a supply of insect repellent containing DEET is essential. There can also be poisonous snakes and insects, though encountering them is rare.  Do listen carefully to any advice given by your local guide. And remember the sun is strong and be prepared with proper protection.

Food & Drinks

A wide variety of food will be available, with choices to accommodate most dietary requirements. You will find good variety, often buffet-style at the larger lodges and family-style at our tented camps.

Meals are provided from local chefs that take pride in their food and include fresh local foods in the menu. However, everyone has their own inherent tolerance for new foods or local fruits and vegetables – if you are sensitive err on the side of caution and look for cooked vegetables and fruit you can peel. Your guide will keep you well informed. When trying any fresh foods, go easy and see how it goes. If you start to have problems, medicate right away rather than wait for them to clear up – catching this early is key.

For everyone, a round of antibiotics such as Cipro (or whatever your doctor recommends) is good to have with you to get right on it should you have stomach ailment or distress. When trying any fresh foods, go easy and see how it goes. If you start to have problems, medicate right away rather than wait for them to clear up – catching this early is key.

The CDC considers tap water in Kenya unafe to drink. Bottle water/drinks and hot drinks that’ve boiled are safe to drink. We urge you to use only bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth. We will provide bottled water in the vehicles. We will also bring purification filters you can use to refill bottles when possible, to cut down on use of plastics. There are water bottles now with filters that are great for travel. Water-to-Go water purification filter bottle will remove 99.9% of contaminates, bacteria, and viruses and is sold on Amazon for about $40. Another option is a SteriPen which uses UV to purify in seconds.

Packing, Clothing & Laundry

Please, pack light.  Pack your personal medication, airline tickets, passport, binoculars, camera, and other essential items in your carry-on. Dress is very informal and comfortable throughout the trip. You may wish to change for dinners, but casual dress is suitable at all locations. Our larger lodges have a pool so do pack a bathing suit if you enjoy a swim.

We recommend muted colors of tan, brown, khaki, grey or green while on safari, as they are spotted less easily than white or bright colors. Please wear long sleeves during forest walks, as there may be some plants with poisonous leaves. Importantly, do not wear camouflage clothing as in some cases it is illegal to wear in Kenya.  

Ask your guide for laundry availability at the hotels and lodges. You may wish to pack clothing that is easy to hand wash and fast drying for washing in your room. 

TRAVEL TIP: Imagine NOT getting your suitcase. Wear your most important shoes for the field, have one day’s clothing change, and a change of underwear!

Do Not Bring Single-Use Plastic Bags. Plastic bags are banned in Kenya. If you wish to bring a bag for laundry, shoes, etc., we advise a lightweight nylon bag, packing cube, or reusable cloth tote as a substitute. We suggest a reusable toiletry bag in place of a Ziploc-style bag. Violations of the ban could result in fines or even imprisonment, so please double-check your luggage before you leave!

Spending Money

On this trip, you will not need to exchange much money since you can pay with U.S. dollars. We recommend that you bring enough cash to cover the majority of your spending needs. Bring crisp, unsoiled U.S. dollars in SMALL denominations ($1 - $20). Bills must be printed after 2006 and in good condition. Larger bills, like $50s and $100s, are hard to break. Bills in poor condition, dirty, torn, etc. might be rejected.

The Kenyan Shilling (KES) is the basic unit of currency in Kenya. Notes are 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 shillings and coins are 50 cents and 1, 5, 10, 20, and 40 shillings. U.S. dollars are an accepted form of payment in most circumstances.

Credit cards are accepted (but not as widely as in the USA) at some hotels and your lodges should take them. Credit cards are not as commonly accepted in rural areas. In villages where you buy handicrafts, you will need cash. Even if you do not intend on using a credit card during your trip, we still recommend you bring one or two as backup. We suggest you have more than one card available. You may want to bring more than one brand of card (one Visa, and one MasterCard), if possible. Not every shop will accept every card. Please advise your bank or credit card company that you will be traveling to Tanzania to avoid questions, card freezes, or charges.

During the adventure, if you choose to get local currency, the easiest way is with a local ATM. For the current exchange rate, please refer to an online converter tool like www.xe.com or your bank. ATMs will give you a better rate on changing money. There are ATM machines readily available in large cities and become less available in rural areas. Also note that outside of larger cities, ATMs may only take local bank cards. The ATM will give you local money and your bank will convert that into U.S. dollars. Many banks charge a fee of $1 - $5 each time you use a foreign ATM. Others may charge you a percentage of the amount you withdraw. Check with your bank before departure. You must become familiar with how to use your ATM card and PIN number ahead of the journey. ATMs may not always be reliable so you may want to keep a cash reserve on hand. Hotels, lodges, and camps can also change money.

Many people ask how much money to plan to bring for spending money. Part of that depends on how much you want to shop. Typical items people purchase include local souvenirs and T-shirts, carvings, beads, textiles, artworks, drinks before or with dinner, maps, and natural history books. There are MANY temptations, available at the lodges and at all our “rest stops” (the only places to find clean bathrooms). Many will ship if you buy larger items. You may spend more than you think you might.

Traveler’s checks are not widely accepted. They can be difficult to exchange. We do not advise you that you bring them.

Gratuities

Tipping is optional and completely at your discretion. If you would like to show our appreciation to your guides, lodge and hotel staff or anyone associated with this tour, it is entirely appropriate. Know that they appreciate anything you care to give and of course you can do more if you wish! Lodges normally have a box for tips that the staff share, and hotels you would just tip the maids as you do at home. We hope that you will be pleased with all professional services.

Here is a standard suggestion for tipping on birding trips:

  • Birding tour guide: US $10.00 - $15.00 per day per guest
    Note: If there is more than one guide, this can be split among them, so that is a total, per person, per day
  • Tour driver if different from guide: US $5.00 - $7.00 per person/day
  • Lodge staff: US $6.00 - $10.00 per day per guest
  • Transfer (airport shuttle) driver: US $2.00 - $3.00 per person
  • Hotel & international airport bellmen: US $1.00 per suitcase

Cell Phones & Internet Service

If you plan on using your cell phone on this trip, please check with your wireless provider to see if your phone and service will work in your destination country. Ask for “international roaming” to be turn on your phone. Or you can buy a local SIM card at the airport and insert this in your mobile phone (just make certain your phone can accept one). Renting an international phone may also be an option. 

If your phone can connect to Wi-Fi, you may be able to make voice and video calls free of charge. Please contact your cell phone provider for further details. Another option if you have access to Wi-Fi, is to use smartphone apps like WhatsApp to send text messages, and make voice calls, or video calls. Many smartphones, tablets, or laptops come with one of these apps pre-installed or you can download for free. If bringing a laptop or tablet, get a good dustcover to protect it at all times.

Make sure if you do NOT want to use your cell phone that you turn off your cellular data. You could incur huge charges if you are not on Wi-Fi. Putting your phone in airplane mode if you mainly use it for photos will save the battery as well.

Your hotels and most local restaurants provide Wi-Fi at least in their common areas. Although it is generally a reliable service, it can be affected by adverse weather conditions due to the remote location.

Please refrain from taking or making cell phone calls in the vehicles when traveling with other passengers, unless it appears to be an emergency. This disrupts other guests, plan on cell phone call use on your own time.

Electricity

Electricity in Kenya is 240 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. The associated plug type is G, which is the plug that has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern. Most modern appliances now convert for you but check that your cord has a box on it to do so, or is labeled to do so, or make sure you bring along a voltage converter.

At your remote lodges, there will be a generator to supply electricity. It may only run during limited hours. You might want to bring 2 batteries for items like your camera, so you can use one while the other is charging. Throughout the night, a continuous electricity supply is not always guaranteed.

If your appliance plug has a different shape, you may need a plug adapter. More information can be found at www.power-plugs-sockets.com.

Time

Kenya is in the Eastern Africa time zone (EAT) – GMT +3 hrs – with no daylight savings time.  A useful resource for checking international time is www.timeanddate.com.

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone at our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey!

 

Pace & Protocols +

Pace of the Tour & What to Expect You will receive a Schedule-at-a-Glance and list of Read more

Pace of the Tour & What to Expect

You will receive a Schedule-at-a-Glance and list of hotels (our eContact List) a few weeks before your departure. This will serve as an outline for each day and alert you to any recent changes made in the schedule or to our hotels, if needed.

Our journeys are set up to follow the rhythm of nature. Our focus is on birding and nature; we offer full, well-planned field days and often get up early for that magical time around dawn. We generally follow the published itinerary, but we stay flexible to the weather, wildlife opportunities and the interests of the group. Your guide will keep you apprised of the next day’s schedule at each evening meal, noting what to bring and what to prepare for. Questions and/or concerns are welcome.

The pace of our Naturalist Journeys tours is moderate; to fully participate you should be able to get in and out of vehicles several times a day, and walk 1-3 miles over uneven terrain. It is important to participate with a flexible attitude as adjustments may be made in our schedule to make the most of our time in the field or for other purposes at your guide's discretion. We are not a “listing” bird company that drills down on target species, but at times we do wait for those special species unique to the places we visit. During the day, we take time to stop for photos and for educational opportunities to learn about conservation projects, landscapes, and geology. We appreciate other taxa as well as birds, with mammals often the biggest draw but plants and butterflies are also very popular. Our clients often lend their own expertise to the mix.

We like to make meals a fun and memorable part of the experience, too. Breakfasts are often at hotels, and we carry snacks, fruit, and water in the vans each day. Lunches are a mix of picnics in the field (weather dependent) and a chance to dine with locals at small cafes and restaurants. For dinner, we pride ourselves in our homework to keep up with the best choices for dining, choosing restaurants with atmosphere that specialize in local foods. On occasion we keep dinner simple to go back out in the field for sunset wildlife viewing or night walks. In some remote locations, our choices are limited. If you are tired, room service for dinner may be an option you can choose.

Naturalist Journeys International Trips: Guide Role

Naturalist Journeys supports ecotourism and the development of excellent local guides. Once we know our international partners and guides well, we can send out small groups working directly with these trusted partners, adding a Naturalist Journeys guide to assist the local expert when we have a group of 6-7 or more. This helps us keep your costs down while retaining tour quality. The local guide is your main guide. You can expect your Naturalist Journeys guide to be well-researched and often they are experienced in the destination, but their role is not to be primary, it is to help to organize logistics, help you find birds, mammals, and interesting other species in the field, keep reports, help facilitate group interactions, and to keep the trip within Naturalist Journeys' style. Local guides live in the countries we travel to, know the destinations intimately, and are often the strongest force for conservation in their countries. They open many doors for us to have a rich experience.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle or in any situation where the group is participating in an activity together, such as a vehicle excursion or a guided walk. Please respect all designated smoking areas at hotels and restaurants.

Transportation

As a courtesy to each other, we ask that all travelers please rotate seating. On international trips we may all be in one small bus, on some trips we are in vans, particularly the roomy Sprinter Vans when available. Some areas require us to be in smaller 4-wheel drive or safari vehicles. Rotation allows you to sit with different drivers and alternate front and back seating.

Photo Release & Sharing

We take many group photos and will share photos with the group. And after your tour, we will organize a chance to share photos via Dropbox or Google Photos. Please note that this is our policy and if you prefer to be excluded, we need to know ahead of your tour.

By registering for this tour, you agree to grant to Naturalist Journeys and its authorized representatives’ permission to record on photography film and/or video, pictures of my participation in the tour. You further agree that any or all of the material photographed may be used, in any form, as part of any future publications, brochure, or other printed materials used to promote Naturalist Journeys, and further that such use shall be without payment of fees, royalties, special credit or other compensation.

Travel Insurance

You are traveling in remote areas. Naturalist Journeys strongly recommends you have full medical and evacuation insurance from a company such as Allianz, for all international travel. If you do not have medical coverage or evacuation coverage on your existing travel insurance policy or for some reason elected not to take that out, we advise getting an evacuation plan with Global Rescue, World Nomads, Medjet, Allianz (they can do evacuation only) or a similar company. These plans are typically $300-$400 for a year for multiple destinations. This coverage may be a part of a larger Travel Insurance policy but can also be purchased on its own.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey.

 

Packing List +

Please Pack Light! Soft luggage is much easier for us to pack than a more rigid Read more

Please Pack Light!

Soft luggage is much easier for us to pack than a more rigid hard sided piece, so if you have the choice, please use your soft luggage. Be sure to have your name and address on the inside of the bag, as well as on the luggage tag on the handle. It is our hope that you can pack in one checked suitcase that does not exceed 45 pounds. Be sure to pack your personal medication, airline tickets, passport, binoculars, camera, and other essential items in your carry-on bag. You will want a day pack for field trips, so this is an ideal carry-on. Please reconfirm your airline’s baggage weight and size restrictions about a week or so before departure.

Remember that we like to stay out regardless of weather. A light raincoat or poncho is perfect in case of rain.  At night and on early morning game drives, you will appreciate a sweater, fleece, or light jacket – temperatures average 50-60°F.  Daytime temperatures should range from 75-85°F depending on cloud cover and elevation. You can always layer your fleece and a wind jacket.

Dress is comfortable and informal throughout the trip. Dressing in layers is the best way to be comfortable. Lightweight long sleeve shirts and long pants make ideal field clothing as they are more protective from sun and vegetation.  But if you like to wear them, by all means bring some shorts.  Also, choose clothing you don’t mind getting dirty or muddy and things that are comfortable and easy. Dust is very common, so a bandana or loose-fitting scarf is great, and something to drape over your camera as you travel. On safari we SIT a lot, so bring pants that are comfortable for that – no reason you can’t wear loose-fitting LIGHTWEIGHT pants or sweatpants while in the vehicles, especially on those hot days.

For footwear, we recommend hiking boots – a sturdy pair that are waterproof and offer good arch support are ideal. A pair of durable walking shoes with good traction, such as tennis shoes or similar supportive sport shoes, would be useful too. Rubberized sandals, such as Teva, will be nice for the warm weather.

Note on clothing colors and insect repellent: We recommend muted colors of tan, brown, khaki, grey or green, as they are spotted less easily than white or bright colors, though camouflage clothing is not recommended, and in some countries, not legal to wear. It is possible to purchase field clothing permeated with insect repellent such as the Craghoppers Insect Shield collection. Another approach is to purchase Permethrin spray (online or from REI) to treat your field clothing and socks before your departure.

Do Not Bring Single-Use Plastic Bags: Plastic bags are banned in Kenya and Tanzania. If you wish to bring a bag for laundry, shoes, etc., we advise a lightweight nylon bag, packing cube, or reusable cloth tote as a substitute. We suggest a reusable toiletry bag in place of a Ziploc-style bag. Violations of the ban could result in fines or even imprisonment, so please double-check your luggage before you leave!

Clothing & Gear

  • Lightweight long pants, 2-3 pair
  • Lightweight long sleeve shirts – 2 or 3
  • Safari Shorts / Skirts or Sundress (optional)
  • T-shirts or equivalent (1 per every other day recommended – remember you may buy some there!)
  • Personal underclothing (consider what dries quickly if you plan to do some laundry)
  • Sleepwear
  • Socks – lightweight and easy to wash and dry
  • Comfortable walking/hiking shoes with thorn-proof tread (such as tennis shoes) or, if you need the support, lightweight hiking boots. We are in the vehicles a lot on safari, so our walking is usually at a rest stop, near our camps, or by our tented camp.  Teva-type sandals with socks work well for this (socks keep out sun and insects with spray applied). Typical safari wear was shorts and sandals for many years, and many prefer this still.
  • Comfortable sandals or light shoes for evenings, travel days (optional)
  • Lightweight raincoat or poncho
  • Lightweight windbreaker and lightweight jacket; fleece fabric is ideal
  • Comfortable clothes for evening (a cleaner version of your field clothes or a skirt, sundress and shawl, etc.)
  • Bathing suit (some of the lodges have pools)
  • Hat with broad brim – a safari style hat with a tie-down is great for vehicle time
  • Bandana (optional, great for cooling off when you are hot and sweaty, or camera dust cover
  • Field vest (optional), a great source is Big Pockets
  • Comfortable clothes for evening/travel days (a cleaner version of your field clothes or a skirt, sundress and shawl, etc.

Equipment & Miscellaneous

  • Airline tickets or e-ticket verification
  • Passport, visa, travel insurance info, money & credit cards.
  • A secure pouch to carry the items above on your person (such as a secure, under-clothing document pouch)
  • As a backup: copies of all the above (phone and/or paper) packed in a separate location than on your person, plus a set given to your emergency contact at home as a backup. For passport, copy of the  ID and entry stamp pages.
  • Binoculars (a hotel shower cap is great to cover these when it is raining or dusty). We suggest that you do not skimp on your binoculars or bring an old pair you have not used in a long time. Test them out at home. Binoculars are your window to seeing the wildlife you really want and came to see. If it’s time to upgrade, the trip is a great excuse! 
  • Camera and extra batteries, battery charger, memory cards, lens cleaning supplies, and your instruction manual (optional, but important if you have problems). Many people bring a second camera body or backup camera, consider this if photography is one of the activities you look forward to. THINK DUST, a lightweight camera “dry bag” helps. Perhaps an airbrush is important, and sensor cleaning tools such as a soft chamois cloth. VIDEO is a great option for Africa; you get the sound, animal behavior, wonderful!
  • Toilet articles: In this land of thorns, tweezers may come in handy! Other items include but are not limited to: shampoo and conditioner, dental supplies, razor, emery boards, hairbrush/comb, hand lotion, feminine hygiene, deodorant, pain reliever. Note that power may be limited in camps, so a hair dryer is not always available. Larger hotels will have them, and several of the smaller ones have them to loan. If you MUST have one bring it but consider that it may be one item you can leave at home.
  • Electrical converter and adapter plugs. If you have multiple items that need charging, a lightweight small power strip helps so you can plug in multiple items on the adapter. If you are a big user of a laptop and want to charge on an airline layover, consider the type of adapter you may need in that country as well.
  • Walking stick (optional but recommended if you regularly use one or if you plan to hike)
  • Umbrella – compact and not brightly colored (optional)
  • Small daypack/tote bag to carry/organize gear while in the vehicles
  • Flashlight or headlamp with fresh batteries (important – cabins/tents may be a distance from where we eat)
  • Alarm clock
  • Sunscreen/Lip balm with SPF
  • Sunglasses with neck strap – really important with long days of bright sun
  • Insect repellent (something containing DEET)
  • Water bottle – with built-in filter is ideal (can easily be bought in the airport and refilled daily)
  • Small sewing kit
  • Journal and pen or tablet/laptop (optional). If you bring a laptop, have a good way to carry it and to keep it safe from the dust.
  • Field guides (optional) - A wildlife checklist will be supplied upon arrival for daily tally.  
  • Reading material (optional)
  • Purell or other antibacterial hand-cleaning soap in small bottle; individually wrapped moist towelettes also come in handy.
  • Earplugs (optional)
  • Rechargeable power bank (optional)
  • Steripen or other UV water treatment device to help cut down on the use of plastic bottles (optional)

Medical & First Aid Items

  • Anti-malarial drugs
  • Emergency prescriptions. We recommend you ask your doctor about carrying a prescription for stomach and respiratory illness, just in case. Cipro is often recommended and works quickly – it can mean saving several days of functioning on your vacation.
  • Personal medication (and copy of vital prescriptions, including glasses (or have at easy reference to call home)
  • Motion sickness preventatives if likely to be needed
  • Personal first aid kit and medications for general ailments, cuts, and scrapes
  • Heath insurance and vaccination information (kept in document pouch with other travel documents)
  • Copy of eyeglass prescription, copy of medical prescriptions, vaccination records, and any medical alerts
  • Extra pair of eyeglasses or contacts
  • Band-aids, moleskin to protect against blisters
  • Other: people often want anti-itch cream or perhaps talc for their feet – whatever keeps you comfortable. Such items can all be donated at the end to lighten your load if desired.

 

Suggested Reading List +

There are many wonderful titles about Kenya and Africa. Here are a few that we Read more

There are many wonderful titles about Kenya and Africa. Here are a few that we have enjoyed to get you started.

Top Picks

Birds of East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi

The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals

The Kingdon Pocket Guide to African Mammals

Field Guides

Wildlife of East Africa

Butterflies of East Africa

The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals

Sunbirds: A Guide to the Sunbirds, Spiderhunters, Sugarbirds and Flowerpeckers of the World

Culture & History

Kenya – Culture Smart!

Kenya: A History Since Independence

Species Profiles

Antelope of Africa

Giraffe: Biology, Behavior and Conservation

Lions in the Balance: Man-Eaters, Manes, and Men with Guns

The African Wild Dog, Behavior, Ecology and Conservation 

Elephant Memories: Thirteen Years in the Life of an Elephant Family

Specialized Guidebooks

Digital Wildlife Photography

Your guide will also have a selection of reference books and materials for participants to share. As an Amazon Associate, Naturalist Journeys earns from qualifying purchases, and may get commissions for purchases made through links on this page at no added cost to you.

 

Useful Links +

Learn more about your destination at these external websites, carefully researched for you. Read more

General

Kenya – Encyclopedic Overview

City of Nairobi

Nature, Wildlife & Biology

Birding Kenya

Virtual Museum for Africa

Endemics Species of Kenya

Hinde’s Babbler

Sharpe’s Longclaw

Mammals of Kenya

Lake Baringo

Conservation, Parks & Reserves

Nairobi National Park

Karen Blixen Museum

Lake Nakuru National Park

Maasai Mara National Reserve

Geology & Geography

Kenya Geography

Kenya Geology

Rift Valley

Kenya Lake System in the Rift Valley (UNESCO)

History & Culture

Brief History of Kenya

Culture of Kenya

Useful Swahili Phrases

Helpful Travel Websites

Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)

National Passport Information Center

Homeland Security Real ID Act

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

U.S. Department of State International Travel Information - Kenya

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Kenya

Canada Travel Advice and Advisories - Kenya

Travel Health Pro (UK) - Kenya

Electricity and Plugs - Kenya

Date, Time, and Holidays - Kenya


Photo credits: Banners: Elephants (NJ Stock), Leopard (NJ Stock), Crocodile (NJ Stock), Lion Cub (Peg Abbott), Rhinoceros (NJ Stock), Zebra (Peg Abbott) Thumbnails: Elephant (NJ Stock), Great Blue Turaco (NJ Stock), Cheetah (NJ Stock), Grey-crowned Crane (NJ Stock), Giraffe (NJ Stock), Eastern Double-collared Sunbird (Robert Hill), Zebra (NJ Stock), Ostrich (NJ Stock)

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