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Kenya ToursA Birdwatcher’s Paradise ... Kenya boasts a wide variety of habitats, from snow-capped peaks to grass plains, arid deserts and palm-fringed ocean. Over 1100 bird species have been recorded, of which we should see well over half, as well as a bewildering array of large mammals. After arriving at Nairobi, we head into the highlands, where our various lodge grounds have several montane species, including Red-fronted Parrot, Tacazze Sunbird (and up to 8 others!), Hartlaub’s Turaco, Montane Nightjar, Bronze-naped Pigeon, Mountain Yellow Warbler, Hunter’s Cisticola, Yellow-bellied Waxbill, Abyssinian Crimsonwing, Grey-olive Greenbul, Giant Kingfisher, Trumpeter Hornbill, and with luck, Purple-crested Turaco. We may have the chance of some high-altitude birding for Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Jackson’s Francolin and Alpine Chat. We can look for the endemic Hinde’s Babbler on the slopes of the mountains, and Kieni Forest’s denizens include Tullberg’s Woodpecker, White-headed Woodhoopoe, the elusive Abbott’s and Kenrick’s Starlings and Black-fronted Bush-shrike. En route, we will traverse Kinangop Plateau, where the endemic Sharpe’s Longclaw and Wing-snapping Cisticola occur. In between the highlands, we head to Samburu. As well as many raptors, including Pygmy Falcon, we look for Somali Ostrich, Kori and Buff-crested Bustards, Somali Bee-eater, Vulturine Guineafowl, Bare-eyed Thrush, Black-capped Social Weaver, Cut-throat, Red-winged and Pink-breasted Larks, Golden Pipit, and Donaldson-Smith’s Sparrow-weaver. Big game is abundant, with Elephant, Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy’s Zebra and regular Leopards. We have the opportunity of seeking out the endemic William’s Lark, as well as Friedmann's and Masked Larks. From here we visit two Rift Valley soda lakes, Nakuru and Elementaita. The nearby fringes of the Aberdares are also home to the endemic Aberdare Cisticola, and the lakes are home to huge gatherings of Lesser Flamingo, and other waterbirds are abundant. We will also look for acacia forest species, including Hildebrandt’s and Coqui Francolins, scarce Grey-crowned Helmet-shrike, Arrow-marked Babbler, and Bearded Woodpecker. Lake Baringo is freshwater, and several restricted-range species occur, including Hemprich’s and Jackson’s Hornbills, Heuglin’s Courser, Brown-tailed Rock Chat, Northern Grey Tit, Mouse-coloured Penduline Tit, Beautiful Sunbird, Bristle-crowned Starling, Jackson’s Golden-backed, Little and Northern Masked Weavers. Previous tours have found 4 roosting Owls, Verreaux’s and Spotted Eagle, White-faced Scops and Barn. After a spectacular drive across the Kerio Valley, stopping to look for Boran Cisticola and Little Rock Thrush, we reach the western plateau. Near Mt. Elgon, we visit Saiwa Swamp, where Blue-headed Coucal, Double-toothed Barbet, Black-throated Wattle-eye, African Shrike Flycatcher, Ross’s Turaco and Splendid Glossy Starling may be found. Kongolei Escarpment has several Kenya scarcities, including Lesser Blue-eared Starling, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-weaver, Yellow-billed Shrike, Pygmy Batis and White-crested Turaco. Kakamega Forest holds many rarities, including several Barbets and Woodpeckers, Great Blue Turaco, Narina and Bar-tailed Trogons, Grey Parrot, Blue-headed Bee-eater, Turner’s Eremomela, Bocage’s and Lühder’s Bush-shrikes, Grey-headed and White-breasted Nigritas, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, White-chinned and Banded Prinias, African Broadbill, Chapin’s Flycatcher and a host of Greenbuls. Heading to papyrus-fringed Lake Victoria, we look for Papyrus and Black-headed Gonoleks, Red-faced Lovebird, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Carruther’s Cisticola, Papyrus Canary, White-winged Warbler and the enigmatic Rock Pratincole. In the Masai Mara, several species are restricted in Kenya to the area, including Wattled Plover, Red-necked Spurfowl, Rosy-breasted Longclaw, Hildebrandt’s Starling, Sooty Chat and Bare-faced Go-away Bird. Cheetah, Lion and Elephant star on the mammal-front. We will stop on the way back to Nairobi at a pond for White-backed and Maccoa Ducks. Once at Nairobi, we will head down the Lake Magadi road, and visit its National Park, excellent for Bustards, Larks and Cisticolas. Species we look for include Pringle’s Puffback, Northern Pied Babbler, Red-throated Tit and the recently-discovered Nairobi Pipit. We head coastwards via Tsavo, with the elusive Red-naped Bush-shrike, Golden-breasted Starling, Taveta Golden Weaver and Tsavo Purple-banded Sunbird, and Taita Hills, famous for its endemic eponymous Thrush, White-eye and Apalis. The final few days will be spent exploring varied coastal habitats, including; Sokoke Forest, for the endemic Clarke’s Weaver, Sokoke Scops Owl, Amani Sunbird, Fischer’s Turaco, East Coast Akalat and Sokoke Pipit; and Mida Creek and Sabaki Rivermouth, for many waders and terns. Species include Crab Plover, Malindi Pipit, Zanzibar Red Bishop, Mangrove Kingfisher, African Skimmer and Madagascar Pratincole. |
Itinerary: Duration: 18 days Limit: 4-8 Date: 28 April - 16 May 2012 Start: Nairobi End: Nairobi Price:please ask (but our prices are competitive) Price_Includes: Meals Accommodation All vehicle costs Price_Excludes: International flights Airport transfers Pre and post tour accommodation Personal Insurance Alcoholic Beverages and between meal snacks Gratuities Laundry Personal expenses such as gifts
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