10 Days Bird Photography Tour

Your Kenya photographic tour begins with an early morning pick-up from your hotel, followed by a scenic drive to the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve, approximately 265 kilometers away (about 5 hours). En route, you will pass through the breathtaking Great Rift Valley escarpment, where a brief stop will be made to enjoy the panoramic views and capture memorable photographs.

Arrive at your camp in time for a delicious hot lunch, followed by a short period of relaxation before heading out for your first exhilarating game drive. Venture into the vast savannah in search of iconic African wildlife, including lions, elephants, leopards, cheetahs, buffaloes, and a wide variety of plains game.

Renowned as one of the finest photographic destinations in the world, the Maasai Mara boasts an extraordinary concentration of wildlife and abundant birdlife, offering exceptional opportunities to capture stunning images. The reserve is also famous for its impressive populations of large predators, including the majestic black-maned lions, making every drive a thrilling and rewarding experience.

After an early breakfast, depart with a picnic lunch for a full-day photography drive across the Maasai Mara’s rich, tree-dotted grasslands and gently rolling hills. This legendary reserve is renowned for its vast herds of plains game, black-maned lions, leopards, and cheetahs, while also supporting large populations of elephants and nearly every iconic wildlife species found in Kenya.

Today’s adventure takes you towards the famous Mara River, a focal point of the Great Migration. With some luck, you may witness one of nature’s most dramatic spectacles as thousands of wildebeest and zebras cross the river in search of greener pastures.

The Maasai Mara is a dream destination for wildlife photographers, offering exceptional lighting, sweeping landscapes, and unparalleled game-viewing opportunities. The annual wildebeest migration, which typically occurs between July and October, sees millions of gnus and zebras moving from the Serengeti plains into the Mara, creating one of the most awe-inspiring natural events on the planet.

After breakfast, depart for Lake Nakuru National Park, famous as one of Africa’s greatest ornithological spectacles. The lake is famous for its vast congregation of lesser flamingos, which at peak times can number up to 1.5 million birds, creating a breathtaking pink ribbon along the shoreline.

Beyond its spectacular birdlife, the park offers excellent photographic opportunities for wildlife lovers, with chances to encounter lions, leopards, and both black and white rhinoceroses. Lake Nakuru’s diverse habitats — from acacia woodlands to open grasslands and lakeshore ecosystems — support a wide variety of bird and mammal species.

The park also features designated viewing zones where guests are permitted to alight from the safari vehicle. These safe spots provide superb vantage points for close-up bird and wildlife photography while allowing you to appreciate the tranquility and beauty of this iconic reserve.

This morning after breakfast, we depart for Samburu National Reserve, with a stopover in Nyahururu town to visit the spectacular Thomson’s Falls. This scenic waterfall, standing 74 meters high, lies along the Ewaso Ng’iro River, which originates from the Aberdare Ranges. We will spend a few minutes photographing the falls before continuing our journey to Samburu, arriving in time for lunch at the lodge.

We shall enjoy an early morning game drive after breakfast along the Ewaso Nyiro River, where wildlife frequently gathers to drink and feed. Samburu is a true photographer’s paradise, renowned for its unique diversity of species found only in this region of Kenya. The reserve is famously associated with the legendary story of a lioness that adopted a baby oryx, and it is home to rare species found north of the Equator, including the Reticulated Giraffe, Vulturine Guineafowl, Somali Ostrich, and the graceful Gerenuk.

Beyond wildlife, the picturesque Ewaso Nyiro River and the surrounding hills and mountains provide exceptional scenery, offering superb opportunities to capture stunning landscape photographs.

Following an early breakfast, we will embark on a final, slow game drive as we make our way towards the park gate for exit. This drive offers one last chance to spot any missed species. We then depart for Meru National Park, taking a new route that passes through Isiolo town near the airport. Upon arrival, we will check in at Ikweta Safari Camp for lunch. The afternoon will feature a short game drive in Meru.

Meru National Park is a true gem, renowned as one of Kenya’s least-visited and therefore best-preserved national parks. The Equator bisects the park’s 1810 square kilometers, which primarily features bushlands but includes grasslands in the western section. Thick forests thrive along the numerous rivers and streams. The park supports an extraordinary array of wildlife, and sightings are likely to include rhinos, lions, cheetahs, massive herds of elephants, buffalo, reticulated giraffes, and a diverse population of birds.

Spend the entire day exploring the wild and unspoiled beauty of Meru National Park. Straddling the equator and interlaced by 14 rivers and numerous mountain-fed streams, Meru is one of Kenya’s most scenic and diverse wilderness areas. The landscape ranges from woodlands at 3,400 feet (1,036 metres) on the slopes of the Nyambene Hills northeast of Mount Kenya, to vast open plains with gently meandering riverbanks lined with iconic doum palms.

This striking variety of scenery, combined with abundant wildlife, guarantees a truly memorable safari experience. Meru National Park is renowned for its impressive elephant population, with herds often numbering up to 100 individuals. The park is also a paradise for bird lovers, hosting over 300 species across its grasslands, riverine forests, and swamp habitats.

Notable bird species include the shy African Finfoot, Pel’s Fishing Owl hidden in dense riverside foliage, Swallow-tailed Kite, the endemic Hinde’s Babbler, Golden Pipit, Vanga Flycatcher, Eastern Black-headed Batis, Western Banded Snake Eagle, Orange-winged Pytilia, Black-bellied Starling, Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah, Jameson’s Firefinch, and the Chestnut-fronted Helmetshrike.

With its breathtaking landscapes, rich biodiversity, and tranquil atmosphere, Meru offers an exceptional blend of photographic opportunities and immersive wilderness adventure.

After breakfast, we will drive to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a journey expected to take between one and two hours. We will make a brief stop to explore the Imenti Forest along the way. Upon arrival at the conservancy, we will check in at Sweetwaters Tented Camp and enjoy a delicious hot lunch. In the late afternoon, we will embark on an evening game drive focused on spotting the Big Five—including lions, rhinos, leopards, cheetahs, and buffaloes—among other diverse wildlife.

Ol Pejeta is situated beautifully in the foothills of the magnificent, snow-capped Mount Kenya. It is renowned for preserving more endangered wildlife than any other location in East Africa.

The Imenti Forest is an excellent spot for birding, with notable species to watch for including the Kenya Crested Guineafowl, White-eared Barbet, Moustached Green Tinkerbird, Kenrick’s Starling, Purple-throated Cuckoo-shrike, Brown-backed Woodpecker, Black-headed Apalis, and Scarce Swift.

Spend the entire day exploring Ol Pejeta Conservancy, one of Kenya’s most celebrated wildlife destinations. It is the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa and home to three of the world’s last remaining northern white rhinos, making it a place of exceptional conservation significance. Ol Pejeta is also the only location in Kenya where visitors can see chimpanzees, housed in a special sanctuary dedicated to rehabilitating animals rescued from the illegal wildlife trade.

The conservancy boasts some of the highest predator densities in the country and offers sweeping views across rolling savannahs, with Mount Kenya forming a dramatic and picturesque backdrop. Its diverse ecosystems support a wide variety of mammals and bird species, making it particularly appealing to both birdwatchers and big game enthusiasts.

Wildlife viewing is rewarding throughout the year; however, the best months are generally from June to October. Due to its equatorial location, daytime temperatures remain relatively consistent year-round, often warm during the day, creating ideal conditions for game viewing and photography.

With its blend of conservation excellence, spectacular scenery, and abundant wildlife, Ol Pejeta provides an enriching and unforgettable safari experience.

After breakfast and checking out, we will have lunch en route as we proceed to the airport for your return flight. You are scheduled to arrive in the mid-afternoon. Upon arrival, a day room will be available at an airport hotel, allowing you time to freshen up and relax before boarding your international flight home.