Day 1: Nairobi Forest Birding (Karura/Ngong)

* Narina trogon, African goshawk
Arrive in Nairobi and begin your Kenya birding safari with a guided birdwatching excursion in Karura Forest or Ngong Forest, two of the best urban birding sites in East Africa. These indigenous forests are rich in forest specialists and provide an excellent introduction to Kenya’s birdlife.

Target species include Narina trogon, African goshawk, Hartlaub’s turaco, African crowned eagle, forest robins, sunbirds, and warblers. Overnight in Nairobi.

Highlights:
• Nairobi birdwatching tour
• Easy forest trails & photography
• Perfect safari warm-up day

Day 2–3: Aberdare National Park

* Malachite sunbird, montane white-eye
* Stay: The Ark
Depart Nairobi for the mist-covered Aberdare National Park, one of Kenya’s most important Afro-montane birding destinations. Spend two full days exploring bamboo forests, montane woodland, and high-altitude moorlands.

Expect sightings of Malachite sunbird, montane white-eye, Aberdare cisticola, African hill babbler, scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird, and Jackson’s francolin. Evenings are spent at The Ark, offering unique wildlife viewing from a floodlit waterhole.

Highlights:
• Aberdare birding safari
• Highland forest endemics
• Iconic tree-lodge experience

Day 4–5: Kakamega Forest Birding Tour

* Blue-headed bee-eater, great blue turaco
* Stay: Rondo Retreat
Fly or drive west to Kakamega Forest, Kenya’s only remaining Guinea–Congo lowland rainforest and a premier birding hotspot in East Africa. Spend two days on guided forest walks targeting rare and colorful rainforest species.

Key birds include blue-headed bee-eater, great blue turaco, African grey parrot, yellow-spotted barbet, Turner’s eremomela, and numerous forest specials found nowhere else in Kenya.

Highlights:
• Kakamega Forest birding safari
• West African forest species
• Exceptional bird diversity

Day 6- 7: Mount Elgon (West Kenya Highlands)

* Continue to the western highlands of Mount Elgon National Park, an uncrowded and rewarding montane birding destination. Explore forest trails, bamboo zones, and moorlands on the slopes of this ancient volcanic mountain.

Target species include the impressive lammergeier (bearded vulture) soaring along cliffs, black-collared apalis, Jackson’s francolin, and a variety of localized highland birds.

Highlights:
• Mount Elgon birding safari
• Rare and localized species
• Scenic, low-traffic birding routesLammergeier, black-collared apalis

Day 8: Fly/drive to Nairobi – Departure

After breakfast and a final short birding session, transfer to the airstrip for your scheduled flight from Mount Elgon back to Nairobi. Upon arrival, connect to your international departure or onward arrangements, marking the end of an unforgettable 8-day forest and highland birding safari in Kenya.

8-Day Forest & Highland Birding Safari Kenya

This expertly guided 8-day forest and highland birding safari in Kenya is designed for birders seeking rare endemics, Afro-montane specialists, and forest-dependent species. Starting and ending in Nairobi, the safari explores Kenya’s most productive birding ecosystems — from the misty Aberdare Highlands to the tropical Kakamega Forest and the remote slopes of Mount Elgon.

Expect exceptional sightings including Narina trogon, malachite sunbird, blue-headed bee-eater, great blue turaco, black-collared apalis, and lammergeier, guided by professional birding experts. Ideal for serious birders, photographers, researchers, and nature enthusiasts, this safari combines rich biodiversity, scenic landscapes, and comfortable eco-lodges.