Overview
Birding in Kenya is a hobby of observing birds in their natural environment. A recreational activity you can keep doing all your life, in any part of the world. Birding is the fastest-growing outdoor activity in the world. A US Fish and Wildlife Service survey shows that 51 million Americans report watching birds. Birding is a way to increase awareness and appreciation about birds; Birding is being outside, enjoying the fresh air, studying the bird life, listing, and just enjoying nature.
10 Birding spots in Kenya include:
1. NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK
Nairobi national park is one of the unique parks in the world. It is the only wildlife park within a capital city and hosts a wide variety of wildlife, including the Big 5 and over 500 species of birds.
2.MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
Masai mara is the most popular park in Kenya and the most visited National Reserve in the world. She is known for her great migration, Masai culture, and the big five; it hosts over 550 species, making it a bird-watching hotspot.
3. LAKE NAIVASHA
Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake that hosts a lot of fish, making it a bird spot of more than 200 species. As a result, many pelicans and other species, such as African spoonbill, Great cormorants, Red-knobbed coots, fish eagles, and more, come here to feed on the fish.
4. LAKE BARINGO
Lake Baringo is among the favorite sport for birdwatchers and is referred to as the birdwatcher’s paradise, hosting 500 species of birds. Here you can sport Brown-tailed Rock Chat, Hemprichs Hornbill, Fan-tailed Raven, Bristle-Crowned Starlings, Three-streaked Tchagra, Red-fronted Warbler, and more.
5.KAKAMEGA GAME RESERVE
It boasts over 300 species of birds, 45 of Kenya’s bird species can be found in this area, making it a birds paradise; for tourists interested in bird watching in Kenya, they should not miss Kakamega forests in their travel list some of the birds to be seen are African grey parrot.
6. LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK is a bird sanctuary and boasts more than a million flamingos, pelicans, and many other species of birds. With more than 400 species, no wonder Lake Nakur park is known as a bird paradise.
7. AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK is an excellent birding destination; more than 420 species have been recorded here. The swamps are great for water-associated birds such as egrets, herons, pelicans, and crowned cranes. In addition, many flamingos may be present in the Wet seasons (March to May and October to December).
8. TSAVO NATIONAL PARK is one of Kenya’s best birding safari destinations and the entire East African region. Tsavo Safari Park is one of the prime Kenya national parks that travelers can visit all year to enjoy various tourist activities, including bird-watching.
9. SHIMBA HILLS NATIONAL PARK is a favorite among bird watchers at any time of year. Residents include many unusual forest birds, which can be seen anytime. From November to April, the migratory birds arrive and add to the already exciting array of more than 300 species, including African palm swift
Brown-breasted barbet, Crested guineafowl, Crowned hornbill, East coast akalat, Eastern violet-backed sunbird, Golden palm weaver, Green barbet, Green tinkerbird, Mottled swift, Narina trogon, and more
10. ARABUKO SOKOKE FOREST MOMBASA is the largest remaining coastal forest in East Africa. It is famous for its diversity of mammals, butterflies, amphibians, and birds, many of which are only found here. The endemic Clarke’s Weaver is also located here.