Wild Kenya: The Famous Birding Loop

Arrive in Nairobi and, after settling in, take a first afternoon walk in Karura Forest. The forest trails host over 200 species, and a relaxed evening session will set the tone for the trip - expect Hartlaub's Turaco, African Crowned Eagle, Narina Trogon and the always-charismatic Hinde's Babbler. A welcome dinner and full trip briefing follow.

Drive south-east to Tsavo West National Park, whose dry acacia and baobab country holds a suite of arid-country specials. Around Ngulia and the Kamboyo area we will search for Von der Decken's Hornbill, Yellow-necked Spurfowl, Shelley's Francolin, White-headed Buffalo Weaver and the endemic Fischer's Starling. The savanna is also home to elephant, lion and the endangered African Wild Dog.

A full day in Tsavo West, with a highlight visit to Mzima Springs, where crystal-clear water rises from the lava and attracts huge crocodiles and hippos - and where the riverine forest holds Golden Palm Weaver and the secretive Northern Brownbul. The arid thornveld rewards patient scanning with Fischer's Starling, Grey-headed Social Weaver and the endemic Yellow-throated Spurfowl.

Drive to Amboseli National Park beneath the looming bulk of Mount Kilimanjaro. Amboseli's network of swamps and wetlands is a magnet for birds - the pools hold Little Bittern, Malachite Kingfisher, Black-crowned Night Heron and vast numbers of herons and storks, while massive elephant herds roam the plains. An afternoon game drive introduces the park's iconic cast of wildlife.

Dawn finds Kilimanjaro at its clear best as you head to Observation Hill for panoramic views of the entire park. Spend the day exploring the Sinet Delta and the swamps, tracking the park's famous elephant families and searching the papyrus for the localized Papyrus Gonolek and Greater Swamp Warbler. Yellow-necked Francolin and Red-capped Lark work the open plains, while the silhouettes of Kilimanjaro frame every photo.

Return to Nairobi and continue to Lake Naivasha for a late-afternoon boat safari. The freshwater lake is alive with African Fish Eagles, Great White Pelicans, Goliath Herons and Long-tailed Cormorants, while the shoreline papyrus holds the Papyrus Gonolek and Grey-backed Fiscal. As dusk falls, the air fills with the raucous calls of Grey-crowned Cranes flying to roost.

A morning at Lake Naivasha's Crescent Island among waders and waterbirds, then drive north to Lake Nakuru National Park. The soda lake glows pink with flamingos, and its woodlands are full of birdlife - Yellow-billed Storks, Marabou Storks, African Fish Eagles and the rare White-backed Vulture. The park's rhino population and Rothschild's Giraffes round out a memorable afternoon.

Morning birding around Nakuru's woodlands for the localized Hunter's Cisticola and Gray Apalis, then continue north to Lake Baringo. Ringed by acacia woodland and sheer cliffs, Baringo is one of Kenya's top inland birding sites. An evening boat safari crosses the lake to the cliffs where colonies of Northern Carmine Bee-eaters and roosting Verreaux's Eagle-Owls can be observed at close range.

A full day devoted to Lake Baringo and its surrounds. Dawn walks in the acacia woodland target Jackson's Hornbill, Northern White-faced Owl, White-browed Coucal and the rare Black-faced Sandgrouse. A boat trip to the offshore islands and cliff faces reveals nesting colonies of Goliath Herons, Palm-nut Vultures and African Fish Eagles, while Schalow's Turaco calls from the riverside fig trees.

Drive north into the semi-arid lands of Samburu National Reserve. The Ewaso Ng'iro River threads through the reserve, creating a ribbon of life in the desert. The distinctive northern avifauna is on full display - Vulturine Guineafowl, Somali Ostrich, Somali Bee-eater, White-headed Mousebird, Yellow-necked Francolin and the endemic Somali Bunting. The Special Five - Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich - are the mammal targets.

A full day exploring Samburu. The riverine forest along the Ewaso Ng'iro holds the bizarre Southern Ground Hornbill, Grey-headed Kingfisher and the localized White-throated Robin-Chat, while the dry plains ring with the calls of Vulturine Guineafowl and the chattering of Somali Bee-eaters at their riverside nest banks. Golden-breasted Starlings and Northern Carmine Bee-eaters add splashes of colour to every drive.

Drive south through the Laikipia plateau to the foothills of Mount Kenya. Around Naro Moru and the mountain's forested lower slopes, search the juniper and bamboo zones for Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Tacazze Sunbird, White-starred Robin and the hard-to-find Abyssinian Ground Thrush. Montane forest birds and dramatic mountain scenery make this one of the most atmospheric days of the trip.

An early session on Mount Kenya's moorland edge targets Alpine Chat and Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird, then drive via the Aberdare foothills towards Nairobi. Depending on time and interest, we may stop at the Aberdare National Park entrance area for one last taste of montane forest birding before reaching the city in the evening.

A final dawn drive through Nairobi National Park - the perfect way to round off the Kenya birding circuit. Over 100 species are possible in a single morning, from Ostriches and Secretary Birds to Kori Bustards, Martial Eagles and the plains game that throngs the short grass. After a celebratory breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward journey.