Wild Kenya: Endemics Birding Tour

Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and transfer to your Nairobi hotel. In the late afternoon, enjoy a first birding session in Karura Forest, one of the capital's hidden gems. This protected riverine forest hosts over 200 species, and here you will make your first attempts at Hinde's Babbler, Hartlaub's Turaco and the African Crowned Eagle that nests above the trails. A welcome dinner and trip briefing follow at the hotel.

Depart Nairobi at dawn and climb onto the Kinangop Plateau, where tussock grassland holds the endangered Sharpe's Longclaw and Hunter's Cisticola. Birding along the plateau edge, look for the localized Jackson's Francolin skulking in rank grass. Continue to Aberdare Country Club, set in forest at the foot of the Aberdare range, and enjoy late-afternoon birding on the grounds where Hartlaub's Turaco and Silvery-cheeked Hornbill are regular.

A full day inside Aberdare National Park, one of Kenya's most important endemic hotspots. On the forested slopes and misty moorland we will search for the Aberdare Cisticola, Jackson's Francolin, Hunter's Cisticola and the striking Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird. Montane forest species such as the Mountain Buzzard, White-starred Robin, Cape Robin-Chat and Olive-breasted Greenbul keep binoculars busy throughout the day. In the evening, transfer to The Ark tree lodge for a night of game and bird viewing at the waterhole.

Drive south-east to the forests and moorlands of Mount Kenya. Around Naro Moru and the Sirimon track, search the high-altitude juniper and bamboo zones for Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Tacazze Sunbird and the Alpine Chat of the moorland edge. The distinctive call of the Mountain Buzzard echoes across the valleys, and Montane White-eye and Black-headed Waxbill add to a growing day list. Overnight at the foot of the mountain.

An early morning session on Mount Kenya's forest edge targets the scarce Abyssinian Ground Thrush and Montane Oriole before we drive south through the Tsavo plains to the Taita Hills. These ancient, isolated hills rise like islands from the surrounding savanna and hold three critically endangered endemics. In the remnant forests of Ngangao and Mbololo we will search for the Taita Thrush, Taita Apalis and Taita White-eye, as well as the regional specials that cling to these last forest fragments.

Spend the morning in the Taita Hills forests working on the Taita Thrush, Taita Apalis and Taita White-eye before transferring to the coast, flying or driving to the Kilifi/Malindi area. On arrival, enjoy a relaxed introduction to the coastal avifauna along the shoreline and mangroves of Mida Creek, where Mangrove Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher and the crested Terns work the shallows. Overnight close to the great Arabuko-Sokoke Forest.

A full day in Arabuko-Sokoke, the largest intact block of coastal dry forest in East Africa and the world's most important site for the endangered Clarke's Weaver and Sokoke Pipit. We will walk the forest trails at dawn in search of these two endemics, along with the Sokoke Scops Owl, Amani Sunbird, Yellow-rumped Hyliota, Spotted Ground Thrush and the scarce Sokoke Bushy-tailed Mongoose that shares the forest. Birding continues until dusk as the forest comes alive with forest weavers and doves.

An early boat trip across Mida Creek picks up mangrove and shorebird specials including the Mangrove Kingfisher, Goliath Heron and large flocks of Crab-plovers. We then transfer north to the Dakatcha Woodland, a mosaic of open wooded grassland that holds the last known population of Williams's Lark and a healthy population of Clarke's Weaver. The afternoon is spent quietly along the woodland trails before returning to the coast.

Fly or drive back to Nairobi and transfer to Mwea National Reserve, a little-visited acacia woodland that protects the endangered Williams's Lark and supports the Kenyan endemic Hinde's Babbler. The reserve also holds Palm-nut Vulture, Northern White-faced Owl and a rich dry-country bird community. An afternoon walking session along the woodland paths offers a relaxed and productive end to the coastal phase of the tour.

Depart Mwea and drive to Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake surrounded by fever trees and papyrus. Boat out to Crescent Island, where waterbuck and zebra graze among Yellow-billed Storks, Goliath Herons, African Fish Eagles and vast numbers of pelicans and cormorants. Papyrus beds along the shore hold the localized Papyrus Canary and Grey-backed Fiscal, while the woodlands ring with the calls of Grey-crowned Cranes and Malachite Kingfishers.

A morning at Hell's Gate National Park offers close-up encounters with Verreaux's Eagle, Augur Buzzard, Egyptian Vultures and the spectacular Lammergeier over the gorge. Back at the lakeshore, enjoy relaxed birding among the fever trees, searching for the Gray-crowned Crane, African Jacana and Black Crake in the shallows. This is a day to consolidate your bird list before returning to Nairobi in the late afternoon.

A final dawn game drive through Nairobi National Park - the only national park in the world located inside a capital city - can easily add more than a hundred species to the trip list. Expect Ostriches, Secretary Birds, Kori Bustards, Martial Eagles and a wealth of grassland larks and pipits against the backdrop of the city skyline. After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward flight.