Kenya · Bird Watching

1-Day Birding Tour in Nairobi with National Park and Karura Forest

1 Day Round trip from Nairobi Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Spend the day birdwatching in Nairobi's green spaces renowned for their rich birdlife
02 Enjoy sightings of other game in the local park, including antelopes and giraffes
03 Spot and photograph numerous avifauna without disturbance and at your own pace
04 Explore with a birding guide familiar with the local birds and their habitats

Embark on a birding adventure in Nairobi with an early pick-up and a full day exploring some of the city's richest birding habitats. Search for iconic species at Nairobi National Park, enjoy waterbird sightings along the Safari Walk, and continue to Nairobi Arboretum and Karura Forest for resident, migrant, and forest-specialist birds. Despite being a bustling metropolis, Nairobi is surprisingly home to rich and diverse birdlife, with over 500 recorded species. This makes the city a treasure trove for birdwatchers of all levels.

This elevated walkway offers excellent views of waterbirds like Great Egrets, Hammerkops, African Fish Eagles, and smaller passerines such as White-headed Buffalo Weavers and Black-headed Weavers.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 1 Day

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Nairobi, Nairobi National Park

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Birding Across Nairobi's Parks, Arboretum, and Forest

Morning:

7:00 AM: Early pick-up from your Nairobi accommodation.
7:30 AM: Arrive at Nairobi National Park and begin a morning game drive through the grasslands and acacia woodlands, aiming for iconic birds such as the Grey-crested Helmet-shrike, White-backed Vultures, and Secretarybird.
9:30 AM: Stop at the Safari Walk within the park. This elevated walkway offers excellent views of waterbirds like Great Egrets, Hammerkops, African Fish Eagles, and smaller passerines such as White-headed Buffalo Weavers and Black-headed Weavers.
11:00 AM: Proceed to Nairobi Arboretum. This urban oasis attracts a diverse range of birds thanks to its mature trees and varied habitats. Look for resident species like the Grey-capped Warbler, White-browed Robin-chat, and Tropical Boubou, as well as migrants such as the Rufous-tailed Cisticola and Common Chiffchaff.

Afternoon:

1:00 PM: Enjoy a packed lunch at the Arboretum or a nearby restaurant.
2:00 PM: Head to Karura Forest, another urban green space with different vegetation zones. Search for forest specialists like the Green-backed Honeybird, White-necked Rockfowl, and Olive Sunbird.
4:00 PM: Wrap up your birding tour and return to your Nairobi accommodation.

Lace up your walking shoes, grab your binoculars, and get ready to be amazed by this vibrant city's incredible birdlife.

Where this trip takes you

Nairobi National Park grasslands, Safari Walk elevated walkway, Nairobi Arboretum mature trees, Karura Forest vegetation zones

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Nairobi 2 cities · 1 Day

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Activities as detailed in the itinerary
Lunch, consisting of both Western and local dishes
Transportation in a minivan fitted with a pop-up roof for game viewing and clear photography
English-speaking driver-guide with in-depth knowledge of the flora, fauna, landscape, and Kenyan culture
Bottled/mineral water, at least 1 litre per day
Park entrance fees and game drives as noted in the itinerary
All government taxes and levies

What's Not Included

Domestic and international airfares, and departure tax
Personal communication charges for telephone calls, faxes, email, etc.
Tips and gratuities for waiters and your driver-guide
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
Personal, travel, and luggage insurance

What to bring

Invest in a good pair of binoculars and a bird identification book or app.
Dress in light clothes and wear good walking shoes, as Nairobi can be hot during the day and part of the tour involves walking on forest roads and river banks.

Know before you go

Nairobi National Park is also rich in wildlife, giving you an excellent opportunity to catch a glimpse of the game found in this city's wildlife sanctuary.
The best time to go birding is early in the morning, when the birds are most active.
Be patient and quiet. Birds are easily spooked, so it is important to move slowly and speak softly.
Listen to the guide and follow his or her advice to help you get the most out of your birding experience.

Logistics