Birding and Wildlife Safari

Day 1: Drive from Nairobi to Lake Elmenteita

After a Pre-Safari briefing by your dedicated Birding Guide, depart and drive down the eastern wall of the Great Rift Valley. Your driver guide will stop at strategic viewpoints for photography where you will come out and view the escarpment.  Continue on south-westerly direction to Soysambu Conservancy in the shores of Lake Elmenteita.

Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp “Where history meets the wild kingdom”

Uniquely situated on the shoreline of sapphire-blue Lake where hundreds of thousands of birds congregate, is the small and exclusive Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp.  This area of breathtaking beauty is also home to many rare species of animals.  Evocatively styled to echo the area’s rich history, the camp blends aristocratic elegance with modern extravagance and will offer cuisine and service of fittingly high standards.     

Lunch in the camp followed by an afternoon at leisure to relax and enjoy a swim in the camp’s affinity pool overlooking the lake! 

Enjoy a late afternoon Bird/Game drive in the conservancy.  Armed with our binoculars, telescope, checklist and guide books, we take a drive around the lake in search of key wetland birds. It is a full avian safari.

Lake Elmenteita is within the Kenya lake System in the Great Rift Valley. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Ramsar Convention Wetlands Site, and a Bird Life International – Important Bird and Biodiversity Area. The Ecosystem is characterized by Alkaline lake, acacia woodland, riverine forest galleries, Tarchonanthus bushland and grassland.  The lake is a critical breeding ground for the Great White Pelicans and foraging grounds for Palearctic and Intra-African migrants.

Key globally-threatened species found within this IBA include Greater Spotted Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Lesser Flamingo, Greater Flamingo, Grey*-crested Helmet-shrike, Jackson's Widowbird. Also hosts large congregations of Black-necked Grebe, Great White Pelican, African Spoonbill, and Pied Avocet.

The Conservancy also protects hundreds wild animals too.  Animal sightings may include those of: zebra, buffalo, Rothschild’s giraffe (the conservancy is home to some 150 Rothschild’s giraffe, being 10% of the world’s remaining wild population of this endangered species), lion, leopard, hyena, jackal, bat-eared fox, warthog, colobus, vervet and syke’s monkey, waterbuck, olive baboons, Thompson’s gazelle, Grant’s gazelle, impala, eland, bush-buck, reedbuck, dik dik and duiker among others.

All meals and overnight at Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp

Day 2: Lake Elementeita - Birding Experience in the Wetland & Grassland Habitats

Your Lifetime Ticket to the Theater of Nature from the Great White Pelican breeding grounds in the western end of the lake to the Tropical Boubou in the festooned riverine galleries to the beautiful Golden-breasted Bunting and to the distinct flamingos, Soysambu Conservancy boasts a diverse range of bird species that makes this a bird-watching paradise. With Lake Elmenteita boasting approximately 450 bird species, rest assured you will be spoiled for choice. Three days on location visiting three different habitats.

After a sumptuous breakfast in the Camp, we discover the Wetland and Grassland Habitats and in the conservancy.  The birding experience starts with a walk from the northern shoreline crossing over the mouth of River Mbaruk that will bring you up close and personal to the water fowls.

Explore the expansive grassland habitat that dominates the western part of the Conservancy.   Spend the morning looking for grass dwelling and nesting species, such as the Fawn–colored Lark (Mirafra africanoides), Grassland Pipit (Anthus cinnamomeus), and Yellow Bishop (Euplectes capensis).  

Lunch will be served at The Rock picnic site. The afternoon will involve a visit to the pelicans’ breeding grounds on the western end of the lake, followed by a drive down to the southern part, to enjoy and laze away at the hot springs and the nearby Acacia woodlands. Don’t let the grazing impala distract you!  The forest offers festooned riverine galleries - learn the bird calls here that are key to their identifications.

Crown your Birding adventure expedition with a Sundowner Cocktail!  Watch the spectacular descent of the sun from a panoramic vantage point on the shores of atmospheric Lake Elmenteita. Typically, the experience features the provision of traditional safari chairs, warm wraps and a waiter-service. A safari-bar is set up on the lakeshore and hand-crafted savories served against the dramatic backdrop of the immense extinct volcano known as The Sleeping Warrior. A uniquely memorable and photographic experience.

Drive back to the camp to ref-fresh for dinner.

All meals and overnight at Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp

Day 3: Lake Elmenteita - Explore the Woolland and Forest Habitat

After breakfast, embark on a birding walk taking you into the nearby Acacia woodlands. Don’t let the grazing impala distract you!  The forest offers festooned riverine galleries - learn the bird calls here that are key to their identifications. A picnic lunch awaits you by the western edge of the forest.  

Return to the camp for an afternoon at leisure to relax and enjoy a swim in the camp’s affinity pool overlooking the lake!   Other optional activities available in the camp include: - Horse riding, Yoga, among others.

All meals and overnight at Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp

Day 4: Lake Elementaita and Drive to Nairobi

The Eco Walk - The glorious diversity of the Lake Elmenteita eco-sphere means that it is best experienced on foot. Led by a professional naturalist, this gentle stroll encompasses the shore line of this utterly unrivalled Heritage Site; it also meanders deep into the golden-barked acacia woodlands. The information shared includes fascinating insights into the local flora, fauna and avifauna; the secrets of traditional medicine; local Maasai folk lore and the area’s unique colonial history. The walk also delivers a glimpse into the massive geological forces that shaped one of the greatest natural formations on earth: The Great Rift Valley.

The highlight of this morning walk is a Lakeside Breakfast. Here, our safari team will set up an impromptu kitchen, a table and a breakfast buffet. Your bespoke cooked breakfast will then be served. When you

have seen your fill of all that this uniquely atmospheric spot has to offer, your naturalist will walk you back to the camp to re-fresh and check-out ready for your drive back to Nairobi City.

Drop off at your city hotel or residence.

An exciting Ornithological Safari experience!!

Package Cost

3rd January to 30th June 2023

Per person sharing in a double/twin room - US$1,790

Single room supplement - US$265 per person

1st July to 22nd December 2023

Per person sharing in a double/twin room - US$1,915

Single room supplement - US$450 per person

Guaranteed Departure - Minimum 2pax