Birdingpal.org
The Bird Watching Club for World Travelers

Kenya

You don't need to be an expert birder to contact a Pal.  Together you have love for nature, birds, new countries and learning.

These are serious birdwatchers willing to share their time to help you.  It is a privilege to contact them.  Your message should be respectful.

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Pals will answer your messages quickly, if they can.  You might select someone who is traveling, so write to more than one Pal, and be patient.  Let us know if someone doesn't answer and we'll check that everything is okay.

Let us know when you are going to meet a Pal, and then let us know how it went.

Happy birding.
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G. Gakuo



Maps
NairobiNyanzaKenya
Area


Available
Fri eve, Sat, Sun, Tues, Weds

Languages
English and Swahili
Note
I am a holder of a BSc in Zoology and botany. Field assisted Ornithology at university level fro three years whilst a student. Currently professionally engaged in Climate Change, International Relations and Development. Sites I visit are

1. Lake Baringo for a selection of passerines;- such as the colourful and beautiful Barbets.
2. Lake Nakuru for a selection of wetland birds such as greater and (more abundant) lesser Flamingos.
3. Nairobi National Park for a selection of rare birds of prey.
4. Lake Naivasha for a greater selection of birds of prey and wetland birds.
Area
Nairobi National Park, Hells Gate, Nakuru National Park, Lake Bogoria, Lake Baringo

Area Birds
Non-passerines such as Ostriches, Hamerkops, Storks, Commorants, Kingfishers, bee eaters, kites and eagles. Passerines such as Wagtails, Bulbuls, Thrushes, Shrikes, Starlings, Weavers.



M. Onyambu



Maps
NairobiNyanzaKenya


Available
Anytime

Languages
English, Kiswahili
Note
I want to encourage any birder who wants to bird in the Rift vally, Kakamega forest, Lake nakuru, Lake Victoria and Kisii Highlands to Join me anytime of the week but mostly during weekends. The areas mentioned boasts a rich bird diversity ranging from terrestrial to water birds. Birding is still my hobby despite my routine lecturing Job. I look forward to hearing from you and fellow birdingpals.

 
Professional Birding Guides

A professional Birdingpal guide can customize your tour, and you will see the birds you want.
Your guide is also your travel companion, who will make sure you experience the native people, scenery, culture, history and food, first hand.
Hiring a Birdingpal guide will boost the local economy and help protect birds other wildlife and their habitat


Davis Kibuga

Wide Birding Eco-Tours
Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania
www.widewildsafaris.com
WhatsApp +256778544626
Email: kenywild100@gmail.com

Itineraries:
Bird watching in Kenya and game 24 days Itinerary

Bird Watching in Kenya 1 Week Itinerary East

Birdwatching in kenya 16days Itinerary West

Maps
Nairobi National Park,     Tsavo National Park,     Amboseli National Park,     Lake Nakuru National Park,     Kenya


Available
Anytime

Languages
English
Birding Pal

Note
Davis Kibuga Hails from western Uganda adjacent Queen Elizabeth National Park. He is assessed, licensed and registered tourist guide by Uganda Tourism Board to work along East African community tourism destinations as a local tour guide.

He has vast experience in birding tours planning, identifying rich bird spots, birds' identification, guiding and driving, and general tours and culture of East Africa-Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda.

Contact Davis today, he will help you plan your budget group/solo birding trip in East Africa-Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania Rwanda or Burundi.

Chat on WhatsApp with Davis he responds instantly.
+256778544626

Direct mail to Davis for swift response!
kenywild100@gmail.com

Company: WIDE BIRDING ECO TOURS
Site: www.widewildsafaris.com
Birding Pal

Area

Best birding season in Kenya.
Kenya and like any other area or country in Africa southern Sahara, birdlife and bird watching is always good all year around. But it’s better between late August to late April when most of the migratory birds are present and when the native bird species are nesting and in breeding plumage they look very colorful.

Best birding spots in Kenya.

Nairobi National Park (the world’s only wildlife capital) An amazing wildlife and game at the center of Kenya’s capital-Nairobi! The park is fenced to protect wildlife from direct contact to human. Whereas the southern boundary is open to allow migrating wildlife move between the park and the neighboring Kitengela plains. From big ungulates to the smallest like rodents and chameleons, checklists of over 500species of birds live in the park.

Tsavo National Park (the place of slaughter) The biggest national park in kenya and among the top 10 biggest in east Africa. Strategically located between the two capital cities of Kenya- Nairobi and Mombasa, and one of the oldest parks in Kenya with enormous wilderness area that was divided into two section .i.e. Tsavo east and Tsavo west national parks.

Masai Mara National Park The greatest wildlife in Africa, a connection of Serengeti national park in neighboring Tanzania, nomadic maasai communities and culture are of the prominent tourist attractions in the region.

Amboseli National Park With the breath taking backdrop of mt Kilimanjaro, comprising of plains, woodlands and rocky thorn bush, great birding experience, elephant and other animals viewing, annual wildebeest migration can also be encountered here.

Lake Nakuru National Park Located on the floor of the great rift valley and Kenya’s most popular park, supporting great brdlife including flocks of flamingoes. Easily accessible a few hours’ drive from Nairobi. Safari activities, flamingoes, 100s of migratory birds and rhinos.

Other site/parks
Mt elgon national park
Marsbit national park
Meru national park etc
Mt Kenya National Park
Aberdare Ranges
Lake Naivasha
Kakamega forest
Nyahururu Thomsons Falls
Samburu National Reserve
Buffalo Springs-Samburu
Lake Baringo
Arobuke Sokoke
Mida Creek
Malindi Narine National reserve
etc..



Area birds
Hinde's Babbler Aberdare Cisticola Clark's weaver Jacksons Spurfowel Williams's Lark Tana River cisticola Taita Apalis Sharpe's longclaw Moorlands Chat Scops owl Abbott's starling Moorland fracolin
Birding Pal

Kudos
TESTMONIALS

Juantxo & Fernando Uganda Trip Testmonial;
In November 2022 I and my friend were in Uganda for three weeks Birding Trip. That was my second trip to Uganda and this time Kibuga Davis was our excellent guide and driver. He organized our trip from day of inquiry to end of trip was excellent; he guided us along all Birding spots and sites. Our trip was focused to see Uganda Albertine endemic birds and among we managed to see 20spp! Arrangements to trek for mountain gorillas with him was excellent and we received out trek certificates, has an Excellent knowledge of the bird life of Uganda and he is a very nice companion.

If someone is planning a trip to Uganda, I can recommend him without any rejection. He is excellent budget Birding Trip planner, very patient bird guide and spotter amongst the guides I have ever seen! You can reach Davis by simply texting him on his WhatsApp contact +256701928094 as its very quickest way I used to communicate to him.


Denise Donelle Uganda Trip Testimonial;
I took the 21-day Ugandan bird-watching tour and I must say right up front that the birding expertise was of high caliber, both Davis and Robert being excellent birders. We did manage to see quite a few species of animals (other than birds) including a fair number of primates like mountain gorilla (even though I had not purchased the trekking permit) in Bwindi NP (on the Buhoma Community Camp property, near the cabins), chimpanzees (again I had not booked any trekking) in both Kibale and on the Royal Mile as well as 8 other species of monkeys.

We also saw giraffes, Ugandan kobs, impalas, oribis, duikers, elephants, hippos, giant forest hogs, spotted hyenas, side-striped jackals, one leopard, warthogs, striped ground squirrels, a few chameleons and even an East African epauletted fruit bat. We also saw numerous butterflies during the tour.

As for birds we saw a total of 524 species and heard (only) another 13 species. The tour took us literally around the country which brought new species at every new location. Each new location also often brought local guides with local knowledge (of the area and of the birds/animals to be found there) but Robert's and Davis' expertise could also be relied upon whether a local guide accompanied us or not.

Ugandan people are very friendly, welcoming and helpful and the country is amazingly beautiful. Each new park or region bringing with it its own version of beauty
Denise Donelle


Mieczyslaw Kuzma Uganda Trip Testmonial:
In March I was in Uganda for two weeks. That was my second trip to Uganda and this time i was again on the road with Kibuga Davis. He has an excellent knowledge of the bird life of Uganda and he is a very nice companion. if someone is planning a trip to Uganda, I can recommend him without any rejection.
Mieczyslaw


Dr Matthew Dryden Uganda Trip Testmonial;
Dear Davis, Can I thank you for an amazing trip around Uganda. I enjoyed it so much. We saw so much wild life, in particular many species of birds, and that was due to your expertise and knowledge for which I'm very grateful. You were very efficient in all the travel arrangements and in organizing places to stay, as we as all the certificates and permits for the gorilla and chimpanzee tracking.

You were also a great travel companion. I have no hesitation in recommending your expert service to anyone considering at trip to Uganda.
Dr. Matthew Dryden Hampshire Hospitals & RIPL, Porton

Kim Jeff Kenya Trip Testimonial
Thanks Davis for your patience throughout my trip in Eastern Kenya, I have enjoyed my trip because of your great bird guiding experience. I look forward to travel with again soon!


Testimonials:
Read Kudos here!



Peter Wairasho


Twinspot Tours and Travel Limited


Social Media
Facebook


Maps
NairobiNairobiKenya
Specific map


Available
Anytime

Languages
English, Swahili, Japanese
Birding Pal

Note
Peter is a trained Bird Guide whose engagement in several ornithological research and safaris has earned him intimate knowledge of the African wilderness be it Flora or Fauna.

Moreover he engages in Bird Ringing/Banding with the Nairobi Ringing Group and in Tsavo West National Park [Ngulia] with other International Bird ringers. He is part of the Raptor Road Survey Team under the Peregrine Fund and the Raptor Working Group.

He is a Co-author of "Being a Bird" book and has also helped run the Fundamentals of Ornithology course, in the past, which trains both amateur and professional birders from Kenya and other African countries.

Peter is a well renowned, experienced bird guide certified by Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association, confident, hardworking, honest, time conscious and with good interpersonal skills as well as good sense of humor!
Birding Pal

Area
Nairobi National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Aberdares Forest, Mt Kenya, Kinangop Grasslands, Lake Bogoria/Baringo, Kakamega Forest, Lake Victoria, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Lake Naivasha,Amboseli National Park, Tsavo East/West National Park,Arabuko Sokoke Forest,Mida Creek, Samburu National Reserve, Lake Magadi

Area Birds
African Crowned Eagle, Martial Eagle, Jackson's Widowbird, Sharpe's Longclaw, Aberdares Cisticola, Verreaux's Eagle-Owl, Turner's Eremomela, Papyrus Gonolek, Blue Swallow, Ross's Turaco, Giant Kingfisher, Goliath Heron, Magadi Plover, Scimitarbills, Tsavo Sunbird, Sokoke Scops Owl,Crab Plover, Golden-breasted Starling, Rufous Chatterer, William's Lark, Crested Lark.
Birding Pal




Tours


Email: wairasho@gmail.com

Phone: +254 722 336 456


18-Day Itinerary Birdwatching in Kenya (PDF)


Testimonials


I can fully recommend Peter. He is extremely knowledgeable about birds in East Africa and where to find them. I have had several birding trips to Kenya but none has been more productive than my trip with Peter in terms of how many different species of birds I have been able to see in one short trip. He has fantastic local knowledge.

Peter is also a delightful travelling companion. He is engaging, speaks perfect English and is very accommodating on timing - at what time to leave, how long it will take to arrive at the birding sites, and what to expect when you get there. He understands your objectives ('targets' and so on) and the conditions perfectly.

Best wishes
D. Hughes, UK


In January 2019 and December 2019 I made bird photography tours through different parts of Kenya, each trip for two weeks. I choose Peter Wairasho as a BirdingPal because he gives a detailed description of his professional knowledge and interests.

On my tailor-made bird photography trips with 4x4 rental cars he proved as a very knowledgeable birder: choosing the right habitat, hearing the call, sharpening the eyes, approaching the bird cautiously, the rest was easy for the photographer.

Peter proved furthermore as an excellent driver not fearing any mud and pothole. At the same time patient and provided with a good sense for humor.

A tour with Peter is highly recommended!

Dr. F. Stadtbaumer, Germany



Bernard Mwangi

Maps
NanyukiRift ValleyKenya

Company
Bernard M. Mwangi Adventures


Available
Anytime

Languages
English
Note
Birding Away Kenya
Regular departures every month
from 1st of every month 7 days coastal Kenya trip.

7th of every month: 7 days Masai mara and Lake Nakuru tour.

14th - 21st: Birding in sites around Nairobi.

21st - 28th : 7 days Mount Kenya trek, Chogoria -Narumoru route.

28th to end month:3 days Meru- Samburu tour.
Area
Masai mara, Lake Nakuru, Nairobi, Mount Kenya trek, Chogoria Narumoru, Meru- Samburu



Moses Kandie




Maps
NakuruRift ValleyKenya

Company
Birdwatching Kenya


Available
Anytime

Languages
English
Birding Pal

Note
Born around Lake Baringo, one of the all-time birding hotspot in Kenya. After brushing shoulders with birders from around the globe while aged 13 years, my passion soared and curiosity to know more about birds grew. I tracked owls, nightjars and other difficult species making it easier for sighting. I later pursued a degree in education but still found myself following my passion which led me to guiding birders locally and eventually going online. I helped in the formation of Lake Baringo Birding Club which saw young guys from the community embrace birding and conservation, I have been involved in chairing of Lake Baringo Biodiversity Conservation Group which continues to support conservation efforts in Lake Baringo and its environs.

I have since 2011 led birding trips for international companies as well as organizing some on my own. I initiated Birdwatching Kenya and Fieldman Birdwatching safaris which has continued to offer professional trips around the country and beyond. I have established contacts in other countries in East and West Africa. Birding has taken me to Ghana and Cote ‘d’Ivoire where I enjoyed the unique species including the intriguing White-necked Picarthartes and more.

Our trips range from a day to over a month. The trips can narrow down on endemic, near endemic and range restricted species. We gather for all sorts of clientele including young and old, newbies and twitchers, fit and decrepit.

Trip Report from our recent 2023 tour:
ebird.org/qc/tripreport/88845

Testimonials: I have just returned from an excellent trip with Moses Kandie to several locations in central Kenya. It was very well organised, with a suitable vehicle, good and safe driver, good/suitable accommodation but especially Moses was an outstanding guide. His knowledge of the locations, the birds (and animals) there and ability to find and identify birds by sight and sound were exceptional. He was focused on the birds I wanted to see and was very successful. I hope I'll be able to join him on another trip.
- Terry Boss 2017

I visited Lake Baringo last year, and Moses came out for 3 days with me as a guide. He showed an excellent knowledge of local species, calls as well as location of some of the specialties of the area and he is a very nice person to boot. Our company is planning to run trips to Africa and for Baringo, we plan to use Mr Kandie - which I suppose sums up how much I enjoyed my time with him as my guide. Any questions, please feel free to email me.
Vandit Kalia, Photo Safari India.

Moses is a sympatic and responsible birding guide that I first met in his home village Kampi ya Samaki by Lake Baringo in 2004. He's especially familiar with the birds of the Rift Valley but has also travelled over much of the rest of Kenya. We've made one professional tour together and there are more to come. I can thus recommend Moses as your birding guide!
Samuel Hansson, Heliangelus Nature Tours, Sweden.


PHONE: +254722420699
WHATSAPP: +254722420699
EMAIL: kandyrop@yahoo.com
Birding Pal

Area
Hotspots: Nairobi national park, Mt Kenya, Aberdares, Lake Nakuru, Lake Baringo, Arabuko-Sokoke forest, Kakamega forest, Taita Hills. Masai Mara etc.

Area Birds
African Fish-Eagle, Greater and Lesser Flamingo, Herons, Egrets, Plovers, Storks, Eagles, Vultures, Sharpes Longclaw, Larks, Bustards, Coursers, Sand Grouses, Vultures, Raptors
Birding Pal




Mwangi wa Gitau



Maps
NairobiNyanzaKenya
Specific map


Company
ConQuest Adventures Ltd.


Available
Anytime

Languages
English and Kiswahili
Birding Pal

Note
Mwangi is an avid Ornithological guide, interested in anything and everything from an ant, bird, plant to a big elephant.

He is competent, friendly, experienced with unrivalled knowledge of nature.

He will always handle your birding trip diligently making it more enjoyable and a real value of your money.

Mwangi leads several Birding Trips within East Africa.


In September 2015 we, Leonie and Rick, joined Mwangi Wa Gitau for a 6-days bird safari in Kenya. Mwangi is a very knowledgeable Guide, an official Birding Pal Professional Guide and highly recommend.

We had our first encounter through BirdingPal, and worked together to design a tailor made trip. Mwangi is a good listener and understood well that we were not in search of the big five or fancy resorts. He has the right contacts in the right places, such as Lake Elementaita and Lake Baringo. The accommodations were well chosen, simple and exactly what we were looking for. We hardly saw any other tourist and we were surrounded by birdlife.

Mwangi offers bird watching time for as long as you like. Sometimes we ran out of energy, but he was still going strong. Even during the late evenings, when checking the bird list, he was helpful reminding us the details of the birds we saw that day. This prevented some errors for our eBird submissions. And when he heard a potential lifer, he dragged us out into the bush again. Of course, we didn't mind!

Mwangi knows the bird calls, even from ones who mimic others, which is incredible. We met his trainers in Nairobi, but he has clearly surpassed them all. What is also important; Mwangi is a team player. He knows his birds, but he also receives advice form the local experts. This way we found Owls, Coursers and Nightjars in a matter of minutes. He would probably have found them by himself, but it saved time to learn about the latest roosting movements by teaming up. He appreciates the smaller, less colourful birds (Hunter's Cisticola) as much as the impressive Fish Eagle.

We dreamed of visiting Kenya and after 20 years the dream came through. However, Kenya is not off the "bucket list". Better: it will stay on the list and hopefully we'll be back within a few years.

Mwangi will certainly be part of our next trip.

We wish Mwangi all the support he needs to create better opportunities for himself. He deserve it as he is a great birder guide (and we've seen quite few over the past 10 years...).

Leonie & Rick
Birding Pals
Birding Pal

Area
Nairobi N Park, Magadi Road, Gatamaiyu & Eburu Forests, L. Elementaita,Taita Hills, Lake Elementaita, Lake Baringo

Area Birds
Maccoa Duck, Beautiful Sunbird, Black bellied Bustard, Taita Apalis, Secretary Bird, Owls, Coursers, Nightjars, Hunter's Cisticola, Fish Eagle