Worst/Best Time For Birding in Kenya For Avid Birders

Worst/Best Time For Birding in Kenya: A Month By Month Guide

January to Mid-march

Now is the time when it’s dry. The majority of the migrating birds from Europe and Asia, mostly ducks and geese, make their way to Kenya around this time. During their return voyage, the number of Eurasian species in southern Africa can be observed at various passage stops, and this number increases as March approaches. Now that many parks’ marshes have dried up, seeing completely aquatic species like ducks and geese is very unlikely. However, during migratory season, permanent water pans such as Lake Turkana and Lake Naivasha can be home to significant concentrations of water birds.

There is no assurance that visitors to Lake Nakuru will see flamingos, which is disappointing for nature lovers. Lake Bogoria, further north, boasts a consistently good flamingo flock year-round, so you might have little choice but to relocate there. Noteworthy, compared to Lake Nakuru, Lake Bogoria does not provide the best opportunity to observe wildlife. Travellers still choose to stay in Lake Nakuru while visiting the middle Rift valley for this very reason.

The amount of grass in the park is drastically reduced during this time due to the protracted drought. To make things easy for game observers, most of the animals is congregating in the remaining grass plains. A large number of automobiles end up in different parks as a result of this.

In contrast to animals, most birds are stealthy and difficult to pin down. Due to the high volume of traffic, most birds migrate away from places near the park main road, making terrestrial birding viewing less than ideal. Notably, off-road driving is not permitted in the majority of Kenyan parks. Nevertheless, dedicated birdwatchers can get a good look at avian sceneries just a few meters away from roadways with binoculars.

Mid-march to May

The rainy season is here. During this time, fewer people visit the park. If you want to see birds, you should go somewhere peaceful. During this time, flamingo safaris are the most enjoyable. Swarms of the coveted birds are likely to be spotted in Nakuru. Nevertheless, the quantities of algae will determine their numbers. Large precipitate deposits from the highlands have been causing desalination issues in Lake Nakuru, which are a result of human activity. If the lake’s depth has been significantly increased due to heavy flooding, flamingos will avoid the area because they prefer shallow waters. Nevertheless, if you’re looking for a great place to see birds, I highly recommend Lake Bogoria and Elementaita, which are less than two hours away from Nakuru. Until April, the birds that spend the winter stay.

Musiara and Olpunyata swamps in Masai Mara are only two examples of the parks where you can see more wading birds as the wetlands get wetter. When visiting seasonal lakes like Amboseli, you have the best chance of seeing flamingos during this time. During the mating season, when the majority of birds are building their nests, they come out of hiding to pursue potential partners. Because of this, it is the ideal time to go on a hunt for the most evasive species.

Having said that, tracking game becomes extremely challenging during this time due to the high grasses and dispersed wildlife in the interior parts of the forest. Nonetheless, parks with a larger density of species, such as Masai Mara, will still provide enjoyable game drives. Beautiful flower beds are another attraction.

June to September

Most parks are as packed as they are during peak season because this is the mara migration season. During this time, you can see a plethora of birds on the coastline circuit, which includes parks like Tsavo and Chichu Lu Lu, as well as other coastal forests like Simba Hills. As the hunting season on the Mara plains heats up, it’s not uncommon to see raptors picking through dead animals. It is a fascinating sight to see vultures preying because most of these animals live in colonies.

Flamingos typically breed in July and August in Lake Natron, with a smaller number of birds also seen in Lake Magadi and Lake Bogoria. To make the most of this season, it is recommended to arrange a safari to Lake Magadi and Lake Natron from the Kenyan side at the same time. The first migrating birds land in Kenya in September, as temperatures in Asia and Europe begin to drop in preparation for winter. The birds’ speed and endurance in flight are the primary factors that dictate the arrival time.

October and December

During this time, the Mara plains are visited by migrating wildebeest. October isn’t quite as dry as January and February, but it still doesn’t rain much in the parks. During this time, there is a huge influx of migratory species, the most of which are passing through the area of Southern Africa. As November’s brief rains get underway, you might see several local birds in their breeding plumage. It is the peak migration season for several species that travel throughout Africa.

The game view is still fantastic throughout the season, even though it’s not as remarkable as in the high and migratory seasons due to the less heavy rain. The short rains don’t affect all national parks, so even in the middle of summer, you can still get a great glimpse of the animals.

Worst/Best Time For Birding in Kenya Summary:

The majority of Kenya’s bird species are in their breeding plumage and actively seeking mates in November, making it the ideal time to go on a birding safari at this time. In most parks around the nation, the weather is pleasant and game viewing is good during this period. At this time of year, many species of migratory birds and other wildlife make their way to the southern Africa region for the summer, either by permanently settling there or by temporarily stopping at higher elevations along the flyway. The enormous rift valley lakes are home to an impressive flamingo population, which has returned after the brief rains to replace the blue algae.

But depending on what kind of safari experience they’re after, other times of year may suit other travellers better.