Dear all
Here's a report of a recent trip to Kenya, surely one of the most magical birding destinations in the world.
A couple of years ago the BBC ran a series called Elephant Diaries, filmed at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage near Nairobi.
http://sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/index.asp
My partner and I were so smitten with the baby elephants we both signed up to sponsor an orphan.
When we got round to discussing a holiday for this year there was only one contender - a birding trip to Kenya, including a visit to the orphanage.
I searched t'internet and landed at Sarus Bird Tours who offer tailor-made trips with Ben Mugambi.
http://www.bensecologicalsafaris.com/index.html
They put together a comprehensive itinerary for us including flights, accommodation, food, transport and guide.
We flew with KLM from Manchester via Amsterdam, landing at Nairobi early morning on 23rd March. Zack and Peter (guide and driver) met us and we drove to our first hotel for a quick wash and change before heading on to the Elephant Orphanage (see pic below) - a lovely way to start the holiday ...
Following that we took our picnic lunch and headed off down the Magadi Road for the afternoon, birding along the way. Despite the hot, dry conditions we saw lots of good birds: Barbets, Mousebirds, Weavers and Waxbills.
The hotel (Whistling Thorns) grounds had lots of birds too, Glossy Starlings, Sunbirds, Babblers and assorted Finches. We retired, quite exhausted, soon after dinner for a good night's sleep!
More to follow ...
Nice report, looking forward to more! I visited Kenya in 2007, and saw some similar birds to you. Nice one on the Sharpe's Longclaw, thats a really good bird! Some really good photos in your gallery too, I like the Pygmy Falcon a lot, they were one of my favourites from my trip.