Birding in Nairobi National Park
Birding in Nairobi National Park
Birding in Nairobi National Park: Nairobi National Park is Kenya’s top safari destination for birding owing more than 520 bird species and was the first national park to be opened up for tourism. On the land measuring 117 square kilometers and was established in 1946 as a gazette national park. The park lies close to Nairobi’s capital city 7 kilometers away from it, well fenced along three sides, where it adjacent to urban housing, roads, industry and airport. The southern border goes along with the Embakasi and Athi rivers which are animal habitat. The park is surrounded with varied habitats which provide shelter, feeding to diversity of species within, they include open grass land, riverine woodland, valley thicket, rolling grass plains, artificial dams and pond, rocky gorges and dry upland forest are inhabit to variety of park’s species.
Birding tour in Nairobi National Park
Birding is a highlight activity done in Nairobi National park with a diverse checklist of over 520 species of birds. The Kenya mountain Endemic bird area is comprised of 27 species of the 94 Somali-Masai biome, 25 bird species of the 67 African Highlands biome all these species have been recorded in the area. The migrating lesser falcons appear in large numbers of ‘’over 5,000 individuals’’ can be recorded at the time.
The park’s grass land is of great importance for species like restricted-range Jackson’s Widowbird which breeds in here after good rains. The global species to see include Corncrake, Madagascar Pond-Heron, Lesser Kestrel, Jackson’s widowbird, Basra Reed Warbler, Red-throated Tit as well as threatened rare shoe bill stork can be spotted in the park. Regional threatened species include Hieraaetus ayresii, Stephanoaetus coronatus, Struthio camelus, Polemaetus bellicosus, Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis, Casmerodius albus, Buphagus africanus and podica senegalensis and many more.
Other key bird species to be spotted in Nairobi national park include southern Ground hornbill ,Martial Eagle ,Saddle-billed stork,Grey crowned crane ,superb starling, Lilac-breasted Roller, Rosy-breasted Long claw ,Secretary bird, saddle- billed stork zebra waxbill ,African Quail-finch ,Northern pied babbler ,Speke’s weaver, African crowned Eagle ,Violet wood-hoopoes ,Nairobi pipit ,Croaking cisticola ,Desert cisticola among others ,all these species makes the park to be the most interesting birding destinations on Kenya safaris.
Other wildlife to be adventured at Nairobi National park include large diversity of animals like Zebras, eland and wildebeests which migrate into the park from the month of July to August, African lions, Cape Buffaloes, Leopards, Cheetahs, Hippopotus, Nile crocodiles and many more. The park also harbors with numbers of Black Rhinos which are increasing on its population.
Best Time for Bird Watching in Nairobi
Bird watching in Nairobi national park can be done all year around but the best watching time is from November to April when the migrants birds from Europe and north Africa arrival in the park. This can be breeding season and many species can be viewed here. The rewarding view of Jackson’s widowbird happens from March to May, April tends to be more wet thus interrupting wildlife viewing.
Where to stay on your Kenya birding Tour in Nairobi National park
Nairobi national park has got range of accommodation facilities where visitors can spend their overnight stay from, comprised of campsite, lodges ranging from luxury to budget that suites their stay in the African wilderness such lodges are The last village lodge, Ololo safari lodge, Swara Acacia lodge, Masai lodge, Osoita lodge, Hotel Troy as well as safe place for camping to travelers who like camping.
Getting there
Kenya has a country can be entered through Jomo Kenyatta Airport, Kilimanjaro Airport or Wilson Airport all sits in different location of Nairobi capital city. But lucky enough Nairobi national park is the world’s closest park to the heart of capital.
Birding in Nairobi national park is quite an incredible tour with a gainful view of sceneries of Nairobi city.
