Itinerary:

Our birding itinerary spreads over 8 days of birding and safari touring on Kenya's South Eastern Coast. We believe Kenya has so much to offer in birding, ecology and culture that  a rushed "ticking" tour is not on our preferred agenda. We specialize in the coastal area ,focusing on hard to find species. We also cater for people that enjoy mixing a luxury holiday, exclusive service, wildlife safaris and possibly some deep-sea fishing with their bird watching. All this within a realistic period of time whilst still achieving a possible species count of +300.  

Our base is the coastal town of Malindi, where birders are accomodated at our family owned lodge "Southern Cross" (since 1969). We are a mere 8 kilometers from the Sabaki River mouth, one of Kenya's most important birding areas and home to the Malindi Pipit as well as Madagascar Pratincole, Sooty Tern, Saunder's Tern and Lesser Crested Tern and many other waders and shore birds.  

We are also less than 20 minutes from the Arabuko-Sokoke Coastal Forest, which has one of the highest numbers of endemics for any region of its size; such as the very elusive Sokoke Scops owl and East Coast Akalat . Here you also have a good chance of seeing Fischer's Turaco, Spotted Ground Thrush, Sokoke Pipit, East Coast Akalat, Amani Sunbird, Clarke's Weaver and Southern Banded Snake Eagle.    

We cover the following areas:  

Malindi and surrounds : Sabaki Estuary, Sabaki River and adjoining coastal lakes and wetlands, mangrove swamps, salt pans, Sokoke Arabuko Forest, Mida Creek and the Gede Ruins as well as numerous large private and tribal lands to which we have negotiated access rights due to their fantastic birding. The coastal flats, estuaries and tidal pools are good areas for seeing a variety of tern, crab plovers, flamingos, waterfowl (and we can almost guarantee pygmy goose sightings), Madagascar Pratincole and other interesting species. In the gardens of the lodge you have good opportunities of seeing our resident Silvery-cheeked Hornbills, Gymnogene,

Fish-eagles, Lizard buzzards, Black-headed herons and White-browed coucals, as well as many others. The current "Southern Cross" gardens count is well over 50 species!  

Tsavo- East National Park: The road from Malindi to the Tsavo is a 100 kilometer stretch in which the landscape changes dramatically and an abundance of species occur that prefer the drier areas of the interior. Here birders are accommodated in a classical East- African style tented Safari camp on the banks of the Galana River. While birding in this big-game country you will likely see Elephant, Hippo, Buffalo, Crocodile, some of the larger carnivores such as Lion and Hyena and possibly even Leopard and Wild-dog as well as a large variety of antelope and smaller mammals. The birding in this region is spectacular and key species are Golden-breasted starlings, Eastern Chanting Goshawk, Brown Snake Eagle, Batleur and Tawny Eagle, Von der Deckens, Red-billed, Yellow-billed and Grey Hornbills, Woolly -necked Storks, Verreaux Eagle owl, African Scops owl,Black-faced Sandgrouse and White-bellied, Crested and Kori bustard. The camp is located outside the park which allows visitors the opportunity to go on guided walks and evening/night drives which are an excellent opportunity for seeing some of the more crepuscular and nocturnal species.  

Tana River: This wild country, on the road North of Malindi, past Garsen is very uninhabited and very poorly developed from a tourism point of view. We have extensive knowledge of this area and can provide our guests with a very unique birding opportunity in one of Kenya's most important birding areas. Tana River Primate Reserve is an area not covered by many tour operators, who prefer the more easily accessible and developed areas. This is however a very beautiful part of Kenya and a very important birding area. You will also have the chance of seeing some of the rarest primates in the world, the Tana River Crested Mangabey and Tana River Red Colobus whilst walking through the riverine forest. Key bird species are African Darter, Dwarf Bittern, Hammerkop, Saddle billed stork, Fulvous and White-faced Whistling duck, Vulturine guinea fowl, Zanzibar bishop and Basra Reed Warbler,Narina Trogon, Trumpeter Hornbill and many more, .  

Your tour is a complete package, with no hidden costs. The only extras you will incur are your flights to Malindi, a $50 entry Visa into Kenya, and any form of alcohol and tips. Included in our package price is a half day of snorkeling if desired, a sea-food buffet on a remote beach as well as all road transport within the birding itinerary, food and lodging, all laundry service and 2 full time bird guides. Please view our site www.malindipipit.com for detailed pictures and info.