02 Jun 2026 - 11 Jun 2026 (10 days)
USD4,750 SPACES AVAILABLE
Tour Leader: Julian Parsons
Tour Price (Per person): USD4,750 (EUR4,142 * GBP3,647 * ZAR80,871 * AUD7,283 * CAD6,688)
Single Supplement: USD490 (EUR427 * GBP376 * ZAR8,342 * AUD751 * CAD690)
Flight costs: USD110 (EUR96 * GBP84 * ZAR1,873 * AUD169 * CAD155)
Pricing notes : Pricing is based on a minimum group size of eight guests. A small group supplement may be applied at reduced group sizes.
Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime birding adventure in Kenya, in partnership with the African Bird Club. This exclusive tour takes you deep into the heart of the Dakatcha Woodlands, the coastal forests of Arabuko-Sokoke, and the stunning Taita Hills, where some of Africa's rarest and most elusive birds await. We hope to showcase the little-known Clarke's Weaver, the Endangered Taita Thrush, the Critically Endangered Taita Apalis, and, if we are lucky, the elusive Friedmann's Lark. You'll also get the unique opportunity to meet the passionate local conservationists who, alongside the African Bird Club, have been working tirelessly to protect these species and their vital habitats. Don't miss your chance to experience the magic of Kenya's birding and conservation in action.
Sokoke Scops Owl; Sokoke & Malindi Pipits; Clarke's, & Golden Palm Weavers; Scaly Babbler; East Coast Akalat; Green Barbet; Green Tinkerbird; Fischer's Turaco; Amani, Plain-backed, Tsavo, & Violet-breasted Sunbirds; Taita Thrush; Taita Apalis; Taita & Kikuyu White-eyes; Golden-breasted, Magpie & Fischer's Starlings; Somali Courser; Friedmann's Lark; Red-naped Bushshrike; Somali Bee-eater; Vulturine Guineafowl; Hartlaub's Bustard; Sooty Gull; Eastern Black-headed & Forest Batis; Forbe's-Watson's Swift; Pallid Honeyguide; Mombasa Woodpecker; African Broadbill; East Coast Akalat; White-throated Robin; Fire-fronted & Zanzibar Red Bishops; Red-throated Twinspot; Steel-blue Whydah.
Lion; Leopard; Black & White Rhinoceros; Cheetah; Spotted Hyena; Maasai Giraffes; Gerenuk; Serval; Golden-rumped Elephant-Shrew; Crested Porcupine; Small-spotted & Blotched Genets; African Civet; African Buffalo; African Elephant; Southern Tree Hyrax; Lesser & Greater Kudu; Harvey's Duiker; Suni.
lowland & montane forests, Acacia savanna, papyrus swamps, rivers and wetlands, rocky gorges, grassland, semi-desert, coastal estuaries
warm to hot, dry conditions, but cool at higher elevations and occasional rain can be expected.
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader
MODERATE TO CHALLENGING: This tour requires a good level of fitness, stamina, and overall health. It’s best suited for experienced birders who are comfortable with a more active itinerary. Please note that it may not be ideal for avid photographers, new birders, or those with mobility or health concerns.
Moderate to brisk paced tour, not suitable for novice birders.
Moderate to comfortable, some safari tented camps, a few basic lodges
Demanding. Some species density is low, forest birding present typical challenges. Several difficult target species.
450+
African curios, Taita Hills, Tsavo East and West National Parks.
Worthwhile to good.
I've never been on a safari trip so I had no way of knowing what was involved. Due to my age (83) and slight incapacity (I use a cane, aka "stick," to maintain balance) the trip was more challenging than I had anticipated. But Stuart Elsom, our guide, and Jack, our expert driver and expert birder, made accommodations that made it possible for me to undertake and get the most out of the experience. 342 life list birds! All in all, an unforgettable experience. Thank you for the wonderful birding experience. I will definitely recommend Rockjumper tours to my younger friends and family members.
Greg de Klerk was a wonderful leader. He knew exactly how to lead this relaxed tour. He always made sure that the needs of everyone in group were being met. He also demonstrated incredible knowledge of both the birds and the animals. I would go anywhere with him on another related tour.
This trip was a fantastic experience for me, both as a traveler and as an intermediate birder. Kenya is an extraordinary country to explore, and this itinerary certainly delivered a huge variety of habitats, birds, and landscapes. The days were long, packed, and sometimes demanding, but the rewards were genuinely worth it. One thing I appreciated throughout the tour was how clear it became that the logistics—especially the long hours in the jeep—were simply part of what was needed to make the birding goals possible. In my own line of work, planning and logistics are everything, so I fully understood what was happening behind the scenes. Whenever we had to eat in the vehicle, Stephan always explained honestly why: because there was no smarter alternative if we wanted to reach the planned areas and have the best shot at our targets. And he was right. As for the guiding, Stephan was excellent. He’s tireless in the field, extremely sharp, and incredibly knowledgeable—but what stood out most for me was how approachable he is. As an intermediate birder, I never once felt overlooked or rushed. He taught, explained, and helped me refine my skills without ever making me feel inadequate or behind the group. His patience, clarity, and genuine interest in helping each participant improve made a huge impact on my experience. He was also very receptive to feedback. Whenever we shared observations or suggestions, he didn’t just brush them off; he acknowledged them and showed real appreciation. That kind of attitude goes a long way on a long tour. Regarding the itinerary, while it was certainly comprehensive, I personally feel it might have flowed better in reverse. Starting with the more demanding, longer days and the less captivating sites—and ending with the “wow” locations—would have given the trip a stronger final note. Our last three days felt long and tiring, and they didn’t quite match the excitement of earlier highlights. A reordering could create a more compelling and energizing finish. I also believe that including the Masai Mara would take this tour from excellent to truly iconic. The Mara is one of East Africa’s crown jewels, both for birds and mammals, and we would have happily paid more or added extra days to include it. As part of a “mega” Kenya itinerary, it feels like a natural and very valuable addition. Accommodation-wise, most lodges were very good, some even excellent. A few were more basic but still fine. The main outlier was the Blue Post Hotel, where the rooms we received didn’t reflect what is advertised online. All in all, the experience was memorable, the birding phenomenal, and the group dynamic wonderful. I walked away with new skills, new species, and a renewed appreciation for what such a complex tour takes to run well. I’d happily travel with Rockjumper again—especially if Stephan is leading.
Great trip – close encounters with a lot of target birds and mammals, exciting habitats, comfortable accommodations and an outstanding guide. Glen must be one of the foremost authorities on African birds and I learned a great deal from him regarding ecology, behaviour, systematics and conservation.
Paul Josop is a top notch and amazing tour leader - at all times he was knowledgeable, patient, attentive and engaging. We loved the trip and feel that much of its success was because of Paul's excellent guiding skills. We feel very fortunate to have experienced all that we did.
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