Day 1 - The Arrival

White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher

This morning we arrived in Nairobi, Kenya after travelling half way around the world. This involved flying nine hours to Bangkok, Thailand, then having to waste some four hours of time at the Bangkok airport without falling asleep and missing your onward flight. Then travel for another nine hours to Kenya on Kenyan Airlines.

In Kenya we witnessed a beautiful dawn and soon we were on our way to our hotel in downtown Nairobi. It is a well-positioned place with wonderful gardens filled with birds. Despite the jetlag the gardens beckoned and soon we were ticking new birds off and meeting the rest of our crew who were, not surprisingly, birding in the garden. The afternoon featured a visit to the nearby Nairobi Arboretum which was filled with noisy Kenyans making the most of their Sunday. We tried some of the less popular tracks and were rewarded with a steady trickle of species. During this walk, energy levels plummeted and concentration began to wane such that early tea was taken from birding and the recent group of folks arriving; Megan and I, John and Glenis and Russ, headed back for a kip.

I’m now resting up; preparing my list of today’s 49 species for bird call. The only things after that are dinner, shower and passing out. Tomorrow’s plans involve an early start for an explore of Nairobi National Park – can’t wait for that one…  

 [Words to the wise – June travellers. You will need to get your Kenyan Airline boarding passes from the Kenyan desk which is located in the west section of the airport. You will need to ask its location at an information desk as it is a little hidden and it will not be open for the first hour or so when you arrive.

Also regarding visas – we got Kenyan visas as paperwork for the East African ones was not obvious. The Canadians made a special effort of asking and got theirs done.]

Baglafecht Weavers

Bronze Sunbird

Common Fiscal

Gardens at our Hotel boulevard

Hadada

Bronze Mannikin