BIRD SHOOTING IN KENYA
We can
arrange bespoke shooting itineraries on request, and
have access to some of the best bird shooting in Kenya.
We can offer guests on shooting safaris the choice of a number of different venues, however there are few better equipped or more suitable than Ol Donyo Waus in the beautiful Chyulu Hills, where morning sand grouse flights are combined with exciting driven and walked up forays into the bush. This beautiful lodge also offers guests the opportunity to enjoy riding, fly-camping and game drives in addition to shooting, and is reached by short private charter or overland drive from Nairobi. In Northern Kenya we can arrange shooting expeditions from the base of several lodges, but for a really sensational experience recommend a visit to the Chalbi Desert, which is nearly ninety minutes flight by light aircraft from Nanuyki, itself an hour's flight from Nairobi. In the Chalbi Desert guests stay at the remote and exotic kalatcha Lodge, just four thatched rooms, a central dining and living area, and a refreshing swimming pool. In the evening Lichtenstein's sand grouse flight in fast and low to the nearby water holes, whilst chestnut bellied sand grouse arrive in their thousands during the morning flight. Guests spend the intervening hours exploring the extraordinary landscape, visiting Lake Turkana (the Jade Sea) and meeting the local Gabbra tribe who come down to the palm lined springs to water their camels each morning.
All shooting safaris are bespoke, and guests can choose between as little or as much shooting as they please. Most incorporate other activities, such as riding, game viewing and fishing. As an example of the very best that Kenya has to offer the shooting enthusiast we have devised the ultimate bird shooting safari, and the itinerary is shown below.
Photo gallery - please click on images to enlarge.
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Ol Donyo Wuas with Chyulu Hills behind | Shooting with Mount Kilimanjaro in background |
Successful morning sand grouse flight |
Mixed bag of sand grouse and doves |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| kalatcha camp | Swimming pool at kalatcha | Gabbra tribe members dancing | South Island, Lake Turkana. |
ULTIMATE KENYA BIRD SHOOTING SAFARI
Day 1 Ol Donyo Wuas: Arrive
in Nairobi and transfer for private charter flight to the Chyulu Hills to stay
at Ol Donyo Wuas, a magnificent private lodge with exclusive access to a quarter
of a million acres, and stunning views to the snow capped summit of Mount
Kilimanjaro. There will be time for an evening shoot of Yellow-necked Spur fowl.
Day 2 Ol Donyo Wuas: Leave
the Lodge early and drive to a sand grouse flight that usually begins at 7.45am.
The flight lasts for up to an hour, during which
time several different species of sand grouse come in
from all angles and at breathtaking speed to drink the
water necessary to sustain them through the day. When
the flight finishes enjoy a picnic breakfast of eggs
and fresh sand grouse breasts, before moving into the
bush where we stage impromptu drives for yellow-neck
and guinea fowl, very often Masai scouts will have
located some big coveys during the morning flight that can
be successfully ambushed soon after setting off. Normally we arrive
back to the Lodge in time for a late lunch and a siesta, before going out again
at 4pm for some more walked-up or driven yellow-neck shooting.
Day 3 Ol Donyo Wuas: Another
early start to catch the sand grouse flight and then on after a barbeque
breakfast for more walked-up and driven yellow-neck and guinea fowl. However,
instead of returning to camp for lunch, we take a picnic lunch and spend the hot
mid-day hours under a shady Acacia tree. The
afternoon is spent shooting Yellow-neck before returning to the Lodge.
Day 4 Ol Donyo Wuas: A
third day flighting sand grouse and walking up wild game in the 250,000 acres at
our disposal. Alternatively, some of the party may choose to stay at the
lodge
and go out on game drives, walking or riding followed by a bush breakfast under
the shade of an acacia tree, or take a trip game viewing to Amboseli game park,
famous for its large herds of elephant.
Day 5 Borana Lodge:
Today
we fly to Borana, an exclusive lodge on a private 35,000-acre ranch on the
slopes of Mount Kenya. The ranch is
also a private wildlife sanctuary with fantastic game viewing in a breathtaking
location with views to Mt Kenya. The flight from Ol Donyo Wuas takes one hour,
so we would arrive in time for lunch.
Early afternoon we fly to Charlie Dyer’s wheat farm at
an altitude of some 8000 feet, where we flight doves. The
dove fighting is possibly the most demanding and
difficult shooting to be found: doves flying down hill
with the wind behind them present almost
impossible targets to hit. In the evening we fly
back to Borana Lodge, where guests can relax in exquisite
surroundings and enjoy superb food.
Day 6 Borana Lodge:
Guests can enjoy an early morning ride through the bush
or a game drive in a specially adapted four wheel drive
vehicle before breakfast, followed by a day relaxing at
the lodge besides the pool, alternatively fly by
private charter up to the
crystal clear waters of Lake Rutundu to fish for hard fighting rainbows.
There
are comfortable log cabins on the shore should a party wish to extend their trip
to this beautiful lake, high up the slopes of Mt Kenya into an overnight stay.
Alternatively return in the afternoon to flight doves in the farmland below.
Day 7 kalatcha Camp: Today we fly to kalatcha Camp in Northern Kenya. This is an oasis in the Chalbi Desert and is home to the romantic, nomadic Gabbra tribe of Cushitic origin living in Northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia. The flight takes approximately 90 minutes, and we fly over dramatic semi-desert country, including the Mathews Range of mountains and the spectacular Ndoto Hills. The accommodation at kalatcha is in reed thatched cottages, with a swimming pool to cool off in after the rigours of a hot morning. At kalatcha the sand grouse shooting is beyond compare, with the additional attraction of flighting Lichtenstein’s sand grouse in the evening. These birds swoop in like snipe just as the light is fading, and only those with the quickest reactions will succeed in adding any to the bag.
Day 8 kalatcha Camp: In the morning we flight sand grouse at a desert waterhole, before returning for lunch perhaps preceded by a visit to the nearby Gabbra settlement or an expedition to climb one of the steep hills that lie beyond and examine the rock paintings there. After lunch relax in the swimming pool before setting off for another exciting evening flight. When you return, enjoy a delicious dinner served on the sand beneath the stars, to the sound of palm trees rustling in the warm night breezes, after which the Gabbra women sing tribal songs for your enjoyment..
Day 9 kalatcha: After the morning sand grouse shoot we return to a breakfast of fried sand grouse breasts and then depart by light aircraft for a fishing expedition to Lake Turkana, otherwise known as the Jade Sea. We fly across the spectacular desert landscape for some thirty minutes, before landing on remote South Island and unloading fishing rods and picnic lunch. As we begin to land huge Nile Perch, local Turkana tribesman appear out of the harsh lunar landscape to help fillet the catch. On the way home drop into Loiyangalani village and sink a few cold beers in the swimming pool of the Oasis hotel, bathing in hot spring waters rich in minerals. We fly back in the evening in time for a final flight at the Lichtenstein's sand grouse, and another dinner beneath the stars.
Day 10 kalatcha onwards: A final morning at sand grouse before flying by light aircraft back to Nanyuki in time to connect with the scheduled Tropic Air flight back to Wilson airport in Nairobi. Fro there guests either fly on to their next destination - perhaps the Indian Ocean - or back home of the evening flight from the international airport.
Notes on bird shooting:
Season:
September and October, February and March.
Bag
Limits:
Sand
Grouse:
20 per gun per day
Yellow
Neck/Guinea Fowl: 20 per gun per day
Dove:
unlimited
It
is estimated that each gun would fire between 1000 and 1500 rounds on a trip of
this nature. Cartridges are charged at 40cents each.
Other
Activities:
There are various other
activities that can be incorporated at guest's request.
These include a visit to Amboseli National Park, famous
for its elephant population.
Here guests can spend the day game viewing after an early
morning shoot at Ol Donyo Wuas.
PRICES
AND AVAILABILITY
As each itinerary is designed to fit the requirements of the group or individual it is not possible to give prices without first discussing the preferred components of your trip. As a guideline an itinerary similar to that described in the sample would cost £3750 per person, based on a group of eight. The price includes all internal transfers, food, accommodation, drink, licences, (but not cartridges) and other activities based at the lodges, such as riding, game drives and fishing
