1What is your favorite bird species?
While I don’t have a single favorite bird, coursers have always fascinated me, particularly the elegant and secretive Three-banded Courser. Its incredible camouflage, refined look, and nocturnal nature make spotting one in the wild an unforgettable experience.
What is your name, and where do you live?
My name is Mwangi Gitau. I am Kenyan and live in Nairobi.
Northern Red Bishop
What are the main regions or locations you cover as a bird guide?
I primarily lead year-round birding tours throughout Kenya, covering all the country’s major birding regions. I also occasionally guide birding tours in Uganda and Tanzania.
Shoebill
How long have you been a bird guide?
I have been guiding birding tours since 2010.
How did you get into bird guiding?
I grew up near Lake Elementeita, one of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley lakes, famous for hosting vast flocks of Lesser Flamingos. My love for nature began at a very young age, inspired by the breathtaking sight of thousands of flamingos turning the lake a brilliant shade of pink. I was equally fascinated by visitors from around the world who travelled to witness this incredible spectacle. That early inspiration eventually grew into a lifelong passion for birds and wildlife.
Olive Ibis
What aspects of being a bird guide do you enjoy the most? Which aspects do you dislike?
Kenya’s incredible diversity of habitats—from montane forests and wetlands to savannahs and coastal forests—supports an extraordinary variety of birdlife, making it an exceptional birding destination throughout the year.
What I enjoy most is using my local knowledge and field experience to help visiting birders find their target species. Whether guiding serious listers or birders who simply want to experience Kenya’s rich birdlife, it is always rewarding to see their excitement when we locate a long-awaited species.
What concerns me most is the increasing over-reliance on recorded bird calls to attract shy and elusive birds. While playback can sometimes be a useful tool, it should never be overused. Responsible birding should always put the welfare of birds first.
Heuglin’s Spurfowl
What are the top 5–10 birds in your region that are the most interesting for visiting birders?
East Africa is home to more than 1,400 bird species, so everyone’s favorites depend on their personal interests and wish list. However, these are among the species that consistently excite visiting birders:
- Martial Eagle
- Shoebill
- Hartlaub’s Turaco
- Bar-tailed Trogon
- Sokoke Scops Owl
- Northern Red Bishop
- Chocolate-backed Kingfisher
- Great Blue Turaco
- Three-banded Courser
- Crowned Eagle
Martial Eagle
Can you outline a typical birdwatching trip in your area?
A comprehensive birding tour of Kenya typically lasts three to four weeks, allowing visitors to experience nearly all of the country’s major habitats. The journey includes lush montane forests, the Great Rift Valley lakes, expansive golden savannahs, coastal forests, arid northern regions, swamps, wetlands, and riverine habitats. Each ecosystem supports its own unique bird communities, making Kenya one of Africa’s most rewarding birding destinations.
Abyssinian Ground Hornbill
What suggestions would you give birders interested in visiting your area?
One of Kenya’s greatest advantages is that birding is excellent throughout the year. However, one of the best periods to visit is from November to April, when hundreds of migratory bird species from Europe and Asia arrive and join the resident birds, together with several intra-African migrants.
Visitors should bring quality binoculars, comfortable walking shoes, lightweight field clothing in neutral colors, sun protection, insect repellent, and a camera if they enjoy bird photography.
Bar-tailed Trogon
If readers of 10,000 Birds are interested in birding with you, how can they contact you?
The best way to get in touch is by email:
You can also learn more about our birding tours at:
Hartlaub’s Turaco
Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers of 10,000 Birds?
Kenya is one of Africa’s premier birding destinations, offering spectacular landscapes, remarkable biodiversity, and some of the continent’s most sought-after bird species. Beyond the birds themselves, a birding trip to Kenya directly supports local communities, guides, and conservation initiatives that help protect these extraordinary habitats for future generations.
Birdwatchers from around the world are always welcome, and we look forward to sharing the incredible birds and natural beauty of East Africa with them.
Kilombero Cisticola
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