Kenya: Ol Chorro Spring/Sarara Bird Shooting Safari

Ol Chorro – World class bird hunting in one of the most remote and untouched wild areas of Kenya.

Ol Chorro offers a wonderful opportunity to explore one of the most remote and unspoilt areas of Kenya while enjoying some of the finest bird shooting the African continent has to offer. Guests will have the opportunity to shoot a wide selection of birds during the day before returning to the traditional tented camp, which will provide you with all the basic luxuries while in the bush.

Guests head to Africa in search of exciting sport and relaxation; these are experienced between the stunning camp at Sarara and the wonderful sport at Ol Chorro. At the end of their trip guests will leave feeling that both of these have been achieved.

<<< Click here to find out where Ol Chorro spring is.

Early morning sandgrouse flight

The Shooting

The shooting at Ol Chorro is fairly unique in Africa as it is managed by the Rendille tribal community.There are no daily bag limits as they have been granted special permission by the Kenyan wildlife service’s to manage their own population of game birds. There are 9 different species of game birds in the area which all provide different sporting challenges: Vulturine Guinea Fowl, Yellow-Necked Spurfowl, Crested Francolin, Chestnut-Bellied Sand Grouse, Black-Faced Sand Grouse, Lichenstien’s Sand Grouse, Speckled Pigeon, Quail and Dove. At Ol Chorro the guests will experience flighted, driven and walked up shooting depending on the time of day and the hunted quarry.

Incoming Sandgrouse at Ol Chorro Spring

Flighted shooting

The Morning Shoot

You will be in position in time for the flight which starts at approximately 7.30am. The shooting will be fast paced as up to 10,000 Sand Grouse head to the water hole. The shooting will end at approximately 9.15am when the birds return to the bush and you return to the camp in time for a hearty breakfast under the shady palms.

The Evening Shoot

In the evening the guests will head to the watering holes at approximately 6.45pm. This time the quarry of choice will be the much sought after Lichenstein’s Sand Grouse. As the sun sets these birds descend on to the watering holes, providing some highly challenging shooting. After the flight ends guests return to the camp in time to freshen up before a welcome candle-lit supper.

Walked up and Driven Shooting

During the day the shooting will be focused on the ample flocks of Guinea Fowl, Spurfowl and Francolin that surround the area. Your beaters will be a team of highly enthusiastic and vocal local Rendille warriors kitted out in their traditional outfits. Each gun will be accompanied by a gun porter/loader and a kill marker to ensure all the birds get collected.

Each gun can expect to fire 100/200 cartridges a day.

Ol Chorro Camp

Set deep in the bush of beautiful and rugged northern Kenya, Ol Chorro is a totally private camp, accessed by private air charter from Sarara Lodge. Upon arrival at the Ol Chorro airstrip you will have a short transfer to the camp. The setting for Ol Chorro camp can only be described as idyllic, located under shady palms alongside the sandy Merille ‘Lugga’ watering hole. The camp is a typical east African tented camp, comprising of luxury 2 man tents which all have en-suite bathrooms with hot and cold running water. The peace and tranquility of the bush will leave you feeling totally relaxed as you are pampered by the staff while drinking your sundowners around the campfire, followed up by a candle lit supper.

Sarara Lodge

Sarara is considered by many to be one of the most magical and beautiful safari camps in Africa, set in the surrounding Namunyak conservation area. The camp features 6 spacious semi-permanent tents and 1 house which sleeps 4, each one equipped with its own private bathroom and open air shower. Sarara is owned and run by the local community; the majority of the revenue generated is used to fund local conservation projects, making this camp one of the most successful ecotourism stories. The communal space of the lodge consist of the main lounge and decked areas providing some inspiring panoramic views across Kenya. The pool is as idyllic as the surroundings, fed by a natural spring it overlooks one of the watering holes which regularly plays host to the herds of elephants in the region.

Sarara Lodge will be your base on the day of arrival.

Sarara Lodge at night

Tented camp at Ol Chorro Spring

Service

Throughout the stay you will be looked after by Piers Bastard, who is in charge of running Sarara Lodge for the local community. Piers will also act as your pilot for all the internal flights between Nairobi and 2 other camps in his private Cesena which can carry 4 guests plus baggage. He and his trusty members of staff will be on hand to help out with any problems you might have. While in the shooting field each gun will be accompanied by one of the local Rendille who will be your gun porter and loader for the duration of the day: they take great pride in their role and will be on hand to assist when needed.

Location and Environment

Ol Chorro Spring is located in the Northern region of Kenya 1 hour 10 mins flight time from Nairobi, close to the border of Somalia and Ethiopia. Northern Kenya is generally dry and arid bush land; the average annual rainfall can be as low as 250mm per annum. The average temperature ranges between 20 and 40 Celsius.

Non-Hunting Activities

Wild Life Viewing

The wild life viewing at Sarara is exceptional; the pool overlooks a watering hole that is often frequented by one of the herds of Elephants in the area. There is also the option of an evening game drive on the night of your arrival before departing to Ol Chorro Spring.

A visit to the Samburu Singing wells

The area is so arid that the local Samburu warriors have to bring their cattle to the wells on a daily basis. Some of the wells are 10 meters deep and require a human chain to get the water to the surface. While this process goes on the Samburu chant their tribal songs giving these wells the name “the singing wells”

Best Time To Go

The season is split in to 2 different hunting periods.
- 1st February to the 31st March
- 15th July to the 15th October

Getting there

Arrive at Nairobi airport, before transferring to Sarara lodge via a private charter flight.