Spotted Eagle-Owl at Shompole

Shompole's community-conserved wilderness, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Nguruman Escarpment in southern Kenya's Rift Valley, offers a quiet, atmospheric setting in which to seek out the Spotted Eagle-Owl. The acacia woodland here provides plenty of cover and perches, rewarding patient photographers willing to scan the branches for this well-camouflaged bird. Those joining the Wildlife of Shompole Wilderness holiday in October will find the landscape at its most photogenic, with the escarpment's forested slopes forming a striking backdrop to any owl sighting. As with much of Shompole's wildlife, a slow, observant approach is key to capturing this species well.