Jonathan Baya has vast experience in guiding along the coast. He is one of the Arabuko Sokoke Forest Guides but also takes his clients to several other sites. He has been particularly interested in birds for several years but has become increasingly familiar with all kinds of wildlife in recent times.
You will see from the testimonials on this site that Jonathan is a very nice, charming man. He goes out of his way to ensure that his clients make the most of their safari. He is quietly spoken but possesses a keen sense of humour and quickly becomes a friend rather than a guide to the majority of clients.
Click HERE for more information on Jonathan. Please note that the page is somewhat out of date and that his e mail address has changed to "[email protected]". The video was taken by one of Jonathan's clients a few years ago in Arabuko Sokoke Forest and surrounding sites.
You will see from the testimonials on this site that Jonathan is a very nice, charming man. He goes out of his way to ensure that his clients make the most of their safari. He is quietly spoken but possesses a keen sense of humour and quickly becomes a friend rather than a guide to the majority of clients.
Click HERE for more information on Jonathan. Please note that the page is somewhat out of date and that his e mail address has changed to "[email protected]". The video was taken by one of Jonathan's clients a few years ago in Arabuko Sokoke Forest and surrounding sites.
Testimonials
Professor David Scott
Having birded with Jonathan several times over a few years, I am delighted to recommend his services to both beginner and experienced birders. His arrangements are always thorough and efficient but his charm makes outings relaxing. I have always found him educational and informative on birds, plants, insects, animals and Eco-systems. I have also been amazed at his call recognition skills and at his mimicry which has enticed a number of birds into clear view for my eyes and my camera and enabled me to pick up calls I would otherwise have lost in the background.
We have been on forest walks to find the endemic rarities, including several owls in one evening, and we have spent happy afternoons at Sabaki estuary, rattling up high species counts.
Whatever your safari or birding desires, I recommend Jonathan as the man to help you fulfill them.
Maike Ehlenbroker
Jonathan was our guide for 4 days and showed us Tsavo East and West National Parks.
The safari was one of the best things I have ever done, an experience everyone should undertake. It's amazing to see all of the animals and get to know how and where they live. It is wonderful to be so close to them, not forgetting the beautiful and different landscapes in Tsavo.
A big "thank you" to Jonathan, who is a really great guide. He is such a kind and smart person who knows a lot about animals and their habits. We were free to ask him about everything we wanted to know so we learned a lot about Africa, the Kenyan culture and had lots of fun together. Furthermore Jonathan is a very good and careful driver, which is so important if you want to take such awesome photographs.
Thank you Jonathan - we were very happy that we could share these wonderful 4 days with you.
Dave Williams
I realised we had made the Safari right choice before we had even arrived at Tsavo East. Having been passed by at least half a dozen speeding safari vans on the long approach road to Sala Gate, we regained the lead when they had all stopped to look at wooden animals in a souvenir shop. We were overtaken by them all once again when we were parked to take in incredibly close views of a magnificent Long Crested Eagle a mere 40 feet away. I couldn't believe that only one of the many vans even bothered to slow down to take a look.This was the first of many such encounters with other vehicles during our park visits and I was so relieved that we had a van to ourselves to decide where we wanted to go and what we wanted to stop to see to say nothing of having the luxury of so much space to fully utilise the best positions for photography and general viewing. The 4 day safari to Tsavo East and West was without doubt the highlight of our 3 week holiday and with Jonathan's help we maximised viewing time in the parks. When you exclude the cost of park entries and hotels, his fees are very reasonable when you look at the overall cost of the safari, even more so when you look at your total holiday costs. I would highly recommend anyone, particularly those interested in birds as well as mammals, this is the only way to travel.Don't ruin your safari experience by being cramped in a crowded van, you will regret it.Jonathan is excellent company, highly knowledgeable and even kept my trip list for me which was an added bonus as I am usually too busy with my camera or distracted by the next sighting to keep it accurate. We saw over 180 bird species and 25 mammals or reptiles but without Jonathan's excellent ID skills I could probably knock 50 off that bird list.
Bob Biggs
I first met Jonathan in October 2005 on my last day in Watamu! My family and I had been staying at the Turtle Bay Beach Club. He acted as my birding guide across the road from the hotel, close to where he lives. In that brief encounter, I decided that he was a genuine character, instantly likeable.
We returned in October 2007 and Jonathan arranged our safari to Tsavo and Shimba Hills. We saw a lot of him during our stay and that reinforced my previous view that he was a good man and someone I could trust. After a long conversation one day with him about his dream of owning a safari vehicle, I returned to the UK with a huge challenge! My wife, Lorraine, and son, Phil, joined me in a fundraising marathon, lasting three years. Through the generosity of many people, we raised a significant sum and sent it to Jonathan to enable him to buy the van. As you will see from this site, he is up and running and I thoroughly recommend him as a very capable guide. He is particularly good at coastal sites, where he has spent many years serving his apprenticeship!
We returned in August 2010 to see the van for ourselves and to discuss Jonathan's plans. I hope that he will make a success of his new business venture. He works very hard and deserves to reap the rewards from that. I will be very happy to answer any questions you may have about this part of Kenya and about Jonathan's guiding service.
Tom & Muriel Cadwallender
Jonathan made all the difference to our holiday in September 2010 - he converted our good holiday into a great one! Jonathan has a real relaxed manner and took great care of us by finding terrific places to stay and fantastic places for bird and mammal watching. I am happy to recommend Jonathan to my friends - I have done so already - as he can take care of everything you'll need for a trip to this part of Kenya.
Iain Robson
Jonathan was our guide on a two week birding and wildlife trip in Tsavo East and Tsavo West, as well as the coast, producing a trip list in excess of 310 bird species. Jonathan guided us with skill and enthusiasm, tracking down some of the more difficult endemic species. Jonathan's professional, but easy-going, manner really made the trip a special one.
Dot & Ted Wilkinson
We have no hesitation in recommending Jonathan Baya as an accomplished wildlife safari guide with extensive knowledge and experience and also as a safe and considerate driver. We have personally met and worked with him on many occasions in the past three years and have been impressed by his Christian conscientious care for his community, his fellow workers and for the environment. We wish him every success in this venture.
Dave Dawkins
We would strongly recommend Jonathan as a guide. His knowledge and enthusiasm is second to none. On our first trip to Kenya we were fortunate that Jonathan was recommended to us by our hotel and on return we have always contacted him to talk about possible trips. We will always remember one walk where Jonathan took us through a dark forest to within a few feet of a pair of owls. They must have been old friends of his as they didn't seem at all surprised to see him. By using Jonathan as a guide you are also supporting the local community as Jonathan runs several education and conservation programmes, particularly working with local schools.
Glyn Rhys Evans
My wife and I, and our then two young children, lived in Kenya from 1972-81. I was a teacher of English at Kagumo High School, Nyeri District, Central Province.
I returned to the UK in 1981, and took up a post at Llandovery College on the edge of the Brecon Beacons in Carmarthenshire. I spent 25 very happy years here until retiring in 2007.
For a long time we did not go back to Kenya but after the millennium we decided on a return and were delighted with all we experienced. It was like going home. I began by taking a group of sixth formers on a Duke of Edinburgh's gold expedition in 2003. Our programme included a 5-day period of community involvement at the coast. It was through this latter part of our programme that I met Jonathan. We stayed at A Rocha, the Environmental Centre where he works, and became involved in a number of the projects with which he himself has been closely associated.
Following this first very successful visit, I returned to Kenya on two further occasions with Duke of Edinburgh's Award Expenditions, while my wife and I have spent three holidays at Hemingway's, Watamu. We have therefore seen for ourselves the progress that Jonathan has made in a wide range of interests over that time, and we have been closely associated with three of his areas of activity: the A Rocha Centre, Melita Church and Mijomboni School (which frequently wins the annual prize for the most environmentally-friendly school in the district!)
I therefore fully support Jonathan in his request for the opportunity to publicise more widely the tourist services that he provides.
Having birded with Jonathan several times over a few years, I am delighted to recommend his services to both beginner and experienced birders. His arrangements are always thorough and efficient but his charm makes outings relaxing. I have always found him educational and informative on birds, plants, insects, animals and Eco-systems. I have also been amazed at his call recognition skills and at his mimicry which has enticed a number of birds into clear view for my eyes and my camera and enabled me to pick up calls I would otherwise have lost in the background.
We have been on forest walks to find the endemic rarities, including several owls in one evening, and we have spent happy afternoons at Sabaki estuary, rattling up high species counts.
Whatever your safari or birding desires, I recommend Jonathan as the man to help you fulfill them.
Maike Ehlenbroker
Jonathan was our guide for 4 days and showed us Tsavo East and West National Parks.
The safari was one of the best things I have ever done, an experience everyone should undertake. It's amazing to see all of the animals and get to know how and where they live. It is wonderful to be so close to them, not forgetting the beautiful and different landscapes in Tsavo.
A big "thank you" to Jonathan, who is a really great guide. He is such a kind and smart person who knows a lot about animals and their habits. We were free to ask him about everything we wanted to know so we learned a lot about Africa, the Kenyan culture and had lots of fun together. Furthermore Jonathan is a very good and careful driver, which is so important if you want to take such awesome photographs.
Thank you Jonathan - we were very happy that we could share these wonderful 4 days with you.
Dave Williams
I realised we had made the Safari right choice before we had even arrived at Tsavo East. Having been passed by at least half a dozen speeding safari vans on the long approach road to Sala Gate, we regained the lead when they had all stopped to look at wooden animals in a souvenir shop. We were overtaken by them all once again when we were parked to take in incredibly close views of a magnificent Long Crested Eagle a mere 40 feet away. I couldn't believe that only one of the many vans even bothered to slow down to take a look.This was the first of many such encounters with other vehicles during our park visits and I was so relieved that we had a van to ourselves to decide where we wanted to go and what we wanted to stop to see to say nothing of having the luxury of so much space to fully utilise the best positions for photography and general viewing. The 4 day safari to Tsavo East and West was without doubt the highlight of our 3 week holiday and with Jonathan's help we maximised viewing time in the parks. When you exclude the cost of park entries and hotels, his fees are very reasonable when you look at the overall cost of the safari, even more so when you look at your total holiday costs. I would highly recommend anyone, particularly those interested in birds as well as mammals, this is the only way to travel.Don't ruin your safari experience by being cramped in a crowded van, you will regret it.Jonathan is excellent company, highly knowledgeable and even kept my trip list for me which was an added bonus as I am usually too busy with my camera or distracted by the next sighting to keep it accurate. We saw over 180 bird species and 25 mammals or reptiles but without Jonathan's excellent ID skills I could probably knock 50 off that bird list.
Bob Biggs
I first met Jonathan in October 2005 on my last day in Watamu! My family and I had been staying at the Turtle Bay Beach Club. He acted as my birding guide across the road from the hotel, close to where he lives. In that brief encounter, I decided that he was a genuine character, instantly likeable.
We returned in October 2007 and Jonathan arranged our safari to Tsavo and Shimba Hills. We saw a lot of him during our stay and that reinforced my previous view that he was a good man and someone I could trust. After a long conversation one day with him about his dream of owning a safari vehicle, I returned to the UK with a huge challenge! My wife, Lorraine, and son, Phil, joined me in a fundraising marathon, lasting three years. Through the generosity of many people, we raised a significant sum and sent it to Jonathan to enable him to buy the van. As you will see from this site, he is up and running and I thoroughly recommend him as a very capable guide. He is particularly good at coastal sites, where he has spent many years serving his apprenticeship!
We returned in August 2010 to see the van for ourselves and to discuss Jonathan's plans. I hope that he will make a success of his new business venture. He works very hard and deserves to reap the rewards from that. I will be very happy to answer any questions you may have about this part of Kenya and about Jonathan's guiding service.
Tom & Muriel Cadwallender
Jonathan made all the difference to our holiday in September 2010 - he converted our good holiday into a great one! Jonathan has a real relaxed manner and took great care of us by finding terrific places to stay and fantastic places for bird and mammal watching. I am happy to recommend Jonathan to my friends - I have done so already - as he can take care of everything you'll need for a trip to this part of Kenya.
Iain Robson
Jonathan was our guide on a two week birding and wildlife trip in Tsavo East and Tsavo West, as well as the coast, producing a trip list in excess of 310 bird species. Jonathan guided us with skill and enthusiasm, tracking down some of the more difficult endemic species. Jonathan's professional, but easy-going, manner really made the trip a special one.
Dot & Ted Wilkinson
We have no hesitation in recommending Jonathan Baya as an accomplished wildlife safari guide with extensive knowledge and experience and also as a safe and considerate driver. We have personally met and worked with him on many occasions in the past three years and have been impressed by his Christian conscientious care for his community, his fellow workers and for the environment. We wish him every success in this venture.
Dave Dawkins
We would strongly recommend Jonathan as a guide. His knowledge and enthusiasm is second to none. On our first trip to Kenya we were fortunate that Jonathan was recommended to us by our hotel and on return we have always contacted him to talk about possible trips. We will always remember one walk where Jonathan took us through a dark forest to within a few feet of a pair of owls. They must have been old friends of his as they didn't seem at all surprised to see him. By using Jonathan as a guide you are also supporting the local community as Jonathan runs several education and conservation programmes, particularly working with local schools.
Glyn Rhys Evans
My wife and I, and our then two young children, lived in Kenya from 1972-81. I was a teacher of English at Kagumo High School, Nyeri District, Central Province.
I returned to the UK in 1981, and took up a post at Llandovery College on the edge of the Brecon Beacons in Carmarthenshire. I spent 25 very happy years here until retiring in 2007.
For a long time we did not go back to Kenya but after the millennium we decided on a return and were delighted with all we experienced. It was like going home. I began by taking a group of sixth formers on a Duke of Edinburgh's gold expedition in 2003. Our programme included a 5-day period of community involvement at the coast. It was through this latter part of our programme that I met Jonathan. We stayed at A Rocha, the Environmental Centre where he works, and became involved in a number of the projects with which he himself has been closely associated.
Following this first very successful visit, I returned to Kenya on two further occasions with Duke of Edinburgh's Award Expenditions, while my wife and I have spent three holidays at Hemingway's, Watamu. We have therefore seen for ourselves the progress that Jonathan has made in a wide range of interests over that time, and we have been closely associated with three of his areas of activity: the A Rocha Centre, Melita Church and Mijomboni School (which frequently wins the annual prize for the most environmentally-friendly school in the district!)
I therefore fully support Jonathan in his request for the opportunity to publicise more widely the tourist services that he provides.
David Baldock
My wife and I visited Kenya towards the end of 2010 and we arranged a 3-night safari with Jonathan. We went to both Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks and saw many excellent bird species as well the animals one would expect to encounter in the parks. Throughout the safari, Jonathan was the perfect guide. He possesses a keen sense of humour and is very easy company. He cannot do enough to help and he has already learned the importance of customer care.
I also accompanied Jonathan on local birding trips and once again, he was excellent value for money. I am happy to recommend him to anyone wishing to visit these sites. He is particularly good on the coastal strip and can identify all kinds of flora and fauna. He is very interested in the natural world and I hope he is able to build his business for the good of all those who share this interest.
I also accompanied Jonathan on local birding trips and once again, he was excellent value for money. I am happy to recommend him to anyone wishing to visit these sites. He is particularly good on the coastal strip and can identify all kinds of flora and fauna. He is very interested in the natural world and I hope he is able to build his business for the good of all those who share this interest.