Ethiopia is one of the great birding destinations for both serious and recreational ornithologists. Over 924 species of birds, many extremely beautiful and exotic, reside in Ethiopia. Of these, 24 are endemic to Ethiopia, 14 other species are shared only with Eritrea. There are 214 species of pal arctic migrants in Ethiopia; 45 of these have been found in the country during the summer months. A large number of species have breeding populations in Ethiopia.
Day 01 Arrival
Arrive at Bole International Airport. The representative will meet you and take you to your hotel. Overnight Hotel – Addis Ababa
Day 02 Awash National Park
Drive to Awash National Park via the Rift Valley. Take an evening game drive in Awash National Park and visit an area frequented by hyena’s different species mammals and some active birds during the night.
Overnight Hotel – Awash National Park
Day 03 Awash National Park
Birding in Awash National Park, located in the Great Rift Valley. Many species of birds are found here: African Orange-bellied Parrots, Bustards, Weavers, Hoopoe, Yellow-throated Serine, Red-fronted Barbet, Pygmy Batis, Lesser-striped Swallow, and the House Martin. The park also boasts a variety of mammals: the Anubis Baboon, Colobus Monkey, Black-backed Jackal, Bat-eared Fox, Egyptian Mongoose, Warthog, Beisa Oryx, Soemmering’s Gazelle, Lesser Kudu, Salt’s Dikdik, etc.
Overnight Hotel – Awash National Park
Day 04 Sabana Lodge – Bishangari
Drive to Bishangari on the opposite side of Lake Langano. En route, birding Abiyata—Shalla National Park. Over 300 species can be seen around Lake Abiyata, actually paradise for Aquatic or no-passerine birds such as Yellow Wagtails, Ibis, Cormorant, Pelicans, Ducks, Egrets, Herons, Flamingos, Storks, Swallows, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Rollers, Wheatear, African Marsh Harrier, etc.
Overnight Bishangari Lodge
Day 05 Bishangari – Bale Mountains National Park
Drive to the Bale Mountains National Park and meet with a park guide. Arrive at the park headquarters in the afternoon, in time for a leisurely afternoon hike, possibly spotting two endemic mammals that frequent the area: Menelik’s Bushbuck and the Mountain Nyala. Birds in this area include the Banded Barbet, the Abyssinian Long-eared Owl, African Wood Owl, the Abyssinian Long Claw, the Wattled Ibis, the Black-Headed Siskin, Rouget’s Rail, and numerous other species.
Overnight Hotel – Goba
Day 06 Bale Mountains National Park
this day is going to be an amazing day we will take you to Senate Plateau where can spot one of the world rares and endangered species of Ethiopian wolf and a lot of rodent species such as Gaint mole rat etc. other endemic mammals. Bale Mountains listed as top fourth birding hot Spot which was rated by African Bird Club (ABC) Having over 310 birds species, birds such as Chestnut-naped Francolin, Moorland Francolin, Rouget’s Rail, Spotted-breasted Lapwing secretive Abyssinia Ground- thrush, the finest Melodious Abyssinian Catbird, White-cheeked turaco, and Yellow-fronted parrot the endemic White-backed Black-Tit.Bale is a paradise for Eagle Species because of the Rodent, Migratory bird such Wattled Crane, Golden Eagle, Lanner falcon, peregrine falcon, Wheat-ears, Wagtails and Sandpipers
Overnight camping in the beautiful cloudy forest-Harenna forest
Day 07 Bale Mountains National Park – Negeli Borena
Drive to Negelle via Harena Forest. En route look for the Turaco and outstanding Golden-breasted Starling. We will also seek the endemic Sidamo Lark, Somali Short-toed Lark, White-crowned starling, and possibly Kori Bustard on the Negele Plains. The Sidamo lark is quite secretive and like many Ethiopian endemics inhabits a very area.
Overnight Hotel – Negeli Borena
Day 08 Negeli Borena – Yabello Borena
Search for the endemic White-tailed Swallow and Stresemann’s Bushcrow. You should spot the Swallow threading its way through the termite chimneys and groups of Bushcrows in the thorn bushes. For the entire day exploring the Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary and Reserve; species to look for include: Ostrich, Secretary Bird, Griffon Vulture, Martial Eagle, African Pygmy Falcon, Kori Bustard, Donaldson-Smith’s Nightjar, Star- spotted Nightjar, Lilac-breasted Roller, Rufous-crowned Roller, Red, and Yellow Barbet, Short-tailed Lark, Northern Grey Tit, Shelley’s and White-crowned Starlings, Abyssinian Grosbeak Canary, Somali Sparrow, Black-capped Social Weaver, Grey-headed Silverbill, Taita Fiscal, and Somali Golden-breasted Bunting. Other possibilities include Coqui Francolin, Somali Courser, African Bare-eyed Thrush, Little Spotted Woodpecker, Pringle’s Puffback, Little Tawny Pipit, Fawn-coloured Lark. Mammals that inhabit the park include Burchell’s Zebra, Aardvark, Grant’s Gazelle, Thompson’s Gazelle, and Lesser-spotted Genet.
Overnight Hotel – Yabello Borena
Day 09 Yabello Borena – Hawassa
En route to Hawassa spot numerous species: Silvery-Cheeked Hornbill, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Roget’s Rail, Marabou Stork, Black and White Egrets, African Pygmy Goose, Spur-winged Goose, Swallows, Ibis, African Fish Egret, Woodland Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, etc.
Overnight Resort – Hawassa
Day 10 Hawassa – Addis Ababa
Drive back to Addis Ababa with stops for Birding on the way at Rift Valley Lakes. Lake Arbaminch boat trip to explore aquatic birds, notorious for birding or commonly known as the Birding Paradise, is the home of the Waterbirds: African Pygmy Goose, Yellow-billed storks, Lesser Jacana, Africa Jacana, White pelicans, Fish Eagles and Crowned and common cranes are seen here in impressive numbers. Evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country’s many ethnic groups. Transfer to the airport for late-night departure if needed.