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 1: Drive to Awash NP, overnight Awash NPL
Key birds: Kori Bustard, Chestnut Bellied Sand Grouse, Rosy-Patched plus a number of Bush Shrikes.
Endemic birds: –
Other birds: home for 462 birds species: home for 462 birds species, : African Orange-bellied Parrots, Bustards, Weavers, Hoopoe, Yellow-throated Serine, Red-fronted Barbet, Pygmy Batis, Lesser-striped Swallow, and the House Martin.
Habitat: Savannah Grassland
Day 2: All Day Birding Awash NP, overnight Awash NPL
Key birds: same as Day 1
Endemic birds: same as Day 1
Other birds; Same as Day 1
Habitat: Grassland
Day 3: Early morning drive to Langano, overnight in Sabanna Lodge, Langano
Key birds: African Pygmy Goose, Black Billed Woodhoopoe, African Pygmy Goose, Hottentot Teal, Southern Pochard, Maccoa and White Backed Ducks, Lesser and African Jacanas, Black and Goliath Herons, Ruppell’s and Vitelline Masked Weavers, Black-Winged Lovebird, Banded Barbet, and Nubian Woodpecker.
Endemic birds: Black Winged Lovebird, Banded Barbet,
Other birds: Abyssinian Ground hornbill, Northern Black Tit, Little Weaver Yellow-Wagtails, Ibis, Cormorant, Pelicans, Yellow Billed Ducks, Egrets, Herons, Flamingos, Storks, Swallows, Chestnut Bellied Sandgrouse, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Rollers, Wheatear, African Marsh Harrier,
Habitat: lakes, Acacia Woodland
Day 4: Early morning bird watching to Abijata-Shalla NP, overnight in Wabe Shaballe,
Key birds: Lesser and Greater Flamingos, Common Ostriches, Chestnut Bellied Sandgrouse, Abyssinian Roller, African Marsh Harrier.
Endemic birds:- Banded Barbet, Black-winged Lovebird
Other birds:299 birds species, Red, Yellow, Von der Decken’s, African Grey, Hemprich’s and Abyssinian Ground Hornbills, Grey Headed and Sulphur Breasted Bush-Shrikes, Beautiful, Marico and Variable Sunbirds, Temminck’s and Three Banded Coursers
Habitat: Grassland with acacia.
Key birds: Abyssinian Owl, Abyssinian Catbird, Abyssinian Orioles, Abyssinian Woodpecker.
Endemic birds: 6 nowhere else 11 endemics to Ethiopia and Eritrea (Abyssinian Catbird, Spot Breasted Plover, Blue Winged Goose, Ethiopian Siskin, Abyssinian Longclaw, Yellow-Fronted Parrot) and Abyssinian Oriole, Wattled Ibis, Abyssinian Woodpecker, Rouget’s Rail, Banded Barbet, White Cheeked Turaco, Black Winged Love Bird, Chestnut Naped Francolin, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, White Collared pigeon, Thick Billed Raven.
Other birds: home for 310 bird species
Habitat: Grassland, open woodland, moorland, Afro-alpine, tropical rain forest,
Day 5: Drive to Sanetti, all day Sanetti, late afternoon arrival in Harenna, Camping Harenna
Key birds: Abyssinian Owl, Abyssinian Catbird, Abyssinian Orioles, Abyssinian Woodpecker.
Endemic birds; Spotted Breasted Plover, Blue-Winged Goose, Ethiopian Siskin,
Other birds:(Tawny Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Ruddy Shulduck, White Collared Pigeon, Spot-breasted Lapwings, Abyssinian Longclaw, Black Headed Siskin
Habitat: Grassland, open woodland, moorland, Afro-alpine, tropical rain forest.
Day 6: All day Harenna, Camping in Harenna
Key birds: White Cheeked Turaco, White Backed Black Tit, Rouget’s Rail, Wattled Ibis,
Endemic birds: White Cheeked Turaco, White Backed Black Tit, Rouget’s Rail, Wattled Ibis, White Collared Pigeon, Spot Breasted Lapwings, Abyssinian Longclaw, Black Headed Siskin
Other birds: Blackcap, Pied Wheatear,
Habitat; Tropical Rain Forest
Day 7: Drive from Harenna forest through Afro alpine to Goba Over night at Addis Ababa
Key birds; Blue-Winged Goose, Spot Breasted Plover, Ethiopian Siskin, Augur Buzzard,
Endemic Bird; White Cheeked Turaco, White Backed Black Tit, Rouget’s Rail, Wattled Ibis, White Collared Pigeon, Spot Breasted Lapwings, Abyssinian Longclaw, Black Headed Siskin
Other Birds; Wattled Crane, Black Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Bearded Vulture.
Habitat; Afro Alpine