Tour OverviewIn recent years, Ethiopia has rightly become one of Africa`s leading birding destinations. Its avifauna represents an interesting mixture of east and west African, Palearctic and some strikingly unusual endemic components. In addition to a bird list of more than 850 species, of which a staggering 40 are endemic or near-endemic and a further 35 globally threatened, Ethiopia has a number of very peculiar mammals, scenic diversity and cultural uniqueness that are hard to equal.
This fascinating and beautiful land of contrasts boasts varied habitats; highlands, which dominate the country, are bisected by the Rift Valley, and fall away to arid desert and bushlands in the north, south and east, and to moister Guinea woodland in the west with considerable tracts of Afro-alpine shrubland and pockets of Afromontane forest. Adding to these different habitats (and vast altitudinal differences) is the fact that the birds have never been hunted, and are therefore quite tame and confiding, making the birding easy and very rewarding.
Our fantastic 16 day birding tour focuses on the main birding locations in Ethiopia, including Bale Mountains and Awash National Parks, the Rift Valley lakes, Sanetti Plateau, Liben Plain, Yabelo, Jemma valley, Sululta Plain and more. Around 500 to 550 different bird species can be seen during this trip, which shows the high potential of this country for attracting more and more birdwatchers to Ethiopia in the future. Not only will we experience some awesome birding, we will also enjoy Ethiopia’s peerless history, stunning scenery, incredible cultural heritage, excellent cuisine and Africa’s most soulful people. Let’s go birding!
Get more detail about what to expect on this tour: Go to full itinerary
Safari starts and ends in Addis Ababa
Tour duration: 16 days / 15 nights
Type of accommodation: Basic but adequate
Next departure dates: 17 January 2023
You can also book this birding tour as a private, small group tour for your preferred travel dates
Bale Mountains National Park-
Home to five very different and unique ecosystems, the Ethiopian Wolf and 310 bird species; “one park, many worlds” is the park’s apt slogan
Awash National Park-
Situated in the Rift valley and boasting diverse fauna and flora, including over 400 avian species, along with volcanoes and waterfalls
Liben Plain-
An IBA, part of the South Ethiopian Highlands EBA and home to several threatened species, including Archer’s Lark; and unfortunately under severe threat
Aledeghi Wildlife Reserve-
Large expanse of arid grassland plains boasting Grevy’s Zebra and several bustard species, including the near-threatened Arabian Bustard
Yabelo-
Small town in southern Ethiopia, famous for two very special birds: Stresemann’s Bushcrow and White-tailed Swallow, among the characteristic giant red termite mounds
Jemma Valley-
Stunning scenery where the Jemma river cuts a deep gorge in the Acacia woodland landscape; home to several special birds
Top Birds:
• Stresemann’s Bushcrow
• Moorland Francolin
• Harwood’s, Black-fronted and Erckel’s Spurfowl
• Ruspoli’s and White-cheeked Turaco
• Yellow-fronted Parrot
• Black-winged Lovebird
• Spot-breasted Lapwing
• Blue-winged Goose
• Abyssinian Woodpecker
• White-tailed Swallow
• Ankober Serin
• Salvadori’s Seedeater
• Ethiopian Siskin
• Archer’s Lark
• Red-billed Pytilia
Top Mammals:
• Ethiopian Wolf
• Lion (small chance)
• Leopard (small chance)
• Cheetah (small chance)
• Grevy’s Zebra
• Mountain Nyala
• Gelada and Hamadryas Baboon
• Bale Mountains Vervet
• Desert Warthog
| ITINERARY OVERVIEW |
|---|
| Day 1 | Tour starts in Addis Ababa, transfer to Debre Zeyit/Bishoftu |
|---|---|
| Day 2 | Bishoftu, transfer to Awash National Park |
| Day 3 | Awash National Park |
| Day 4 | Aledeghi Wildlife Reserve |
| Day 5 | Drive through the Rift Valley to Abijatta-Shalla National Park |
| Day 6 | Abijatta-Shalla to Bale Mountains National Park |
| Day 7 | Sanetti Plateau (Bale Mountains National Park) |
| Day 8 | Bale to Negele |
| Day 9 | Birding around Negele, including Liben Plain |
| Day 10 | Negele to Yabelo |
| Day 11 | Mega and Yabelo |
| Day 12 | Yabelo, transfer to Lake Awassa |
| Day 13 | Morning birding at Wondo Genet, transfer to Debre Zeyit/Bishoftu |
| Day 14 | Sululta Plain and Debre Libanos |
| Day 15 | Jemma Valley, transfer to Debre Berhan |
| Day 16 | Debre Berhan, transfer to Addis Ababa and Departure |
All our tours can be customised according to your specific requirements.
Get in touch with one of our team members for more information at info@naturetravelafrica.com