Birding Tour to Ethiopia

15-Day Birding Tour to Ethiopia

Day 01: Addis Ababa - Awash National Park

• Drive from Addis Ababa to Awash National Park.
• Birding highlights: Red-bellied Parrots, Bustards, Weavers, Hoopoe, Yellow-throated Serine, Red-fronted Barbet, Pygmy Batis, Lesser-striped Swallow.

• Overnight: Stay at a lodge in Awash National Park.

Day 02: Awash National Park
• Full day birding in Awash National Park and a visit to the Alledeghi Plains for species like bustards, larks, and sandgrouse.
• Overnight: Stay at a lodge near Awash National Park.

Day 03: Awash National Park - Lake Langano
• Drive to Lake Langano, birding at Koka Dam, Awash River, and Lake Ziway.
• Birding highlights: African Pygmy Goose, Black-billed Woodhoopoe, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Yellow-billed Storks, Common Cranes, Fish Eagles.
• Overnight: Stay near Lake Langano.

Day 04: Lake Langano
• Birding at Lake Langano & Abiyata-Shalla National Park: Over 300 species here, including Flamingos, Storks, Pelicans, and Abyssinian Ground Hornbill.
• Overnight: Stay near Lake Langano.

Day 05: Lake Langano - Bale Mountains
• Drive to Bale Mountains National Park, one of Africa’s top birding locations.
• Birding highlights: Blue-Winged Goose, Abyssinian Long Claw, Rouget’s Rail, Wattled Ibis, and the Ethiopian Red Wolf.
• Overnight: Stay at a lodge in Bale Mountains.

Day 06: Bale Mountains National Park
• Explore Bale Mountains: Focus on the Senetti Plateau for endemic species like Abyssinia Ground-thrush, Abyssinian Catbird, and possibly the endangered Wattled Crane.
• Overnight: Stay at a lodge in Bale Mountains.

Day 07: Bale Mountains National Park
• Continue birding in Bale Mountains, exploring additional habitats for more species.
• Overnight: Stay at a lodge near Bale Mountains.

Day 08: Bale Mountains - Dila
• Drive to Dila, birding en route to observe species adapted to the lowland areas.
• Overnight: Stay in Dila.

Day 09: Dila - Yabello Borena
• Drive to Yabello and spend the day in the Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Birding highlights: White-tailed Swallow, Stresemann’s Bushcrow, Somalian Ostrich, Secretary Bird, and Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture.

• Overnight: Stay in Yabello.

Day 10: Yabello Borena

• Continue birding in the Yabello area: Look for the Degodi Lark, Bush Crow, Somali Courser, and more.
• Overnight: Stay in Yabello.

Day 11: Yabello Borena
• Birding in Yabello: Explore new areas for species like Somali Golden-breasted Bunting and African Bare-eyed Thrush.
• Overnight: Stay in Yabello.

Day 12: Yabello Borena - Hawassa
• Drive to Hawassa, birding along the way. Expect to see Silvery-Cheeked Hornbill, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, and Marabou Stork.
• Overnight: Stay in Hawassa.

Day 13: Hawassa - Gondar (Fly) - Simien Mountains (Drive)
• Fly from Hawassa to Gondar, then drive to Simien Mountains National Park.
• Birding highlights: In the Simien Mountains, look for spectacular species such as the Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax), and the Thick-billed Raven (Corvus crassirostris), along with the Ethiopian Bush-crow, Gelada Baboon, Walia Ibex, and Lammergeier.
• Overnight: Stay in or near Simien Mountains National Park.

Day 14: Simien Mountains
• Full day birding in the Simien Mountains.
• Focus on spotting Bearded Vulture, Tawny Eagle, Thick-billed Raven, and other high-altitude species.
• Explore the rugged terrain to find Ethiopian Wolf, Rüppell's Vulture, and other endemic birds.
• Overnight: Stay in or near the Simien Mountains.

Day 15: Simien Mountains - Addis Ababa
• Drive back to Gondar and fly back to Addis Ababa.
• Farewell dinner: Enjoy a traditional Ethiopian dinner and cultural performance.
• Overnight: Stay in Addis Ababa or transfer to the airport for your flight departure.