12-Day Ethiopia Endemic Birds & Rift Valley Birding Tour

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arrival in Addis Ababa – Birding Around Addis Ababa

Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, enjoy birdwatching around the city's parks, wetlands, and the foothills of Entoto. These highland habitats provide an excellent introduction to Ethiopia's endemic birds and Afro-montane species. Likely birds include Blue-winged Goose, Wattled Ibis, Black-winged Lovebird, White-collared Pigeon, Abyssinian Woodpecker, Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher, Tacazze Sunbird, and Rouget's Rail. Overnight in Addis Ababa.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Triple-E Hotel and Spa

• Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Fly from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar – Lake Tana Birding

Take a morning flight to Bahir Dar and spend the day exploring the shores of Lake Tana and the Blue Nile wetlands. The lake is Ethiopia's largest freshwater body and supports a remarkable diversity of waterbirds. Expect to see African Fish Eagle, Great White Pelican, Pink-backed Pelican, African Darter, Long-tailed Cormorant, Malachite Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Stork, African Jacana, and Spur-winged Goose. Overnight in Bahir Dar.

Main Destination:

Bahir Dar (City)

Accommodation:

Jacaranda Hotel Bahir Dar

• Mid-range hotel located in Bahir Dar (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Drive from Bahir Dar to Gondar

Drive through the scenic Ethiopian Highlands towards Gondar, making frequent birdwatching stops along the route. The farmland, escarpments, and wooded valleys offer excellent opportunities to observe endemic and highland species. Birds commonly encountered include White-backed Black Tit, Abyssinian Roller, White-winged Cliff Chat, Rüppell's Black Chat, Ethiopian Cisticola, Brown-rumped Seedeater, Red-billed Chough, and Lanner Falcon. Overnight in Gondar.

Main Destination:

Gondar (City)

Accommodation:

AG Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Drive to Sankaber – Simien Mountains National Park

Travel into the spectacular Simien Mountains National Park, one of Africa's premier high-altitude birding destinations. The dramatic cliffs, giant heath, and alpine grasslands are home to numerous endemic birds. Species may include Thick-billed Raven, White-collared Pigeon, Abyssinian Catbird, Erckel's Francolin, Chestnut-naped Francolin, Abyssinian Longclaw, Rouget's Rail, and the magnificent Lammergeier (Bearded Vulture) soaring overhead. Overnight at Sankaber.

Main Destination:

Simien Mountains National Park

Best Time To Visit September to December (Beautiful scenery)

High Season October to April (Lodges are busy)

Best Weather October to April

Wildlife in Simien Mountains NP

Gelada Monkey Abundant

Walia Ibex Occasional

Ethiopian Wolf Rare

Klipspringer Rare

Bushbuck Rare

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Golden Jackal Rare

Hyena Rare

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Simien Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Chenek – Return to Gondar – Fly to Addis Ababa

Early morning birding around Chenek before driving back to Gondar for your afternoon flight to Addis Ababa. Chenek offers some of the finest alpine birdwatching in Ethiopia with breathtaking mountain scenery. Look for Spot-breasted Lapwing, Moorland Chat, Thekla Lark, Red-billed Chough, Augur Buzzard, Verreaux's Eagle, Lammergeier, and Alpine Chat. Evening arrival and overnight in Addis Ababa.

Main Destination:

Simien Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

AG Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located 2-3hr drive from Simien Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Drive from Addis Ababa to Lake Ziway

Drive south through the Rift Valley to Lake Ziway, stopping at wetlands and farmland en route. Lake Ziway is one of Ethiopia's richest birding sites with abundant resident and migratory species. Birds may include Marabou Stork, African Spoonbill, Yellow-billed Stork, Sacred Ibis, Glossy Ibis, African Fish Eagle, Grey-headed Gull, Whiskered Tern, Pygmy Kingfisher, and Black Heron. Overnight at Lake Ziway.

Main Destination:

Lake Ziway

Best Time To Go October to January (Little rainfall)

High Season October to January (It is busier)

Best Weather

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Ziway

• Mid-range hotel located at Lake Ziway

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Drive from Lake Ziway – Abijatta-Shalla National Park – Lake Langano

Explore Abijatta-Shalla National Park before continuing to Lake Langano. The soda lakes attract huge concentrations of flamingos and numerous waterbirds throughout the year. Likely sightings include Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo, Kittlitz's Plover, Pied Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Chestnut-banded Plover, Common Crane, Northern Shoveler, and Greater White-fronted Goose (seasonal). Overnight at Lake Langano.

Main Destination:

Abijatta-Shalla National Park

Best Time To Go October to February (Flocks of flamingo)

High Season October to January (The park is never busy)

Best Weather

Accommodation:

Bishangari Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located at Lake Langano

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Drive from Lake Langano to Wondo Genet

Travel to the lush forests of Wondo Genet, one of Ethiopia's premier forest birding locations. The forests support many colorful species together with several Ethiopian endemics. Birds expected include Narina Trogon, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, African Emerald Cuckoo, Abyssinian Oriole, Yellow-fronted Parrot, Black-headed Forest Oriole, White-cheeked Turaco, and Grey Cuckooshrike. Overnight at Wondo Genet.

Main Destination:

Wondo Genet (Town)

Accommodation:

Wabi Shebele Hotel Wondo Genet

• Budget hotel located in Wondo Genet (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Drive to Bale Mountains National Park

Continue through the Bale foothills into Bale Mountains National Park, passing a wide variety of habitats. The park is internationally recognized as Ethiopia's richest birding destination with numerous endemic and range-restricted species. Likely birds include Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Abyssinian Owl, Mountain Buzzard, White-backed Black Tit, Abyssinian Woodpecker, Brown Woodland Warbler, Abyssinian Crimsonwing, and African Snipe. Overnight in the Bale Mountains.

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Best Time To Visit November to February (Little rain)

High Season October to January (Park is never busy)

Best Weather November to February

Wildlife in Bale Mountains NP

Ethiopian Wolf Common

Mountain Nyala Common

Warthog Common

Menelik's
Bushbuck Occasional

Guereza Monkey Occasional

Show more

Olive Baboon Occasional

Bohor Reedbuck Occasional

Starck's Hare Occasional

Giant Mole-rat Occasional

Bale Monkey Rare

Giant Forest Hog Rare

Golden Jackal Rare

Gelada Monkey None

Walia Ibex None

Accommodation:

Wabe Shebelle Hotel Goba

• Budget hotel located less than 1hr drive from Bale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Sanetti Plateau – Tullu Dimtu

Spend the day exploring the Afro-alpine Sanetti Plateau and Tullu Dimtu, Ethiopia's highest road. This unique habitat supports several rare and endemic birds found nowhere else. Target species include Spot-breasted Lapwing, Ethiopian Siskin, Blue-winged Goose, Rouget's Rail, Moorland Chat, Thekla Lark, Augur Buzzard, and Lammergeier. Overnight in the Bale Mountains.

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Wabe Shebelle Hotel Goba

• Budget hotel located less than 1hr drive from Bale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Harenna Forest Exploration

Descend into the moist Harenna Forest, one of East Africa's largest remaining cloud forests. The forest hosts an exceptional diversity of forest specialists and many localized species. Birds may include Banded Barbet, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, African Emerald Cuckoo, Crowned Eagle, Ayres's Hawk-Eagle, White-cheeked Turaco, Yellow-fronted Parrot, and African Paradise Flycatcher. Overnight in the Bale Mountains.

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Wabe Shebelle Hotel Goba

• Budget hotel located less than 1hr drive from Bale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Fly from Bale to Addis Ababa – Departure

Enjoy an early morning birding excursion around the lodge before transferring to Bale Airport for your flight to Addis Ababa. The final bird watching session provides an opportunity to add any missed species while enjoying the scenic mountain landscapes. Possible sightings include Abyssinian Longclaw, Black-winged Lovebird, Tacazze Sunbird, Mountain Buzzard, White-backed Black Tit, Rouget's Rail, and Blue-winged Goose. Connect with your international departure flight carrying unforgettable memories of Ethiopia's remarkable birdlife.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.