9-Day Ethiopia Birdwatching and Photography Tour

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

Explore Addis Ababa city tour

The tour begins with a full-day exploration of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s vibrant capital city, combining cultural, historical, and scenic highlights. Visit important museums, traditional local markets, and iconic viewpoints while learning about Ethiopia’s rich history, traditions, and modern urban life. The day offers an excellent introduction to the country’s diverse culture and provides opportunities to experience the atmosphere of the capital. Overnight at Capital Hotel and Spa in Addis Ababa.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Capital Hotel & Spa

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

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Drive Addis Ababa to Ziway lakes

After breakfast, depart Addis Ababa and drive south toward Ziway, enjoying spectacular scenery across the Great Rift Valley along the way. Upon arrival, explore the shores of Lake Ziway, an important wetland area renowned for its rich birdlife and resident hippopotamuses. Enjoy birdwatching opportunities with special birding guide featuring species such as herons, pelicans, kingfishers, and many other waterbirds. Spend the evening relaxing beside the lake and enjoy a peaceful night in Ziway. Overnight at Haile Resort.

Main Destination:

Lake Ziway

Best Time To Go October to January (Little rainfall)

High Season October to January (It is busier)

Best Weather

Activities:

Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide)

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Ziway

• Mid-range hotel located at Lake Ziway

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Ziway to Abijata-Shalla Lakes National Park

After breakfast, drive to Abijata-Shalla Lakes National Park for a full day of wildlife and birdwatching activities and you will have special birding guide. Explore the open plains and surrounding habitats where Grant’s gazelle, common ostrich, and warthog can often be observed. The alkaline lakes attract large concentrations of waterbirds, providing excellent opportunities for photography and bird observation. Return to Ziway in the evening or stay near the park, depending on the preferred arrangements. Overnight at Haile Resort.

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

Activities:

Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide)

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Ziway

• Mid-range hotel located at Lake Ziway

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Abijata-Shalla to Awash National Park

Depart Abijata-Shalla and drive east toward Awash National Park, passing through the changing landscapes and dramatic scenery of Ethiopia’s Rift Valley. Upon arrival you will meet the special birding guide, begin exploring the park’s diverse habitats, which support a variety of wildlife and dry-country bird species. Keep watch for Somali ostrich, lappet-faced vulture, white-bellied go-away-bird, and crested francolin among the bushland and open areas. Enjoy the evening in the peaceful surroundings of the park and prepare for the following day of birding. Overnight at Doho Lodge.

Main Destination:

Awash National Park

Best Time To Visit October to February (Little rain and less hot)

High Season September to April (The park is never busy)

Best Weather October to February

Wildlife in Awash NP

Olive Baboon Abundant

Beisa Oryx Common

Soemmerring's
Gazelle Common

Hamadryas
Baboon Common

Salt's Dik-dik Common

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Lesser Kudu Occasional

Desert Warthog Occasional

Defassa Waterbuck Occasional

Nile Crocodile Occasional

Spotted Hyena Occasional

Guereza Monkey Rare

Ethiopian Wolf None

Gelada Monkey None

Walia Ibex None

Activities:

Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide)

Accommodation:

Doho Lodge & Hot Springs

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Awash NP

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Adehelge Birding Area

Spend the day exploring the bird-rich habitats of the Adehelge area, where dry woodland and open savannah provide excellent conditions for birdwatching and you will have special birding guide. Look for species including white-headed buffalo weaver, chestnut-headed sparrow-lark, northern carmine bee-eater, kori bustard, and Abyssinian roller. With careful observation, the area may also reveal the impressive Abyssinian ground hornbill and other characteristic species of Ethiopia’s lowland ecosystems. Enjoy an evening of relaxation at the lodge after a rewarding day in the field. Overnight at Doho Lodge.

Main Destination:

Awash National Park

Activities:

Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide)

Accommodation:

Doho Lodge & Hot Springs

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Awash NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Bale Mountains – Dinsho Area

After breakfast, drive toward Bale Mountains National Park and begin exploring the Dinsho headquarters area, an important gateway to the park’s remarkable highland habitats. The area offers opportunities to see species such as Abyssinian catbird, white-backed black tit, yellow-fronted parrot, and golden-mantled woodpecker. Explore the forest edges and surrounding montane habitats while enjoying the spectacular scenery and unique biodiversity of the Bale Mountains. Spend the night near Dinsho to be ready for an early morning birding session the following day. Overnight at Nurobe Hotel.

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

Activities:

Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide)

Accommodation:

Nurobe Hotel

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

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Senneteua Plateaus Exploration

Travel to the scenic Senneteua Plateaus and spend the day exploring the high-altitude landscapes of the Bale Mountains. The montane habitats provide opportunities to observe Abyssinian slaty flycatcher, black-winged lovebird, montane white-eye, and Abyssinian thrush. Continue birding with the special birding guide along forest edges, shrubs, and open highland areas while enjoying the dramatic mountain scenery. With patience, you may also encounter the distinctive cinnamon bracken warbler hiding among dense vegetation. Overnight at Nurobe Hotel.

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Activities:

Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide)

Accommodation:

Nurobe Hotel

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

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Harenna Forest Exploration

Drive into the magnificent Harenna Forest for a full day of birdwatching and nature exploration in one of Ethiopia’s most biodiverse forest environments. Explore forest trails and edges where mixed bird flocks and a variety of endemic and elusive species can be encountered. The dense vegetation, tall trees, and peaceful surroundings create excellent conditions for observing forest birds while enjoying the unique atmosphere of the Bale Mountains. Return to the hotel in the evening after a rewarding day immersed in the natural beauty of Harenna Forest. Overnight at Nurobe Hotel.

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Activities:

Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide)

Accommodation:

Bale Mountain Lodge

• Luxury lodge located inside Bale Mountains NP

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Drive back to Addis Ababa

After breakfast, begin the journey back to Addis Ababa, enjoying the changing landscapes and scenic views along the route. Make selected stops for photography, refreshments, and opportunities to enjoy any final bird sightings along the way. Reflect on the diverse ecosystems, wildlife, birdlife, and cultural experiences encountered throughout the journey from the Rift Valley to the Bale Mountains. Arrive in Addis Ababa in the evening, marking the conclusion of the birdwatching and wildlife tour.

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.