10-Day Ethiopia Birdwaching Adveture Tour

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

Arrival in Addis Ababa & Geferssa Reservoir

Arrive at Bole International Airport, where your expert birding guide will warmly welcome you. After settling into your hotel and taking a brief rest, head out in the afternoon for specialized birding at the nearby Geferssa Reservoir. Explore the high-altitude wetland habitats to spot your first Ethiopian endemics and highland species, including the Wattled Ibis, Rouget's Rail, Black-headed Siskin, and the Blue-winged Goose, before returning for a comfortable evening.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Activities:

• Afternoon specialized birding (with a professional birding guide)

Accommodation:

Caravan Hotel

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

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Debre Libanos Monastery & Jemma Valley

Journey north from Addis Ababa via the scenic Sululta Plain to the historic Debre Libanos Monastery. Spend the day exploring the dramatic river gorges and rugged cliffs of the Jemma Valley, targeting key highland and escarpment specialty birds such as the Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher, Black-headed Forest Oriole, White-cheeked Turaco, and soaring raptors including the majestic Lammergeier.

Main Destination:

Debre Libanos Monastery (Highlight)

Activities:

• Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide)

Accommodation:

Ethio German Park Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located at Debre Libanos Monastery (Highlight)

+2 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Journey to Awash National Park

Depart eastward from Addis Ababa into the Great Rift Valley, stopping at scenic wetland areas and lakes like Lake Hora to view various waterbirds. Continue your journey toward the semi-arid landscapes of Awash National Park. Arrive by afternoon for an introductory wildlife viewing and specialized birding drive across the acacia scrublands and riverine forests, searching for dry-country specials, localized hornbills, and vibrant birdlife before settling into your lodge for the evening.

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

Show more

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:

Genet Hotel Awash

• Mid-range hotel located less than 1hr drive from Awash NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Full-Day Birdwatching in Awash

Spend a full day exploring the diverse semi-arid habitats, open savannahs, and lush riverine forests of Awash National Park. Accompanied by your expert birding guide, search for an incredible variety of dry-country specials and regional endemics, including the Somali Ostrich, Arabian and Kori Bustards, Pygmy Batis, localized hornbills, and vibrant weavers. Alongside the rich avian life, enjoy wildlife-viewing drives to spot desert mammals such as Beisa oryx, Soemmerring's gazelle, and hamadryas baboons against the stunning backdrop of the Awash River gorge and the dormant Mount Fantale volcano.

Main Destination:

Awash National Park

Activities:

• Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide)

Accommodation:

Genet Hotel Awash

• Mid-range hotel located less than 1hr drive from Awash NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Awash to Lake Ziway & Koka Dam

Travel southwest through the Great Rift Valley, stopping at Koka Dam and surrounding wetlands for excellent aquatic and woodland birding. Keep an eye out for various storks, herons, and raptors. Continue your journey to Lake Ziway for lunch and a relaxed afternoon boat trip or lakeshore birdwatching. Explore the lake's islands to spot African fish eagles, lesser jacanas, pelicans, and black crakes before checking into your mid-range resort for a comfortable evening by the water.

Main Destination:

Lake Ziway

Best Time To Go October to January (Little rainfall)

High Season October to January (It is busier)

Best Weather

Activities:

• Afternoon specialized birding (with a professional birding guide)

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Ziway

• Mid-range hotel located at Lake Ziway

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Abijatta-Shalla Lakes & Lake Langano

Enjoy a morning of specialized birding around Lake Langano’s lush acacia forest and shoreline, where you can spot woodland species and colorful birds. Afterward, drive over to Abijatta-Shalla Lakes National Park. Spend the afternoon exploring the contrasting soda lakes, where you will witness massive, breathtaking flocks of Lesser and Greater Flamingos alongside numerous other waterbirds gathered along the alkaline shores before returning to your lakeside resort for dinner.

Main Destination:

Lake Langano

Activities:

• Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide)

Accommodation:

Sabana Beach Resort

• Mid-range resort located at Lake Langano

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Forest Birding in Wondo Genet

Drive further south through the Great Rift Valley to the lush, forested hills of Wondo Genet. Spend the day on guided forest walks through dense indigenous woodlands and around thermal hot springs, targeting highland forest specialists and regional endemics. Look out for the Yellow-fronted Parrot, Abyssinian Woodpecker, Banded Barbet, and Narina Trogon, before relaxing at your forested lodge for the evening.

Main Destination:

Wondo Genet (Town)

Activities:

• Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide)

Accommodation:

Wabi Shebele Hotel Wondo Genet

• Budget hotel located in Wondo Genet (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Journey to Bale Mountains National Park

Ascend from the Rift Valley into the magnificent highlands of the Bale Mountains. Arrive at park headquarters in Dinsho to explore the surrounding juniper woodlands and open grasslands. Enjoy an afternoon of specialized birding and nature walking, offering fantastic opportunities to spot highland species and endemic mammals like the Mountain Nyala and Menelik's bushbuck, before settling into your mid-range accommodation for the evening.

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:

Wabe Shebelle Hotel Goba

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

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Sanetti Plateau & Harenna Forest

Embark on an exciting full-day excursion across the high-altitude Afro-alpine Sanetti Plateau, rising over 4,000 meters above sea level. Accompanied by your expert guide, search for rare endemic wildlife including the endangered Ethiopian wolf and unique moorland bird species like the Blue-winged Goose, Rouget's Rail, and Chestnut-naped Francolin. Afterward, descend through the dramatic, misty escarpment into the lush Harenna Forest to discover unique forest-dwelling avian species and breathtaking primeval landscapes before returning to your hotel for the evening.

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Activities:

• Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide)

Accommodation:

Wabe Shebelle Hotel Goba

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

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Bale Mountains to Addis Ababa & Departure

Begin your return journey from the Bale Mountains toward Addis Ababa, making scenic roadside birding stops and visiting the historical Tiya stelae site en route. Arrive in Addis Ababa by evening, enjoy a traditional farewell dinner featuring local cuisine and a cultural coffee ceremony, and transfer to the airport for your international departure.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Activities:

• Game drive (normal 4x4 vehicle)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

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