$2,002 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateArrival
Arrival
Day 1
Arrival & Sightseeing in Addis Ababa
Arrival & Sightseeing in Addis Ababa
Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, you'll be welcomed and transferred to your hotel. After a short rest, begin exploring Ethiopia’s capital. Head up to Mount Entoto for sweeping views of the city, then visit the National Museum to see the famous ‘Lucy’ fossil. Continue to the Holy Trinity Cathedral, a key religious site, and finish at the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie—now the Ethnographic Museum. Wrap up with a visit to Merkato, East Africa’s largest open-air market.
Overnight Stay Hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Addis Ababa (City)
- Accommodation:
-
Da'amat Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Addis Ababa – Awash National Park
Addis Ababa – Awash National Park
After breakfast, depart south through the Rift Valley. Make photo stops at the Bishoftu crater lakes near Debre Zeit, then continue to Awash National Park. On arrival, enjoy an evening game drive with chances to see wildlife and spot hyenas around the park’s scenic landscapes.
Overnight in Genet Hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Awash National Park
- Accommodation:
- Genet Hotel Awash
Wildlife in Awash NP
Gazelle Common
Baboon Common
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Unique Species Birdwatching in Awash National Park
Unique Species Birdwatching in Awash National Park
Spend a full day birding in Awash National Park, located in the heart of the Great Rift Valley. Expect to see a wide range of species such as African Orange-bellied Parrot, Pygmy Batis, Yellow-throated Serin, and Red-fronted Barbet. The park is also home to mammals like Beisa Oryx, Soemmerring’s Gazelle, Bat-eared Fox, and Anubis Baboon.
Overnight Genet Hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Awash National Park
- Accommodation:
- Genet Hotel Awash
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Drive Awash – Lake Langano via Lake Ziway
Drive Awash – Lake Langano via Lake Ziway
Drive to Lake Langano with stops at Lake Ziway and Koka Dam—ideal spots for birding. Here you may see African Pygmy Goose, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Black-billed Woodhoopoe, and Little Weavers. Arrive at Lake Langano in the afternoon and settle in.
Overnight Langano.
- Main Destination:
- Lake Ziway
- Accommodation:
- Keeti Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Birding at Lake Langano & Abijata–Shala Lakes
Birding at Lake Langano & Abijata–Shala Lakes
Spend the day exploring Lake Langano and nearby Abijata–Shala National Park. With over 300 bird species recorded, highlights include Flamingos, Egrets, Herons, Storks, African Marsh Harrier, and Abyssinian Ground Hornbill. This area is a prime site for water birds and grassland species alike.
- Main Destination:
- Abijatta-Shalla National Park
- Accommodation:
- Keeti Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Lake Langano – Wondo Genet – Bale Mountains
Lake Langano – Wondo Genet – Bale Mountains
After breakfast, continue your journey toward Bale Mountains National Park. En route, stop at Wondo Genet for forest birding. Arrive at the park headquarters in Dinsho and enjoy a gentle afternoon hike. Watch for Menelik’s Bushbuck, Mountain Nyala, and highland endemics such as Blue-winged Goose, Spot-breasted Lapwing, and Wattled Ibis.
Overnight in Harenna Forest Hotel and Cultural Lodge.
- Main Destination:
- Bale Mountains National Park
- Accommodation:
- Harenna Forest Hotel and Cultural Lodge
Wildlife in Bale Mountains NP
Bushbuck Occasional
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Exploring Bale Mountains – Sanetti Plateau & Harenna Forest
Exploring Bale Mountains – Sanetti Plateau & Harenna Forest
Venture to the Sanetti Plateau in search of the elusive Ethiopian Wolf and highland bird species such as Moorland Chat, Red-breasted Wheatear, and Chestnut-naped Francolin. Later, descend into the lush Harenna Forest for forest birds like the Abyssinian Catbird, White-backed Black-Tit, and the rare Wattled Crane.
Overnight in Harenna Forest Hotel and Cultural Lodge.
- Main Destination:
- Bale Mountains National Park
- Accommodation:
- Harenna Forest Hotel and Cultural Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Bale Mountains – Negele Borena
Bale Mountains – Negele Borena
Drive south through the Harenna Forest to Negele. En route, search for striking birds such as the Turaco and Golden-breasted Starling. Once in the Negele plains, look for the range-restricted Sidamo Lark, Somali Short-toed Lark, and possibly Heuglin’s Bustard.
Overnight in Negele.
- Main Destination:
- Negele Borana (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Turaco Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Negele – Yabelo
Negele – Yabelo
Travel to Yabelo and spend the day birding in the Yabelo Wildlife Sanctuary. Target species include the endemic Stresemann’s Bushcrow and White-tailed Swallow. Other notable birds: Somali Ostrich, Secretary Bird, Martial Eagle, Lilac-breasted Roller, and many lark and weaver species. You may also encounter Grant’s Gazelle, Aardvark, and Lesser-spotted Genet.
Overnight in Yabelo.
- Main Destination:
- Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary (Wildlife Sanctuary)
- Accommodation:
- Yabello Motel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Yabelo – Hawassa
Yabelo – Hawassa
Depart for Hawassa, birding en route through various habitats. Keep an eye out for Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Marabou Stork, Malachite Kingfisher, and many wetland and woodland species. On the way we will visit different types of wild animals and bird watching.
Overnight in Hawassa.
Day 11
Hawassa – Addis Ababa – Departure
Hawassa – Addis Ababa – Departure
Return to Addis Ababa, stopping along the Rift Valley lakes for final birdwatching especially at Lake Ziway, home to African Pygmy Geese, Fish Eagles, Storks, and Jacanas. In the evening, enjoy a traditional farewell dinner with music and dance from Ethiopia’s many cultures before your transfer to the airport for your departure.
End of Tour.
- Main Destination:
- Addis Ababa (City)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
