15-Day Ethiopian Birdwatching and Photograph Tour

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

Arrival Addis Ababa

Welcome to Ethiopia! Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, you will be met at Bole International Airport and transferred to your hotel. If time allows, we will enjoy a relaxed birding and photography walk in the gardens of the Ghion Hotel or the Entoto Hills, which host a surprising variety of highland birds.
Key Birds: Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher, Tacazze Sunbird, Baglafecht Weaver
Photography Tips: Great opportunities to practice with common highland species in urban gardens with vibrant light. Overnight stay Capital Hotel.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Capital Hotel & Spa

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

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+5 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Addis Ababa – Debre Libanos – Jemma Valley

We begin our northern birding adventure by heading north to Debre Libanos, perched on the dramatic cliffs of the Ethiopian escarpment. We'll explore the lush valleys and the famous Jemma Gorge, home to endemic and range-restricted species.
Key Birds: White-winged Cliff Chat, Rüppell’s Black Chat, Lammergeier, Ethiopian Boubou, Harwood’s Francolin
Photography Tips: Golden light over the gorge is perfect for raptors and cliff dwellers. Expect dramatic vistas.
Overnight stay Capital Hotel.

Main Destination:

Debre Libanos Monastery (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Capital Hotel & Spa

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

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Addis Ababa to Bahirdar

After a morning birding session in the Jemma Valley, we return to Addis and go to Bahir Dar on the shores of Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile. An evening walk along the lake yields excellent aquatic bird photography.
Key Birds: African Fish Eagle, White-backed Night Heron, Hammerkop, Black Heron
Photography Tips: Capture silhouette shots of pelicans at sunset and the famed ‘umbrella-feeding’ behavior of Black Herons.
Overnight stay Jakaranda Hotel. Jacaranda Hotel Bahir Dar.

Main Destination:

Lake Tana

Accommodation:

Jacaranda Hotel Bahir Dar

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

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Lake Tana and Blue Nile Falls

Today we explore the Lake Tana wetlands and take a short boat ride to photograph birds, hippos, and the picturesque monasteries. Later, we head to the Blue Nile Falls a prime location for landscape and wildlife photography.
Key Birds: Malachite Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Duck, African Jacana, Senegal Coucal
Photography Tips: Boat-level shots with reflections and misty waterfall backdrops make for stunning frames. Overnight stay Jacaranda Hotel.

Main Destination:

Lake Tana

Accommodation:

Jacaranda Hotel Bahir Dar

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

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Bahir Dar – Gondar – Simien Mountains

We drive north to the UNESCO city of Gondar and continue toward the spectacular Simien Mountains. En route, we pass through highland farmland and open meadows teeming with birdlife. Arrive at the lodge nestled amidst jagged peaks.
Key Birds: Thick-billed Raven, Abyssinian Longclaw, Erckel’s Francolin, Black-headed Siskin
Mammals: Gelada Baboon, Walia Ibex (endemic and rare)
Photography Tips: Afro-alpine light and landscapes are surreal. Photograph Geladas at sunrise on the escarpments for iconic shots. Overnight stay Camping.

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

Show more

Golden Jackal Rare

Hyena Rare

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Simien Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Simien Mountains National Park

Full day birding and photography in the high altitudes of the Simiens. We'll walk along scenic trails at elevations over 3,000 meters, with vistas of deep valleys and mountain spires.
Key Birds: Bearded Vulture (Lammergeier), Moorland Chat, Spot-breasted Lapwing, White-collared Pigeon
Photography Tips: Rugged landscapes and cloud inversions make for extraordinary bird and habitat compositions. Overnight stay Camping.

Main Destination:

Simien Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Simien Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Simien Mountains – Gondar – back to Addis Ababa

Morning birding in the mountains before driving back to Gondar to Addis. Overnight in Addis and prepare for the southern portion of the tour.
Optional Photography Stop: Explore Gondar’s historic castles for cultural photography.
Overnight stay Capital hotel.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Capital Hotel & Spa

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

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Addis – Lake Ziway (Rift Valley Begins)

We drive south into the Great Rift Valley, stopping at Lake Ziway an important freshwater lake and birding hotspot. A boat ride offers close-up encounters with lake birds.
Key Birds: African Fish Eagle, Great White Pelican, Gull-billed Tern, Malachite Kingfisher
Photography Tips: Birds are very habituated perfect for capturing flight, feeding, and behavior shots at close range. 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

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Ziway

• Mid-range hotel located at Lake Ziway

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Lake Ziway – Abijatta-Shalla – Lake Langano

Continue to explore the Rift Valley lake system, visiting Abijatta-Shalla National Park, known for its alkaline lakes and flamingo flocks. Overnight near Lake Langano.
Key Birds: Lesser and Greater Flamingo, Avocet, Kittlitz’s Plover, Maccoa Duck
Photography Tips: Low-angle flamingo photography during sunrise is unforgettable. Capture dramatic reflections in the still alkaline water. Overnight stay Hara Langano Eco Lodge.

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:

Hara Langano Eco Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Abijatta-Shalla NP

+6 Photos

+5 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Langano – Wondo Genet

A short drive brings us to the forested hills of Wondo Genet, a remnant of Ethiopia’s once-extensive montane forest. Excellent chance to photograph forest endemics and enjoy the hot springs.
Key Birds: Yellow-fronted Parrot, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Narina Trogon, Ethiopian Oriole
Photography Tips: Forest photography requires high ISO and fast lenses. Use dappled sunlight to your advantage. Overnight stay Wabi Shebele Hotel Wondo Genet.

Main Destination:

Wondo Genet (Town)

Accommodation:

Wabi Shebele Hotel Wondo Genet

• Budget hotel located in Wondo Genet (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Wondo Genet – Bale Mountains National Park

Today we climb to the Afro-alpine realms of Bale Mountains National Park. En route, stop at Dinsho for endemic mammals and montane birds.
Key Birds: Rouget’s Rail, Abyssinian Catbird, Wattled Ibis, Abyssinian Long-eared Owl (at night)
Mammals: Mountain Nyala, Menelik’s Bushbuck
Photography Tips: Trackable and relatively tame wildlife make for great mammal portraits. Use soft, early light in the meadows. Goba Wabe Shebelle 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

Accommodation:

Goba Wabe Shebelle Hotel

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

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Sanetti Plateau and Ethiopian Wolf Safari

A full day exploring the windswept Sanetti Plateau at over 4,000 meters home to the critically endangered Ethiopian Wolf and many alpine birds.
Key Birds: Blue-winged Goose, Spot-breasted Plover, Chestnut-naped Francolin
Mammals: Ethiopian Wolf (most reliable location in Africa), Giant Molerat
Photography Tips: This is your best chance to photograph the Ethiopian Wolf hunting in open landscapes ideal for long-lens wildlife action. Goba Wabe Shebelle Hotel.

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Goba Wabe Shebelle Hotel

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

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Harenna Forest Exploration

We descend into the magical Harenna Forest the southernmost tropical cloud forest in Ethiopia. This area is excellent for photographing forest birds and unique mammals.
Key Birds: White-cheeked Turaco, Abyssinian Crimsonwing, African Hill Babbler
Mammals: Bale Monkey (endemic), Colobus Monkey
Photography Tips: Mist and backlighting create ethereal forest compositions. Turacos are especially photogenic among moss-covered branches. Goba Wabe Shebelle Hotel.

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Goba Wabe Shebelle Hotel

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

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Bale – Lake Awassa

We drive to Lake Awassa for our final night. In the afternoon, we visit the famous fish market where pelicans and storks scavenge for scraps.
Key Birds: Marabou Stork, African Pygmy Goose, Giant Kingfisher, Hadada Ibis
Photography Tips: Great chance to shoot bold and close urban-wildlife interaction scenes. Capture behavior shots and reflections in the shallows. Overnight stay Haile resort.

Main Destination:

Lake Langano

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Hawassa

• Mid-range resort located in Awasa (City)

+6 Photos

+5 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Awassa – Addis Ababa

Enjoy a final early morning birding session at Tikur Wuha or the lake shore. After breakfast, we return to Addis Ababa. Depending on your departure time, enjoy local shopping or a visit to the National Museum (home of “Lucy”) before leave Addis Ababa.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

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