Birdwatching Safari to Ethiopia – 19 Days

Arrive at Bole International Airport where your guide (holding an Addis Tours sign) will greet and transfer you to your hotel. After breakfast, begin a full-day city tour including:

• National Museum (home of “Lucy”)

• Trinity Cathedral

• Entoto Mountains (panoramic views & birdwatching)

Target birds: Abyssinian Woodpecker, Wattled Ibis (E), White-collared Pigeon (E), White-cheeked Turaco, Banded Barbet (E), Mountain Nightjar.

Overnight: Addis Ababa

Enjoy a scenic drive via Goha Tsion and the Sululta Plain. Birding en route.

Target species: Blue-winged Goose (E), Black-winged Lapwing, Wattled Ibis, Common Crane.

At Debre Libanos and Jemma River Gorge:

• Gelada Baboons (E)

• Banded Barbet, Hemprich’s Hornbill

• Lammergeier, Rüppell’s and Lappet-faced Vultures

Overnight: Debre Libanos

Early morning birdwatching near Ethio-German Restaurant. Visit:

• 13th-century Debre Libanos Monastery

• Portuguese-style stone bridge

• Blue Nile Gorge viewpoint

Return to Addis in the afternoon.

Overnight: Addis Ababa

Drive to the historic hilltop town of Ankober (former capital of Menelik II).

Birds to see: Ankober Serin (E), Yellow-throated Serin, Lammergeier, Mountain Buzzard
Wildlife: Colobus monkeys, Gelada baboons, Menelik’s Bushbuck

Overnight: Ankober Lodge

Early morning birdwatching around Ankober escarpments. Visit Debre Berhan:

• Historic capital of Emperor Zera Yaqob

• Church of Selassie (restored by Emperor Menelik II)

Overnight: Addis Ababa

Drive via Lake Beseka and into the Afar Region. Explore Elalaytu Hill and nearby forest.

Target birds: Somali Golden-breasted Robin, Arabian Bustard, Yellow-throated Serin

Overnight: Awash Park Lodge

Early game drive and birdwatching. Continue to Bishangari via Rift Valley Lakes.

Overnight: Bishangari Lodge

Full day birding in the ancient forest and along Lake Langano.

Species: Abyssinian Nightjar, Glossy Ibis, Warblers, Flycatchers, Nightingale

Overnight: Bishangari Lodge

Morning visit to Shalla & Abijata National Park (flamingos, waterbirds). Continue to Wondo Genet.

Birds: Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Yellow-fronted Parrot (E), Grosbeak Weaver
Mammals: Anubis Baboon, Colobus Monkey, Bushbuck

Overnight: Wondo Genet Lodge

Morning birding at Wondo Genet. Short drive to Hawassa.

Species: Saddle-billed Stork, Pygmy Goose, Malachite Kingfisher, Spotted Creeper

Overnight: Hawassa

Drive south to Yabello forest reserve.

Birds: Abyssinian Bushcrow (E), Pringle’s Puffback, Somali Sparrow, Short-tailed Lark

Overnight: Yabello

Morning birding excursion followed by a full-day sanctuary exploration.

Overnight: Yabello

Bird en route to the town of Mega.

Birds: Vulturine & Helmeted Guineafowl, Superb Starling, Lilac-breasted Roller

Overnight: Hotel in Mega

Explore Arero forest, home to Ethiopia’s most wanted endemics:

• Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco (E)

• Salvadori’s Seedeater (E)

Overnight: Negele

Two full days to explore the arid bushland around Negele.

Key species: Sidamo Lark (E, highly endangered), Heuglin’s Bustard, Somali Short-toed Lark, Tiny Cisticola, Rufous Sparrow

Overnight: Negele

Drive to Goba via the scenic Bale Mountains. Explore the Sanetti Plateau.

Birds: White-backed Tit (E), Golden-backed Woodpecker
Mammal highlight: Ethiopian Wolf (E)

Overnight: Goba

Full-day birding on the plateau and Harenna Forest.

Species: Abyssinian Catbird (E), Lammergeier, Chestnut-naped Francolin

Overnight: Goba

Return to Addis via Lake Ziway. Visit Oromo villages along the way.

Birding at Ziway: African Fish Eagle, Marabou Stork, Gull-billed Tern, Tilapia-rich shallows attract many waterbirds.

Evening: Enjoy a traditional farewell dinner with cultural dance and Ethiopian cuisine courtesy of Addis Tours.

Departure: Transfer to Bole International Airport.