Ethiopia is a premier birding destination in Africa with over 900 recorded species, including 24 endemics and many key regional specialties. On this immersive 8 day tour, you’ll explore diverse habitats—from Rift Valley lakes and savanna parks to high altitude forests and Afro alpine moorlands—targeting both endemic and migrant species under the guidance of expert birding guides.
Day 1 :
Arrival in Addis Ababa
- Welcome & arrival transfer to your hotel in Addis Ababa.
- Orientation briefing with your birding guide.
- Optional afternoon birding at nearby parks or Addis urban sites.
- Overnight: Addis Ababa
Day 2 :
Addis Ababa → Langano via Rift Valley Lakes
- Depart early from Addis and drive south into the Rift Valley.
- Birding stops at Lakes Koka and Ziway, looking for waterbirds including cranes, pelicans, kingfishers, and lapwings.
- Continue to Lake Langano for late afternoon birding.
- Overnight: Lake Langano area
Day 3 :
Langano → Abijatta Shalla National Park → Awassa
- Morning visit to Abijatta Shalla National Park for flamingos, pelicans, storks, and other aquatic species.
- Continue to Awassa (Hawassa) for sunset birding along the lakeshore.
- Overnight: Awassa
Day 4 :
Awassa → Wondo Genet → Bale Mountains
- Early birding around Awassa Lake (Saddle billed Stork, kingfishers, and more).
- Drive to Wondo Genet forest, searching for forest species such as Black Forest Oriole and White cheeked Turaco.
- Continue toward the Bale Mountains National Park region, arriving at Dinsho.
- Overnight: Bale Mountains area
Day 5 :
Bale Mountains National Park
- Full day birding in Bale Mountains, including Sanetti Plateau and Harenna Forest.
- Target key endemic and highland species such as Blue winged Goose, Black headed Siskin, White backed Black Tit, Rouget's Rail, Wattled Ibis, and White cheeked Turaco.
- Overnight: Bale Mountains
Day 6 :
Bale Mountains → Awash National Park
- Early morning birding in Bale before departing to Awash National Park.
- En route birding with opportunities for raptors and grassland species.
- Overnight: Awash area
Day 7 :
Full Day Birding — Awash National Park
- Full day exploring the diverse habitats of Awash.
- Expect species such as Kori Bustard, Abyssinian Woodpecker, Abyssinian Longclaw, eagles, bee eaters, francolins, and bushshrikes.
- Overnight: Awash area
Day 8 :
Awash → Addis Ababa (Departure)
- Morning birding in Awash.
- Drive back to Addis Ababa with a stop at Rift Valley lakes for final birding.
- Arrive in the evening with transfer to airport or hotel.
- Tour concludes.
