13-Day Ethiopia Birdwatching & Wildlife Tour

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

Addis Ababa – Awash National Park

Depart from Addis Ababa and drive to Awash National Park, a prime destination for birdwatchers. The park is home to diverse bird species such as Red-bellied Parrots, Bustards, Weavers, Hoopoe, Yellow-throated Serine, Red-fronted Barbet, Pygmy Batis, and Lesser-striped Swallow. Additionally, various mammals inhabit the park, including Anubis Baboons, Colobus Monkeys, Black-backed Jackals, Bat-eared Foxes, Egyptian Mongooses, Warthogs, Beisa Oryx, Soemmering’s Gazelles, Lesser Kudu, and Salt’s Dikdik. overnight.

Main Destination:

Awash National Park

Best Time To Visit Oct to Feb (Little rain and less hot)

High Season Sep to Apr (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

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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

Accommodation:

Doho Lodge & Hot Springs

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Awash NP

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Wash National Park & Alledeghi Plains

Awash National Park & Alledeghi Plains
Continue birdwatching in Awash National Park before heading to the Alledeghi Plains, situated around 70 km away. This area offers excellent opportunities to observe species such as bustards, larks, and sandgrouse. Overnight at a lodge.

Main Destination:

Awash National Park

Accommodation:

Doho Lodge & Hot Springs

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Awash NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Awash National Park – Lake Langano

Depart for Lake Langano, stopping for birding at Koka Dam, the Awash River, and Lake Ziway. These locations host a variety of birdlife, including African Pygmy Goose, Black-billed Woodhoopoe, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Northern Black Tit, Little Weaver, Yellow-billed Storks, Collared Pratincole, Lesser Jacana, African Jacana, White Pelicans, Fish Eagles, and various crane species.

Main Destination:

Lake Langano

Accommodation:

Hawassa Lake View Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Awasa (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Lake Langano & Abijatta-Shalla National Park

Lake Langano & Abijatta-Shalla National Park
Spend the day birdwatching around Lake Langano and Abijatta-Shalla National Park, where over 300 species can be observed. Look out for Yellow Wagtails, Ibis, Cormorants, Pelicans, Ducks, Egrets, Herons, Flamingos, Storks, Swallows, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Rollers, Wheatears, African Marsh Harriers, and more.

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:

Sabana Beach Resort

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

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Lake Langano – Bale Mountains National Park

Travel to Bale Mountains National Park, one of Africa’s top birding destinations, ranked #4 by the African Bird Club. With over 300 bird species, six of which are endemic to Ethiopia, this park is a haven for birdwatchers. Upon arrival, take a scenic hike and look for Menelik's Bushbuck and Mountain Nyala, along with bird species like Blue-Winged Goose, Spot-Breasted Lapwing, Abyssinian Long Claw, Wattled Ibis, Black-Headed Siskin, Rouget’s Rail, and more. Overnight.

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Best Time To Visit Nov to Feb (Little rain)

High Season Oct to Jan (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)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Exploring Bale Mountains National Park

Enture deeper into the Bale Mountains, searching for endemic birds such as Chestnut-naped Francolin, Ground Thrush (Simensis subspecies), Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Abyssinian Catbird, and White-backed Black-Tit. If lucky, you may spot the rare Wattled Crane in the grasslands or species like Cape Eagle-Lapwing, Thekla Lark, Red-breasted Wheatear, and Moorland Chats. The Sanetti Plateau, the largest continuous high-altitude area in Africa, is also home to the rare Ethiopian Wolf.

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)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Bale Mountains National Park

Spend another day discovering the diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity of Bale Mountains National Park. As you explore different sections of the park, you’ll have the opportunity to observe a variety of bird species, including endemics such as the Abyssinian Catbird, Spot-breasted Lapwing, and Blue-winged Goose.

Venture into the Sanetti Plateau, home to the rare Ethiopian Wolf, and search for high-altitude bird species like the Wattled Crane, Thekla Lark, and Moorland Chat. In the dense Harenna Forest, listen for the calls of the Abyssinian Ground Thrush while keeping an eye out for the elusive Menelik’s Bushbuck.

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)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Bale Mountains National Park – Dilla

Depart from Bale Mountains National Park and embark on a scenic drive toward Dilla, a town known for its rich coffee-growing culture and archaeological significance. Along the way, make several birdwatching stops to observe the diverse avian species inhabiting the region’s varied landscapes.

As you leave the high-altitude grasslands of Bale, descend into the transitional zones where forests, woodlands, and agricultural fields create a mix of habitats. Keep an eye out for species such as the White-cheeked Turaco, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, and Yellow-fronted Parrot, as well as various sunbirds, hornbills, and raptors soaring above. The journey provides an excellent opportunity to spot both endemic and migratory birds, adding to the diversity of your sightings. Overnight.

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)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Dilla – Yabello (Borena Zone

Journey to Yabello, a renowned birding hotspot. Search for White-tailed Swallow and Stresemann’s Bushcrow, both endemic to Ethiopia. Spend the day exploring Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary, where you may spot Somali Ostrich, Secretary Bird, Rüppell’s Griffon Vulture, Martial Eagle, Grasshopper Buzzard, African Pygmy Falcon, Vulturine Guineafowl, Kori Bustard, Donaldson-Smith’s Nightjar, Star-spotted Nightjar, Yellow-billed Hornbill, Lilac-breasted Roller, and more. The park is also home to mammals such as Burchell’s Zebra, Aardvark, Grant’s Gazelle, and Lesser-spotted Genet.

Main Destination:

Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary (Wildlife Sanctuary)

Accommodation:

Yabello Motel

• Budget hotel located near Yabello WS (Wildlife Sanctuary)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Birdwatching in Yabello

Continue your exploration of the Yabello region, immersing yourself in its rich birdlife as you search for species that may have been missed during the previous day's excursion. This biodiverse area is home to a variety of rare and endemic birds, making it a prime destination for birdwatchers.

Your journey will focus on spotting elusive species such as the Degodi Lark, a little-known and range-restricted bird, and the White-tailed Swallow, an endemic species found only in southern Ethiopia. Keep an eye out for the striking Ethiopian Bush Crow, easily recognized by its unique appearance and social behavior. In addition, you may encounter waterfowl like the Garganey and Northern Pintail, along with a variety of other resident and migratory species that thrive in Yabello’s savanna and semi-arid landscapes.

Main Destination:

Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary (Wildlife Sanctuary)

Accommodation:

Yabello Motel

• Budget hotel located near Yabello WS (Wildlife Sanctuary)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Further Birding in Yabello

Spend another exciting day exploring the Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary, venturing into different habitats to increase your chances of spotting rare and endemic bird species. This region, known for its unique biodiversity, offers a mix of acacia woodlands, open savannas, and semi-arid scrublands, creating ideal conditions for a wide variety of birdlife.

As you traverse new areas of the sanctuary, keep a keen eye out for White-tailed Swallows, one of Ethiopia’s most sought-after endemics, and the Ethiopian Bush Crow, a fascinating species with behaviors similar to corvids. You may also have the opportunity to spot the elusive Degodi Lark, the striking Vulturine Guineafowl, and various birds of prey soaring above the landscape.

Main Destination:

Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary (Wildlife Sanctuary)

Accommodation:

Yabello Motel

• Budget hotel located near Yabello WS (Wildlife Sanctuary)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Yabello – Hawassa

Drive to Hawassa, with birding stops along the way. Expect to see species such as Silvery-Cheeked Hornbill, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Rouget’s Rail, Marabou Stork, Black and White Egrets, African Pygmy Goose, Spur-winged Goose, Woodland Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, and more.

Main Destination:

Awasa (City)

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Hawassa

• Mid-range resort located in Awasa (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Hawassa – Addis Ababa & Departure

Return to Addis Ababa, with an optional stop at Lake Ziway for additional birdwatching. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant, where you’ll experience cultural performances featuring music and dance from Ethiopia’s diverse ethnic groups. Later, you will have farewell and transfer to the airport for departure, or an extra night in Addis Ababa can be arranged upon request.

Main Destination:

Lake Ziway

Best Time To Go October to January (Little rainfall)

High Season October to January (It is busier)

Best Weather

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

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