The trip begins with a drive from Addis Ababa to Awash National Park, where travelers see various bird species. The next day, they explore the Alledeghi Plain for more birdwatching. They then visit Lake Langano, stopping at Awash River and Ziway Lake to spot water birds.
At Abijatta-Shalla Lakes National Park, they see flamingos, ostriches, and eagles.
The journey continues to Bale Mountains National Park, home to the Ethiopian wolf and rare birds. Next, they travel to Negele Borena and Yabelo, famous for endemic birds.
After visiting Hawassa, they return to Addis Ababa for a farewell meal before departure.
Day 1: Addis Ababa – Awash National Park
You will be picked up from your hotel or the airport and driven to Awash National Park. The desert landscapes here provide a great spot to see both migrant and resident birds of Ethiopia.
We will be looking for Red-bellied Parrots, Bustards, Pygmy Batis, Lesser-striped Swallow, Yellow-breasted Barbet, Wahlberg’s Honeyguide, Red-fronted Barbet, Blue Rock-Thrush, Common Nightingale, Weavers, Hoopoe, Yellow-throated Serin, and the rare Sombre Chat.
Day 2: Awash National Park
Early in the morning, we will go birdwatching in Awash National Park as we drive towards the Alledeghi Plain, located about 60 kilometers from Awash. These plains are excellent for spotting bustards, larks, and sandgrouse.
Day 3: Awash National Park – Lake Langano
Today, we drive to Lake Langano, making several birding stops along the way, including at the Awash River and Ziway Lake.
We expect to see bird species such as African Pygmy Goose, Little Weaver, Yellow-billed Storks, Black-billed Woodhoopoe, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Northern Black Tit, Collared Pratincole, Lesser Jacana, African Jacana, White Pelicans, Fish Eagles, Crowned Cranes, and Common Cranes.
Day 4: Abijatta-Shalla Lakes National Park
Today, we will explore the birdlife along the shores of Abijatta-Shalla Lakes National Park.
We will look for Somali Ostrich, Buff-bellied Warbler, Greater and Lesser Flamingo, Northern Shoveler, Southern Pochard, Cape Teal, Gray Kestrel, Clapperton’s Francolin, Gray Woodpecker, Bank Swallow, African Pipit, Isabelline Wheatear, Pied Wheatear, Mourning Wheatear, Little Rock-Thrush, African Thrush, Little Ringed Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Kittlitz’s Plover, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Dark Chanting-Goshawk, Imperial Eagle, Long-crested Eagle, Little Bee-eater, Hemprich’s Hornbill, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Black Scimitarbill, Red-faced Crombec, Beautiful Sunbird, Rüppell’s Glossy Starling, Red-billed Oxpecker, Red-billed Firefinch, and Northern Grosbeak-Canary.
Day 5: Lake Langano – Bale Mountains National Park
After breakfast, we will drive to Bale Mountains National Park, one of Africa’s top birding destinations, ranked fourth by the African Bird Club.
About 300 bird species have been recorded here, with six species endemic to Ethiopia.
Upon arrival, we will take a slow hike where you will see some endemic mammals such as Menelik’s Bushbuck and Mountain Nyala. Birds to look out for include Wattled Ibis, Rouget’s Rail, Blue-winged Goose, Black-headed Siskin, Spot-breasted Lapwing, and Abyssinian Longclaw.
Day 6: Bale Mountains National Park
Today, we will continue exploring Bale Mountains National Park and look for birds such as Chestnut-naped Francolin, White-backed Black Tit, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Abyssinian Catbird, Cape Eagle-Lapwing, Thekla Lark, Red-breasted Wheatear, and Moorland Chats.
We also have a chance to spot the rare Ethiopian Wolf.
Day 7: Bale Mountains National Park – Negele Borena
We will drive towards Negele Borena, making multiple birding stops along the way.
We will be looking for species such as Turacos, Golden-breasted Starling, Sidamo Lark (endemic), Heuglin’s Bustard, and Somali Short-toed Lark.
Day 8: Negele Borena
We will spend the morning searching for the Degodi Lark. Other birds to look out for include White-winged Dove, Juba Weaver, Black-faced Sandgrouse, Scaly Chatterer, and Chestnut-headed Sparrow-Lark.
Day 9: Negele Borena – Yabelo
After breakfast, we will drive to Yabelo, an excellent location to search for Stresemann’s Bushcrow and White-tailed Swallow, both endemic to Ethiopia.
We will spend the whole day exploring the Yabelo Wildlife Reserve, where we may see: Somali Ostrich, Secretary Bird, Rüppell’s Griffon Vulture, Martial Eagle, Black-capped Social Weaver, Grey-headed Silverbill
Taita Fiscal, Somali Golden-breasted Bunting, Coqui Francolin, Somali Courser, Short-tailed Lark, Shelley’s Starling, White-crowned Starling, Abyssinian Grosbeak Canary, Vulturine Guineafowl, Kori Bustard, Donaldson-Smith’s Nightjar, Star-spotted Nightjar, African Bare-eyed Thrush, Grasshopper Buzzard, African Pygmy Falcon, Lilac-breasted Roller, Rufous-crowned Roller, D’Arnaud’s Barbet, Red-and-Yellow Barbet, Yellow-billed Hornbill, Somali Sparrow, Little Spotted Woodpecker, Pringle’s Puffback, Little Tawny Pipit and Fawn-colored Lark among many other species.
Day 10: Yabelo Area
Today, we will explore the Yabelo Conservation Area again to search for any species we may have missed on the first day.
Day 11: Yabelo – Awassa
After breakfast, we will have a final birding session as we leave Yabelo and drive to Hawassa. Along the way, we will stop for birdwatching and look for species such as: Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Black and White Egrets, Ibis, African Fish Eagle, Woodland Kingfisher, African Pygmy Goose, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Rouget’s Rail, Marabou Stork, Spur-winged Goose, Swallows and Malachite Kingfisher among other species.
Day 12: Awassa – Addis Ababa
After breakfast, we will check out of the lodge and drive back to Addis Ababa.
We will stop for lunch to enjoy a traditional Ethiopian meal with cultural dances and entertainment from the locals.
Later, we will drive to the airport for your flight back home.
