Ethiopian Birding
OVERVIEW
Ethiopia is a paradise for ornithologists as well as for any bird
enthusiasts. Its avifauna represents an interesting mixture of a variety
of bird species with some strikingly unusual endemic components. Ethiopia
has more than 800 species of birds, of which 16 are endemic, and more than
650 species are exclusively Ethiopian residents. The rest are migratory
and winter visitors. Out of the 16 bird species restricted to Ethiopia, 3
are rare or accidental.
Ethiopia’s extraordinary range of bird species is a result of its wide
variety of habitats and the vegetation at different altitudes that include
high mountains, areas below sea level, deserts and lowland grasslands,
forests, lakes, wetlands and riverine systems. Click here to read more
about the bird species in Ethiopia.
ITINERARY
Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights (Road)
Destinations: Addis Ababa–Central Northern Ethiopia-Central Western
Ethiopia–Awash National Park-Central Rift Valley region and the lakes
–Awassa-Wendo Genet–Dinsho/Bale Mountains National Park- Harenna Forest-
Goba–Asela–Addis Ababa
Day 1: Arrive in Addis and be met by our representative and transferred to
hotel. Later, have a Highlights tour of the Addis Ababa city-the view from
Mount Entoto, the National and the Anthropological Museums, the Trinity
Cathedral and Mercato. This evening we gather for an orientation in the
hotel. Overnight at a reserved hotel.
Day 2: Today, we will have a day excursion from Addis Ababa to Debre
Libanos and the Jema River Gorge through the Sululta wetlands. Small
detour to the attractive Aleltu Waterfalls. Overnight at a reserved hotel
in Addis Ababa.
Day 3: This morning, we drive from Addis Ababa on Ambo Road to the
Menagesha State Forest. Hike to the top of Mount Wechecha. Return to Addis
Ababa on the Jimma Road. Overnight at a reserved hotel in Addis Ababa.
Day 4: Leaving Addis, we drive eastwards to Awash National Park with stops
at Debre Zeit for the Chalalklaka wetland and Lake Hora. We proceed to the
Awash National Park, one of the best birding sites in Ethiopian Rift
valley. The National Park shares the same habitats with grassland,
savannah and wetlands. Over 460 species of bird have been recorded in this
area. Overnight at Awash Falls Lodge.
Day 5: Whole day birding in the different habitats found in and out of the
Awash National Park such as the plains, cliffs, wetlands and the riverine
forest by the Awash River. Camel trekking can be arranged to some of these
sites - one gets a great view from on top of a camel, and can also get
closer to birds and wildlife. The Afar communities also offer another
focus of interest. A large hot spring nearby is a great place to freshen
up at the end of the day. Overnight at Awash Falls Lodge.
Day 6: En route, we view the abundance of stunning bird species in the
Central Rift Valley Lakes region. Stopping off at Koka Dam, Lake Zway as
well as at Lakes Shalla and Abiyata, which offer birding enthusiasts an
experience of a life time when viewing at huge numbers of water birds
congregated feeding, hovering, perching, swimming and hopping everywhere.
Overnight at Bekele Mola beach resort.
Day 7: At leisure in the afternoon, followed by intensive birding at the
Lake Shores of Awassa late in the afternoon and early in the morning. This
fresh water lake is different from the alkaline lakes of Abiyata and
Shalla. The black forest near the lake is an additional interesting
birding site. Overnight at a reserved hotel.
Day 8: Whole day intensive birding in the dense juniper forest near the
Spa Resort of Wondo Genet, which is famous for its naturally heated open
air pool set among forested hills. The springs are said to have curative
properties and the Emperor Haile Selassie had a lodge here, now part of
the hotel. In the gardens of the hotel, we will see the Silvery-cheeked
Hornbill, White-cheeked Turaco, Yellow-fronted Parrot, the Black-headed
Forest Oriole, the Golden-backed Woodpecker, Redwing Starling, Grosbeak
Weaver, Mountain Wagtail and Black-roughwing Swallow. We will also see
Colobus monkey, Anubis baboon and bushbuck. Overnight at the resort.
Day 9: Today, we drive to Dinsho, HQ of the Bale Mountains National Park,
and spend the rest of the day in the park, viewing various types of bird
species as well as some endemic mammals such as Mountain Nyala and Menelik
Bushbuck including Grey Duiker and Warthog as well as some bird species.
Overnight camping at Dinsho.
Day 10: Whole day intensive birding on the 4000m asl Sanetti Plateau, with
its striking Afro-Alpine flora, such as the Giant Lobelia and Red Hot
Poker. We will also drive all the way up to Tullu Dimtu Mountain , 4377 m
asl , the second highest mountain in Ethiopia .The park is the best place
in Ethiopia to see the endemic Ethiopian Wolf, while the huge rodent
population, including the endemic Giant Mole Rat, supports a variety of
raptors. The rare Wattled Crane is often seen, while there are a good
number of the Spot-breasted Plover. Overnight at a reserved hotel in Goba.
Day 11: Today, we descend from the Sanetti Plateau to the escarpment of
the Harenna Forest, where at the southern boundary of the park the
altitude is 1700 m asl. The Forest houses a woodland avi-fauna including
the African Cuckoo Hawk, Yellow-fronted Parrot and Brown-backed Honeyguide.
Wildlife includes Klipspringer, Serval, Bushpig, Giant Forest Hog, Grey
Duiker, Colobus Monkey as well as other fierce mammals such as lions and
leopards. Overnight at a reserved hotel in Goba.
Day 12: Our journey back starts today, en route viewing the Arsi Mountains
and spotting various bird species, we will have a stop at the Dodola
Community Conservation areas for picnic lunch, followed by some excursions
there for bird watching. Overnight at a reserved hotel in Asela.
Day 13: With a stop at the Spa Resort of Sodere for lunch and bird
spotting at the banks of River Awash and on the nearby trees, we will
proceed to Addis Ababa. After lunch (on your own), the afternoon is free
until we have a farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant, followed by
folkloric music and dances. Then it will be time for transfer to the
airport to connect with the recommended flight home. Day rooms will be
held for you at hotel.