6 Days Birding in Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s greatly diversified ecosystem makes it one of the richest habitats in Africa for birds and mammals. Over 862 species of birds, many extremely beautiful and exotic, reside in Ethiopia. Among these, 16 species of birds are only found in Ethiopia, not anywhere else. That is the reason why we say, the most motivated ‘tickers’ come from all over the world to enhance their bird lists with Ethiopia’s many endemic species.
Activities
Day : 1 Departure to Langano
On arrival in Addis Ababa directely drive to Langano We make the fairly long drive to Lake Langano, stopping at several Rift Valley lakes. En route birding at Lake Ziway, truly a birder's paradise and at Koka Dam. Spot bird species such as; the African Pygmy Goose, Black-billed Wood hoopoe, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill. Meal: Breakfast, lunch & dinner Overnight: Hotel
Day : 2 Langano - Abiyata National Park-Wondo Genet
Pre breakfast birding in the acacia Woodland nearby Lake Langano. This acacia Woodland is the home of many birds like the Black-checked and common Waxbills, Abyssinian Black Wheatear, Dederic and Klaas’s Cuckoos, Rattling Cisticolas, Red-billed and Von der Decken’s Hornbills. Then, birding at Abiyata-Shala National Parks, enjoy the breeding and feeding ground of Flamingoes, Pelicans, Cormorants and other aquatic birds, and many more species. Over 300 species can be seen around Lake Abiyata, such as: Yellow Wagtails, Ibis, Cormorant, Pelicans, Ducks, Egrets, Herons, Flamingos, Storks, Swallows, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Rollers, Wheatear, African Marsh Harrier, etc. Then we continue to Wondo Genet for an overnight stay. Meal: Breakfast, lunch & dinner Overnight: Hotel
Day : 3 WondoGenet-Hawassa
We do birding in the morning and then drive to Hawassa to have enough time for afternoon birding at Lake Hawassa. Around the lake we could encounter birds like Hamerkop, Marabou Stork, Sacred Ibis, Yellow Billed Stork and Egyptian geese. Meal: Breakfast, lunch & dinner Overnight: Hotel
Day : 4 Hawassa-Bale Mountains
Morning visit of the daily local fish market at the shore of Lake Hawassa. This market will give you an experience where local people enjoy different variety of fish cuisines including the Ethiopian version “Sushi”. Here, a lot of aquatic birds can be spotted. Then we head towards the world-famous Bale Mountains, part of the Bale Mountains National Park. It is the best place in Ethiopia to see endemics associated with grassland as well as a number of other notable species. You will stop around Dinsho to see the endemic Wattled Ibis, Rouget’s Rail and many more species Meal: Breakfast, lunch & dinner Overnight: Hotel
Day : 5 Senetti
Excursion to Senatti. The Senetti Plateau with its Afro-alpine vegetation is one of the highlights of the tour. Today we spend most of our time on the Sanetti plateau and in the forest near Goba. The Red-breasted Sparrowhawk, Crowned Eagle, Verreaux’s Eagle, Golden Eagle, Lammergeyer and Steppe Eagle are among the birds of prey we may see. In this wonderful Afro-alpine habitat, we also expect to see the beautiful Wattled Crane, Moorland Francolin, Ruddy Shelduck, Malachite Sunbird, and African Snipe. The Sanetti Plateau is also home to the elegant Ethiopian Wolf and the Giant Mole Rat. Meal: Breakfast, lunch & dinner Overnight: Hotel
Day : 6 Bale-Addis Ababa
Early morning, we will depart to Addis Late in the afternoon have a farewell dinner at one of the best traditional restaurant then drive to the airport for flight back home. Meal: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
