15-Day Bird Watching Trip – Ethiopia

Day 01 – Addis Ababa → Debre Libanos

Drive to Debre Libanos to see bird species such as Malachite Sunbird, Tacazze Sunbird, Lanner Falcon, Brown Parisoma, and Lammergeier. Endemics may include Blue-winged Goose, Ethiopian Cisticola, Black-headed Siskin, Wattled Ibis, Erlanger’s (Blanford’s) Lark, or Abyssinian Longclaw. You may also see Geladas, a primate endemic to Ethiopia.

Overnight: Lodge

Day 02 – Debre Libanos

Early morning transfer to Jemma Valley to look for endemics such as Harwood’s Francolin, Erckel’s Francolin, Ankober Serin, Abyssinian Black Wheatear, and White-throated Seedeater. Other species may include Fox Kestrel, Red-billed Pytilia, or Little Rock Chat. Return to Debre Libanos for overnight.

Day 03 – Debre Libanos → Ankober

Drive towards the ancient Ethiopian capital of Ankober with several birding stops, notably at Melka Ghebdu area. Spot Yellow-throated Seedeater, Half-collared Kingfisher, and Eastern Plantain-eater before continuing to Ankober.

Day 04 – Ankober → Aledeghi Wildlife Reserve

Drive towards Awash National Park, stopping to look for Harwood’s Francolin. At the Aledeghi Wildlife Reserve, stop to observe bustards, larks, and sandgrouse, as well as Grevy’s zebra, Oryx, Gazelle, Gerenuk, and Ostrich.

Overnight: Lodge

Day 05 – Aledeghi Wildlife Reserve → Awash Park

Proceed to Awash National Park. Bird species include African Orange-bellied Parrots, Bustards, Weavers, Hoopoe, Yellow-throated Serin, Red-fronted Barbet, and Pygmy Batis. Mammals include Anubis Baboon, Colobus Monkey, Bat-eared Fox, Beisa Oryx, and Soemmering’s Gazelle.

Day 06 – Awash National Park → Lake Langano

Drive to Lake Langano with birding stops at Koka Dam, Awash River, and Lake Ziway. Spot species such as African Pygmy Goose, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Yellow-billed Stork, and Fish Eagle.

Day 07 – Lake Langano

Continue birding around Lake Langano and Abiyata–Shalla National Park. Over 300 species can be seen, including Flamingos, Herons, Rollers, and African Marsh Harrier.

Overnight: Lodge

Day 08 – Lake Langano → Wondo Genet → Bale Mountains

Drive from Langano to Bale Mountains National Park, home to over 300 bird species and several endemics. Spot Menelik’s Bushbuck, Mountain Nyala, Blue-winged Goose, and Wattled Ibis.

Overnight: Lodge

Day 09 – Bale Mountains National Park

Explore the park further to see Chestnut-naped Francolin, Abyssinian Catbird, White-backed Black-Tit, Wattled Crane, and the rare Ethiopian Red Wolf on the Senetti Plateau.

Overnight: Hotel

Day 10 – Bale Mountains → Negeli Borena

Drive to Negelle with birding stops en route. Look for Turaco, Golden-breasted Starling, Sidamo Lark, Somali Short-toed Lark, and possibly Heuglin’s Bustard.

Overnight: Lodge

Day 11 – Negeli Borena

Search for Degodi Lark, White-winged Dove, Juba Weaver, Black-faced Sandgrouse, and Scaly Chatterer. Look for the secretive Sidamo Lark.

Overnight: Hotel

Day 12 – Negeli → Yabello Borena

Drive to Yabello and explore the Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary. Spot White-tailed Swallow, Stresemann’s Bushcrow, Somali Ostrich, Secretary Bird, and Martial Eagle. Mammals include Burchell’s Zebra and Grant’s Gazelle.

Overnight: Hotel

Day 13 – Yabello Borena

Continue birding in Yabello area to see Degodi Lark, Bushcrow, White-tailed Swallow, Garganey Pintail, and others.

Overnight: Hotel

Day 14 – Yabello → Hawassa

Drive to Hawassa spotting Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Marabou Stork, African Pygmy Goose, and Woodland Kingfisher.

Overnight: Hotel

Day 15 – Hawassa → Addis Ababa

Return to Addis Ababa with an optional stop at Lake Ziway. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring music and dance performances. Transfer to airport for late-night departure or additional hotel night on request.