Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, meet your birding guide and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy an afternoon birding excursion around the city’s green spots such as the Entoto foothills and Addis Ababa University compound, where you can spot endemic and semi-endemic species like the Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher, Tacazze Sunbird, and White-collared Pigeon. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner and briefing about your upcoming birding journey to Bale Mountains.

After breakfast, drive south along the Great Rift Valley, stopping first at Lake Ziway, one of the best birding sites in Ethiopia. The lakeshore teems with African Fish Eagles, Great White Pelicans, Yellow-billed Storks, African Jacanas, and many waterfowl species. Continue to Lake Langano, surrounded by acacia woodland, ideal for spotting Little Bee-eaters, Grey Hornbills, Black-headed Weavers, and Bare-faced Go-away-birds. Spend the evening at a lakeside lodge enjoying the sunset and the calls of nocturnal birds.

Depart early toward Bale Mountains National Park, stopping en route in the Kumbi and Goba woodlands for woodland birding. Upon arrival at Dinsho headquarters, meet the park scouts and begin a guided walk through the montane forest. Look for endemic species such as the Abyssinian Catbird, Bale Parisoma, Brown Woodland Warbler, and Chestnut-naped Francolin. The area is also excellent for seeing Mountain Nyala and Menelik’s Bushbuck, making it a great mix of birding and wildlife. Overnight at Dinsho Lodge or nearby eco-lodge.

Spend the morning exploring the Gaysay Grasslands, a mosaic of open meadows and scattered junipers. This area offers sightings of Blue-winged Goose, Spot-breasted Lapwing, Rouget’s Rail, and the elegant Wattled Crane. In the afternoon, drive toward Goba town, stopping en route for highland birds such as Thekla Lark, Abyssinian Longclaw, and Ethiopian Siskin. Overnight in Goba, with an evening checklist session to review the day’s bird sightings.

After an early breakfast, ascend to the Sanetti Plateau, an Afro-alpine landscape rising above 4,000 meters. This is one of the most unique birding habitats in Africa, home to the Spot-breasted Lapwing, Ruddy Shelduck, Red-billed Chough, and Augur Buzzard. If lucky, you may spot the Ethiopian Wolf, the world’s rarest canid. Continue birding near the Tulu Dimtu area, Ethiopia’s second-highest peak, before returning to Goba for dinner and overnight.

Descend through lush bamboo and cloud forests into the mystical Harenna Forest, one of the last remaining tropical rainforests in Ethiopia. The habitat changes dramatically, and so does the birdlife. Look for Abyssinian Crimsonwing, African Hill Babbler, Yellow-fronted Parrot, Banded Barbet, and the elusive Crowned Eagle. Spend the afternoon exploring forest trails and local coffee farms shaded by tall fig trees. Overnight at a forest eco-lodge or community guesthouse.

Dedicate the full day to deep birding in the Harenna Forest. This biodiverse region hosts over 160 bird species, including both highland and lowland species due to its unique elevation range. Watch for White-cheeked Turaco, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Sharpe’s Starling, and Brown Woodland Warbler. You may also encounter colobus monkeys and forest genets along the trails. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the forest and spend the evening listening to nightjars and owls before dinner and overnight in the same lodge.

After breakfast, start your journey back to Addis Ababa, birding along the way near Shashamene and Lake Ziway for any missed species. Arrive in Addis Ababa by late afternoon, where you can do some last-minute souvenir shopping or enjoy a farewell dinner featuring traditional Ethiopian music and food. Transfer to your hotel or the airport, concluding your unforgettable 8-day birdwatching adventure.