11-Day Ethiopia Birdwatching Adventure & Photograph Tour

Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, you'll be welcomed and transferred to your hotel. After a short rest, you'll begin exploring Ethiopia’s capital. You'll head up to Mount Entoto for sweeping views of the city. Then, you'll visit the National Museum to see the famous ‘Lucy’ fossil. You'll continue to the Holy Trinity Cathedral, a key religious site, and finish at the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie, now the Ethnographic Museum. You'll wrap up with a visit to Merkato, East Africa’s largest open-air market.

Your overnight stay will be at Daamat Hotel.

After breakfast, you'll depart south through the Rift Valley. Make photo stops at the Bishoftu crater lakes near Debre Zeit. Then, you'll continue to Awash National Park. On arrival, you'll enjoy an evening game drive with chances to see wildlife and spot hyenas around the park’s scenic landscapes.

Your overnight stay will be in Genet Hotel Awash.

You'll spend a full day birding in Awash National Park, located in the heart of the Great Rift Valley. Expect to see a wide range of species such as African Orange-bellied Parrot, Pygmy Batis, Yellow-throated Serin, and Red-fronted Barbet. The park is also home to mammals like Beisa Oryx, Soemmerring’s Gazelle, Bat-eared Fox, and Anubis Baboon.

Your overnight stay will be at Genet Hotel Awash.

You'll drive to Lake Langano with stops at Lake Ziway and Koka Dam—ideal spots for birding. Here you may see African Pygmy Goose, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Black-billed Woodhoopoe, and Little Weavers. You'll arrive at Lake Langano in the afternoon and settle in.

Your overnight stay will be in Langano.

You'll spend the day exploring Lake Langano and nearby Abijata–Shala National Park. With over 300 bird species recorded, highlights include Flamingos, Egrets, Herons, Storks, African Marsh Harrier, and Abyssinian Ground Hornbill. This area is a prime site for water birds and grassland species alike.

Your overnight stay will be at Keeti Hotel.

After breakfast, you'll continue your journey toward Bale Mountains National Park. En route, you will stop at Wondo Genet for forest birding. You'll arrive at the park headquarters in Dinsho and enjoy a gentle afternoon hike. You'll watch for Menelik’s Bushbuck, Mountain Nyala, and highland endemics such as Blue-winged Goose, Spot-breasted Lapwing, and Wattled Ibis.

Your overnight stay will be in Harenna Forest Hotel and Cultural Lodge.

You'll venture to the Sanetti Plateau in search of the elusive Ethiopian Wolf and highland bird species such as Moorland Chat, Red-breasted Wheatear, and Chestnut-naped Francolin. Later, you'll descend into the lush Harenna Forest for forest birds like the Abyssinian Catbird, White-backed Black-Tit, and the rare Wattled Crane.

Overnight stay will be in Harenna Forest Hotel and Cultural Lodge.

You'll drive south through the Harenna Forest to Negele. En route, you'll search for striking birds such as the Turaco and Golden-breasted Starling. Once in the Negele plains, look for the range-restricted Sidamo Lark, Somali Short-toed Lark, and possibly Heuglin’s Bustard.

Overnight stay will be in the Turaco Hotel.

You'll travel to Yabelo and spend the day birding in the Yabelo Wildlife Sanctuary. Target species include the endemic Stresemann’s Bushcrow and White-tailed Swallow. Other notable birds: Somali Ostrich, Secretary Bird, Martial Eagle, Lilac-breasted Roller, and many lark and weaver species. You may also encounter Grant’s Gazelle, Aardvark, and Lesser-spotted Genet.

Your overnight stay will be in Yabelo Motel.

You'll depart for Awasa, birding en route through various habitats. Keep an eye out for Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Marabou Stork, Malachite Kingfisher, and many wetland and woodland species. On the way, you will visit different types of wild animals and bird watching.

Your overnight stay will be in Central Hotel.

You'll return to Addis Ababa, stopping along the Rift Valley lakes for final birdwatching, especially at Lake Ziway, home to African Pygmy Geese, Fish Eagles, Storks, and Jacanas. In the evening, you'll enjoy a traditional farewell dinner with music and dance from Ethiopia’s many cultures before your transfer to the airport for your departure.

End of tour.