13 Days Ethiopia Birdwatching Photographer Safari

You'll depart from Addis Ababa and drive to Awash National Park, a prime destination for birdwatchers. The park is home to diverse bird species such as Red-bellied Parrots, Bustards, Weavers, Hoopoe, Yellow-throated Serine, Red-fronted Barbet, Pygmy Batis, and Lesser-striped Swallow. Additionally, various mammals inhabit the park, including Anubis Baboons, Colobus Monkeys, Black-backed Jackals, Bat-eared Foxes, Egyptian Mongooses, Warthogs, Beisa Oryx, Soemmering’s Gazelles, Lesser Kudu, and Salt’s Dikdik. overnigh

You will continue birdwatching in Awash National Park before heading to the Alledeghi Plains, situated around 70 km away. This area offers excellent opportunities to observe species such as bustards, larks, and sandgrouse. Your overnight stay will be at a lodge.

You'll depart for Lake Langano, stopping for birding at Koka Dam, the Awash River, and Lake Ziway. These locations host a variety of birdlife, including African Pygmy Goose, Black-billed Woodhoopoe, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Northern Black Tit, Little Weaver, Yellow-billed Storks, Collared Pratincole, Lesser Jacana, African Jacana, White Pelicans, Fish Eagles, and various crane species.

You'll spend the day birdwatching around Lake Langano and Abijatta-Shalla National Park, where over 300 species can be observed. Look out for Yellow Wagtails, Ibis, Cormorants, Pelicans, Ducks, Egrets, Herons, Flamingos, Storks, Swallows, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Rollers, Wheatears, African Marsh Harriers, and mor

You'll travel to Bale Mountains National Park, one of Africa’s top birding destinations, ranked #4 by the African Bird Club. With over 300 bird species, six of which are endemic to Ethiopia, this park is a haven for birdwatchers. Upon arrival, you will take a scenic hike and look for Menelik's Bushbuck and Mountain Nyala, along with bird species like Blue-Winged Goose, Spot-Breasted Lapwing, Abyssinian Long Claw, Wattled Ibis, Black-Headed Siskin, Rouget’s Rail, and more. Overnight

You'll venture deeper into the Bale Mountains, searching for endemic birds such as Chestnut-naped Francolin, Ground Thrush (Simensis subspecies), Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Abyssinian Catbird, and White-backed Black-Tit. If lucky, you may spot the rare Wattled Crane in the grasslands or species like Cape Eagle-Lapwing, Thekla Lark, Red-breasted Wheatear, and Moorland Chats. The Sanetti Plateau, the largest continuous high-altitude area in Africa, is also home to the rare Ethiopian Wolf.

You'll spend another day discovering the diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity of Bale Mountains National Park. As you explore different sections of the park, you’ll have the opportunity to observe a variety of bird species, including endemics such as the Abyssinian Catbird, Spot-breasted Lapwing, and Blue-winged Goose.

You'll venture into the Sanetti Plateau, home to the rare Ethiopian Wolf, and search for high-altitude bird species like the Wattled Crane, Thekla Lark, and Moorland Chat. In the dense Harenna Forest, listen for the calls of the Abyssinian Ground Thrush while keeping an eye out for the elusive Menelik’s Bushbuc

You'll depart from Bale Mountains National Park and embark on a scenic drive toward Dilla, a town known for its rich coffee-growing culture and archaeological significance. Along the way, you'll make several birdwatching stops to observe the diverse avian species inhabiting the region’s varied landscapes.

As you leave the high-altitude grasslands of Bale, you will descend into the transitional zones where forests, woodlands, and agricultural fields create a mix of habitats. Keep an eye out for species such as the White-cheeked Turaco, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, and Yellow-fronted Parrot, as well as various sunbirds, hornbills, and raptors soaring above. The journey provides an excellent opportunity to spot both endemic and migratory birds, adding to the diversity of your sighting

You'll journey to Yabello, a renowned birding hotspot. Search for White-tailed Swallow and Stresemann’s Bushcrow, both endemic to Ethiopia. You'll spend the day exploring Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary, where you may spot Somali Ostrich, Secretary Bird, Rüppell’s Griffon Vulture, Martial Eagle, Grasshopper Buzzard, African Pygmy Falcon, Vulturine Guineafowl, Kori Bustard, Donaldson-Smith’s Nightjar, Star-spotted Nightjar, Yellow-billed Hornbill, Lilac-breasted Roller, and more. The park is also home to mammals such as Burchell’s Zebra, Aardvark, Grant’s Gazelle, and Lesser-spotted Genet.

You'll continue your exploration of the Yabello region, immersing yourself in its rich birdlife as you search for species that may have been missed during the previous day's excursion. This biodiverse area is home to a variety of rare and endemic birds, making it a prime destination for birdwatchers.

Your journey will focus on spotting elusive species such as the Degodi Lark, a little-known and range-restricted bird, and the White-tailed Swallow, an endemic species found only in southern Ethiopia. Keep an eye out for the striking Ethiopian Bush Crow, easily recognized by its unique appearance and social behavior. In addition, you may encounter waterfowl like the Garganey and Northern Pintail, along with a variety of other resident and migratory species that thrive in Yabello’s savannah and semi-arid landscapes.

You'll spend another exciting day exploring the Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary, venturing into different habitats to increase your chances of spotting rare and endemic bird species. This region, known for its unique biodiversity, offers a mix of acacia woodlands, open savannas, and semi-arid scrublands, creating ideal conditions for a wide variety of birdlife.

As you traverse new areas of the sanctuary, keep a keen eye out for White-tailed Swallows, one of Ethiopia’s most sought-after endemics, and the Ethiopian Bush Crow, a fascinating species with behaviors similar to corvids. You may also have the opportunity to spot the elusive Degodi Lark, the striking Vulturine Guineafowl, and various birds of prey soaring above the landscape.

You'll drive to Hawassa, with birding stops along the way. Expect to see species such as Silvery-Cheeked Hornbill, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Rouget’s Rail, Marabou Stork, Black and White Egrets, African Pygmy Goose, Spur-winged Goose, Woodland Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, and more.

You will return to Addis Ababa, with an optional stop at Lake Ziway for additional birdwatching. In the evening, you'll enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant, where you’ll experience cultural performances featuring music and dance from Ethiopia’s diverse ethnic groups. Later, you will have a farewell and transfer to the airport for departure, or an extra night in Addis Ababa can be arranged upon request.