Birding Ethiopia Tours

Day 1

Arrive at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa. You’ll be welcomed by our tour representative and transferred to your hotel. This is a relaxed arrival day to unwind after your flight and prepare for the adventure ahead.

Overnight: Hotel, Addis Ababa

Day 2

Depart north to Debre Libanos via the scenic Sululta Plains. En route, watch for endemic species like Spot-breasted Lapwing and Blue-winged Goose, plus gelada baboons. At Debre Libanos, scan cliffs for Bearded Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Little Rock Thrush, and raptors drifting over the escarpment.

Overnight: Addis Ababa

Day 3

Drive southeast to Awash National Park via Ethiopia’s first expressway and Lake Basaaka. Spot Augur Buzzard, Carmine Bee-eaters, Abyssinian Rollers, and more. Arrive at Awash Falls Lodge and enjoy a golden-hour search for Arabian Bustard, Buff-crested Bustard, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, and other dryland species.

Overnight: Awash National Park

Day 4

Full-day birding across the semi-arid woodlands and plains of Awash NP. Target species include Somali Ostrich, Chestnut Sparrow-Lark, Pale Flycatcher, Red-billed Quelea, Mouse-colored Penduline Tit, Somali Fiscal, and African Collared Dove. Mammals may include Soemmering’s Gazelle, Warthog, Salt’s Dik-dik, and Anubis Baboon.

Overnight: Awash National Park

Day 5

Drive 215 km to Lake Ziway. En route, stop at Lake Koka for flamingoes, African Spoonbill, and Great White Egret. Lake Ziway is known for its five islands, hippos, and prolific birdlife. Check in at Haile Resort Ziway, founded by legendary athlete Haile Gebrselassie.

Overnight: Lake Ziway

Day 6

Morning birding around Lake Langano and surrounding fig forests. Spot endemic species like Banded Barbet, Yellow-fronted Parrot, Abyssinian Woodpecker, and Von der Decken’s Hornbill. Optional visit to Lake Abijata for a flamingo spectacle if time allows.

Overnight: Lake Langano

Day 7

Drive 75 km to Lake Hawassa. Explore the lakefront’s prolific birdlife including Yellow-billed Stork, Marabou, Pygmy Kingfisher, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, and Shining Sunbird. Watch for hippos offshore as the day winds down.

Overnight: Hawassa

Day 8

Early birding around Lake Hawassa before heading to Bale Mountains National Park. Climb through moorlands to reach the Goba Plateau. Bale offers chances to see endemic mammals like Mountain Nyala and Menelik’s Bushbuck, and birds such as Spot-breasted Lapwing, Rouget’s Rail, and Abyssinian Longclaw.

Overnight: Goba Wabe Shebelle Hotel

Day 9

Full-day birding across the Sanetti Plateau. Target highland endemics like Moorland Francolin, Wattled Ibis, Abyssinian Catbird, Chestnut-naped Francolin, and the elusive Wattled Crane. Watch for Ethiopian Wolf stalking among giant lobelias.

Overnight: Goba or nearby guesthouse

Day 10

Descend from the Harenna Forest and drive to Negele Borena through semi-arid savannah. Along the way, look for White-crested Helmetshrike, Pringle’s Puffback, Lilac-breasted Roller, and—near the Genale River—your first chance at Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco among fruiting fig trees.

Overnight: Negele Borena

Day 11

Bird the Liben Plains in search of Sidamo Lark, Somali Short-toed Lark, and possibly the ultra-rare Archer’s Lark. Other specialties include Shelley’s Rufous Sparrow, Somali Courser, Salvadori’s Seedeater, and Plain-backed Pipit. With luck: Corn Crake or Coqui Francolin.

Overnight: Negele Borena

Day 12

Long drive south to Yabello, through Borena Acacia savannah. Scan termite mounds for Stresemann’s Bushcrow and White-tailed Swallow. Target Banded Parisoma, Purple Grenadier, Juba Weaver, Acacia Tit, and Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird along the way.

Overnight: Yabello

Day 13

Full-day exploration of Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary. Search for key endemics and dry-country species such as Somali Fiscal, D’Arnaud’s Barbet, Red-naped Bushshrike, Somali Courser, Short-tailed Lark, and speckled weavers. The sanctuary is also home to the rare Swayne’s Hartebeest.

Overnight: Yabello

Day 14

Drive north to Arba Minch, birding en route for Golden-breasted Starling, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Steppe Eagle, and Boran Cisticola. Afternoon birding in Nechisar National Park for Bat Hawk, Lesser Kestrel, Black-bellied Bustard, and Yellow-throated Seedeater.

Overnight: Arba Minch

Day 15

Full day inside Nechisar National Park and around Lake Chamo. Target African Fish Eagle, Flamingos, Kingfishers, and numerous wetland migrants. Wildlife includes Burchell’s Zebra, Swayne’s Hartebeest, Vervet Monkeys, Anubis Baboon, and the elusive African Wild Dog.

Overnight: Arba Minch

Day 16

After breakfast, transfer to Arba Minch Airport for your flight to Addis Ababa. In the evening, enjoy a farewell cultural dinner with live dance and traditional cuisine before we escort you to the airport for your international departure.

End of Tour