Exploring the Avian Wonders of Ethiopia: A 20 Birding Itinerary
If you’re an avid birder seeking to immerse yourself in a rich avian ecosystem, Ethiopia offers an unforgettable experience. This20-day itinerary takes you through some of the country’s most stunning locations, including Bale Mountains National Park, Awash Park, and beyond, tailored for bird enthusiasts eager to discover the diverse bird life of Ethiopia.
Ethiopia is a vibrant and exciting bird-rich country that has solidified its status as one of Africa’s leading birding destinations. With over 800 bird species, including 29 endemics, this remarkable land showcases an impressive array of wildlife, unparalleled scenic diversity, and unique cultural experiences.
For birders, Bale Mountains National Park is a highlight, located in the southern part of the southeastern highlands. The highest all-weather road in Africa crosses the Sanetti Plateau (Tulu Demtu: 4377 m), offering access to alpine moorlands, grasslands, and tranquil lakes.
Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa
Arrive in the evening and transfer to Ghion Hotel, located in the center of Addis Ababa.
Day 2: Debre Libanos
By sunrise, enjoy birding in the extensive gardens of the hotel—an excellent birdwatching area. After breakfast, embark on a 4WD trip north, making your first birding stop at Sululta Plains. Here, you could see endemic species such as Erlanger’s Lark and Ethiopian Siskin, along with Red-breasted Wheatear and Red-throated Pipit. Then ascend to Debre Libanos, known for its monastery. Along the way, a large fig tree offers sightings of Banded Barbet, Black-winged Lovebird, and Rüppell’s Black Chat (all endemics), as well as African Paradise-Flycatcher, Red-cheeked Cordon-Bleu, Yellow-bellied Waxbill.
In the late afternoon, proceed to Ethio-Germany Park Hotel, where you can relax on the edge of the escarpment while enjoying spectacular views and sightings of Fan-tailed Ravens, Rüppell’s Vultures, Hooded and Griffon Vultures, and Lanner Falcons. Overnight at Ethio-Germany Park Hotel, nearby Debre Libanos.
Day 3: Debre Libanos – Debre Birhan – Ankober
Travel south via Maka Turi, then east and north onto the escarpment above the hot and dry Jemma Valley. Target birds will include the rare Harwood’s Francolin, Erckel’s Francolin, Fox Kestrel, Abyssinian Black Wheatear, Woodchat Shrike, Black-billed Wood-hoopoe, Variable Sunbird, Woolly-necked Stork, Somali and Greater Blue-eared Starling, Speckle-fronted Weaver, and Tawny Eagle. After lunch in Debre Birhan, drive to Ankober to look for the endemic Ankober Serin. Overnight at a lodge in Ankober.
Day 4: Ankober – Addis Ababa – Nazret
An early morning walk from the lodge may yield sightings of Fan-tailed Raven, Tropical Boubou, Brown Woodland-Warbler, Red-rumped Swallow, and White-cheeked Turaco. Descend into the beautiful Rift Valley below the Ankober escarpment, stopping to identify birds such as Blackcap, African Grey-headed Woodpecker, Hemprich’s Hornbill, Eurasian Golden Oriole, the endemic Yellow-throated Seed-eater, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver, Yellow-breasted Barbet, Boran Cisticola, Little Rock Thrush, Whinchat, White-bellied Go-away-B, Vitelline Masked Weaver, and Abyssinian White-eye. Afterward, drive back to Addis Ababa and continue toama/Nazret (East Ethiopia). Overnight at a chosen hotel in Nazret.
Day 5: Nazret – Afar Region
After breakfast, drive east along the main trucking route leading to Djibouti and the Gulf of Aden. Stop near Mount Fantalé to target birds such as Sombre Rock-Chat, Shining Sunbird, and Red-fronted Warbler. Walk down to Lake Beseka’s shoreline for many waterbirds, including Marabou, Yellow-billed and Saddle-billed Storks, Pink-backed Pelican, Gull-billed and White-winged Terns, Spur-winged Lapwing, Kittlitz’s and Common Ringed Plovers, Ruff, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, and Red-billed Oxpeckers. Continue driving to Bilen Lodge, located in the arid Afar region northeast of Awash National Park. In the vicinity of Bilen Lodge, look for Abyssinian Roller, Superb Starling, White-headed Buffalo-Weaver, Dark-Chanting Goshawk, Shining Sunbird, Nile Valley Sunbird, Rüppell’s Starling, White-browed Coucal, Four-banded Sandgrouse, and African Pygmy-Kingfisher. Overnight at Bilen Lodge.
Day 6: Around Bilen Lodge
Walk along the Awash River to observe birds such as Senegal Thick-Knee, Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Grey-headed Batis, Gabar Goshawk, Slender-tailed Nightjars, Red-billed Quelea, Cut-throat Finch, and Yellow-necked Spur-fowl. Overnight at Bilen Lodge.
Day 7: Awash National Park
Travel to Awash National Park, where possible bird sightings include White-bellied Bustard, Buff-crested and Kori Bustards, Northern White-crowned Shrike, Somali Fiscal, Tawny Eagle, Rosy-patched Bush-Shrike, Madagascar Bee-eater, Black-billed Barbet, Green Pigeon, and Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, along with wildlife along the Filwuha Springs and Ilala/Sala plains. Overnight at Awash Falls Lodge.
Day 8: Awash National Park – Koka – Shashemene – Wondo Genet
Head west back to Adama and then south towards the Rift Valley lakes. Birdwatching along the way includes a at Lake Koka, where White-faced Ducks and numerous other waterbirds can be seen. The birds at Lake Koka are relatively tame, likely due to a lack of hunting pressure. Expect sightings of Northern Pintail, Garganey, Northern Shoveler, Lesser Jacana, Black-tailed Godwit, and Bruce’s Green Pigeon. Continue to Shashemene, then Wondo Genet, where sightings may include Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill and Thick-billed Raven. Overnight at Wabi Shebelle Hotel in Wondo Genet, where rooms are surrounded by pleasant gardens.
Day 9: Wondo Genet Forest – Dinsho – Bale Goba
Set off at 6 AM to hike up the mountain behind the hotel in pursuit of Red-shouldered Cuckoo Shrike, Doubled-toothed Barbet, Hooded Vulture, Spotted and African Dusky Flycatcher, Ethiopian Oriole, Spotted Creeper, African Cuckoo, and Northern Puffback, as well as the Yellow-fronted Parrot.
After breakfast at the hotel, return to Shashemene and then east to Dinsho, home to the juniper forest at higher elevations. Along the journey, in the Dinsho Juniper Forest (headquarters of Bale Mountains National Park), look for Red-billed Chough, Rouget’s Rail, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, and Abyssinian Long-eared Owl. Mammals such as Mountain Nyala, Menelik’s Bushbuck, and Bohor Reedbuck may also be encountered. Proceed to Bale Goba for birding on the Gaysay open plains. Overnight at Wabi Shebelle Hotel, Bale Goba.
Day 10: Bale Mountains National Park
Spend the day in Bale Mountains National Park and along its access route, driving through plantations and ascending through patches of indigenous forest until entering the park. The terrain of the Sanetti Plateau includes afro-alpine moorland scattered with marshes and ponds. Birds likely to be seen include Moorland, Spot-breasted Lapwing, Chestnut-naped Francolin, Golden Eagle, Rouget’s Rail, Ruddy Shelduck, Augur Buzzard, Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle, Thekla Lark, and Lanner Falcon. Additionally, keep an eye out for Ethiopian Meadow Rat, Starck’s Rabbit, Abyssinian Wolves, and Bale Monkey in Harenna Forest. Overnight at Wabi Shebelle Hotel, Bale Goba.
Day 11: Sof Omar Caves
Enjoy an early start before daybreak! Drive east of Bale Goba through vast agricultural lands to the valley containing the remote Sof Omar caves, one of the deepest caves in the world These caves were formed by the Web River cutting through limestone formations en route to the Genale River east of the Bale Mountains. The caves are named after Sheikh Sof Omar a 12th-century Muslim leader who sought refuge here and whose legacy has turned site into an important pilgrimage location for Ethiopian Muslims.
For birders, Sof Omar is known as one of the most reliable locations for spotting one of Ethiopia’s rarest endemics, Salvadori’s Seedeater (Serin). Other notable birds in the Sof Omar area include Lesser Kestrel, Dwarf Ravens (Somali Crow), Brown-tailed Rock-Chat (a target species), Upcher’s Warbler, Lilac-breasted Roller, Rosy-patched Bush Shrike, Slate-colored Boubou, African Citril, Bush Petronia, Pygmy Batis, and Red-billed Hornbill. Mammal sightings may include Ethiopian Rock Hyrax, Yellow-spotted Hyrax, and Vervet Monkeys.
On the return trip, we will stop and walk the road for birding in the trees and shrubs, where you may see Irania (White-throated Robin), Marico Sunbird, and Salvadori’s Seedeater again. Overnight at Wabi Shebelle Hotel, Bale Goba.
Day 12: On the Way to Negelle
Early in the morning, we will journey south through Bale Mountains National Park, where we can expect to see Chestnut-naped and Moorland Francolins and Rouget’s Rail en route. As we descend from the Sanetti Plateau, the vegetation thickens until we reach the Harenna Forest. We’ll stop for breakfast along the way. Bird species that can be observed include Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, African Dusky Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Kite, African Pygmy-Kingfisher, Grey-backed Camaroptera, Rufous-breasted Wryneck, Thrush Nightingale, Common Nightingale, Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Northern Black Flycatcher, Slate-colored Boubou, Black-billed Barbet, Double-toothedbet, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Grey-headed Batis, Bronze Mannikin, and African Paradise-Flycatcher.
Further along the roadside, you may spot Northern Carmine Bee-eaters, Northern White-crowned Shrikes, Grey-headed Kingfishers, African Thrush, African Grey Hornbills, and the elusive Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco. Overnight at a chosen hotel in Negelle.
Day 13: Negelle – Yabello
After breakfast, we will drive from Negelle to Yabello, birdwatching along the route. Potential sightings include Sidamo Lark, Somali Short-toed Lark, Plain-backed Pipit, Shelley’s Starling, Shelley’s Rufous Sparrow, White-crowned Starling, Broad-billed Roller, Purple Roller, Grey Kestrel, Egyptian Vulture, African White-winged Dove, Vulturineineafowl, Stesemann’s Bush-Crow, Purple Roller, and White-crowned Starling. Overnight at a chosen hotel in Yabello.
Day 14: Birding Nearby Yabello
We’ll dedicate the day to birding around Yabello. Look for Grey-headed Silverbill, Speke’s Weaver, Dodson’s Bulbul, Little Bee-eater, D’Arnaud’s Barbet, Red-and-yellow and Red-fronted Barbets, Foxy Lark, Grey-headed Social Weaver, Little Rock-Thrush, Levaillant’s Cuckoo, Magpie Starling, Tree Pipit, Shelley’s Starling, Bare-faced Go-Away-Bird, Variable Sunbird, Crimson-rumped Waxbill, Pale Prinia, Greater and Lesser Honeyguides, Rey-headed Social Weaver, Red-billed Buffalo Weaver, Somali Crombec, Thrush Nightingale, Long-billed Pipit, and Eurasian Reed-Warbler. Overnight at a chosen hotel in Yabello.
Day 15: Yabello – Dilla
As we head south to Dilla, we’ll look for birds including Pygmy Falcon, Pringle’s Puffback, Jacobin Cuckoo, Nubian Woodpecker, White-browed Scrub-Robin, Golden-breasted Starling, Scaly Chatterer, Bare-faced Thrush, Barred Warbler, Wood Warbler, Little Weaver, Crimson-rumped Waxbill, and Little Sparrowhawk. We may also observe Purple Grenadier, Somali Bunting, and a Levant Sparrowhawk chasing a Tawny Eagle overhead, as well as Tiny Cisticola and Stresemann’s Bush-Crow. Overnight at a chosen hotel in Dilla.
Day 16: Awassa
Our next stop will be the lakeside town of Awassa. On our way, we will look for birds such as Double-toothed Barbet, Bronze Mannikin, and a ‘lifer’ – the Black-and-white Mannikin. Upon arrival in Awassa, we will explore the grounds leading to the shoreline of Lake Awassa, where you can look forward to spotting Western Banded Snake-Eagle, Black-headed Batis, Malachite Kingfisher, Pygmy Goose, White-backed Duck, Greenshank, Ruff, Pied Kingfisher, Greater Painted-Snipe, Gull-billed Tern, Yellow Wagtail, Red-billed Oxpeckers, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Blue-headed Coucal, and Spotted Creeper. Awassa also provides an opportunity to spot Gureza (White Colobus Monkeys). Overnight at a chosen hotel in Awassa.
Day 17: Awassa – Addis Ababa
On our return route, we will stop at the jet on Lake Ziway, where sightings may include Marabou Stork, Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper, Ruff, African Jacana, Lesser Jacana, White-faced Duck, Hamerkop, Long-crested Eagle, African Fish Eagle, Red-billed Firefinch, Speckled Mousebird, and Klaas’s Cuckoo. A stop in Debre Zeith (Bishoftu) will allow for a visit to Bishoftu Crater Lake, just 42 km from Addis Ababa.
Back in Addis Ababa, enjoy a “cultural evening” at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant, complete with live music and dance performances Overnight at Ghion Hotel in Addis Ababa.
Day 18: Fly to Lalibela
An early morning flight takes us to Lalibela, located 701 km northwest of Addis Ababa. This town, famous for its labyrinth of rock-hewn churches carved from compacted volcanic rock, is perched at an altitude of 2630 meters in the Lasta province and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
We will stay at Seven Olives Hotel, the oldest hotel in Lalibela, which is surrounded by a serene woodland garden, providing opportunities for birdwatching from the rooms. Look for Village Weaver, Baglafetch Weaver, Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Greater Blue-eared Starling, Common Bulbul, Fan-tailed Raven, Hemprich’s Hornbill, Dusky Turtle-Dove, African Dusky Flycatcher, Tacazze Sunbird, Variable Sunbird, Red-billed Firefinch, Blue-cheeked Cordon-bleu, and Eurasian Hoopoe.
After lunch, visit the northwestern cluster of rock-hewn churches. While there are various theories about the construction timeline of these churches, local tradition maintains that they were built in the 12th century during King Lalibela’s reign inspired by a vision of a “New Jerusalem.” It is important to that these churches to serve as places worship for Ethiopian Orthodox Christians. Legends say were constructed using simple tools hammers and chisels, with some claiming they were built by angels. Overnight at Seven Olives Hotel in Lalibela.
Day 19: Asheton Maryam
In the morning, hike up to the Asheton Maryam monastery, located at an altitude of 4000 meters. This site offers exceptional birding opportunities and breathtaking 360° views of the surrounding area.
In the afternoon, visit the remaining churches in Lalibela, starting with the southeastern cluster. Proceed to the last and most famous of the 11 rock-hewn churches in town, Bet Giyorgis (St. George’s Church), which is somewhat separated from the other two major clusters. Birdwatchers keep an eye out for the target bird, the White-billed Starling. Bet Giyorgis is also a dream for photography enthusiasts. Overnight at Seven Olives Hotel in Lalibela.
Day 20: Addis Ababa – Departure
In the morning, fly back to Addis Ababa. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time shopping or exploring the local markets. Depart in the evening, concluding the tour.
Ethiopia’s avian paradise awaits you, with a plethora of unique and endemic species, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture to enhance your birding experience. This meticulously crafted itinerary provides both seasoned birders and enthusiastic novices an opportunity to create unforgettable amidst the extraordinary beauty of Ethiopia’s natural and cultural heritage.
Day 2: Debre Libanos By sunrise, enjoy birding in the extensive gardens of the hotel—an excellent birdwatching area. After breakfast, embark on a 4WD trip north, making your first birding stop at Sululta Plains. Here, you could see endemic species such as Erlanger’s Lark and Ethiopian Siskin, along with Red-breasted Wheatear and Red-throated Pipit. Then ascend to Debre Libanos, known for its monastery. Along the way, a large fig tree offers sightings of Banded Barbet, Black-winged Lovebird, and Rüppell’s Black Chat (all endemics), as well as African Paradise-Flycatcher, Red-cheeked Cordon-Bleu, Yellow-bellied Waxbill. In the late afternoon, proceed to Ethio-Germany Park Hotel, where you can relax on the edge of the escarpment while enjoying spectacular views and sightings of Fan-tailed Ravens, Rüppell’s Vultures, Hooded and Griffon Vultures, and Lanner Falcons. Overnight at Ethio-Germany Park Hotel, nearby Debre Libanos.
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