Birds of Ethiopia Tour (178507),Holiday Packages to Addis Ababa

Package Overview

Birds of Ethiopia coded for abundance, breeding, migration, wintering, endemic, rare, etc. Ethiopia is home to an impressive number of species of birds that vary from residents, that stay all year around, to breeding birds, that spend a good part of the growing season in Ethiopia to raise their young, migrants who pass through Ethiopia with the seasons, to wintering birds who like to spend a good part of the winter in Ethiopia to escape colder conditions up north. While many species of birds are relatively common as they are part of the ecosystems of the state, it is always a thrill to stumble upon a rare birdor vagrant, that does not really form part of any the Ethiopia ecosystems. Maybe it got lost during its travels between its summer and winter residence or it got displaced by bad weather.

Among the species of the checklist of the birds of Ethiopia you can find waterfowl and wading birds, a large suite of song birds, raptors, game birds, swifts and nighthawks, etc., many of which occupy several ecosystems simultaneously, as they fly to and from forests, meadows, shorelines of waters, cities and and urban green spaces. At Birdlist, we have developed a coding system that can help you predict when you may expect a certain species, with a code for seasonality, such as resident, nesting, wintering, etc. A code for abundance will give you a clue on the likelihood that you may actually see a certain species of bird. As we progressed with the coding, we realized that there should be a differentiation in the coding for “common”, such as less common, common and very common birds.

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Day wise Itinerary

Day 1 :

On arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. After a rest and refresh at the hotel, drive to Gefersa wet land or Mt Entoto that overlooks the town which will give the opportunity for diverse bird life. Entoto is especially believed to be home for 200 bird species and can expect the Abyssinian wood pecker,Abyssinian catbird,wattled Ibis(endemic),Moorland Francolin,white-collared Pigeon,Black- winged Lovebird,White-cheeked Turaco,mountain Nightjar,banded Barbet,White-winged Cliff Chat,Abyssinian Ground Thrush,Brownparisoma,White-backed Black Tit,Abyssinian Black-headed Oriole and White-billed Starling.In addition the area gives great viewing for 5 species of vultures including Lammergayer as well as various eagles and hawks.
- Meals & Drinks : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 :

Leave early morning to Debre libanos and NileGorge (about 110 km) from Addis- through the Sululta plain .En route we expect to see black -winged and spot-breasted plover,watled ibis,blue-winged goose,Rouget’s rail ,Abyssinian long claw,Abyssinian catbird,Common crane and Wheat ear.This plain is the only known location in Ethiopia for the rare White-winged Fluftail. A small off road drives will take us to the dramatic and attractive 200mts Aleltu Falls,where one can see White-billed Starling,Ruppel’s Chat,Bearded Vulture,Verreaux’s eagle,Lanner and peregrine Falcon. On arrival at Debre libanos ,stop at Jemma river Gorge that flows to the blue nile.The gorge that drops nearly 1km, gives the chanse to see the Banded Barbet,black -headed Forest Oriole,White-billed Starling,Red-billed Starling,White-Winged Cliff chat,White-Backed Black Tit ,White-cheeked Turaco,Montane White-eye,Abyssinian longclaw,Abyssinian Catbird and Hemprich’s Hornbill.One of Ethiopia’s endemic mammals, the Gelada or bleeding heart baboon are also seen in the Gorge.A variety of Vultures-Lamergayer’s,Ruppell’s Lappet Faced Vultures are not uncommon in the Gorge.Drive back to Addis early evening.
- Meals & Drinks : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 :

Early morning drive to the rift heading south-.En route we will be birding ,stopping at Koka Dam and the Awash River and then at lake Ziway for lunch. On lake Ziway lake shore, huge numbers of water birds are congregated.African Pygmy Geese,Yellow-billed and Marabou Storks,Collared Pratincoles,Lesser and Greater Jacanas,African Jacanas,White Pelicans,Fish Eagles,Crowned and Common Cranes are seen in numbers.Leave to Bishangari for overnight.
- Meals & Drinks : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 :

Bishangari-which means’Sweet water’ in Oromo Dialect is situated adjacent to an ancient forest that remains intact due to inaccessibility and it is blessed with five ecological zones(Dry Pumice Rock,Lake & Beach,Wetlands,Forest and Accacia Shrub). More than 300 birds retreated for its conducive and undisturbed nature ,we can expect in the area Cliff chat,Nightingale,Warlblers,Flycatcher,Laughing Dove,Wood Owl,Abyssinian Nightjar,Glossy Ibis and Silver Bill . Exceptionally rare “Gologo” ,previously found in Zanzibar and senegal has been discovered on early morning of october ,2001,bushy tailed Squirrels,Anubis Baboon,Vervet Monkey can be seen not far from the Lodge.
- Meals & Drinks : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 :

After an early break fast, drive to Shalla and Abijata National Park.Shalla, 270 mts in depth,the deepest in Ethiopian rift ,is an important birding sites for birds on its four of the nine islands.We have to drive through the Ostrich Farms on the west of the main road and then proceed to Abijata lake ,where thousands of both lesser and greater Flamingo’s congregate along the shores.African Pochard,Avocet,Gull-billed Tern and Pintail,little Stint,Ruff and a variety of ducks are among other species to be seen. Drive to Wondo Genet (There is naturally heated open air pool)set among forested hills.In the gardens of the hotel and juniper Forests behind the hotel ,we will see the silvery-cheeked Hornbill,White -cheeked Turaco,and Yellow-fronted Parrot,Black-headed Forest Oriole,golden-backed Woodpecker,Red wing Starling,Grosbeak Weaver,Mountain Wagtail and Black- roughing Swallow.We can also see Colobus monkey ,Anubis baboon and Bushbuck.
- Meals & Drinks : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 :

Bale national park is rich in diverse habitats and Endemism. So far 20 endemic Birds are registered in the Park where 14 are shared with Eritrea. It has the largest Afro- Alpine habitat in Africa. We stop at Dinsho ,Head Quarter of the park where the main concentration of the Endemic Mountain Nyala is found . In addition we can also see the endemic Menelik’s Bushbuck,Grey Duicker and Warthog .As elsewhere in the park we can see here the spot-breasted plover,Rouget’s Rail,Thick-billed Raven,Blue-winged Lovebird.
- Meals & Drinks : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 :

Leave your Hotel for full day excursion on Sanetti Plateau and the Harenna Forest.The Plateau is a nice place to see the Endemic Semien Wolf and the huge rodent population,including the Endemic giant Mole rat.The rare wattled Crane is often seen,while there are a good number of Spot- breasted plover. Drive across the plateau and then descend the escarpment to the Harenna Forest. The forest supports a woodland avi-fauna including the African cuckoo Hawk,Yellow-fronted parrot and Brown-backed Honeyguide.Wildlife includes klipspringer,Serval Cat,Bushpig,Giant Forest Hog,Grey Duiker,Colobus Monkey,Lion and Leopard ,although visitors are less likely to see the latter two.
- Meals & Drinks : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 :

through Robe and Goro.Sof Omar caves a 16 km limestone caverns has been carved by the web river that starts its course from the bale highlands. Abyssinian Scimitar bill, Brown-tailed Rock-Chat, Northern Grey Tit, Salvadori’s Seed eater can be found in the valley (or above) at Sof Omar.
- Meals & Drinks : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 :

a hot springs resort which stretches along the Banks of the River Awash.Though Sodere is frequented for it’s hot spa by addis week enders,the Awash River and the fringing riparian forest offers an excellent birding.
- Meals & Drinks : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 :

Drive to Bilen Lodge, Passing Nazret,Beseka Lake (Supposed to have good water- birds) and Awash National Park. Outside the boundaries of Awash park,the area shares the same habitats with grassland,savannah and wetlands.Over 460 species of bird have been recorded in this area including: the Abyssinian Roller,Abyssinian Ground Horn bill,the endemic White-tailed Swallow,Buff Creasted Bustard,Dark Chanting Goshawk,Pygmy Falcon,Honey Guide,Woodland Kingfisher,Kori and Arabian Butared,Black-Shouldered Kite,White and Crowned Rosy Patch Shrike,Caramine Bee Eater,Orange-billed Parrot,Lilac Breasted Roller,Lappet faced and ruppell’s Vulture.we can also see a variety of different animals,including Greater and Lesser Kudu,wart hog,Dik Dik,Gerenuk,Menelik’s Bushbuck,Soemmering gazelle,Hammaderyas Baboons.
- Meals & Drinks : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 :

Leave early for Fantalle Crater Birding, around Awash Palm Springs.It takes nearly 3 hours to get to the crater rim which is possible only with 4×4 WD. Look for RuÌˆppell’s Vulture, Black- billed Barbet, Tawny Pipit, Sombre Rock-Chat, Boran Cisticola, Scarlet-chested & Shining Sunbird, Somali Chestnut-winged Starling, Yellow-throated Serin near crater, and Gillett’s Lark at base. Drive back to Bilen.
- Meals & Drinks : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 :

If get to Awash early, spend day birding south of the main road. The riverine forest round at the campsite is a productive birding area, with plenty of Palearctic warblers including Olivaceous & Upcher’s warblers, Speke’s Weaver,Ethiopian Cliff Swallow,Star-spotted & Nubian Nightjars & Little Owl. Set off back to Addis Ababa ,with a lunch stop in Debre Zeit.We can take in at least one of the Crater lakes for birding Maccoa Duck,Cape Teal,Red-billed Duck. Upon reaching Addis Ababa you will have time to shower and change before dinner, following which you will return to the airport for yout late evening flight back to your country. Those taking the optional extension will spend the night in Addis Ababa.
End of the Tour and Departure