Day 1. Addis Ababa – Awash National Park
After landing at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, drive to Awash National Park. This area has dry land that is home to both local and migrating birds. You can spot birds like the Sombre Chat, Blue Rock-Thrush, Common Nightingale, and Yellow-breasted Barbet.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 2. Awash National Park
Spend the morning birdwatching in Awash National Park. Later, drive about 60 kilometers from Awash town to the Alledeghi Plains. This is a good place to see larks, sandgrouse, bustards, and more.
Overnight at Doho Lodge.
Day 3. Awash National Park – Lake Langano
On the way to Lake Langano, stop for birdwatching at Lake Ziway and the Awash River. You may see many bird species here like the Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Yellow-billed Storks, African Pygmy Goose, Northern Black Tit, African Jacana, Fish Eagles, White Pelicans, Black-billed Woodhoopoe, and crowned cranes.
Overnight at Hara Langano Lodge.
Day 4. Abiyatta-Shalla Lakes National Park
Today, explore the lake shores and woodlands. Look out for Palaearctic waders and birds like Clapperton’s Francolin, Somali Ostrich, Dark Chanting-Goshawk, Lesser and Greater Flamingos, Southern Pochard, Grey Kestrel, Little Bee-eater, Hemprich’s Hornbill, African Thrush, Buff-bellied Warbler, Red-billed Firefinch, and Beautiful Sunbird.
Overnight at Hara Langano Lodge.
Day 5. Langano – Bale Mountains National Park
Drive to Bale Mountains National Park, ranked the top birdwatching site in Africa by the African Bird Club. The park has more than 300 bird species, including six found only in Ethiopia.
At the park headquarters, take a short hike and look for Menelik’s Bushbuck, Mountain Nyala, Abyssinian Longclaw, Blue-winged Goose, Spot-breasted Lapwing, and more.
Overnight at Wabe Shabelle Hotel.
Day 6. Bale Mountains National Park
Explore more of Bale Mountains by car. Look for birds like Chestnut-naped Francolin, Abyssinian Catbird, Ground Thrush, Red-breasted Wheatear, Thekla Lark, and Cape Eagle-Lapwing.
In the wet grasslands, you might spot Wattled Cranes. On the Senetti Plateau, try to find the rare Ethiopian Red Wolf.
Overnight at Wabe Shabelle Hotel.
Day 7. Bale Mountains – Negele Borena
Drive to Negele with many stops for birdwatching. Look for the Golden-breasted Starling, Turaco, Somali Short-toed Lark, Sidamo Lark, and Heuglin’s Bustard in the Negele Plains.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 8. Negele Borena
Spend the morning looking for the Degodi Lark if not yet seen. Also search for birds like the Scaly Chatterer, Black-faced Sandgrouse, Chestnut-headed Sparrow-lark, White-winged Dove, Juba Weaver, and Sidamo Lark.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 9. Negele – Yabelo
Drive to Yabelo. Look for the Stresemann’s Bushcrow and White-tailed Swallow among the shrubs. Explore the Yabelo Wildlife Sanctuary. Other birds include African Pygmy Falcon, Martial Eagle, Secretary Bird, Kori Bustard, Vulturine Guineafowl, Star-spotted Nightjar, Lilac-breasted Roller, and Somali Golden-breasted Bunting. You may also see animals like Burchell’s Zebra, Aardvark, and Grant’s and Thompson’s Gazelles.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 10. Yabelo Area
Continue birdwatching in the Yabelo region. Try to see species you may have missed earlier like the Garganey Pintail, Corsar, Degodi Lark, and White-tailed Swallow.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 11. Yabelo – Awassa
Drive to Hawassa. On the way, look for birds like Malachite Kingfisher, Woodland Kingfisher, Ibis, Spur-winged Goose, Swallows, African Pygmy Goose, and Silvery-cheeked Hornbill.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 12. Awassa – Addis Ababa
Return to Addis Ababa, stopping along the way if you wish. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a local Ethiopian restaurant with traditional music and dancing from different ethnic groups. After dinner, transfer to the airport for your international flight.
End of the tour.
