Program: Bird Watching

Tour Code: ATE1023

Directions: Geferssa Reservoir, Awash – Bale Mountains and Southern regions

Duration: 21 Nights (22 Days)

Transportation: Land  

Tour starts: Addis Ababa

Tour Ends: Addis Ababa

Day1: Arrival/ Addis Ababa
Arrive in the evening transfer to your Hotel. Overnight – at 4* hotel – Addis (note that you can be provided from 3* up to luxury hotels in Addis Ababa)

Day2: Geferssa Reservoir
After breakfast; we drive to Geferssa Reservoir for Rouget’s Rail, Wattled Ibis, Abyssinian Long Claw, Black headed Siskin, White collared pigeon and Abyssinian Slaty Flycatchers (all are endemics). There are also some other water birds like the three banded and little Ringed plovers, Sandpipers, Little Grebes, Black winged stilt and the endemic Blue winged Goose. We drive back to Addis Ababa in late afternoon. Overnight – at 4* hotel – Addis

Day3: Addis Ababa - Awash National Park
After breakfast; we start driving to Awash National park, 225kms from Addis Ababa. First we should stop at Chelekleka wetland, near Debre-Zeit, which supplies a Varity of wonderful aquatic birds, including few arboreal species. Crowned cranes, Tawny and Lesser spotted eagles, Eurasian marsh Harrier, Spur winged Goose, White backed Duck, Knob billed Ducks, Avocet, Glossy Ibis, southern Pochard, Red billed Teal, African spoonbill, Isabel line wheatear, chestnut backed sparrow Lark, Red throated pipit, laughing and red eyed Doves, Masked weavers, spotted Flycatchers and beautiful and Takazze sunbirds are amongst the birds we can see. We proceed to Nazareth and to Awash National park, with few roadside stopovers. Overnight – we lodge in the park or at best hotel in nearest town of Awash Sebat.

Day4: Awash National Park
Today; we will explore all what is all in the suburb lowlands of Awash National Park. This area provides a great number of bird species like the swallow tailed Kite, Martial and Imperial Eagles, Nubian (Lappet faced) Vultures, Gabar Goshawk, Shikra, White Faced Scoops Owl, pearl spotted owlet, white backed and Egyptian Vultures. Apart from these birds of prey, the thorny bushes of Awash and the ravines forests by Awash river falls also accommodating a variety of different species. Secretary bird, Red winged Bush Lark, Ashy and Gillett’s cist colas, Somali Fiscal, Great Gray Shrike, Sulpher breasted and Grey headed Bush Shrikes, Cardinal and bearded wood peckers, about five species of Bustards, Somali Golden breasted Buntings, Red bill and yellow bill Hornbills, Acacia paradise and steel blue whydahs, Grey wren warbler, Green winged Pytilia, the two species of san grouses, different social weavers, Red and Yellow Barbet, Rosy patched shrike and a lot of bird species could be seen in this wonderful birding site. Awash NP is not only good for birding but also for game viewing. Lesser and greater Kudus, Somme ring’s Gazzel, Deferessa water buck, Hamadiryas Baboon, Black backed Jackal and Lions (only if we are lucky) are some of expecting mammals. Tonight; we make a short range night drive for the nightjars. Overnight - at the former place

Day5: Awash National Park – Langano
Before breakfast, we should explore the park again and drive 259km from Awash Park to Langano (the Rift valley lakes) after breakfast. Our first stop will be at Koka Dam (after 140km drive) for different for lesser striped and wire tailed swallows. We then proceed to Lake Ziway for lunch (70km after Koka dam) & afternoon birding nearby the Lake Ziway. Lake Ziway is one of the best birding sites in the Ethiopian Rift valley. Here, we can see a lot of aquatic and wood land bird species like the Lesser Jacana, Lesser Moorhen, common snipe, lesser black backed and great black headed Gulls, black Heron (the umbrella bird), different Kingfishers, Masked Shrike, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, African Harrier Hawk, and different species of waders and ducks. Then we slowly drive to Langano Resort with few stops by the Acacia wood land (49km from Ziway). Overnight – at Savannah Lodge (best of all) - Langano

Day6: Lake Langano & Abijata-Shalla lakes National Park
Before breakfast; we watch around the lake and its associated Acacia wood land. Von de Decken’s Horn bill, Shallow’s wheatears, Klaas’s and Dederic cuckoos, Black checked waxbill, Banded Barbet, Red headed and masked weavers, Boran and Rattling cist colas, spotted Eagle Owl, Fan tailed Raven, Gabar Goshawk, Barefaced and white bellied Go away birds, Black billed and black wood Hoopoes and Pigmy Kingfisher are amongst the species that can be seen . Then a short break and breakfast before driving to Abijata-Shalla lakes National Park. Lake Abijata, is known as Ethiopian Nakuru, and best feeding site for a great number of lesser and greater Flamingos. In Abijata, not only the Flamingos but also a larger number of migratory birds are feeding. After a half day birding in Lake Abijata, drive back to Langano for lunch. The afternoon birding would be at the park’s head office where the Grant’s gazelle and Ostriches are frequenting. Visitors have to know that Lake Langano and Abijata-Shalla lakes National Park are very close, bisected by the main road so birding time can be adjusted based on the current situation.  Overnight – at Savannah Lodge - Langano

Day7: Wondo Genet
 After Breakfast; we drive to Wondo Genet (62km from Langano) and we check –in at our hotel and immediately, we go birding in the tropical rainforest of Wondo Genet. The forests are home to endemic species like the beautiful Yellow fronted Parrot, Abyssinian woodpecker, Banded Barbet, and the sub species of Brown Saw wing. The Narina’s Trogon, Double toothed Barbet, Half collared Kingfisher, Tambourine Dove, Broad billed Roller, Ayer’s Hawk Eagle, Sharp’s starling, Scaly Francolin, Lemon and Blue spotted wood Doves, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Grey cuckoo Shrike, Crowned Eagle, Thick billed Raven, Silvery checked Hornbill, Red shouldered and Emerald cuckoos, Mountain Wagtails, African wood Owl, Spectacled and Grosbeak Weavers are also amongst the several species inhabiting the lush forests of Wondo Genet. Overnight- at best lodge/hotel -Wondo Genet.

Day8: Wondo Genet – Dinsho
After Breakfast; we leave Wondo Genet for Dinsho, 181kms away from Wondo Genet. En route there would be few stops at Washa River for some highland bird species at Gaysay – extension of the park, for the endemic Rouget’s rail & Abyssinian longclaw as well as  several other water and grassland birds. At Dinsho is best spot for endemic birds: black – winged lovebird, white – backed black tit, Abyssinian catbird, Abyssinian slaty flycatcher, thick – billed raven, white – collared pigeon. We can also expect forest birds such as white – checked Turaco, Abyssinian ground thrush, olive thrush, cape eagle owl. Overnight – lodge at the park’s head office - Dinsho

Day9: around Dinsho & Goba
After breakfast; we will trek until Gaysay for endemic birds that we may missed them yesterday. At Gaysay, we will have the best opportunity to see the endemic Mountain Nyala, and Menelik’s bushbuck, reedbucks, and Warthog too. We drive to Bale Goba afternoon. Overnight – at Wabe Shebelle hotel - Goba
Day10:  watching in Sofomar natural cave
After breakfast; we drive towards Sofomar Cave (115km from our hotel in Goba), the largest underground cave in Africa, created by the Web River.  The thorny bushes of this lowland is producing a large number of bird species including the endemic Salvador’s serine, Orange – bellied parrot, blue –naped mousebird, red – back shrike, small grey flycatcher, brown – tailed chat, brown – tailed apalis, bristle – crowned, Fischer’s starling, and Somali tit. We drive back to Goba in late afternoon. Overnight - – at Wabe Shebelle hotel - Goba

Day11: Saneti plateau
Full day bird watching on the Sanattie plateau and in the forest near Goba town. Saneti plateau is the largest moorland tract in Africa, home to the elegant endemic Ethiopian wolf, found nowhere on earth but here & rarely at Semien Mountains in Gondar. This moorland with associated Juniper forests accommodates important endemic birds. These are the endemic Bale Parisoma, the alpine chat, endemic black – headed siskin, chestnut francolin, Rouget’s rail, woodpecker and more will be seen here. Late afternoon slow drive back to our hotel. Overnight - – at Wabe Shebelle hotel - Goba

Day12: Goba – Harenna Forest
After breakfast; we drive to Harenna Forest. Harenna Forest is rich in bird species and in some wildlife.   So; we spend one night here for the Olive pigeon, Black and white Manakin, African Owl, and some others. Overnight – tented camp – Harenna Forest
Day13: Harenna Forest – the Riverine forest in Genale Valley
 Today; we drive to the Riverine forest of the Genale valley, primarily for the rarest and beautiful endemic Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco. This Turaco has a remarkable and graceful appearance- large in size, bright green color, red eyelids and  a floppy white crest , all together- gave it the highest rank among the most praised of Ethiopian endemic birds. Here we can also see the black sparrow hawk, Narina trogon, Bruce’s green pigeon, Levilliant’s Cuckoo, Rufous Chatterer, Red-and Yellow Barbet, and greater honeyguide. Overnight- at best local hotel – Negelle -Borenna

Day 14: Negelle Borenna – Bokol Mayo
Driving to Bokol Mayo, 270 km south of Negalle and birding on the way. First stop would be at the Sidamo Lark site, 15 km south of Negalle town for the endemic Sidamo short – toed lark, at Bokol Mayo we will see our target bird - Degodi lark. There are also  a  number of other species, amongst them are  salvadori’s serin, Ethiopian saw –wing swallow, grass hopper buzzard, imperial and martial eagle, buff – crested and white – bellied bustard, Somali bee – eater, black – throated barbet, red – naped bush – shrike, rifous – tailed rock – thrush, shelley’s starling, short – billed Crombec, Somali tit, straw – tailed whydah and  Somali bunting. Overnight – tented camp – Bokol Mayo

Day15: Bokol Mayo - Negelle Borenna
We drive back to Negalle making stopovers. Overnight- at best local hotel – Negelle -Borenna

Day 16: Negelle Borenna - Arero
We set off, after breakfast for Arero, 180 km from Negalle. This route is one of the special birding routes in the south eastern part of the country. The beautiful prince Ruspoli’s Turaco, the rare Salvadori’s seedeater (both are common here), the endemic Stresemann’s bush crow, white – tailed swallow, and black- capped social weaver, grey –headed silverbill, Archer’s greywing and little spotted woodpecker are likely to be seen in the forest of Arero. Overnight – at basic hotel – Arero

Day17: Arero – Yabello
Today; we drive to Yabello about 85 kms from Arero. Even though the habitat is much similar with Arero area, we will expect some important-target birds like the endemic Steersman’s Bush Crow, one of the remarkable birds in Ethiopia, the white - tailed swallow (both restricted to the arid acacia scrub), vulturine guinea fowl, golden – billed starling, Abyssinian ground hornbill, white – headed buffalo weaver, golden pipit, and the ubiquitous birds. Overnight – at best current hotel - Yabello

Day18: Yabello - Konso – Arba Minch
After breakfast; we drive via Konso to Arba Minch (192km from Yabello.) for our next day birding in Nech Sar National Park.  En route see a great number of acacia lowland birds. After 105 km drive; we will be arrived Konso. If you are interested to visit sites in Konso, we can explore them all and then heading to Arba Minch. Overnight – at Paradise Lodge – Arba Minch

Day19: Nech Sar National Park
After breakfast; we drive for full day bird watching and game viewing in the suburb lowlands of Nech Sar National Park.  Bird species we expect to see are the Nech Sar Nightjar, white –fronted black chat, large and raucous silvery – cheeked hornbill, the rare Greater Kestrel, Orange River Francolin, Yellow throated sand grouse, Stripe-breasted Seedeater, slender tailed and star Spotted Nightjars, Donaldson Smith’s and Dusky Nightjars. Apart from the birds, Nech Sar is home to few mammals like the endemic Swayne’s Hartebeest, Thomson s gazelle, Berchule’s Zebra, Greater Kudu, Dik-Dik, and Baboons. Drive back to Arbaminch and sail on Lake Chamo for more birds, large number of crocodiles and hippos. Overnight – at Paradise Lodge – Arba Minch

Day20: Arbaminch – Awassa
After breakfast; we drive for Awassa. In the afternoon, we will be walking along the Awassa  Lake shore for Giant Kingfisher, Painted snipe, Lesser moorhen, Allen’s Gallinule, Banded Snake Eagle, Little weaver, Grey Kestrel, Spotted creeper, Grey headed Kingfisher, African and common. Overnight – at current best hotel – Awassa

Day21: Awassa - Addis Ababa
After breakfast; we drive back to Addis Ababa. On the way, we will make stopovers to revisit the Abijata-Shalla Lakes and Ziway. Overnight – at 4* hotel – Addis

Day22: Departure
Today is the time to say thank you for being with us. But before that, if your departures goes to evening, we can see most visited sites of Addis Ababa, and then in late or evening (after a farewell party), give you a shuttle service to Addis Ababa Bole International Air Port for your next destination.

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Notice: This itinerary can be amended to any other sightseeing   direction up on your request.