Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival – Addis Ababa & Geferssa Reservoir

   • Arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport; greeted and assisted by the professional team.
   • Transfer to your comfortable hotel in the city.
   • Check-in and enjoy a relaxed lunch.
   • Short drive west of Addis Ababa to Geferssa Reservoir (~20 km), a scenic highland wetland and top location for birdwatching.
   • Guided birding walk spotting key Ethiopian specialties:
   • Blue-winged Goose
   • Abyssinian Longclaw
   • Wattled Ibis
   • Black-headed Siskin
   • Variety of waterbirds and raptors
   • Open water, grasslands, and surrounding hills make Geferssa an ideal first stop.

   Overnight: Noora Resort, Debre Zeith

2. Day 2: Debre Zeith – Awash National Park

   • Depart Addis Ababa after breakfast for the Great Rift Valley.
   • En route stop at Debre Zeyit (Bishoftu) for birding at volcanic crater lakes.
   • Continue to Awash National Park, a premier dry-country birding destination.
   • Birdwatching highlights: Northern Carmine Bee-eaters.
   • Wildlife sightings: gazelles and other savanna animals.
   • Habitats: acacia woodlands, lava fields, and riverine areas supporting diverse species.

   Overnight: Genet Hotel, Awash

3. Day 3: Full-Day Birding in Awash National Park

   • In-depth exploration of Awash National Park.
   • Visit Lake Beseka, hotspot for Sombre Rock Chat and other larks, wheatears, and raptors.
   • Birdwatching throughout the park: Arabian Bustard, Hartlaub’s Bustard, Red-winged Lark, Somali Fiscal, Yellow-breasted Barbet.
   • Wildlife: oryx, gazelles, baboons.
   • Enjoy the African savanna at sunset.

   Overnight: Genet Hotel, Awash

4. Day 4: Awash to Wondo Genet via Rift Valley Lakes

   • Depart Awash and travel south through the Great Rift Valley.
   • Guided stops at Lake Ziway and Lake Langano for waterbirds photography.
   • Spot dry-country and woodland species: Northern Grey Tit, Black-billed Woodhoopoe, weavers, sunbirds, raptors.
   • Arrive at Wondo Genet, lush forested retreat with hot springs and cooler climate.
   • Evening birding walk near the lodge.

   Overnight: Haile Resort, Hawassa

5. Day 5: Wondo Genet to Goba | Bale Mountains Birding Adventure

   • Early morning forest birding at Wondo Genet.
   • Target species: White-cheeked Turaco, Yellow-fronted Parrot, Banded Barbet, Abyssinian Woodpecker, Abyssinian Ground Thrush.
   • Depart for Goba, gateway to Bale Mountains National Park.
   • Scenic drive with sightings of Thick-billed Raven.

   Overnight: Nurobe Hotel, Bale Robe

6. Day 6: Bale Mountains National Park | Ethiopian Highlands Birding

   • Full day in Bale Mountains National Park exploring alpine moorlands, high-altitude grasslands, and montane forests.
   • Target endemic birds: Moorland Francolin, Rouget’s Rail, Spot-breasted Lapwing, Blue-winged Goose, Abyssinian Catbird.
   • Scenic highlands photography.
   • Observe unique mammals.
   • Return to Goba in the late afternoon.

   Overnight: Nurobe Hotel, Bale Robe

7. Day 7: Bale Mountains – Searching for the Ethiopian Wolf

   • Guided search for the critically endangered Ethiopian Wolf on Sanetti Plateau.
   • Other wildlife: Mountain Nyala, Augur Buzzard, Blue-winged Goose, Moorland Francolin.
   • Exceptional photographic opportunities.

   Overnight: Nurobe Hotel, Bale Robe

8. Day 8: Goba to Negele via Harenna Forest

   • Depart Goba and cross Sanetti Plateau to Harenna Forest, a rare cloud forest.
   • Birdwatching focus: Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco, Abyssinian Woodpecker, Yellow-fronted Parrot.
   • Continue to Negele in the afternoon.

   Overnight: Mareg Hotel, Negele

9. Day 9: Birding the Liben Plains near Negele

   • Explore Liben Plains, prime habitat for Liben (Sidamo) Lark.
   • Other species: Somali Short-toed Lark, White-crowned Starling, Vulturine Guineafowl, Pringle’s Puffback.
   • Return to Negele in the evening.

   Overnight: Mareg Hotel, Negele

10. Day 10: Negele to Yabello – Southern Ethiopia Birding

    • Travel through semi-arid landscapes to Yabello.
    • Birding stops: riverine areas and Arero Forest.
    • Spot species: Juba Weaver, White-winged Dove, Black-bellied Sunbird, Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco, Foxy Lark.
    • Arrive at Yabello late afternoon.

    Overnight: Yabello Motel, Yabello

11. Day 11: Full-Day Birding in Yabello and Borena National Park

    • Focus on endemic species: Stresemann’s Bushcrow and White-tailed Swallow.
    • Travel northward through southern and central Ethiopia with additional Rift Valley birdwatching.

    Overnight: Yabello Motel, Yabello

12. Day 12: Yabello to Lake Langano – Rift Valley Wetlands Birding

    • Journey toward Lake Langano with stops at Koka Dam, Awash River, and Lake Ziway.
    • Observe waterbirds and raptors: African Pygmy Goose, pelicans, Fish Eagles, jacanas, cranes.
    • Continue to Lake Langano for evening relaxation.

    Overnight: Hara Langano, Lake Langano

13. Day 13: Birding at Lake Langano – Rift Valley Wetlands Adventure

    • Full day exploring Lake Langano and surrounding wetlands.
    • Lakeshore walk: African Pygmy Goose, Pelicans, Fish Eagles, Jacanas, herons, storks.
    • Birdwatching in acacia woodlands and open fields.
    • Scenic stops and photography opportunities along the Rift Valley.

    Overnight: Hara Langano, Lake Langano

14. Lake Langano to Addis Ababa via Abijatta-Shalla National Park

    • Depart Lake Langano and drive north to Addis Ababa via Abijatta-Shalla National Park.
    • Spot wildlife: greater and lesser flamingos, African Pygmy Goose, Black-winged Stilt, Fish Eagle, herons, storks, and waders.
    • Return to Addis Ababa for departure or final evening.