Negele & Arero Forest

South of the Bale Mountains, within the vicinity of the southern Ethiopian town of Negele, lies a promising opportunity to spot one of Ethiopia’s most stunning endemic bird species: Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco, named in honour of an Italian prince who led an expedition to the area in 1892.

South of the Bale Mountains, within the vicinity of the southern Ethiopian town of Negele, lies a promising opportunity to spot one of Ethiopia’s most stunning endemic bird species: Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco, named in honour of an Italian prince who led an expedition to the area in 1892.

The area also hosts a diverse range of other fascinating birds, including the Bare-eyed Thrush, Boran Cisticola, Tiny Cisticola, Salvadori’s Seedeater, Banded Parisoma, the exceptionally rare Liben Lark, Pygmy Batis, Somali Short-toed Lark, White-crowned Starling, Shelley’s Sparrow, Scaly Chatterer, Acacia Tit, Pringle’s Puffback, and Bristle-crowned Starling, among others.

A visit here is undoubtedly worthwhile for any birder exploring Ethiopia.