The lakes & highlands of Southern Ethiopia offer some of the very best birding in the world
So, join us on this Ethiopia Birding Tour as we travel south to do some of the very best birdwatching on the planet 🌍
You’ll start at the mammal and bird-rich Awash National Park, to end up at the iconic and world-famous Bale Mountains, to then travel back again, this birding trip offers you the chance to gain a large count of birds, many of which are endemic only to Ethiopia.
Join us as we take you on a spectacular birdwatching tour of the south!
Brief Tour Itinerary
Day 1 & 2 – Awash National Park
For the first two days, we’ll be birding in Awash National Park. Famous for being one of the best big mammal viewing parks in Ethiopia including Besia Oryx, Hippo, Aardvark, Black-and-white Colobus Monkey and the charismatic Green Monkey, Hamadryas Baboon, Bat-eared Fox, Caracal, Black-backed Jackal, Leopard, Cheetah, Lion. It is also home to than 450 species of birds – so get your binoculars ready! 😊
Day 3 & 4 – Lake Lagano
On our third and forth day of the tour, we’ll be visiting Lake Lagano for some exceptional birding. Here we’ll be looking for highlight species such as the Verreaux’s Eagle-owl, White-rumped Babbler, Hemprich’s Hornbill, White-bellied Go-away-bird, Northern White-faced Owl to name a few, along with many wetland species.
Day 5 & 6 – Bale Mountains National Park
On Day 5 & 6, we’ll spend our time birding at the world-famous and simply breath-taking Bale Mountains. Famous for incredible scenery and a thriving population of the endangered and unique Ethiopian Wolf, these mountains are worth the hype. The park also holds almost 300 bird species, 6 of which are endemic species. Highlights include: Spot-breasted Lapwing, Yellow-fronted Parrot, Abyssinian Woodpecker, Abyssinian Longclaw, Abyssinian Catbird, Black-headed Siskin, Ethiopian Siskin, Abyssinian Owl, African Wood Owl, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Abyssinian Oriole and Abyssinian Crimsonwing to name a few!
Day 7 & 8 – Lake Awasa & departure to Addis Abba
On Day 7, you’ll travel west of the Bale Mountains to get to the beautiful Lake Awasa. Here you’ll be greeted by traditional fishing boats, large hippo pods and huge flocks of Great White Pelicans. You’ll also come across species such, African Pygmy Kingfisher, African Jacana, Marabou Stork, Malachite Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, White-browed Robin-chat, Western-banded Snake-eagle, Hottentot Teal, Black Crake, African Fish-eagle, Hadada Ibis, Purple Heron, Common Sandpiper, White-backed Duck, Reed and Sedge Warblers, Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Slender-billed Starling, Abyssinian Woodpecker, Hooded Vulture to name a few!
The next morning, we’ll slowly make our way back to Addis Abba, making lots of birding stops along the way 😊
*African Fish Eagle
*Nile Crocodiles at Awash National Park
*Lammergeier
*African Pygmy Kingfisher
Key Bird Species
Popular species on this tour: African Pygmy Kingfisher, Black-headed Siskin, Ethiopian Siskin, Abyssinian Owl, Abyssinian Oriole, Abyssinian Crimsonwing
Below is a list of bird species likely to be encountered on this tour:
Verreaux’s Eagle-owl, White-rumped Babbler, Hemprich’s Hornbill, White-bellied Go-away-bird, Northern White-faced Owl, Spot-breasted Lapwing, Yellow-fronted Parrot, Abyssinian Woodpecker, Abyssinian Longclaw, Abyssinian Catbird, Black-headed Siskin, Ethiopian Siskin, Abyssinian Owl, African Wood Owl, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Abyssinian Oriole, Abyssinian Crimsonwing, African Pygmy Kingfisher, African Jacana, Marabou Stork, Malachite Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, White-browed Robin-chat, Western-banded Snake-eagle, Hottentot Teal, Black Crake, African Fish-eagle, Hadada Ibis, Purple Heron, Common Sandpiper, White-backed Duck, Reed and Sedge Warblers, Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Slender-billed Starling, Abyssinian Woodpecker, Hooded Vulture
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