13-Day Ethiopia Birdwatching Expedition

A 13-day Ethiopian birdwatching route with Awel Sultan and Bale Everlasting Tours, linking Rift Valley, highland and endemic-bird habitats.

  • Ethiopia Show on map
  • 13 days
  • Difficulty: moderate
  • Price on request
  • Public tour
  • Pace: Full multi-day birding circuit with early starts and road transfers
  • Language: English
  • City: Addis Ababa
Tour image
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About this tour

Ethiopia combines Rift Valley wetlands, acacia country, montane forest and Afro-alpine habitats, supporting a remarkable concentration of endemic and near-endemic birds.

This 13-day itinerary is operated by Awel Sultan and Bale Everlasting Tours. It follows the operator's published route while presenting the birding highlights in a clear day-by-day format.

Dates, group size, current price, exact accommodation and package inclusions are confirmed after an inquiry through BirdWatch.info.

Guides

Awel Sultan
Birding and wildlife guide
English
Itinerary
Day 1
Drive to Awash NP, overnight Awash NPL
Awash National Park
Savannah, Grassland

Drive to Awash NP, overnight Awash NPL

Key Birds.: Kori Bustard, Chestnut Bellied Sand Grouse, Rosy-Patched plus a number of Bush Shrikes.

Endemic birds: –

Other birds: home for 462 birds species: home for 462 birds species, : African Orange-bellied Parrots, Bustards, Weavers, Hoopoe, Yellow-throated Serine, Red-fronted Barbet, Pygmy Batis, Lesser-striped Swallow, and the House Martin.

Habitat: Savannah Grassland

Day 2
All Day Birding Awash NP, overnight Awash NPL
Awash National Park
Varied birding habitats

All Day Birding Awash NP, overnight Awash NPL

Key birds: same as Day 1

Endemic birds: same as Day 1

Other birds; Same as Day 1

Habitat: same as Day 1

Day 3
Early morning drive to Langano, overnight in Sabanna Lodge, Langano
Lake Langano
Woodland, Lake and wetland

Early morning drive to Langano, overnight in Sabanna Lodge, Langano

Key birds: African Pygmy Goose, Black Billed Woodhoopoe, African Pygmy Goose, Hottentot Teal, Southern Pochard, Maccoa and White Backed Ducks, Lesser and African Jacanas, Black and Goliath Herons, Ruppell’s and Vitelline Masked Weavers, Black-Winged Lovebird, Banded Barbet, and Nubian Woodpecker.

Endemic birds: Black Winged Lovebird, Banded Barbet,

Other birds: Abyssinian Ground hornbill, Northern Black Tit, Little Weaver Yellow-Wagtails, Ibis, Cormorant, Pelicans, Yellow Billed Ducks, Egrets, Herons, Flamingos, Storks, Swallows, Chestnut Bellied Sandgrouse, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Rollers, Wheatear, African Marsh Harrier,

Habitat: lakes, Acacia Woodland

Day 4
Early morning bird watching to Abijata-Shalla NP, overnight in Sabanna Lodge, Langano
Abijatta-Shalla National Park
Grassland, Lake and wetland

Early morning bird watching to Abijata-Shalla NP, overnight in Sabanna Lodge, Langano

Key birds: Lesser and Greater Flamingos, Common Ostriches, Chestnut Bellied Sandgrouse, Abyssinian Roller, African Marsh Harrier.

Endemic birds:- Banded Barbet, Black winged Lovebird

Other birds:299 birds species, Red, Yellow, Von der Decken’s, African Grey, Hemprich’s and Abyssinian Ground Hornbills, Grey Headed and Sulphur Breasted Bush-Shrikes, Beautiful, Marico and Variable Sunbirds, Temminck’s and Three Banded Coursers

Habitat: Grassland with acacia and lake

Day 5
Drive to Bale Goba, passing Dinsho, endemics etc. Overnight in Goba
Bale Mountains National Park
Woodland, Grassland

Drive to Bale Goba, passing Dinsho, endemics etc. Overnight in Goba

Nordern Grassland

Key birds: Yellow Bishop, Mountain Buzzard, Yellow Billed Duck, African Black Duck,

Endemic birds: Blue Winged Goose, Spot Breasted Plover,

Near to endemics: Rouget’s Rail, Thick Billed Raven, White Collared Pigeon,

Juniper Woodlands

Key birds: Abyssinian Owl, African Wood Owl, Grey Headed Woodpecker, Yellow Bellied Waxbill, Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, Montane Nightjar,

Endemic birds: Abyssinian Catbird, Yellow Fronted Parrot, Abyssinian Longclaw.

Near to endemics: White Backed Black Tit, White Cheeked Turaco, Abyssinian Oriole, Abyssinian Woodpecker, Black Winged Lovebird,

Habitat; Grassland and Open Woodland

Day 6
Drive Throughout Erica Moorland and Afro Alpine Over Night Camping in forest
Bale Mountains National Park
Afro-alpine, Moorland, Forest

Drive Throughout Erica Moorland and Afro Alpine Over Night Camping in forest

Afro Alpine Meadows

Key birds: Bale Parisoma, Ethiopian Cisticola, Moorland Francolin, Bearded Vulture, Golden Eagle, Cape Eagle Owl, Red Billed Chough, African Snipe, wood sandpiper, Wattled Crane, Thekla Lark, Northern Shoveler, Green Sandpiper,

Endemic birds: Abyssinian Longclaw, Blue-Winged Goose, Spot Breasted Plover, Ethiopian Siskin, Chestnut Naped Francolin,

Near to endemics: Rouget’s Rail, White Collared Pigeon, Thick Billed Raven,

Erica Belt – Moorland and Forest

Key birds: Chestnut Naped Francolin, Moorland Francolin, Bale Parisoma, Ethiopian Cisticola, African Stonechat, Red-Billed Chough,

Endemic birds: Chestnut Naped Francolin, Black Headed Francolin, Abyssinian Longclaw,

Near to endemics: Rouget’s Rail

Day 7
All day Harenna, Camping in Harenna
Harenna Forest
Forest

All day Harenna, Camping in Harenna

Harenna Forest

Key birds: Abyssinian Woodpecker, Abyssinian Catbird, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Sharpe’s Starling, Abyssinian CrimsonWinged, Long Crest Eagle, African Crowded Eagle, Variable Sunbird, African Emerald Cuckoo, Red Chested Cuckoo,Silvery Cheeked Hornbill, African Hill Babler.

Endemic birds: Abyssinian Catbird, Yellow Fronted Parrot,

Near to endemics: White Backed Black Tit, Abyssinian Woodpecker, White Cheeked Turaco, Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher, Black Winged Lovebird,

Habitat; Tropical Rain Forest

Day 8
Early morning departure to Negele, bird watching on the way Overnight in Negelle Borena.
Negelle Borana
Woodland

Early morning departure to Negele, bird watching on the way Overnight in Negelle Borena.

Key birds: Bruce’s Green Pigeon, White Bellied Go-Away Bird, Red Chested Cuckoo, African Emerald Cuckoo, White Browed Coucal, Northern Red-billed Hornbill, Von Der Decken’s Hornbill, Eastern Yellow-Billed Hornbill, African Grey Hornbill, Silvery Cheeked Hornbill, Yellow Fronted Tinker Bird, Red and Yellow Barbet, Greater Honeyguide, Orange Breasted Bush-Shrike, Brubru, Grey Headed Bush-Shrike, White Crested Helmetshrike, Fork Tailed Drongo, Slender Billed Starling, Greater Blue Eared Starling, Superb Starling,

Endemic birds: Yellow Fronted Parrot, Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco.

Near to endemics: Banded Barbet.

Habitat; Acacia Woodland

Day 9
Earl Morning Drive to Liben Plain Over Night Nagelle Borena
Negelle Borana
Grassland, Open plain

Earl Morning Drive to Liben Plain Over Night Nagelle Borena

Key Bird; Hartlaub’s Bustard, Kori Bustard, Somali Courser,Liben Lark, Somali Short-toed Lark, White Crowned Starling, Somali Bunting.

Endemic Birds; Sidamo Lark,

Other Birds; Plain Backed Pipit, Wattled Starling, Taita Fiscal, White Tailed Swallow,Dwarf Raven, Black Winged Plover, Heuglin’s Bustard, White Bellied Bustard.

Habitat; Open Short Grassland

Day 10
Drive to Yabello, bird watching en route, overnight in Yabello
Yabello
Savannah

Drive to Yabello, bird watching en route, overnight in Yabello

Key birds: Brubru, Grey-Headed Bush-Shrike, White-Crested Helmetshrike

Endemic birds: white-Tailed Swallow, Stresemann’s Bush-Crow

Other birds: Fork-Tailed Drongo, Golden Brested Starling , Somali Long-Billed Crombecs, Three-Streaked Tchagra, Red-Naped Bush Shrike, Pringle’s Puffback, Northern Grosbeak-Canary, Short-Tailed Lark (close to Yabello), Eastern Chanting Goshawk, Shikra, Vulturine Guineafowl, Black-faced Sandgrouse, Temminck’s and Somali Coursers, Bare-Faced Go-away-Bird, Red-Fronted, Black-Throated, D’Arnaud’s Barbet, Red and Yellow Barbets, Spotted Palm Thrush, Pale Prinia, Yellow-Vented Eremomela, Pygmy Batis, Taita Fiscal, Northern Grey Tit, Magpie Starling, Hunter’s Sunbird, Purple Grenadier and Somali Golden-Breasted Bunting.

Habitat: Acacia and Savannah.

Day 11
Yabello Animal Sanctuary, overnight in Yabello
Yabello
Open plain

Yabello Animal Sanctuary, overnight in Yabello

Key birds: Brubru, Grey-Headed Bush-shrike, Brown Tailed Rock Chat, Shining Sunbird, Fan Tailed Raven, Bare Faced Go Away Bird,

Endemic birds: Stresemann’s Bush-Crow

Near To Endemic; white Ckeeked Turaco

Other birds: Fork-Tailed Drongo, Golden Brested Starling , Philippa’s Crombecs , Somali Long-Billed Crombecs, Three-treaked Tchagra, Red-naped Bush Shrike, Pringle’s Puffback, Northern Grosbeak-Canary, Short-Tailed Lark (close to Yabello),Eastern Chanting Goshawk, Shikra, Vulturine Guineafowl, Black-faced Sandgrouse, Temminck’s and Somali Coursers, Bare-Faced Go-Away-Bird, Red Fronted, Black-Throated, D’Arnaud’s and Red and Yellow Barbets, Spotted Palm Thrush, Pale Prinia, Yellow-vented Eremomela, Pygmy Batis, Taita Fiscal, Northern Grey Tit, Magpie Starling, Hunter’s Sunbird, Purple Grenadier and Somali Golden-breasted Bunting.

Habitat: Arid, Open Plains,

Day 12
Drive to Arba Minch, bird watching en route, overnight stay in Arba Minch
Arba Minch
Forest, Open plain

Drive to Arba Minch, bird watching en route, overnight stay in Arba Minch

Key birds: Brubru, Grey-Headed Bush-Shrike, White-Crested Helmetshrike

Endemic birds: – Banded Barbet

Other birds: Fork-Tailed Drongo, Golden Brested Starling , . Pygmy Goose, Hottentot Teal, white-backed Duck, Lesser and African Jacana, , Goliath Herons, Pied Kingfisher, Pygmy Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfishers, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Nubian Woodpeckers, Banded Barbet, Double-toothed Barbets, Grosbeak Weaver, Chestnut Weavers, White-browed Robin Chat and Silvery-cheeked Hornbill

Habitat: Riparian Forest and Grassy Plain.

Day 13
Birding Nechisar NP, a boat trip from Crocodile Market, overnight in Arba Minch
Arba Minch
Forest, Open plain

Birding Nechisar NP, a boat trip from Crocodile Market, overnight in Arba Minch

Key birds: Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Narina Trogon, Double Toothed Barbet, Scaly Throated Honey Guide, Red Capped Robin-Chat, Brown Throated Wattle Eye, Green Backed Twinspot, African Cuckoo Hawk, Bat Hawk

Endemic birds: Nechisar Nightjar, White-Tailed Lark,

Near To Endemic; Banded barbet

Other birds: African Swallow-Tailed Swallow, Fried Mann’s Lark, Black-Bellied Bustard, Star Spotted Nightjar, White-Tailed Lark, Northern Masked Weaver, Striped Breasted Seedeater.

Habitat; Riparian forest and Grassy plain.

Day 14
Drive to Addis Ababa, farewell dinner
Addis Ababa
Varied birding habitats

Drive to Addis Ababa, farewell dinner

Locations & map

  • Addis Ababa - Ethiopia (Arrival, departure and tour access city.)
  • Awash National Park - Ethiopia (Savannah, acacia woodland and Rift Valley birding.)
  • Lake Langano - Ethiopia (Rift Valley lake, wetland and woodland birding.)
  • Abijatta-Shalla National Park - Ethiopia (Rift Valley lakes and waterbird habitat.)
  • Bale Mountains National Park - Ethiopia (Montane forest, moorland and Afro-alpine endemic birding.)
  • Harenna Forest - Ethiopia (Tropical montane forest on the southern Bale escarpment.)
  • Negelle Borana - Ethiopia (Southern dry-country and Liben Plain birding base.)
  • Yabello - Ethiopia (Acacia savannah and southern Ethiopian endemic birding.)
  • Arba Minch - Ethiopia (Access point for Nechisar National Park and Rift Valley lakes.)
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Availability & pricing

Availability: Available on request · Season: Year-round by request; October to January is a popular period for resident birds and Palearctic migrants.

Price: Price on request

Included

  • Professional birding guide - Guiding by Awel Sultan or his confirmed team.
  • Tour planning and local organization - Final package scope is confirmed after inquiry.

Not included

  • International flights, visa and travel insurance - Not included unless stated in the final quotation.
  • Personal expenses and gratuities - Not included.

Transport & stays

  • Private tour vehicle Road transport is integral to the published itinerary; exact vehicle and domestic flight arrangements are confirmed after inquiry. | Meet: Addis Ababa | Pickup: Airport or hotel pickup by arrangement.

Policies & FAQ

Can the itinerary be customized?

Bale Everlasting Tours offers customized itineraries. Send an inquiry through BirdWatch.info with your target birds, dates and preferred pace.

Are prices and departures fixed?

No current price or fixed departure dates are published. Awel confirms availability and a quotation after inquiry.

Send inquiry

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