16-Day Ethiopia Bird Watching Tour with Armaye Ethiopia Tours
A 16-day Ethiopia birding expedition across Awash, the Rift Valley lakes, Bale Mountains and Borena, combining endemic targets with varied highland and lowland habitats.
About this tour
This 16-day overland birding expedition crosses a broad range of Ethiopian habitats, beginning with the savannas, acacia woodland and riverine areas of Awash National Park and Alideghe Wildlife Reserve. The route then follows the Rift Valley through Lake Ziway, Lake Langano and Abijata-Shalla National Park, where waterbirds and woodland species complement the dry-country targets of the opening days.
From Langano, the itinerary climbs through forest at Wondo Genet before reaching the Afro-alpine landscapes of the Bale Mountains. Dinsho and the Sanetti Plateau bring a different suite of highland birds, with Ethiopian Wolf also possible as supporting wildlife. The journey continues south through Awassa to Yabelo and the Borena lowlands for restricted-range specialties, then returns north via wetland and woodland stops.
A final field day at Gibe Gorge adds another distinct habitat and a chance to search for cliff and dry-country species before the return to Addis Ababa. The published arrangement includes an air-conditioned 4WD with driver, an English-speaking birding guide, 15 nights of accommodation, meals, bottled water, entrance fees, required local guides or scouts, and government taxes. Personal expenses, alcoholic drinks, gratuities and services outside the stated inclusions are excluded. Price remains on request.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Ethiopia.
Guides
Itinerary
Day 1
Addis Ababa to Awash National Park
Arrive in Addis Ababa and transfer to the hotel before continuing toward Awash National Park. Birding begins in savanna, acacia woodland and riverine habitat, with Arabian Bustard, Gillett's Lark, Somali Ostrich and a range of raptors among the published targets.
Day 2
Awash National Park birding
Continue exploring Awash National Park across its open and wooded habitats. The day retains a broad dry-country focus, with more opportunities to watch birds of prey; oryx and baboons are among the possible mammals.
Day 3
Awash and Alideghe Wildlife Reserve
Extend the search into the arid habitats of Awash and Alideghe Wildlife Reserve. Scissor-tailed Kite, Abyssinian Roller, bustards, hornbills and sunbirds are among the route highlights, alongside seasonal migrants.
Day 4
Additional Awash and Alideghe field day
Use a second full field day in the Awash and Alideghe area to revisit productive dry-country sites. The flexible time allows a closer focus on missed targets and seasonal bird activity.
Day 5
Awash to Lake Ziway
Leave Awash for Lake Ziway and the wetland habitats of the Rift Valley. Waterbird possibilities range from cranes, jacanas and African Pygmy Goose to terns, fish eagles, pelicans and several storks.
Day 6
Lake Langano and Abijata-Shalla National Park
Explore the freshwater and brackish lakes around Langano and Abijata-Shalla National Park, together with nearby acacia woodland. This habitat change brings flamingos, hornbills, lovebirds, owls, sunbirds and other woodland birds into the search.
Day 7
Rift Valley lakes and acacia woodland
Continue birding the Rift Valley lakes and their surrounding woodland. The additional day provides time for waterbird concentrations as well as species using drier acacia habitat.
Day 8
Langano to Wondo Genet
Follow the escarpment route from Langano to Wondo Genet and bird the forest around the hot springs. Principal possibilities include hornbills and Abyssinian Ground Thrush, together with Narina Trogon and Yellow-fronted Parrot.
Day 9
Bale Mountains highland birding
Move into the Bale Mountains and explore Dinsho and the Sanetti Plateau, where highland and Afro-alpine habitats shape the birding. Wattled Crane, Blue-winged Goose and Spot-breasted Lapwing are key targets in this markedly different environment.
Day 10
Sanetti Plateau and Afro-alpine habitats
Continue through Bale's high-altitude habitats, allowing more time for alpine endemics and other highland specialties. Ethiopian Wolf is also a possible wildlife sighting on the plateau.
Day 11
Bale to Awassa
Travel from Bale to Awassa and bird along Lake Awassa and around the fish-market area. Pelicans, storks, gulls, kingfishers and woodland birds feature in the published outline.
Day 12
Awassa to Yabelo and Borena
Continue south from Awassa toward Yabelo and the Borena lowlands. The change to southern habitats introduces restricted-range targets such as Stresemann's Bushcrow, Prince Ruspoli's Turaco and White-tailed Swallow.
Day 13
Yabelo and Borena specialties
Spend another day in the Yabelo and Borena region, concentrating on its southern lowland endemics and specialties. The extra field time supports a more focused search across productive local habitats.
Day 14
Yabelo to Awassa return route
Turn north toward Awassa while continuing to bird along the route. Wetland and woodland stops provide a final southern-sector search before the journey continues.
Day 15
Gibe Gorge birding
Devote the final intensive field day to Gibe Gorge. Red-billed Pytilia, sandgrouse, waxbills and cliff-associated birds are among the published specialties for this stage.
Day 16
Return to Addis Ababa and departure
Return to Addis Ababa, using suitable stops for birding along the way. The itinerary concludes with a farewell cultural dinner and an airport transfer.
Locations & map
- Addis Ababa - Addis Ababa Ethiopia (Arrival and departure hub.)
- Awash National Park - Afar/Oromia Ethiopia (Savanna, acacia woodland and riverine birding.)
- Rift Valley Lakes - Great Rift Valley Ethiopia (Freshwater and brackish lake birding.)
- Bale Mountains National Park - Oromia Ethiopia (Highland and Afro-alpine endemic birding.)
- Yabelo Wildlife Sanctuary - Borena Ethiopia (Southern lowland birding and endemic specialties.)
- Gibe Gorge - Southern Ethiopia Ethiopia (Dry-country and cliff-habitat birding.)
6 stops in itinerary order. Select a marker for its name.
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request · Season: Ethiopia birding is possible year-round, with timing depending on highland, Rift Valley and lowland targets.
Price: Price on request
Included
- Air-conditioned 4WD vehicle with fuel and driver allowance - Included for the 16-day itinerary.
- Professional English-speaking birding guide - Included for field days.
- Accommodation, meals, bottled water and entrance fees - Included for the published 16-day route; standards and availability vary by departure.
- Local guides and scout fees where required - Included where required on the route.
Not included
- Personal expenses, alcoholic drinks, tips and gratuities - Not included.
- Any service not confirmed in writing - Confirm final inclusions after enquiry.
Transport & stays
- Air-conditioned 4WD vehicle Source includes vehicle, fuel and driver allowance; exact vehicle and pickup confirmed after enquiry. | Meet: Addis Ababa or agreed Ethiopia arrival point | Pickup: Confirm after BirdWatch enquiry.
Policies & FAQ
Cancellation Policy
Payment Terms
Insurance & Safety
Are prices and departures fixed?
Current prices, dates and availability are arranged after a BirdWatch enquiry.
Can the route be adjusted for target birds?
Yes. These are private birding itineraries and final routing can be adjusted by the operator according to target birds, season and conditions.
Are the current photos final?
The current page uses relevant public tour images from Armaye Ethiopia Tours. The partner can approve, reorder or replace images during review.
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.