8-Day Awash, Rift Valley and Bale Mountains Birdwatching
A 8-day Ethiopian birdwatching route with Awel Sultan and Bale Everlasting Tours, linking Rift Valley, highland and endemic-bird habitats.
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 8-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.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Ethiopia.
Organizer
Guides
Itinerary
Day 1
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
Key birds: same as Day 1
Endemic birds: same as Day 1
Other birds; Same as Day 1
Habitat: Grassland
Day 3
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 Wabe Shaballe,
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.
Key birds: Abyssinian Owl, Abyssinian Catbird, Abyssinian Orioles, Abyssinian Woodpecker.
Endemic birds: 6 nowhere else 11 endemics to Ethiopia and Eritrea (Abyssinian Catbird, Spot Breasted Plover, Blue Winged Goose, Ethiopian Siskin, Abyssinian Longclaw, Yellow-Fronted Parrot) and Abyssinian Oriole, Wattled Ibis, Abyssinian Woodpecker, Rouget’s Rail, Banded Barbet, White Cheeked Turaco, Black Winged Love Bird, Chestnut Naped Francolin, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, White Collared pigeon, Thick Billed Raven.
Other birds: home for 310 bird species
Habitat: Grassland, open woodland, moorland, Afro-alpine, tropical rain forest,
Day 5
Drive to Sanetti, all day Sanetti, late afternoon arrival in Harenna, Camping Harenna
Key birds: Abyssinian Owl, Abyssinian Catbird, Abyssinian Orioles, Abyssinian Woodpecker.
Endemic birds; Spotted Breasted Plover, Blue-Winged Goose, Ethiopian Siskin,
Other birds:(Tawny Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Ruddy Shulduck, White Collared Pigeon, Spot-breasted Lapwings, Abyssinian Longclaw, Black Headed Siskin
Habitat: Grassland, open woodland, moorland, Afro-alpine, tropical rain forest.
Day 6
All day Harenna, Camping in Harenna
Key birds: White Cheeked Turaco, White Backed Black Tit, Rouget’s Rail, Wattled Ibis,
Endemic birds: White Cheeked Turaco, White Backed Black Tit, Rouget’s Rail, Wattled Ibis, White Collared Pigeon, Spot Breasted Lapwings, Abyssinian Longclaw, Black Headed Siskin
Other birds: Blackcap, Pied Wheatear,
Habitat; Tropical Rain Forest
Day 7
Drive from Harenna forest through Afro alpine to Goba Over night at Addis Ababa
Key birds; Blue-Winged Goose, Spot Breasted Plover, Ethiopian Siskin, Augur Buzzard,
Endemic Bird; White Cheeked Turaco, White Backed Black Tit, Rouget’s Rail, Wattled Ibis, White Collared Pigeon, Spot Breasted Lapwings, Abyssinian Longclaw, Black Headed Siskin
Other Birds; Wattled Crane, Black Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Bearded Vulture.
Habitat; Afro Alpine
Day 8
Drive To Addis Ababa Overnight In Addis Ababa.
Birding itinerary day 8; details will be confirmed after enquiry.
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.)
- Harenna Forest - Ethiopia (Tropical montane forest on the southern Bale escarpment.)
5 stops in itinerary order. Select a marker for its name.
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 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
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.