10 Days Ethiopia Birding Tour – Rift Valley, Awash & Bale Mountains

Tour Overview

Discover Ethiopia’s remarkable birdlife on this 10-day birding tour through some of the country’s most productive habitats. From the highlands around Debre Libanos and the Jemma Valley to Awash National Park, the Rift Valley lakes, Bale Mountains and the forests of Wondo Genet, this itinerary offers excellent opportunities to observe endemic, near-endemic and migratory bird species.

The tour also includes chances to see iconic Ethiopian wildlife such as the Ethiopian wolf, mountain nyala, geladas and other mammals while travelling through diverse landscapes ranging from lakes and wetlands to acacia woodland, Afro-alpine plateaus and mountain forests.

This itinerary is ideal for birdwatchers, wildlife photographers and nature travellers who want to experience several of Ethiopia’s most important birding regions in one journey.

Tour Highlights

• Birding in the highlands around Debre Libanos and Jemma Valley
• Explore the rich birdlife of Awash National Park
• Visit Rift Valley lakes and wetlands
• Birdwatch around Lake Ziway and Lake Langano
• Explore Abijata-Shalla National Park
• Visit Gaysay Plateau and Dinsho in Bale Mountains National Park
• Search for the Ethiopian wolf on the Sanetti Plateau
• Explore the bird-rich Harenna Forest
• Forest birding at Wondo Genet
• Visit Lake Hawassa and its famous fish market
• Opportunities to see endemic and near-endemic Ethiopian birds
• Combine birdwatching with wildlife, scenery and cultural attractions

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Addis Ababa

Arrive at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, where you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel.

Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a city tour or introductory birding around selected green areas of Addis Ababa.

Possible city attractions may include the National Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Entoto or other sites depending on time and interest.

Overnight: Addis Ababa

Day 2 – Addis Ababa → Debre Libanos → Jemma Valley

After breakfast, drive north towards Debre Libanos.

The journey passes through the Ethiopian highlands and offers excellent birding opportunities along the way.

Visit Debre Libanos Monastery and explore the surrounding cliffs, valleys and highland habitats.

Continue towards the dramatic Jemma Valley, an important birding area where the combination of cliffs, river valleys and agricultural landscapes supports a wide variety of species.

Spend the day birdwatching at selected stops before returning to Addis Ababa or staying in the area according to the confirmed itinerary.

Main highlights: Highland birding, Debre Libanos, Jemma Valley

Day 3 – Addis Ababa → Bishoftu → Awash National Park

Leave Addis Ababa and drive southeast towards Awash National Park.

Stop around Bishoftu to explore one of the crater lakes and look for waterbirds and other species associated with the lakeshore habitats.

Continue east through the Rift Valley towards Metahara and Awash National Park.

Arrive in the park and enjoy an introductory birding session and wildlife drive if time permits.

Overnight: Awash National Park area

Day 4 – Full-Day Birding in Awash National Park

Spend the day birding in Awash National Park.

The park contains varied habitats including acacia woodland, dry savannah, riverine vegetation and volcanic landscapes, creating excellent conditions for a wide variety of bird species.

Your guide will select birding locations according to season and recent sightings.

The day may also include visits to Awash Falls and nearby hot spring areas where accessible.

In addition to birds, look for mammals such as Beisa oryx, gazelles, warthogs and baboons.

Overnight: Awash National Park area

Day 5 – Awash → Koka Dam → Lake Ziway

After an early birding session, leave Awash and travel west towards Ethiopia’s Rift Valley lakes.

Stop at suitable wetlands along the Awash River before continuing towards Koka Dam.

The reservoirs, marshes and open water habitats along today’s route provide good opportunities for waterbirds, raptors and other species.

Continue to Lake Ziway, one of the best-known birding locations in the Ethiopian Rift Valley.

Spend the late afternoon birding around the lakeshore.

Overnight: Ziway

Day 6 – Abijata-Shalla National Park → Lake Langano

Begin the morning with birding around Lake Ziway before driving towards Abijata-Shalla National Park.

Explore selected areas around the lakes and surrounding habitats.

The region attracts numerous waterbirds and provides contrasting environments ranging from open lake shores to acacia woodland.

Continue towards Lake Langano for further afternoon birding.

The woodland and lakeshore habitats around Langano provide opportunities for a different range of species.

Overnight: Lake Langano area

Day 7 – Lake Langano → Gaysay Plateau → Dinsho

After breakfast, travel south towards Bale Mountains National Park.

On arrival, explore the Gaysay Plateau and the Dinsho area.

The open grasslands and woodland around Dinsho are excellent for both birdwatching and mammal viewing.

Possible wildlife encounters include mountain nyala, Menelik’s bushbuck and warthogs.

Spend the afternoon birding in the highland habitats before transferring to your accommodation.

Overnight: Dinsho or Goba

Day 8 – Sanetti Plateau & Harenna Forest

Today explore two of Ethiopia’s most distinctive ecosystems.

Drive across the high-altitude Sanetti Plateau, one of Africa’s largest Afro-alpine environments.

Search for highland bird species and the endangered Ethiopian wolf, which may be seen hunting across the open plateau.

Continue across the mountains and descend towards the Harenna Forest.

The dramatic transition from Afro-alpine moorland to forest creates opportunities to observe very different bird communities within the same day.

Spend time birding in the forest before returning to your accommodation or staying near Harenna according to the itinerary.

Overnight: Goba, Dinsho or Harenna area

Day 9 – Bale Mountains → Shashemene → Wondo Genet

Enjoy another early birding session around Dinsho before leaving the Bale Mountains.

Drive towards Shashemene and stop for lunch before continuing to Wondo Genet.

In the afternoon, enjoy a guided birding walk through the forest.

Wondo Genet is well known for its forest birdlife and provides an excellent contrast with the dry habitats of Awash and the high-altitude landscapes of Bale.

Overnight: Wondo Genet or Hawassa area

Day 10 – Lake Hawassa → Tiya → Addis Ababa

Drive to Lake Hawassa early in the morning.

Visit the lakeshore and the famous local fish market, where numerous waterbirds gather around the fishing activity.

Spend time birdwatching around the lake before beginning the journey back to Addis Ababa.

Depending on time and road conditions, stop at the historic Tiya stelae site along the route.

Arrive in Addis Ababa in the evening for your international departure or overnight stay.

Tour ends: Addis Ababa

 

Tour Includes

• Private transportation throughout the tour
• Professional English-speaking birding guide
• Local guides where required
• Accommodation during the tour
• Breakfast as specified in the confirmed package
• National park entrance fees
• Birding excursions stated in the itinerary
• Awash National Park visits
• Bale Mountains National Park visits
• Airport transfers
• Drinking water during road journeys
• Government taxes and service charges

Tour Excludes

• International airfare
• Ethiopian visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Lunches and dinners unless specifically included
• Alcoholic and soft drinks
• Personal birding equipment such as binoculars and cameras
• Tips and gratuities
• Laundry
• Telephone and internet expenses
• Personal purchases
• Medical and emergency evacuation expenses
• Services not specifically mentioned in the itinerary

Additional Information

Tour Type

Birdwatching, wildlife, nature and photography.

Difficulty

Easy to moderate. Most birding is done through short walks and vehicle-assisted excursions, although some activities take place at high altitude.

Best For

Dedicated birdwatchers, wildlife photographers and nature enthusiasts.

Wildlife

In addition to birds, possible sightings include Ethiopian wolf, mountain nyala, Menelik’s bushbuck, Beisa oryx, gazelles, warthogs and baboons.

Wildlife and bird sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What to Bring

Binoculars, camera, comfortable walking shoes, lightweight clothing, warm layers for the Bale Mountains, rain protection, hat, sunscreen and personal medication are recommended.