NBE 1301-9 DAYS BIRDING
Gefersa, debre libanose, ziway & abijata lakes, wondo genet, bale mountains np and awassa.
NBE 1302- 9 DAYS BIRDING
Awash, langano, bishagari, Abijata-shalla, lakes gefersa reservor
NBE 1303-15 DAYS BIRDING
Geferssa, debre libanose, awash np, langano, wondo genet, bale mountains, awassa, yabello
NBE 1304-19 DAYS BIRDING
GEFERSSA, AWASH NP, LANGANO, WONDO GENET, NEGELE, YABELLO, AWASSA, SOFOMER
NBE 1305- 4 DAYS BIRDWATCHING TRIP
RIFT VALLEY LAKES & WENNEY ECO-LODGE
NBE 1306- 3 DAYS BIRDWATCHING
ADDIS ABABA, GEFERSSA, SULULTA & DEBRA-LIBANOSE MONASTERY
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---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------NBE 1301-9 DAYS BIRDING gefersa, debre libanose, ziway & abijata lakes, wondo genet, bale mountains np and awassa.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Day 1 Arrive at Addis Ababa. This afternoon, after having lunch in the hotel, we visit the near by Geferssa Reservoir some 20 Km west of the capital. The beautiful Blue-winged Goose, Rouget's Rail, Black-headed Sis kin, white collared pigeon, Watteled Ibis and Abyssinian Long claw are some of the endemics that we expect to see. There are also some important pale artic migrants that visiting this area especially from early October to the end of April. The Ortolon bunting, three banded plover, Little-ringed plover, Yellow-Bishops, and Marsh Harrier are also seen here. Return to the Hotel around 6.00 pm. O/n Addis Ababa
Day 2 Early start for Debra Libanose Monastery about 110 km on the northwest direction via Sululta plains where we have a short stop (after 20km) for few birds like Black- winged Plover, Red breasted Wheatear, Tawny eagle, Pectoral- patched Cist cola and some others. Around the monastery and the gorge we expect a few endemics like the White-billed starling, Abyssinian woodpecker, Black-headed forest Oriole, Ruppell’s and white-winged cliff chats. The river gorge itself is so productive for the birds of prey. The Lammergeyer, Verreaux's eagle, Egyptian and White-backed Vultures, Lanner Falcon, and Peregrine are one of the few listed. After covering all the sites around the monastery we drive back to Addis for an overnight staying. O/n A.A.
Day 3 Today we have a long drive to Wondo Genet with several extended stops. Our first stop - page would be at Cheleklaka wetland near Debre Zeit some 45 km east of Addis Ababa, where a lot of water birds are quite seen. The White-backed and Knob billed Ducks, African spoonbill; Avocet, Pintails, Grebes and Widgeon are easily seen. Then we proceed to Ziway via Koka Dam with short road- side stops for different woodland birds. We will have lunch at Ziway where a great variety of birds occur. The Lake Ziway covers an area of about 447 square kilometer; that makes it the 4th largest lake in the country. Here, we expect to see the African pygmy Goose, Malachite and pied king Fishers, Lesser Jacana, Black Heron, different Terns, Pelican, Grey-headed and Lesser Black-backed Gull, African fish eagle, Black-crake, Allen's Gallinule and a lot over. Then we continue to Wondo Genet for an overnight staying with a short stop at the acacia woodland area for Cardinal and bearded woodpeckers, Brubru, Red- faced Crombec and Red billed Hornbill. O/n Wondo Genet
Day 4 A full days birding in the Wondo Genet forest which is a home to few endemics and other forest dweller birds. The Banded-Barbet, Yellow fronted Parrot, Narina's Trogon, Abyssinian woodpecker, Half-collard kingfisher, White-checked Turaco, Mountain wagtail, Lesser and Scaly-throated Honey guide, Red-billed Starling, African little sparrow hawk, Ayer's Hawk eagle, Crowned eagle, Sharp's starling, Lemon Dove, Double toothed Barbet, Emerald cuckoo Shrike, Abyssinian ground Thrush, Scaly francolin, Broad-billed Roller, Saw wing and Lesser striped swallows are amongst other specialties of the area. O/n Wondo Genet
Day 5 Leaving Wondo Genet Resort we make our way towards the Bale Mountains Park. It is about 220 km up to Goba on a rough road, but very scenic and ornithological exciting. Amongst an interesting collection of endemic birds we expect to see the Spot-breasted plover, Black winged Lovebird, Thick billed Raven, White backed Black Tit and the beautiful Abyssinian cat- bird. The Bale Mountains is also a home to different mammals like the beautiful Ethiopia wolf, Mountain Nyala, Menelik’s Bushbuck, Wart hog, Bohor reedbuck and Klipspringer. As we enter the park, we shall see the Chestnut napped Francolin, Rouget's Rail, Abyssinian long Claw, Stone chat and Baglafetch weavers along the roadside and Mountain buzzard in the air. O/n Goba
Day 6 A full day Birdwatching in the Bale Mountains NP, the largest moorland tract in Africa lying between 2000mts and 4377mts above we sea level. Today we spend most of our time on the Sanattie plateau and in the forest near Goba. The Red-breasted Sparrow hawk, crowned eagle, Verreaux’s eagle, Golden eagle, Lammergeyer and Steppe eagle are amongst of the birds of prey we are seeing. In this wonder- full Afro-alpine habitat we also expect the beautiful Watteled crane, Moorland francolin, Ruddy Shulduck, Malachite sunbird, and African snipe. The Sanattie plateau is also home to the elegant Ethiopian Wolf and the Giant mole rat. O/n Goba
Day 7 We leave Goba very early in the morning to have enough time for an after noon birding in Lake Awassa. It is the smallest and shallowest lake in the Ethiopian rift .system with great variety of bird species. of these, the Banded snake Eagle, Grey Kestrel, Giant kingfisher, Purple swamp Hen, Allen's Gallinule, Lesser Jacana, Saddle billed Stork, Purple and Goliath herons, Sulpher breasted bush Shrike, black headed Batis, Violet-backed Starling, Bruce's Green Pigeon, African pygmy Kingfisher, Red-breasted wryneck, Great spotted Eagle, Spotted creeper, Green shank, Wood sand Piper, Marsh sand Piper, Grey kingfisher, Blue-headed Coucal, Klaus’s and Dederic cuckoos are one of the varieties that the lake and the wood land areas are offering, Awassa also producing mammals like the beautiful Colobus and Vervet Monkeys, Olive Baboon and Hippopotamus. O/n Awassa
Day 8 Today we drive back to Addis. En route we have many stops to cover the Abijata-Shalla lakes NP. Our first stop will be at the park HQ where we expect to see different savanna-woodland species like the Bare-faced Go away bird, Von der Deck en’s Hornbill, Abyssinian ground Hornbill, Rattling and, Boran cist colas, Rufus crowned Roller, Lilac breasted Roller, Black wood-hoopoe, Black-billed wood-hoopoe, Cardinal and Bearded wood peckers, Fawn colored Lark, Yellow vented Eremomela, Red-faced Crombec, Marico and Beautiful sunbirds and Black crowned Tchagra. Our second main stop would beat Abijata-Shalla Lakes. It is the main feeding site of the lesser and Greater Flamingos and also produces a lot of ducks, plovers and storks. What makes this lake so unique is the number of thousands of lesser flamingos that feeding and nesting in and around the lake, then we proceed to Ziway for lunch. In late after noon we may have a short stop at Hora Creator Lake in Debra Zeit. O/n AA
Day 9 Fly back to Horne.
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---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------NBE 1302- 9 DAYS BIRDING (awash, langano, bishagari, ijata-shalla, lakes gefersa reservor)
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Day1 Arrive Addis Ababa. This afternoon we shall drive to Geferssa Reservoir where a range of shall drive to Geferssa Reservoir where a range of bush and wetland species can be seen. Watteled Ibis. Rouget’s Rail, Abyssinian long claw, Black headed sis kin, and Abyssinian Slaty flycatchers are the endemics that we expecting this afternoon. Not only these but we also encounter birds like long crested Grebe, African Black Duck, Ortolon Bunting, pintail, Little ringed plover, Avocet, Red-breasted wheatear Grey Rumped swallow and different swifts Drive back to Addis Ababa Before dark. O/n Addis Ababa
Day 2 Leave Addis Ababa for Awash National Park, some 210 km east of Addis Ababa. Today we shall have a lot of roadside stops. And our first stoppage would be at Cheleklaka wetland near Debra- Zeit, about 45 km. It offers good number of water birds and other species. The Ferruginous Duck, Maccoa Duck, fulvous whistling duck crowned and common cranes, white-backed Duck, knob billed Duck, Red Billed Teal, Tufted Duck marsh sandpiper, Ethiopian cist cola, Wood sand Piper and Yellow Billed strokes are amongst the species that have been recorded here. The Red-throated pipit, Chestnut backed sparrow lark, Laughing and Red eyed Doves, Masked Weavers, Bee-eaters and swifts are seen around the wetland. Then we drive to Nazareth for lunch. After lunch we slowly drive to Awash with few roadside stops. We shall reach at Awash National park at 5:00 pm. O/n Kereyou Lodge.
Day 3 A full day birding in the park. The thorny bushes of Awash National Park produces a lot of varieties and over 380 species of birds have been recorded in this superb lowland. The martial eagle, Swallow tailed kite, Grasshopper Buzzard, Bateluer, Lappet faced vulture, White-faced scoops owl, Secretary Bird, Gabar goshawk, spotted Engle owl, While backed and Ruppell’s Griffon vultures are one of an excellent birds of prey we should see. There are also a lot of important species that we expect in Awash. Such as Buff crested Bustard, Hartlabu’s Bustard, different woodpeckers, Ashy cist cola, Little bee Eater, Abyssinian Roller, Orange Bellied Parrot, White Browed Coucal, Eastern gray plantain Eater, Bristle crowned starling, Three banded courser blue napped mouse bird, red fronted Tinker birds. We also expecting a few animals like the lesser and greater kudu, Olive and Hamadrys Baboons Besia Oryx, Somme rings Guzzle, Swayne’s hartebeest (endemic), Black- backed Jackal, Defersa water buck and some others. O/n Kereyou lodge
Day 4 We shall have early breakfast in order to give enough time for the morning activities before we leave the park. It is about 230 km to Ziway where we are staying for a night, en route there would be a lot of roadside stops including one major stoppage at Koka dam (Awash River Bridge). The Awash River Bridge (Koka dam) offers good variety of water and woodland birds. We fully spend this afternoon at lake Ziway which produces an excellent range of bird species, The woodland near the lake provides birds like masked shrike, carmine Bee-eaters, watt led and superb starling, Black headed Bats, African Thrush, Beautiful and marques sunbirds, Nubian and Bearded woodpeckers, African Harrier hawk, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, slender tailed Nightjar, Dederic and Klaus’s cuckoos, Black billed wood hoopoe and some other species. Apart from the surrounding woodland, the lake itself accommodates many varieties of water birds, Lesser Jacana, Lesser moorhen, African pygmy goose , black heron, crowned crane, Grey headed and lesser baked Gull, common snipe glossy and Hadada Ibis, Little and Tem Mick’s stints, Red throated pipit, pink-backed and Grate White pelican are amongst the varieties. O/n Ziway
Day 5 On the way to Wenney Lodge we shall have a stop at Abijata-shall lakes NP. It’s the feeding and nesting sites for a great number of flamingos and pelicans respectively. At Abijata we expect a lot of wintering and inter-African migratory birds. Marsh harriers, African fish eagles, Saddle billed and Yellow Billed storks, purple and Goliath Herons, common and red-billed Teals, pacific Golden and Caspian plovers black-headed Gull, white winged and whisked Terns are some of the species inhabiting this lake. The surrounding acacia woodland is supplying different dutiful species. Yellow-Rumped serine little bee-eater, long tailed glossy and wattle starlings, African pygmy falcon, Crested francolin, Abyssinian Ground hornbill, Black billed and black wood hoopoes, Brubru, Orange bellied parrot, Martial and Walberg’s eagles, white crowned shrike, lilac breasted and Rufus crowned Roller are one of the birds we are expecting to see. Lunch will be at Langano late afternoon we slowly drive to Wenney Eco-lodge some 15 km to the east of Langano from the junction. O/n Wenney Lodge
Day 6 A full day birding in the tropical rain forest of Munessa (near Bishangari eco-lodge). It might be the only forest left in the main Ethiopian Rift system. More than 200 bird species are recorded in this excellent forest. The Yellow fronted parrot, Banded barbet, Abyssinian woodpeckers, Black winged love bird and White backed black Tit are some of the endemics we expect to see. The forest also provides a great variety of species like Narina’s Trogon, Broad Billed Roller, Blue spotted and Tambourine Doves, Double toothed Barbet, Black cuckoo shrike, Emerald cuckoo, White checked Turaco, Greater and Scaly honey Guides, Puff back shrike, Banded wattle Eye, Giant king Fisher, Mountain Wagtail, Scaly Francolin and the endemic Black headed forest Oriole. The forest also exhibits few animals like the beautiful Colobus monkey, Olive Baboon, Common duckier, Menelik’s bushbuck, Dik Dik, Vervet Monkey and others. O/n Wenney lodge
Day 7 Precede to Lake Awassa a beautiful fresh water lake quite unlike with alkaline lakes to the north of the Rift valley. As a result today we enjoy Awassa’s magnificent spectacle of water and woodland birds. A variety of a Egrets, Grey headed and woodland kingfishers, White Browed robin chat, Purple swamp hen, Lesser moor hen, white backed Duck, Hottentots Teal, Green Shank, Sedge and Lesser swamp warblers, Tem mink’s stint, Klaas’s cuckoo, Giant king Fisher, Red breasted wryneck, Spectacled and Grosbeak weavers, Banded snake Eagle, Banded barbet, Spotted creeper, Painted snipe, Blue headed Coucal, Violent backed starling, Red headed Weaver, Sulpher breasted Bush shrike, Blue napped and speckled mouse birds and a sot of other species are expected. On the other hand, Awassa accommodates a few mammals like Hippopotamus, Colobus and Vervet monkey, Common Duckier, Olive Baboon and White tailed mongoose. O/n Awassa
Day 8 We drive back to Addis Ababa, en route we may have few roadside stops to finalize what we haven’t seen on “days 5”. Lunch would be at Ziway. This afternoon our major stop shall be at Hora creator, some 45 km before Addis Ababa, which is good site for both aquatic and arboreal species including Maccoa Duck, Gargeny, Reed warblers, Barbets, wood peckers, White winged cliff chat, Ethiopian cist cola, Masked weavers, Wax bills and different birds of prey. Arrive at Addis Ababa before dark. .O/n Addis Ababa
Day 9 Departure
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---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------NBE 1303-15 DAYS BIRDING @ geferssa, debre libanose, awash np, langano, wondo genet, bale mountains, awassa, yabello
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Day 1 Arrive Addis Ababa after noon will be a visit to Geferssa Reservoir some 20 km west capital (see NBE 1303 day 1). O/n Addis Ababa
Day 2 A day tour to Debra Libanose Monastery via Sululta plains which holds large number of wintering palaearctic passerines and a variety of Afro tropical species including the endemic Black headed(Abyssinian) sis kin, Whit billed starling, Ruppell’s Black chat, Lanner Falcon, Verreaux’s and Tawny eagle, Egyptian and White backed vultures, Lammergeyer, Erick’s francolin, Rufus breasted sparrow hawk, Little and common rock Thrush, Red collared window bird, Abyssinian wood pecker, White Backed black Tit, White Winged cliff chat and Brown wood land warbler are amongst the species we may see. Beside, the beautiful endemic Gelada Baboon can be easily seen at the edge of Debra Libanose gorge .we drive back to Addis Ababa in late after noon. O/n Addis Ababa
Day 3 Leave from Addis Ababa in the morning to Awash NP. This morning we stop at Cheleklaka wetland near Debra Zeit where we are seen a great numbers of Ducks, waders and few arboreal species including Tufted Duck, White backed Duck, Red bullied Teal, Wood sand piper, Marsh Harrier, Lesser spotted and steppes Eagles, Laughing and Red eyed Doves, Chestnut backed sparrow Larks, Red throated pipit, common and crowned cranes, Isabeline wheatear, Knob billed Duck, Ferruginous Duck, Masked Weavers, Avocet, Red tailed Shrike, Glossy Ibis and Others. We reach Nazareth at mid day for lunch. After lunch we proceed to the superb low land of Awash. The Roadside stop supplies a lot of birds including Brown snake Eagle, African pygmy Falcon, Black chested Eagle, White bellied Bustard Acacia paradise Whydah, Abyssinian Roller, Black crowned Tchagra, red and yellow Barbet, different weavers and Vultures. O/n Kereyou Lodge
Day 4 Full day birding in the thorny bushes of Awash National park including the riverbank-forest by the Awash River falls. It is one of the best birding sites in Ethiopian Rift valley. About more than 380 bird species have been recorded in this game park Chestnut bellied and Liechtenstein’s sand Grouses, three banded course, Orange bellied parrot, steel blue and straw tailed whydah, Rosy patched shrike Great gray shrike, Kori Bustard, Buff create and Hartlaubs Bustards, Gray Wren Warbler, Green winged Pytilia, yellow billed Hornbill, white faced scoops Owl, pear spotted Owlet, Ruppell’s and Black headed weavers, Swallow tailed kite, Bateluer, Lappet faced and Egyptian Vultures, Shikra, Gabar goshawk, red winged bush Lark, Ashy cist cola, pygmy sun bird, wood peckers, Grey headed Batis and Somali fiscal are amongst the birds inhabiting this wonderful low land. Not only birds can seen in Awash but also mammals like Besia Oryx Defersa Waterbuck, Sommering’s Gazelle, Salt’s Dik-Dik grater and leaser Kudu, warthog, Hamadrys Baboon, Black backed Jackal, the endemic Swayne’s hartebeests, Bat eared Fox, Spotted hyena and (if lucky)lions. O/n Kereyou Lodge
Day 5 Leaving Awash national park we drive down to the lakes region, Langano. Before leaving the park we shall have an excellent morning activities. We shall have launch lake Ziway, where we are spending more time this after noon. Lake Z e way covers another area of about 447 sq. km. and d it is one of the bird’s paradises in the Ethiopia rift valley. It accommodates a great number of aquatic birds. Lesser black backed and Great headed and gulls, lesser jacana, skimmer, red shank, black heron, African pygmy Goose , Temminck’s and little stints, common snipe, woodland king fisher and black tailed Godwit are some of the species can be seen here .Late after noon we drive down to Langano resort for an over night staying. En route we may have one short stop at the acacia Wood land of the cattle development ranch for few species like the Black billed and Black wood Hoopoes, Yellow vented Eremomela, Grey flycatcher, Oliveceous and buff bellied Warbles, Red faced Crombec, wood headed Buffalos weavers and ring necked dove. O/n Langano Resort
Day 6 A pre breakfasts birding in the acacia woodland near by Langano resort. This wood land provides a lot of birds like the Black checked and common Waxbills, Abyssinian black Wheatear, Dederic and Klaas’s Cuckoos Doran and Rattling cist colas, red billed and Von de Deck en’s hornbills, Banded Barbet, Spotted Eagle Owl, Red headed weaver, African pygmy kingfisher, Nubian and Bearded woodpeckers, Brubru, Grey flycatcher, Northern Black Tit, Hempric’s Hornbill and some others. After break fast we drive to Abijata Lake, the feeding site for thousands of flamingos and a great numbers of aquatic birds. The Southern Pochard, Common and Red billed Teal, Tufted duck, Purple and Goliath Herons, and different species of Plovers and Saddle bill and Yellow billed Storks are amongst of birds inhabiting the lake. We come back to Langano resort for lunch. Then proceed to Wondo Genet for two nights staying. En route we shall have a short birding stop at the park HQ. O/n Wondo Genet
Day 7 A full day Birdwatching in Wondo Genet forests. The Yellow fronted Parrot, Abyssinian woodpecker, Double-toothed barbet, Yellow fronted thinker bird ,Half collared kingfisher, Narina’s Trogon, White checked Turaco, Red shouldered and emerald cuckoo, Yellow bellied waxbill, Scaly francolin, Abyssinian ground Thrush, Spectacled and Grosbeak weaves, Lemon and Tambourine Doves, Slivery checked Hornbill, Steppe buzzard, Crowned eagle, Ayer’s hawk Eagle, Fantailed and Thick billed Ravens, African Little sparrow hawk, Crested Eagle, African Harrier Hawk, Sharp’s starling, Broad billed Roller, Blue headed Coucal, Scaly and Lesser Honey Guides, Mountain wagtail, Blue spotted Wood Dove, Abyssinia Hill Babbler, Red winged Starling, Hadada Ibis, Olive pigeon, and Grey cuckoo Shrikes are Some of an excellent birds we are expecting to see in this lush forest. O/n Wondo Genet
Day 8 Making an early start we drive to the Bale mountains National park some 215 km from Wondo Genet with a packed lunch. We shall have few roadside stops as we are coming across with some high land bird species. We shall have a lunch stop at Washa River before we start ascending the Mountain range. Red capped Lark, Augur and Steppe Buzzards, Long legged Buzzard, White head Vulture, Gambaga Flycatcher, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, stone chat, Tawny and Steppe Eagles, African black Duck, Black- headed Sis kin, the beautiful Spot-breasted Plover, African snipe, Abyssinian Long claw, Chest nut napped Francolin, Slender billed and Red winged starlings are one ofthe species we encountering. Besides, as we enter the park boundary we shall see few mammals that restricted to the southeastern mountain Chains of Ethiopia. The elegant endemics of Mountain Nyala and Menelik's Bushbuck are the beauty of the Bale Mountains NP. We may reach at Dinsho, the park HQ, in a very late afternoon and then after we pay all the necessary fees we continuing to Goba where we are staying for two nights. O/n Goba
Day 9 Today we shall have a full day binding in the forests near Goba and on Sanattie plateau. Sanattie is the largest moorland tract in the whole Africa and it is the home to the rare Ethiopian Wolf and the Giant mole Rats. Abyssinian Woodpecker, Abyssinian catbird, White backed Black Tit, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Yellow crowned Canary, Somali chestnut winged starling, Olive Pigeon, Mountain Buzzard, African snipe, Thekla Lark, Malachite sunbird, Mottled and Alpine swifts, Moorland Francolin, Golden Eagle, Lanner Falcon, Watteled Crane, Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, Ruddy shelduck, Verreaux's' Eagle, Yellow bellied and common waxbills, Tropical Bouboo, Rufous breasted. Sparrow Hawk, Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher, Black winged Lovebird, Bale Parisoma and Slender billed Starlings are amongst of interesting birds of the Bale Mountains National Park. The beautiful Ethiopian Wolf (endemic), Abyssinian Hare, Klipspringer, Giant Mole Rats and different species of grass rats are some of the mammals that we expect in this magnificent moorland region. We return to Goba this evening. O/n Goba
Day 10 The long drive shall take us today to Lake Awassa, the smallest and shallowest lake of the Ethiopian Rift System. Today we may not have any special stoppage unless we see special things in order to get enough time in Awassa this afternoon. The Huegljne's Robin Chat, Willow and Lesser swamp Warblers, Red breasted Wryneck,
Woodland and Grey Kingfisher, Spotted creeper, Painted snipe, Purple swamp Hen, Western banded Snake eagle, Giant Kingfisher, African Thrush, Senegal Thick knee, Green shank, Black headed Batis, Little and Spectacled weavers, Red shouldered Cuckoo shrike and Beautiful sunbirds are one of the most interesting birds inhabiting Lake Awassa and the surrounding woodlands. O/n Awassa
Day 11 We shall have a pre breakfast birding along the lakeshore. After breakfast we proceed to Yabello in search of few localized endemics. It is about 300 krn south of Awassa on the main road to Kenyan boarder. Our roadside stops may supply a few resident and localized birds like the endemic Streetman's Bush Crow and African Golden Oriole. O/n Yabello
Day 12 A full day birding in the thorny bushes of Yabello area. It accommodates a great numbers of excellent birds. The Gray headed Social weavers, Banded Parisoma, D'Arnaud's Barbet, Abyssinian Scimitar bill, Black breasted Barbet, Shelly's and Golden breasted Starlings, Rufous Sparrow, Pale Flycatcher, Bare faced Go-away bird, the endemic White tailed Swallow (but very difficult to see because of increasingly threatened), Vulturine Geanifowl, Black caped social weavers, White crowned starlings, Orange bellied Parrot, Martial Eagle, Yellow Rumped Serine, Yellow necked spur foul, Red fronted Barbet and African Black headed Orioles are some of an excellent bind species we are expecting to see in this superb lowland area. We drive back to the hotel before dark. O/n Yabello
Day 13 Driving back to Lake Awassa. We shall have a short stop in the thorny bushes of Yabello before completely leaving to Awassa. O/n Awassa
Day 14 Early birding along the lake's shore. After breakfast we drive back to Addis Ababa. En route we shall have few stoppages at Lake Ziway and Hora creator. O/n AA
Day 15 Departure
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---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------NBE 1304-19 DAYS BIRDING (GEFERSSA, AWASH NP, LANGANO, WONDO GENET, NEGELE, YABELLO, AWASSA, SOFOMER)
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Day 1 Arrive Addis Ababa. This afternoon we drive to Geferssa Reservoir some 20 km west of the capital Rouget’s Rail, Watteled Ibis, Abyssinian Long Claw, Black headed sis kin, White collared Pigeon and Abyssinian Slaty Flycatchers are the endemics that we are expecting at the reservoir. There are some Water birds like the Three banded and Little Ringed Plovers, Sandpipers, Little Grebes, Black Winger: Stilt and the endemic Blue winged Goose. Drive back to Addis Ababa. O/n AA`
Day 2 Early start for Awash National Park, 210km to the east. Our first stop would be at Cheleklaka wetland, near Debra-Zeit, which supplies a variety of wonderful aquatic birds including few arboreal species. The Common and Crowned Cranes, Tawny and Lesser spotted eagles, Eurasian marsh Harrier, spur winged Goose, White backed Duck, Knob billed Ducks, Avocet, Glossy Ibis, southern Pochard, Red billed Teal, African Spoonbill, Isabel line wheatear, Chestnut backed Sparrow Lark, Red throated pipit, Laughing and Red eyed Doves, Masked weavers, Spotted Flycatcher and Beautiful and Tacazze sunbirds are amongst of the birds we are seeing this morning. Proceed to Nazareth for Lunch. After having lunch we continue to Awash National Park with few roadside stops, for two nights staying. O/n Kereyou lodge
Day 3 A full day Birdwatching and game viewing in the superb lowland of Awash National Park. It provides a great numbers of bird species like the Swallow tailed Kite, Martial and Imperial Eagles, Nubian (or Lappet faced) Vulture, Gabar goshawk, Shikra, White faced scoops Owl, pearl spotted owlet, white backed and Egyptian Vultures. Apart from these birds of prey, the thorny bushes of Awash and the ravines forests by Awash river falls also accommodating a variety of different species. Secretary Bird, Red winged Bush Lark, Ashy and Gillett's cist colas, Somali Fiscal, Great gray Shrike, Sulpher breasted and Grey headed Bush Shrikes, Cardinal and Bearded wood peckers, about five species of Bustards, Somali Golden, breasted Buntings, Red bill and Yellow bill Hornbills, Acacia paradise and steel blue whydahs, Grey wren warbler, Green winged Pytilia, the two species of sand grouses, different social weavers, Red and Yellow Barbet, Rosy patched shrike and a lot of other bird species could be seen in this wonderful birding site. Awash NP is not only good for birding but also for game viewing. Lesser and Greater kudus, Somme ring's Guzzle, Defersa water buck, Hamadrys Baboon, Black backed Jackal and Lions (if lucky) are some of the mammals we are expecting. Tonight we may have a short-range night drive for the night jars and other activities. O/n Kereyou lodge
Day 4 We sadly leave Awash for the lakes region. Besides few roadside stops, our first major stop shall be at Koka Dam for different activities including the Lesser Striped and Wire-tailed swallows. Then proceed to Lake Ziway for lunch as well as an afternoon birding by the lake. It is one of the best birding sites of the Ethiopian Rift valley. Here, we may see a lot of aquatic and wood land bird species like the Lesser Jacana, Lesser Moorhen, common snipe, Lesser Black backed and Great Black headed Gulls, Black Heron (the umbrella bird}, different kingfishers Masked shrike, Verreaux's Eagle Owl, African Harrier Hawk, and different species of waders and ducks. This afternoon we slowly drive to Langano Resort with few stops by the acacia wood land of the cattle development ranch some 17 km after Lake Ziway. O/n Langano Resort
Day 5 A pre breakfast birding in the hotel compound of Lake Langano resort with its associated acacia wood land. Von de Deck en’s Horn bill, Abyssinian black wheatear, Klaus’s and Dederic cuckoos, Black checked waxbill Banded Barbet, Red headed and masked weavers, Boran and Rattling Cisticola, Spotted Eagle Owl, Fan tailed Raven, Gabar Goshawk, Barefaced and White bellied Go away Birds, black billed and Black Wood Hoopoes and pygmy kingfisher are amongst the spice we shall see this morning. Then, we will have a short breakfast before we drive to Abijata-Shalla lakes NP. Lake Abijata, which is known as Ethiopian Nakuru, is the best feeding site for a great numbers of leaser and greater flamingos. In Abijata, not only the Flamingos but also a large numbers of migratory birds are feeding. After a half day birding in Lake Abijata we shall drive back to Langano Resort for lunch. An afternoon birding would be at the Park’s HQ where we may see the Grant’s gazelle and Orbi. And then, we proceed to Wondo Genet for two nights staying. O/n Wondo Genet
Day 6 Today we shall have a full day birding in the tropical rain forest of Wondo Genet. These forests are home to economic species like the beautiful Yellow fronted Parrot, Abyssinian woodpecker, Banded Barbet and the sub species of Brown Saw wing. Apart from these endemic species, the forests produce an excellent bird. The Narina’s Trogon, Double toothed Barbet, half collared kingfisher, tambourine, Dove, Broad billed Roller, Ayres, Hawk Eagle, Sharp’s starling, Scaly Francolin, lemon and Blue spotted wood Doves, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Osprey cuckoo shrike, Crowned Eagle Thick billed Raven Slivery checked Hornbill, Red shouldered and Emerald cuckoos, mountain wagtails, African wood Owl, Spectacled and Grosbeak Weavers are amongst the several species that in habiting the lush forests of Wondo Genet. O/n Wondo Genet
Day 7 We leave Wondo Genet for the Bale Mountains. It is about 230 km from Wondo Genet to the southeast via the Wabe-Shebelle River. En route there would be few stops including at Washa River for some highland species. But, our major stop shall be around Dinsho where the park Headquarters is located. Here, we are expecting different birds like the beautiful Spot breasted Plover (endemic) African Snipe, Chestnut napped Francolin , Lammergeyer, Steppe Eagle, Slender billed starling Common stone Chat, Thekla Lark, Yellow Bishops, Baglafetch weaver, Yellow crowned Canary, mountain and Long legged Buzzards. The Dinsho area is also home to some mammals including the endemic Mountain Nyala and Menelik’s Bushbuck. Bohor reedbucks, Warthog, olive Baboon and common Duckier can be easily seen in the grassy area of Dinsho. After we make all the necessary fees at the park HQ’s we proceed to Goba for three nights staying. O/n Goba
Day 8 Our tour will take u to Sofomer, the largest ground river cave the country, some 115 km east of Goba town. The thorny bushes of this lowland is producing a large number of bird species including the endemic Salvador’s serine, Grasshopper Buzzard, Martial Eagle, Ring necked Dove, Brown tailed Chat, African Goshawk Abyssinian Scimitar Bill, shining sunbird, Bristle crowned Starling, Eurasian Hobby, Yellow spotted Petronia, Black billed wood Dove, Black throated Barbet, different shrinks and Bustards, Straw tailed whydah, Western violet backed Sunbird, Levilliant’s and great spotted cuckoos, Pygmy Falcon, Yellow throated Barbet, Collared sunbird, Hunter’s Sunbird and different social weavers. After having a super birding in this lowland we drive back to Goba for our tomorrow’s program. O/n Goba
Day 9 A full day bird watching on the Sanattie plateau and in the forest near Goba town. Sanattie Plateau is, the highest moorland tract in Africa, home to the elegant endemic Ethiopian Wolf which is found no where else on the earth. This moorland with an associated Junipers forests is accommodating few important birds including the finest singing Abyssinian catbird (endemic), the more threatened Abyssinian wood pecker, Rufous breasted Sparrow hawk, Olive pigeon, Malachite sunbird, Golden Eagle, Somali chestnut winged Starling, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Moorland Francolin, African snipe, Reedley shelduck, Lanner Falcon, Crowned and Verreaux’s Eagles, Watteled Cranes, Eagle owl Rouget’s Rail and few other species. Apart from the birds, this plateau is also supplying a few mammals like the klipspringer, Abyssinian Hare and the endemic Giant Mole Rats. Late afternoon we slowly drive back to our hotel. O/n Goba
Day 10 We take the long drive south towards Negelle, where we stay for two nights some 285 km from Goba. We spend about an hour birding in Harrena forest, which is another excellent area for different Birds species including the Olive-pigeon,
Black and white Manikin, African Hobby, Mountain Buzzard, crowned Eagle, African wood owl, and some others. We make a short stop in Ganalle valley to find the endemic Ruspoli’s Turaco, our target bird. We may see some other good birds including Levilliant’s cuckoo, Rufous chatterer, Red- and –Yellow barbet, and greater Honey Guide We shall arrive at Negelle before dark. O/n Negelle
Day 11 Driving to Boqol Mayo, some 270 km south of Negelle, and birding on the way. Our first stop would be at the Sidamo Lark site, 15 km south of Negelle town. Then we continue to the lowland of Boqol Mayo where we expect to see the endemic Degodi Lark as well as number of other species, amongst them Burch ell’s courser, Pringle’s puff back, red napped Bush shrike, Somali Crombec, Gillett’s lark and Abyssinian Grosbeak canary. O/n camping
Day 12 We drive back to Negelle. On the way back we shall have few stops. O/n Negelle
Day 13 We set off for Arero some 185 km west of Negelle. This route would one of the special birding routes in the south eastern part of the country with a great variety of birds. The pied cuckoo, Three streaked. Tchagra, Black caped Social weaver, purple-banded sunbird, the endemic white tailed swallow, vulturine Guinea fowl, Huegljne’s Bustard, Golden breasted Starlings, different species of weavers and Spotted morning Thrush are amongst several species of birds can be encountered in these thorny bushes. O/n Arero
Day 14 Continuing to Yabello about 90 km to the west. Even though the habitat is much similar with Arero area we also expect some important target birds’ kike the endemic. Steersman’s Bush crow one of the remarkable birds in Ethiopia. Many other dry country birds can be seen, amongst them Shelley’s staring, D’Arnaud’s Barbet, White crowned staring, Grey wren warbler, Black checked waxbill, golden pipit, and African Bare eyed Thrush and large Grey Flycatcher. Late afternoon we slow and large Grey Flycatcher. Late afternoon we slowly drive to Yabello for a night staying O/n Yabello.
Day 15 We proceed to Arbaminch via Konso, to have a next day birding in Nechsar National Park. En route we shall see a great numbers of acacia lowland birds. The habitat between Arero and Konso is almost the same with few varieties of birds. Magpie starling, white crowned Starling, Dodson's Bulbul, Eastern Black headed Oriole, African Goshawk, Pearl spotted Owlet, Tiny Cisticola and Pringle's Puff back are some of the species we are coming across along the roadsides. O/n Arbaminch
Day 16 Full day bird watching and game viewing in the superb lowlands of Nechsar National park which has recently received an Ornithological discovery of a new species of Nechsar Night jar during a survey of the park in 1992. There are different bird species known to occur on the Nechsar plains including the rare Greater kestrel, Orange River Francolin, Yellow throated Sand grouse, Desert Cist colas and Stripe-breasted Seedeater. A few nights are species have been recorded here including slender tailed and star Spotted Nightjars, Donaldson smiths and Dusky Night jars. Apart from the birds, Nechsar is home to few mammals like the endemic Swayne's Hartebeest, Thomson's gazelle, Blrci1tlle's Zebra, Greater Kudu, Dik-Dik, and Baboons. Drive back to Arbaminch. O/n Arbaminch
Day 17 We drive to Awassa for an overnight staying. This after noon we may have an opportunity of seeing a few species along the lake shore.
Giant kingfisher, Painted snipe, Lesser moorhen, Allen s Gallinule, Banded Snake Eagle, Iranian, Little weaver, Grey kestrel, Spotted creeper, Grey headed kingfisher, African and common snipes are some of an excellent birds we shall see in Awassa area. O/n Awassa
Day 18 Drive back to Addis Ababa. On the way we shall have a stoppage at Abijata–Shalla Lakes and Ziway. Lake Abijata is the feeding site of lesser and greater flamingos in a great abundance including different species of ducks and waders. Lunch will be at Ziway, and then we slowly drive to Addis. O/n Addis Ababa
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---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------NBE 1305- 4 DAYS BIRDWATCHING TRIP IN RIFT VALLEY LAKES & WENNEY ECO-LODGE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------DAY 1 Leaving Addis Ababa early in the morning for Wenney Eco- Lodge some 235 kms south of the capital on the eastern bank of Lake Langano. En route stopping at Lake Ziway which produces an excellent bird species including Lesser Jacana, Gulls, Kingfishers, African Pygmy Duck, Black Heron, Marsh Harrier, Temminck’s and Little Stints, Masked Shrike and Common Snipe, and a lot of other species. Over night stay at Bishangari eco- lodge
DAY 2 A day’s birding in the fabulous Munessa forest where we expect a great number of birds. Amongst many species: Broad- billed Roller, Narina’s Trogon, Red-shouldered and Emerald Cuckoos, Blue-spotted and Tambourine Doves, different Woodpeckers, Sharp’s Starling, Double-toothed Barbet, Hawk Eagle and Yellow-fronted Tinker bird. It is home to few mammals including the Bush Buck, Vervet and Black and White Colobus Monkeys, Olive Baboon and Golden-backed Jackal. Over night stay at Bishangari Eco-Lodge.
DAY 3 Drives to Lake Awassa. This smallest and shallowest lake supplies a number of species including the beautiful Painted Snipe, Purple Swamp hen, Lesser Gallinule, Red-breasted Wryneck, Grey Kestrel, different Kingfishers, Violet-back Starlings, African white-backed Duck, Lesser swamp Warbler and Banded Snake Eagle. It is also a place where one can easily see Hippopotamus in a short distance. Over night stay Awassa
DAY 4 Drive back to Addis Ababa; on the way back we shall have a few stops at Abijata-Shalla Lakes more birding. Today we also cover some of the sites that we haven’t stopped for on Day1. Then, we slowly drive back to Addis for an over night stay.
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---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------NBE 1306- 3 DAYS BIRDWATCHING IN ADDIS ABABA, GEFERSSA, SULULTA & DEBRA-LIBANOSE MONASTERY
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Day 1 Before lunch birding in Addis Ababa; especially in a field in front of Imperial Hotel which is a good place for the endemic Abyssinian-long Claw; and Ghion hotel’s garden where we can expect the endemic White-backed Black Tit and Brown Parisoma. The Watteled Ibis, White collared Pigeon, Thick-billed Raven and Nayanza and Common Swifts are some of the species that can not be missed in Addis. After noon, drives to Geferssa Reservoir about an hour drive to west of the capital. The Blue-winged Geese, Black-headed Siskin and Ortolon Bunting are amongst the species we are looking for. In the late afternoon drive back to Addis. Over night stay in Addis
Day 2 Drives to Debra-Libanose via Sululta plain. In the grass land of Sululta plain one can expect a Varity of highland species like the Black-winged and Crowned Plovers, Red-throated and Grass land Pipits, and the endemics Abyssinian Long-claw and Black-headed Siskin. Then, proceed to Debra-Libanose.
Debra-Libanose, the 13th century monastery, is one of the best birding sites near Addis Ababa. The elegant Lammergeyer, White-backed and Ruppell’s Griffin Vultures, Black or Verreaux’s Eagle, the Endemics Abyssinia Woodpecker and White-billed Starling are one the beautiful birds we are expecting in and around the monastery. In addition, the Gelada Baboon- one of the Ethiopia’s endemic mammals can easily seen this gorge. Late afternoon, drive back to Addis Ababa. Over night stay in Addis
Day 3 Drives to Menagesha Forest via Sebeta, some 53 km south west of Addis. In this small thick forest we may see a few species like Yellow-fronted Tinker bird, Tropical Bouboo, Ruppell’s Robin chat, Wood Warble, and the endemics Banded Barbet and Abyssinian Catbird. On the way back to Addis Ababa, we will a short stop at Tefki wetland for more birding. In the late afternoon; we drive back to Addis Ababa for an over night staying.
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Extensions:
There are a lot of extension-trips can be organized in relation with the normal bird watching itineraries:
- Negelle, Yabello and Boqol Mayo: five nights/six days
- Ankober and Aliyou Amba: one night/two days
- Jemma valley and Alemketema: one night/ two days
- Chilimo forest: day trip
- Gibe gorge: one night/two days
- Akaki wetland: day trip
- Mugger valley: day trip
- Omo Valley: seven nights/eight days
CULTURAL & HISTORICAL EXTENSION TO:
- Two nights at Bahir Dar or
- One night at Gonder or
- Two nights at Lalibela or
- One night Axum or
- One night at each places or making an extension to some of these places