Ethiopia Birding Tour
Endemic Birds, Rift Valley Lakes and the Bale Mountains
Ethiopia has become one of Africa’s premier birding destinations, renowned for its exceptional diversity and remarkable number of endemic species. With a bird list exceeding 850 species — including more than 40 endemic or near-endemic birds and over 35 globally threatened species — Ethiopia offers one of the most rewarding birding experiences on the continent. Its avifauna represents a fascinating blend of East and West African species, Palearctic migrants, and highly localised endemics found nowhere else on Earth. Beyond its birds, Ethiopia is equally compelling for its unique mammals, dramatic landscapes, and rich cultural heritage.
This comprehensive Ethiopia birding tour explores the country’s most iconic habitats, from the Rift Valley lakes and central highlands to the Bale Mountains, southern savannas, and remnant montane forests. The journey begins among the crater lakes of Bishoftu and the wetlands of Lake Ziway and Lake Awassa, renowned for spectacular concentrations of waterbirds including flamingos, pelicans, cranes, and raptors. In Awash National Park and the Aledeghi Plains, classic East African savanna birding is combined with sightings of iconic mammals such as Beisa Oryx and Grevy’s Zebra.
The Bale Mountains National Park delivers some of Ethiopia’s most sought-after endemic birds within Afro-alpine moorlands and highland forests set against dramatic mountain scenery. The tour continues south to the Yabelo–Mega region, a global hotspot for highly localised endemic species, before returning north via the forested slopes of Wondo Genet and the Rift Valley lakes of Abijatta and Shalla.
With expert birding guides, diverse ecosystems, exceptional endemic bird opportunities, and a strong total species count potential, this Ethiopia birding safari offers an in-depth exploration of one of Africa’s most exciting and unique ornithological destinations.
| Safari starts and ends in Quito | Comfortable, basic but adequate |
| Duration | 17 Days |
| Departure dates | 10 Nov 2027 |
** This Ethiopia Birding tour is also available to book as a PRIVATE GUIDED BIRDING TOUR
Top Birds
Stresemann’s Bushcrow, Moorland Francolin, Black-fronted and Erckel’s Spurfowl, Ruspoli’s and White-cheeked Turaco, Yellow-fronted Parrot, Black-winged Lovebird, Spot-breasted Lapwing, Blue-winged Goose, Abyssinian Woodpecker, White-tailed Swallow, Salvadori’s Seedeater, Ethiopian Siskin, Rouget’s Rail.
Top Mammals
Ethiopian Wolf, Lion (small chance), Leopard (small chance), Cheetah (small chance), Grevy’s Zebra, Mountain Nyala, Gelada and Hamadryas Baboon, Bale Mountains Vervet, Desert Warthog.
Highlights and top attractions
•Bale Mountains National Park: Home to five very different and unique ecosystems, the Ethiopian Wolf and 310 bird species; “one park, many worlds” is the park’s apt slogan
Awash National Park: Situated in the Rift valley and boasting diverse fauna and flora, including over 400 avian species, along with volcanoes and waterfalls
Aledeghi Wildlife Reserve: Large expanse of arid grassland plains boasting Grevy’s Zebra and several bustard species, including the near-threatened Arabian Bustard
Yabelo: Small town in southern Ethiopia, famous for two very special birds: Stresemann’s Bushcrow and White-tiled Swallow, among the characteristic giant red termite mounds
Bishoftu Crater Lakes: Rich Rift Valley birding with highland endemics, waterbirds, and over 100 species possible in a day.
Sanetti Plateau: High-altitude moorlands delivering rare and range-restricted species above 3,800 meters.
Summary of day to day Itinerary
| Day 1 | Tour starts in Addis Ababa, transfer to Debre Zeyit/Bishoftu |
| Day 2-3 | Bishoftu Lakes |
| Day 4 | Bishoftu Lakes to Awash National Park |
| Day 5 | Aledeghi Wildlife Reserve to Nazret |
| Day 6 | Nazret to the Rift Valley Lakes |
| Day 7 | Langano Lake |
| Day 8 | Shashemene to Dinsho, Balé Mountains National Park |
| Day 9 | Sanetti Plateau (Bale Mountains National Park) to Awassa |
| Day 10 | Awassa Lake |
| Day 11 | Awassa Lake to Yabelo |
| Day 12-14 | Arero, Yabelo and Mega triangle |
| Day 15-16 | Wondo Genet |
| Day 17 | Abiata-Shalla National Park to Addis Ababa |