Ethiopia has been dubbed the Cradle of Humanity and the Roof of Africa, but these epithets are inadequate to describe this unique biological and cultural crossroads that allows many incredible birding and photographic opportunities. First time visitors are struck by the sheer number of birds living alongside people. Hunting is virtually non-existent, and the resulting tameness of the birds gives participants an experience as close to the Galapagos as is possible on a continental landmass. This is one of Africa’s finest birding destinations, and the healthy combination of lush and impressive forests, breathtaking highlands, moist and arid savannas, many endemics, and a rich assemblage of Palearctic and intra-African migrants, combine to provide long and rewarding species lists.

Day 1: Addis Ababa. After arrival in this historic city, we visit Gefersa reservoir in search of the endemic Wattled Ibis, Blue-winged Goose, and Abyssinian Longclaw.

Days 2-3: Addis Ababa to Debre Birhan. Crossing the colorful Sululta Plains we will see White-collared Pigeon, Red-breasted Wheatear, and Black-headed Siskin. Birding near the Debre Libanos Monastery should reveal the impressive Gelada Baboon, the local endemic Rueppell’s Chat, and White-winged Cliff-Chat. Juniper woodlands on the monastery grounds hold Black-winged Lovebird, White-cheeked Turaco, Banded Barbet, White-backed Tit, White-billed Starling, and Black-headed Forest Oriole. In the afternoon we will be ready for an early assault on the Jemmu Valley where we hope to bag the endemic Harwood’s Francolin, Senegal Thick-knee, and myriad other dry country specialties.

Day 4: Debre Birhan to Ankober. An early start at the escarpment should produce Ankober Serin, a rare and elusive endemic only discovered in 1976. After lunch we plunge over the breathtaking cliffs of the Great Rift Valley and into acacia savanna in search of the endemic Yellow-throated Serin, as well as White-rumped Babbler, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, White-throated Serin, Shining Sunbird, and Chestnut Sparrow.

Days 5-7: Awash NP. A long and thrilling drive across Afar territory promises to produce many encounters with stoic Afar tribesmen draped in cotton tunics and their finest jewels. The day should be spiced up by several bustard species, including the impressive Arabian Bustard. Other desirable gems expected include Black-billed and Abyssinian Woodhoopoes, Yellow-breasted Barbet, Orange-bellied Parrot, Nile Valley Sunbird, Lichstentein’s Sandgrouse, and Sombre Chat. The collage of savanna grasslands and acacia woodlands of Awash NP below Fantale Volcano will allow us to track down the poorly known Gillett's Lark, as well as dazzling Rosy-patch Bushshrikes, spectacular African Swallow-tailed Kites, elegant Somali Fiscals, and many more. Awash also has thriving numbers of Beisa Oryx, Soemmering’s Gazelle, and the impressive Hamadryas Baboon.

Day 8: Awash to Langano. We drive to Lake Langano, stopping at several Rift Valley lakes en route, finding a wealth of waterfowl species including Great Black-headed Gull, Black Crowned-Crane, Lesser Jacana, and African Pygmy-goose.

Day 9: Langano to Wondo Genet. Early morning birding normally yields Grayish Eagle-Owl, Von der Decken's Hornbill, Upcher’s and Eastern Orphean Warblers, Clapperton’s Francolin, White-bellied Canary, Black-cheeked Waxbill, and plenty more. After a hearty breakfast we head for Wondo Genet, arriving in time to stroll through its spectacular Hagenia woodlands. These harbor healthy flocks of the rare and endemic Yellow-fronted Parrot, and the massive and noisy Silvery-cheeked Hornbill. Other possibilities include Double-toothed Barbet, Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike, Abyssinian Woodpecker, Abyssinian Ground-Thrush, Spotted Creeper, Sharpe’s Starling, and Brown Sawwing. Boisterous troops of Black-and-white Colobus Monkeys also frequent these hillsides.

Day 10: Wondo Genet to Goba. This morning we head for the Afro-alpine moorlands and highland juniper forests where Moorland and Chestnut-naped Francolins abound, along with vivacious Abyssinian Catbirds and Cinnamon Bracken-Warblers.

Day 11: Sof Omar. Today’s mission is to seek out Salvadori's Serin, one of Ethiopia’s toughest endemics. While we persevere we should find Northern Brownbul, Somali Tit, Pygmy Batis, Irania, and Bristle-crowned Starling.

Day 12: Goba to Bale Mountains NP. This morning we ascend the highest and most beautiful road in Africa, crossing vast expanses of gray, spongy moorlands dotted with incandescent red-hot pokers and regal giant lobelias. We scour the spectacular scenery seeking the elegant Spot-breasted Plover, the bold and unabashed Rouget's Rail, and the magnificent Wattled Crane, along with handsome Simien Wolves bounding across the open plains. Juniper and Hagenia forests cover the escarpment edges and here we search for Montane Nightjar, Abyssinian Long-eared Owl, and Abyssinian Crimson-wing.

Day 13: Goba to Awassa. Returning to the Rift Valley, we'll have spectacular views over the Harrena Forest where we may see Cape Eagle-Owl, Long-legged Buzzard, Somali Crow, and Red-billed Chough.

Day 14: Awassa to Addis. A visit to the bustling Awassa Fish Market will provide an unforgettable experience as Marabou Storks, Eastern White Pelicans, and the endemic and well-endowed Thick-billed Ravens squabble frantically over fish scraps (and your lunch if you are not attentive). We then return to Addis, where the tour ends.

Day 15: Departure. Today we head for the international airport for our departure.

Southern Extension (9 days)
This extension has been designed to provide a realistic chance of seeing every southern Ethiopian endemic. From Addis, we will drive south and search several Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco stakeouts until luck smiles on us. Later we explore the incredibly stark Liben Plains in search of the vulnerable Sidamo Lark, and scour Bogol Manyo for the highly localized Degodi Lark, White-winged Dove, Somali Bee-eater, Somali Courser, and many more. Near Yabello we’ll admire the industrious Stressemann’s Bush Crow foraging in groups. The exquisite White-tailed Swallow, our last endemic target, is found among a whole suite of other southern specialties otherwise possible only in northern Kenya.

A cultural extension is also available. Please contact us for details.

 Tour Info:

CLIMATE:  Hot and dry in Awash to chilly and damp on the Bale Mountains.

DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate. A few of the hikes are somewhat strenuous.

ACCOMMODATION: Ranges from very basic to moderate. Occasionally private facilities and hot water are unavailable.