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Endemic Birds of Ethiopia 10 days/ 9 nights

Trip Overview

Title: Endemic Birds of Ethiopia 10 days/ 9 nights
Duration: 10 days
Code: SLET – 006
Transport: Drive

The extensive highlands are the largest mountain block in Africa, with about 30 bird specialties confined to this dramatic region. Ethiopia adds up to a truly bird-filled experience in an unusual country: it offers numerous endemics, a rich assemblage of montane and arid savanna species and an influx of European and Central Asian migrants. Unrivaled scenery, unique mammals and fascinating cultures enhance the feeling of outlandishness. On our tours we visit a wide range of habitats from mountain peaks and forests to desert plains.

Highland grasslands and moorlands hold unusual endemics such as Blue-winged Goose, Spot-breasted Lapwing andRouget’s Rail, whereas rocky areas are home to Rueppell’s Black Chat and White-billed Starling. In forest patches in the central highlands we will search for White-cheeked Turaco, Ethiopian Oriole, Abyssinian Catbird, Yellow-fronted Parrot, Black-winged Lovebird, Abyssinian Woodpecker and White-backed Tit. The Rift Valley’s arid savannas and numerous lakes teems with birds, including a good diversity of bustards. In the remote south of the country we may find three of Ethiopia’s most sought after endemics, fabled Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco, Stresemann’s Bush Crow and unusual White-tailed Swallow.

Our trip is designed to focus on these specials plus all the birds for which Ethiopia is revered as a birding destination. The birding is relatively easy and very diverse, the scenery forms probably Africaís most dramatic backdrops, and a number of special mammals will be looked for, such as Mountain Nyalaand the critically endangered Ethiopian Wolf. This makes our Ethiopia trip a top birding tour embedded in a great all-round nature experience.

 

Trip Details

Day 01 Arrival to Addis

Day 02 Addis – Wondogenet We drive early morning to the rift heading south. En route we will be birding, stopping at Koka Dam and the Awash River and make a lunch stop at Ziway. Ziway lake shore is where huge numbers of water birds are congregated. African Pygmy Geese, Yellow-billed and Marabou Storks, Collared Pratincoles, Lesser and Greater Jacanas, African Jacanas, White Pelicans, Fish Eagles, Crowned and Common Cranes are seen in numbers. Shalla and Abijata National Park. Shalla 270 mts in depth, the deepest in Ethiopian rift, is an important breeding sites for birds on its four of the nine islands. We have to drive through the Ostrich Farms on the west of the main road. We then proceed to Abijata lake, where thousands of both lesser and greater Flamingo’s congregate along the shores. African Pochard, Avocet, Gull-billed Tern and Pintail, little Stint, Ruff and a variety of ducks are among other species to be seen.

Drive to Wondo Genet which is the site for some of the endemic birds like the Yellow-fronted Parrot, Thick-billed Raven, the Abyssinian Wood pecker and Banded Barbet. In addition, We expect to see the Red -shouldered and Black Cuckoo shrikes, Grey Cuckoo shrike, Narin’s Trogon, White-checked Turaco, Double Toothed Barbet, Scally and Lesser Honey guide, Crowned Eagle, Arye’s Hawk Eagle, Silvery checked Horn bill, Hadada Ibis, Banded Wattle eye, Sharpes starling, Broad billed Roller, Black billed. Barbet, Lemon Dove, Mountain Buzzard and Half-collared Kingfisher. O/n Wondo Genet Wabe Shebelle Hotel.

Day 03 Wonedogenet- Awassa
Leave to Awassa, which is a half hour drive from Wondo Genet. Along the shores of the lake and in the adjoining forest we can expect Saddle bill and Marabou Storks ,Malachite king Fisher, Spur-winged plover, pygmy goose, Brown snake eagle, grey Kestler, Green-backed Honey guide, Blue-headed Coucal, Spotted Creeper, African Firefinch, Bruce’s Green pigeon, Red-breasted Wryneck, Bare-faced Go away bird and the endemic Yellow-fronted Parrot, Black-winged Lovebird and Black-headed Forest oriole O/N hotel

Day 04 Awassa -Yabello
Leave to Yabello where one finds the forest reserve with over 200 species like; Abyssinian Bush crow, White- tailed Swallow, Abyssinian Grosbeak Canary, Black- capped social weaver, short- tailed lark, Pringle’s puff- back, Northern Grey Tit, Somali Sparrow and many others. Overnight in a hotel

Day 05 Yabello
Drive to the town of Mega birding on the way; Golden Breasted Starling Helmeted & Vulturine Guinea Fowl Superb Starling Lilac Breasted Starling and others. Overnight in a hotel

Day 06 Yabello- Negelle
On the way to Negele we explore the forest around the town of Arero. In this forest, about 168 species have been recorded including 2 endemics that are among most sought-after birds in Africa: Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco Salvadori’s Seedeater. Overnight in a hotel.

Day 07 Negelle
These  day is dedicated to explore the diversified environment around Negele, expecting to see: Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco, Salvadori’s Seedeater, Sidamo long-clawed Lark, Somali short-toed Lark Red-napped Bush Shriek, White crowned Starling, Tiny Cisticola, Heuglin’s Bustard, Hunter’s Sunbird, Golden Pipit, Pygmy Batis, Rufus Sparrow, Coqui Francolin. Overnight in a hotel.

Day 08 Negelle- Goba
Continue to Goba and the Sanetti Plateau, driving on the highest road and moorland in Africa. On the way we look at; Golden backed woodpecker, White backed Tit. Overnight in a hotel.

Day 09 Goba – Senatti Plateau- Bale
Full day birding in Bale National Park and return to Goba with a chance to see; Lemmergeyer and Abyssinian Catbird. Overnight in a hotel.

Day 10 Bale – Addis Abeba

Trip Photo

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