Birding Tour Program Ethiopia
 |
African Pygmy-Kingfisher h
Ethiopia is one of the richest countries in bird life and has more than 850 species of birds.
About 10 % of the world’s bird species are found in Ethiopia.
Ethiopia has 17 endemic birds and others; 13 endemic birds are shared with Eritrea (found both in Ethiopia and Eritrea).
High diversity of eco-systems with different habitats including high lands, lowlands, lakes, etc. made Ethiopia paradise for bird watchers.
Ethiopia is an ideal destination for both short-range and long-range birding trip; Marvelous Ethiopia Tours organizes both ranges and you will have a chance to count from 400 to 500 different birds’ species with in 19 days trip.
Contact Person: Eyassu Dagnew
Email: eyassudagnew@yahoo.com
The following are Birding Tour Programs, and it can be also arranged according to the interest of the tourists.
Marvelous - 01 (12 Days Birding Tour)
Day 1: Set out early in the morning and drive to the north. When you arrive at a town called Muke Turi, take the right road leaving the asphalt and drive further to the Jemma rive gorge which is one of the tributaries of Abay /Blue Nile River.
On the way, you can find many different birds, and will have a chance to see the Gelada (bleeding heart) baboon which is one of the endemic mammals of Ethiopia.
For overnight, return to Muke Turi .
Overnight Muke Turi in a hotel / Debre Libanos in a lodge.
Day 2: In the morning visit different birds in the forest around Debre Libanos church; you can expect to see Banded Barbet, Black Headed Forest Oriole, White Billed Starling, Red Billed Starling, White Winged Cliff Chat, White Black Tit, White Checked Turaco, and Hemp Rich’s Horn Bill.
After visiting, you will return back to Addis Ababa and drive to Debre Zeit where you can find many crater lakes.
Drive further to Awash National Park for overnight. Overnight Awash in a lodge / in a hotel.
Day 3: On this day full day birding in Awash National Park. In the morning drive to Filweha spring which is surrounded by palm trees. Over 350 species of birds have been recorded in the Awash savanna grass land including: The Abyssinian Roller, secretary birds, Abyssinian Ground Horn Bill, Carmine Bee Eater, Coucal, Go Away birds, Kori Bustard, Shrikes, Swallow- Tailed Kite, Carmine Bee Eater, Orange Billed Parrot, Lilack Breasted Roller, Lappet Faced Vulture are some of the birds seen.
Overnight Awash in a lodge / in a hotel.
Day 4: In the morning game drive in the park for birding. In the after noon drive to Sodere with some stops for birding. Over night, Sodere resort .
Day 5: In the morning, you can visit different birds including Black Winged Love Bird, Abyssinian Wood Pecker, Abyssinian cat bird, Yellow and Yellow Fronted Parrot.
For lunch drive to Nazret, after lunch leave for Langano, on the way birding along the road side of Koka Dam, Awash River, and at Lake Zeway .
At Lake Zeway , you can find many birds congregated. Yellow Billed Stork, African Pygmy Geese, Storks, White pelicans, Fish Eagles, Marabous, Sacred Ibis are some of the species. Over night Langano in a hotel / in a lodge.
Day 6: Birding the whole day on Lakes Langano and Abijata-Shalla. In Abijata-Shala national parks, you can see thousands of Lesser and Greater Flamingos. Over night Langano in a hotel / in a lodge.
Day 7: Leave Langano for Bale Mountains National Park where you can visit endemic mammals like Mountain Nyala, Simen fox, and Menelik’s Bush Back.
In the park, expect to see the following birds, Spot Breasted Plover, Roget’s Rail, Abyssinian Cat Bird, Black Headed Siskin, Blue Winged Goose, wattled Ibis.Over night Goba in Shebele hotel.
Day 8: Full day birding in Dinsho area and in the Sannate plateau, which is a home for Ethiopian Endemic Simien fox. Over night Goba Shebele hotel
Day 9: After staying in Dinsho area around the head quarter, drive to Wondo Genet. After check in to the hotel, walk on the hill of Wondo Genet.
Wondo Genet has hot mineral springs and a naturally heated pool and there are Juniper plantations. Some of the birds are: Endemic Fronted Parrot, Black-Headed Forest Oriole and the Abyssinian Wood Pecker..
Day 10: In the morning birding on the hill of Wondo Genet. Before mid of the day drive to Awasa and it is an hour’s drive. After lunch, boat trip on Lake Awasa to see hippos and many birds.
Awasa is rich in bird life like Malachite King Fisher, Spur Winged plover, Pygmy Geese, Black Winged Love Bird, Ducks, Darters, and Cormorants are some of the birds. Overnight Awasa in a hotel.
Day 11: In the morning, walk along the shores of lake Awasa and in fish market for birding.
In the afternoon drive back to Addis. Overnight Addis
Ababa in a hotel.
Day 12: Departure.
Blue-breasted Bee-Eater h
(Ph
hoto
by Klemens |
 Bird Watchers |
Marvelous - 02 (14 Days Birding Tour)
Day 1: After breakfast, we set out to drive to Menagesha forest.
The Abyssinian Cat Bird, Banded Barbet, Golden Backed Woodpecker, Black Headed Forest Oriole and Watt led Ibis are some of the birds. In the indigenous Juniper Forest, Columbus monkeys, klipspringer and Bush Back are found. After picnic lunch, return to Addis Ababa by the Ambo road and stopping at Gefersa water reservoir which is found to the west of Addis. It is possible to see Goose, Black Headed Siskin, Abyssinian Long Claw and watt led Ibis are some of the birds seen.
Overnight Addis Ababa in a hotel.
Day 2: Set out early in the morning and drive to the north .When you arrive at a town called Muke Turi, take the right road leaving the asphalt and drive further to the Jemma rive gorge which is one of the tributaries of Abay /Blue Nile River.
On the way, you can find many different birds, and will have a chance to see the Gelada (bleeding heart) baboon which is one of the endemic mammals of Ethiopia .
For over night, return to Muke Turi .
Overnight Muke Turi in a hotel / Debre Libanos in a lodge..
Day 3: In the morning visit different birds at the gorge of the Jemma River and in the forest around the church; you can expect to see Banded Barbet, Black Headed Forest Oriole, White Billed Starling, Red Billed Starling, White Winged Cliff Chat, White Black Tit, White Checked Turaco, and Hemp Rich’s Horn Bill.
After visiting the church of Debre Libanos , return back to Addis Ababa and drive further to Ankober. Ankober was Menelik’s capital before he moved to Entoto (later Addis Ababa ). The old palace ruins of MenelikII are still found. Over night Ankober in a lodge.
Day 4: Around Ankober, we will look for ankober Serin (which is very rare), Smith’s Francoline, Yellow Starling, Black- Winged Love Bird, Mountain Buzzard, Peregrine, Red-Breasted Sparrow Hawk, and Blue Rock Thrush.
Before noon leave Ankober and drive to Sodere via Addis Ababa stopping at Debre Zeit, to look for birds.
Over night Sodere at Sodere resort.
Day 5: In the morning, you can visit of different birds including Black Winged Love Bird, Abyssinian Wood Pecker, Abyssinian Cat Bird, and Yellow Fronted Parrot.
Leave before noon for Awash national park.
Overnight Awash in a lodge / in a hotel.
Day 6: In the morning drive to Filweha spring and full day birding in the park. Over 350 species of birds have been recorded in the Awash savanna grass land including, Abyssinian Roller, Secretary birds, Abyssinian Ground Horn Bill, Carmine Bee Eater, Coucal, Go Away birds, Kori Bustard, Shrikes, Swallow- Tailed kite, Carmine Bee Eater, Orange Billed Parrot, Lilack Breasted Roller, Lappet Faced Vulture are some of the birds seen.
Overnight Awash in a lodge / in a hotel.
Day 7: In the morning game drive in the park for birding. Before noon leave for Langano, on the way birding on the roadside of Koka Dam, Awash River, and at Lake Zewaye .
At Lake Zewaye ; you can find many birds congregated. Yellow Billed Stork, Geese, Pelicans, Fish eagles, Marabous and Sacred Ibis are some of the species seen.
Day 8: Birding the whole day on Lakes Langano and Abijata-Shalla. In Abijata-Shala national parks, you can see thousands of Lesser and Greater Flamingos. Over night Langano in a hotel / in a loge.
Day 9: Leave Langano for Bale mountains National Park.
In the park, expect to see the following birds, Spot Breasted Plover, Roget’s Rail, Abyssinian Cat Bird, Black Headed Siskin, Blue Winged Goose, wattled Ibis. In the park, you can also visit the endemic mammals like Mountain Nyala, Simen fox, and Menelik’s Bush Back. Overnight Goba in Shebele hotel.
Day 10: Full day birding in Dinsho area and in the Sannate Plateau (a home for Ethiopian endemic Simien fox). Over night in Shebele hotel
Day 11: After staying in Dinsho area around the head quarter drive to Wondo Genet. After checking in to the hotel, walk on the hill of Wondo Genet.
Wondo Genet has hot mineral springs and a naturally heated pool and there are Juniper plantations. Some of the birds are: Endemic Yellow Fronted Parrot, Black-Headed Forest Oriole and the Abyssinian Woodpecker can be seen. Overnight Wondo Genet in a hotel.
Day 12: In the morning, birding on the hill of Wondo Genet. Before mid of the day drive to Awasa and it is an hour’s drive. After lunch, boat trip on Lake Awasa to see birds and hippos.
Awasa is rich in bird life like Malachite King Fisher, Spur Winged plover, Pygmy Geese, Black Winged Love Bird, Ducks, Darters, and Cormorants are some of the birds. Overnight Awasa, in a hotel.
Day 13: In the morning, walk along the shores of lake Awasa and in fish market for birding.
In the afternoon drive back to Addis. Overnight Addis in a hotel
Day 14: Departure
 |
Northern Carmine Bee-Eater
Marvelous - 03 (19 Days Birding Tour)
Day 1: After breakfast, we set out to drive to Menagesha forest.
The Abyssinian Cat Bird, Banded Barbet, Golden Backed Woodpecker, Black Headed Forest Oriole and Watt led Ibis are some of the birds. In the indigenous Juniper Forest, Columbus monkeys, klipspringer and Bush Back are found. After picnic lunch, return to Addis Ababa by the Ambo Road and stopping at Gefersa water reservoir which is found to the west of Addis. It is possible to see Goose, Black Headed Siskin, Abyssinian Long Claw and watt led Ibis are some of the birds seen.
Overnight Addis Ababa in a hotel.
Day 2: Set out early in the morning and drive to the north. When you arrive at a town called Muke Turi, take the left road leaving the asphalt and drive further to the Jemma rive gorge which. is one of the tributaries of Abay /Blue Nile River.
On the way, you can find many different birds, and will have a chance to see the Gelada (bleeding heart) baboon which is one. of the endemic mammals of Ethiopia.
For overnight, return to Muke Turi.
Overnight Muke Turi in a hotel / Debre Libanos in a lodge.
Day 3: In the morning visit different birds in the forest around Debre Libanos church; you can expect to see Banded Barbet, Black Headed Forest Oriole, White Billed Starling, Red Billed Starling, White Winged Cliff Chat, White Black Tit, White Checked Turaco, and Hemp Rich’s Horn Bill.
After visiting, you will return back to Addis Ababa and drive further to Ankober. Overnight Ankober in a lodge.
Day 4: Around Ankober, we will look for ankober Serin (which is very rare), Smith’s Francolin, Yellow Starling, Black- Winged Love Bird, Mountain Buzzard, Peregrine, Red-Breasted Sparrow Hawk, and Blue Rock Thrush.
Before noon leave Ankober and drive to Sodere via Addis Ababa stopping at Debre Zeit to look for more birds.
Overnight Sodere at Sodere resort.
Day 5: In the morning, you can visit of different birds including Black Winged Love Bird, Abyssinian Woodpecker, Abyssinian Cat Bird, and Yellow Fronted Parrot.
Leave before noon for Awash national park.
Overnight Awash in a lodge / in a hotel.
Day 6: In the morning drive to Filweha spring and full day birding in the park. Over 350 species of birds have been recorded. in the Awash savanna grass land including, Abyssinian Roller, Secretary birds, Abyssinian Ground Horn Bill, Carmine Bee Eater, Coucal, Go Away birds, Kori Bustard, Shrikes, Swallow- Tailed kite, Carmine Bee Eater, Orange Billed Parrot, Lilack Breasted Roller, Lappet Faced Vulture are some of the birds seen.
Overnight Awash in a lodge / in a hotel.
Day 7: In the morning game drive in the park for birding. Before noon leave for Langano, on the way birding on the roadside of Koka Dam, Awash River, and at Lake Zewaye .
At Lake Zewaye ; you can find many birds congregated. Yellow Billed Stork, Geese, Pelicans, Fish eagles, Marabous and Sacred Ibis are some of the species seen.
Day 8: Birding the whole day on Lakes Langano and Abijata-Shalla. In Abijata-Shala national parks, you can see thousands of Lesser and Greater Flamingos. Overnight Langano in a hotel
Day 9: Leave Langano for Bale mountains National Park where you can visit endemic mammals like Mountain Nyala, Simen fox, and Menelik’s Bush Back.
In the park, expect to see the following birds, Spot Breasted Plover, Roget’s Rail, Abyssinian Cat Bird, Black Headed Siskin, Blue Winged Goose, wattled Ibis.Over night Goba in Shebele hotel.
Day 10: Full day birding in the Amazing Afro Alpine Sannate Plateau, which is a home for Ethiopian endemic Simien fox. Over night in Shebele hotel
Day 11: Drive to Dolo Mena passing the Haranna area covered with dense forest. On the way to Dolo Mena, you can find birds including: White Checked Turaco and Golden Backed Woodpecker.
Overnight Dolo Mena in local hotel. Here the services of the hotel are limited and low, so it is important to know.
Day 12: Drive to Borena Negelle, on this day the route is low land and you can find many different species of birds. After passing Genale River you can find Prince Rus Police Turaco from its habitat.
Overnight Borena Negelle in local hotel.
Day 13: After breakfast drive some 15 km to look for Sidamo Lark (endemic) and other birds. Lunch Negelle in a hotel. In the afternoon birding in the water reservoir area near to the town. Overnight, Negelle in a local hotel.
Day 14: Drive to Yabello, on the way many stops for birding.
Overnight Yabelo in a local hotel.
Day 15: In the morning birding in Yabelo sanctuary to see White Tailed Swallow, Stress Mann’s Bush Crow and many more birds.
In the afternoon drive to Dila for overnight. Overnight Dilla in a lodge
Day 16: After breakfast, you will drive to Awasa having a stop in Yirgalem for birding.
After lunch in Awasa, you will have boat trip on Lake Awasa to see many birds and hippos.
Malachite King Fisher, Spur Winged Plover, Pygmy Geese, Black winged Love Bird, Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Bare Faced Go Away are some of the birds that you can see.
Overnight Awasa in a hotel.
Day 17: In the morning walk along the shores of the Lake and on fish market for birding. For lunch drive to Wondo Genet, in the after noon, walk on the hills to see the black headed Forest Oriole, Abyssinian Woodpecker, and the Endemic Yellow Fronted Parrot. Over night Shebele hotel.
Day 18: In the morning before breakfast, birding on the hill of Wondo Genet. After breakfast drive back to Addis Ababa. In the afternoon, shopping / leisure time in Addis Ababa.
Overnight Addis Ababa in a hotel.
Day 19: Departure.
Marvelous - 04 (Birding Tour up to 20 Days)
Individuals and groups of people who want a birding tour by your interest, be it One Day, Two Days, Three Days up to 20 Days please contact me.
The Bird Guide Eyassu Dagnew is highly knowledgeable and will take you to the Ethiopian destinations and places that you will get many birds.
Email: eyassudagnew@yahoo.com / marvelousethiopia@gmail.com