Overview
Day 1
- Welcome at Bole International Airport and transfer to the hotel
- Lunch at the hotel
- Visit Geferssa Reservoir for birdwatching, spotting species like Blue-winged Goose and Black-headed Siskin
- Return to Addis Ababa in the evening
- Overnight at the hotel
Day 2
- Depart from Addis Ababa and head south to the Main Ethiopian Rift Valley
- Birdwatching stops at Koka Dam, Awash River, and Lake Zeway
- Lunch at Lake Zeway, followed by birdwatching at the lakeshore
- Spot various water birds and species like African Pygmy Geese and Fish Eagles
- Continue to Lake Langano for overnight stay at a lakeside resort
Day 3
- After breakfast, start the ascent to Bale Mountains National Park
- Explore the park and observe endemic Ethiopian birds like Spot-breasted Lapwing and Abyssinian Long Claw
- Overnight at the hotel in the park
Day 4
- Drive towards Senate Plateau, encountering Simien Wolves (Ethiopian Wolves) in the lush green forest
- Hike to the highest peak at 4377 meters above sea level
- Enjoy the moorland landscape with Giant Lobelias and colorful flowers
- Overnight at the hotel
Day 5
- Search for endemic birds like Chestnut-napped Francolin and Abyssinian Catbird in the Bale Mountains
- Look out for Wattled Crane and Cape Eagle-Owl if fortunate
- Overnight at the hotel
Day 6
- Drive to Negele via Harena Forest, searching for Turaco and Golden-breasted Starling
- Seek the endemic Sidamo Lark and other species on the Negele Plains
- Overnight at a local hotel in Negele
Day 7
- Morning birding to spot the Degodi Lark and other specialties of the area
- Return to Negele with birdwatching along the way
- Overnight at the hotel in Negele
Day 8
- Encounter the endemic White-tailed Swallow and Stresemann's Bush crow
- Explore Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary & Reserve, observing various bird species
- Possibility of seeing Somali Ostrich, Vultures, Martial Eagle, and more
- Overnight at a local motel in Yabello
Day 9
- Spend the day in the Yabello area and wildlife reserve
- Continue searching for Stresemann's Bush Crow and White-tailed Swallow
- Look out for other bird species like Somali Courser and African Bare-eyed Thrush
- Overnight at Yabello Motel
Day 10
- Travel back to Awassa, birdwatching in acacia bush and highland areas
- Explore Lake Awassa and its surroundings
- Overnight stay in Awassa
Day 11
- Birdwatching along the Great Rift Valley while returning to Addis Ababa
- Farewell dinner in the evening
- Transfer to the airport for departure
Location