Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival – Addis Ababa

• Meet at Bole International Airport.
• Depending on arrival, birding around Gefersa Reservoir. Possible sightings: Blue-winged Goose, Wattled Ibis, Abyssinian Longclaw, Black-headed Siskin.
• Overnight: Addis Ababa.

Day 2: Addis – Awash National Park

• Drive east to Awash National Park.
• Birding en route: Kori Bustard, Carmine Bee-eater, Abyssinian Roller.
• Game drive for Beisa Oryx, Soemmerring’s Gazelle, Hamadryas Baboon.
• Overnight: Awash Lodge.

Day 3: Full Day Awash National Park

• Morning birding at the Awash River gorge: White-headed Babbler, Somali Fiscal, Abyssinian Scimitarbill.
• Afternoon safari: Lesser Kudu, Dik-dik, Bat-eared Fox.
• Overnight: Awash Lodge.

Day 4: Awash – Lake Ziway

• Travel south into the Rift Valley.
• Birding at Lake Ziway: Great White Pelican, African Fish Eagle, Malachite Kingfisher, Black-winged Lovebird.
• Overnight: Ziway Hotel/Lodge.

Day 5: Lake Ziway – Abijatta-Shalla National Park – Langano

• Morning at Abijatta & Shalla Lakes. Species: Greater & Lesser Flamingo, White-winged Flufftail, Crowned Lapwing.
• Continue to Lake Langano: African Jacana, Malachite Kingfisher, Bruce’s Green Pigeon.
• Overnight: Sabana Lodge, Langano.

Day 6: Langano – Bale Mountains (Dinsho Lodge)

• Drive to Bale Mountains National Park.
• Birding around Dinsho area: Abyssinian Catbird, Chestnut-naped Francolin, White-collared Pigeon.
• Wildlife: Mountain Nyala, Menelik’s Bushbuck.
• Overnight: Dinsho Lodge.

Day 7: Bale Mountains – Sanetti Plateau

• High-altitude birding at 4,000m+ Sanetti Plateau.
• Target species: Blue-winged Goose, Spot-breasted Lapwing, Rouget’s Rail, Ethiopian Siskin, Abyssinian Owl.
• Chance to see Ethiopian Wolf.
• Overnight: Goba Hotel or lodge.

Day 8: Bale – Harenna Forest – Negele

• Descend to Harenna Forest: Abyssinian Crimson-wing, Sharpe’s Starling, Yellow-fronted Parrot.
• Continue to Negele. Target species: Sidamo Lark (critically endangered), White-crowned Starling.
• Overnight: Negele Hotel.

Day 9: Negele – Yabello

• Birding en route: Somali Courser, Heuglin’s Bustard.
• Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary: Stresemann’s Bushcrow, White-tailed Swallow (both endemics).
• Mammals: Grant’s Gazelle, Burchell’s Zebra.
• Overnight: Yabello Motel/Lodge.

Day 10: Yabello – Awassa

• Morning birding around Yabello (larks, coursers, bushcrow).
• Drive north to Awassa.
• Afternoon birding at Lake Awassa: African Pygmy Goose, Malachite Kingfisher, Black-headed Heron.
• Overnight: Haile Resort, Awassa.

Day 11: Awassa – Addis Ababa – Departure

• Morning birding at Lake Awassa Fish Market.
• Drive back to Addis Ababa with stops at Rift Valley lakes for final birdwatching.
• Evening traditional farewell dinner with cultural dance.
• Transfer to airport for departure.