Simply put, Ethiopia is hands-down one of Africa’s most productive and rewarding bird photography destinations! The country’s awe-inspiring scenery coupled with an array of spectacular, wonderfully photogenic and approachable birds and mammals make this a photographer’s dream! Added to this a kaleidoscope of fascinating and striking cultures augment the entire experience. This amazing country supports a truly staggering volume of birds, and due to the population’s beliefs and customs many species are extremely approachable affording us unrivalled photographic opportunities.

This amazing country supports a truly staggering volume of birds, probably more so than any other country in Africa and due to the population’s beliefs and customs of not hunting or persecuting birds and mammals, we will undoubtedly be able to get extremely close to many species that will afford us unrivalled photographic opportunities.

During this exciting bird photographic adventure, we will attempt to obtain superb photographs of as many of Ethiopia’s magnificent and highly acclaimed endemic birds and other superb and eye-catching species as possible and these include Wattled Ibis, Rouget’s Rail, Spot-breasted Lapwing, Abyssinian Owl, the mightily impressive Thick-billed Raven, Yellow-fronted Parrot and Abyssinian Woodpecker, as well as Wattled and Black Crowned Cranes, Arabian Bustard, Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill and a plethora of confiding water-birds that frequent the various Rift Valley Lakes.

We will also spend some time enjoying and photographing the country’s impressive mammals such as Geladas and the critically endangered Ethiopian Wolf, while cultural photographic opportunities are abundant throughout!

Highlights

  • Exceptional opportunities to photograph many of Ethiopia’s endemic and special birds.
  • Exploring some of Ethiopia’s most celebrated national parks including Bale Mountain National Park and Awash National Park.
  • Photographing one of the world’s most endangered carnivores - Ethiopian Wolf.
  • Experiencing a vast array of vibrant Rift Valley Lakes where it is usual to see 150+ bird species in a day.
  • Traversing the stunning Sanetti Plateau on Africa’s highest road.
  • Seeing and photographing other endangered and threatened mammals such as Soemmering’s Gazelle, Mountain Nyala, Beisa Oryx, Grevy’s Zebra and Bale Monkey.

Top Birds

White-cheeked Turaco; Spot-breasted Lapwing; Blue-winged Goose; Rouget’s Rail; Wattled Ibis; Yellow-fronted Parrot; Black-winged Lovebird; Blue-breasted Bee-eater; Erkel's, Chestnut-naped & Moorland Francolins; White-backed Black Tit; Abyssinian Woodpecker; Arabian, Kori & Hartlaub's Bustards; Thick-billed Raven; Wattled & Black Crowned Cranes; Banded Barbet; Somali Ostrich; Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse.

Top Mammals

Ethiopian Wolf; Gelada; Mountain Nyala; Menelik’s Bushbuck; Giant Mole Rat; Beisa Oryx; Soemmering's Gazelle; Grevy's Zebra; Bale Monkey; Lesser Kudu; Grant’s Gazelle; Oribi; Golden Jackal; Common Hippopotamus; Grivet Monkey; Serval; Guenther's & Salt's Dikdiks; Hamadryas Baboon; Gerenuk; Abyssinian Hare.

Habitats Covered

Montane forest, Afro-alpine moorland, Acacia savanna, Rift Valley lakes and associated wetlands, semi-desert plains, scrub and savanna

Expected Climate

Temperate in highlands, hot and dry in lowlands, slim chance of rain in highlands

Max Group Size

8 with 1 Rockjumper Leader

Tour Pace & Walking

Birding is undemanding but long travel days, low food diversity & some basic accommodations are taxing. • Our Bird Photo Tours are a hybrid between our Classic birding tours and dedicated photographic tours. You don’t have to be a professional photographer or have the biggest lens; this is for everyone with an interest in photography and birding. Whether you’re using a bridge camera or the latest body and prime lens, our aims are the same. • These tours are not aimed at seeing the most species possible on the route, rather taking time to photograph key targets and any other interesting species we may find. Naturally, the overall species list will be lower than a comparable birding focused tour. • Whilst we may use blinds, feeders and hide setups on some of these tours, we will not be spending an entire day nor even several hours fixed in one spot. • These tours are suitable for photographers who prefer opportunistic photography over entire days in a hide. • Our leaders will assist in helping everyone secure good photographic opportunities and advise as much as they can on camera setup. However, they are not professional photographic tour leaders.

Accommodation

Variable. Modern & comfortable in the Rift Valley. Average to simple elsewhere.

Ease of Birding

One of the most enjoyable & prolific birding destinations in Africa. Many species are approachable & provide good visuals in open conditions.

Other Attractions

Spectacular mountain scenery, interesting ancient farming methods, fascinating and scenic architecture and historical buildings

Photographic Opportunities

Generally excellent. Many species are approachable, habitat & lighting are often conducive. No dedicated hides.

What our clients say about us

Gregory de Klerk
PT, Ethiopia 2019

Greg de Klerk did a very good job managing the tour, was personable and was highly effective at bird spotting & identification.

Gregory de Klerk
SC, Ethiopia 2018

This tour was our first one with Greg de Klerk. I would certainly go with him again. He is an extremely good birder, quick to locate birds and get all of the tour group on them. He worked hard to get those difficult endemics. His sense of humour added greatly to the group experience. What I most appreciated about Greg was his method of helping us to see the necessary field marks to identify a bird and to explain the difference between a bird and one that looked similar. I was therefore sure of the identity of every bird we had.

Gregory de Klerk
LF, Ethiopia 2018

Greg de Klerk is an excellent leader. What I admired most about Greg was his willingness and patience to take the time and "teach" the group shorebird and wading bird identification. Throughout the tour, he would take the time and repeat the details to anyone who asked, or seemed to be unclear on the details.

Julian Parsons
RL - Ethiopia 2024

Julian was a wonderful leader, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and attentive to our needs. The local guide, Bereket, was also excellent and worked particularly hard when we had to find accommodation at short notice. The cultural guide Frui was very knowledgeable and shared both his knowledge and his experience of Orthodox Christianity with us in a very helpful manner. We saw a lot of birds and a good variety of mammals. In addition the food was very interesting and the coffee outstanding.

Gregory de Klerk
EL, Ethiopia 2019

Greg de Klerk was an excellent guide and his lively manner and humour did much to make the trip enjoyable.

Ethiopia - Bird Photography Tour 2025

01 May 2025 - 14 May 2025 (14 days)

USD7,195 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Gregory de Klerk

Tour price (Per person): USD7,195 * GBP5,760 * EUR6,697 * AUD10,939

Single Supplement: USD450 * GBP360 * EUR419 * AUD684

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Tour Route Map

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