Our 17-day Ethiopia birding tour comprehensively covers this unique country and every single endemic bird is targeted (Ethiopia has the second highest count of endemics on the continent). Up to five hundred species of birds and many rare mammals can be expected and the ease of the birding is quite remarkable. Ethiopia is also one of Africa’s most rewarding photographic destinations.

In central Ethiopia we explore massive Rift Valley lakes teeming with birds, moss-draped montane forests supporting a wide selection of endemics, the high Bale Mountains home to the critically endangered Ethiopian Wolf, the impressive Jemma Valley and Awash National Park, a Mecca for game and bird watching in Ethiopia (home to an incredible six species of bustard!). Key Ethiopian bird species we will seek include Spot-breasted Lapwing, Blue-winged Goose, Rouget’s Rail, Wattled Ibis, Ankober Serin, Yellow-fronted Parrot, White-backed Black Tit and Abyssinian Woodpecker.

To find some of Ethiopia’s most sought after endemics such as the fabled Ruspoli’s Turaco and enigmatic Stresemann’s Bush Crow, we will venture to remote corners of this ancient land. In these significantly drier habitats of southern Ethiopia, we will be searching for birds unique to this region including White-tailed Swallow, White-winged Collared Dove and Red-naped Bushshrike.

 

Top Birds

Ruspoli's & White-cheeked Turacos; Stresemann's Bush Crow; Spot-breasted Lapwing; Blue-winged Goose; Rouget’s Rail; Wattled Ibis; Ankober Serin; Yellow-throated, Yellow-rumped, Brown-rumped & Salvadori's Seedeaters; Ethiopian Siskin; Yellow-fronted Parrot; Black-winged Lovebird; Erkel's, Clapperton's, Chestnut-fronted & Harwood's Spurfowls; White-backed Black Tit; Abyssinian Woodpecker; Donaldson-Smith's & Star-spotted Nightjars; White-tailed Swallow; Gillett's, Blanford's & Somali Short-toed Larks; White-winged Collared Dove; White-collared Pigeon; Nile Valley & Black-bellied Sunbirds; Arabian & Hartlaub's Bustards; Golden-breasted, White-crowned & White-billed Starlings; Red-naped Bushshrike; Black-billed Wood Hoopoe; Banded Barbet; Abyssinian Woodpecker; Ethiopian Oriole; Somali Crow; Thick-billed Raven; Somali & Dodson's Bulbuls; Somali Crombec; Boran & Ethiopian Cisticolas; White-rumped Babbler; Abyssinian Catbird; Montane White-eye; Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher; Rüppell's Robin-Chat; White-winged Cliff Chat; Moorland Chat; Rüppell's Black Chat; Sombre Rock Chat; Swainson's Sparrow; Red-billed Pytilia; Abyssinian Waxbill; Abyssinian Longclaw.

Top Mammals

Ethiopian & Golden Wolves; Gelada, Olive & Hamadryas Baboons; Grivet & Bale Monkeys; Guereza; Mountain Nyala; Giant Mole Rat; Serval; Guenther's & Salt's Dikdik; Gerenuk; Lesser Kudu; Beisa Oryx; Soemmering's & Grant's Gazelles; Abyssinian Hare; Gambian Sun Squirrel; Unstriped Ground Squirrel; Somali Dwarf Mongoose; Spotted Hyaena; Common Hippopotamus.

Habitats Covered

montane forest, Afro-alpine moorland, Acacia savanna, Rift Valley lakes, semi-desert

Expected Climate

temperate in highlands, hot and dry in lowlands

Max Group Size

8 with 1 Rockjumper leader

Tour Pace & Walking

moderate pace, mostly undemanding walks

Accommodation

comfortable to basic hotels

Ease of Birding

not challenging

Number of Species Expected

475-500

Other Attractions

spectacular montane scenery, interesting ancient farming methods

Photographic Opportunities

excellent

What our clients say about us

Stephan Lorenz
SW, Ethiopia 2023

Another very good Rockjumper Tour despite some itinerary changes due to seasonally wet weather and the last 2 days being re-organised due to potential security concerns North of Addis. Stephan and our local leader were on top of all aspects of the trip working hard to ensure we saw as many of the endemics as possible. A memorable evening where we we able to connect with Star-spotted Nightjar will live long in the mind. All the drivers were excellent and kept the vehicles clean and comfortable.

Julian Parsons
RL - Ethiopia 2024

Julian was a wonderful leader, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and attentive to our needs. The local guide, was also excellent and worked particularly hard when we had to change accommodation at short notice. The cultural guide 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.

Stephan Lorenz
JW, Ethiopia 2023

Stephen Lorenz, our tour leader, was exemplary especially in the face of some tour problems. At least two sites we could not access because of civil unrest. Stephen worked tirelessly with the local guides to find safe locations where we could still see endemics. He also handled some issues with one of the tour group who could be rather difficult. Stephen did an outstanding job making sure everyone felt at ease and included. He is also a fantastic birder!

David Hoddinott
CS, Ethiopia 2023

Just a few comments on the recent Ethiopia Summer Highland Endemics tour guided by David Hodinott. First, I want to commend David on his skills as a leader and guide. His logistic and organizational skills are first-class and his knowledge of the bird life in Ethiopia matchless. His interpersonal skills with the group kept people on time, focused and successful in getting good looks at most species and great looks at many. That was his challenging task and he accomplished it with passion and patience, two qualities that are often difficult to combine.

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.

Ethiopia - Endemic Birding II 2024

15 Nov 2024 - 01 Dec 2024 (17 days)

USD6,295 - No Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Robert Williams

Tour price (Per person): USD6,295 * GBP4,891 * EUR5,790 * AUD9,615

Single Supplement: USD390 * GBP303 * EUR359 * AUD596

Can be linked with: Ethiopia - Lalibela Extension II 2024

Ethiopia - Endemic Birding (Small Group) 2024

04 Dec 2024 - 20 Dec 2024 (17 days)

USD6,995 - 1 Space Available

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Tour Leader: Robert Williams

Tour price (Per person): USD6,995 * GBP5,435 * EUR6,434 * AUD10,684

Single Supplement: USD390 * GBP303 * EUR359 * AUD596

Can be linked with: Ethiopia - Lalibela Extension II 2024

Ethiopia - Endemic Birding II 2025

13 Nov 2025 - 29 Nov 2025 (17 days)

USD7,095 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Quinton Paul Josop

Tour price (Per person): USD7,095 * GBP5,512 * EUR6,526 * AUD10,837

Single Supplement: USD470 * GBP365 * EUR432 * AUD718

Can be linked with: Ethiopia - Lalibela Extension II 2025

Ethiopia - Endemic Birding (Small Group) 2025

02 Dec 2025 - 18 Dec 2025 (17 days)

USD7,695 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Quinton Paul Josop

Tour price (Per person): USD7,695 * GBP5,979 * EUR7,077 * AUD11,753

Single Supplement: USD470 * GBP365 * EUR432 * AUD718

Can be linked with: Ethiopia - Lalibela Extension II 2025

Ethiopia - Endemic Birding 2026

06 Jan 2026 - 22 Jan 2026 (17 days)

USD7,400 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Nigel Redman

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*

Tour price (Per person): USD7,400 * GBP5,749 * EUR6,806 * AUD11,303

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Ethiopia - Endemic Birding (Small Group) 2026

29 Nov 2026 - 15 Dec 2026 (17 days)

USD8,200 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Glen Valentine

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*

Tour price (Per person): USD8,200 * GBP6,371 * EUR7,542 * AUD12,525

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