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.
Ruspoli's and White-cheeked Turaco, Stresemann's Bush Crow, Spot-breasted Lapwing, Blue-winged Goose, Rouget’s Rail, Wattled Ibis, Ankober Serin, Yellow-fronted Parrot, Black-winged Lovebird, Erkel's & Harwood's Francolin, White-backed Black Tit, Abyssinian Woodpecker, Donaldson-Smith's Nightjar, White-tailed Swallow, Archer's (Sidamo), Gillett's and Somali Short-toed Lark, White-winged Collared Dove, Nile Valley & Black-bellied Sunbird, Arabian and Hartlaub's Bustard, Golden-breasted, Magpie and White-billed Starling, Pygmy Batis, Red-naped Bushshrike, Juba Weaver
Ethiopian Wolf, Gelada, Hamadryas Baboon, Mountain Nyala, Giant Mole Rat, Serval, Guenther's and Salt's Dikdik, Gerenuk, Lesser Kudu, Beisa Oryx, Soemmering's Gazelle
montane forest, Afro-alpine moorland, Acacia savanna, Rift Valley lakes, semi-desert
temperate in highlands, hot and dry in lowlands
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader
moderate pace, mostly undemanding walks
comfortable to basic hotels
not challenging
475-500
spectacular montane scenery, interesting ancient farming methods
excellent
Heinz Ortmann did an excellent job of leading a group with diverse interests. He was particularly patient in showing the birds to the non-birders, and I believe he increased the level of interest in all of them with his enthusiasm. (Graham is already talking about a possible trip to Uganda!). He also did his best with my "wish-list" and I don't think we missed much. I have some stunning pictures of Stresemann's Bushcrow and Vulturine Guineafowl as evidence. It was necessary to make a couple of changes to the itinerary and accommodation, and Heinz managed all of this without any stress to the group.
Greg de Klerk did a very good job managing the tour, was personable and was highly effective at bird spotting & identification.
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.
Greg de Klerk was an excellent guide and his lively manner and humour did much to make the trip enjoyable.
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.
15 Nov 2024 - 01 Dec 2024 (17 days)
USD6,295 - 1 Space Available
Tour Leader: Robert Williams
Tour price (Per person): USD6,295 * GBP5,076 * EUR5,928 * AUD9,868
Single Supplement: USD390 * GBP314 * EUR367 * AUD611
Can be linked with: Ethiopia - Lalibela Historical Extension II 2024
04 Dec 2024 - 20 Dec 2024 (17 days)
USD6,995 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Robert Williams
Tour price (Per person): USD6,995 * GBP5,641 * EUR6,587 * AUD10,965
Single Supplement: USD390 * GBP314 * EUR367 * AUD611
Can be linked with: Ethiopia - Lalibela Historical Extension II 2024
Tour Leader: Julian Parsons
Tour price (Per person): USD7,095 * GBP5,721 * EUR6,682 * AUD11,122
Single Supplement: USD470 * GBP379 * EUR443 * AUD737
Can be linked with: Djibouti - Extension I 2025
Tour Leader: Quinton Paul Josop
Tour price (Per person): USD7,095 * GBP5,721 * EUR6,682 * AUD11,122
Single Supplement: USD470 * GBP379 * EUR443 * AUD737
Can be linked with: Ethiopia - Lalibela Historical Extension II 2025
02 Dec 2025 - 18 Dec 2025 (17 days)
USD7,695 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Quinton Paul Josop
Tour price (Per person): USD7,695 * GBP6,205 * EUR7,247 * AUD12,063
Single Supplement: USD470 * GBP379 * EUR443 * AUD737
Can be linked with: Ethiopia - Lalibela Historical Extension II 2025
Ethiopia - Lalibela Historical Extension I 2024 - January 2024
Ethiopia - Endemics Birding I 2024 - January 2024
Ethiopia - Endemics Birding II 2023 - November 2023
Ethiopia - Summer Endemics 2023 - June 2023
Ethiopia - Endemics Birding (Small Group) 2023 - February 2023
Ethiopia - Brewer 2023 - January 2023
Ethiopia - Endemics Birding III 2022 - November 2022
Ethiopia - Endemics Birding (Small Group) 2022 - February 2022
Ethiopia - Budget Birding 2019 - November 2019
Ethiopia - Endemics Birding II 2019 - November 2019
Ethiopia - Summer Endemics 2019 - May 2019
Ethiopia - Endemics Birding I 2019 - January 2019
Ethiopia - Budget Birding 2018 - November 2018
Ethiopia - Mega Birding 2018 - January 2018
Ethiopia - Endemics Birding I 2018 - January 2018
Ethiopia - Endemics Birding III 2017 - November 2017
Ethiopia - Glendinning & Welman 2017 - February 2017
Ethiopia - Endemics Birding II 2017 - January 2017