09 – Day Birding in Bale Mountains and Great Rift Valley

Morning, we will drive to Awash National Park, birding the amazing Afar Plains, where a rich diversity of birds hopefully will make their appearance. We could see Abdim’s Stork, Yellow-necked Francolin, Kori Bustard, Black-headed Lapwing (arguably the most spectacular plover species), Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Red-bellied Parrot, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, White-bellied Go-away-bird, Blue-naped Mousebird, Olive Bee-eater, Abyssinian Roller, Black-billed Wood Hoopoe, Abyssinian and Black Scimitar Bills, various

Hornbill species including Abyssinian Ground and Von-der-Decken’s, Black-throated and Yellow-breasted Barbets, Greater Honeyguide, Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Grey Wren-Warbler, Grey-headed Batis, Slate-colored Boubou, Rosy-patched Bush shrike, Chestnut Weaver, and White-crested Helmetshrike, among many others. In the late afternoon, we will arrive at Doho Lodge.

Overnight: Chosen Lodge in Awash

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Hot Springs and Fentalé Crater Lake: Full day birding in Filwuha Hot Springs, & Fentalé crater. Birding in Awash National Park, located in the Great Rift Valley.  Many species of birds are found here: African Orange-bellied Parrots, Bustards, Weavers, Hoopoe, Yellow-throated Serine, Red-fronted Barbet, Pygmy Batis, Lesser-striped Swallow, and the House Martin.  The park also boasts a variety of mammals: the Anubis Baboon, Colobus Monkey, Black-backed Jackal, Bat-eared Fox, Egyptian Mongoose, Warthog, Beisa Oryx, Soemmering’s Gazelle, Lesser Kudu, Salt’s Dik-dik, etc.

Overnight: Chosen Lodge in Awash

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Drive to the Bale Mountains National Park, rated by the African Bird Club as the number 4 birding destination in Africa. Over 300 species of birds live here, six are endemic to Ethopia. Arrive at the park headquarters in the afternoon in time for a leisurely afternoon hike, possibly spotting two endemic mammals that frequent the area: Menelik's Bushbuck and the Mountain Nyala. Birds in this area include the Blue-Winged Goose, the Spot-Breasted Lapwing, the Abyssinian Long Claw, the Wattled Ibis, the Black-Headed Siskin, Rouget’s Rail, and numerous other species.

Overnight: Chosen Lodge/Hotel in Dinsho

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Continue exploring Bale Mountains National Park and drive further into the interior. Spot birds such as Chestnut-naped Francolin, Ground Thrush (of the distinctive, endemic species Simensis), the secretive Abyssinia Ground- thrush, the vocal Abyssinian Catbird, and the endemic White-backed Black-Tit. If we are very fortunate, we will see a pair of the endangered Wattled Crane in the moist grasslands or spot a Cape Eagle- Lapwing, Thekla Lark, Red-breasted Wheatear, and Moorland chats. On the Senetti Plateau, (the largest continuous area of its altitude in Africa) look for the endemic and rare Ethiopian Red Wolf.

Overnight: Chosen Lodge/Hotel in Bale

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Sof Omar – A spectacular Natural cave:  Birding in Sof Omar.

Overnight: Chosen Lodge/Hotel in Bale

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Drive to Langano on the way through Wendo Genet, Birda paradise and spare sometime for birding around Lake Langano and Abiyata—Shalla National Park. Over 300 species can be seen around Lake Abiyata, such as: Yellow Wagtails, Ibis, Cormorant, Pelicans, Ducks, Egrets, Herons, Flamingos, Storks, Swallows, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Rollers, Wheatear, African Marsh Harrier, etc.

Overnight: Chosen Lodge in langano

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Continue Birding and game view in Abijata – Shalla National Park. Over 300 species can be seen around Lake Abiyata, such as: Yellow Wagtails, Ibis, Cormorant, Pelicans, Ducks, Egrets, Herons, Flamingos, Storks, Swallows, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Rollers, Wheatear, African Marsh Harrier.

Overnight: Chosen Lodge in Langano

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Drive back to Addis Ababa birding through the Great Rift Valley lakes. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country's many ethnic groups.  Transfer to airport for late night departure if Scheduled.

Overnight: Departure or Hotel booking on request

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner