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In recent years, Ethiopia has rightly become one of Africa's leading birding destinations. Its avifauna represents an interesting mixture of eastern and west African, Palearctic and endemic components. In addition to over 800 species of birds, of which a staggering 37 are endemic or near-endemic, Ethiopia has a number of spectacular endemic mammals, and a scenic diversity and cultural uniqueness that are probably unequalled in Africa. The highlands, which dominate the the centre and north of the country, are bisected by the Rift Valley, and fall away to arid desert and bushlands in the north, south and east, and to moister woodland in the west. Much of the highlands are covered by agriculture, but there still exist considerable tracts of Afro-alpine shrubland and Afromontane forest. For birders, the most popular access to really high altitude is the Bale Mountains National Park in the south-eastern highlands. Here the highest all-weather road in Africa crosses the Sanetti plateau (4377m); allowing easy access to alpine moorlands, grasslands and lakes. Highland endemics such as Spot-breasted Lapwing, Erlanger's Lark and Rouget's Rail occur alongside giant lobelias and Ethiopian wolves. The Bale Mounatins also curiously hold a number of species not found elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, such as Ruddy Shelduck, Golden Eagle or Red-billed Chough. Other more widespread highland endemics found here and elsewhere include Blue-winged Goose, Black-headed Siskin, Wattled Ibis, and Abyssinian Longclaw. Ethiopian forest endemics are accessible at such forest patches as those at Wondo Genet and Lake Langano's eastern shore in the Rift Valley, Dinsho and the Harenna Forest in the Bale Mountains, and several sites within easy striking distance of Addis Ababa, including Debre Libanos, Menagesha Forest, and the Entoto Hills. They include Yellow-fronted Parrot, Abyssinian Woodpecker, White-cheeked Turaco, Abyssinian Catbird (actually a babbler), White-backed Tit, Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher and Abyssinian Oriole. Other forest species particularly worthy of mention include Ayre's Hawk Eagle, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, African Hill Babbler, Abyssinian Crimsonwing and Green-backed Twinspot. Other highland localities deserving special mention include the Jemma River Valley north of Addis Ababa, which is the easiest place to see the highly localized and endemic Harwood's Francolin, as well as many other exciting more widespread species of the northern highlands including Erckel's Francolin, White-billed Starling, Rueppell's Black Chat, Nyanza Swift and White-winged Cliff Chat. One of Ethiopia's four highly localized endemic serins, Ankober Serin, is also a highland species, occurring along the spectacular Ankober escarpment north of Awash. The Rift Valley, punctuated by several large lakes, offers few endemics but very diverse and enjoyable savannah and wetland birding. Some of the several excellent birding sites in the Rift Valley are Lake Langano, Awash National Park and Nechisar National Park, offering amongst many others African Swallow-tailed Kite, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Arabian Bustard, Somali Fiscal, and Gillet's, Red-winged, White-winged and Singing Bush Larks, and a host of Afrotropical and Palearctic migrant waterbirds. In the south of the country, high diversity and high endemism combine to offer absolutely superb birding. Sought-after specials of the wonderful region bounded by Yabelo in the west and Negele in the east include the endemic Rupoli's Turaco, White-tailed Swallow, Ethiopian Bush Crow and Liben Lark. Many of these species are highly threatened by agriculture and rangeland degradation, in particular the Liben Lark, of which only a few hundred individuals now remain in a small patch of grassland near Negele. In addition, this region offers a number of exciting dryland species shared with far northern Kenya and Somalia, such as Short-tailed Lark, Red-naped Bush Shike, African White-winged Dove, Somali Crombec, Pringle's Puffback, Northern Grosbeak-Canary, Juba Weaver, Black-bellied Sunbird, Salvadori's Serin, Yellow-vented Eremomela and Vulturine Guinea-fowl. Farther south still, the far-flung bushlands between Bogol Mayo and the Somali border at Dolo Odo are occasionally visited by birders for such species as Philippa's Crombec and a chance of Heuglin's Bustard. In the far west of the country, along the Sudanese border, low-lying plains are cloaked with moister woodland supporting an avifauna quite unlike that of the rest of the country. This area is strongly influenced by Guinea-Congolean species more characteristic of West Africa, and specials include Egyptian Plover, Gambaga Flycatcher, Levant Sparrowhawk (perhaps a rare summer migrant); Pygmy Sunbird, Black-rumped Waxbill, Black-faced and Bar-breasted Firefinches, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, Little Green & Red-throated Bee-eater, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-weaver and Green-backed Eremomela. Ideally one needs to rent a four-wheel-drive vehicle to do a visit to Ethiopia justice, although it is possible to fly to many areas, including the historically fascinating north. Most birders visit during the dry northern winter (October-March) when Palearctic migrants are abundant, but it is possible and productive to visit at all times of years. Over 500 species can be recorded on a thorough three-week trip. |
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Claire Spottiswoode & Michael Mills
Birding Africa
(Cape Town, South Africa)
info@birdingafrica.comhttp://www.birding-africa.com
Number of bird species: 816
Number of endemics: 18
Harwood's Francolin Pternistis harwoodi Blue-winged Goose Cyanochen cyanopterus Yellow-fronted Parrot Poicephalus flavifrons Ruspoli's Turaco Tauraco ruspolii Nechisar Nightjar Caprimulgus solala Spot-breasted Lapwing Vanellus melanocephalus Stresemann's Bush-Crow Zavattariornis stresemanni White-tailed Swallow Hirundo megaensis Ethiopian Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon sp. Abyssinian Catbird Parophasma galinieri Erard's Lark Heteromirafra sidamoensis Abyssinian Longclaw Macronyx flavicollis Red-billed Pytilia Pytilia lineata Yellow-throated Seedeater Serinus flavigula Salvadori's Seedeater Serinus xantholaemus Black-headed Siskin Serinus nigriceps Ankober Serin Serinus ankoberensis Sombre Rock Chat Cercomela dubia (14 others are shared only with Eritrea)
Harwood's Francolin Pternistis harwoodi Blue-winged Goose Cyanochen cyanopterus Yellow-fronted Parrot Poicephalus flavifrons Ruspoli's Turaco Tauraco ruspolii Nechisar Nightjar Caprimulgus solala Spot-breasted Lapwing Vanellus melanocephalus Stresemann's Bush-Crow Zavattariornis stresemanni White-tailed Swallow Hirundo megaensis Ethiopian Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon sp. Abyssinian Catbird Parophasma galinieri Erard's Lark Heteromirafra sidamoensis Abyssinian Longclaw Macronyx flavicollis Red-billed Pytilia Pytilia lineata Yellow-throated Seedeater Serinus flavigula Salvadori's Seedeater Serinus xantholaemus Black-headed Siskin Serinus nigriceps Ankober Serin Serinus ankoberensis Sombre Rock Chat Cercomela dubia (14 others are shared only with Eritrea)
A Checklist of the Birds of Ethiopia
EK Urban and LH Brown 143 pages, maps, illus. Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History SocietyISBN: 35908
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Bird Recordings from Ethiopia
Steve Smith Produced by the authorISBN: 54652
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Birds of Ethiopia & Eritrea
by John Ash & John Atkins - A&C Black 2009 Hardback 463pISBN: 9781408109793
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Birds of the Horn of Africa
by Nigel Redman, Terry Stevenson & John Fanshawe - A&C Black 2009 - Paperback 496pISBN: 9780713665413
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Important Bird Areas of Ethiopia: a first inventory
Sue Edwards 300 pages, illus, tabs, maps. Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History SocietyISBN: 71212
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Where to Watch Birds in Ethiopia
by Claire Spottiswoode, Merid Gabremichael and Julian Francis | 192 pages | 150 colour photos | maps | Christopher Helm | Softcover | 2010 | NHBS Price: £19.99See Fatbirder Review
ISBN: 9781408130759
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African Bird Club
WebsiteIn recent years, Ethiopia has rightly become one of Africa`s leading birding destinations. Its avifauna represents an interesting mixture of east and west African, Palearctic and some strikingly unusual endemic components. In addition to more than 800 species of birds, of which a staggering 29 are endemic to Ethiopia and its neighbour Eritrea, Ethiopia has a number of peculiar mammals, and a scenic diversity and cultural uniqueness that are hard to equal...
Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society
WebsiteThe Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society was legally established in September 1966 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Society`s Objectives are to disseminate information and create awareness of the need for the conservation and wise us of Ethiopia`s natural resources and the environment; and conduct and support research concerning Ethiopia`s fauna and flora.
P0 Box 13303, Addis Ababa. +251 1 183520 ewnhs@telecom.net.et
Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society
WebsiteContact details etc...
Abijatta- Shalla Lakes National park
InformationSatellite View
Situated in the Great Rift Valley, only 200 kilometers (124 miles) south of Addis Ababa, and in the Lake Langano recreational areas, the Abijatta Shalla lakes National Park attracts numerous visitors...
Awash National Park
InformationSatellite View
Located in the lowlands 225 km east of Addis Ababa, the south boundary of the park is formed by the Awash river which swings North soon after leaving the park and eventually disappears into the Afar (Danakil) region...
Biodiversity and Protected Areas-- Ethiopia
WebsiteMago National Park
InformationSatellite View
Mainly grass savannah, some forested areas around rivers...
Omo National park
InformationSatellite View
Over 306 species of birds can be seen
Semien Mountains National park
WebsiteSatellite View
The Semien mountains are a must for all those interested in wildlife, scenery and spectacular landscapes, the Park has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO...
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2002 [November] - Nick Ransdale
ReportWith 342 bird species in under nine days, Ethiopia is an ideal destination for a short-range trip. With some 30 endemics, some African species difficult to see elsewhere, and many birds quite approachable, it makes for a birder and digiscoper`s paradise. This was a Naturetrek £990 trip; Ethiopia - A Birdwatching Tour, with details on their website. With this illustrated trip list I`ve added some information on species, etc that may be of use; it`s a pretty concentrated trip...
2004 [May] - David Hoddinott
ReportJust a species list...
2005 [December] - Erik Forsyth & Richard White
ReportOur Ethiopian adventure began with a wonderful extension to the historically rich area around Lallibela. The ancient rock-hewn churches were the focal point of our trip and a certain highlight was riding on mules to visit the magical mountain-top church of Asheton Miriam. We took the time to search for local birds and found this area a great introduction to Ethiopian birding. Endemics located included Wattled Ibis, the spectacular Thick-billed Raven, White-collared Pigeon and Yellow-rumped Serin...
2005 [January] - Erik Forsyth
ReportOn our first day, we left the bustling and vibrant Addis Ababa behind us and headed south towards some wonderful lakes in the Great Rift Valley. The woodlands surrounding the lakes teemed with birds and we managed a staggering 150 species on this day. Highlights were many but the birds that stood out on the day were: hundreds of Common Crane calling as they flew from Lake Chelekcheka to nearby farmlands to feed for the day; an overflying Short-toed Eagle and a pair of Black-headed Batis that distracted us at our lunch stop...
2006 [December] - David Hoddinott
ReportOur incredible journey through the awe-inspiring wonderland of Ethiopia began early in the morning at the Ghion Hotel in Addis Ababa. Our first day found us traversing the many Rift Valley Lakes that lie to the south of Addis, and an array of highlights were experienced. Lake Chelekcheka was absolutely teeming with birds and gave us a fantastic introduction to Ethiopian birding. Lifers abound and it was fascinating to see heads turning in every direction at an amazing rate, as new birds were being called within seconds of each other. Black Crowned-Crane was the most memorable bird before we moved on to Lake Hora. Here we bumped into a dark morph Western Reef Heron and our only Barred Warbler of the trip.
2006 [November] - Sunbird
Report...The Grey and Black-crowned Cranes were a bit nearer and the flock of Pacific Golden Plovers a real surprise, while the small group of Temminck’s Coursers seemed to find the overgrazed shores to their liking. We had a brief overnight stop at Awassa where we found the hotel grounds and lake edge alive with birds including Blue-headed Coucal, African Pygmy Geese, Hottentot Teals, Black Crakes, African Jacanas, Pygmy and Woodland Kingfishers, Thick-billed Ravens, and Silvery-cheeked Hornbills of note...
2006 [October] - Nik Borrow
ReportThe idea for this tour started life way back in 1998 as a highly successful “Birdquest Expedition”. This had supposedly been a one-off idea, but the seed had been planted, the gauntlet thrown down and the challenge of finding all the endemic Ethiopian birds on a ‘regular’ basis was soon to follow. The exact number of actual endemics varies with the vagaries of modern taxonomy but Birdlife’s Important Bird Areas of Ethiopia lists sixteen for Ethiopia with a further fourteen shared with the recently ‘split’ Eritrea...
2007 [December] - Glen Valentine
ReportOur December 2007 tour to the wonderfully scenic country of Ethiopia began with several of the participants heading off with Fraser to the ancient monolithic rock-hewn churches of Lalibela in the north of Ethiopia. This is an impressive site to witness and everyone walked away with fantastic memories of the churches, undoubtedly one the great wonders of the world. Several very good endemics and near endemics such as Yellow-rumped Seed-eater, White-winged Cliff and Rueppell’s Black Chat...
2007 [December] - Simon Woolley
ReportA quick-fire visit to this wonderful country in the Horn of Africa - several Abyssinian endemics, including Wattled Ibis, Banded Barbet, White-collared Pigeon and Ethiopian Forest Oriole, plus an excellent range of east African savannah, mountain and lake birds. And mammals too - Lesser Kudu, Beisa Oryx and the regionally endemic Soemmerring's Gazelle.
2008 [January] - Alf King & Jeannine King
ReportThe principal UK company with experience of organising birding trips to Ethiopia is Jenner Expeditions who had gained our interest in the first place. Just a few e-mails and amendments were required before a full-blown two week tour was agreed upon covering the UK school holidays in December 2007 & January 2008. All of the arrangements through this organisation were smooth and painless and I can recommend them wholeheartedly. Their ground arrangements were managed by Adonay Tours of Ethiopia through whom we were to meet our birding and tour guide Negussie Toye and his driver Mesfin. Everything on the ground was taken care of with professional ease, especially when problems inevitably occurred...
2008 [January] - Cuan Rush
ReportEthiopia is a land of amazing contrasts, incredible scenery, friendly people and delectable birds and wildlife. Our tour covered the main highlights of the country including the Rift Valley Lakes, the highland plateaus and Juniper Forests of the Bale Mountains, the arid southern region and the wild and seemingly uninhabitable east. The combination of these areas, a great group dynamic and a well-oiled ground team produced a truly awesome tour and ended with a combined total of 59 endemic/near-endemic bird species...
2008 [March] - Ken Behrens
ReportThis trip was tremendously successful, netting 582 species, including nearly every Ethiopian and Abyssinian endemic, a gamut of northeastern Africa arid zone endemics, and a range of other incredible species. One particular highlight was witnessing the first rains of the year in an arid portion of southern Ethiopia...
2008 [March] -Meseret Mekuria
ReportThe country has a bird list exceeding 863 and also is home to 32 endemics. This tour visited contrasting regions of Ethiopia from the Great Rift Valley and towards the south taking in the remote region around Negele and the endemic-rich habitats around Yabelo. In total we recorded 432 species including 28 endemic Ethiopian birds were observed. Undoubted highlights were Prince Rispoli’s Turaco near Negele and several Spotted Creepers at Awassa. The weather throughout the tour was sunny and dusty, except for short periods of rainfall at Negele and Yabelo...
2008 [November] - Gavin Lautenbach
ReportEthiopia is often a parched, dry and dusty land. What a fantastic feeling is was to arrive there this season to be greeted with a green blanket of foliage, rivers full and crops plentiful, Ethiopia was bursting with life and this made for an incredible and unforgettable birding adventure...
2009 [February] - David Hoddinott
ReportAn early start to the tour saw us leaving the capital, Addis Ababa after a welcome cup of fine Ethiopian Coffee, and heading south through the Great Rift Valley. Today we enjoyed magnificent scenery and a diverse array of habitats while visiting no less than five of the Rift Valley lakes...
2009 [January] - David Hoddinott & Ross Goode
ReportOur Ethiopian adventure began as we headed south from a crowded Addis Ababa and descended into Africa’s Great Rift Valley. Following the string of beautiful lakes that line the valley floor, we arrived at Lake Awasa in the afternoon and did some initial exploring in the area. The woodlands and thickets surrounding these lakes teem with birds and highlights included Black Sparrowhawk, Greater-spotted Eagle, the dazzling white-morph African Paradise Flycatcher, as well as endemic Black-winged Lovebird, Banded Barbet, Thick-billed Raven, Ethiopian Cisticola, Swainson’s Sparrow and Somali Crombec...
2009 [March] - Steve Duffield
ReportThis was the third organised tour to Ethiopia by Birdwatching Breaks and like the two predecessors it was an excellent trip for birds and mammals. We recorded 429 species during the two weeks including Ruspoli’s Turaco, Stressmann’s Bush Crow, White-tailed Swallow and Spot-breasted Lapwing among the endemic birds...
2009 [November] - Christian Boix
Report...The approach to Gefersa yielded several murders of Fan-tailed Ravens, occasionally dwarfed by the odd and endemic Thick- billed Raven as well as several roosts of Hooded Vultures perched and looking miserable in anticipation of sunrise...
2010 [February] - Ken Behrens
ReportMany people imagine Ethiopia as a flat, famine- ridden desert, but this is far from the case. Ethiopia is remarkably diverse, and unexpectedly lush. This is the ʻroof of Africaʼ, holding the continentʼs largest and most contiguous mountain ranges, and some of its tallest peaks...
2010 [February] - Rainer Summers
ReportEthiopia is a fascinating land overrun with bizarre contrasts, both cultural and environmental. It runs on its own calendar and time, harbours some disparate cultural groups, from peaceful to unashamedly aggressive, and although the popular perception of Ethiopia is that of a dry country, it also harbours large areas of forest – this associated with the significant highland areas that are a characteristic of the “Roof of Africa”...
2010 [January] - Markus Lilje
ReportAs we headed south from a still-sleeping Addis Ababa to begin our Ethiopian adventure, and descended into Africa’s Great Rift Valley, the sky gradually lightened to reveal our surroundings...
2010 [January] - Markus Lilje 2
ReportOur Ethiopian adventure began as we headed south from a still-sleeping Addis Ababa and descended into Africa’s Great Rift Valley. This day is always quite incredible as we make our way down a string of beautiful lakes that line the valley floor, each with its own character and suite of species...
2010 [October] - Ralf Jahraus
ReportThis report is based on a 5 week trip to Ethiopia on which I was accompanied by my wife Erma. Our interest was mainly birds but we also visited several cultural sites which are well worth visiting and also can hold some interesting birds. We found that a lot of good reports relating to birding in Ethiopia exist already and that there is no real need to add another but as we often find we were unable to locate a report by independent birders using public transport and arranging the whole trip within the country itself like we did. We thought it might be useful to share our experiences...
2011 [December] - Rainer Summers
ReportThe incredible land of Ethiopia occupies a large portion of the Horn of Africa, and despite it often being perceived as a famine hit semi-desert, the significant Blue Nile River finds its source in the expansive and well watered highlands of “Abyssinia”. Our trip was designed to explore some of the faunal and historical highlights of this wondrous land while utilizing a high standard of accommodation.
2011 [February] - Gavin Lautenbach
ReportSimply put, Ethiopia is undoubtedly one of Africa’s most productive and rewarding birding destinations. The plethora of endemic species is complimented by a rich assemblage of forest and savanna species, while the influx of Palearctic migrants at the time of this tour all combine to make for a truly bird-filled adventure….
2011 [February] - Scott Bowers - Egypt & Ethiopia
ReportThis trip report covers a one month journey to Egypt and Ethiopia with a couple of short layovers in London. Some highlights of the trip included the Ethiopian Wolf and escaping the Egyptian Revolution...
2011 [January] - Gavin Lautenbach
ReportThe Horn of Africa is an incredibly exciting destination for birding enthusiasts from across the globe. Ethiopia has in fact become a must do destination with the huge numbers of accessible birds that are not only confiding but highly photogenic as well. We had an incredible journey through the dusty wilderness, vast lakeshores and what seems like enough Teff fields to feed the world!
2011 [November] - Mark Easterbrook
Report...The birding was fantastic, the experience was fantastic, and the weather was variable airing on the side of unseasonably heavy rains that caused the group some difficulties when transiting bush roads. The accommodation is interesting. I can safely say that "basic" does not truly capture the spirit of adventure required to undertake a trip to Ethiopia...
2012 [February] - Henk Hendricks
ReportThis report covers the 18-day trip I made to Ethiopia in February 2012 in the company of my brother Frans and Antonio Mendoza. During this trip we tried to see as many of the endemics and near-endemics of this country as possible....
2012 [January] - Michael Grunwell
ReportTravelling in a bus with a group of a dozen birders is not my idea of fun. I got in touch with Negussie Toyo of Nurgi birding tours and booked an 8 night tour. It transpired that my guide was Merid Gabremichael, the author of the aforementioned book....
2012 [January] – Rich Lindie
ReportThe Great Rift Valley and its selection of fascinatingly different lakes played host to our first day's birding in fabulous Ethiopia. Following great roads, and fuelling ourselves with potent Ethiopian coffee, we racked up an impressive list of birds by the end of day one, which began with a stop at Lake Cheleleka….
Ethiopia 2012 [February] – Rich Lindie
ReportEthiopia regularly hits the top of the list of favourite African birding destinations. The entire country is dripping with avian species and our tour racked up over 560 of these….
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13 Suns
Tour OperatorAbout 860 species of birds (9.5% of the world's and 39 % of Africa's bird population) live in the highlands. lowlands, river banks,wet lands, dams , lakes ,forests, shrubs...
Anytime Tours
Tour OperatorEthiopia, “the Roof of Africa”, is an absolutely unique and spectacular birding destination. It is one of Africa’s most scenically beautiful countries, boasting some of the continent’s highest mountains and plateaus (but also contains a depression that reaches slightly below sea level), impressive escarpments, Great Rift Valley lakes and volcanoes and very varied vegetation from juniper forests to arid savannah dotted with monstrous red termite mounds. Descending from the highlands to the deep valleys far below can seem like entering a completely different world, all within the same day – it is an amazingly varied country...
Birding Ecotours
Tour OperatorEthiopia, “the Roof of Africa”, is an absolutely unique and spectacular birding destination with some of Africa’s highest mountains and plateaus, Great Rift Valley lakes and volcanoes, and varied vegetation (juniper forests to arid savannah), and about 30 endemic species. It is not too difficult to end up with an impressive bird list of well over 500 species!
Birding Pal
InformationLocal birders willing to show visiting birders around their area...
Four Winds
Tour OperatorArrive Addis Ababa, afternoon drive to Geferssa Reservoir. Here, we expect to see some of the endemic birds like the Wattle Ibis, Rouget's Rail, black-headed Sis- kin, Abyssinian Long claw, the white collared pigeon and Blue-winged Goose. The African-black Duck, Ortolan bunting, Red-breasted Wheatear, Three-banded plover; African Marsh Harrier and African Fish Eagle are one of the species that we do see this afternoon...
Green Eye Ecotours
Tour OperatorToday we provide outdoor-oriented tours, adventures, expeditions...
Green Land Tours
Tour OperatorAlthough these custom tours provide many options, our itineraries are flexible and open to any possible program combinations. In addition GLT welcomes personal-interest touring requests...
Haimano Tours Ethiopia
Tour OperatorHaimano Tours Ethiopia organizes short & long birding trips leads by Measho professional & experienced bird guide with full bird watching equipments for details contact us at: haime2rs@yahoo.com
Network Travel & Tour
Tour OperatorThe Birds of Ethiopia are so numerous, so diverse and so colourful. More than 830 species have been recorded compared to 250 in the UK. Other African countries can claim more species however Ethiopia boasts the special distinction of possessing a number of Endemics birds (birds found only in the country) of these, 16 are found only in Ethiopia and 14 are semi-endemic, shared only with Eritrea...
Rockjumper Birding Tours
Tour OperatorEthiopia boasts the second highest endemic bird list on the African continent, and this unique avifauna and Ethiopia’s remarkable mammal assemblage form the focus of our tours to this magical birding destination.
Sunbirds
Tour OperatorAfter arriving in Addis we`ll begin our tour by driving south down the Rift Valley towards Lake Langano. Straight away we`ll notice Yellow-billed Kites and White-backed and Hooded Vultures overhead and before long vivid Superb Starlings and White-headed Buffalo Weavers at the roadside...
Timeless Ethiopia Tours
Tour Operator850 species of birds (16 of them are endemic) inhabit Ethiopia. Having an extensive highland surrounded by arid lands, has enabled the evolution of many birds in the region into unique forms and species...
Wings
Tour OperatorMillions of years ago eastern Africa was subjected to immense and violent volcanic activity. As unimaginable forces pushed the earth's crust upward in a gigantic dome, great fissures opened up in the center, causing large areas to sink back while the outer edges continued to rise. The resulting slash in the surface of the planet became the Rift Valley, which dominates this corner of Africa and runs right across Ethiopia...
Yumo Tours
Tour OperatorWe can arrange trips to some of Ethiopia`s best areas for bird-watching. Among the animals you can find in this country are...
Babogaya Lake Viewpoint Lodge
AccommodationThe Lodge is situated near Debre Zeit, a town at 47 km south of Addis Abeba. We are on the border of Babogaya lake, which is an ancient volcano 1 km wide, filled with clear water in which it is possible to swim or to go around with a kayak...
Bishangari Eco Lodge
AccommodationBishangari is many things. It is an eco-site, a natural wilderness, a wildlife sanctuary, a secluded beach resort and a luxury Lodge. But most of all it is a quiet and relaxing escape from the noise and bustle of everyday life. Addis Ababa may be only three and a half hours away by car, but to visit Bishangari is to escape to another world...
Evangadi Lodge - Turmi
AccommodationEncompassing an area of about 30,000 square meters, Evangadi Lodge and Campsite is located 850km south of the Ethiopian capital city (Addis Ababa). It derives its name from its rich cultural surroundings...
Swaynes Hotel - Arba Minch
AccommodationSwaynes Hotel is located in beautiful Arba Minch (in Amharic Forty Springs). It boasts of a spectacular hilltop setting overlooking the forest of Nechisar National Park and two lakes of the RIft Valley (Chamo and Abaya)...
Wenney Eco-Lodge
AccommodationThe Langano Lake and surrounding Shala Abyata and Awasa Rift Valley Lakes, are birding paradise. It is home of many bird species including a large number of white pelicans, pink flamingoes, white-necked cormorants, herons, storks, fish eagles, spoonbills, ibises, ducks, gulls, terns, other common water birds, the rare ground horn bill, etc...
Birds of the Rift Valley, Southern Ethiopia, Negele and Bale Mountains
WebsiteTrek with notes on difficulty, interests etc...
Birds of Tigray
WebsiteThis site will inform you about the rich bird life in Tigray. Although the rural areas are densely populated, birds are not really threatened. Fertilizers are hardly used and also the use of insecticides is low. Last but not least there is no hunting.
Endemic Birds of Ethiopia
WebsiteList with notes and images...
Records from Gambela, western Ethiopia
WebsiteThe lowlands of Illubador Province in extreme western Ethiopia have a fauna and flora, landscape and culture quite distinct from the rest of the country. Despite easy access to the region, with daily buses and thrice-weekly flights covering the 500km between Addis Ababa and Gambela (the second town of Illubador); it has received surprisingly little ornithological attention...
Photographer - Phil Misseldine - Ethiopian Endemics
GalleryThe following are photographs from a trip to Ethiopia, which concentrated mainly on seeing Ethiopian Endemics. The trip was made in February - March 2003 with Naturetrek. All the photos are digiscoped shots and were taken with a Nikon CoolPix 995 and a Kowa TSN-664 with a 30x wide angle lens...
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This site was last updated on Sunday, 5th May 2013.