Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Ethiopia is a landlocked country located in the Horn of Africa region of East Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea to the north, Djibouti to the northeast, Somalia to the east, Kenya to the south, South Sudan to the west, and Sudan to the northwest. Ethiopia covers a land area of 1,104,300 km2 (426,400 square miles). It is home to around 132 million inhabitants, making it the 10th-most populous country in the world, the 2nd-most populous in Africa after Nigeria, and the most populated landlocked country on Earth. It is the world’s 27th-largest country, comparable in size to Bolivia. It lies between the 3rd parallel north and the 15th parallel north and longitudes 33rd meridian east and 48th meridian east. The national capital and largest city (with over 5.7 million people), Addis Ababa, lies several kilometres west of the East African Rift that splits the country into the African and Somali tectonic plates. There is a great diversity of terrain with wide variations in climate, soils, natural vegetation and settlement patterns.
The country is characterised by vast complex mountains, dissecting plateaus, lowlands, semi-desert, and tropical forests. Ethiopia has twelve lakes and nine major rivers with several tributaries. Despite the large water bodies in Ethiopia, there is hardly any perennial flow in areas below 1,500 meters. The Blue Nile has its source waters in Lake Tana in the north, the course of the Awash River is entirely contained within the boundaries of Ethiopia, and empties into a chain of interconnected lakes. The river arises from Mount Warqe then flows around Mount Zuqualla and proceeds to towards Awash National Park. It is joined by Germama River before reaching Lake Gorgori. Awash River covers a distance of 746 miles with its tributaries including Logiya, Mille, Kabenna, Hawadi, and Durkham Rivers. The Shebelle River originates from the highlands of Ethiopia and flows into Somalia, where it becomes a seasonal body of water.
Blue Nile Falls – ©Nina R, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Ethiopia is an ecologically diverse country, ranging from the deserts along the eastern border to the tropical forests in the south to extensive Afro-montane in the northern and southwestern parts. Lake Tana in the north is the source of the Blue Nile. It also has many endemic species, notably the gelada, the walia ibex and the Ethiopian wolf (Simien fox). The wide range of altitude has given the country a variety of ecologically distinct areas, and this has helped to encourage the evolution of endemic species in ecological isolation. The great diversity of terrain determines wide variations in climate, soils and natural vegetation.
The predominant climate type is tropical monsoon, with wide topographic-induced variation. The Ethiopian Highlands cover most of the country and have a climate which is generally considerably cooler than other regions at similar proximity to the Equator. Most of the country’s major cities are located at elevations of around 6,500–8,200 feet above sea level, including historic capitals such as Gondar and Axum. The modern capital, Addis Ababa, is situated on the foothills of Mount Entoto at an elevation of around 7,900 feet. It experiences a mild climate year-round. With temperatures fairly uniform year-round, the seasons in Addis Ababa are largely defined by rainfall: a dry season from October to February, a light rainy season from March to May, and a heavy rainy season from June to September. The average annual rainfall is approximately 47 inches.
Simien Mountains – ©Rod Waddington CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
There are on average seven hours of sunshine per day. The dry season is the sunniest time of the year, though even at the height of the rainy season in July and August there are still usually several hours per day of bright sunshine. The average annual temperature in Addis Ababa is 16 °C, with daily maximum temperatures averaging 20 to 25 °C throughout the year, and overnight lows averaging 5 to 10 °C.
Most major cities and tourist sites in Ethiopia lie at a similar elevation to Addis Ababa and have a comparable climate. In less elevated regions, particularly the lower lying Ethiopian xeric grasslands and shrub-lands in the east of Ethiopia, the climate can be significantly hotter and drier. Dallol, in the Danakil Depression in this eastern zone, has the world’s highest average annual temperature of 34 °C.
Birding Ethiopia
Lake Tana in the north is the source of the Blue Nile. It also has a large number of endemic species, including 31 endemic species of mammals notably the gelada, the walia ibex and the Ethiopian wolf or Simien fox. The wide range of altitude has given the country a variety of ecologically distinct areas, and this has helped to encourage the evolution of endemic species in ecological isolation. Ethiopia is a global centre of avian diversity. To date more than 880 bird species have been recorded, around twenty of which are endemic and sixteen are endangered or critically endangered. 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, Palaearctic and endemic components, a staggering 37 are endemic or near-endemic. Ethiopia has a scenic diversity and cultural uniqueness that are probably unequalled in Africa. The highlands, which dominate the centre and north of the country, are bisected by the Rift Valley, and fall away to arid desert and bush-lands in the north, south and east, and to moister woodland in the west. Much of the highlands are exploited for agriculture, but there still exist considerable tracts of Afro-alpine shrub-land and Afro-montane forest.
Bale Mountains National Park – ©Laika ac, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
For birders, the most popular access to really high altitude is the Bale Mountains National Park in the southeastern highlands. Here the highest all-weather road in Africa crosses the Sanetti plateau at 14,360 feet; 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.
Blue-winged Goose Cyanochen cyanoptera – ©Dick Daniels CC-BY-SA-3.0
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 Afro-tropical and Palaearctic 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 bush-lands 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.
Omo River – ©Bernard Gagnon CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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.
This page is sponsored by Birding Ecotours
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Claire Spottiswoode & Michael Mills
Cape Town, South Africa | info@birdingafrica.com
https://www.birding-africa.com
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Number of bird species: 887
(As at February 2025)
Number of endemics: 20
Blue-winged Goose Cyanochen cyanopterus
Harwood's Francolin Pternistis harwoodi
Moorland Francolin Scleroptila psilolaema
Ruspoli's Turaco Tauraco ruspolii Brown-faced Go-away-bird Corythaixoides personatus Nechisar Nightjar Caprimulgus solala
Spot-breasted Lapwing Vanellus melanocephalus
Yellow-fronted Parrot Poicephalus flavifrons
Ethiopian (Stresemann's) Bush-Crow Zavattariornis stresemanni
Liben Lark Heteromirafra archeri
White-tailed Swallow Hirundo megaensis
Abyssinian Catbird Parophasma galinieri
Kafa White-eye Zosterops kaffensis
Sombre Rockchat Oenanthe dubia
Red-billed Pytilia Pytilia lineata
Abyssinian Longclaw Macronyx flavicollis
Yellow-throated Seedeater Crithagra flavigula
Salvadori's Seedeater Crithagra xantholaema
Ethiopian Siskin Serinus nigriceps
Ankober Serin Crithagra ankoberensis
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Avibase
PDF ChecklistThis checklist includes all bird species found in Ethiopia , based on the best information available at this time. It is based on a wide variety of sources that I collated over many years. I am pleased to offer these checklists as a service to birdwatchers. If you find any error, please do not hesitate to report them. -
E-Bird
PDF ChecklistThis checklist is generated with data from eBird (ebird.org), a global database of bird sightings from birders like you. If you enjoy this checklist, please consider contributing your sightings to eBird. It is 100% free to take part, and your observations will help support birders, researchers, and conservationists worldwide. -
Wikipedia
Annotated ListThis is a list of the bird species recorded in Ethiopia. The avifauna of Ethiopia included a total of 880 confirmed species as of August 2021. Of them, 20 are endemic, one has been introduced by humans, and the statuses of 11 are under review. An additional 16 species are hypothetical as defined below. Unless otherwise noted, the list is that of Avibase.
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Birding Ethiopia: A Guide to the Country's Birding Sites
| By Ken Behrens, Keith Barnes & Christian Boix | Lynx Edicions | 2010 | Paperback | 189 Pages, Colour photos, maps | ISBN: 9788496553552 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Birds of Ethiopia & Eritrea
| By John Ash & John Atkins | Christopher Helm | 2009 Hardback | 463 pages, 16p colour photos and maps | ISBN: 9781408109793 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Birds of the Horn of Africa
| By Nigel Redman, Terry Stevenson & John Fanshawe | Christopher Helm | 2011 | Paperback | 512 pages, 213 colour plates, 1000+ colour distribution maps, colour & b/w maps | ISBN: 9781408157350 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Where to Watch Birds in Ethiopia
| By Claire Spottiswoode, Merid Gabremichael & Julian Francis | Christopher Helm | 2010 | Paperback | 192 Pages, 150 Colour photos, maps | ISBN: 9781408130759 Buy this book from NHBS.com
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African Bird Club
WebpageIn 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
Facebook PageThe Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society (EWNHS) is an indigenous non-profit organization founded in 1966 in Addis Ababa. It has registered under the Charities and Societies Agency as Ethiopian Resident Charity in 2009. EWNHS is the oldest conservation institute that advocates for the wise use of natural resources, conservation of biodiversity and protection of environment through environmental education, awareness and community outreach and monitoring and research. EWNHS is BirdLife International partner and member in Ethiopia, and shares the mission of saving species, protecting sites, conserving habitats and empowering and improving the livelihoods of people. The organization strives to support the government efforts in conservation through provision of advice, information and hard data, best practice guidelines, disseminating of environmental issues, networking and collaboration, and proactively engaging in conservation projects.
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* List of protected areas of Ethiopia
InformationSatellite ViewUnteractive list of National Parkls, Wilife Reserves etc... -
BR Kafa Biosphere Reserve
InformationSatellite ViewKafa Biosphere Reserve is also home to 178 species of birds that are endemic, endangered, near-threatened, or restricted. Some bird species are restricted to 27 species from the Afro-tropical highlands and the Somali-Masai biome. Yellow-fronted Parrot, Abyssinian Longclaw, and Abyssinian Catbird are three endemic species found in the Kaffa reserve. Wattled Ibis, Rouget's rail, Black-winged Lovebird, White-cheeked Turaco, Banded Barbet, Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher, and Thick-billed Raven are near-endemic within the reserve. Along with endemic bird species, the Kafa Biosphere reserve provides a home for diverse species of birds such as African Crowned eagle, Black crowned crane, Red-billed oxpecker, Sharpe's starling, Half-collared Kingfisher, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Rüppell's robin-chat, and Wattled crane. -
BR Lake Tana Biosphere Reserve
InformationSatellite ViewAt Lake Tana, more than 217 different bird species have been recorded. The area is internationally renowned as an Important Bird Area and has a high abundance of qualifying areas around the lake as Ramsar site. Many Palaearctic migrant water birds depend on the lake as feeding and resting grounds, including the common crane (Grus Grus), Northern shoveller (Anas acuta), Black-tailed godwit (Limosa Limosa), and ruff (Philomachus pugnax). Other bird species like the wattled crane, the lesser jacana, and the endemic yellow-fronted parrot also breed here. Few patches of original forest vegetation and mountain ecosystem remain that have high plant endemism of global importance. -
NP Abijatta- Shalla Lakes
InformationSatellite ViewSituated 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… -
NP Awash
InformationSatellite ViewWildlife in this park include the East African oryx, Soemmerring's gazelle, dik-dik, the lesser and greater kudus, and warthogs. Anubis baboons and hamadryas baboons are present, as well as over 453 species of native birds like the North African ostriches -
NP Bale Mountains National Park
InformationSatellite ViewThe Bale Mountains are home to over 282 species of birds, including nine of the 16 species endemic to Ethiopia. Furthermore, over 170 migratory birds have been recorded within the park. Bale Mountains National Park is home to almost every highland Abyssinian and Ethiopian endemic. -
NP Mago
InformationSatellite ViewIndigenous bird life include the extremely uncommon Turdoides tenebrosus especially at Lake Dipa, Estrilda troglodytes in the rank grass along streams and swamp edges, Phoeniculus damarensis, Porphyrio alleni, Butorides striatus also at Lake Dipa, and in riverine contexts Pluvianus aegypticus, Scotopelia peli and Cossypha niveicapilla. The park's perhaps best known attraction are the Mursi, known for piercing their lips and inserting disks made of clay. -
NP Omo
InformationSatellite ViewOver 306 species of birds can be seen -
NP Semien Mountains
WebsiteSatellite ViewThe main attraction of the Simien Moumains National Park is its biosphere: the steep cliffs and the cool climate at the altitude of the Erica tree line (3600 to 4000 m ash) have created conditions that are appropriate for the survival of an ibex species (Capra ibex wee) endemic to the Simien Mountains. Despite the severe restriction of their habitat over the last centuries, several hundred animals have survived up to the present. Apart from the Walya ibex, many other animal species are found in the Park, for example the endemic Simien fox or Ethiopian wolf (Canis .071817,51-3 simony’s), several birds of prey, the endemic Gelada baboon ( Theropithecusgelada), the Klippspringer (Oreotragus omotragus), and the bush buck (liagelphus scriptus). The rareness of these species formed the backbone of the concept for conservation of the area, which led to the establishment of the Simien Mountains National Park in 1969, and its listing as a World Heritage Site in 1918. -
WS Mille-Serdo Wildlife Reserve
InformationSatellite ViewMille-Serdo Wildlife Reserve covers an area of 6503 km2. It is located in the Afar Depression, a desert region lying between the Red Sea and the Ethiopian Highlands. It is part of the Ethiopian xeric grasslands and shrublands ecoregion. -
WS Yabelo Wildlife Sanctuary
InformationSatellite ViewYabello Wildlife Sanctuary is home to 210 species of birds. Endemic species of birds found in this protected area include Stresemann's bushcrow and white-tailed swallow. Other birds that live within these areas include Ostriches, Short-tailed Larks, Pringle's puffbacks, Northern Grey Tits, Abyssinian Grosbeak Canary, Vulturine Guineafowls, Somali Sparrow, Black-capped Social Weavers, Donaldson Smith's Nightjars, Star-spotted Nightjars, Grey-headed Social Weavers, and Magpie Starlings
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ebird
SightingseBirding This Year
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Absolute Ethiopia Tours
Local Tour Operator...Experience the reach diversified birds of the bale Mountains with its unique eco-system with in its National Park... -
Awaze Tours
Local Tour OperatorEthiopia is one of the great birding destinations for both the serious and recreational ornithologists. Over 850 species of birds have been documented in Ethiopia. -
BellBird Tours
Tour OperatorDuring our exploratory trip we had no less than 355 species in an action-packed 9 days, without too much hard work. -
BirdQuest
Tour OperatorCLASSIC ETHIOPIA – The ultimate itinerary for endemics and near-endemics on the Roof of Africa -
Birding Africa
Tour OperatorOften called “The Roof of Africa” – Ethiopia is one of the continent’s top birding destinations with unrivaled scenery, unique mammals and fascinating cultures enhance the feeling of outlandishness. -
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 Ethiopia
Local Tour OperatorBirding Ethiopia is a leading company in the field of Ethiopian birding, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. -
Birding Ethiopia Tours
Local Tour OperatorPlan your next birdwatching tour using our experienced and professional birding guides. If you may interested in small, medium or large group size, then Birding Ethiopia Tours (BET) is here for you; and ready to meet your needs. -
Eshi Ethiopia Tours
Local Tour OperatorOur experience allows us to offer our customers a wide range of options made-to-measure to your preferences. We put all our logistic resources to ensure that the stay fit with the expectations of high quality, safety and comfort you deserve. -
Finot Tour Ethiopia
Local Tour OperatorEthiopia is one of the great birding destinations for both the serious and recreational ornithologists. Over 850 species of birds, many extremely beautiful and exotic, reside in Ethiopia. -
Flamingos Tours Ethiopia
Local Tour OperatorRun by a Belgian, living more than 20 years in Ethiopia Birding tours are not much affected by security problems. -
Four Winds
Local 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… -
Gish Abay Ethiopia Tours
Local Tour OperatorThis 14-day birding tour includes a diverse range of species and almost all of the country's endemics. Ethiopia is home to 19 endemic and abundant near-endemic bird species. -
Nature Travel Africa
Tour Operatorirding in Ethiopia offers a bird list of more than 850 species with an amazing 40 endemic or near-endemic and a further 35 globally threatened species. -
NatureTrek
Tour OperatorA 14-day tour in search of Ethiopia's endemic birds, visiting Awash National Park, the Bale Mountains, the Rift Valley Lakes, Wondo Genet, Debre Libanos Gorge and the Solulta Plains. -
Respopnsible Travel
Tour OperatorTravel with a local tour operator on this Ethiopia birdwatching holiday to the Bale Mountain region, recently voted fourth on a list of the best birding sites by the African Bird Club -
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. -
SimienEcoTours
Local Tour OperatorBirding Tour Ethiopia - Discover the Endemic Birds -
The Sustainable Birding Company
Tour OperatorFrom Awash National Park to the iconic Bale Mountains - this trip offers a chance to encounter numerous and region specific birds, along with many endemic species. -
Timeless Ethiopia
Local Tour OperatorIt is said to be an ornithologist’s paradise. 850 species of birds (16 of them are endemic) inhabit to Ethiopia... -
Travelling Naturalist
Tour OperatorEthiopia is home to a stunning array of birds, plants and wildlife, including the endangered Ethiopian wolf and over 800 bird species. -
Tropical Birding Tours
Tour OperatorEthiopia: Birding with the Wolves - Birding Tour
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2017 [01 January] - David Hoddinott - Ethiopian Endemics
PDF ReportThe Horn of Africa is one of the prime birding destinations on the continent. Ethiopia is the mostaccessible country in the region, with a large number of endemics and near-endemics birds, and afew endemic mammals. On this tour, we explored the country from the depths of the Rift Valley tothe highs of the Sanetti Plateau, finding over 500 bird species and 38 mammals. -
2017 [02 February] - David Hoddinott - Ethiopian Endemics
Report PDFOur memorable Ethiopian adventure started off with a wonderful drive south through the Great RiftValley, where we visited a number of impressive and unique lakes each offering a new set of birds. Ourfirst stop was at Lake Cheleleka where upon arriving at dawn, we were greeted by several thousandbugling Common Cranes, what a spectacle! Yellow-billed, White and hundreds of Marabou Storks wereseen in surrounding fields, along with Glossy Ibis, African Spoonbill and an assortment of waders,including Black-tailed Godwit, Temminck’s Stint and Little Ringed Plover. Greater Spotted Eagle,Western Marsh Harrier, Isabelline Shrike, Chestnut-backed Sparrowlark, and Erlanger’s Lark were othernotable sightings here. -
2017 [12 December] - Nik Borrow
PDF ReportEthiopia is a classic sub-Saharan destination with a wide range of habitats and an impressive list of species, including more endemics than almost any other comparable region of Africa. For many years in BirdQuest’s history, the challenge of finding all the endemic Ethiopian birds on a ‘regular’ basis has been one of our main aims -
2018 [11 November] - Nik Borrow
PDF ReportEthiopia is a classic sub-Saharan destination with a wide range of habitats and an impressive list of species, including more endemics than almost any other comparable region of Africa. For many years in BirdQuest’s history, the challenge of finding all the endemic Ethiopian birds on a ‘regular’ basis has been one of our main aims -
2019 [02 February] - Marcus Kohler
PDF Report...An early morning walk around the hotel brought better views of Ruppell’s Robin-Chat, a brief African Grey Woodpecker and Bruce’s Green Pigeon, while we could hear Thrush Nightingales from the neighbouring marsh. We headed off this morning to the famous Blue Nile falls, stopping at a rubbish dump, which was full of raptors: Tawny and Steppe Eagles, distant Egyptian as well as White-backed, and many Hooded vultures; a Cinnamonbreasted Bunting and Carmine Bee-eaters offering brilliant colour in a challenging landscape... -
2019 [04 April] - Michael Mills
PDF Report...Banded Barbet, Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher and Brownrumped Seedeater were seen in our hotel gardens in Addis and Abyssinian Longclaw, Wattled Ibis, Spot-breasted Lapwing, White-collared Pigeon and Blue-winged Goose were found at Sululta Plain, before Rüppell's Black Chat, White-billed Starling, Whitewinged Cliff Chat, Ethiopian Groundscraper Thrush and Ethiopian Blue-breasted Bee-eater was seen at Debre Libanos... -
2019 [10 October] - Andy Bunten
PDF Report...A good breakfast followed and, as our rooms weren’t ready, we decided to go to the National Museum. En route we saw a few Hooded Vultures and some Yellow-billed Kites drifting across the road behind the numerous tall office blocks... -
2019 [11 Novemner] - Nick Borrow
PDF Report...Descending from the heights of Ankober we took in Yellowthroated Seedeaters and Yellow-breasted Barbets on our journey as we dropped down into the lands of the Afar, Issa and Kereyou tribesmen that surround Awash National Park. In these desiccated lands we hunted out Arabian Bustard, Somali Bulbul, Gillett’s Lark, and Nile Valley and Shining Sunbirds. At night we discovered the little-known Star-spotted Nightjar and for mammal enthusiasts we saw Salt’s Dik-dik, Beisa Oryx and Soemmerring’s Gazelle... -
2019 [12 Devember] - Gareth Robbins
PDF Report...We saw a good number of birds along the way such as Red-breasted Wheatear, the huge Thick-billed Raven, Wattle Ibis, Ortolan Buntings, a large flock of Ethiopian Siskins, Thekla’s Larks, Lanner Falcons, Common Kestrel and an Augur Buzzard... -
2020 [12 December] - Michael Widmer
PDF ReportDiary & annotated list -
2022 [12 December] - Mark Beaman
PDF Report...We started off the tour with the usual crawl out of Addis Ababa, but this was to be our only heavy traffic until we returned to city at the end of the main tour. Our first drive took us through typical highland Ethiopian scenery to the town of Debre Birhan, with impromptu stops along the way for our first endemic Blue-headed Geese, White-collared Pigeons and Thick-billed Ravens (wow they are impressive!) and restricted-range Fan-tailed Ravens and Swainson’s Sparrows, plus an unexpected White-headed Vulture among a gathering of Bearded, Hooded, Rüppell’s and Lappetfaced... -
2023 [02 February] - David Hoddinott
PDF Report...Highlights included Temminck’s Stint, Green Sandpiper, Abdim’s Stork, large numbers of Marabou Stork, Goliath Heron, Black Heron hunting, African Fish Eagle, Lilac-breasted Roller, Giant Kingfisher catching a fish and the very localized Northern Masked Weaver as well as several Hippopotamus and Nile Crocodile... -
2023 [06 June] - David Hoddinott
PDF Report...Our first stop was at Lake Cheleleka where we enjoyed great views of Fulvous Whistling Duck, White-backed Duck, Bluebilled Teal, African Yellow Warbler and Yellowcrowned Bishop in full breeding plumage, amongst many species. Next was Lake Bishoftu where we enjoyed tea & coffee whilst watching birds from a splendid overview of the deep crater lake... -
2023 [06 June] - Edward Selfe
ReportI spent a week in Ethiopia’s central area, visiting 3 areas in the Afar and Oromia regions. The purpose of my visit was to see more of this diverse continent and to assess whether Ethiopia is suitable for future photographic tourism trips. -
2024 [01 January] - Julian Parsons
PDF Report...we had the chance to explore the majestic lakes of the Ethiopian Rift, the highland plateaus of Bale Mountain National Park, the scorching arid lowland savannas, breath-taking forests and woodlands, as well as endless grasslands. Despite facing some logistical challenges along the way, the tour was thoroughly enjoyable, and we managed to locate the majority of the special endemics that we had set our sights on. These included Ruspoli's Turaco, Stresemann's Bushcrow, White-tailed Swallow, Moorland Francolin, Rouget’s Rail, Abyssinian Woodpecker, White-billed Starling, Ethiopian Wolf, Gelada Baboon, Sombre Rock Chat, and a near-mythical Masked Lark... -
2024 [11 November] - Rob Williams
PDF Report...We picked out three Black-crowned Cranes in flight. The open water held a few waterfowl including three Knob-billed Ducks, and the margins a variety of waders. A couple of Pallid Harriers and a Western Marsh Harrier quartered the area. Fields held huge numbers of seen-eating birds including African Citril Finches. Nearby trees gave us our first of endemics - Ethiopian Bee-eaters, as well as Black-billed Barbet and Abyssinian White-eyes... -
2024 [12 December] - Rob Williams
PDF Report...Lake Langano. This journey provides an incredible range of bird species, and we recorded 168 during the day. Our first stops near Lake Cheleleka were mind blowing in terms of the number of birds present around this shallow freshwater lake. Hundreds of Marabou Storks, thronged the fields and shores, flocks of wintering Common Cranes flew over and foraged in the fields. We picked out a Black-crowned Crane on a tree and enjoyed fabulous scope views of what was bird of the day for some. Fields held huge numbers of seed-eating birds including African Citril Finches. Nearby trees gave us our first of endemics - Ethiopian Beeeaters, as well as Black-billed Barbet and Abyssinian White-eyes... -
2024 [12 December] - Rob Williams - Lalibela Extension II
PDF Report...A roadside stop on the western shore of Lake Koka gave us great looks at a group of eight Saddle-billed Storks and a good variety of waders and other waterbirds. Along the road we picked up Tawny Eagle, Long-crested Eagle, Dark-chanting Goshawk, amongst others. We stopped for lunch on the shores of Lake Ziway and enjoyed good views of African Pygmy Kingfisher, Red-faced Crombec, African Jacana, Nubian Woodpecker and Ruppell’s Weavers...
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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
Trip AdviserBishangari 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… -
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)…
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Endemic Birds of Ethiopia
WebsiteList with notes and images