02 Dec 2025 - 13 Dec 2025 (12 days)
USD5,950 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Rockjumper Tour Leader TBC
Pricing notes : *prices are estimated and dates may change*
Tour price (Per person): USD5,950 * GBP4,750 * EUR5,715 * AUD9,162
Single Supplement: USD590 * GBP471 * EUR567 * AUD909
Flight costs: USD350 * GBP279 * EUR336 * AUD539
Join our 12-day Ethiopia tour in December, exploring the unique endemic wildlife and rich ancient cultures of this fascinating country. Begin in Addis Ababa, visiting historical sites and museums, then journey south to Lake Awassa and the Bale Mountains National Park, home to the rare Ethiopian Wolf and Giant Mole-rats. Discover the stunning landscapes of Lake Langano and Awash National Park, where you’ll encounter diverse wildlife including Grevy’s Zebra and Beisa Oryx. Travel north to the Simien Mountains, renowned for its breathtaking scenery and large troops of Gelada Baboons. Conclude your adventure in the medieval city of Gondar, with its impressive castles and historical significance. This tour offers an unparalleled blend of Ethiopia’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Simien Wolf, Gelada, Walia Ibex, Mountain Nyala, Bale Monkey, Menelik’s Bushbuck, Hamadryas Baboon, Aardwolf, Aardvark, Lesser Kudu, Gerenuk, Beisa Oryx, Soemerring’s Gazelle
The tour covers diverse habitats including the urban landscapes of Addis Ababa, the freshwater ecosystem of Lake Awassa, the montane forests and high-altitude moorlands of Goba and the Sanetti Plateau, the riparian woodlands of Lake Langano, the savannas and riverine forests of Awash National Park, and the dramatic highlands and escarpments of Simien Mountains National Park.
In December, the tour will experience a range of climates, from the mild, temperate conditions of Addis Ababa and Gondar, to the cooler, high-altitude climate of the Bale and Simien Mountains, and the warm, tropical climate around Lake Awassa, Lake Langano, and Awash National Park.
8 and 1 Rockjumper Leader
The tour maintains a moderate pace, combining cultural visits and wildlife excursions with ample time for relaxation and photography, allowing for an immersive and enjoyable experience of Ethiopia’s diverse landscapes and rich heritage.
Accommodations range from comfortable city hotels to charming lakeside and rustic mountain lodges, ensuring both comfort and proximity to nature.
Expect abundant photo opportunities with stunning landscapes, unique wildlife, and ancient cultural sites throughout the tour.
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.
Greg de Klerk did a very good job managing the tour, was personable and was highly effective at bird spotting & identification.
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!
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.
"As expected, the accommodations and infrastructure in Ethiopia had their challenges. We find that as we are aging these challenges become more difficult. So our plan for the future is to do trips with higher end lodges, good sanitation and well paved roads. This is no reflection on Rockjumpers just the reality of our now being in our 70's. Time to do some easier trips! Our leader, David Hoddinott, was outstanding. His enthusiasm for the birds of Ethiopia was contagious, his knowledge incredible and his ability to handle all the logistics shows that he is a seasoned leader. Thank you to the entire team at Rockjumpers for another incredible trip. "
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Ethiopia - Endemic Birding III 2022 - November 2022
Ethiopia - Endemic 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
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