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.

To find some of Ethiopia’s most sought after endemics such as the fabled Ruspoli’s Turaco and enigmatic Stresemann’s Bush Crow, we will venture to remote corners of this ancient land. In these significantly drier habitats of southern Ethiopia, we will be searching for birds unique to this region including White-tailed Swallow, White-winged Collared Dove and Red-naped Bushshrike.

Tour Facts

Top Birds

Ruspoli's & White-cheeked Turacos; Stresemann's Bush Crow; Spot-breasted Lapwing; Blue-winged Goose; Rouget’s Rail; Wattled Ibis; Ankober Serin; Yellow-throated, Yellow-rumped, Brown-rumped & Salvadori's Seedeaters; Ethiopian Siskin; Yellow-fronted Parrot; Black-winged Lovebird; Erkel's, Clapperton's, Chestnut-fronted & Harwood's Spurfowls; White-backed Black Tit; Abyssinian Woodpecker; Donaldson-Smith's & Star-spotted Nightjars; White-tailed Swallow; Gillett's, Blanford's & Somali Short-toed Larks; White-winged Collared Dove; White-collared Pigeon; Nile Valley & Black-bellied Sunbirds; Arabian & Hartlaub's Bustards; Golden-breasted, White-crowned & White-billed Starlings; Red-naped Bushshrike; Black-billed Wood Hoopoe; Banded Barbet; Abyssinian Woodpecker; Ethiopian Oriole; Somali Crow; Thick-billed Raven; Somali & Dodson's Bulbuls; Somali Crombec; Boran & Ethiopian Cisticolas; White-rumped Babbler; Abyssinian Catbird; Montane White-eye; Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher; Rüppell's Robin-Chat; White-winged Cliff Chat; Moorland Chat; Rüppell's Black Chat; Sombre Rock Chat; Swainson's Sparrow; Red-billed Pytilia; Abyssinian Waxbill; Abyssinian Longclaw.

Top Mammals

Ethiopian & Golden Wolves; Gelada, Olive & Hamadryas Baboons; Grivet & Bale Monkeys; Guereza; Mountain Nyala; Giant Mole Rat; Serval; Guenther's & Salt's Dikdik; Gerenuk; Lesser Kudu; Beisa Oryx; Soemmering's & Grant's Gazelles; Abyssinian Hare; Gambian Sun Squirrel; Unstriped Ground Squirrel; Somali Dwarf Mongoose; Spotted Hyaena; Common Hippopotamus.

Habitats Covered

montane forest, Afro-alpine moorland, Acacia savanna, Rift Valley lakes, semi-desert

Expected Climate

temperate in highlands, hot and dry in lowlands

Max Group Size

8 with 1 Rockjumper leader

Tour Pace & Walking

moderate pace, mostly undemanding walks

Accommodation

comfortable to basic hotels

Ease of Birding

not challenging

Number of Species Expected

475-500

Other Attractions

spectacular montane scenery, interesting ancient farming methods

Photographic Opportunities

excellent

What our clients say about us

AW, Ethiopia 2018

The guide, Greg de Klerk, did a good job. He was well informed regarding the participants and tried hard to accommodate everyone's needs. He made a good effort to inform us daily as to what birds we might see, which was very helpful.

LF, Ethiopia 2018

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.

RG, Ethiopia 2018 - Tailormade

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.

DB, Ethiopia 2023

This tour was designed to see endemic birds during the summer with full breeding plumage. The pace was fast and called for extensive time in vehicles racing from site to site to get the birds. This was great for getting birds but tough on the participants, if they expected time to relax. I enjoyed the birds but not the time riding in cars. The number of species seen was astounding and the birds were great. Knowing that accommodations would be "basic" was realistic but still tough at times. Fortunately, our group did well together and this helped compensate for the facilities at times. I reached my goal for birds and I hope to enjoy trips again in the future.

CS, Ethiopia 2023

Just a few comments on the recent Ethiopia Summer Highland Endemics tour guided by David Hodinott. First, I want to commend David on his skills as a leader and guide. His logistic and organizational skills are first-class and his knowledge of the bird life in Ethiopia matchless. His interpersonal skills with the group kept people on time, focused and successful in getting good looks at most species and great looks at many. That was his challenging task and he accomplished it with passion and patience, two qualities that are often difficult to combine.

Ethiopia - Lalibela Extension I 2024 - January 2024

Ethiopia - Endemic Birding I 2024 - January 2024

Ethiopia - Endemic Birding II 2023 - November 2023

Ethiopia - Summer Endemics 2023 - June 2023

Ethiopia - Endemic Birding (Small Group) 2023 - February 2023

Ethiopia - Brewer 2023 - January 2023

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

Ethiopia - Endemics Birding I 2017 - January 2017

Ethiopia - Zarate 2017 - January 2017

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