Specialty Tours
The Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela
Our Lalibela tour package can also be added to the end of other tours that go to different parts of the country, such as the Omo Valley. This tour does not always have pre-scheduled departure dates. However, if flights and hotels are available we can guarantee a departure on the dates you request. Please note that Lalibela is included on all of our tours listed under Historic North Tours and many of our Combination Tours.
Birding in Ethiopia: 10 Days / 9 Nights
Day 01 Addis Ababa - Awash National Park
Drive to Awash National Park via the Rift Valley Lake of Bishoftu near Debre Zeit. Take an evening game drive in Awash National Park and visit an area frequented by hyenas.
Day 02 Awash National Park
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 Dikdik, etc.
Overnight Lodge
Day 03 Awash National Park - Lake Langano
Drive to Lake Langano. En route, birding at Lake Ziway, truly a birder's paradise and at Koka Dam. Spot bird species such as; the African Pygmy Goose, Black-billed Woodhoopoe, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Northern Black Tit, Little Weaver, etc.
Overnight Lodge
Day 04 Lake Langano
A full day birding at Lake Langano and Abiyata - Shala National Parks. 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 Lodge
Day 05 Lake Langano -Wondo Genet - Bale Mountains
Drive to the Bale Mountains National Park and meet with park guide. 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 Hotel
Day 06 Bale Mountains National Park
View Simien Red Wolves and other endemic mammals. Spot birds such as Chestnut-naped Francolin, Ground Thrush (of the distinctive, endemic race 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.
Overnight Hotel
Day 07 Bale Mountains National Park - Negeli Borena
Drive to Negeli via Harena Forest. En route look for the Turaco and outstanding Golden-breasted Starling. We will also seek the endemic Sidamo Lark and the Somali Short-toed Lark and possibly Heuglin’s Bustard on the Negele Plains. The Sidamo lark is quite secretive and like many Ethiopian endemics inhabits a very small area.
Overnight Hotel
Day 08 Negeli Borena - Yabello Borena
Search for the endemic White-tailed Swallow and Stresemann’s Bushcrow. You should spot the Swallow threading its way through the termite chimneys and groups of Bushcrows in the thorn bushes. For the entire day explore the Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary and Reserve; species to look for include: Somalian Ostrich, Secretary Bird, Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture, Martial Eagle, Grasshopper Buzzard, African Pygmy Falcon, Vulturine Guineafowl, Kori Bustard, Donaldson-Smith’s Nightjar, Star- spotted Nightjar, Yellow-billed Hornbill, Lilac-breasted Roller, Rufous- crowned Roller, D’Arnaud’s Barbet, Red and Yellow Barbet, Short- tailed Lark, Northern Grey Tit, Shelley’s and White-crowned Starlings, Abyssinian Grosbeak Canary, Somali Sparrow, Black-capped Social Weaver, Grey-headed Silverbill, Taita Fiscal, and Somali Golden- breasted Bunting. Other possibilities include: Coqui Francolin, Somali Courser, African Bare-eyed Thrush, Little Spotted Woodpecker, Pringle’s Puffback, Little Tawny Pipit, Fawn-coloured Lark. Mammals that inhabit the park include: Burchell’s Zebra, Aardvark, Grant’s Gazelle, Thompson’s Gazelle, and Lesser-spotted Genet.
Overnight Hotel
Day 09 Yabello Borena - Hawassa
En route to Hawassa spot numerous species: Silvery-Cheeked Hornbill, Abysinnian Ground Hornbill, Roget's Rail, Marabou Stork, Black and White Egrets, African Pygmy Goose, Spur-winged Goose, Swallows, Ibis, African Fish Egret, Woodland Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, etc.
Overnight Hotel
Day 10 Hawassa - Addis Ababa/h2>
Drive back to Addis Ababa with stops for Birding on the way at Rift Valley Lakes. Lake Ziway, famous for birding, has impressive numbers of water birds, African Pygmy Geese, Yellow-Billed Storks, Collared Pratincole, Lesser Jacana, Africa Jacana, White Pelicans, Fish Eagles and Crowned and common cranes. In the evening, 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 needed.
Overnight Hotel
Run Africa's Greatest Road Race! (every November)
Let AFRICAN TREASURE Tours take care of all your race logistics. We will take care of your registration, meet you at the airport, book your hotel, transport you to and from the start/finish line and much more. Extend your stay after the race and explore the heartland of Ethiopia’s great running heritage.
Every year in November, thousands of runners swell the streets of Addis Ababa for a fantastic celebration of Ethiopia’s national sport. The Great Ethiopian Run, Africa’s largest, is open to runners of all abilities, ages, and nationalities.
Private Custom Tours
Private & Custom Tours
Nearly all of our tour itineraries may be customized according to your interest and schedule. In most cases these will need to be private tours unless we have other clients requesting the same adjustments to an itinerary.
Custom Group Tours
A TOUR AS UNIQUE AS YOUR GROUP
For alumni associations, church groups, etc. we are pleased to offer special group rates for customized tours that suit your interest. References from international tour operators and travel agents available upon request.
