Birds of the Rift Valley, Southern Ethiopia, Negele and Bale Mountains
Grade 2 Available year round for 2 persons
15 days from Adis Ababa, Lodge based and includes the Rift Valley, Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary, Mega, Negelle, Goba and the Bale National Park.
BIRDS OF THE RIFT VALLEY, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA, NEGELE AND BALE MOUNTAINS
Grade 1
Day 1 Arive Addis Ababa, transfer to Wabe Shabelle Hotel. After lnch, drive to Geferssa reservoir, where we can expect to see the Blue Winged goose, the Black Headed Sisken, Abyssinian Long Claw and Wattled Ibis. Return to Addis Ababa early evening.
Day 2 Today we head south for the main Ethiopian Rift. We will be birding along the main road, stopping off at Koka Dam and the Awash river and then at Lake Zway for lunch. After lunch we head down to the lake shore where huge numbers of water birds are congregated. African pygmy Geese, Yellow- billed storks, Collared Pratincoles, Lesser and greater Jacanas, African Jacanas, White Pelicans, Fish Eagles, crowned and common cranes are some of the species to be seen here in impressive numbers. We leave Zwai mid-afternoon, continuing to Lake Langano for and overnight in the Wabe Shebelle Hotel, situated on the shores of the lake.
Day 3 After breakfast we drive a short distance to the Shalla and Abiata National Park (SANP) and passing the tame ostriches at the gate, we first go to Shalla Lake, the deepest in the Ethiopian Rift. Next to the lake are a number of hot springs, some of which are so hot that locals boil maize in them. Then on to Abiata Lake, Ethiopia’s Lake Nakuru, where one can see thousands of both lesser and greater Flamingo’s, African Pochard, Avocet, Gull billed Tern and Pintail. Ruff and a variety of ducks are among other species to be seen. We leave SANP around lunchtime for an hour’s drive to Lake Awassa, a fresh water lake, and check into Wabe Shebelle #1. Lake Awassa is rich in bird life and also has hippos. Boats can be hired on the lake, and the Malakite Kingfisher, Spur-winged Plover, Pygmy geese, endemic Black-winged Lovebirds, Bruce’s green Pigeon, Red-breasted wryneck and Barekfaced Go-away bird are some of the species to be seen. Overnight Wabe Shabelle #1.
Day 4 Full day birding around the shores of the lake, and a trip in to the nearby ‘Black Forest’. Overnight Wabe Shabelle #1.
Day 5 Head south to Yabello, birding en route. In the late afternoon, we head into woodland west of Yabello, in search of the endemic Stresemann’s Bush Crow. Overnight camping.
Day 6 Full day birding (picnic lunch) in the Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary, where we expect to see the White-tailed Swallow, Stresemann’s Bush Cow and if we are lucky, Prince Raspoli’s Turaco. Overnight camping.
Day 7 We drive south to Mega. In the dry, open wodland characteristic of thsi area, we expect to find Golden-breasted Starling, Superb Starling, Lilac Breasted Roller, Helmeted and Vulturine Guinea Fowl. Picnic lnch today and camping around Mega.
Day 8 Morning birding around Mega, then we drive east to Negelle, birding en route. Overnight Tourist Hotel.
Day 9 The habitat around Negelle is similar to Mega, and we will spend the day exploring different localities. Overnight Tourist Hotel.
Day 10 We head off towards Goba, via Dollo Mena. Some kilometres north of Dollo Mena, the landscape change as we start ascending and enter the Harenna forest. We will see different animals along the road and in the forest we expect to see the Golden-backed Woodpecker and White-backed Tit. On our way to Goba, we pass the highest moorland in Africa, the Sanetti Plateau. Here we may see the Watled Crane and the endemic Simien Fox. Overnight Goba Ras.
Day 11 Full day birding in the Bale National Park.
Day 12 Head back to the Rift Valley, via the Park Hq. at Dinsho, with birding stops en route. Overnight Wondo Genet.
Day 13 Full day birding in the forest, with picnic lunch. Wondo Genet lodge has a naturally heated swiming pool - the waters are supposed to have curative properties. Overnight Wonod Genet Lodge.
Day 14 Depart for Addis Ababa, with a stop at Hora Lake (Debre Zeit), arriving back in time for some souvenir shopping. Overnight Wabe Shabelle Hotel.
Day 15 Depart Addis Ababa
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Ethiopia
National Parks
Birdwatching
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