Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Addis Ababa by Air
Arrive Addis upon evening arrival in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, members on the group flight are greeted with the traditional Ethiopian hospitality at the airport and transferred to the hotel.
Day 2: Zuqala Lake by Surface
We drive south to Debre Zeit, about 50 km from Addis Ababa. There are 5 crater lakes in the area, a dam and a seasonal lake and wetlands. Three of the lakes have large populations of waterbirds. Our first stop will be at the Chelekleke Wetlands, where we can expect to see: Ferruginous Duck, Little Grebe, Cattle Egret, Lesser Flamingo, Egyptian Goose, Spur Winged Goose, Red-knobbed Coot, Ruff, Pintail, Garganey, Northern Shoveller, Southern Pochard, Pygmy Goose and White-backed Duck.
Bishoftu Lake is a crater lake surrounded by very steep and rocky hills. Among the species recorded here: Ferruginous Duck, Lesser Flamingo, Southern Pochard, Northern Shoveler, Nightingale, Ortalan, Ruppell's Griffon Vulture. After lunch we will visit Green Lake, so called because of the blue green algae in the lake, (Maccoa Duck, Cape Teal, Red-billed Duck, possibly White-winged Cliff Chat and Red-breasted Wry Neck).
Day 3: Awash National Park by Surface
We set off after breakfast for our destination, lodge at Bilen, passing Beseka Lake and the Awash National Park, arriving in time for lunch. The species found here are those found in the adjacent Awash Park, see Day 9 of VE 001B for a short list, and we will spend today and Day 3 exploring the different habitats of the area, the plains, cliffs, wetlands and riverine forest by the Awash.
Camel trekking can be arranged to some of these sites - one gets a great view from on top of a camel, and can also get closer to birds and wildlife. The Afar communities (with whom there has been consultation as a continuous process about Village Ethiopia's development) provide another focus of interest. A large hot spring near the lodge is a great place to freshen up at the end of the day.
Day 4: Awash National Park by Surface
Full day birding around Bilen and Awash Park.
Day 5: Addis Ababa by Surface
Drive back to Addis Ababa after breakfast, arriving early afternoon. o/n Ghion Hotel.
Day 6: Addis Ababa by Surface
Addis Ababa is located at 2,500 meters above sea level at the footstep of the highest parts of series of Mountain chain. Addis is also the seat of African Union (AU) and many International offices and over 100 Embassies. It enjoys an excellent climate all year round; with an average temperature of 16°C. Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with wide avenues of jacarandas, interesting museums and one of the largest open-air markets in Africa, known as the Merkato.
After early breakfast we will visit the National Museum (a multi-collections representing Ethiopia's past and present image). Among the famous exhibits, the 3.5 million year old skeleton of 'Lucy' is worth visiting. We will also visit the Ethiopian Studies Institute Ethnological museum for its extraordinarily collection of the priceless and varied ethnic medley. Then we continue driving up to the mount (over 3000 meters) Entoto, the first seat of Emperor Menelik II before he established Addis Ababa as the capital of Ethiopia in 1886.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to visit Trinity Cathedral and Merkato. Along our way we will have the chance to see avenues, squares, obelisks and many places of interests and shopping. Early evening, we will take you for a coffee at Sheraton Hotel and will provide you our gift (1 KG/ 2 Pound organic coffee) and an antique Ethiopian Item as our appreciation for touring with us, Fest Ethiopia Travel & Tour. Late at night transfer to the Bole International Airport and depart for home.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Prices are matter to change.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Ethiopia
Hiking & Trekking
Cultural Journey
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