DAY 1: Arrival at Addis Ababa

On your arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International airport you will be welcomed by your tour guide from Landmark Ethiopia Tours. Then you will be transferred to your hotel. After a rest and refresh at the hotel, in the afternoon your guide will take you around the highlights of Addis. Founded in 1887 by Emperor Menelik II and Queen Taitu, Addis Ababa is the third highest capital of the world at an altitude of 2300-2500 m. with a pleasant climate. The tour starts with a visit to the National Museum to view a replica of the famous, 3.2 million-year-old fossilized hominid remains known to the rest of the world as “Lucy”. The visit also includes Ethnological Museum at Addis Ababa University, the Holy trinity cathedral and you will enjoy a panoramic view of the capital with fresh air on top of Mount Entoto and end the tour with the bustling Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market. Overnight- Hotel in Addis Ababa.

 

DAY 2: Addis Ababa→Menagesha Suba Forest→ Addis Ababa

In the morning drive to Menagesha forest. Menagesha National forest was the first known subject of an official conservation policy in Africa. Since the 16th century this forest is protected by the government. It is found near to Addis Ababa in the dense forested mountains. This forest is a paradise for birds and different endemic species such as the globally threatened White-winged fluff tail, Yellow-fronted parrot, Abyssinian Woodpecker and Abyssinian catbird. Wildlife is abundant – gureza monkey, the endemic Menelik’s bushbuck, baboon, common duiker, and serval. Late in afternoon drive back to Addis Ababa. Overnight- Hotel in Addis Ababa.

 

DAY 3: Addis Ababa → Jemma Valley

Jemma Valley escarpment (upper Nile valley) is the best place to spot the endemic and range restricted Harwood’s Francolin and many other birds; Egyptian Vulture, White-billed Starling, White-winged cliff chat, sunbird, Abyssinian Woodpecker, Banded Barbet and so much. Overnight- Ethio-German Lodge.

 

DAY 4: Jemma Valley → Debre Berhan → Ankober

Today you drive to Debre Brehan while en route make birding. You will spot Pectoral-patch Cisticola, Eralanger’s Lark. On arrival in Ankober you will spot the rarest and endemic Ankober serine feeding in the highland grass fields and you can spot other birds such as Yellow-crowned Canary, Alpin Swifts, Lammergeyer and Augur Buzzard. Overnight- Ankober Lodge.

 

DAY 5: Ankober

Today you will spend the whole day walking around Ankober escarpment and road to rift valley looking for especially endemic and range restricted to this area the Ankober Serin and other interesting species of birds of prey. Overnight- Ankober Lodge.

 

DAY 6: Ankober → Aliu Amba→ Awash Park

Drive to awash national park via the historical market town Aliu Amba. The Park and its surrounding area are very important for birds; the total number of species recorded now exceeds 460; there is a population of two globally threatened and restricted range species. Overnight- Awash Falls Lodge.

 

DAY 7: Awash Park

Full day excursion in awash park. In the thick acacia forest you will spot Red-winged Lark, Helmeted Guinea fowl, Blue-napped Mouse bird, Kori Bustard, Red-winged Lark, Yellow-billed kite, Yellow-necked Francolin and Grey Hornbill. Overnight- Awash Falls Lodge.

 

DAY 8: Awash Park → Debre Zeit

Drive to Debre Zeit, a town known for its seven creator lakes. These lakes are rich in different bird species and you walk around some of the lakes to spot different aquatic birds. Overnight- Lodge or Hotel In Debre Zeit.

 

DAY 9: Debre Zeit → Addis Ababa & Departure.

Drive back to Addis Ababa. Time for shopping at the souvenir shops. Then in the evening you will have fare well dinner in one of the Ethiopian cultural restaurant with tasty Ethiopian food and cultural dances from the different ethnic groups. Then transfer to the airport for flight back home. The tour ends here.

On your arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International airport you will be welcomed by your tour guide from Landmark Ethiopia Tours. Then you will be transferred to your hotel. After a rest and refresh at the hotel, in the afternoon your guide will take you around the highlights of Addis. Founded in 1887 by Emperor Menelik II and Queen Taitu, Addis Ababa is the third highest capital of the world at an altitude of 2300-2500 m. with a pleasant climate. The tour starts with a visit to the National Museum to view a replica of the famous, 3.2 million-year-old fossilized hominid remains known to the rest of the world as “Lucy”. The visit also includes Ethnological Museum at Addis Ababa University, the Holy trinity cathedral and you will enjoy a panoramic view of the capital with fresh air on top of Mount Entoto and end the tour with the bustling Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market. Overnight- Hotel in Addis Ababa.

In the morning drive to Menagesha forest. Menagesha National forest was the first known subject of an official conservation policy in Africa. Since the 16th century this forest is protected by the government. It is found near to Addis Ababa in the dense forested mountains. This forest is a paradise for birds and different endemic species such as the globally threatened White-winged fluff tail, Yellow-fronted parrot, Abyssinian Woodpecker and Abyssinian catbird. Wildlife is abundant – gureza monkey, the endemic Menelik’s bushbuck, baboon, common duiker, and serval. Late in afternoon drive back to Addis Ababa. Overnight- Hotel in Addis Ababa.

Jemma Valley escarpment (upper Nile valley) is the best place to spot the endemic and range restricted Harwood’s Francolin and many other birds; Egyptian Vulture, White-billed Starling, White-winged cliff chat, sunbird, Abyssinian Woodpecker, Banded Barbet and so much. Overnight- Ethio-German Lodge.

Today you drive to Debre Brehan while en route make birding. You will spot Pectoral-patch Cisticola, Eralanger’s Lark. On arrival in Ankober you will spot the rarest and endemic Ankober serine feeding in the highland grass fields and you can spot other birds such as Yellow-crowned Canary, Alpin Swifts, Lammergeyer and Augur Buzzard. Overnight- Ankober Lodge.

Today you will spend the whole day walking around Ankober escarpment and road to rift valley looking for especially endemic and range restricted to this area the Ankober Serin and other interesting species of birds of prey. Overnight- Ankober Lodge.

Drive to awash national park via the historical market town Aliu Amba. The Park and its surrounding area are very important for birds; the total number of species recorded now exceeds 460; there is a population of two globally threatened and restricted range species. Overnight- Awash Falls Lodge.

Full day excursion in awash park. In the thick acacia forest you will spot Red-winged Lark, Helmeted Guinea fowl, Blue-napped Mouse bird, Kori Bustard, Red-winged Lark, Yellow-billed kite, Yellow-necked Francolin and Grey Hornbill. Overnight- Awash Falls Lodge.

Drive to Debre Zeit, a town known for its seven creator lakes. These lakes are rich in different bird species and you walk around some of the lakes to spot different aquatic birds. Overnight- Lodge or Hotel In Debre Zeit.

Drive back to Addis Ababa. Time for shopping at the souvenir shops. Then in the evening you will have fare well dinner in one of the Ethiopian cultural restaurant with tasty Ethiopian food and cultural dances from the different ethnic groups. Then transfer to the airport for flight back home. The tour ends here.