Birdwatching Tours in Ethiopia

Why Ethiopia for birding?

Ethiopia’s appeal begins with sheer habitat variety: alpine moorlands tumble into lowland bush, Rift-Valley lakes, misty forests, and lush wetlands that together host both resident species and vast numbers of wintering or passage migrants, so there is rewarding birding in every season.

Endemic hotspots abound—Simien Mountains National Park regularly delivers Thick-billed Raven, Spot-breasted Plover, and Wattled Ibis, while Bale Mountains National Park adds high-altitude treasures such as Rouget’s Rail, Abyssinian Catbird, and the dazzling Abyssinian Woodpecker.

Combine this biological richness with clear mountain light, dramatic escarpments, and typically approachable birds, and Ethiopia becomes an unrivalled photographer’s paradise for everyone from first-time birders to seasoned listers chasing once-in-a-lifetime sightings.

Sample itineraries & trip length

For travellers determined to record every possible endemic, our Comprehensive Endemic Quest runs about 18–21 days. You begin north of Addis Ababa at Debre Libanos and the Jemma River Valley, sweep east to Awash National Park, then arc south through the Rift-Valley lakes, Bale Mountains, Harenna Forest, Negele, and the arid plains around Yabello.

By the time you loop back to the capital, sightings often include Blue-winged Goose, Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco, Stresemann’s Bush-crow, and dozens of Rift endemics most birders only dream about.

If time is short, our Classic South-Bound Circuit condenses Ethiopia’s greatest birding hits into 10–12 days. You’ll explore the raptor-rich cliffs of Awash, scan flamingo-lined Rift-Valley lakes, and finish in the Afro-alpine moorlands of Bale Highlands—ideal terrain for Rouget’s Rail, Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill, and wave after wave of Palearctic migrants.

Tailor-made with expert guides

Every Ethiopia birdwatching tour with Sawla Tours is fully customisable. Blend birding with the historic churches of Lalibela, a trek in the Simiens, or a cultural detour through the Omo Valley. Give us advance notice and a trained ornithologist joins your party, turning each walk into a rolling masterclass.