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Ethiopia
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Join Callan Cohen for a remarkable journey across the 'Roof of Africa', from Ethiopia's Rift Valley lakes to the Bale Mountains, and south to Yabello. Rich in endemics, from Rouget's Rail and Stresemann's Bush Crow to Mountain Nyala and the enigmatic Simien Wolf.Ethiopia, ancient Abyssinia, the axis of Africa... here the earliest known ancestors of man wandered in distant millennia. Still surviving in its remote mountains are creatures seemingly forgotten by time - animals like the long-legged Simien Wolf, being neither fox, jackal nor wolf but something of each. Set against a backdrop of the most stunning scenery in all Africa, the unique avifauna includes many surprises too. From the familiar Chough, here in its sole lonely outpost in the whole of sub-Saharan Africa, to the puzzling Stresemann's Bush Crow, a sociable, Starling-like corvid that's also one of nearly 30 species of bird found only in Ethiopia - most of which we should see on this exciting tour! It's a trip that begins in fine style, as we seek our first endemic birds - Wattled Ibis, Blue-winged Goose and the monstrous Thick-billed Raven - when we have barely left the capital, Addis Ababa. It's from Addis that we visit the ancient monastery of Debre Libanos. Perched on the brink of a spectacular gorge overlooking a tributary of the Blue Nile, here we'll watch for Banded Barbet, Rüppell's Chat and an array of other endemics, while the plains hold flocks of White-collared Pigeons. The giant male Gelada Baboons almost resemble lions, baring their long canines in regular scuffles while their long, golden manes blow in the alpine breeze. Heading south, we travel down the Great African Rift Valley to explore the bird-rich lakes of Langano and Awassa, before arriving at the remote southern town of Yabello - home to two of Ethiopia's most sought-after endemics: White-tailed Swallow and Stresemann's Bush Crow. We start back north and climb high into the Bale Mountains, watching for Rouget's Rail and searching the lush Hypericum forests for the mysterious Abyssinian Catbird. Emerging on to the weird, tundra-like landscape of the Sennati Plateau - 4000m above sea-level - we enter the other-worldly domain of Spot-breasted Plover and the rare Simien Wolf. We finish at luxurious Bishangari Lodge, beautifully situated amongst the woodlands at Lake Langano, seeking Green Twinspot and the endemic Yellow-fronted Parrot. We've chosen to spend more time in the highlands on this wonderful tour, to focus on Ethiopia's special birds and mammals (and so are not visiting lowland Awash National Park, which offers many general East African species). Travel with us to the 'Roof of Africa' and experience a truly remarkable country that is still one of the world's great treasure-houses of wildlife, scenery and history. This will be Callan's fourth visit to Ethiopia. |
© Callan Cohen
Guereza Colobus
Prices:
The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of return scheduled flights London-Addis Ababa, all accommodation, meals, ground transport, entrance fees, tips for baggage handling and meal service, airport taxes, bird and mammals checklist, map and services of the leaders.
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Travel: Ethiopia is a vast country in which we will cover only the central and southern regions. Our carefully planned itinerary maximizes the overall number of birds possible, with a good chance of seeing most of Ethiopia's endemic birds. We'll have some unavoidably long drives in a large and comfortable bus or 4WD vehicles if necessary, with frequent stops for birding. We'll also have some early departures in order to reach birding areas at a time of day when the key specialities will be most active and visible, planning to return to our hotel in time for a rest later in the day where appropriate.
Accommodation will be in twin-bedded and single rooms at the best available hotels and chalet-style complexes. They are somewhat basic by western standards, but clean and comfortable with private bathrooms (we avoid the really basic accommodation on this tour that has in the past made Ethiopia somewhat notorious). Meals: All included in the price. Food is mostly western in content, including soups, chicken, meat, fish, rice and pasta (spaghetti being a common first course). While there are not a great number of choices for vegetarians, generally pasta, rice, soups and omelettes are available. Some lunches will be picnics. Meals All included in the price. Food is mostly western in content, including soups, chicken, meat, fish, rice and pasta (spaghetti being a common first course). While there are not a great number of choices for vegetarians, generally pasta, rice, soups and omelettes are available. Some lunches will be picnics in the field. Walking Short walks over easy to moderate terrain. The going is mainly easy, but moderate due to altitude in the Bale Mountains. Stout walking shoes or lightweight boots advised.
Click here for a full, printable itinerary |
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