Thursday, April 2, 2009 - Birding holiday to Ethiopia

In November 2008 we had a fabulous birding tour to Ethiopia. We visited the famus Rift Valley lakes, Bale Mountains National Park, two importanst sites in the south: Negele and Yabello, as well as the Central Highlands including Jemmu Gorge and Ankober.

We recorded 445 species of birds including 15 endemic and 11 near endemic birds. We had great views of Prince Ruspoli's Turaco, Yellow-fronted Parrot, Sidamo Lark, White-tailed Swallow and Stresemann's Bush-crow among many others.

Mammals were also well represented during the tour. We enjoyed a hunting Ethiopian Wolf for quite some time, we had close views of a troop of Gelada Baboons and even encountered a Spotted Hyena at Wondo Genet.

Below you can enjoy some pictures of endemic birds seen. Others will soon follow.

Yellow-fronted Parrot

Spot-breasted Lapwing


Prince Ruspoli's Turaco


White-tailed Swallow