04 days bird watching and game viewing in awash national park tour itinerary

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Day 01: Addis Ababa, Debrezeith and Awash 0700hrs after breakfast drive to Debrezeith (Bishoftu) town, which is situated, on the main high way to the eastern and southern parts of Ethiopia. It is famous for its five craters and one seasonal lake with in and around the town. Birds: Three of the lakes in the area have been identified as having large congregation of water birds. Both Great and Long tailed cormorants, Hammercop, African fish eagle, African paradise flycatcher are common at Hora Lake. You will have a chance to do birding at least on two of these lakes. Lunch at any appropriate place continue to Awash National park 100 k.m from Nazareth and 225 k.m from Addis Ababa via Methara town. The 756 square k.m National park is located between Methara and Awash towns, in the semi arid low lands of the Great Rift Valley. The total number of species recorded now exceeds 460, an interesting complement of large land birds; Ostrich, Secretary bird, Kori and Arabian bustards are seen regularly. Seven species of Bustards have been recorded in Awash national park. We will do Afternoon birding and game drive across the Illala Sala plains inside the national park. Expect to see, Kori, Hartlaub’s and Buff-crested bustards, Abyssinian ground Hornbill, Brown snake eagle, Abyssinian roller, Carmine bee eater, Black shouldered kite, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Yellow-necked Spurfowl among the few. Mammals Soemmering’s Gazelle and Beisa Oryx are the most common and easily seen Mammals in this part of the Park. Over night: Kereyu Lodge Day 02: Full day Awash national park 0600hrs after breakfast drive to Awash River, birding the whole morning along the Awash River and waterfalls with a park ranger, a good opportunity to walk inside the park. Expecting to see Senegal Thicknee, woodland kingfisher, Hadada Ibis, blue-napped mousebird, Tropical Boubou, Red and yellow-billed Hornbills among the few. Lunch at Kereyu Lodge. with a great view over the Awash River gorge. After lunch, continue birding at the bush land near the lodge. Expecting to see Rosy patched bush Shrike, Somali Fiscal, Red-backed Shrike, White-rumped Helmet Shrike, Abyssinian Scimitarbill among the few. Continue birding while driving towards the main gate until 0530 hrs. Over night Awash town. Day 03 Fentale Mountain:- After breakfast we will drive to Fentale Mountain with an altitude of 2007 asl, situated some 35 k.m from the main gate. We will walk as high as we could in search of the endemic yellow-throated serin, the near endemic somber rock chat and the other endemic Ethiopian cliff swallow as well as various birds where recorded. To mention some, Yellow-breasted Barbet, Nile Valley Sunbird,White-throated, Little Bee-eaters, Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Ruppell's Weaver, Pale Flycatcher, Chestnut-headed Sparrow lark, Black-cheeked Waxbill, Bush Petronia, Northern White-crowned Shrike and Common Redstart where also been recorded. The immediate acacia forest to the Fentale Mountain is also a great place for Birding. After Fentale site en-route Beseka lake and the surroundings for further exploration of the near endemic Sombre rock chat .and back to our hotel. Today’s highlight bird is the Arabian Bustard, and Hamadryas Baboon which are found north of Awash park at a lower altitudes. The other interesting place to see is the hot springs some 30 k.m. After exploring the northern part of the park re-route towards the main gate and start coming back towards Addis. 200+ BIRDS SPECIES EXPECTING TO SEE.

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