14-Day Ethiopia Photography, Wildlife & Birdwatching

After breakfast, drive southwest from Addis Ababa to Chebera Churchura National Park via Jimma, the historic capital of the former Kaffa province and the birthplace of coffee. Arrive in the late afternoon and enjoy your first game drive in this remote wilderness.

Overnight: Chebera Eco Lodge

Spend the entire day exploring Chebera Churchura National Park, one of Ethiopia’s newest and least disturbed protected areas. The park features diverse habitats, including highland forest, riverine forest, savannah, and bushland. It is home to over 37 species of large mammals and more than 237 bird species, including African elephants, buffalo, hippos, lions, and leopards. Birdwatching highlights include several Ethiopian endemics.

Overnight: Chebera Eco Lodge

Enjoy an early morning game drive before departing for Maze National Park. This park is characterized by open savannah grassland, scattered deciduous trees, and riverine ecosystems. It serves as an important refuge for the endemic Swayne’s Hartebeest, along with many other mammals and bird species.

Overnight: Lodge or camp near Maze National Park

After a morning game drive in Maze National Park, continue south to Mago National Park. Upon arrival, settle into your campsite, which is ideally located for wildlife viewing in the late afternoon and early morning.

Overnight: Fully serviced camping (private cook and camping equipment)

Begin the day with a game drive in Mago National Park, then travel to visit the Mursi community. The Mursi are known for their strong cultural traditions and distinctive adornments. After the visit, continue to Jinka.

Overnight: Nasa Hotel

Drive from Jinka to Turmi, home of the Hamer people. En route, visit the vibrant Key Afer market, where several ethnic groups, including the Hamer, Tsemay, Bena, and Ari, gather in traditional attire. Continue to Turmi and learn about Hamer culture, known for elaborate hairstyles, ornaments, and ceremonial traditions.

Overnight: Emerland Lodge

In the morning, visit Murulle village of the Karo people, one of the smallest ethnic groups in the Omo Valley, famous for their artistic body and face painting, using natural pigments to create symbolic designs. You will also visit Dus village to observe daily life, traditional shelters, and social spaces. In the afternoon, return to Turmi and visit a Hamer village. If available, attend a traditional bull-jumping ceremony, a rite of passage marking a young man’s transition into adulthood.

Overnight: Emerland Lodge

Drive from Turmi to Arba Minch, visiting the Arbore people, known for their jewelry, and the Konso people, famous for their terraced agriculture and stone settlements (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). In the afternoon, enjoy a boat trip on Lake Chamo, renowned for its large populations of hippos and giant crocodiles, as well as abundant birdlife, including African fish eagles and pelicans.

Overnight: Emerland Lodge or similar

After breakfast, drive to Chencha to visit the Dorze people, known for their weaving traditions and distinctive bamboo houses. Continue toward Awassa, stopping to see the painted houses of the Alaba community.

Overnight: Lake View Hotel, Awassa

In the morning, visit the lively fish market at Lake Awassa. Then drive to Bale Mountains National Park. At the park headquarters in Dinsho, explore the grasslands and forests in search of endemic birds and mammals, including Mountain nyala, Menelik’s bushbuck, and various highland bird species. Continue to Goba for the night.

Overnight: NUGOBA Hotel

Depart early for a full-day excursion to the Sanetti Plateau (3,800–4,377 m), traveling along Africa’s highest road. This Afro-alpine landscape features giant lobelias, wide open moorlands, and exceptional birdlife. The area is also home to the rare Ethiopian wolf. Later, descend toward the Harenna Forest, the largest remaining natural forest in Ethiopia, rich in biodiversity and dramatic landscapes.

Overnight: NUGOBA Hotel

After breakfast, drive to Lake Langano in the Rift Valley. Enjoy birdwatching, relax by the lakeside, and take in a beautiful sunset. Lake Langano is safe for swimming and is the perfect place to unwind after the highlands.

Overnight: Sabana Beach Resort

After breakfast, drive back to Addis Ababa, making stops to view the Rift Valley lakes of Langano, Abiyatta, Shalla, and Ziway along the way. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant while savoring Ethiopian cuisine and watching cultural dance performances. Later, transfer to the airport for your international departure.