Wildlife Explorers 12157 Berlin Tel.: +49(0)30-91683173 info@wildlife-explorers.de Dr. Meyer & Dr. Matauschek GbR Rembrandtstraße 16 Fax.: + 49 (0) 30-23609843 www.wildlife-explorers.de

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Yellow-fronted parrot (Poicephalus flavifrons) (Photo: Volker Sthamer)

!Birdwatching on the roof- top of Africa

23 days birding tour in Ethiopia with Volker Sthamer !!Ethiopia is a paradise for naturalists. Its geographical position and topography has created several different habitats for an incredible number of animal and plant species. For the birdwatcher Ethiopia is a El Dorado. 836 different bird species were recorded in this country of which 596 species are resident all over the year, 176 are palearctic and 48 intra-African migratory birds. 16 species are endemic. During this exclusive birding tour you will be guided by an extremely experienced and enthusiastic german/english speaking specialist for birds. During his 13 years in Ethiopia Volker Sthamer has used every free minute to observe and photograph the feathered fauna of Ethiopia. Currently he is working on a photographic bird guide for Ethiopia and will show you his favorite places for birdwatching. The program is held as flexible as possible and gives you time and the possibility to explore the surroundings on your own from time to time. In the evening you can report and discuss your experiences of the day with like- minded people in a pleasant atmosphere.

St.Nr.: 18/442/00563 – Bankverbindung: Wildlife Explorers – Deutsche Bank – BLZ 100 700 24 – KTO 186461000

Itinerary !1. Day, Addis Ababa:

After arrival at the airport in Addis Ababa transport to the Hotel Beer Garden Inn. Getting to know the group.

!2. Day, Addis- Langano:

Early in the morning we drive southwards following the Ethiopian Rift Valley until Lake Langano. This lake and its surroundings are famous for its very divers avifauna. On the way we will stop at Lake Koka and Lake Ziway to observe wetland birds. Overnight in the Wenie Lodge.

!3. Day, Langano- Hawassa:

Today we leave the Rift Valley and continue our journey to Lake Hawassa. Because of its volcanic origin Lake Hawassa is rich in nutrients creating ideal conditions for a variety of birds. Overnight Hawassa Hotel.

!4. Day, Hawassa:

Today we have plenty of time to observe different birds at Lake Hawassa. At the end of this document you will find a bird species list, which shows common species of the different regions that we will visit. Around the bungalows of the hotel Vervet Monkeys and Guereza Colobus can be seen. Overnight Hawassa Hotel.

!5. Day, Hawassa- Yergalem:

After breakfast we will drive to Yergalem. Beside White Cheeked Turaco (Turaco leucotis), the elusive Lemon Dove (Aplopelia larvata) the Tambourine Dove (Turtur tympanistria) and the Narina Trogon (Apaloderma narina), the endemic Yellow-fronted parrot (Poicephalus flavifrons) and the Abyssinian Oriole (Oriolus monacha) can be seen. Overnight in the Aregash Lodge located within a coffee and fruit plantation.

!6. Day, Yergalem- Bale Mountains:

Drive to Goba in the Bale Mountains. With over 4000m the Bale Mountains are also called the roof-top of Africa. The climate is alpine. The vegetation consists of moor landscapes with Giant Lobelia and Juniper forests or Kosso trees. Several small clear mountain streams run through this spectacular landscape. The National Park is habitat for the Mountain Nyala, the Ethiopian Wolf, Hyraxes, Vervet Monkeys and Menelik’s Bushbock. Overnight in Goba Wabe Shebele Hotel.

!7. Day, Bale Mountains:

Today we have the whole day for birding in Bale. We will drive to the Sanetti Platteau and look for the typical birds of this high altitude region. Overnight in Goba Wabe Shebele Hotel.

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8. Day, Bale- Negele Borena:

In the morning drive to Negele Borena and stop whenever we see something of interest. Around Negele Borena our birding targets will be the Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco (Tauraco ruspolii), the Liben Lark (Heteromirafa sodamoensis) and the Salavadori’s Seedeater (Serinus xantholaemus). Overnight in Turaco Hotel.

!9. Day, Negele Borena:

We have a full day for birding in the Negele Borena region. Aside from the above mentioned endemics several other birds specific for the semi-arid Somali region can be seen. Overnight in Turaco Hotel.

!10. Day, Negele Borena - Yabelo:

Drive to Yabelo via Melka Ghuba/Dawa river. Here we will look for the semi endemic White-winged Dove (Streptopelia reichenowi), the Red-naped Bush-shrike (Laniarius ruficeps) and the Scaly Chatterer (Turdoides aylmeri). The Yabello region is known for its diversity of birds and the two endemics: Stresemann’s Bush-Crow and the White-tailed Swallow. Overnight in Borana Lodge.

!11. + 12. Day, Yabelo:

Two more days of birdwatching in the region Yabelo-Mega.. Beside Stresemann’s Bush-Crow (Zavattariornis stresemanni) and White-tailed Swallow (Hirundo megaensis) there are many other specific bird species for this arid and semi-arid region, to be discovered. Overnight in Borena Lodge.

!13. Day, Yabello - Arba Minch:

We will leave Yabelo and drive direction northwest to Arba Minch. During the trip we will stop at several points of interest and enjoy during the drive the wonderful landscape. Overnight in Paradise Lodge.

!14. Day, Arba Minch:

Today we will have in the morning a boat trip on Lake Chamo where we can observe hippos and allegedly the world’s biggest crocodiles. In the afternoon we will visit the Arba Minch forest. Overnight in Paradise Lodge.

!15. Day, Arba Minch-Addis:

Early in the morning we drive from Arba Minch to Addis Ababa via Hossana. Overnight in Beer Garden Inn Hotel.

!16. Day, Addis Ababa - Bilen:

We will leave Addis early in the morning. At Modjo town we will drive northeast through the Rift Valley. The vegetation gets more harsh and dry and before reaching Metahara we will cross a volcanic landscape. Around the Bilen Lodge gerenuks, Lesser Kudu, dikdiks, warthogs, leopard tortoises are common, sometimes and with luck, lions can be seen. Birdlife is specific for the

northern dry Rift Valley. Somali Ostrich, Arabian Bustard, various Bee Eater species, sunbirds etc. can be found here. Overnight in Animalia Lodge

!17. + 18 Day, Bilen - Awash Park:

After breakfast we will drive to the Awash National Park located 60 km west of Bilen. Here we will stay at the Awash Falls Lodge located in front of the falls of the Awash river. Beisa Oryx, Lesser Kudu, Gunther’s Dikdik, Warthogs, Soemmering’s Gazelle and different primates are the main mammals that can be seen in the park. Birdlife is very divers, most of the specific species for the arid regions of Ethiopia can be found here. During our stay we will have several game drives. Overnight Awash Falls Lodge.

!19. Day, Awash - Addis Ababa:

After breakfast we drive back to Addis for approx. 4 hours. The rest of the day is free time. A typical Ethiopian dinner could be organised in the evening. Overnight in Beer Garden Inn Hotel

!20. Day, Addis Ababa - Debre Libanos:

After leaving Addis we will be driving between 2000 and 3000 meter above sea level. During the trip we will stop for the endemic White-collared Pigeon (Columba albitorques) and the Wattled Ibis (Bostrychia carunculata.) Debre Libanos lies north of Addis at the Jemma river gorge. The Jemma river is one of the tributaries of the Blue Nile and from the lodge we look directly inside the so called ’Ethiopian Grand Canyon’. Highlights at the surroundings of the lodge are the Gelada Baboons, the Lammergeier and 3 endemic bird species: the White-billed Starling (Onychognathus frater), the Rueppell’s Black Chat (Myrmecocichla melaena) and the White-winged Cliff Chat (Thamnolaea semirufa). Overnight in Ethio- German Resort

!21. Day, Debre Libanos – Ankobar via Jemma Valley and Debre Berhan :

We will drive down the Jemma Valley and try to find the endemic Harwoods Francolin (Pternistis harwoodii) and the Red-billed Pytilia (Pytilia lineata). Several eagles and other Raptors can also be seen. Driving up into the highlands we will look for the Abyssinian Longclaw (Macronyx flavicollis) Ankober Serin (Serinus ankoberensis). Overnight in Ankobar Lodge.

!22. Day, Ankobar - Addis Ababa:

During our drive back to Addis we will stop whenever we see something of interest. Overnight in Beer Garden Inn Hotel.

!23. Day, Addis Ababa:

Transportation to Airport

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!!!Wildlife Beside a huge diversity of bird species this tour offers many opportunities to observe reptiles and several mammal species such as Ethiopian Wolf, Mountain Nyala, Menelik’s Bushbock, etc…. A species list of birds sorted by location can be found towards the end of the document.

!National parks & Reserves

!Bale Mountains The Bale Mountains with altitudes above 4000m are also called the roof-top of Africa. The climate is alpine and the vegetation consists of moor landscapes, Giant Lobelia and forests dominated by Juniper and Kosso trees. This very special high altitude habitat is home of the Mountain Nyala, Ethiopian Wolf, Vervet Monkeys, Menelik’s Bushbock, hyraxes, Giant Moles, etc...

Wattled Cranes, Spot-breasted Plover, Ethiopian Cisticola, African Snipe, Chested-naped Francolin and different raptors can easily be observed here.

!Yabelo The Yabelo Sanctuary was created for conservation of Stresemann’s Bush-Crow. Zebras, kudus, gazelles and ostriches also inhabit the area with its typical red soil and termite mounds. Birdlife in this region is very diverse and specific for arid and semi-arid climate zones.

!Nechisar National Park Parts of the Abaya and of the Chamo Lake, the plains between them and the Arba Minch forest belong to Nechisar National Park. Burchell’s Zebra and Grant’s Gazelle can be observed on the plains, however, the access is very limited because of the bad roads.. Hippos are common in Lake Chamo and the worldwide biggest crocodiles of 9m in length are supposed to live in these waters. There is high fish species diversity. Tigerfish, Nile Perch (up to 200 kg), tilapia, barb and catfish can be found here. In the Arba Minch forest and surroundings Bushbock, Kudu, different primates and many birds like White-cheeked Turaco or Narina Trogon can be found.

!Awash Park

Awash National Park is situated two hundred kilometers east of Addis in direction to Djibouti along the Awash River. Acacia trees and grassland dominate the landscape. Hot springs surrounded by palm trees are situated in the northern part of the park. Beside 350 bird species (birds of arid zones) this park is home to Beisa Oryx, Lesser and Greater Kudu, dikdiks, warthogs, leopards, lions and different primates.

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More information More information about Tour guide Volker Sthamer here:

http://ethiobirds.smugmug.com

http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/79213

We recommend the books: Birds of the Horn of Africa by Nigel Redman, John Fanshawe and Terry Stevenson and the Bradt Travel Guide Ethiopia by Philip Briggs.

!Security, health & hygiene

For this tour our general health and security information apply. Country specific information can be found here: http://www.fit-for-travel.de/en/ destinations/ethiopia.thtml

Vaccines: Please clarify if you need a vaccination certificate. German citizens don’t need a vaccination certificate. Travelers should have vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, polio

Snakes are very rare in Ethiopia and can be found mainly below 600 m above sea level.

Malaria is most abundant between August and October in lower altitude regions like Bilen, Awash, Langano and Arba Minch. We recommend to take repellents (Autan, NoBite, etc. with the active ingredient DEET ) as well as a curative medicine like Coartem. You can take prophylaxis, however local doctors do not recommend it as the probability of getting Malaria is very low. We recommend that you consult your personal doctor. We recommend bringing an emergency kit with your personal medicine and pharmaceuticals against gastro- intestinal infections.

Accommodation & food

The hotels and lodges mentioned in the program are pre-booked. Should however for whatever reason it not be possible to stay there we will book accommodations with similar or better standard. Food is on full board basis with exception of Addis Ababa. Lunch can consist of a pick nick box. Two bottles of water per day per person are free of charge.

!Clothes & Equipment

!• Light tropical clothes as well as pullover or jacket for the evenings (Temperature

around 12 °C). For Sanetti plateau (4000m up to -5°C) we recommend a winter jacket.

• Impregnated long-sleeved clothing for the evenings against mosquitos

• Torch and/or head lamp

• Sturdy shoes + flip-flops

• Binocular and camera equipment

• Small bag pack for day trips

• Own personal first-aid kit !Visa

You need a tourist visa and a signed passport valid for 6 month at the time of travel. We recommend to apply for a visa in your country of residence in advance. Waiting time at the airport in Addis Ababa can be quite time consuming and frustrating.

!Dates: 10. Feb. - 05. Mar. 2015 + 22. Nov- 15. Dec. 2015

Price: 4400,- € per person in Twin/DBL bed rooms, SL 480,-€

Participants: from 5 participants

!!Services

. Service included:

- Transportation in 4WD with 3-4 persons + driver per car for the whole route with driver guide

- Whole tour guided by Volker Sthamer

- Hotels in FB (Full Board) except in Addis with TWN / DBL bed rooms

- Entrance fee to the parks and villages

- 2 bottles of water per day

- Government tax

- bird species list

!Service not included:

- International Airfare

- Any meals and drinks in Addis Ababa

- Personal expenses ( like photo, video, and tips)

- Anything not mentioned in the program is not included

- Visa, personal insurance! !Please note: This offer and prices are subject to changes especially in cases of overbooking, increase of fuel prices, natural/political catastrophes/wars, extreme weathers, political crisis and in general in all cases of force majeure or unforeseen circumstances. In case of overbooking we will book accommodation with similar standard.

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SPECIES LIST

Below some bird highlights, specific for the regions that we will visit:

Blue = endemic Ethiopia, Red = endemic Ethiopia & Eritrea, Green = endemic Horn of Africa:

!Rift Valley Lakes:

Von der Decken’s Hornbill, Von der Decken Toko, Tokus deckeni

Red-billed Hornbill, Rotschnabeltoko, Tokus erythrorynchus

Hemprich’s Hornbill, Hemprichtoko, Tokus hemprichii

Silvery-cheecked Hornbill, Silberwangen-Hornvogel, Bicynistis brevis

Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill, Sudanhornrabe, Bucorvus abyssinicus

Greysh Eagle-Owl, Grauuhu, Bubo cinerascens

Banded Barbet, Wellenbartvogel, Lybius undatus

Red Fronted Barbet, Diadembartvogel, Tricholaema diademata

Black-billed Barbet, Purpurmasken-Bartvogel, Lybius guifsobalito

Black-winged Lovebird, Tarantapapagei, Agapornis taranta

Yellow Fronted Parrot, Shoapapagei, Poicephalus flavifrons

Sulphur breasted Bush shrike, Orangebrustwürger, Telephorus sulphureopectus

White crested Helmet-shrike, Brillenwürger, Prionops plumatus

Various ducks and Geese - Verschiedene Gänse und Enten

Various Waders – Verschiedene Watvögel

Various Storks and Ibis – Verschiedene Storche, Ibise und Reiher

Narina Trogon, Narinatrogon, Apaloderma narina

Clapperton’s francolin, Clappertonfrankolin, Pternistis clappertoni

!Hawassa:

Spotted Creeper, Stammsteiger, Salpornis spilonotus

African Pygmy Goose, Afrikanische Zwergente, Nettapus auritus

Double-toothed Barbet, Doppelzahn-Bartvogel, Lybius bidentatus

Allen’s Galinulle, Bronzesultanshuhn, Porphyrio alleni

Purple Swamphen, Purpurhuhn, Porphyrio porphyrio

White backed Duck, Weissrücken-Pfeifganz, Thalassornis leuconotus

Giant Kingfisher, Riesenfischer, Megaceryle maxima

Lesser Jacana, Zwergblatthühnchen, Microparra capensis

Abyssinian Waxbill, Sumpfastrild, Estrilda (paludicola) ochrogaster

Red Throated Wryneck, Rotkehl-Wendehals, Jynx ruficollis

Blue headed Coucal, Mönchskuckuck, Centropus monachus

Thick-billed Raven, Erzrabe, Corvus crassirostris

!Yergalem:

Yellow-fronted Parrot, Shoapapagei, Poicephalus flavifrons

Narina Trogon, Narinatrogon, Apaloderma narina

Tambourine Dove, Tamburintaube, Turtur tympanistria

Lemon Dove, Zimttaube, Aplopelia larvata

Abyssinian Crimsonwing, Salvadori-Astrild, Cryptospiza salvadorii

Green-backed Twinspot, Grüner Tropfenastrild, Mandingoa nitidula

White-cheecked Turaco, Weissohrturako, Tauraco leucotis

Abyssinian Oriole, Mönchspirol, Oriolus monacha

!Bale Mountains:

Wattled Crane, Klunkerkranich, Bugeranus curunculatus

Spot-breasted Plover, Strichelbrustkiebitz, Vanellus menanocephalus

Ethiopian Cisticola, Äthiopien-Cistensänger, Cisticola lugubris

Brown Parisoma, Braun-Meisensänger, Parisoma lugens race: griseiventris

African Snipe, Afrikanische Bekassine, Gallinago nigripennis

Chestnut-naped Francolin, Braunnackenfrankolin, Pternistis castaneicollis

Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher, Habeschdrongoschnäpper, Melaenornis chocolatinus

Various raptors - Verschiedene Greifvögel

Abyssinian Woodpecker, Wacholderspecht, Dendropicus abyssinicus

Abyssinian Catbird , Singtimalie, Parophasma galinieri

White backed Black Tit, Weissrückenmeise, Parus leuconotus

African Hill Babbler, Mönchsbuschdrossling, Pseudoalcippe abyssinica

Rouget’s Rail, Rougetralle, Rougetius rougetii

Red-billed Chough, Alpenkrähe, Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax

!Negele Borena:

Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco, Ruspoliturako, Tauraco ruspolii

Liben Lark, Sidamolerche, Heteromirafra sodamoensis

Salvadori’s Seedeater,Salvadorigirlitz, Serinus xantholaemus

Grey headed Bush-shrike, Graukopfwürger, Malaconotus blanchoti

Somali Courser, Somalirennvogel, Cursorius somalensis

!Melka Ghuba / Dawa river bridge:

Juba Weaver, Gelbrückenweber, Ploceus dichrocephalus

African white–winged Dove, Reichenowtaube, Streptopelia reichenowi

Eastern Chanting Goshawk, Weissbürzel-Singhabicht, Melierax poliopterus

Pygmy Batis, Däumlingsbatis, Batis perkeo

!Yabello:

White-tailed Swallow, Weissschwanzschwalbe, Hirundo megaensis

Stresemann’s Bush-Crow, Zavattarivogel, Zavattariornis stresemanni

White-faced Owl, Nordbüscheleule, Ptilopsis leucotis

African scopes Owl, Afrika Zwergohreule, Otus senegalensis

Pearl-spotted Owl, Perlkautz, Glaucidium perlatum

Somali Crombec, Isabellsylvietta, Sylvietta isabellina

Lesser Striped Swallow, Maidschwalbe, Cecropsis abyssinica

Banded Parisoma, Bandmeisensänger, Parisoma boehmi

Yellow-breasted Apalis, Gelbbrust- Feinsänger, Apalis flavida

Heuglin’s Courser, Bindenrennvogel, Rhinoptilus cinctus

African Harrier-Hawk, Höhlenweihe, Polyboroides typus

Martial Eagle, Kampfadler, Polemaetus bellicosus

Somali short-toed Lark, Benson Lerche, Calandrella somalica

Foxy lark, Fuchslerche, Mirafra alopex

Vulturine Guineafowl, Geierperlhuhn, Acryllium vulturinum

African Orange-breasted Parrot, Rotbauch-Mohrenkof, Poicephalus rufiventris

Rosy-patched Bush-Shrike, Rosenwürger, Rhodophoneus cruentus

Bare-eyed Thrush, Brillendrossel, Turdus tephronotus

Scaly Chatterer, Schuppenbrustdrossling, Turdoides aylmeri

Tiny Cisticola, Dornbusch-Cistensänger, Cisticola nana

Pringle’s Puffback, Zwerg-Schneeballwürger, Dryoscopus pringlii

Red-naped Bush-Shrike, Rotnackenwürger, Laniarius ruficeps

White Crowned Starling, Weissscheitelstar, Spreo albicapillus

Golden-breasted Starling, Königsglanzstar, Lamprotornis regius

Grey-capped Social-Weaver, Marmorspätzling, Pseudonigrita arnaudi

Black-capped Social-weaver, Schwarzkopfspätzling, Pseudonigrita cabanisi

Shelley’s Starling, Shelley Glanzstar, Lamprotornis shellyi

Magpie Starling, Spiegelstar, Speculipastor bicolor

Shelley’s rufous Sparrow, Shelley Sperling, Passer shelleyi

Somali Courser, Somalirennvogel, Cursorius somalensis

!Arba Minch:

Star-spotted Nightjar, Sternnachtschwalbe, Caprimulgus stellatus

Yellow throated Sandgrouse, Gelbkehl-Flughuhn, Pterocles gutturalis

Archer’s Francolin, Archerfrankolin, Scleroptila levaillantoides

Black bellied Bustard, Schwarzbauchtrappe, Lissotis melanogaster

Various Wetlandbirds, Verschiedene Watvögel

Narina Trogon,

!!Bilen and Awash NP:

Arabian Bustrad, Arabertrappe, Ardeotis arabs

Somali Ostrich, Somali Strauss, Struthio molybdophanes

Northern Crombec, Braunbauchsylvieta, Sylvietta brachyura

Spotted Thicknee, Kaptriel, Burhinus capensis

Kori Bustard, Riesentrappe, Ardeotis kori

Madagascar Bee-eater, Madagaskarspint, Merops superciliosus

White-throated Bee-eater, Weisskehlspint, Merops albicollis

Eastern Plantain-eater, Bindenlärmvogel, Crinifer zonurus

Singing Bush Lark, Buschlerche, Mirafra cantillans

Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark, Weisswangenlerche, Eremopterix leucotis

Chestnut-headed Sparrow-Lark, Harlekinlerche, Eremopterix signatus

Abyssinian Roller, Senegalracke, Coracias abyssinicus

Mouse-coloured Penduline-Tit, Graubeutelmeise, Anthoscopus musculus

Yellow-breasted Barbet, Perlenbartvogel, Trachyphonus margaritatus

!Debre Libanos, Debre Berhan and Ankobar:

Blue-winged Goose, Blauflügelgans, Cyanochen cyanoptera

Spot-breasted Lapwing, Strichelbrustkiebitz, Vanellus melanocephalus

White –billed Starling , Weissschnabelstar, Onychognathus albirostris

Rueppel’s Black Chat , Einfarbschmätzer, Myrmecocichla melaena

White-winged Cliff Chat, Spiegelschmätzer, Thammolaea semirufa

Lammergeier, Bartgeier, Gypaetus barbatus

Verreaux’s Eagle, Kaffernadler, Aquila verreauxii

Abyssinian Longclaw, Goldhalspieper, Macronyx flavicolis

Harwood’s Francolin, Harwoodfrankolin , Pternistis harwoodi

Erkel’s Francolin, Erkelfrankolin, Pternistis erkelii

Fox Kestrel, Fuchsfalke, Falco alopex

Ankober Serin, Ankobergirlitz, Serinus ankoberensis

Speckle-fronted Weaver, Schuppenköpfchen, Sporopipes frontalis

Familiar Chat, Rotschwanz, Cercomela familiaris

Thick-billed Raven, Erzrabe, Corvus crassirostris

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