Visiting
Birding tours
There are a number of organised birdwatching tours to Ethiopia including those offered by Birding Africa, Birding Ecotours, Birdquest, Birdwatching Breaks, Jenner Expeditions, Naturetrek, Rockjumper, Sarus Bird Tours, Sunbird, and Tropical Birding.
Guides
Yilma Dellelegn Abebe is an Ethiopian ornithologist and bird guide who has worked with Birdlife Ethiopia (Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society) and has helped produce the IBA book in 1996. Yilma has set up a bird tour operation and can escort visitors in Ethiopia.
e-mail: ornithopia@yahoo.co.uk
mobile: 251-1-9-400636
address: P.O. Box 18112, Addis Ababa, Ethioipia
Sound guides
The only sound guide dedicated to Ethiopia is a cassette published privately by Steve Smith. It has many useful calls, including several of the endemic species. To obtain a copy, contact Steve directly at langtonstevesmith@yahoo.co.uk or write to Steve Smith, 1, Serrells Barn Cottages, Langton Matravers, Swanage, BH19 3HX. The cost is £7 (or Euro or US$ equivalent) including postage and packing.
Trip reports
The following trip reports are available for sale from the African Bird Club online shop.
Ethiopia Trip Report Richard Webb Dec 1995 - Jan 1996 Sections covering travel, health, weather, references, a detailed itinerary, a systematic checklist of 478 species and a site guide for 30 locations.
Ethiopia Trip Report (supplement) Jon Hornbuckle Oct - Nov 1996 31 pages, to complement Richard Webb's report. Logistics, sites, itinerary and systematic list of species seen, including 30 endemics.
Ethiopia: In search of endemic birds Julian Francis & Hadoram Shirihai Sep - Oct 1997 45 pages, 47 excellent colour photographs including endemics. Logistics, travel tips, detailed itinerary and detailed systematic list of species seen, including identification articles for Degodi and Sidamo Larks. This item is now sold out and out of print.
Ethiopia / Eritrea trip report and bird list. MURDOCH, D. (1998) Cambridge, UK. 280 species seen, short but useful update to our other Ethiopia reports, itinerary and systematic list of all birds and mammals seen. Also details of sites in Eritrea.
A report by Mills et al. (1999) is available for free download from Birding Africa.
Logistics
For independent travel in much of Ethiopia, a hired 4x4 vehicle is essential. Most important sites are accessible no other way, although there is an extensive network of internal flights operated by Ethiopian Airlines, as well as local buses. Hired vehicles in Ethiopia typically come with a driver, which is in any event essential since signposts are scarce and in the Amharic alphabet.
Safety
Most of Ethiopia, such as the Rift Valley and highlands, is quite safe. The ongoing simmering conflict with Eritrea in the north, and with Somali separatists in the far south and far east do cause occasional difficulties, and at the best of times great care should be taken in the remote but biologically intriguing Negele - Bogol Manyo area. There have also been recent tribal disturbances in the far west (Gambela area). The situation changes all the time, and up-to-date enquiries are therefore necessary.
Malaria prophylaxis and Hepatitis A inoculation is recommended, and Yellow Fever inoculation is required by law. A water purification kit (ideally a good quality filter such as those manufactured by MSR) is highly recommended, since bottled water is not widely available outside of Addis Ababa. In addition, do not underestimate the danger of being in the sun too long. Ensure you use sun-block and drink plenty of water, and wear a hat. The incidence of Aids is high. Ensure that you take a reasonably-equipped first-aid pack with you including supplies of hypodermic and suturing needles.
See the following 2 websites for the latest safety and travel information: US Travel and UK FCO.
Last page update 23rd February 2008
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