Ethiopia's Rare Mammals

Ethiopia is a fascinating, beautiful and welcoming country.  The climate is warm and comfortable all year round and the country supports a large number of endemic birds and mammals. There are not the huge numbers of large predators and game to be found here as in other parts of Africa, but the species that do live here are cleverly adapted to their unique surroundings and very special indeed.

The highlights of this tour will undoubtedly be the wonderful long-haired Gelada Baboons with their red 'hearts', the beautifully coloured Ethiopian Wolf and the strange but endearing Giant Root Rat (Mole Rat)! All of these, and several other mammals, are found nowhere else but Ethiopia. Ethiopia’s scenery is also stunning, with masses of lakes surrounded by mountainous peaks, dusty valleys dotted with acacia trees and pretty little thatched huts in well-kept villages. The people of this country are friendly and welcoming hosts, with proud traditions. As the only African country to have escaped European colonialism, Ethiopia retains a rich culture and boasts a fascinating history, providing an interesting backdrop to a week of viewing many of the country's endemic mammal species along with some enjoyable birdwatching.

After an overnight flight to Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, we begin with a 2-night stay in Awash National Park where we will be hoping to find mammals including Beisa Oryx, Lesser Kudu, Defassa Waterbuck, Salt’s Dik-dik and Olive Baboons. The birdlife here too is exceptional, and includes Buff-crested, White-bellied, Kori, and even Arabian Bustards, Lichtenstein's and Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Rosy-patched and other shrikes, plus many species of hornbills, weavers, woodpeckers, vultures, doves, pigeons, guineafowl, glossy starlings, parrots, bee-eaters, barbets, mousebirds and finches, to name but a few!

Next, we drive south through the Rift Valley, past Lakes Koka and Zwai, and spend the afternoon in the Abiata-Shala Lakes National Park where we should see Bright’s Gazelles, before overnighting on the shores of Lake Langano. Then, from here, we embark on the scenic drive to the Bale Mountains National Park, with the scenery gradually becoming more spectacular as we approach. Magnificent forests cling to the sides of deep valleys and high peaks, rocky outcrops, pinnacles and ridges pierce horizons, and moorlands, grasslands and peaty pools sit in plains and hollows.

Entering the park we hope to encounter the first of the region's mammals including the endemic Mountain Nyala (a magnificent antelope unique to these hills), Common Duiker, Bohor Reedbuck, Menelik's Bushbuck and Warthog, all of which may be seen along the forest margins. The beautiful Ethiopian Wolf roams the park in small groups and is regularly seen, whilst Klippspringers, the endemic Stark’s Hare, Rock Hyrax, the peculiar endemic Giant Root Rat (Mole Rat) and the verminous but characterful Grass Rats and Swamp Rats are to be added to those species already mentioned.  Amongst an interesting collection of upland birds we are likely to see 11 of Ethiopia's 29 endemics: Blue-winged Goose, Rouget's Rail, Spot-breasted Plover, White-collared Pigeon, Black-winged Lovebird, Golden-backed Woodpecker, Abyssinian Longclaw, Abyssinian Catbird, White-backed Tit, Black-headed Siskin and Thick-billed Raven!

Retracing our steps back to the Rift Valley, and returning northwards, this time stay at Lake Hawassa, a beautiful freshwater lake, set amongst hills and a luxuriant vegetation, quite unlike the alkaline lakes to the north. Amongst the lilies and great reedbeds that encompass the lake we may be lucky enough to see Hippopotamus, an elusive animal in Ethiopia!  We will also encounter numerous waterbirds, including Black, Goliath and other herons, the ugly Marabou Stork, Hamerkops, Hadada Ibis, a variety of egrets, dainty African Pygmy Geese, Fulvous and White-faced Whistling Ducks, Knob-billed Duck, Black Crakes, African Jacanas, and both Pied and Malachite Kingfishers.  Nearby, in the mature acacia woodland beside the lake, we will look for Eastern Black-and-white Colobus Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys and Menelik’s Bushbuck.

Returning to Addis, for our final day in Ethiopia we make a day trip to the Debre Libanos Gorge, stopping on the way at the Soluta Plains, a region of grassy uplands and small pools with a fine complement of birdlife.  Reaching the gorge, our main goal here is to look for the splendid Gelada Baboon, found in no other part of the world, often seen here in large troops. These magnificent animals will be a highlight of the tour for many people and we will spend some time watching the social interactions amongst the group. The adult males are especially impressive with their long flowing manes of hair streaked with blond highlights and their red 'bleeding heart'.

Finally, we must return to Addis, to enjoy a final farewell dinner ahead of check-in for our flight back to the UK which departs in the early hours of the morning.