3-Day Rift Valley Lakes Birdwatching & Nature Tour

Begin your journey with a scenic three-hour drive south from Addis Ababa through the beautiful Great Rift Valley to the lakeside town of Ziway. After lunch, enjoy birdwatching along the marshes of Lake Ziway before taking a boat cruise to Tulu Simbero (Bird Island), an important nesting site for many resident and migratory bird species. You will also have the opportunity to observe local fishermen using traditional reed boats. Continue to Debre Sina Monastery (Mount Sinai), where a short walk leads to the historic monastery, home to ancient religious manuscripts, relics, and centuries-old traditions. Explore the island's fascinating cave system, once used as a refuge by hermits and local communities, and enjoy birdwatching in the island's rare natural forest. Later, visit Wamecha Community Forest, where a short hike rewards you with spectacular panoramic views of Lake Ziway and the surrounding Rift Valley landscape. Return to Ziway for dinner and an overnight stay.

After breakfast, drive to Abijatta-Shalla National Park, one of Ethiopia's premier birdwatching destinations. Explore the park's lakes, grasslands, and acacia woodlands, home to thousands of Greater and Lesser Flamingos, pelicans, storks, ostriches, and numerous other bird species. Learn about the local communities and the park's unique ecosystem. In the afternoon, continue to Hawassa. Upon arrival, enjoy a relaxing walk along the shores of Lake Hawassa, where you can admire the sunset and observe waterbirds and African Fish Eagles

Start the day with a visit to Hawassa's famous fish market, where local fishermen bring in their daily catch and large birds gather along the waterfront. Take a boat excursion on Lake Hawassa, offering excellent opportunities to spot hippopotamuses and a variety of aquatic birds. Drive back to Addis Ababa, stopping at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tiya, renowned for its mysterious carved stone stelae. Continue to Melka Kunture, one of East Africa's most important prehistoric archaeological sites, and visit its museum to learn about the early human history of the Great Rift Valley. Arrive in Addis Ababa in the late afternoon, marking the end of your memorable journey.