Wildlife Tours
Wildlife Tours Across Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s diverse topography lends itself to huge biodiversity. From vast central highlands intersected by the Rift Valley to the expansive grasslands of Gambella National Park, Ethiopia has some of the highest populations of endemic species anywhere in Africa.
Ethiopia Wildlife Tours, at a glance
Ethiopia is not your typical wildlife destination. Unlike the safari drives and classic safari experiences that might come to mind when you think East Africa, Ethiopia’s wildlife experiences are about rarity, endemism, and biodiversity.
Ethiopia has an incredible number of endemic species, and many of these animals have gone on to iconify the regions in which they live. The bleeding heart monkey in the Simien Mountains, for example, has become the symbol of the region – and the love and respect people have for these animals is an important motivator for their continued conservation
eorts.
Similarly, in the south, the Ethiopian Wolf patrols the Sanetti Plateau of the Bale Mountains. The Ethiopian Wolf is the rarest canid in the world, found only in Ethiopia. Beyond these endemics, you’ll find hippos, crocs, flamingos, warthogs, hyenas, ostrich, monkeys, ibex, and even lions, leopards, bualo, elephant and girae (if you’re lucky).
Monster Crocs in Lake Chamo
Simmering just below the surface, the green-scaled primeval crocodiles have thrived in the lakes of the Rift Valley for centuries. Years of unrestricted, unmoderated growth allowed these prehistoric killing machines to flourish, with reports of many growing up to 19 feet long. Of all the lakes in the valley, they are by far most active in Lake Chamo. The northern shores of the lake fall within Nechisar National Park, known for its large herds of zebra which attract huge groups of crocodiles. There’s a reason this shore is known as the crocodile market.
Bird Watching in Ethiopia
Ethiopia sits along many of the migratory bird routes across Africa, which means at certain times of year, Ethiopia is one of the best bird watching destinations in the world. From tracking down the endemic Harwood Francolin in the Jemma Valley to waiting for flocks of Ankober Seriens to fly up across the white clis overlooking the Danakil Depression, every inch of Ethiopia’s clear blue skies has the potential to surprise.
Some of the best places for birdwatching are the Bale Mountains, the Rift Valley, and Lake Tana – but there are countless others along any itinerary. The Bale Mountains are home to the shy, seldom-seen Abyssinian Long-eared Owl. When spotted, these dazzlingly beautiful birds are usually interweaving between the towering juniper trees. Across Ethiopia’s lakes, flamingos often settle in search of fresh feeding lands. Most commonly seen on Lake Abijatta, they often congregate in the thousands upon these waters, making it one of the few places in the world where they meet in such large numbers.
Hippos in the Rift Valley Lakes
The Rift Valley lakes are a chain of lakes in the East African Rift intersecting most of eastern
Africa. The lakes found here are some of the oldest and deepest in the world, and are integral to the local ecosystems making them great for wildlife viewing. Home to countless species, none are more visible than the grey hippos often seen semisubmerged in water. Poking their Shrek-like ears just above the surface or basking in the everpresent sun, these gentle giants are known to be some of the most active creatures across
the lakes.
Hyenas in Harar
In the ancient walled city of Harar in eastern Ethiopia, humans and hyenas have developed an unusual codependency.
Written records indicate that spotted hyenas have been present in the walled city for at least 500 years, where they sanitised the city by feeding on its organic refuse. Local legends speak of stories involving long, bloody feuds between humans and hyenas, during a harsh famine. Desperate to stop the hungry hyenas raiding the city, a group of elders began to feed the animals a thick, buttery porridge.
The anniversary of this pact is celebrated every year on the Day of Ashura when the hyenas are provided with porridge prepared with pure butter. A prophetical aair, the manner in which the Hyenas approach and eat the porridge dictates the fortunes of the following year. If the bowl is left full, locals often increase their oerings, in an attempt to avert famine or pestilence.
The practice of regularly feeding these animals did not begin until the 1960s, when the first Hyena man began leaving food out for the animals to stop them eating his chickens. Since then, a lineage of men has taken the mantel and often feed the Hyenas, communicating “hyena dialect”, a mixture of English and Oromo
In the Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO site 120 km from Gondar in the Amhara Region, trekkers and wildlife enthusiasts explore dramatic escarpments and Afroalpine meadows. Home to the endemic gelada baboon, with its striking red chest, the rare Walia ibex, and the endangered Ethiopian wolf (only ~50 remain in the park), the Simiens captivate with their biodiversity. Over 180 bird species, including the lammergeyer (bearded vulture), soar above peaks like Ras Dejen (4,550m). Multi-day treks to Imet Gogo or day hikes, best from September to February, offer close wildlife encounters, enriched by Amhara village interactions, showcasing traditional highland life.
Gambella National Park, Ethiopia’s largest at 4,575 km² in the western Gambella Region, hosts Africa’s second-largest mammal migration, with up to 1.2 million white-eared kob crossing its floodplains from March to June. Located 850 km from Addis Ababa, safaris reveal endangered Nubian giraffes, elephants, lions, and cheetahs, while boat trips on the Baro River showcase hippos, Nile crocodiles, and the rare shoebill stork. The Duma Wetland, an Important Bird Area, attracts over 300 bird species, including Egyptian plovers. Best visited during the dry season (November–March), tours include cultural exchanges with Anuak and Nuer communities, known for their distinctive cicatrisation practices.
In the south, Borana National Park (45,366 km²) in the Oromia Region, 570 km from Addis Ababa, offers vast savannas and acacia woodlands teeming with Grevy’s zebras, Swayne’s hartebeest, and ostriches. Over 280 bird species, including endemics like the Ethiopian bushcrow and Prince Ruspoli’s turaco, thrive around the Booqee Sadeen crater lakes, such as El Sod. Safaris and hikes across the park’s five blocks, like Dida-Hara and Sarite, are ideal from November to March, paired with cultural encounters with the Borana Oromo and their Gada system rituals. Chebera Churchura National Park, 460 km southwest of Addis Ababa, is a hidden gem with over 500 African elephants in its Meka Forest. Guided treks reveal Cape buffalo, lions, and 237 bird species, including the wattled ibis, while the Zigina River and Borbo Falls offer scenic hippo sightings. Awash National Park, 225 km east of Addis Ababa, features savanna landscapes and the Awash River Gorge, home to oryx, gazelles, and over 400 bird species, like the Abyssinian roller. Best explored from November to March, Awash offers safaris and hot spring visits, complemented by Afar community interactions. Lake Tana, near Bahir Dar, adds water-based adventures with boat safaris spotting hippos, Nile monitors, and over 200 bird species, like African fish eagles, alongside visits to historic monasteries like Ura Kidane Mihret, blending wildlife with Amhara culture.
