Village - Ethiopia Itinerary VE009B
VE 009B, 4 days birding, Debre Zeit and Bilen (Awash )
Day 1: We drive south to Debre Zeit, about 50 km from Addis Ababa. There are 5 crater lakes in the area, a dam and a seasonal lake and wetlands. Three of the lakes have large populations of waterbirds.
Our first stop will be at the Chelekleke Wetlands, where we can expect to see: Ferruginous Duck, Little Grebe, Cattle Egret, Lesser Flamingo, Egyptian Goose, Spur Winged Goose, Red-knobbed Coot, Ruff, Pintail, Garganey, Northern Shoveller, Southern Pochard, Pygmy Goose and White-backed Duck. Bishoftu Lake is a crater lake surrounded by very steep and rocky hills. Among the species recorded here: Ferruginous Duck, Lesser Flamingo, Southern Pochard, Northern Shoveler, Nightingale, Ortalan, Ruppell's Griffon Vulture. After lunch we will visit Green Lake, so called because of the blue green algae in the lake, (Maccoa Duck, Cape Teal, Red-billed Duck, possibly White-winged Cliff Chat and Red-breasted Wry Neck). We continue to Nazret for an overnight at the Palace Hotel.
Day 2: We set off after breakfast for our destination, Village Ethiopia's lodge at Bilen, passing Beseka Lake and the Awash National Park, arriving in time for lunch. The species found here are those found in the adjacent Awash Park, see Day 9 of VE 001B for a short list, and we will spend today and Day 3 exploring the different habitats of the area, the plains, cliffs, wetlands and riverine forest by the Awash. Camel trekking can be arranged to some of these sites - one gets a great view from on top of a camel, and can also get closer to birds and wildlife. The Afar communities (with whom there has been consultation as a continuous process about Village Ethiopia's development) provide another focus of interest. A large hot spring near the lodge is a great place to freshen up at the end of the day. o/n Village Ethiopia Bilen. o/n Village Ethiopia, Bilen.
Day 3: Full day birding around Bilen. o/n Village Ethiopia, Bilen.
Day 4: We set off back to Addis Ababa after breakfast, arriving early afternoon. o/n Ghion Hotel.