Village - Ethiopia

VE 011B: 3 days, Bahir Dar, Lake Tana and the Blue Nile Falls

Day 1: Early morning flight to Bahir Dar. Lake Tana is Ethiopia's largest lake, about 68 km wide and 73 km long. Many of the 37 islands in the lake house ancient monasteries and churches, and large colonies of birds. We will be staying at the Tana Hotel, situated on the lake shore, and the following birds have been seen in or near the grounds: open-billed Stork, Sacred Ibis, White-cheeked Turaco, striped King-Fisher, Fish Eagle, Masked Weaver and many different Sunbirds. After lunch in the hotel we will spend the afternoon bird watching around Bahir Dar, at the Blue Nile Bridge, Haile Selassie's palace at Bizeit, towards the airport, around the Michael Church and the shores of Lake Tana. We expect to see a number of aquatic and forest birds: Grey and Goliath Herons, Sacred Ibis, double-toothed Barber, African Grey Pantain Eater, Egyptian Goose, Darters, Cormorants, Terns and Ducks. o/n Tana Hotel.

Day 2: Early morning visit to the Blue Nile Falls, returning to the hotel for lunch. En route we can expect to see Carmine Bee-eater, Grey headed Kingfisher, White-tailed and striped Swallows, White-checked Turaco, Wattled Plover, Long-tailed Pipit, Spotted Eagle Owl (if lucky). After lunch, we will take a boat trip to the Zeghie peninsula, which is known for its 14th century, round, grass-roofed churches and magnificent old paintings. The churches are located inside a thick forest where different species of birds are found. Around the compound of Betremariam Monastery, the endemic Yellow-fronted Parrot and Black-winged Lovebird can be easily seen. From Betremariam to Ura Kidanemeheret, it is a one hour walk through a thick forest, with good bird watching en route. Return to hotel early evening. o/n Tana Hotel.

Day 3: Transfer to the airport for the return flight to Addis Ababa. Here Village Ethiopia's service will end.