In February 2020, I traveled to Ethiopia with Oryx Photo Tours, with the main goal to photograph unique endemic wildlife of the highland areas. The trip focused on finding and photographing Ethiopian Wolves and Mountain Nyalas in the Bale Mountains region in Southern Ethiopia, and Geladas (Baboon-like monkeys) and Walia Ibex in the Simien Mountains in the north. It was a fantastic trip, and we were fortunate to get great looks at all the target animals plus many others, as well as beautiful scenery, and exciting birds, which of course is of great interest to me!
After the Oryx section, I had a few extra days on my own for birding, wildlife viewing, and photography in Awash National Park and Aledeghi Wildlife Reserve east of Addis Ababa, and Kafta Sheraro National Park, in the far northwest part of the country, near Eritrea and Sudan. My main target in Awash and Aledeghi was to see the giant Kori Bustard or Arabian Bustard stalking the grasslands and providing transport on it's back for Carmine Bee-eaters, which feast on insects scared up by the Bustard's steps. In Kafta Sheraro, my main goal was the see the last few days of masses of Demoiselle Cranes as they gather on the Setit River, preparing to migrate north. Again, I was fortunate to see all of these desired sights!
Also so very fortunate to be able to do this great trip just before the global COVID-19 pandemic overwhelmed the world and shut down non-essential travel such as photographic trips. Very thankful.
After the Oryx section, I had a few extra days on my own for birding, wildlife viewing, and photography in Awash National Park and Aledeghi Wildlife Reserve east of Addis Ababa, and Kafta Sheraro National Park, in the far northwest part of the country, near Eritrea and Sudan. My main target in Awash and Aledeghi was to see the giant Kori Bustard or Arabian Bustard stalking the grasslands and providing transport on it's back for Carmine Bee-eaters, which feast on insects scared up by the Bustard's steps. In Kafta Sheraro, my main goal was the see the last few days of masses of Demoiselle Cranes as they gather on the Setit River, preparing to migrate north. Again, I was fortunate to see all of these desired sights!
Also so very fortunate to be able to do this great trip just before the global COVID-19 pandemic overwhelmed the world and shut down non-essential travel such as photographic trips. Very thankful.
