Bird Watching Tour

Eritrea is a natural habitat both for species that inhabit highland areas and coastal and marine areas. It can also be called a bird watcher’s paradise. Eritrea offers a wide variety of birds over a relatively small land area. Three eagerly sought endemics are the Blue Winged Goose; Rouge’s Rail and the Abyssinian Long claw, found in Africa’s semi arid scrub lands and deserts to evergreen forests.

Filfil valley, about 20 Kms outside Asmara surrounded by Mount Mog’o, Mount Sabur and Mount Medhanit with its spectacular views is also home to the raucous crowing of Erckels, Francolins as well as clapper ton’s francolin. One could also get a glimpse of the White-cheeked Tura co. On the Mount sabur, the most prominent aboreal species include Bruce’s Green pigeon, Black Headed forest Oriole, Tacazze Sunbird, and Somali Chestnut Winged Starling, and many more.

It is a rewarding experience for any avid bird watcher, both inland and across Massawa coastal area.

Birds to look out for include the Red-Billed Tropic Bird, sooty Gull, Somali Ostrich, Swift Term yellow-Billed stock, lesser Crested Tern, Lammergeier, white-Colllared kingfisher, Egyptian Vulture, Olive Bee-Eater, Augur Buzzard, Abyssinian Roller, fox Kestrel, Hoopoe, Sooty falcon, Black Bush Robin, Lanner Falcon, Black-Tailed Rock-Chat, Tufted Guinea Fowl, Nile Valley Sunbird, Corncrake, Rupp ell’s Weaver, crab plover, Cretsczmar’s Bunting, and Terek sandpiper

Day 01: Arrival

Arrive at Asmara International airport and transfer to Hotel. Overnight in Asmara.

Day 02: Asmara Massawa via Green belt Filfl

Filfil valley, about 20 Kms outside Asmara surrounded by Mount Mog’o, Mount Sabur and Mount Medhanit with its spectacular views is also home to the raucous crowing of Erckels, Francolins as well as clapper ton’s francolin. One could also get a glimpse of the White-cheeked Tura co. On the Mount sabur, the most prominent aboreal species include Bruce’s Green pigeon, Black Headed forest Oriole, Tacazze Sunbird, and Somali Chestnut Winged Starling, and many more.Over night at massawa.

Day 03: Massawa Coastal Area.

Enjoying different species of bird found in the coastl area of Massawa. The famous Gurgusum beach is clean and one of the finest beaches in the world. The beauty of the Gurgusum beach and many other resort areas in the Dahlak archipelago is mainly due to the fact that the Red Sea is like a basin. Therefore there is no fear of dangerous gales and hurricanes. The beach is also free from any sharks. There are plenty of Dolphins to protect the environment. Therefore Visitors can comfortably enjoy swimming In the afternoon.In the afternoon the visitor would come back to the city of Asmara. Overnight in Asmara.

Day 04: Asmara the Artdeco City.

Asmara, the capital of Eritrea is the largest City. Lying at an altitude of 2400 meters above sea level the City has a year round pleasant climate at a range of 18-25 Celsius. Even during the summer time Asmara has an enjoyable climate. The modern city of Asmara was literally created by the Italians between the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th Century. The city’s elegant streets and the adjoining promenade are comfortable for day or night walking. The city now accommodates more than 400 art Deco buildings officially recognized by UNESCO. The city maintains its cleanliness, which is commended by many visitors. One of the attractive features of Asmara, in particular and the country in general is that it is the safest place to enjoy. One would feel as if one is in Rome when touring Asmara. Many Italians use to call it “Asmara Bella” meaning “Asmara the beautiful”.

The following Sites will be visited in Asmara:

• The Peak of St Mary Cemetery where one can see the whole of Asmara
• The Medeber, where artisans recycle old tyres and tins. They make shoes, oven, carpentry, red pepper mill. It was built circa 1912.
• The St Mary Church built circa 1900.
• The Grand Mosque built circa 1920s
• The Catherdral built circa 1920s
• The Post office built 1916
• Albergo Italia built 1899.
• The Municipality established in 1890 H) Theatro Asmara built 1920s,
• Cinema Odeon, Cinema Roma built 1920s,
• Villa Roma built circa 1907 (now the residence of the Itlian Embassy)
• Hotel Hamasien built circa 1916,
• The Mercato of the indigenous people built at the turn of the 20th Century
• the railway built 1900 where there are still century old locomotives running between Asmara and Nefasit on orders
• The Brewery built 1940
• The Eritrea Musem
• The tank grave yard, remnants from the war between Eritrea and Ethiopia from 1961-1991