www.naturetrek.co.uk Natural history specialists, Naturetrek, offer a 10-day mammal tour of Ethiopia, visiting Debre Libanos Gorge, Awash National Park, Wondo Guenet and the Bale Mountains. Highlights include the wonderful long-haired Gelada Baboon, beautifully coloured Ethiopian Wolf and Giant Mole Rat. Tour departs London 13th April 2007 and 19th October 2007.

The stunning Ethiopian scenery consists of lakes surrounded by mountainous peaks, dusty valleys dotted with acacia trees, and pretty little thatched huts in well-kept villages.

 The first highlight of the tour is a visit to Debre Libanos Gorge, in the 8,537ft high Soluta Plains. Here, in the forested escarpment above the monastery, wildlife sightings may include the impressive Gelada Baboon, with its characteristic أ¢â‚¬ثœbleeding heartأ¢â‚¬â„¢, whilst from the lip of the gorge, Lammergeiers and the endemic White-billed Starlings soar.

Awash National Park offers a mix of mammal and birdwatching opportunities during drives and walks. Olive Baboons and Beisa Oryx, and even the possibility of rare predators such as Lion and Leopard may be spotted. The itinerary also includes a visit to the Bale Mountains, at between 9,500 and 14,360 ft, Africa's largest tract of high moorland.

The area is virtually uninhabited and was designated a National Park in order to protect the endemic Mountain Nyala. The landscape is green and spacious, reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands, with rocky peaks, crags, numerous small lakes, extensive heathlands, magnificent cloud forests and bogs!

Mammal species include the endemic and peculiar Giant Mole Rat, a guinea pig-sized creature whose lifestyle allows only a short 20 minutes above ground per day, during which time frantic feeding activity occurs. Avian species here include Abyssinian Catbird, Abyssinian Longclaw and Golden-backed Woodpecker. There is no shortage of fascinating animals, birds, culture and landscapes in this unique beautiful African country.