Ethiopian Wildlife and History Tour
Wildlife and History Tour - 16 Days
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Day 1 – The pagan temple at Yeha
Fly from Addis Ababa to Axum or Aksum, have an early lunch in Axum then spend the afternoon visiting the fascinating pre-Axumite, pre-Christian temple ruins of Yeha. This is the oldest standing structure in Ethiopia and dates from about 800 BC. Recently an even older palace structure has been unearthed nearby.
Distance - Axum to Yeha: 50 kms. Drive time: 1 Hour each way
Day 2 – Discover ancient Axum
Today's adventure is full of ancient history and mystery. The UNESCO World Heritage Site city of Axum was the capital of the Axumite empire (400 BCE – 1000 CE). Walk into impressive royal tombs and admire the world’s largest single stone obelisk’s, or stelae. Visit the grounds of the church said to house the Ark of the Covenant and see the reputed Queen of Sheba’s palace ruins.
Day 3 – Explore the Roof of Africa
Drive the spectacular Ethiopian mountain route from Axum to Debark. This extraordinary mountain road has recently been rebuilt and makes for a fine driving adventure. There is still a stretch of less than 40 Kms awaiting final asphalting which may slow our journey but the views are superb.
Distance - Axum to Debark: 260 Kms. Driving time: 6 Hours
Day 4 – Simien Mounains National Park
In the morning drive into the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Simien Mountains National Park to see the incredible views across the Roof of Africa and perhaps some endemic wildlife. After lunch drive to Gondar.
Distance - Debark to Gondar: 110 Kms. Driving time: 2 Hours
Day 5 – King Fasilidies Bath
Spend the morning in the city of Gondar. Enjoy a history and architectural adventure at the UNESCO World Heritage site at Fasil Ghebbi. This is also known as the Royal Enclosure of castles and was built by a succession of kings and a queen when Gondar was Ethiopia’s capital for 200 years from the early 17th century. Other highlights include Emperor Fasilide’s ‘Bath’ and Debre Birhan Selassie church which is famous for the angelic faces painted on the ceiling.
After lunch drive to Bahir Dar.
Distance - Gondar to Bahir Dar: 180 Kms. Drive time: 3 Hours
Day 6 – The source of the Blue Nile
Bahir Dar is on the shores of Lake Tana the source of the Blue Nile. Today's adventure is never far from the water. We will cross by boat then take a forest walk past coffee bushes growing under old growth trees full of monkeys and birds to a famous church known for its elaborate murals and history. After lunch in a hotel garden overlooking the lake we take another boat trip to look for shoreline birdlife and the sometimes elusive hippos. If we have time we can explore the buzzing market or take a stroll along the beautiful lake front walkway looking out for the many birds in the lake side trees.
Day 7 – Ancient Ethiopian churches
Drive from Bahir Dar to the World Heritage Site city of Lalibela. Arrive in Lalibela in the afternoon and visit an ancient church inside a cave a short walk from the road.
Distance - Bahir Dar to Lalibela: 310 Kms. Drive time: 7 Hours
Day 8 – Rock-hewn churches of Lalibela
In Lalibela we will visit some of the 12th century rock hewn churches in the morning and later venture out of town to visit an especially intriguing and outlying church built inside a natural cave and hidden from the world for many centuries. Today is an adventure into the living history of this holy city.
Day 9 – A mountain drive to the lowlands
Descend in altitude from the high plateau, or Amba, by about 1,000 m from Lalibela through beautiful mountain scenery to the commercial and junction city of Kombolcha.
Distance Lalibela to Kombolcha: 310 km. Drive time: 7 Hours
Day 10 – Bati Market and Sam’s home town
Visit the famous Bati market which is known for the Afar salt traders who bring their caravans up from the desert. Bati is home to the largest camel and cattle market in Ethiopia. Later we will have lunch and a traditional coffee with Sam’s friends as part of an authentic home visit and take a look around his home town of Degan in the afternoon.
Distance Kombolcha to Bati via Degan: 40 km. Driving time: 1 Hour
Day 11 – Explore Addis Ababa
Fly from Kombolcha to Addis Ababa. After lunch we can look around the city, take a rest or check out the shopping. We will visit the National Museum, Giorgis (St George) Cathedral where former Emperor Haile Selassie is entombed and the late 19th century palace and museum of iconic Emperor Menelik II (r. 1889 - 1913) built on a ridge overlooking Addis Ababa.
Day 12 – Travel to Bale Mountains National Park
Fly south to Hawassa (sometimes written Awassa) and be met by our vehicle at the airport. Drive east to the Bale Mountains National Park. We will drive from the centre of the Rift Valley floor, up into the high Bale Mountains. A stop at National Park HQ at Dinsho allows us to get up close to some of Ethiopia’s endemic and rare mammals including Mountain Nyala, Menelik’s Bushbuck and Wild Pigs. We spend two nights in a luxury lodge inside the park.
Flight time from Addis Ababa to Hawassa: 40 minutes
Drive time for 180 km from Hawassa to Bale Mountains National Park entrance at Dinsho: 3 Hours
Drive time for 40 km from Dinsho to Goba: 1 Hour
Day 13 – Explore Bale Mountains NP
Explore the Sanetti Plateau which lies at 3,500 – 4,000 m. This rocky Afro-alpine landscape is dotted with rare flowers and the unusual looking Lobelia trees in a unique ecosystem high above the cloud line. There is a greater than 50% chance of seeing Africa's rarest carnivore, the Ethiopian Wolf. Drive to the summit of the second highest peak in Ethiopia, Mt Tullu Dimtu, at 4,389 m.
Day 14 – Explore the Rift Valley lakes
Drive down out of the Bale Mountains and back across the Rift Valley floor to Lake Langano. Tonight, we stay in some lakeside luxury at Sabana Lodge. Enjoy the bird song from the acacia tree outside your chalet then go for a swim in the mineral waters of lake Langano that will leave your skin and hair feeling soft and smooth.
Drive time for 280 km from Bale to Lake Langano: 5 Hours
Day 15 – Explore the Rift Valley lakes
Relax at the resort and after lunch explore the mammals and birdlife along the nearby shores of Lakes Shalla and Abiata in Shalla-Abiata National Park. Spend another night at this favourite weekend getaway spot for many Addis Ababa based professionals.
Drive time for 10 km to Shalla – Abiata National Park : 20 Minutes
Day 16 – Drive to Addis Ababa via prehistoric sites
Drive back to Addis via the mysteriously chiselled standing stones at Tiya UNesco World Heritage site and the fascinating outdoor archaeological museum at Melka Kunture. Research digs here, since the 1960s, have uncovered stone tools up to 1.8 m years old. This night’s accommodation in Addis Ababa is included in the tour cost.
Drive time for 200 km from Lake Langano to Addis Ababa: 4 Hours
Tour Dates:
1 – 16 February 2020
29 February – 15 March 2020
We are running these 2 tours for 2020 with a maximum group size of 10 – to ensure a premium experience.
We specialise in small group tours without the large price tag - join us on your adventure of a lifetime with a group as small as two!
- Includes 3 flights on Ethiopian Airlines Domestic.
1. Addis Ababa (Airport Code: ADD) to Axum (AXU)
2. Kombolcha (DSE) to Addis Ababa (ADD)
3. Addis Ababa (ADD) to Awassa (AWA)
Cost :
NZD 6,300
USD 4,050
AUD 5,990
GBP 3,300
EUR 3,620
Per person, sharing a twin or double room.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT COST
If a single bedroom is required, there is an additional Single Supplement cost of US$480.
Domestic Flight Discount
If you arrive in Ethiopia on Ethiopian Airlines International your domestic air tickets can be discounted by up to 40 - 50%.
This discount can be passed on to clients who provide a passport scan and inbound Ethiopian Airlines International ticket details.
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