9 Days Ethiopia Wildlife Adventurers
Overview
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arival Addis Ababa
Upon arrival at Addis Ababa, Bole International, Airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Addis.
After settling in, you will begin a city tour, starting with the Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral, the most significant church in Ethiopia. This church houses the mausoleum of the last Ethiopian emperor, Haile Selassie, and his wife. Next, we will visit the National Museum, renowned as one of the most important museums in Sub-Saharan Africa. Among its notable exhibits are the 3.2-million-year-old remains of Lucy, a pivotal find in human ancestry. The museum also features a rich collection of imperial and ecclesiastical regalia, costumes, and weapons, alongside ancient rock sculptures and inscriptions from the era of Queen Saba, discovered near Aksum and in present-day Eritrea.
Our tour will continue to the Ethnographic Museum, situated within the University of Addis Ababa. Established by Polish scholar Professor Stanisław Chojnacki, this museum is particularly notable for its collection of crosses, icons, and an impressive array of traditional musical instruments. The day concludes with a visit to Merkato, believed to be the largest marketplace in Africa. After exploring the bustling market, we will return to your hotel for the night.
Accommodation: Ghion Hotel or similar BB
Day 2: Gondar
Fly Addis to Gonder – Simien Mountains
Take a morning flight from Addis Ababa to Gondar. Upon arrival, our drivers will pick you up and drive you to Debark, located about 100 km from Gondar, where the park headquarters is situated. After the entrance formalities, we will proceed to the Simien Mountains. There, we will take a short hike around the lodge to spot and photograph Gelada baboons, also known as the bleeding heart baboons.
Accommodation: Simien Lodge or similar BLD
Day 3: Simien Mountains National Park
In the morning, we will drive into the park for a day trip. The drive and hike will offer stunning views of the Simien landscape and the endless mountain ridges. You’ll have the chance to observe and photograph endemic wildlife such as Gelada baboons, Walia Ibex, Bush Buck, and Klipspringer. Bird enthusiasts can look out for species like Lammergeier, Francolins, and Ankober Serin.
Accommodation: Simien Lodge or similar BLD
Day 4: Gondar - Addis Ababa - Bale Mountains
Early in the morning, drive back to Gondar and take a flight to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival in Addis, catch a connecting flight to the Bale Mountains. Upon reaching Bale, meet our driver and head to Dinsho, the park headquarters. In the woodland area of the park, you will be rewarded with sightings of numerous Ethiopian endemic mammals, including the Mountain Nyala, Menelik’s Bushbuck, and the Bohor Reedbuck.
Accommodation: Wabe Shabale Hotel or Similar.
Day 5: Bale Mountains National Park
In the morning, after breakfast, drive to the Sanetti Plateau, which rises above 4,000 meters. The plateau features Afro-alpine moorland and stunning wild alpine scenery. Spend the entire day exploring the area and observing rare and endangered species such as the Ethiopian Wolf and Ethiopian Hare. You will also have the opportunity to see various water birds, including the Blue-winged Goose, Ruddy Shelduck, and Wattled Crane, among others.
Accommodation: Wabe Shabale Hotel or Similar.
Day 6: Bale Mountains National Park
Spend the morning on the Sanetti Plateau, continuing your search for the Ethiopian Wolf. In the afternoon, drive down to the Harena Forest to spot the endemic Bale Monkey feeding on bamboo trees. You will also see various other monkey species. In the evening, embark on a night safari in the forest to observe nocturnal mammals
Accommodation: Wabe Shabale Hotel or Similar.
Day 7: Awash National Park
In the morning, after breakfast, depart from the Bale Mountains towards Awash National Park. En route to the park, we’ll pass by Lake Beseka before entering the boundaries of Awash National Park. During our journey, keep an eye out for olive and Hamadryas baboons. You’ll also have the opportunity to spot various bird species such as the Somali Golden Breasted Robin, Nile Valley Sunbird, Lineated Pytilia, Red and Yellow Barbet, Yellow Throated Serin, Sombre Chat, and Arabian Bustard.
Accommodation: Genet Hotel or Similar.
Day 8: Visit Alideghe National Park
Following an early breakfast at the lodge, we set out on a drive to the Alideghe Game Reserve, positioned northeast of Awash National Park. Here, engage in a game drive across the expansive plains, seeking out a diverse array of wildlife including Grevy’s Zebra, Gerenuk, Beisa Oryx, Soemmerring’s Gazelle, Grant’s Gazelle, Olive and Hamadryas Baboons, Somali Ostrich, and numerous bird species such as the Brown Snake-Eagle, African Pygmy Falcon, Black-chested Snake Eagle, White-bellied Bustard, Acacia Paradise Whydah, Abyssinian Roller, Secretary bird, Arabian Bustard, Kori Bustard, bee-eaters, various weavers, and vultures.
Afterward, proceed to Doho Lodge for lunch and unwind by the natural hot spring nestled under the expansive palm trees.
In the late afternoon, as the sun began to cool, we set out on a short drive to Awash Park. Spend the rest of the afternoon on a game drive around Ilala Plains, where you can expect to encounter herds of Beisa Oryx and Soemmerring’s Gazelle. With luck, you may even spot rare species such as the Bat-Eared Foxes, African Wild Cats, and various endemic birds.
Accommodation: Doho lodge or Similar
Day 9: Return Back to Addis
In the morning, enjoy a final excursion around the lodge before beginning the journey back to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival in Addis, spend the evening partaking in a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant. Afterwards, transfer to the airport for your international flight
- Included
- Price Includes
- Domestic flight tickets
- 4WD transportation
- Guide and Scout
- Tent or cost of a night in community houses
- Sleeping bags & mattresses
- All park entrance fees
- Food and bottled mineral water
- Accommodation as per itinerary
- Not Included
- Alcoholic beverage
- Gratitude