12 Days Ethiopian Tour across Addisababa, Abarmich, and through
Ethiopias’ capital city-Addisababa sets in as the first encounter for those who travel by air and presents them with a pleasant fascination as they try to comprehend the contrasts of a city where bare footed farmers ride their grass loaded donkeys past modern skyscrapers.
Located in the foothills of the Entoto Mountains, Addisababa was founded by the historically renowned Emperor Menelik II in the year 1887 with its name Addisababa meaning the “New Flower”! Apart from being the capital city, Addisababa has become Ethiopia’s economic center accommodating a number of international and local organizations among which include the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) located at the Africa Hall, and the Organization of African Unity (OAU) headquarters thus making it the main entry point and putting it at the center of services and a central point for all Ethiopian tours. Travelers to Ethiopia having little time at their disposal are not to worry because Addisababa and its surroundings alone have a whole lot of interesting and easy to access sites to offer! So, whether you are a historian, geologist, nature-lover or photographer, relax……. Because there is everything for every one that visits this blossom city. This 12 day safari equips you with insights into the tremendous tribes of Ethiopia and their cultures, and the wondrous markets save for the luscious scenic beauty!
Safari highlights/ what to expect;
On this safari, expect to visit Lake Tana, Gondar, the Blue Nile Falls, the Blue Nile gorge, Simien Mountains National Park, Lalibela eleven rock hewn churches, Lake Awash, Lake Langano, Dessie, Dinsho Bale Park, and even more!
Safari Itinerary;
Day 1; On arrival, you will be met by a driver/guide and transferred to your hotel. Depart for an afternoon city tour, visit the national museum, the Trinity church, and the Entoto mountains with a magnificent view of the city. You will as well be granted a chance to explore the largest outdoor market in Africa; Merkato.
Day 2; Rift Valley Lakes.
Drive to the Rift Valley lakes of Shala, Abyata and Langano, admiring wonderful views, many birds, pelicans, flamingoes, hot springs and more. Relax then at the Wenney eco-lodge, secluded in a natural paradise on the shores of Lake Langano, near Munessa forest. Possibility of trekking, bird-watching, horse-riding, boat excursion, cycling, and more. [BD]
Day 3
Arbaminch. Proceed traveling through the Wolayta villages and admiring spectacular green hills, continue to Arbaminch, in Amharic meaning 40 springs. Afternoon drive to Chencha, to visit the highland people of Dorze, with their unique culture, houses, and traditions. Overnight at Swaynes hotel, with spectacular views over Chamo and Abaya lakes. [BLD]
Day 4
Jinka.Drive to Jinka, admiring on the way the interesting Konso, Derase, Ari, Benna and Tsemay people, very famous for hairstyles, their unique culture and traditions, as the ornaments all over their body. Konso people famous for their terracing agricultural works and villages traditions. O/N camp or local hotel Jinka town.
Day 5
Mago National Park. Enter into the Mago National park to visit the Mursi people and villages. Here beautiful women use to put round plates into their lips and men have different scarification based on the number of enemies or wild animals killed in a battle. [BLD]
Day 6
Turmi. Depart for Turmi to visit the Tsemay and Erbore people's colourful market at KeyAfer village. Proceed then to the beautiful region home to the Hamer people, with unique hairstyles, different cultural traits, ornamental traditions and more. [BLD]
Day 7
Karo and Bume People. Cross the Karo people region and visit their village of Kortcho, with beautiful views over the Omo River. Karo people are famous for the men's extravagant hairstyles and for the different ornaments and painting all over the bodies of men, women and children. Proceed to Kangate and cross the Omo River by small boat (only affluent of Lake Turkana), to admire the Bume people and villages. Return to Turmi for overnight stay. [BLD]
Day 8
Omorate Village. A morning excursion to Omorate village, on the banks of Omo river, to visit the Dassanech people and the market Dimeka Village. Admire the Hamer tribe's dances (Evangadi) and with luck the marriage ceremonies with bull jumping performed by men. [BLD]
Day 9
Arbaminch. Cross and visit the Erbore tribe's villages, stopping to admire the agricultural traditions of the Konso. Then proceed for your overnight in Arbaminch. [BLD]
Day 10; Netch Sar National Park
Start with a morning visit to the Netch Sar National park, sanctuary of the endemic Swaynes Hartbeest, numerous zebras and more. Take an afternoon boat cruise on Chamo Lake to look for hippos and crocodiles with a length that reaches 6 meters. [BLD]
Day 11
Return to the capital AddisAbaba with mixed feelings including joy and sadness knowing your safari has gotten to an end no matter how long you wished you could stay in this magnificent country! The safari ends with a cultural dinner followed by a traditional dance.
Day 12
Transfer to the airport for your flight back home.
Ethiopian Safari; Addis Ababa. 10 days
Day 1; Arrival.
On arrival in Addis Ababa you will be transferred to the hotel. We welcome you to the 'Cradle of Civilization'. Ethiopia is one of the world's most extraordinary, yet least visited, countries. Lying in the mountains at an elevation of 2,500m, Addis Ababa is the third highest capital city in the world. It enjoys a superb climate with an average year-round temperature of 25 degrees.
Day 2; Addis Ababa (BLD); Timkat Festival.
Today is the start of the magnificent Timkat Festival - the Baptism of Christ, or the Epiphany. Thousands of white-veiled worshippers dance and sing in the streets to the beating of drums. The Arc of the Covenant is paraded in a thronging procession.
The procession then moves to a water source where priests in satin robes celebrate a communal service, culminating in the ardent worshippers throwing themselves into the water for a mass baptism. Today the festival reaches its climax as millions throng for a drop of holy water which priests spray into the crowd. The atmosphere all of Ethiopia is joyous and impromptu festivals and parties take place all over Addis Ababa.
Day 3; Addis Ababa - Bahir Dar (BLD)
Bahir Dar was the capital of Ethiopia in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. This attractive town was, and still is, an important commercial centre. On arrival in Bahir Dar we transfer to our hotel, situated on the shores of Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia. Here we board a boat to explore the famous island monasteries.
Day 4; Bahir Dar (BLD)
Today we visit local villages as well as the colourful marketplace, where traditional wares such as baskets, pottery and hand-woven clothes are traded. Tana is also famous for its monasteries, founded in the Middle Ages. This afternoon we visit the Zege Peninsula and the 14th-century monasteries of Ura Kidanemihret, Azewa Mariam and Kibran Gebriel.
Day 5; Bahir Dar - Gondar (BLD)- Nothern Ethiopia.
After breakfast we begin a leisurely drive north towards the Sudanese border and the fabled highland city of Gondar, popularly known as 'Ethiopia's Camelot'. On arrival the rest of the day is at leisure. Our hotel is spectacularly perched on top of a hill, offering magnificent views of the city and its surrounds. Gondar was the 17th- and 18th-century capital of Ethiopia. Founded by Emperor Fasilidas around 1635, the city is famous for its stunning medieval castles and beautiful churches. Today we explore this amazing complex.
Day 6;
Today we visit the beautiful Simien Mountains. Canyons, gorges and soaring 4,000m peaks create a startling wilderness. In places the dramatic topography, dominated by basalt lava flows, is reminiscent of the Grand Canyon. We also visit remote villages where the way of life has changed little over the centuries.
Day 7; Gondar - Axum (BLD)
The oldest and holiest city in Ethiopia, Axum was the country's capital during the reign of the legendary Queen of Sheba in the 10th century BC. The city rose to prominence around the time of Christ and was the capital of the Axumite Kingdom, which dominated the vital crossroads of Africa and Asia for 1,000 years.
Today we visit the palace and bath of the Queen of Sheba, the Zion Cathedral - where the original Arc of the Covenant is said to be housed - and Stele Park, where magnificent and mysterious obelisks have stood since the 3rd century.
Day 8; Axum (BLD)
Today we visit the historic and spectacular Adwa Mountains.
Day 9; Lalibela (BLD)
A complex and bewildering labyrinth of tunnels connect the churches with narrow passageways, offset crypts, grottoes and galleries. Throughout this mysterious and wonderful settlement priests and deacons go about their timeless work, seemingly unaware they are doing so in what is often referred to as the eighth Wonder of the World. This afternoon we visit the first group of churches, as well as the city itself. We explore the second group of churches including the amazing rock-hewn Bet Gyorgis, the 'House of St George'.
Day 10; Lalilbela - Addis Adaba- HOME;
Today, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.
