Surma and west of Omo River |
Day 1
Addis Ababa to Jimma.
Day 2
From Jimma south to MizanTeferi, admiring very big forests and nice views. We will visit the Dizi tribe. Lunch on the way, dinner and overnight in a camp.
Day 3
Drive to Tulgit and the unique Surma people. Here women wear circular or trapezoidal shaped plates in their lips. Men have different scarification all over their body. With luck we’ll participate to a donga game, which is a stick fighting ritual. Lunch on the way, dinner and overnight near Tulgit.
Day4
Drive to Kibish with Surma people around Kibish. Lunch on the way, dinner and overnight in a camp.
Day 5
Drive to Adikas. Then proceed to the Omo National Park. It is the biggest and richest of fauna park in Ethiopia. The vegetation is also very nice. Late afternoon game drive. Lunch on the way, dinner and overnight in a camp.
Day 6
Trekking in Surma region.
Day 7
From Kibish to Mizan Tefferi.
Day 8
From Mizan Tefferi to Addis Ababa.
Day 1
Addis Ababa to Jimma.
Day 2
From Jimma south to MizanTeferi, admiring very big forests and nice views. We will visit the Dizi tribe. Lunch on the way, dinner and overnight in a camp.
Day 3
Drive to Tulgit and the unique Surma people. Here women wear circular or trapezoidal shaped plates in their lips. Men have different scarification all over their body. With luck we’ll participate to a donga game, which is a stick fighting ritual. Lunch on the way, dinner and overnight near Tulgit.
Day4
Drive to Kibish with Surma people around Kibish. Lunch on the way, dinner and overnight in a camp.
Day 5
Drive to Adikas. Then proceed to the Omo National Park. It is the biggest and richest of fauna park in Ethiopia. The vegetation is also very nice. Late afternoon game drive. Lunch on the way, dinner and overnight in a camp.
Day 6
Trekking in Surma region.
Day 7
From Kibish to Mizan Tefferi.
Day 8
From Mizan Tefferi to Addis Ababa.
Danakil Depression
Day 1
Addis Ababa - Dessie.
Day 2
Dessie – Lalibella.
Day 3
Lalibella - Mekele.
Day4
Continue driving to Mekele, via Woldia. In the morning, we will stop at the village of Hayk to visit the lake and watch the fishermen in their boats. Overnight in Mekele.
Day 5
Depart from Mekele to Hamed Ila via Berehale, where you will pick up police scouts, road guides and permits for the Afar region. From Berehale, proceed driving to Hamed Ila. We will see the camel caravans along the way, carrying salt from the salt lake to Mekele for sale. Overnight camping in Hamed Ila.
Day 6
After breakfast, we will take a day trip to Dallol, which, at 116 m below sea level, is the lowest point on the african continent. Here the landscape is beautiful, the ground shows many shades of red and yellow from the hot water, acids and minerals spurting up from the ground. You will also visit Lake Asale, which is the salt lake from which the Afar nomads extract salt. You will witness (and even try) their laborious task of removing salt from the ground as hundreds of camels relax before the long trek back to Mekele. At the end of the day we return to Hamed Ila for overnight camping.
Day 7
From Hamed Ila, we will continue to Erta Ale via Kusawad. The Erta Ale volcano has been in a constant state of eruption for over 40 years. You will camp in the village of El Dom, where it will be an early-to-bed night.
Day 8
Today is an early-to-rise start at 2 am to start your hike to the crater rim of the Erta Ale volcano. At the top, you will peer down at the permanent lava lake (the only one in the world!) while the sun rises over the horizon. Definitely the highlight of the trip! After the hike back to the camp and a bit of breakfast, you’ll continue driving to Lake Afrera for overnight camping or in a local hotel.
Day 9
Lake Afdrera is a wonderfully bright green lake situated with black basalt mountains behind. It’s a stunning location. Here you can see more salt extraction from the lake, where the Afar nomads continue the same activities they have for centuries. The salt extraction here is the main supply of salt to Addis Ababa. From Afdera, we proceed driving to Semera via Logia. Overnight in Semera in a hotel.
Day 10
Today we drive through Yangudi-Rassa National Park (home to the endangered African Wild Ass), and then to Awash for overnight.
Day 11
Yagund to Harar. Overnight in Harar.
Day 12
Harar city tour. After lunch drive to Diredawa. Overnight in Diredawa.
Day 13
Diredawa to Awash. Overnight in Awash Lodge.
Day 14
In the morning, we will go for a game drive in Awash National Park, which is one of Ethiopia’s most popular national parks. Here you will enjoy wonderful birdlife and many mammals, such as gazelles, kudus, waterbuck, warthogs, baboons, and colombus monkeys. It might also be possible to see lions, leopards and other cats, if you’re lucky! After the drive, we will continue driving to Sodere for overnight, where you can go for a refreshing swim in the pool or a shower in the hot spring water. Overnight in Sodere.
Day 15
After a morning swim, we continue on our way back to Addis, stopping in Debre Zeit for a lunch by one of the beautiful lakes in the area. Overnight Addis Ababa.
Omo Valley and Rift valley Lakes
Day 1
Addis Ababa to Dorze. On the way we will see the Tiya Stone UNESCO world heritage site. These 2 metre high stelae are over 700 years old and represent grave markers. Continue on to lunch in Woleyta Sodo and overnight in Dorze village at the Dorze Lodge.
Day 2
Dorze to Arba Minch. In the morning we will visit the Dorze tribe who are famous for their weaving. Watch the men weave and the women spin fantastic fabric. In the afternoon we will visit Lake Chamo and Nechisar National Park. On the boat ride on Lake Chamo we will see Hipppos and Crocodiles as well as lots of different birds. Across the lake we will take a hike to see Zebras and Gazelles. Overnight in Arba Minch.
Day 3
Arba Minch to Konso. On this day we will visit Konso village and Gessegio landscape also known as the New York skyline in Ethiopia. We will also visit the Konso museum and visit the Chief of the Konso tribe. Overnight in Konso.
Day 4
Konso to Jinka. On the way we will visit the Bana tribe and market (on Thursday). Lunch in Key Afar. After lunch we will continue to Jinka and visit the Ari tribe and the Omo Valley museum in Jinka. Overnight in Jinka.
Day 5
Jinka to Turmi. On this day we will drive through the Mago National Park and see the famous Mursi tribe. On Saturday we will visit the market in Dimeka. Overnight in Turmi.
Day 6
Turmi. This day will find us visiting the Karo tribe famous for their body painting. We will also see the incredible view over the Omo River. Again we will overnight in Turmi.
Day 7
Turmi to Yabello. This day we will visit the Abore and Borana tribes. Overnight in Yabello.
Day 8
From Yabello we will visit the Salt Crater Lake and witness how people extract salt from the lake which they have been doing for millennia. If the weather permits we will also visit the famous singing wells of Borana. We can always visit the wells, the singing is weather contingent. Overnight in Yabello.
Day 9
Yabello to Awassa. During the day we will visit the Tuttefella UNESCO world heritage site. These are more fantastic stelae and we will also visit the Gedeo tribe. Overnight in Awassa.
Day 10
Awassa to Addis Ababa. In the morning we will see the great fish market in Awassa and also stop at lake Langano for lunch and them continue on to Addis.
Day 1
Addis Ababa to Dorze. On the way we will see the Tiya Stone UNESCO world heritage site. These 2 metre high stelae are over 700 years old and represent grave markers. Continue on to lunch in Woleyta Sodo and overnight in Dorze village at the Dorze Lodge.
Day 2
Dorze to Arba Minch. In the morning we will visit the Dorze tribe who are famous for their weaving. Watch the men weave and the women spin fantastic fabric. In the afternoon we will visit Lake Chamo and Nechisar National Park. On the boat ride on Lake Chamo we will see Hipppos and Crocodiles as well as lots of different birds. Across the lake we will take a hike to see Zebras and Gazelles. Overnight in Arba Minch.
Day 3
Arba Minch to Konso. On this day we will visit Konso village and Gessegio landscape also known as the New York skyline in Ethiopia. We will also visit the Konso museum and visit the Chief of the Konso tribe. Overnight in Konso.
Day 4
Konso to Jinka. On the way we will visit the Bana tribe and market (on Thursday). Lunch in Key Afar. After lunch we will continue to Jinka and visit the Ari tribe and the Omo Valley museum in Jinka. Overnight in Jinka.
Day 5
Jinka to Turmi. On this day we will drive through the Mago National Park and see the famous Mursi tribe. On Saturday we will visit the market in Dimeka. Overnight in Turmi.
Day 6
Turmi. This day will find us visiting the Karo tribe famous for their body painting. We will also see the incredible view over the Omo River. Again we will overnight in Turmi.
Day 7
Turmi to Yabello. This day we will visit the Abore and Borana tribes. Overnight in Yabello.
Day 8
From Yabello we will visit the Salt Crater Lake and witness how people extract salt from the lake which they have been doing for millennia. If the weather permits we will also visit the famous singing wells of Borana. We can always visit the wells, the singing is weather contingent. Overnight in Yabello.
Day 9
Yabello to Awassa. During the day we will visit the Tuttefella UNESCO world heritage site. These are more fantastic stelae and we will also visit the Gedeo tribe. Overnight in Awassa.
Day 10
Awassa to Addis Ababa. In the morning we will see the great fish market in Awassa and also stop at lake Langano for lunch and them continue on to Addis.
Trekking in the Simien Mountains
Day 1
From Addis Ababa to Gondar. Overnight in Gondar.
Day 2
Depart early in the morning from Gondar, driving to Sankaber, stopping in Debark to handle National Park fees, etc. You will start your trek around Buyit Ras for a 3-4 hour hike to Sankober, which passes close to the escarpment edge. Nearing Sankober, you will have beautiful views on both sides of the escarpment ridge where you will likely see the endemic Gelada baboons. In Sankober, you will be met with your supplies. Overnight camping in Sankober.
Day 3
From Sankober, depart into a valley, through which the Wazla (or Koba) River runs. This river is often dry. Coming out of the valley you will have views of the Jinbar River waterfalls falling into the Geech Abyss. Continuing along, you will cross the Jinbar River and ascend into the village of Geech. Total trekking time: 4-5 hours.
Day4
After an early breakfast, depart from Geech to the peak of Imet Gogo at 3926m. Here you’ll have spectacular views over the lowlands – one of the highlights of the trip. As you continue to Chenek, you will pass Korbete Metia, a solid rock wall which opens up exposing beautiful views over the lowlands and the escarpment. This is also a good place for spotting lammergeiers. Overnight camping in Chenek. Total trekking time: 7 – 9 hours.
Day 5
From Chenek, continue east up a valley to Mt. Bwahit, overlooking the camp from where you just came. After crossing the Bwahit Pass, you come to a viewpoint offering wonderful views of theMesheha River Valley as well as your first glimpse of Ras Dashen. From here, the path descends, passes through the village of Chiro Leba, and finally leads to the Mesheha River. Across the river, you climb back up the valley to the village of Ambikwa. Overnight camping in Ambikwa. Total trekking time: 6-8 hours.
Day 6
Starting early, you will continue up the valley to the village of Mizma, after which you will have a steep ascent to a ridge crest overlooking a large valley. The path then follows along the side of the valley, straight at Ras Dashen. You will eventually reach a point where you will see three distinct buttresses. The buttress on the left is the summit of Ras Dashen. A pile of rocks at the top of the buttress marks the summit. After your successful arrival at the highest point in Ethiopia, you return to Ambikwa for overnight. Total trekking time: 8-10 hours.
Day 7
Today you return back to Chenek for overnight camping. Total trekking time: 6-8 hours.
Day 8
Today you start driving from Chenek to Bahirdar
Day 9
Bahirdar to Addis Ababa.
Day 1
From Addis Ababa to Gondar. Overnight in Gondar.
Day 2
Depart early in the morning from Gondar, driving to Sankaber, stopping in Debark to handle National Park fees, etc. You will start your trek around Buyit Ras for a 3-4 hour hike to Sankober, which passes close to the escarpment edge. Nearing Sankober, you will have beautiful views on both sides of the escarpment ridge where you will likely see the endemic Gelada baboons. In Sankober, you will be met with your supplies. Overnight camping in Sankober.
Day 3
From Sankober, depart into a valley, through which the Wazla (or Koba) River runs. This river is often dry. Coming out of the valley you will have views of the Jinbar River waterfalls falling into the Geech Abyss. Continuing along, you will cross the Jinbar River and ascend into the village of Geech. Total trekking time: 4-5 hours.
Day4
After an early breakfast, depart from Geech to the peak of Imet Gogo at 3926m. Here you’ll have spectacular views over the lowlands – one of the highlights of the trip. As you continue to Chenek, you will pass Korbete Metia, a solid rock wall which opens up exposing beautiful views over the lowlands and the escarpment. This is also a good place for spotting lammergeiers. Overnight camping in Chenek. Total trekking time: 7 – 9 hours.
Day 5
From Chenek, continue east up a valley to Mt. Bwahit, overlooking the camp from where you just came. After crossing the Bwahit Pass, you come to a viewpoint offering wonderful views of theMesheha River Valley as well as your first glimpse of Ras Dashen. From here, the path descends, passes through the village of Chiro Leba, and finally leads to the Mesheha River. Across the river, you climb back up the valley to the village of Ambikwa. Overnight camping in Ambikwa. Total trekking time: 6-8 hours.
Day 6
Starting early, you will continue up the valley to the village of Mizma, after which you will have a steep ascent to a ridge crest overlooking a large valley. The path then follows along the side of the valley, straight at Ras Dashen. You will eventually reach a point where you will see three distinct buttresses. The buttress on the left is the summit of Ras Dashen. A pile of rocks at the top of the buttress marks the summit. After your successful arrival at the highest point in Ethiopia, you return to Ambikwa for overnight. Total trekking time: 8-10 hours.
Day 7
Today you return back to Chenek for overnight camping. Total trekking time: 6-8 hours.
Day 8
Today you start driving from Chenek to Bahirdar
Day 9
Bahirdar to Addis Ababa.
Bird Watching
Day 1
From Addis Ababa day excursion to Debre Libanos and the Jema River Gorge through the Sululta Wetlands. Small detour to the attractive Aleltu Waterfalls.
Day 2
Drive from Addis Ababa on Ambo Road to the Menagesha State Forest. Hike to the top of Mount Wechecha. Return to Addis Ababa on the Jimma Road.
Day 3
Drive from Addis Ababa to Awash National Park. First stop is Debre Zeit for the Chalalklaka Wetland and Lake Hora. In the afternoon proceed to the Awash National Park, one of the best birding sites in ethiopian Rift Valley.
Day 4
Full day birding in the different habitats of the park, the plains, cliffs, wetlands and forests along the Awash River. Camel trekking can be arranged to some of these sites.
Day 5
Drive from Awash to Langano. Short stop at Koka Dam (Awash River Bridge) for aquatic and woodland birds. Then continue to Lake Zeway, one of the most important bird habitats among the ethiopian lakes. Arrival on Lake Langano in the late afternoon.
Day 6
Morning birding around the hotel garden and the cliffs near the lake. Then drive to the Abijata-Shalla Lakes National Park for more birding including a huge number of flamingos. In the afternoon drive on to the mountain forests of Wendo Genet.
Day 7
Full day bird watching in the forests of Wondo Genet, the home of many endemic birds. Relax in the hot spring swimming pool.
Day 8
Drive from Wondo Genet to Awassa to spot more birds along the shores of Lake Awassa. This fresh water lake is different from the alkaline lakes of Abiyata and Shalla. The black forest near the lake is an additional interesting birding site.
Day 9
Drive from Awasa to Dinsho. In the morning visit of the fish market on the lake shore of Awassa, then drive to the Bale Mountains National Park.
Day 10
Full day birding in the stunning afro-alpine setting of the Sanetti Plateau, with its striking afro-alpine flora. Drive to the top of Tullu Dimtu (4377 m) and watch the endemic birds and mammals populations. Drive back to Goba.
Day 11
Bird spotting in the wild Harenna Forest at the southern boundary of the park. In the woodland avi-fauna you find not only a variety of birds, but other mammals and interesting plants, too. In the afternoon drive back to Goba.
Day 12
Drive from Goba to Asela, crossing the Arsi Mountains.
Day 13
Drive from Asela to Addis Ababa. Have a rest at the hot springs of Sodere, near Nazareth, a good place to spot birds again.
Day 1
From Addis Ababa day excursion to Debre Libanos and the Jema River Gorge through the Sululta Wetlands. Small detour to the attractive Aleltu Waterfalls.
Day 2
Drive from Addis Ababa on Ambo Road to the Menagesha State Forest. Hike to the top of Mount Wechecha. Return to Addis Ababa on the Jimma Road.
Day 3
Drive from Addis Ababa to Awash National Park. First stop is Debre Zeit for the Chalalklaka Wetland and Lake Hora. In the afternoon proceed to the Awash National Park, one of the best birding sites in ethiopian Rift Valley.
Day 4
Full day birding in the different habitats of the park, the plains, cliffs, wetlands and forests along the Awash River. Camel trekking can be arranged to some of these sites.
Day 5
Drive from Awash to Langano. Short stop at Koka Dam (Awash River Bridge) for aquatic and woodland birds. Then continue to Lake Zeway, one of the most important bird habitats among the ethiopian lakes. Arrival on Lake Langano in the late afternoon.
Day 6
Morning birding around the hotel garden and the cliffs near the lake. Then drive to the Abijata-Shalla Lakes National Park for more birding including a huge number of flamingos. In the afternoon drive on to the mountain forests of Wendo Genet.
Day 7
Full day bird watching in the forests of Wondo Genet, the home of many endemic birds. Relax in the hot spring swimming pool.
Day 8
Drive from Wondo Genet to Awassa to spot more birds along the shores of Lake Awassa. This fresh water lake is different from the alkaline lakes of Abiyata and Shalla. The black forest near the lake is an additional interesting birding site.
Day 9
Drive from Awasa to Dinsho. In the morning visit of the fish market on the lake shore of Awassa, then drive to the Bale Mountains National Park.
Day 10
Full day birding in the stunning afro-alpine setting of the Sanetti Plateau, with its striking afro-alpine flora. Drive to the top of Tullu Dimtu (4377 m) and watch the endemic birds and mammals populations. Drive back to Goba.
Day 11
Bird spotting in the wild Harenna Forest at the southern boundary of the park. In the woodland avi-fauna you find not only a variety of birds, but other mammals and interesting plants, too. In the afternoon drive back to Goba.
Day 12
Drive from Goba to Asela, crossing the Arsi Mountains.
Day 13
Drive from Asela to Addis Ababa. Have a rest at the hot springs of Sodere, near Nazareth, a good place to spot birds again.