Addis Ababa

The " New Flower" was found by Emperor Menelik II in 1887. To day Addis Ababa  has grown enormously. It is the birthplace of the Organization of African unity and also the home of the United Nations Economic Commission For Africa. The most interesting place to be visited in Addis are:

Includes one of the biggest open air markets in Africa "Merkato", the National or Archaeological Museum which represents the national history and cultural heritages as well as its archaeological finding and collection of fossils, where the skeleton of "Lucy" dated back to 3.5 million years in found.

The following will be added on the half day tour above. The National History Museum (The Zoological Museum), where different specimens of wildlife and bird life are found. The Menelik's Mausoleum and the Ethnographic Museum. 

Debre Zeit 

Found ­­at 50 kilometers from Addis, Debre Zeit is a rapidly expending town. At an altitude of 1900 mts. It enjoys warm climate and it lies within a circle of crater lakes and is a popular weekend resort for Addis Ababa residents. These series of volcanic crater lakes surrounding Debre Zeit are noted for their bird life, the most spectaculars being  Bishoftu and Green Lakes.

Not more than 60 kms. To the southwest of Addis, Melka Konture, the nearest archeological site is found. Archeological findings of fossils and stone tools have been discovered and dated to 1.8 million years back. Not far from Melka Konture, Adadi Mariam (a rock-hewn church) is located which is a very true example of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibella of the 12th century. Adadi Mariam is also believed to have been built in the same period.  

Nazareth/Sodore

Drive through Akaki and Kaliti, which are the industrial zones of Addis Ababa. All the way up to Debre Zeit, you pass through the farmlands where grains like wheat, maize and teff are grown. After as short visit of the creator lakes of Debre Zeit, you proceed directly to Nazareth , a fast growing town with diversified ethnic groups of Oromos, Amharas, Afars. After 35 Kms, drive form Nazareth you reach the resort area of Sodore, very known for its natural hot spring water. The Sodore resort has got an Olympic size swimming pool filled with the natural hot water. The Awash River flows through the resort and Hippos could be see.  

The monastery of Debre Libanos was founded in the late 13th century by Abune Tekle Haimanot and is today famous for its miraculous spring. The new church that stands beneath a cliff on the edge of the gorge has beautiful stained glass windows and mosaic figures on the façade. Two and half hours drive from Addis Ababa beyond Goha Tsion, the 100 mt (3000 ft) descent into the Nile Begins, enroute visit Gelada baboon and endemic mammal. This truly magnificent gorge is at 1 km depth comparable in scale to the Grand Canyon of America.    

TT 5 Duration Full day

Debre Birhan & Ankober  

Deber Birhan is located 130 kms to north east of Addis Ababa. It is a place of interest in its old and medieval history. Its monastery is believed to have been built 700 years ago and is still giving services. 40kms to the east of Debre Birhan is situated  the town of Ankober, founded in the 5th century by Atse Zere Yakob. The founder of Addis Ababa Menelik II have had his settlement there before moving to Entoto and some international affairs have taken place. The Palace ruins are still of big interest.  

TT 6 Duration Full day

Ambo & Wonchi Crater Lake  

Ambo sometimes called Hager -Hiwot meaning "Land of life" located only 125 kms to the west of Addis Ababa. The Wonchi creator lake, the falls of the Guder River and the vineyard are the main attractions of the areas, where as its vegetation and view, and the various bird species around the lakes are worth to see. It is a very comfortable picnic drive through fertile farmland both ways after having lunch at Ambo town arrive Addis late afternoon.

 TT 7 Duration Full day

The Rift Vally Lakes  

Lake Langano is one of The Rift Valley Lakes, which is found at 210 kms to the south of Addis Ababa. It is popular resort for swimming, aquatic sports, sunbathing, camping and bird watching. Along the shores, acacia inhabiting birds like Hornbills and Ravens set up a noisy chatter. In the heart of Abjata-Shalla Lakes National Park, there are two exceptionally scenic stretches of water lakes Abjata and Shalla, which together form 50% of the 800 kms conservation area. Despite their natural beauty these lakes are best known for their bird life. At Abjata, more than 10 meters deep, greater and lesser flamingoes abound the lake along with White Necked Cormorants, several species of Herons, Storks, Fish Eagles, Spoon Bills, Ibises, King Fishers etc. Lake Shalla is well known for its large colony of Great White Pelicans and also their breeding ground. It is thought to be the deepest lake in Africa (north of the equator). On the way to Langano or on the way back, you pass by the volcanic lakes of Debre Zeit, the artificial lake of Koka and the lake of Ziway, which are also ideal for bird watching and photographing.

Awassa and Wondo Guenet 

When it comes to lacustrine, peace and serenity, Lake Awassa, just lying to the south of Shashemene and close to the town of Awassa is peerless. A gentle chain mountain and a low plateau surrounds the lake opening to a wide and low bay in the south. The lake with a great variety of fish than elsewhere in the Rift Valley has got an endless species of birds. Along the shore of Lake Awassa one can visit the fish market every morning . Wondo Guenet is a place where a natural hot spring is found and is ideal for forest bird watching, bathing and swimming.

TT 8 Langano- Duration Full day  

TT 9 Langano and Abijate Shalla Lakes
Duration: one night/two days  

TT 10 The Rift Vally Lakes and Wondo Guenet

Duration: two nights /three days

Day  1 Addis -Langano

Day  2 Langano- Awassa

Day  3 Awassa- Wondo Guenet - Addis 

Arba Minch

Whose name means "Forty Springs" lies at the southern end of Ethiopia's Great Rift Valley overlooking Lakes Abaya and Chamo. It is used as a center to explore the Chencha, home of the Dorze people that are famous for their bee hive shaped houses and their weaving skills and Nech Sar National Park, which is habitat of some mammals like Swayne's Hartebeast and Zebras.

TT 11 Arba Minich and The Rift Valley Lakes

Duration: Four nights/ Five days

Day 1 Addis - Arba Minch

Day 2  Arba Minch

Day 3  Arba Minch - Awassa

Day 4  Awassa - Wondo Guenet

Day 5 Wondo Guenet - Addis

Awasha National Park  

The awash National Park is the oldest and most developed wildlife reserves in Ethiopia. Featuring the 1800 mts. Volcanic Mt. Fentale, extensive mineral hot springs and extraordinary volcanic formations This natural treasure is bordered to the south by the Awash River and lies 225 kms. To the east of Addis Ababa. Driving 30 kms to the Hot Springs, game drive through the park and visit of the Awash River Falls are the Highlights.  

TT 12 The Awash National Park

Duration: one night/Two days 

Day 1 Addis-Awash National Park

Day 2 Awash N. Park  - Addis

Harrar and Dire Dawa  

Set high on the southern reaches of the Great Rift Valley escarpment is the medieval walled city of Harrar. This Islamic city with its 99 mosques is said to be Islam's fourth holiest city in the world. The main attractions of the area are the unique style dress making, colorful market reflected in the beautiful basket work, silver work and head dress, as well as the ruined chateau of the 19th century French poet rimboud. Another unique experience here is the feeding to of the wild hyenas by the only man who has every succeeded in coaxing these timid creatures to take food from a human being.  

TT 13 Harrar and Dire Dawa

Duration: Two Nights/ Three days

Day 1 Fly to Dire Dawa - drive to Harrar

Day 2 P.M drive back to Dire Dawa

Day 3  Return to Addis by air 

TT 14 Awash National Park, Harrar and Dire Dawa

Duration: Three nights/Four days

Day 1  Drive to Awash Park

Day 2  Awash Park/ Harrar

Day 3  Harrar / Dire Dawa

Day 4  Dire Dawa/ Addis by air

Bale Mountains National Park  

The Bale Mountains, with their vast moorlands- the lower reaches covered with St.John's wort - and their extensive heathlands, virgin woodlands, pristine mountain streams and alpine climate remain an untouched and beautiful world. Rising to a height of more than 4000 meter, the range borders Ethiopia's southern highlands, whose highest peak, Mount Tullu Deemtu, stands at 4377 meters. The weather is generally cold and the Bale Mountains provide  beautiful riding and trekking country. The park covers 1657 kms. And the wild life dominantly comprises the Mountain Nyala, Semien Fox Menelik's Bushbuck Warthogs Duikers, Klipspringers….. The main species of birds are Lammergayer, Wattled Crane, augurd Buzzard. The river of the Bale Mountains Park provide excellent fishing as they are well stocked with rainbow and brown trouts.

TT 15 Bale Mountains Park and The Rift Valley Lakes

Duration : Four nights/ Five days

Day 1  Drive south until Langano

Day 2  Langano via Shashemene to Goba

Day 3  Full day excursion to Mount Tulu Dimtu

Day 4  Full day excursion to the Sof-Omer caves

Day 5  Return to Addis via Sodore

Gambella 

It is the west of Ethiopia approximately 800 kms from Addis Ababa. The whole area of Gambella is a vast collection of savannas, untouched forests, fast flowing rivers and wide grass plains stretching to the border of the Sudan. Gambella teems with wildlife of a very wide variety. The most common observed area Buffalo, Giraffe, Water Buck, Antelopes, Zebrea, Bush Buck etc. and the most outstanding feature of the area is the spectacular migration of herds of White-eared Kob. The rivers of Gambella are full of crocodile and hippopotamus. The inhabitants of this area are Nilotic people, the Anuak and Nure.  

TT 16 Gambella

Duration: Two nights / Three days

Day 1 Fly to Gambella

Day 2 Gambella

Day 3 Fly back to Addis

Omo Safari  

This is special safaris tour designed for different Ethiopian tribes expedition and game animals

found in the national parks of Ethiopia tribes expedition and game animals found in the national parks of Ethiopia in the south. It is a camping Safari Toru of South Ethiopia, which is ideal to explore the different ethnic groups such as the Mursi, Karo, Bume, Geleb, Hamer, Konso etc. with their rich and incredible life style. The Safari expedition tour enables you to discover the different big game animals like Buffalo, Zebras, Giraffes, Elephants, Leopards and Lions living in the National Parks and in the Savannah Grasslands including the scenic beauty of the southern region of Ethiopia. The different costumes and norms of the tribes are as varied and interesting as the population itself.  

TT 17 Omo Safari Expedition

Duration: 13 Nights/ 14 Days

Day 1  Drive southwest of Addis via melka Konture & Adadi Mariam to Hosana O/N camping of local hotel

Day 2  Hosana - Wolaita Sodo - Arab Minch O/N hotel

Day 3  Full day visit to lake Chamo O/N Arba Minch hotel

Day 4  Early morning visit Chencha, return to Arba Minch for lunch and proceed to Woyto O/No camping by Woyto River

Day 5  Woyto - Erbore - Turmi O/N camping

Day 6  Turmi - Dimeka - Lake Turkana - Omorate O/N camping

Day 7  Omorate - Kangate- Murle O/N camping

Day 8  Murle - Karo - Mago National Park O/N camping

Day 9  Mago - Mursi - Mago N.Park O/N camping

Day 10  Mago  Park - Jinka O/N camping or local hotel

Day 11  Jinka - Konso - Arba Minch O / N hotel

Day 12   Arba Minch - Wondo Guenet O/ N hotel

Day 13   Wondo Guenet - Langano O/N hotel

Day 14    Langano - Addis

Bahir Dar

Situated on the southern extremity of lake Tana, provides access to both the lake and its many islands. Some of these islands shelter churches and monasteries and are the repository of innumerable treasures, rich painting and illuminated manuscripts. About 35 kms. From Lake Tana, the Blue Nile plunges over a sheer 45 mts. cliff producing the thunderous spray misted Tiss Issat Waterfalls. The palm-lined avenues and pretty lakeside vistas make Bahir Dar a decidedly attractive town.

Among the other attractions in Bahir Dar, are the market, the basket weavers, the place where local people make boats from papyrus reeds and the source of Nile.  

TT 18 Bahir Dar Bay Air

Duration: One Night/Two Days.

Day 1   Fly to Bahir Dar - visit the falls After noon boat trip Lake Tana. O/N Hotel

Day 2   Transfer out for the flight to Addis.

Gonder  

Fortress city of an astonishing turreted 17th century castle and church, founded in 1632 by Emperor Fassiledes, was once Ethiopia's capital. The main attractions in Gondar are the oldest and the most impressive to Gondar's imperial structures, the two storied palace of Emperor Fassiledes which were built from brown basalt stones, the bath of Emperor Fassildes, the icon rich monastery of Debere Birthan  Sillassie and nearby recently evacuated Falasha villages, which used to directly reflect Ethiopia's historic with Judaism.  

TT 19 Gondar By Air

Duration: One Night/ Two Days

Day 1  Fly out to Gondar visit the rock-hewn churches O/N hotel

Day 2  Return flight to Addis

Laliballa

This awe-inspiring historic town that grooms rock-hewn churches is believed to have been built in late 12th Century by King Lalibella. This remarkable edifice which were curved out of solid rocks are ranked among the wonders of the world. Each church or building is architecturally unique, all are finely carved and several are decorated with beautiful paintings that remained for about 800 years. Lalibella is arguably the one place in Ethiopia that no tourist   should miss.  

TT 20 Lalibella by air

Duration: One Night/ Two Days

Day 1  Fly to Lalibella Visit the rock- hewn churches O/N hotel

Day 2  Return flight to Addis

Axum was believed to have been the first Ethiopian capital from the 1st to the 10th Century, where Christianity was introduced during the 4th Century. The standing Stelea, carved out from one single granite stone (monolithic obelisque), the bath and palace ruins of the Queen of Sheba, the tomba of Emperor Kaleb and Gebre Meskal are the most striking attraction.

TT 21 Axum by air

Duration: One Night/Two Days

Day 1  Fly to Axum Visit the sights in town O/N Hotel

Day 2   Fly back to Addis

TT 22 Historic Rote by Air

Duration : Four Night/five Day

Day 1   Addis /Bahir Dar

Day 2   Bahir Dar/ Gondar

Day 3   Gondar/Lalibella

 Up  

TT 23 Historic Route by Surface

Duration :Nine Nights/ Ten Days

Day 1   Addis /Bahir Dar

Day 2   Bahir Dar

Day 3   Bahir Dar/ Gondar

Day 4   Gondar/Axum

Day 5   Axum

Day 6   Axum/Mekele

Day 7   Mekele/Lalibella

Day 8   Lalibella

Day 9   Lalibella/Dessie

Day 10  Dessie/Addis

Up

TT 24 Historic Route & Semien Mountains

National Park Trekking

Duration: 12 Nights/ 13 days

Day 1   Addis/ Bahir Dar

Day 2   Bahir Dar/ Gondar

Day 3   Gondar/Sanka Ber

Day 4   Sanka Ber/Geech

Day 5   Geech/ Mitgogo/Chenek

Day 6   Chenek/Buhait/Ambiko

Day 7   Ambiko /Mt.Ras Dejen/Ambiko

Day 8   Ambiko/Chenek

Day 9   Chenek/Gondar

Day 10  Gondar/Lalibella

Day 11  Lalibella

Day 12  Laliblla/Axum

Up

TT 25 Historic Route, Bale Mountains

National Park And Rift Valley Lakes

Duration: 11 nights/12 days

Day 1  Addis/Bahir Dar

Day 2  Bahir Dar/Gondar

Day 3  Gondar/Semien Mts./Gondar

Day 4  Gondar/Lalibella

Day 5  Lalibella

Day 6  Lalibella/Axum

Day 7  Axum/Addis Ababa

Day 8  Addis Ababa/Wondo Guenet

Day 9  Wondo Guenet /Bale Mts. (Goba)

Day 10  Goba /Senete Plateau/ Goba

Day 11  Goba /Awassa

Up