COMPLETE ETHIOPIA 30 DAYS &29 NIGHTS

 In the morning, arrive at Addis Ababa bole International Airport, meet Enter Ethiopia Tour representative and transfer to your Hotel then after Breakfast, we drive to the Entoto Mountain (3300m) for a panoramic view of Addis, Entoto Museum with historical and royal exhibit, The Church of St. Mary, built in 1885 and the old palace of emperor MenelikII. Take some images at Mount Entoto. Then drive to National Museum where we are going to be visiting different archaeological findings (including Lucy’s replica Skeleton).and visit the Trinity Cathedral and finally if time allows, visit Merkato – the largest open market in Africa

 Overnight sapphire hotel or similar standard

In the morning start driving to Jimma, in route we will be visiting the interesting Gurage people village passing through beautiful landscapes, as we drive through the Gibe River Valley. Afternoon if time allows have a visit to the famous Aba Jifar II palace. Abba Jifar II was king of the Gibe Kingdom of Jimma (reigned 1878 – 1932). He was the son of Abba Gomoland Queen Gumiti.

Lunch Weliso or welkite Dinner Dololo hotel

 Overnight stay in Jima (Dololo hotel).

Morning after breakfast we drive to Chebera Churchura national park. In the national park, it will be an opportunity to discover an untouched wilderness, very fascinating highly rugged, undulating landscape to rolling plains. There are number of hilly & mountainous places which the whole year covered with vegetation. The park comprises unique and attractive mountain closed forest, closed tall-grassed savannah habitat, thick woodland forest So far, 37 larger mammals and 237 species of birds have been recorded in the different habitats (Highland & Riverine forest and savanna and bush lands) of the park.

Overnight stay at Chebera Churchura National park

In afternoon visit the park and surrounding which White-cliff chat, banded-barbet, wattle ibis, black-headed forest Oriole and thick billed Raven are endemic birds for the country. Common mammals include the African elephant, hippopotamus, Cape buffalo, lion, and leopard. Currently, CCNP appears to be the least disturbed and reliable ecosystem for the African elephant and Buffalo in the country.

Overnight stay at Chebera Churchura National park

Morning after breakfast we have some site see in the park and drive to Bonga. On the way we have a short hike in the beautiful surroundings of Bonga.  Bonga was an ancient Kingdom of Kaffa, the birthplace of coffee.  We will have an opportunity to visit a traditional Kaffa house and learn about the culture of the Kaffa people reach to Mizane Teppi.

Overnight in Mizan Teferi salayish hotel

After a short drive we reach the biggest and oldest plantation of Ethiopia. Have a guided tour through the coffee plantation in Bebeka and after, we drive to Omo National Park through different tribes such as Dizi, Menit, and Surma.

Overnight- tented camp at Kibish the Park’s Head Quarter – Omo Park

 After breakfast in camp site and walk to Omo National Park looking for wildlife. Expected wildlife: Buffalo, Swayne Hartebeest, elephant, leopard, cheetah, lions, kudu, dik- dik, hyena, monkeys – such as velvet monkeys, common monkeys, Colobus Monkeys ….and birdlife.

Note that there could be a Donga Fighting amongst the Surma Tribes during your visit. Based on the accomplishment of the target mission, we may attend the astonishing stick fighting. For the wildlife, an experienced wildlife guide will also join at the park’s head office.

 Overnight- Tumi camp site – Omo Park

Morning After breakfast in camp Drive from Omo National Park (Tumi) to Mago National Park (Hanna Mursi). Cross the Omo River by local boat and get the car on the other side of the river for Mago Park. In the park, looking for wildlife: Buffalo, elephant, kudu, dik-dik, monkeys…also Mursi tribes are settled here.

 Overnight – tented camp – Mago National Park

In The morning drive to visit Mursi the Mursi tribe are one of the last remaining tribes in Africa to still wear traditional dress and accessories. The Mursi women also wear clay or wooden plates in their lower lips or earlobes. Afternoon visit jinka town spend evening in jinka

Overnight Eco omo Lodge jinka

Drive to Arba Minch via konso. On the way you may see Benna and Tsemai tribes with their interesting dressing style, different beads and ornamentation. The cultural landscape of Konso is the youngest World Heritage Site of Ethiopia. The Konso are famous for their waga stelae or grave markers for an important carved wooden grave markers.

Overnight: in Haile resort

Morning in Arba Minch   we visit Lake Chamo, The Nech Sar National Park includes parts of Lake Abaya and Lake Chamo and the ‘Bridge of God’ between them. It offers stunning scenery and a variety of wildlife among them the endemic Swayne’s hartebeest. Game drives and walks are possible in the park. A boat trip on Lake Chamo offers a variety of birds, most of the time hippo’s and a spectacular visit to the ‘crocodile market’ where dozens of crocodiles (among them the biggest of Africa) warming their bodies in sun. Visit parts of National Park and white pelicans, looking for wildlife: Zebra, kudu, Swayne’s hartebeest, and monkeys.

Overnight – Haile resort – Arba Minch or similar standared

Morning drive to the Dinsho area of Bale Mountains National Park. Based on time, Sinkille Swaynes Hartebeest sanctuary could be visited. Visit Dinsho Forest for: Mountain Nyala, Menelik’s Bush Buck, Bohor (estimated time – 8hrs drive) or take a rest in the park and enjoy the park from the evening.

Overnight- tented camp or Dinsho Lodge – Dinsho

Bale Mountains National Park: Looking for wildlife in the Dinsho Forest/Gaysay area, including Mountain Nyala, and transfer to the Sanetti Plateau area for Ethiopian Wolf (I assure you 100% that Ethiopian Wolf can be seen easily in this park! And Giant Mole Rat, Harenna Forest the forest is so dense and bird life is abundant

Overnight- tented camp or Dinsho Lodge

This day, weather permitting, we travel to Sof Omar cave, 100 km/ 2, 5 hr to the east. Here we admire what is believed the largest network of limestone caves in Africa. The Web River flows through the cave system and when the river is too high the caves are not accessible. In that case we explore more of the Bale Mountains.

Overnight– Bale Goba or similar standard

This is the best opportunity to photograph Ethiopian Wolf and transfer to Lake Langano. And visit Swayne’s hartebeest at Sinkille Swaynes Hartebeest sanctuary seeing them in group’s heir. On the way also visit Abijata -Shalla Lakes National Park for ostriches, antelopes, hot springs (at Lake Shalla) and enormous pink Flamingos at Lake Abijata. Evening in Lake Langano sun site

Overnight – Sabana lodge – Langano or similar standard

Morning if you are interested you can swim in Langano Lake and drive to Awash National Park. On the way, visit Lake Ziway for birdlife. You may test fresh fish fished on Lake Ziway. Again on the way near Awash Park, bird watching on Lake Beseka. Looking for wildlife at Awash National Park: dik-dik, lion, cheetah, waterbuck (more probable if you can camp near the hot springs), kudu, monkeys & birds like bustard, secretary bird (About 4hrs drive). To see more wildlife camping nearby the hot spring is better. The hot spring is at about 30km dirt road from the main road from Addis Ababa to Harar.

 Overnight – Awash fall lodge or camp – Awash Park

Early morning we will leave Awash for Harar admiring the Arba Gugu mountain chain on the way after the park’s bio diversity. rediscover the Oryx and drive to Harar. Lunch in Harar and proceed to Babile, visit the unique Dakatta Rock formation (on Babile – Jijiga Road) and drive to Babile elephant sanctuary. Looking for elephants (based on time.

 Overnight –camping in the Sanctuary

Explore the sanctuary in the morning and drive to Harar. Afternoon; Harar city was the best Islamic scholarship center before 15 century. Its walls registered in UNESCO & five gates made to protect them from external force still exist. Hyena feeding rituals and old villages of Harrari people have to be seen in a couple of days visit the walled city of Harar. Your Harar visit includes: the Rimbaud House, Harari tribes house, Palace of Ras Mekonnen (father of Emperor Haile SellassieI), Museum and the hyena man show (evening).

Overnight – Wonder land hotel – Harar or similar standard

Drive north – east through Yangudi Rassa National Park to Semera, Wild Ass (rare to be seen) is in this park. If we reach early before the office is closed, we will collect entrance tickets for the Danakil depression & Arte Ale.

Overnight – basic hotel – Semera (about 8hrs drive)

Drive to Afdera reach at nearly lunch time. Afternoon drive to Erte Ale via Kuserewad. Looking the smoke of the Volcano. Camels transport all the camping materials and some food (sleeping materials like light mattresses and mat and water) to the rim of the volcano, where we spend the night watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava. Erta Ale ranks one of the most alluring and physically challenging natural attractions anywhere in Ethiopia. Erta Ale contains the world’s only permanent lava lake. Erta Ale is 613 meters, one of only five in the world, at the summit Overnight – camping – at Arte Ale Bottom/ base of Mount Erta Ale.

Overnight – on the rim of the crater – Arte Ale.

Drive to Hamed Ela (at the base of Erta Ale). The 80 km distance passing through changing landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand and occasional palm lined oasis. After we pass several small hamlets scattered here and there in this desert land.

Overnight – camp in – Hamed Ela

Early morning (at 6am local time); before the merciless sun flame, drive to the Danakil depression. On this day; we will be in the awesome of Dallol. After Dallol; proceed to the traditional salt extraction site from where many camels are waiting to be loaded rock salts just nearby the Salt Lake of Asalé. Then transfer to Mekelle via Berahile we pass through a small town of Berhale where the camel caravan stop before they proceed to the northern highlands.
. Overnight – planet hotel – Mekelle

Now 1600 years later, the Gheralta region of Tigray has more 120 of these rock-hewn churches, each with its own unique ancient murals and relics. Gheralta will take you back in time: shepherds dressed in all white woven-cloth carrying wooden staffs, peasant homes and farms constructed from light-colored stones, and passing camels carrying loads of salt back from Afar.

Morning after breakfast With just 1 day to explore the Tigray Churches, from Makele we  also want to limit our visit to the 3 main highlights among the Tigray Churches –  namely Abuna Yemata, Maryam Korkor and Daniel Korkor, all set near the town of Hawzen.

ABUNA YEMATA GUH

Abuna Yemata Guh is not a hike for the faint of heart. It is short in distance, but there is a 30 foot section of straight free climbing plus a 1000 foot increase in elevation to reach the top. We can ask guide to bring a rope and harness, which is probably the safest option. If you select to go without the harness, the guide will help place your hands and feet as you climb.

MARYAM KORKOR & DANIEL KORKOR

This hike has the most amazing vistas in the region, as well as two of the best churches: Maryam Korkor and Daniel Korkor. The journey will be longer than Abuna Yemata. A huge, high ceiling is supported by 12 free standing pillars. Looking at it you could not help but wonder how the architect managed to carve so high from the ground. In the evening we will proceed to your hotel.

Overnight Gheralta Lodge or similar standard

Morning after breakfast we will proceed to Axum The Northern Ethiopia ancient city of Axum, regarded as the cradle of Ethiopian culture and Christianity, is the country’s oldest extant urban settlement. This day we will visit 2000 years old mysterious monolithic Axum Stelae, Queen of Sheba’s palace and bath, Church of St Mary of Zion, Museums, and King Kaleb Tomb place in the ancient city of Axum.

After its conversion to Christianity, early in the fourth century, Axum also emerged as an important religious center, site of the country’s most important and revered Church of St Mary of Zion, which, according to Ethiopian tradition, is the repository of the biblical Ark of the Covenant.

O/N YARED ZEMA or Similar standard

Early morning drive to Semian National Park through LimaLimo road.  At lunch time we reach Debarek and have lunch in Debark. In debark we will arrange your visit with the park office and receive a scout and guide then drive into the park to arrive at Sankaber. We can either drive all the way to Sankaber or have the car drop you off near Buayt’Ras for a short hike. If your pick is to hike in you will enjoy beautiful views of the landscape and the endless mountain ridges, and you likely see some gelada baboons. When we arrive in Sankaber we will be met with your supplies. If you choose camping for first night Sankaber will be the first campsite or we will have a night stay in Semain lodge

O/N Camping or Semen lodge

From Sankaber we will begin hiking following the ridge and look out over the foothills 800m down. From the ridge we will descend down into the valley and be able to view the Jinbar River plunging into the Geech Abyss. After some time at the waterfall we will continue on to Geech village where we will find our second campsite.

After breakfast we will start up on a 7-8 hour hike of the best views we will see in the Simien Mountains. In route we will pass through Imet Gogo. Here we will have reached an altitude of 3,926m and be able to look out at the amazing landscape from 360 degrees. At this height and view point we can see the canyon below, distant ridges, and view the seemingly never ending valleys. Lunch will be here and then we will descend to Chennek (3,600m) for our third campsite.

 Morning after Breakfast at the campsite then a 2 hour hike up to the Buwahit peak. Here we will be standing on the second highest peak in the Simien Mountains (4,430m). Here is where many visitors are able to see the endemic animals like the Walia Ibex and Ethiopian Red Fox. After spending time at the peak we will hike back down to Chennek for lunch and transportation back to Debark and proceed to Gondar.

Overnight Gondar Goha Hotel

Visit Gonder the Royal Enclosure. This 70,000-sq meter UNESCO World Heritage site was once the seat of emperor Fasiledes and his successors in the 16th and 17th century. The numerous castles and palaces that remain within the walls of the enclosure are a testament to the royal capital’s former splendor. And visit to Emperor Fasiledes’ Bath.  During the Timkat festival, the pool is filled with blessed water and devotees are invited to swim and frolic in the pool in a ceremonial replication of Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River finally Visit the church of Debre Birhan Selassie, famous for its religious art and especially its iconic ceiling depicting angels. Evening drive to airport and fly back to Addis

Overnight Addis Ababa Sapphire hotel

Depending to your flight time if you have a time you have shopping in Addis Ababa.

END OF THE TOUR!!!

– Ethiopian Airlines Passengers – Discounted Rate: $ 255 Per Person (Subjected to change)

– Other Airlines Passengers – Regular Rate: $ 520 Per Person (Subjected to change)