Ethiopia Safari in Focus

Welcome to join the Ethiopia safaris! On the first day, our representative will wait for you at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and later send you to the hotel.

Accommodation: Azzeman Hotel

In the morning, we will go to visit the National Museum, the first destination of our Ethiopia safari tours. It exhibits some of Ethiopia's most precious artistic treasures and fossilized remains of early hominids including the world-famous Lucy. In the afternoon, we will go to the Holy Trinity Church, the second most important church in the country. Then we will go to Mount Entoto to visit Entoto Maryam, a bright-colored octagonal church situated at the top of the mountain, and palace of Ethiopian Emperor Menelik II. There you could also enjoy a spectacular vista of overlooking the capital city. At dusk, we will go for a walk around Merkcato, the biggest open-air market in Africa, where you could get a real insight into locals' life.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Azzeman Hotel

This morning, the driver will send you and your escorted guide to take the flight to the historic city Axum. After arrival, we will visit the landmark monument, Obelisk of Axum, built in the 4th-century and with a height of 24 meters (76 feet). Then we will go to visit the palace and bath of the Queen Sheba, a large reservoir carved from solid rock and associated with many colorful legends. Next, we will visit the St. Mary of Zion Church, the highest ranking orthodox cathedral in Ethiopia which is believed to contain the Ark of the Covenant.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Atranos Fantacy Hotel

Today we will travel to Debark, the closest town to the Simien Mountains National Park which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its dramatic highland scenery consisting of jagged peaks, deep valleys, sharp cliffs and rare animals. It will take about 7 or 8 hours to drive there. On the way we'll drive through the Lima Limo Valley and appreciate the breathtaking landscape. After arrival, check in a local lodge and have a good rest for the coming safari at Simien Mountains.

Tips: It's a long drive from Axum. It is suggested you have big breakfast.

Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch
Accommodation: Simien lodge

Today your Ethiopia safaris at Simien Mountains National Park start! In the early morning, we will first drive to Sankaber campsite and then in the company of a local guide and a scout take a 2-hour hike to reach Jinbar Waterfalls, one of the tallest waterfalls in Africa, which is over 500 meters (1,640 feet) high. Then go ahead to the Chenek campsite for a picnic lunch. There we will also have a short safari to spot some of the extremely rare animals like Gelada Baboon and Walia Ibex. They cannot be found anywhere else in the world. You could play with friendly baboons and see Ethiopian wolf if lucky.

Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch
Accommodation: Simien lodge

In the morning, we will drive to Gonder, the former capital city of Ethiopia known for remains of castles and palaces built by ancient emperors, and en route pay a visit to Amhara community villages and learn about Amhara traditions and cultures. When arrival in the afternoon, we will lead you to visit Fasil Ghebbi, a 17th-century fortress-city found by Emperor Fasilides. It is surrounded by a long wall and contains numerous palaces, highly decorated churches, and monasteries. Then we will sightsee the Debre Berhan Selassie Church. Last, we will tour the Fasiladas's Bath, a beautiful bathing palace enclosed by a rock wall which plays a significant role in the spiritual lives of local orthodox Christians.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Goha Hotel

Today, we will take a 4-hour drive to Bahir Dar, the third largest city in Ethiopia. In the afternoon, we will tour the Lake Tana near Bahir Dar. It is the largest freshwater lake in Ethiopia and the major source of Blue Nile. On the islands over the vast lake are numerous ancient monasteries and churches. We will visit two of them: Ura Kidane Meret and Azuwa Maryam. They both are the best-looking churches on Zege Penisula with beautifully painted murals. At the end of the lake tour, we will also go to the southwest corner of the lake where the Blue Nile runs from to see wild hippopotamus.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Kuriftu Resort

In the morning, we will drive to sightsee the Blue Nile Falls, located 35 km (22 mi) southeast of Bahir Dar. The waterfall perched on the upper course of the Blue Nile is about 37 to 45 meters (121 to 148 feet) in height and over 400 meters (1,312 feet) in width during rainy season, being one of Ethiopia's most spectacular sights to see. It takes about 1.5 hour to get there. After arrival, our local guide will show you the best points to watch the waterfalls and shoot photos. In the afternoon, we will drive back to the city of Bahir Dar. You could discover the local market to find some of your favorite handicrafts.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Kuriftu Resort

Today, we will drive 6 to 7 hours to Lalibela, an ancient town known for its prominent monolithic rock-cut churches built in the 12th and 13th centuries. On the way we will drop by a tiny village called Awramba, praised for being one of the few models in reducing poverty and promoting gender equality in post-colonial Africa. After arrival Lalibela, we will first check in the hotel for a good rest. Later spend a wonderful afternoon enjoying delicious honey wine and traditional music and dance performances at Torpedo restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mezena Lodge

Today we will lead you to visit 11 incredible rock hewn churches of Lalibela at a mountainous area in central Ethiopia. These medieval churches, made entirely out of gigantic rocks, show high artistic value in their size, variety and boldness of their form. Until now much mystery about its construction still remains unsolved. They are divided into two groups. This morning, we will explore six of them to the north of river Jordan, including the world's largest monolith rock-cut church, Bet Medhanealem. In the afternoon, we will tour the other group to the south of the river Jordan, containing the Bet Emanue, the most finely carved one which could be probably the former royal chapel, and the most photographed St. George Church. After the visit, you could enjoy a self-paid dinner at the famous Ben Abeba Restaurant located at the edge of jagged cliff and watch the beautiful sunset over the mountains and holy town.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mezena Lodge

After breakfast, we will go to the airport at Lalibela and fly back to Addis Ababa in 1 or 2 hours. Here is the end of the 11 days Ethiopia safari tours. Hope you've had a wonderful time during the trip.

Meals: Breakfast