Day 1: Addis Ababa – The Third Highest Capital in the World
Travel: Full day’s journey
After your arrival and immigration, you will meet with your guide at the airport and be transferred to your hotel/lodge for some refreshment. Depending on your arrival time, your guide will take you on a city tour through Ethiopia’s vibrant and lively capital.
In the National Museum, you can discover the cradle of mankind where the skeleton of “Lucy” is kept. Entoto Mountain, with its eucalyptus forest, is a pleasant short escape from town where you can see Mariyam Church and Menelik Palace, the former residence of Ethiopian emperors. Others might enjoy exploring one of the city’s weekly markets. You can choose your itinerary with your guide.
Meals: B/L/D
Accommodation: Hotel in Addis Ababa
Day 2: Drive to Awash National Park
Morning after breakfast, we will spend the early morning in the area if need be, and then head to the nearby Awash National Park. We will go for a game drive in the thorny bushes and grassland of the park, including a hike in the riverbank forest by the Awash River Falls. We have a chance to spot mammals such as: Salt’s Dik dik, Lesser Kudu, Warthog, Hamadryas Baboon, Olive Baboon, Black-backed Jackal, Spotted Hyena, Abyssinian Hare, Aardwolf, Aardvark, Grivet Monkey, Nile Crocodiles, and more wildlife and numerous birds. Overnight: Awash Hotel
Day 3: Awash National Park – Aledeghi Wildlife Reserve
The photographic highlight depends on how many bee eaters are around. They often use bustards as convenient lookout posts from which to hawk large flying insects. Surprisingly, bustards tolerate these colorful “hitch hikers,” perhaps because they provide warning of approaching predators.
Birdlife is varied, with appealing photographic targets such as: Somali Ostrich, Lappet-faced Vulture, Tawny Eagle, Pallid and Montagu’s Harriers, Pygmy and Lanner Falcons, Buff-crested, Hartlaub’s and White-bellied Bustards, Black headed Lapwing, Chestnut bellied Sandgrouse, Blue naped Mousebird, Abyssinian Roller, Northern Red-billed and Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbills, Somali Fiscal, Rosy patched Bushshrike (pairs often duet together). Then we drive to Doho Lodge for an overnight stay. Here you can enjoy swimming in the hot springs of Doho Lodge. Overnight: Doho Lodge/Camping
Day 4: Drive to Harar
After breakfast, we head eastwards to the historical city of Harar, via Dire Dawa, and from there drive up into the Chercher Mountains to reach Harar, where we will spend two nights. We arrive in time to explore the city and enjoy our first session with the famous ‘Hyena Men’. Harar, also called “The City Of Peace”, was already important by the 13th century and later became the capital of the Adal Sultanate and the Emirate of Harar in the 16th century. Though the origin of feeding Spotted Hyenas is lost in legend, it seems they were encouraged in the city as nocturnal scavengers since the 16th century.
Legends abound from feeding them porridge as oracles, to discouraging livestock attacks during droughts, or even spiritual negotiations with Muslim saints. Seeing hyenas take food from tiny sticks or even mouths near their huge muzzles is both awesome and surreal. The hyenas rest their massive paws on the Hyena Man’s back or head and behave like large friendly dogs. You’ll get to photograph them at close range or from lower angles for dramatic shots. If you’re brave, you’ll even have a chance to feed them yourself!
Overnight: Hotel in Harar
Day 5: Harar City Discovery
This morning, explore the ancient medina of Harar and its fortifications, known as the Jugal (or Jugol). The walled city dates back to the 14th century and is a maze of small alleyways, markets, mosques, and historic buildings. Harar is considered the 4th holiest city in Islam, after Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem. Yet today, it is famed for its tolerance of other faiths, and Harar beer, brewed by Christians, is widely available.
Harar is ideal for photography, especially early in the morning when the light is best. We’ll also enjoy a photo session with one of the ‘Kite Men’ of Harar, who feed Yellow-billed Kites by hand, allowing for spectacular mid-air shots. At dusk, we return for a second unforgettable session with the Hyena Man and the nightly visitors from the nearby forest. Overnight: Hotel in Harar (best available accommodation)
Day 6: Flight to Addis Ababa
In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant, featuring dancers and musicians representing some of Ethiopia’s many ethnic groups. Transfer to the airport for your international departure.