Overview of the Tour

This tour is one of the greatest adventures across Ethiopia. Beginning in Addis Ababa, it travels through Jimma, Chebera Churchura National Park, Mizan Teferi, Kibish and the Surma Tribes, Omo National Park, Turmi and the Dassanech Tribes, Jinka, Arbore, Konso Village, Boran Tribes and Boran National Park, Hawassa, Bale Mountains National Park, Awash National Park, and finally into the historical north with Axum and the rock-hewn churches of the Gheralta Mountains. Along the way you will encounter some of Ethiopia’s most remarkable wildlife, stunning landscapes, and authentic tribal cultures.

Day 1: Arrival and Addis Ababa City Tour

This authentic Ethiopia safari begins in Addis Ababa, the vibrant capital. Upon arrival at Bole International Airport, your guide will meet and greet you before transferring you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, relax or begin exploring one of the oldest continuously inhabited places on earth. Addis Ababa, meaning “new flower,” was founded by Emperor Menelik II in 1886 and today serves as Africa’s diplomatic hub. Sightseeing includes the National Museum, the Ethnological Museum, Trinity Cathedral, and Merkato, the bustling open-air market. Overnight in Addis Ababa.

Day 2: Addis Ababa to Jimma

Drive from Addis Ababa to Jimma via Wolkite, visiting the Gurage ethnic group and enjoying breathtaking views over the Gibe Valley. Overnight in Jimma.

Day 3: Chebera Churchura National Park

After breakfast, travel southwest to Chebera Churchura National Park via Jimma, the birthplace of coffee. In the afternoon, arrive at the park for your first game drive in this untouched wilderness. Home to elephants, buffalo, hippos, and over 235 bird species, it is one of Ethiopia’s richest wildlife areas. Overnight camping in the park.

Day 4: Chebera Churchura National Park

Spend a full day exploring the habitats of Chebera Churchura, ranging from wooded grasslands to riverine forests. Declared a national park in 2005 to protect declining elephant populations, it now serves as a stronghold for Ethiopian elephants and large herds of buffalo. Lions, hyenas, hippos, and leopards roam the park, while rivers and lakes sustain abundant birdlife, including endemic species such as the white-winged cliff chat, banded barbet, wattled ibis, and thick-billed raven. Overnight camping in the park.

Day 5: Mizan Teferi to Kibish

Drive from Mizan Teferi to Kibish, stopping at Bebeka Coffee Plantation to learn about Ethiopia’s organic coffee, tea, spice, and rubber cultivation. Overnight in Kibish.

Day 6: Surma Tribes

Spend a full day visiting Surma villages within a 20 km radius of Kibish. Overnight in Surma.

Day 7: Omo National Park

Enjoy a full-day safari in Omo National Park with a visit to the local communities. The park is home to more than a dozen indigenous groups, including the Mursi, Hamar, Karo, Dassanech, and Ari peoples, each with unique traditions and cultural practices. Overnight camping.

Day 8: Omo Valley – Turmi

Continue your journey to Turmi, the heart of the Omo Valley. Visit the Hamar people, renowned for their pottery, hairstyles, and vibrant goat-skin attire adorned with beads and bangles. Overnight at a lodge or hotel in Turmi.

Day 9: Dassanech and Jinka Tribes

Drive to Omorate on the Omo River. Cross by local boat to visit the Dassanech people, semi-nomadic pastoralists with distinctive hair buns and agricultural traditions. Return to Turmi for lunch before continuing to Jinka, where the Karo people live along the Omo River and are famous for their body and face painting. Overnight in a lodge or hotel.

Day 10: Jinka to Konso

Visit the Arbore people, pastoralists living near Lake Chew Bahir. Their name means “land of the bulls,” and cattle are central to their livelihood. Overnight in Konso.

Day 11: Konso to Boran National Park

Travel to Boran National Park via Jinka and Konso. This park offers wildlife, tranquility, and diverse landscapes. Overnight nearby.

Day 12: Boran National Park

Spend the day exploring Boran National Park, established in 2005 and covering 3,731 sq km. It is home to Grevy’s zebra, Burchell’s zebra, Grant’s gazelle, gerenuk, beisa oryx, kudu, cheetah, leopard, and over 300 bird species, including the endemic Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco. Overnight camping or hotel.

Day 13: Yabello to Hawassa

Drive to Hawassa, spotting birds such as silvery cheeked hornbill, Abyssinian ground hornbill, marabou stork, African pygmy goose, and kingfishers along the way. Overnight in Hawassa.

Day 14: Senkelle Sanctuary

Visit Senkelle Wildlife Sanctuary, home to the endemic Swayne’s hartebeest. Other wildlife includes kudu, reedbuck, warthog, and porcupine. Overnight in Hawassa.

Day 15: Bale Mountains

Drive to Bale Mountains National Park. At the headquarters, learn about conservation efforts and enjoy a short hike, spotting endemic wildlife such as mountain nyala, Menelik’s bushbuck, and reedbuck. Overnight in Robe.

Day 16: Sanetti Plateau

Travel to the Sanetti Plateau, the largest Afroalpine area in Africa, to search for the Ethiopian wolf. Also observe the giant molerat and raptors such as golden eagles, lammergeiers, and buzzards. Overnight at Bale Lodge.

Day 17: Bale Mountains – Harena Forest

Hike in Harena Forest, part of the Bale ecosystem, where mountain nyala, bushbuck, and diverse flora thrive. Overnight at Bale Lodge.

Day 18: Bale Mountains – Gesse Grasslands

Continue to Gesse Grasslands, with opportunities to see endemic wildlife. Overnight camping.

Day 19: Bale Mountains to Awash

Drive to Awash National Park. Explore thorn bush, grassland, and the Awash River Falls, spotting wildlife such as baboons, dik-dik, kudu, jackals, hyenas, and crocodiles. Overnight in Awash.

Day 20: Awash and Alideghi Wildlife Reserve

Visit Alideghi Wildlife Reserve northeast of Awash. Spot Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk, oryx, gazelles, golden wolves, ostriches, and bustards. Overnight at Doho Lodge.

Day 21: Awash to Addis Ababa

Drive back toward Addis, stopping at Abijatta-Shalla Lakes National Park to see gazelles, jackals, ostriches, and warthogs. Continue to Addis for an overnight stay.

Day 22: Axum

Fly to Axum, one of the four great civilizations of the ancient world. Visit the obelisks, ancient palaces, the Queen of Sheba’s ruins, and the Church of St. Mary of Zion, believed to house the Ark of the Covenant. Overnight in Axum.

Day 23: Axum to Gheralta Mountains

Drive to Gheralta, stopping at the Adwa battlefield and Yeha Temple, dating back 2,500 years. Arrive in Hawzen. Overnight in a lodge.

Day 24: Gheralta Churches – Mekelle – Addis

Climb to Abune Yemata Guh, one of Ethiopia’s most dramatic rock-hewn churches. In the afternoon, drive to Mekelle for a flight back to Addis. Overnight in Addis.

Day 25: Addis Ababa – Farewell

Spend your final day with visits and shopping before enjoying a farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant with live cultural music and dance. Afterward, transfer to the airport for your international departure.