Immerse yourself in Ethiopia's capital, with its bustling markets and cultural landmarks.
Introducing Ethiopian Wildlife Odyssey
Exploring Untamed Beauty And Endangered Species
Start an odyssey on a thrilling 13-day journey into the heart of Ethiopia's diverse wildlife havens. This itinerary is designed exclusively for wildlife enthusiasts seeking extraordinary encounters with endemic species and pristine landscapes. From the vibrant capital city of Addis Ababa to the remote corners of Chebera Churchura, Maze, and Bale Mountains National Parks, this expedition promises an immersive experience in the untamed beauty of Ethiopia.
Witness the majesty of Ethiopian wolves, the rarest canids in the world, and capture remarkable moments with endangered Swayne's Hartebeests and majestic elephants. Explore ancient sites, discover cultural treasures, and embrace the authenticity of this captivating country.
Destination Highlights
Highlighted Destinations
Encounter elephants, buffalos, and over 235 bird species in this untouched wilderness area.
Discover the critically endangered Swayne's Hartebeest and diverse wildlife in the savannah grasslands.
Trek through breathtaking landscapes and spot Ethiopian wolves, Mountain Nyala, and rare bird species.
Explore the medieval castles and churches, and witness the rich historical heritage of "the Camelot of Africa."
Itinerary at a Glance
Day by day Tour Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN ADDIS ABABA & CITY TOUR
- Fly to Addis Ababa; upon arrival at Bole international airport, our hospitality begins. We provide you with a meet-and-greet service at the airport and then transfer you to your hotel for overnight accommodation.
- Relax at your hotel or begin your journey through ancient Ethiopia, one of the oldest inhabited places on earth, by exploring the cultural, historical, and modern facets of Addis Ababa. Addis Ababa, known as the 'new flower', was founded by Emperor Menelik II in 1886 and today functions as the diplomatic hub of Africa.
- Do some sightseeing in this city of contrasts where old colonial buildings, churches, and monuments stand side-by-side with dusty shacks and high-rise buildings. Attractions include the national and ethnological museums of Ethiopia, Trinity Cathedral, and Merkato, one of Africa's largest open-air markets.
DAY 2: ADDIS ABABA TO CHEBERA CHURCHURA NATIONAL PARK
- After breakfast, we travel southwest to Chebera Churchura National Park in the highlands. Our drive takes us via the university town of Jimma, the capital of the former Kaffa Province, the birthplace of coffee, after which it is named.
- In the late afternoon, we arrive at Chebera Churchura National Park and embark on our first game drive. This beautiful, untouched wilderness area is home to elephants, buffalos, hippos, and other mammals, along with over 235 bird species.
DAY 3: CHEBERA CHURCHURA NATIONAL PARK
- We spend the entire day exploring the untouched Chebera Churchura National Park today. Our exploration takes us through the various habitats of Chebera Churchura, from wooded grasslands to riverine forests.
- This is a relatively new national park declared in 2005 primarily to create a habitat for declining elephant populations. Today the park is known for its large elephant population, serving as a stronghold for Ethiopian elephants, as well as hosting impressive numbers of buffalos.
- Chebera Churchura is also home to lions, hyenas, hippos, leopards and other large mammals so keep your eyes peeled on our game drives. The park features numerous streams, rivers, and small lakes supporting healthy populations of animals and birds year-round.
- Endemic bird species include white-winged cliff chat, banded-barbet, wattled ibis, black-headed forest oriole, and thick-billed raven.
DAY 4 & 5: CHEBERA CHURCHURA TO MAZE NATIONAL PARK
- You start your day with an early morning game drive in Chebera Churchura Park - an ideal time to spot mammals and birds in the African bush. After our final game drive in the crowd-free Chebera Churchura, we head southeast to Maze National Park.
- Maze National Park is one of only three protected areas that still hosts good populations of the critically endangered Swayne's Hartebeest, endemic to Ethiopia. This 210 km² national park is home to about 39 mammal species and 196 bird species, encompassing savannah grasslands dotted with broad-leaved deciduous trees and riverine bush along the rivers.
- Other wild animals found in Maze include leopards, wild cats, baboons, monkeys, and various antelope species such as oribi, kudu, and waterbuck. You will have two days to explore this beautiful national park.
DAY 6: DRIVE TO AWASSA
- On this day we head out on a morning game drive in Maze National Park. After spotting Swayne's Hartebeest and other wildlife and birds in Maze Park, you will set off early and drive north towards the Great Rift Valley to Lake Awassa where you overnight. As you drive, you see a marked difference in the style of the houses and the surrounding habitat, with roadside birding offering the chance to see and photograph such bushland and acacia-loving many birds.
- Having lunch stop at Sodo town, you head to Awassa, a town situated beside the lake of the same name, where you will overnight.
DAY 7: DRIVE TO BALE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
- After breakfast, you may then visit the remarkable Lake Hawassa fish market. This large lake is particularly rich in fish, and the fishermen gut their catch and discard the waste around the market. This, in turn, attracts large numbers of grotesque Marabou Stork and other birds.
- After this, driving to Bale Mountain National Park, you head to the lake shore of Hawassa and visit the fish market. Then you drive to the remote Bale Mountains National Park of the Ethiopian Highlands. Home to Ethiopia's most abundant wildlife populations, this precious biodiversity hotspot is home to some of the rarest animals on earth.
- The Bale Mountains Park is a critical stronghold for Ethiopian wolves, the most endangered carnivores in Africa. Here, on the Sanetti Plateau, the rarest canids in the world, the wolves of Ethiopia, are often seen hunting. You make your way to the park headquarters in Dinsho and set off on foot from there. Your walk takes us in search of the rare and endemic species that make the Bale Mountains so special.
- Keep your eyes open for birds such as Chestnut-naped Francolin, ground scraper Thrush, the secretive Abyssinian Ground-thrush, Abyssinian Catbird, and the endemic White-backed Black-tit. We may also spot some mammals, including the Mountain Nyala, only found in the Bale Mountain massif, as well as Menelik’s bushbuck and warthog.
DAY 8: EXCURSION TO SANETTI PLATEAU
- Today is a day of great contrasts with amazing scenery and birding, making for excellent photographic opportunities. We will depart early and ascend the Bale massif onto the Sanetti Plateau, which is between 12,470 and 14,360 feet above sea level. This site is a bird refuge of immense importance, supporting seven globally threatened species and nearly all of Ethiopia’s Highland biome species.
- Keep an eye out for endemic birds such as the blue-winged goose, spot-breasted lapwing/plover, yellow-fronted parrot, Abyssinian long claw, Abyssinian catbird and black-headed siskin. The main target today is to see the plateau’s most celebrated resident, the Ethiopian Wolf, sometimes called the world’s rarest canid; watching these vibrantly colored animals exhibiting their hunting prowess while pouncing on giant molerats is surely among Africa’s greatest wildlife experiences.
- Midday we stop for a picnic overlooking scenic landscape. Head back to our lodge in the late afternoon.
DAY 9: DRIVE TO ROBE & FLY TO ADDIS ABABA
- After breakfast, you transfer by road (2 hrs.) to Robe airport to catch your flight back to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival in Addis, transfer you to your hotel.
DAY 10: FLY TO GONDER, & DRIVE TO SIMIEN MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
- This morning board a short flight to Gonder and upon arrival you drive to the Simien Mountains. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s largest ranges. More than a dozen peaks are higher than 3600 meters, including Ras Dashen, the highest peak in Ethiopia.
- Simien's landscapes vary from plateaus, escarpments, and steep gorges to rolling hills and pinnacles. Enjoy an afternoon walk around the lodge, amid the breathtaking alpine sceneries. This will help you to acclimatise your body to the altitude.
DAY 11: EXPLORE SIMIEN MOUNTAINS
- Your day is spent exploring the Simien Mountains National Park and watching for its endemic residents, including the elusive Walia ibex, the endangered Ethiopian wolf, and the gelada, a primate we’ll get to know better alongside field researchers. We’ll also look for a variety of birds, such as the powerful, cliff-nesting lammergeyer.
DAY 12: DRIVE TO GONDER & SIGHTSEEING IN GONDER
- A scenic drive returns you to Gondar- famous for its medieval castles and churches. Gondar was founded in 1636 by Emperor Fasilades as the royal capital of Ethiopia, and is also known as “the Camelot of Africa”.
- Spend the afternoon exploring the city of Gondar. In Gondar, there are a dozen castles, built by various kings and a queen over the course of 236 years. You will visit the Royal Enclosure, among these the Castle of Fasiledes, the oldest and probably the most impressive of all the castles found in the area.
- We continue on to the Church of Debre Berhan Selassie (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The interior of Debre Berhan Selassie is decorated with beautiful murals, cherubs, and paintings. It is rumored to have once been the proposed final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant.
DAY 13: FLY TO ADDIS ABABA
- After breakfast, you drive to Gonder airport and take the short flight back to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival in Addis, transfer you to your hotel. You have the afternoon free for shopping in Addis Ababa. Depending on your flight schedule, a transfer is arranged to Addis Ababa Bole international airport for the flight back home. Thanks for vacationing with Sawla Tours
How Can We Help You Create an Extraordinary Ethiopian Adventure?
At Sawla Tours, we are passionate about turning your travel dreams into reality. With years of hands-on experience in crafting unforgettable journeys to Ethiopia, we are your go-to experts in deciding when to travel, where to explore, and what to discover.
Whether you have a detailed itinerary in mind, seek professional advice, or simply don't know where to begin, we're eager to assist. Reach out to us today, and together, we'll create an extraordinary travel experience tailored just for you.
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