Encounter the breathtaking Demoiselle Crane migration, spot elusive bird species like the White-headed Babbler, and capture images of the stunning Sahel Paradise Whydah.
Introducing Ethiopian Wildlife Expedition
From The Plains To The Mountains
Embark on an unforgettable wildlife expedition through the captivating landscapes of Ethiopia. This 9-day journey will take you from the bustling city of Addis Ababa to the remote wilderness of Kafta-Shiraro National Park and the breathtaking Simien Mountains.
Immerse yourself in the rich biodiversity of Ethiopia as you encounter endemic bird species, majestic mammals, and stunning alpine vistas. Explore the medieval castles of Gondar, witness the unique feeding rituals of the Demoiselle Crane, and marvel at the endangered Ethiopian wolf in its natural habitat. Join us on this thrilling adventure designed for wildlife enthusiasts and nature photographers seeking a truly immersive experience.
Destination Highlights
Highlighted Destinations
Trek through the UNESCO World Heritage Site, search for the endemic Walia ibex and Ethiopian wolf, and observe the fascinating behavior of geladas in the company of field researchers.
Explore the medieval castles and churches of Gondar, known as the "Camelot of Africa," and visit the historic Royal Enclosure and the magnificent Church of Debre Berhan Selassie.
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, your hospitality begins. We provide you with a meet-and-greet service at the airport, and then transfer you to your hotel. This afternoon, enjoy a tour of Addis Ababa, a pleasant capital city with wide jacaranda-edged avenues, interesting museums and lively markets. Start our visit with the Ethnological Museum for an overview of Ethiopia's history, culture and traditions, and its collections from thousand-year-old nomadic tribes.
- Next, see beautiful baroque-styled Holy Trinity Cathedral which contains the thrones and the tomb of Emperor Haile Selassie (the last king of Ethiopia) and some other members of the royal family. We end up the city tour by inviting you to the oldest and best coffee roaster and coffee shop-Tomoca. Not only do they serve fantastic Ethiopian coffee, but they also offer other fine coffees. Overnight in Addis Ababa
DAY 2: ADDIS ABABA TO HUMERA
- You depart on a domestic flight to Humera. On arrival, we will transfer to our camp in Kafta Shiraro. Here you will spend three nights exploring the hidden gems of the national park. Overnight camping at Kafta Shiraro National Park
DAY 3 & 4: EXPLORING KAFTA-SHIRARO NATIONAL PARK AND SURROUNDS
- Today you will explore this remote and seldom-visited park and surrounding area. It is situated in the Sahelian zone and thus offers an interesting selection of dry country species. The habitat consists of dry acacia bush veiled in a slightly hilly area and follows the tranquil Tekezze River. You will concentrate your efforts on finding the beautiful Demoiselle Crane which makes a stopover here on its migration from Sudan to India. Up to 3,800 cranes have been seen in this area and the sight and sound of them bugling at dusk is a spectacle indeed!
- Other key targets include a Sudan/Ethiopia endemic; White-headed Babbler, the amazing Egyptian Plover (a monotypic family), the impressive Sahel Paradise Whydah, and Sudan Golden Sparrow. Other species of interest that are not generally seen on a standard Ethiopian tour include Vieillot’s Barbet, Black-billed Wood Dove, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Green Bee-eater, Red-pate Cisticola, Black-headed Gonolek, Northern Grey-headed Sparrow, Black-rumped Waxbill, Chestnut-bellied Starling, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, White-rumped Seedeater and Golden-breasted Bunting.
- If we are fortunate we may find a roosting Long-tailed Nightjar. Other more widespread species we may see include Black Stork, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Booted Eagle, Senegal Thick-knee, Black-headed Lapwing, Lichtenstein’s and Four-banded Sandgrouse, European Turtle Dove, Abyssinian Roller, Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Black-billed Wood Hoopoe, Black Scimitarbill, Yellow-breasted Barbet, Masked Shrike, Black and Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin, Black-eared Wheatear and Crimson-rumped Waxbill. Overnight camping in Kafta Shiraro Park
DAY 5: DRIVE TO GONDER
- An early morning start will take you a full-day drive to Gonder. You will have the most scenic drive. In the late afternoon, you will arrive in Gonder. Overnight in Gonder
DAY 6: DRIVE TO SIMIEN MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
- This morning 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. Overnight in Simiens.
DAY 7: 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. Overnight in Simiens.
DAY 8: 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. Overnight in Gonder.
DAY 9: FLY TO ADDIS ABABA & DEPARTURE
- This morning, you drive to Gonder Airport, where you catch your flight to Addis. On arrival in Addis you transfer to a hotel where you can freshen up and have lunch. 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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