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| Addis Ababa - Addis Ababa City Tour
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| We 23/06 | |
| For guided tours only - In House | | |
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| Get a feel for Ethiopia’s urban side on a city tour of Addis Ababa. This sprawling city is the political capital of the country as well as Ethiopia’s cultural and commercial hub. It is filled with ancient history, reflected in the many beautiful churches scattered throughout the city, and is also the burial site of former Emperor Haile Selassie and the Imperial family. Your city tour will take you through various suburbs to explore the rich cultural diversity of Addis Ababa’s population as well as to view some of the more popular landmarks in the city. These include: Mesqel Square, one of the most noted squares in the city and site of the annual Mesqel where thousands gather to celebrate every September; the presidential palace; the Addis Ababa University, the oldest and largest higher learning and research institution in at the city; and the Piazza, offering great views of the surrounding urban landscape. |
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| Addis Ababa - Addis Ababa Mercato
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| We 23/06 | |
| For guided tours only - In House | | |
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| Let your senses lead you through the Mercato in Addis Ababa. This market is the largest in Africa and covers a huge area where everything from local crafts and traditional costumes, to spices and coffee can be purchased. The maze of shops and vendors is always busy and can be confusing to explore, however the experience of this lively market is sure to leave an impression on you. Top attractions for visitors include the spice sellers as well as the basket weavers, and bargaining for lower prices is part of the experience. Expect to meet Ethiopians from all around the country as people from more than 90 tribes arrive at this market to make a living and sell their goods. |
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| Arba Minch - Arba Minch Boat Trip
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| We 23/06 | |
| For guided tours only - In House | | |
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| Watch out for huge Nile crocodiles during a boat trip on Lake Chamo. This Rift Valley lake lies adjacent to Arba Minch, a popular lake town in southern Ethiopia, and is close to the Nechisar National Park. Lake Chamo is home to a great number of wild animals and bird species and is surrounded by savannah plains and smoky mountain crests that create a stunning panorama when watching the crocodiles under the setting sun. The ‘crocodile market’ is not a place for buying and selling but rather the local croc hangout where these large reptiles take to the banks to bask in the sun, some of them amongst the largest in Africa and measuring up to 6 metres in length. Marvel at these enormous and pre-historic looking creatures from the safety of your boat while hippos periodically pop their heads out of the water. |
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| Arba Minch - Nechisar National Park
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| We 23/06 | |
| For guided tours only - In House | | |
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| Stand on God’s bridge at the Nechisar National Park in southern Ethiopia. Ranked as one of the most scenic national parks in East Africa, the outstanding feature of Nechisar is the aptly named ‘Bridge of God’, a narrow strip of land separating the Chamo and Abaya lakes and providing superb views of the park. The diverse landscape includes forests, hot springs, escarpment walls and grasslands, creating an ecosystem of natural reserves that is considered as one of the greatest surviving wildlife habitats of Ethiopia. The white, grassy savannah plains support mammals such as lion, zebra, monkey, hyena and Swayne’s hartebeest, while hippo inhabit the rivers along with enormous crocodiles and aquatic birds such as flamingo, kingfisher, pelican and giant Nile perch. Other flora found in the vast montane and savannah forest landscapes includes ranges of acacia and giant fig trees spread across the hillsides and along the river plains. |
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| Awash - Awash Bird Watching
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| We 23/06 | |
| For guided tours only - In House | | |
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| Gaze upon the stunning birds of the Awash National Park. Located on the southern tip of the Afar region east of Addis Ababa, this park is one of the most popular in Ethiopia where birds and wildlife alike can be enjoyed. Awash is one of Ethiopia’s national parks on the commercial bird circuit and its abundance of fruit and other low trees combined with long grasses makes bird spotting fun and easy. The park supports over 400 varieties of birds including the striking northern red bishop, many species of warbler and weaver as well as the exotic looking long-tailed paradise whydah. On the open grassland plains twitchers can enjoy several species of hawks and secretary birds as well as the Abyssinian ground hornbill. Other natural features to view at the park include the dramatic Awash Falls where the Awash River enters its massive gorge, the hot springs in the extreme north and dormant Fantale volcano situated on the southern flank of the park. |
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| Awash - Awash National Park
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| We 23/06 | |
| For guided tours only - In House | | |
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| Gaze upon the stunning birds of the Awash National Park. Located on the southern tip of the Afar region east of Addis Ababa, this park is one of the most popular in Ethiopia where birds and wildlife alike can be enjoyed. Awash is one of Ethiopia’s national parks on the commercial bird circuit and its abundance of fruit and other low trees combined with long grasses makes bird spotting fun and easy. The park supports over 400 varieties of birds including the striking northern red bishop, many species of warbler and weaver as well as the exotic looking long-tailed paradise whydah. On the open grassland plains twitchers can enjoy several species of hawks and secretary birds as well as the Abyssinian ground hornbill. Other natural features to view at the park include the dramatic Awash Falls where the Awash River enters its massive gorge, the hot springs in the extreme north and dormant Fantale volcano situated on the southern flank of the park. |
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| Awassa - Fish Market
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| We 23/06 | |
| For guided tours only - In House | | |
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| Mingle among the morning bustle of the Awassa fish market. Awassa is a fresh water lake that is one of the smallest of the lakes in Ethiopia’s Rift Valley, but is it is rich in phytoplankton and zooplankton that support large populations of fish species. An active fishing industry exists in and around the town and the fish market on the shore of the lake is where life begins every morning as local fishermen arrive at the docks with the fruits of their hard-earned efforts. Accompanying the fishermen are hundreds of opportunistic marine birds that swoop above the boats in the hopes of catching a quick meal. Tilapia and catfish are among the most common catches and the fish that is caught is used mostly for local consumption. Lively, colourful and full of the freshness of morning the Awassa fish market is a great place to begin your day and even stop for a local-style breakfast. |
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| Axum - Axum Stelae Park
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| We 23/06 | |
| For guided tours only - In House | | |
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| Find your own truth on a visit to Axum. This age-old city in the northern highlands of Ethiopia is generally accepted as the birthplace of Christianity in Ethiopia and the ancient stelae that litter the landscape date from around the 3rd to 5th centuries AD, predating the arrival of Christianity in Ethiopia. They represent some of the greatest monolithic monuments ever to be erected by mankind and were most likely funeral monuments for Axum's ancient rulers. The largest now lies shattered across the ground allowing a close-up inspection of the carvings and, according to legend, covers the grave of the Queen of Sheba. If it were still standing it would be the tallest obelisk in the world. Another fallen stela bears a carving of two leaves supporting a square within a square surmounted by a triangle which some believe could be the earliest ever image of the Ark of the Covenant in Ethiopian art. The tallest remaining upright stela stands at just under 25 metres. |
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| Bahir Dar - Blue Nile Falls
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| We 23/06 | |
| For guided tours only - In House | | |
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| Marvel at the misty spray of the Blue Nile Falls. This famous waterfall – also known locally as Tis Issat or Tis Abay (smoking water) – is situated on the Blue Nile River, close to the city of Bahir Dar and is considered one of Ethiopia’s best known natural tourist attractions. At their peak the falls reach a height of 45 meters where the crashing water sends up a continuous misty deluge that produces colourful rainbows that shimmer across the gorge, especially when the river is full. Reaching the viewpoint of the falls requires a small amount of physical effort, but once there you’ll be rewarded with amazing views of the thundering, foaming water as well as a small lush rain forest that is home to a vast selection of monkeys and birds and various endemic species of plants. Notable figures who have visited the Blue Nile Falls include Queen Elizabeth II and James Bruce, a Scottish traveller and writer who spent many years tracing and exploring the Blue Nile River. |
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| Bahir Dar - Local Market Tour (Spice Market)
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| We 23/06 | |
| For guided tours only - In House | | |
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| Get a taste of local life at the Bahir Dar spice market. Far from being a show for tourists, the market in Bahir Dar is an authentic and busy spot where farmers arrive to sell their crops and livestock and the locals come to replenish their supplies. It is always a riot of colour and sound and, although well known for its extensive and exotic spice selection, just about everything from fabrics to vegetables and hand-made goods can be purchased. Just by walking past the stalls, your senses will come alive as the aroma of spices lingers in the air and the bray of donkeys cuts through the chatter. Although extremely busy and confusing at times, the market is nevertheless a great location to interact with the locals, learn more about Ethiopian culture and pick up some authentic wares to take home. |
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| Bale Mountains - Trek in Bale Mountains
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| We 23/06 | |
| For guided tours only - In House | | |
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| Set off for an exhilarating trek in the Bale Mountains National Park. This stunning park rewards visitors with a dramatic landscape ranging from wild, rugged alpine scenery to a thick, damp cloud forest that is home to an astonishing array of endemic species and the densest concentration of large mammals in Ethiopia. Considered one of the ultimate destination for hikers, wildlife watchers, nature enthusiasts and bird watchers, the park is home to both the rare mountain nyala and graceful Menelik’s bushbuck, while the wind-blown Sanetti Plateau is famed for its sightings of Ethiopian wolf. Your exploration of the park will take place on horseback as you amble through an exquisite wilderness, go fishing or even try some local coffee and honey with an authentic local community. Tulu Dimtu is the highest peak in the park where buzzards soar overhead as you stand on what feels like the top of the world. |
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| Dallol - Dallol (coloured salt concretion)
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| We 23/06 | |
| For guided tours only - In House | | |
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| Feel the heat on a visit to Dallol, one of the hottest places on earth. This volcanic explosion crater is found in the Danakil Depression in the Erta Ale Range in northern Ethiopia and is also one of the lowest regions on the continent. The landscape features immense salt flats, the Erta Ale volcano and colourful, bubbly sulphur pools that pour steam from vents in the ground. It is surrounded by bright yellow, red and orange mineral deposits that give the terrain an out-of-this-world feel. Another unique sight in this desolate and weird landscape are pools of oily mineral water that bubble up onto the flat plains and salt-encrusted mini-mountains that rise up in fantastic forms, while nearby, iron-rich rock fans out into flat mushroom shapes. Marvel at this extra-terrestrial terrain as the ground crackles hollowly underfoot and small mineral chimneys babble from one-holed spouts. |
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| Dallol - Salt Canyon
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| We 23/06 | |
| For guided tours only - In House | | |
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| Step out into the heat and wander among the bizarre towers and pillars of salt in the Dallol salt canyon. Located on the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea, this other-worldly canyon forms the heart of the Danakil Desert, one of the hottest places on earth, and its eerie, haunting landscape is often compared to a scene from a science fiction novel. The pinnacles and towers of the canyon are composed of sodium chloride, potassium and magnesium where the pillars of salt have been created over time through erosion. Some of the pillars rise up to 40 metres high and the pinkish hue of the canyon is due to the presence of halite and potassium deposits in the salt. A highlight among these unearthly hills and plains is a surreal looking desert castle, the contours of which have been entirely moulded by nature over the years. |
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| Debre Zeit - Lake Visit
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| We 23/06 | |
| For guided tours only - In House | | |
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| Take time out to appreciate Ethiopia’s natural treasures on a visit to Bishoftu. This stunning and lush region is home to some of the best resorts and hotels in Ethiopia, all situated between river banks and mountains, featuring crystal-clear lakes and awe-inspiring landscapes. The five volcanic crater lakes that adorn the countryside are famous for their bird watching opportunities and there are plenty of outdoor and water activities to enjoy such as fishing, swimming, canoeing, hiking and boat cruises. Chalaklaka is a shallow lake that is famed for the thousands of flamingos that periodically arrive to feed in its waters and Babogaya Lake is home to myriad flamboyant birds such as paradise fly catcher and tiny little sunbird. Remember to pack your camera as this is one photo opportunity you don’t want to miss as you delve into the pristine natural abundance of Ethiopia. |
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| Dire Dawa - Kefira Market
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| We 23/06 | |
| For guided tours only - In House | | |
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| Stir up your senses at the Kefira market. Surrounded by the dusty plains of Ethiopia, Dire Dawa is a vibrant city with colourful shop fronts and tree-lined streets where the melange of Arab, French, Italian and Greek architecture is delightful to admire. Divided by the seasonal Dechatu Wadi River, the city consists of two settlements and it is to the east where visitors will find Dire Dawa’s lively traditional markets. The enormous Kefira market spills out across narrow lanes and attracts traders from miles around, including Afar and Somali herders, Oromo farmers and Amhara merchants. Most wear their traditional cultural dress and arrive with camels, donkeys and horse-drawn carts accompanied by a cacophony of sights and sounds. The market’s medieval feel is charming and authentic, taking visitors into a time gone by as they browse through the goods on sale. |
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| Erta Ale - Volcano
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| We 23/06 | |
| For guided tours only - In House | | |
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| Hike to the summit of a glowing caldera filled with dancing fountains of lava on a visit to the Erta Ale volcano. This continually active, basaltic shield volcano is one of the best known in the world and is situated in the Afar region of north-eastern Ethiopia in the Danakil Depression, one of the lowest areas on the planet and also considered one of the hottest places on earth, with average daily temperatures hovering around a sizzling 35 degrees Celsius. Summiting the volcano usually begins at dusk when temperatures are more tolerable and after a moderate trek through geologically fascinating terrain the peak is reached under inky skies when the bubbling, hissing, molten vista can be seen at its best. Cross stark, beautiful landscape of dark-grey lava flows that could be as new as two days old and watch in awe as the lava leaps and bubbles within its glowing bowl. |
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| Gondar - Palace of Fasil Ghebbi
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| We 23/06 | |
| For guided tours only - In House | | |
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| Explore the royal enclosure of Fasil Ghebbi. The remains of this fortress city are found within the Gondar region and stand as a structure of historical importance. The city was founded by Emperor Fasiladas who broke from previous rulers’ tradition of living a nomadic lifestyle in tents together with their subjects and possessions, and instead erected a permanent, protected compound. The construction of Fasil Ghebbi began in 1636 with the castle complex including the living quarters of the ruler, temples, libraries, gardens, banquet hall, a complex of swimming pools, stables and other buildings. The main castle was completed at the beginning of the 1640s and resembled those of medieval Europe, thanks to its massive towers, crenellated walls and two floors, which at the time was a novelty in traditional architecture of Ethiopia. Each successive ruler of Ethiopia brought something new to the appearance of the castle complex, erecting palaces and temples, many of which survive to the present day. |
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| Harar - Hyenas Feeding
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| We 23/06 | |
| For guided tours only - In House | | |
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| Merge into the shadows of the night as you watch hyenas feed in the streets of Harar. This spellbinding activity is not one you will find easily anywhere else in the world and written records indicate that spotted hyenas have been present in the walled Ethiopian city of Harar for at least 500 years, where once they sanitised the city by feeding on its organic refuse. Later they were fed by local farmers to prevent livestock loss. Today this practice has been stepped up a notch and turned into a mesmerising show with a few local residents calling hyenas on a nightly basis to feed them. Stare in fascination as the hyena men howl into the night and animals emerge to feed from their hands and later take meat from their mouth. Watching this spectacle is organised through a guide at a negotiable rate and if you are brave enough you can feed a hyena too! |
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| Jinka - Key Afer Market
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| We 23/06 | |
| For guided tours only - In House | | |
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| Mingle with tribespeople on a Thursday at the Key Afer market. The dramatic and scenic Omo Valley is home to some of Africa’s most decorated and interesting tribes, many of which descend into the Key Afer market at Dimeka each week. This is one of the biggest markets in southern Ethiopia where every Thursday the otherwise rather average town is turned into a hive of colourful activity as tribes from surrounding regions come to buy and sell their goods and livestock. Besides household items, cloth and foodstuff, there is also a large cattle market where traders from as far afield as Addis Ababa come to purchase cattle and where decorative tribes such as the Hamer, Borana and Karo stock up on essentials. Enjoy the friendly and vibrant market atmosphere as you gain insight into some of the indigenous tribes of the Omo Valley and perhaps even make your own purchase or two. |
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| Jinka - Mago National Park (Jinka 4x4)
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| We 23/06 | |
| For guided tours only - In House | | |
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| Meet the Mursi at the Mago National Park. Located in south-western Ethiopia, this park is divided into two by the Mago River with the Tama Wildlife Reserve in the west and the Murle Controlled Hunting Area in the south. The dominant vegetation zones in this dramatically beautiful region are the rivers and riverine forest, the wetlands along the lower Mago and around Lake Dipa, and various grasslands on the more level areas. Although thick vegetation makes animals difficult to spot, the wildlife is rich, with 81 recorded species of mammals including hartebeest, roan antelope, elephant, lion and leopard. Tthe main attraction at Mago is the Mursi who live in villages that lie along the Mago River. They are among one of the last tribes in Africa who still prescribe to the body modification practice of wearing lip plates – large wooden or pottery disks that are inserted into the lips of girls and women as an expression of social adulthood. |
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| Lalibella - Trek
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| We 23/06 | |
| For guided tours only - In House | | |
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| Depart early in the morning for a full-day trek in the highlands of the Abuna Yosef massif. As you ascend, you will pass through a highly endangered ecosystem and many varieties of vegetation zones. On the western slope of the massif you will find the village of Tigu Kebele where Ethiopian highland farmers grow crops such as onions, barley and potato surrounded by peaks and plateaus where ancient juniper, African wild olives and eucalyptus trees cover the landscape. Here you will also find the gelada baboon, the only grass-eating baboon in the world, striped and golden jackal, leopard, duiker and monkey, among other animal species, as well as the bearded vulture that can survive in extremely cold conditions. The region is considered the second most important bird area in Ethiopia and holds an untouched and pristine wonder that is not easily matched. The trek requires a good level of fitness. |
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| Tigray - Mikael Imba Church
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| We 23/06 | |
| For guided tours only - In House | | |
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| Enter the Mikael Imba Church, one of the most artistically completed rock-hewn churches in Ethiopia. This church is believed to date back to the 10th century and has exquisitely carved original wooden doors and a geometrically patterned ceiling hewn from the stone. The top of the pillars are graced with stepped capitals and a large cross adorns the ceiling, making it second to none in terms of decoration and finishes. It is also one of the largest rock churches in Ethiopia and constructed on top of an amba (flat-topped mountain) which can only be reached by ladders. The Mikael Imba Church is surrounded by pools said to contain holy water and has fantastic views of the surrounding Tigray region. Many of the rock-hewn churches that were constructed later in the renowned Lalibela area of Ethiopia are thought to be modelled on Mikael Imba. |
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| Tigray - Trek in the Tigray Region
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| We 23/06 | |
| For guided tours only - In House | | |
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| Don your hiking boots and prepare for a trek through the historic Tigray region of Ethiopia. This remote area in the north of the country offers some excellent trekking routes, taking you past towering rock columns, through hills and valleys and hairpin turns, and up to the tops of steep cliffs. Some of the most spectacular scenery in Tigray is found at elevated heights where rock-hewn churches stand sentinel on cliff summits, offering panoramic vistas of the terrain below you. Some are more accessible than others and those keen on climbing will find plenty of opportunity for adventure as many of the churches can only be accessed after scaling a rock face or climbing up ropes. The churches themselves are ancient and memorable, their designs inspired by age-old civilisation dating back to the birth of Christianity, with many housing paintings, murals and holy treasures. |
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| Turmi - Dasanech Village
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| We 23/06 | |
| For guided tours only - In House | | |
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| Travel to the most southerly tip of Ethiopia to encounter the Dasanech people. This nomadic tribe lives in the Omo Valley on the border of Lake Turkana in Kenya and despite having water nearby, their lands are semi-arid with day-time temperatures averaging around 35 degrees Celsius. The Dasanech people are the most southerly of all the tribes who live in Ethiopia’s Omo Valley and just as with many other surrounding tribes, cattle are central to their lives, providing households with meat and milk, and leather for clothing, houses and mattresses. Cattle are also status symbols with wealthier families owning larger herds. All the Dasanech people ritually adorn themselves to express status and tribal identity by sculpting their hair with animal fat, scarifying limbs and torsos, wearing jewellery and painting their bodies with yellow clay. During ceremonies, ritual dancing takes place with men brandishing wooden sticks and women holding wooden batons. |
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| Wenchi - Horse Riding
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| We 23/06 | |
| For guided tours only - In House | | |
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| Mount your steed for a scenic descent to the Wenchi Crater Lake. This picturesque lake lies within an extinct volcanic caldera and presents visitors with a host of tranquil outdoor experiences. One of the ways to reach the lakeshore is via horseback for a 4 kilometre meander beginning on the rim of the crater at Kala. Panoramic landscapes in varying hues of green will grab your attention on the way down as you pass by friendly locals and their herds of goats. Once you have reached the lake your route will take you past stunning waterfalls before you reach the harbour. The small island of Deber is located within the lake and is home to the monastery of Wenchi Chirkos, a 13th century edifice that was founded by an Ethiopian saint. Lush alpine vegetation, rich bird life and small varieties of wildlife will keep you enthralled during your ride. |
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| Yabelo - Salt Lake
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| We 23/06 | |
| For guided tours only - In House | | |
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| Make your way around the rim of the El Sod crater lake. Situated on the border between Ethiopia and Kenya, this salt lake acts as an important source of income for the local Borana people who rely on the culinary gold it holds. The journey is arduous and the mining hard work; however, hundreds of local villagers wind their way down the narrow crater path on a daily basis in order to earn a living. The salt is mined by hand and mining knowledge is handed down from father to son, with caravans of donkeys used to transport the salt back up to the crater rim. The black salt mined is the cheapest and given to animals as an important mineral while white salt that is used for flavouring food fetches more money. The introduction of technology into the salt mining process is strongly opposed by the Borana people as they believe that this would remove their only source of income. |
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