ADDIS ABABA HIGHLIGHTS & AIRPORT TRANSFER MODULE

ADDIS ABABA HIGHLIGHTS: What are the Top 20 Highlights of Addis Ababa and which to chose first

This module facilitates the hub function of the capital with transfers between your hotel and the airport and allows you to see Addis Ababa as well.

Day 1

1. Arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, usually in the morning. Visa service and custom clearance may take some time.

2. Pick up at airport and bring you to your hotel where you can have lunch.

3. Have a rest in the afternoon. You have been many hours on an airplane, spent some time at the airport clearing customs, to arrive in Addis Ababa at an elevation of 2,300m. We recommend you take some rest in the afternoon. But if you are up to it, we can take you to a museum or to the Ethiopian craft market street. If you came from America, you have changed about 9 - 12 time zones, and spent the night in the air. Nevertheless, try to stay awake until after dinner, so that you adjust your biological clock to the Ethiopian day rhythm.

Day 2

1. City program, which includes the Ethiopian Ethnological Museum, the National Palace or Jubilee Palace museum, the Holy Trinity Cathedral, the Saint George Cathedral, the Railroad Station and Mount Entoto with the palace of Emperor Menelek II. At night a traditional injera meal.

Last Day at the end of your Ethiopia journey

1. Depending on the hour of your departure, we organize a visit to the Ethiopian National Museum and the Ethiopian Art and craft shops street.

2. Transfer from your hotel to the airport.

Price: $175. Meals, transportation, fees, non-alcoholic drinks at meals included. Minimum 2 passengers. (Hotel of your choice not included)

Price Airport transfer only in combination with other modules: $25.

ETHIOPIA HISTORICAL MONUMENTS MODULE

FLY 5 DAYS ETHIOPIA HISTORICAL MONUMENTS FROM $890! DISCOVER ETHIOPIAN MONUMENTS & NATIONAL PARKS with professional advisor to Ethiopian Park Service

Ethiopia Historical Monuments by car

9 days. Price: $890 per person, minimum 4. Hotels, meals, transportation, fees, non-alcoholic beverages, tee/coffee at meals included. Minimum 2 passengers.

Ask for group discount.

Ethiopia Historical Monuments by plane

5 days. Price: $890 per person approximately, pending flight costs. Transportation, entry fees, meals, etc. Prices may vary depending on fluctuating air fairs. The itinerary will be adjusted according to flights Minimum 2 passengers.  Longer itineraries at additional hotel costs allow for a more relaxed program.

Day 1: ADDIS ABABA - BAHIR DAR, road distance ± 580km;

1. Stop at the bridge across the Blue Nile Gorge, comparable in size to the Grand Canyon in the USA and supposedly the largest canyon of Africa;

2. In the evening visit the Blue Nile falls if arrival before dark;

3. Hotel in Bahir Dar.

Day 1: ADDIS ABABA - BAHIR DAR

1. Morning Flight to Bahir Dar

2. Visit Blue Nile Falls and Portuguese Bridge;

3. Hotel in Bahir Dar.

Day 2: LAKE TANA - BLUE NILE FALLS, road distance ± 35km

1. Day excursion by boat on Lake Tana to visit several of the famous Lake Tana churches and monasteries;

2. Visit of the Blue Nile Falls;

3. Sleep at Hotel.

Day 2: BAHIR DAR - GONDAR - by car

1. Early morning half day excursion by boat on Lake Tana to visit several of the famous Lake Tana churches and the origin of the Blue Nile to watch Hippos;

2. Afternoon drive to Gondar;

3. Visit Royal Enclosure with the palaces of 6 kings, including Fasilides Castle;

4. Visit Fasimile's Bath;

5. Hotel in Gondar.

Day 3: BAHIR DAR - GONDAR, road distance ± 175km

1. The Devil's Nose Rock, is a basaltic monolith or hoodoo, located near the village of Addis Zemen, 75km north Bahir Dar on the road to Gondar. On its top is an important roost and possibly nesting place for Ruepell's and other vultures.

2. Check in in the hotel at Gondar after which a visit to Mentewab's Dining Room (Kusquam) and/or Fasimile's Bathroom depending on available time;

3. Hotel in Gondar.

Day 3: GONDAR - LALIBELA

1. Time permitting Visit Mentewab's Castle very early in the morning;

2. Morning flight to Lalibela;

3. Church treasures museum Lalibela;

4. Visit the Northern and Southern rock hewn church complexes;

5. Hotel in Lalibela.

Day 4: GONDAR - AXUM, road distance ± 350km

1. Early in the morning visit the City fortress with the palaces of 6 kings;

2. Road trip to Axum;

3. Coffee ceremony;

4. Hotel in Axum.

Day 4 LALIBELA - AXUM

1. Early morning excursion to the Southern Complex;

2. Flight to Axum;

3. Visit the Stelae compound;

4. Visit the Tsion Mariam  Church where the Arc of the Covenant is held and the 16th century church on the same complex, which is much more interesting;

5. Visit Emperor Kaleb's Palace;

6. Coffee ceremony at a ceremony in a friend's home

7. Hotel.

Day 5: AXUM - MEKELLE, road distance  ± 250km

1. Visit the famous beautiful Stellae at Axum;

2. Visit Queen Sheba's Palace (officially Dongar Palace);

3. Gudit Stelae Field opposite the palace;

4. Debre Liqanos Monastery;

5. Queen Sheba's Pool (May Shum);

6. Enzana Enscription, a 3-lingual stone describing a battle of King Enzana

7. King Basen's Tomb;

8. Ride to Mekelle;

9. On the way, visit Yeha Temple;

10. Hotel in Mekelle.

Day 5: AXUM - ADDIS ABABA

1. Visit Queen Sheba's Palace (officially Dongar Palace);

2. Gudit Stelae Field opposite the palace;

3. Debre Liqanos Monastery;

4. Queen Sheba's Pool (May Shum);

5. Enzana Enscription, a 3-lingual stone describing a battle of King Enzana

6. King Basen's Tomb;

7. Flight to Addis Ababa.

Day 6: MEKELE - WUKRO - MEKELLE, road distance  ± 45km

1. Visit Rock Hewn Churches in Wukro;

2. Visit Palace Emperor Yohannes IV;

3. Hotel in Mekelle.

Day 7: MEKELE - LALIBELA, road distance ± 430km

1. Leave early in the morning for Lalibela;

2. Church treasures museum Lalibela

3. Hotel in Lalibela.

Day 8: LALIBELA - DESSIE, road distance ± 300km

1. Visit the churches of Lalibela;

2. Drive to Dessie;

3. Hotel in Dessie.

Day 9: DESSIE - ADDIS ABABA road distance ± 340km

1. last day of the Ethiopia Historical Monuments and return trip to Addis Ababa;

2. Transfer to hotel.

DANAKIL DESERT

MODULE

DISCOVER THE RAW NATURE OF THE AFAR DESERT AND OTHER ETHIOPIAN NATIONAL PARKS with a professional of the Ethiopian Park Service

Day 1 Mek'ele - Hamed Ale ±180km

1. Berahile, visit the salt market and pay the entrance fee into the Danakil Desert;

2. Hamed Ale base camp.

Day 2 Hamed Ale - Erta Ale ± 80km;

1. Sulfur geysers at Dalol;

2. Sulfur pool;

3. Salt winning site of the Afar People in Lake Assale;

4. hike up the Erta Ale after 4 o clock to benefit from the lower temperature;

5. Make camp at the top of Erta Ale;

6. Admire the glow of the Erta Ale Ale at night.

Day 3 Erta Ale - Mek'ele ±260km

1. Walk down from Erta Ale;

2. Depart from the Danakil Depression to return to Mekele.

Costs $595

. Included: meals, transportation, fees, non-alcoholic beverages, tee/coffee at meals. Minimum number of  passengers is 2.

Ask for a group discount.

SIMIEN MOUNTAINS TREK

ETHIOPIA SIMIEN MOUNTAINS TRIP on Africa's only mountain plateau, surrounded by fantastic wildlife, flowers and birds

One Day Trip Simien Mountains National Park out of Gondar

GONDAR - SIMIEN MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, ±95km

1. Depart from Gondar early in the morning and drive to the Visitor Center in the town of Debarq for a brief orientation about the park;

2. Spend day in the park;

3. In the evening back to hotel in Gondar.

3 Days Simien Mountains Trekking

1. Depart from Gondar early in the morning and drive to the Visitor Center in the town of Debarq for a brief orientation about the park;

2. Spend 3 days trekking in Simien Mountains;

3. In the evening back to hotel in Gondar.

One day excursion out of Gondar $129, including transportation and lunch;

Three days trekking and transfer Gondar - Park - Gondar $295, which includes transfer Gondar - park - Gondar, guiding, entrance fee, food and non-alcoholic drinks at meals.

AWASH - HARAR - BABILE MODULE

DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF TH ETHIOPIAN DESERTS & NATIONAL PARKS with professional of Ethiopian Park Service

Day 1: ADDIS ABABA - AWASH NATIONAL PARK, road distance ± 225km

1. Awash falls;

2. Gallery forest along the Awash River;

3. Filhowa springs.

Day 2: AWASH NATIONAL PARK - HARAR, ± 300km

1. Lakes Adele & Lange for watching wader birds;

2. City tour, including;

3. Hyena man.

Day 3: HARAR - BABILE ELEPHANT SANCTUARY, distance ± 25km

1. Elephant sanctuary;

2. Sleep in hotel in Harar.

Day 4: KONDUDO MOUNTAIN, ± 20km

1. Visit Kondudo Mountain with feral horses;

2. Visit Gursum Pearl Cave with stalactite and stalagmite formations;

3. Sleep in hotel in Harar.

Day 5: HARAR - ADDIS ABABA, ± 525 km

1. Return to Addis Ababa;

2. Bird watching stop at Lakes Adele & Lange.

We offer a 4 days option for $429 without Mount Kondudo and a 5 days option of $549 which includes hotels, meals with alcohol free drinks, entry fees and transportation.

ETHIOPIA CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PARKS & TRIBES SAFARI TOUR

DISCOVER ETHIOPIAN NATIONAL PARKS with wildlife biologist of Ethiopian Park Service

8 days. Price: starting at $890.

Day 1: ADDIS ABABA - AWASSA, ± 275km

1. Stop at Lake Ziway for watching wetland birds;

2. Abyjata-Shalla Lakes National Park to watch Ostriches and wetland birds at alkaline Lake Abijatta, including potentially Flamingos;

3. Senkele Wildlife Sanctuary to watch the Swayne's Hartebeest. In this small nature reserve one almost can see the extremely rare Swayson's Hartebeest of which less than 500 survive in the wild, all in Ethiopia;

4. Spend the night in Awassa.

Day 2: AWASSA - YABELLO, ± 410km

1. Proposed Megado Podacarpus National Monument to take a look at one of the nicest Podocarpus forests of Ethiopia trees up to more than 1m wide and 35m high.

2. Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary to see the endemic Stresemann's Bushcrow and White-tailed swallows, Burchell's Zebras and other wildlife.

3. Spend the night at Yabello Motel.

Day 3: YABELLO - KONSO, ± 220km

1. Konso tribal villages at Mecheke, including Konso tribal king's house. Konso is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site for its traditional landscape with terraces, its uniquely structured villages and huts and for their famous wooden statues;

2. New York Village, so called after the vertical erosion formations that in the minds of local people look like sky-scrapers. In fact they are hoodoo formations of quartz minerals similar to those in Brice National Park in the USA.

3. Kanta Lodge, a beautiful brand new lodge in Konso style luxury sleeping cabins and restaurant.

Day 4: KONSO - BUSKA LODGE, ± 130km

1. Drive to Turmi to visit the Hamer People.

2. Birding at the floodplane of Chelbi Wildlife Reserve

3. Spend the night at Buska Lodge

Day 5:  BUSKA LODGE - JINKA, ± 140km

1. Early in the morning, drive to the Mursi village in Mago National Park. Mursi women wear clay lip plates that they make from locally dug clay. The men adorn themselves with clay;

2. game viewing Mago National Park. While wildlife stocks in Mago National Park are down, it is still one of the better places to see extraordinary wildlife;

3. Sleep at Jinka Resort Hotel.

Day 6: JINKA - ARBA MINCH, ± 275km

1. Long drive until arrival at hotel in Arba Minch, overlooking Nechsar National Park.

2. If we can get permission from the park we go looking for the mysterious Nechisar Nightjar.

Day 7: NETCH SAR PARK AND LAKE CHAMO EXCURSIONS

1. In the morning drive to Netchsar National Park on the istmus seperating Lake Abaya and Chamo. There still is a herd of the endemic Swayne's hartebeests, Burchell's zebra are very common, greater and lesser kudus are frequently seen, as well as grants gazelle. Out of the more than 180 species of birds recorded, you have a good chance at seeing Secretary bird, Ground hornbill, different species of bustards, etc.

2. In the afternoon we go on boat ride along the western shore of Lake Chamo to watch African Crocodiles, Hippopotamus and a large variety of wetland birds.

3. Return to the hotel at night and if permission granted again look for the Nechisar Nightjar.

Day 8: ARBA MINCH - ADDIS ABABA, ± 505km

1. Return to Addis Ababa. Alternatively you have the option to fly back to Addis Ababa at additional costs for the flight, which we would recommend as it is a long ride back to Addis Ababa.

The price of this WILDLIFE SAFARI ETHIOPIA starts at $890 and includes transportation, entry fees, non-alcoholic beverages, tee/coffee at meals, hotels.

BALE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK AND

SOF OMAR CAVES TOUR

SOF OMAR CAVES TOUR. DISCOVER ETHIOPIAN NATIONAL PARKS and wildlife with former professional to Ethiopian Park Service

Day 1: AWASSA - GOBA ± 225km

1. Departure from hotel early in the morning and drive to Bale Mountains National Park entrance Dinsho and watch the Mountain Nyala, as well as other species of wildlife at the Sanetti Plateau;

2. Spend the night at Goba Wabe-Shebelle hotel or hotel of similar quality.

Day 2: BALE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

1. Spend the day in the park to look for the Ethiopian Wolf, the Giant Mole Rat, Starck's Hare, all endemic mammals. Endemic and special birds include the Wattled Ibis, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Spot-breasted plover**, Rouget’s rail*, just to name a few. The extreme density of rodents makes the park ideal for many birds of prey.

2. Visit the peak of Mount Tulu Dimtu

3. Visit a splendid example of a full grown Erica Tree forest covered in thick cushions of mosses and draperies of lichen hair.

4. Return to hotel in Goba.

Day 3a: GOBA - AWASSA ± 225km

1. Hotel in Awassa

2. In Awassa, the options are to return to Addis Ababa or to continue on the Ethiopia Central and Southern Parks & Tribes Safari module.

Day 3b: GOBA - SOF OMAR CAVES ± 120km

1. Continue through the park to the Sof Omar Caves at from Goba. The bushes surrounding the caves have the reputation to be the best location to see the extremely rare endemic bird, the Salvadori's Serin. Greater and Lesser Kudu may also be seen. Accommodation in the neighborhood of the caves will be extremely basic.

Day 4B:  - AWASSA ±  250km

1. Hotel in Awassa

2. In Awassa, the options are to return to Addis Ababa or to continue on the Ethiopia Central and Southern Parks & Tribes Safari module.

Costs $240 for 3 days (3a) program. Included: meals, transportation, fees, non-alcoholic beverages, tee/coffee at meals. Minimum number of  passengers is 2.

Costs $320 for 4 days program (3b). Included: meals, transportation, fees, non-alcoholic beverages, tee/coffee at meals. Ask for a group discount.

GAMBELA, ETHIOPIA

NATIONAL PARK SAFARI MODULE

GAMBELA ETHIOPIA. DISCOVER ETHIOPIAN LOWLAND PARKS with former professional to Ethiopian Park Service

Getting to see GAMBELA National Park is a bit of an undertaking for several reasons. It is so far away that it would take 2 days getting there by cark, so it is recommended to fly to the town of Gambela. Overnight accommodations are extremely basic. During the wet season it is very difficult to get around in Gambela National Park, and some roads may be totally cut off. There are no decent vehicles in the area and we need to send a vehicle a day ahead of you. All this involves rather high costs. For each occasion we need to check with the park authorities if it is worthwhile for you to take the trip, as we only want you to make this trip if you can get into the good places and if you are likely to get some good wildlife viewing.

Day 1 Fly Addis Ababa Gambela, Ethiopia, road distance ± 850km;

1. Fly to Gambela town;

2. Pick up from airport;

3. First orientation in the park: Getting to know the higher ground with savanna;

4. Sleep in Gambela town.

Day 2 Gambela National Park

1. Exploration of the grasslands,

2. Visit the gallery forest

3. Visit the high grounds of the savannah.

Day 3 Gambela - Addis Ababa by plane

1. Gambela - Addis Ababa

Price $779. Each additional day is $110 extra. Ask for group discounts.

What makes us different from so many other tour operators?

Just look at the quality of our high resolution pictures. We took them all ourselves. We have thousands of high resolution pictures on this website, that you can see enlarged by clicking on them. These pictures show that we have been everywhere in the country of your interest and really know the details. We are professional explorers and biologists with MSc and PhD.

National Parks Tours Worldwide, a social responsibility and conservation company, is a brand name of the World Institute for Conservation & Environment, registered in the Netherlands with headquarters in the USA.

Phone USA:

(++)(1) 304 - 581 - 7740

Phone Addis Ababa, Ethiopia:

(++251) (0) 911 440 915

Email:

info@nationalparks-worldwide.com

Skype: ecotravelworldwide

Parks Man Dr. Daan Vreugdenhil is author of this website. He dedicated his life to the conservation of nature. https://www.facebook.com/DrDaanVreugdenhil, https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdaanvreugdenhil/. He was part of the team that selected the first 39 protected areas of Ecuador in the 1970s and he initiated the Cuyabeno Lodge in Ecuador's Amazon in 1985, making him one of the world's eco tourism pioneers. A speaker of 8 languages and having traveled to 80+ countries, Dr. Daan Vreugdenhil has is one of the world's greatest connoisseurs of nature and national parks in the world.