Ethiopia Historic Discovery Safari
Duration: 11 day(s)
Priced from: EUR 2965 / US $ 3995
Ethiopia Historic Discovery Safari starts in Addis Ababa and takes you all around Ethiopia on an Hotel-Accommodated tour.
This is an adventureous accommodated Safari that takes you through the mysteries of Ethiopia.
Ethiopia Discovery is a hotel accommodated safari starting and ending in Addis Ababa. A journey through the astonishing land of discovery and oldest independent country of Africa.
Highlights: Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, Gondar, 11 Churches in Lalibela, Semein Mountains, Axum, Dire Dawar, Harar, Lake Tana.
Group Size: Maximum 14 people
Type of Safari: Accommodated safari
Accommodation: During 10 nights of your safari, you will stay in mid-range Lodges, Chalets and Tented Lodges. Accommodation is situated either in National Parks, on the banks of a river, or in other places of interest. Most accommodation options have a private bathroom with a shower and toilet, whilst others have shared ablutions available. Some properties are equipped with swimming pools and/or bar areas.
Price: Per Person Rate*
Tour Fare 2012
2 - 3 pax: USD 3955 / EUR 2965
4 - 6 pax: USD 2775 / EUR 2085
7 - 14 pax: USD 2455 / EUR 1840
Single Supplement: USD 640 / EUR 480
Single person rate: USD 7270 / EUR 5 455 (no single supplement required)
*Tour fare to be paid in currency applicable to country of origin
**Flights: Due to airfare changes, the internal flight mentioned in this itinerary is not included in the tour costs. The following additional charges will apply for the domestic flights as per itinerary - USD 730 pp excl taxes.
* Rates are subject to change
Included in the price: Accommodation and meals as per itinerary, entry fees, English-speaking guide, transport, mineral water.
Not included in the price: Visas, personal expenses and travel insurance, gratuities, optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary.
Tailor-Made Travel: This safari runs on scheduled dates throughout the year. We can tailor- make a private safari to meet your departure date, time period, group size and budget. Contact the office for further information.
Departure Dates & Availability:
Please click here regularly as availability is updated every week.
Day 1: Addis Ababa
Arrive at Addis Ababa and transfer in to your hotel.
Overnight: Ghion Hotel or similar (click on the link to view the facilities of this hotel)
Day 2: Addis - Bahir Dar
We fly to Bahir Dar and visit the famous Blue Nile Falls. In the afternoon we enjoy a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit the island monasteries of Azwa Mariam and Ura Kidane Mihret. [BLD]
Overnight: Tana Hotel or similar (click on the link to view the facilities of this hotel)
Day 3: Bahir Dar – Gondar
This morning we leave Bahir Dar and drive 185km to Gondar. After lunch we explore this wonderful city. Gondar, founded by Emperor Fasilidas around 1635, is famous for its many medieval castles and the design and decoration of its churches - in particular, Debra Berhan Selassie which represents a masterpiece of the Gondarene school of art. [BLD]
Overnight: Goha Hotel or similar (click on the link to view the facilities of this hotel)
Day 4: Gondar – Simein Mountains National Park
We head north to the Simein Mountains National Park and visit the breathtaking mountain range and one of the endemic mammals of Ethiopia – the Gelada Baboon or the bleeding heart baboon. [BLD]
Overnight: Simein Lodge or similar (click on the link to view the facilities of this hotel)
Day 5: Simein Mountains National Park – Axum
Drive through the remarkable Tekezze Gorge to the earliest capital of Ethiopia – Axum. On our way, visit the villages of the Tigre people. The African nation's historic route begins in the ancient city of Axum, which dates to about 100 B.C. This capital city was the first place in Ethiopia to adopt a new religion -- Christianity. According to the Old Testament, The Queen of Sheba was born in Axum, but travelled to Israel to meet King Solomon. They had a son named Menelik, who later became the first emperor of Ethiopia. Menelik brought the original Arc of the Covenant back to Ethiopia from Israel. [BLD]
Overnight: Yeha Hotel or similar (click on the link to view the facilities of this hotel)
Day 6: Axum
We enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Axum, which includes visiting the Stele Park, the Archeological Museum of Axum, the St. Mary of Zion Church, the palace and tomb of King Kaleb and Gebre Meskel (6th Century AD) and the palace of the Queen of Sheba (9th Century BC). [BLD]
Overnight: Yeha Hotel or similar (click on the link to view the facilities of this hotel)
Day 7: Axum – Lalibela
In the morning we fly to Lalibela and after lunch we visit the first group of churches of Lalibela that are found north of a small stream called River Jordan. The small town of Lalibela in Ethiopia is home to one of the world's most astounding sacred sites: 11 rock-hewn churches, each carved entirely out of a single block of granite with its roof at ground level. [BLD]
Overnight: Roha Hotel or similar (click on the link to view the facilities of this hotel)
Day 8: Lalibela
This morning we walk or ride on the back of a mule to the hill top semi monolithic church of Asheton Mariam (13yth Century AD). Here we enjoy a birds eye view of the surrounding area. [BLD]
Overnight: Roha Hotel or similar (click on the link to view the facilities of this hotel)
Day 9: Lalibela – Addis Ababa
After breakfast we fly back to Addis Ababa and take a short city tour to visit the National Museum of Addis Ababa – where the fossil remains of the oldest hominid (Lucy – 3.25 mil years old)- is kept at, and Mercato – the largest open-air market in Africa. [B]
Overnight: Ghion Hotel or similar (click on the link to view the facilities of this hotel)
Day 10: Addis – Dire Dawa – Harar
Today we fly east to Dire Dawa and drive to the walled town of Harar, which was the Muslim Capital of Ethiopia in the medieval times. On our way to Harar, visit the villages of the Hararghe Oromo people. At Harar we visit the house of the famous French poet – Arthur Rimbaud who lived in Harar in the 19th Century, the cultural market of Harar where you can visit the people of Adere (Harari), Oromo and Amhara together, and in the evening drive to one of the gates of Harar to visit the ‘Hyena Man’ who feeds wild hyenas by hand. [BLD]
Overnight: Heritage Plaza Hotel or similar
Day 11: Harar – Dire Dawa – Addis
Drive 55 km to Dire Dawa visiting the largest Chat (Mild Stimulant) Market at Aweday. In Addis have time to make walks on the main streets to visit historical Monuments, and for shopping. In the evening, we will host you at one of the best traditional restaurants of Addis where you can see the folkloric dances of the Ethiopian people and taste their variety of meals. After dinner, you will be taken to the airport for your onward evening flight. [BD]
