The trip starts with a flight to Gondar and a visit to Simien Mountains National Park to see Gelada baboons and rare wildlife.
After exploring Bwahit Mountain, travelers fly back to Addis and drive to Awash National Park for a game drive. They visit Awash Falls, Alideghe Wildlife Reserve, and drive to Harar, where they see historic sites and the famous “Hyena Man.”
The journey continues to Lake Langano, Senkale Wildlife Sanctuary, and Bale Mountains National Park, home to the Ethiopian wolf and endemic wildlife.
After exploring Sanetti Plateau and Harenna Forest, travelers return to Addis Ababa for departure.
Day 1: Flight from Addis Ababa to Gondar
You will arrive at Bole International Airport, where our guide will welcome you and assist with your check-in for your domestic flight to Gondar. Upon arrival, another team will meet you and drive you to the Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
After checking into the lodge, we will explore this scenic area. The escarpment is a great spot to see Gelada baboons, also known as “bleeding heart baboons.” These primates are endemic to Ethiopia and can be seen in large numbers due to the abundant grass, herbs, roots, and insects they feed on.
Day 2: Simien Mountains National Park
After an early breakfast, we will drive to Chennek Camp, located at 3,620 meters above sea level, where we will get excellent views of the Gelada baboons. As we hike higher, the scenery becomes even more breathtaking.
We will then drive to Bwahit Mountain, standing at 4,200 meters above sea level. From the summit, we will have spectacular views of the Imet Gogo and Inatiye rocks. If we are lucky, we may spot the Walia Ibex (Capra ibex walia), which is endemic to the Simien Mountains. Another rare species found here is the Ethiopian wolf.
Day 3: Drive to Awash National Park
After an early breakfast, we will drive to Gondar airstrip for our flight back to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival, our representative will drive us to Awash National Park, with a stop for lunch along the way.
In the late afternoon, we will do an evening game drive before heading to our camp for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 4: Awash National Park
Before breakfast, we will head out to explore the bushes of the national park, looking for animals before they are disturbed by human activity.
We will also hike to the banks of the Awash River, where we can see the Awash Waterfalls. Here, we have a high chance of seeing: Salt’s dik-dik, Lesser kudu, Warthog, Hamadryas baboon, Aardwolf, Aardvark, Grivet monkey, Black-backed jackal, Spotted hyena, Olive baboon, Abyssinian hare and Nile crocodiles.
Day 5: Drive to Alideghe Wildlife Reserve
After breakfast, we will drive to the northeastern sector of Awash National Park, where the Alideghe Game Reserve is located.
Here, we will look for wildlife such as: Grevy’s zebra, Hamadryas baboons, African golden wolf, Gerenuk, Beisa oryx, Soemmerring’s gazelle, Grant’s gazelle, Olive and Somali ostriches.
Bird species found here include: Abyssinian roller, Bee-eaters, Arabian bustard and Kori bustard.
Day 6: Drive to Harar
After an early breakfast, we will drive 300 kilometers to Harar, a historic city known for its 16th-century walls and Islamic heritage. Harar is one of the five most important cities in Ethiopia.
A highlight of the visit is meeting the “Hyena Man,” who feeds the wild hyenas every night. This practice began many years ago to prevent hyenas from attacking livestock and entering homes in search of food. You may also get a chance to feed the hyenas yourself.
Day 7: Harar – Awash
After breakfast, we will explore the walled city of Harar.
Highlights include:
- Arthur Rimbaud’s House, the former home of the French poet who lived here for most of his life
- Harari Museum
- Ras Mekonnen House
- Harari traditional homes
- Islamic market
Later, we will drive back to Awash for the night.
Day 8: Drive to Langano with Stops Along the Way
Today, we will drive to Lake Langano, stopping at Lake Ziway to see aquatic wildlife.
Upon arrival at Lake Langano, we may spot hippos. A forest walk will also be organized, where we may see: Bat-eared fox, Bush babies, Aardvark, Crested porcupine and Genet families.
Day 9: Drive to Senkale Wildlife Sanctuary
After breakfast, we will drive to Senkale Wildlife Sanctuary, home to Swayne’s hartebeest and oribi.
On the way, we will stop at Abijatta National Park, where we may see: African golden wolf, African ostriches and Grant’s gazelle.
After the game drive, we will continue to Awassa, where African clawless otters are commonly seen.
Day 10: Drive to Bale Mountains National Park
Today, we will drive southeast to Bale Mountains National Park. The park’s boundaries provide excellent mammal sightings, as many species do not cross into the southern sector, which is dominated by serval cats.
Mammals found here include: Mountain nyala and Menelik’s bushbuck (endemic to this area).
Day 11: Bale Mountains – Sanetti Plateau
After an early breakfast, we will drive to the Sanetti Plateau, which is 4,000 meters above sea level.
The plateau features beautiful Afro-alpine scenery and is the largest Afro-alpine habitat in Africa.
Here, we have a high chance of seeing the endangered Ethiopian wolf. Other mammals include: Stark’s hare, Giant mole rat, Rock hyrax and Grass rats.
Day 12: Bale Mountains – Harenna Forest
We will wake up early for a morning drive to Harenna Forest, where we may spot: Giant forest hog, Bush pig and Endemic Bale monkey, which lives in bamboo trees.
A night game drive will allow us to see nocturnal animals.
Day 13: Bale Mountains – Gassay Grasslands
After breakfast, we will leave the forest and drive to the Gassay Grasslands, where we will explore both woodlands and grasslands.
During both the day and night safaris, we may see: Serval cat, African golden wolf, Civet cat and Caracal.
We will then drive to Goba for dinner and overnight.
Day 14: Return to Addis Ababa
After breakfast, we will drive back to Addis Ababa, making several stops along the way to interact with local cultural groups and enjoy traditional Ethiopian cuisine.
You will have time to refresh before your departure flight.
