Extraordinary Ethiopia Safari
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Overview
Highlights
- Discovering the cultural and culinary wonders of Addis Ababa
- The “living rock” churches of Lalibela
- The monolithic obelisks, giant stelae, royal tombs and the ruins of ancient castles of Axum
- Gondar, the Camelot of Africa
- The extraordinary inhabitants of the Beshada, Ari, Bumi, Hamer and Mursi villages
- The traditional Timket and Christ Mas ceremonies
- Lake Tana boat trip
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Itinerary
Welcome to Ethiopia! Upon arrival, you will be met by a representative and transferred directly to your four-star hotel to settle in before your first tour in Addis Ababa. Time permitting, visit the National Archaeological Museum where many wondrous exhibits await, but you might be most excited to meet Lucy—the 3.5 million-year-old ancestor of humanity.
Depart this morning on a flight to Lalibela, then transfer with a private driver to the unique Tukul Village Hotel, where you will be within walking distance of many ancient rock-hewn churches. Visit the monastery of Na’akuto La’ab Church built by King Lalibela’s neph...
In Lalibela, you have a rare opportunity to stroll around the hills and visit the local bars and Tej (Amharic for honey wine) houses while enjoying the distinctive dancing style of the region. During the afternoon, travel with your guide to the cave church of Yemrehan...
Lalibela still has more to offer. Six churches lying in rock cradles, one behind the other all await your visit, from the largest which is built like a Greek temple to one that can only be reached through a dark, narrow tunnel and more elaborate exteriors and symbolic graves.
Board your morning flight to Axum, the sacred heart of Ethiopia, where you will stay at the Sabean International Hotel. Enjoy an afternoon tour of Axum including the Obelisk of Axum – the largest single piece of stone erected anywhere. You will also visit the tombs an...
Fly away to Gondar and Mayleko Lodge this morning. Here you will visit the Royal Enclosure of Fasil Gibbi, which encompasses the castles of various Gondarene emperors including the Fasiladas Palace and the Quskuam Church. You will also explore the bath of King Fasilid...
Depart by road to Bahir Dar after breakfast to check in at Kuriftu Resort & Spa where you can immerse yourself in more of the history of Ethiopia with the landscapes of native architecture and cool shore side weather all year round. Lake Tana awaits. Take a cruise...
This morning fly from Bahir Dar to Arba Minch and the lovely Paradise Lodge in southern Ethiopia, established on a hilly area in Arba Minch from where the jungle forest can be seen. Abaya is the second largest lake in Ethiopia and is joined to Lake Chamo by a natural ...
This morning you will depart by road to Turmi via Konso & Weito. Drive through the Konso village; whose people are known for their intricately terraced hillsides, fine woven materials, and the carved totems with which they decorate their graves. Your next stop is ...
This morning, cross the Omo River to learn about and spend time with the Bumi tribe. The Bumis are specialized crocodile hunters, using harpoons from a dugout canoe. Once again, cross the Omo River and drive to the village of Kolcho to meet the Karo tribes who are considered the masters of body painting. Return late in the day to Turmi for the evening.
Depart to the Benna village for some time with the Beshada people, who are typically adorned with clay and impressive headdresses. Continue to Jinka to visit the South Omo Research Center, Yetnebersh village and the Ari tribe. Browse small markets along your route. Spend the night at Eco Omo, another eco-friendly lodge on the border of the Neri River.
Enjoy a scenic drive through the Mago National Park, which was founded in the 1960s. Dense acacia forests and open savanna provide sanctuary to nearly one hundred mammal species and three hundred bird species. Visit a Mursi village where the tribe and their decorative...
Today you will enjoy a visit to the Dorze village at Chencha. These renowned cotton weavers whose tall beehive-shaped dwellings are among the most distinctive traditional structures to be seen anywhere in Africa. In this region the main occupations are subsistence far...
Start your day with an Addis Ababa Tour exploring the Ethnographic Museum. In the afternoon you can visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral which is renowned for its stunning stain-glassed windows. Tonight a farewell dinner is enjoyed at a cultural restaurant accompanied by traditional Ethiopian music and dance.
Enjoy your last early morning Ethiopian coffee today and take advantage of your last day in Addis Ababa to take a drive to the eucalyptus-covered hills of Entoto Mountain, towards the north of the city. This will offer a glimpse of rural Ethiopian life and you might even spot an Olympian or two in training. Tonight you depart for your international flight home.
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Rothschild Safaris.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Rothschild Safaris Reviews & Ratings
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We had an absolutely amazing trip planned by Rothschild. They had taken care of every little detail from the time we landed to the time we returned home. Their pla...
Response from August 2022
We are so glad to have completely fulfilled your hopes and wishes Chris. It’s such a pleasure hostin...Tour Operator
Rothschild Safaris specializes in custom safaris in Africa along with several other select wildlife-based destinations around the world. For years we've been winning accolades from Conde Nast, Travel + Leisure, and other luxury media brands.
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