Activities

Detailed 14 Day Best Ethiopia Tour Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Bahir Dar

You will be met at Bole Airport or your hotel in Addis Ababa. Our Ethiopia safari rep will brief you on the best Ethiopia safari. This is before you board a local flight at 0700 hrs to Bahir Dar. You will be met on arrival at the airport by our safari guide. 

On a boat, your best Ethiopia tour safari heads for a tour on Lake Tana. You’ll visit a selection of the monasteries hidden on the islands. There are also other monasteries found on the shores of this sacred lake. You’ll go to the Zege Penninsula to the monastery of Azuwa Maryam. 

The visit also goes to the monastery of Ura Kidane Mehret. On the island is the monastery of Debre Maryam. This is found near the outlet of the Blue Nile River. In the afternoon you’ll drive out to the Blue Nile Falls. This will be for a short hike in the area. You’ll finish the day with a sundowner over the lake. Your overnight will be in Bahir Dar at Kuriftu Resort and Spa.

Day 2: Bahir Dar – Gondar

You will begin the day on this best Ethiopia safari with breakfast. This will be followed by a departure. You’ll drive north to Gondar. This will be a four-hour drive going through rural villages. You’ll enjoy wonderful insight into the Amhara culture. 

On arrival you’ll settle in your hotel in Gondar. This is before going out to explore your surroundings. The sites that you will visit include the Royal Enclosure with six castles. There are several other buildings that are worth a visit. 

Your best Ethiopia tour safari will also visit Fasilidas’s Pool. This pool is still used for Timket celebrations today. You’ll visit to Ras Gimb Palace Museum and the Debre Birhan Selassie church. They have the most famous ceiling in Ethiopia. Today you’ll spend the night in Gondar at Taye Hotel.

Day 3: Gondar - Axum

You will wake up to an early breakfast before departure on this best Ethiopia safari. You will be flying early morning at 0745 hrs to Axum. Our guide will meet you on arrival at Axum. 

Enjoy the transfer to your Axum hotel. You will spend the day visiting the sites of Axum. This includes the famous obelisks. One was recently erected after its return from Italy.  There is the archaeological museum and the Queen of Sheba’s Bath. The latter supplies water to Axum year-round. You’ll also visit Ezana’s enscription, King Kaleb’s tomb and King Bazen’s tomb. 

You cannot finish the royalty visit without the Queen of Sheba’s Palace. In Axum you can also visit the St. Mary of Zion church. This is where there is a belief that the Ark of the Covenant. It is only men allowed to enter the old church. 

Unfortunately, you are not allowed to enter the chapel where the Ark is kept. This is a preserve only one chosen guardian monk. Your overnight will be at in Axum at Sabean International Hotel.

Day 4: Axum – Lalibela

You will have the morning at leisure on best Ethiopia tour safari. You can tour what you did not see in Axum. Your best Ethiopia tour safari will later enjoy a transfer to the airport. This is in time for the 1100 hrs morning flight to Lalibela. 

Lalibela is the most famous of all the Ethiopian historical sites. You’ll venture out after settling in your hotel in Lalibela. You will tour the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. The tour starts with the Northwestern Cluster of churches. They include Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam and Bet Meskel. 

There is also Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael and Bet Golgotha. At Bet Golgotha it is only men permited to enter. Evening and overnight in Lalibela will be at Mountain View Hotel.

Day 5: Lalibela

You’ll spend the full day of best Ethiopia safari in Lalibela. You will spend the morning on Lalibela tour to the church of Yimrehanne Kristos. It is the most popular of the churches outside of Lalibela. This church is built with layers of wood and granite. It is set in the entrance to a large cavern. 

Your best Ethiopia tour safari will return to Lalibela for lunch break. You’ll have the afternoon visiting the South-eastern Cluster of churches. They include Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanual, and Bet Abba Libanos. 

You cannot finish best Ethiopia tour safari without visiting Bet Giyorgis. It is the most famous Ethiopian church. It was constructed in honor of the patron saint of Ethiopia – Saint George. Overnight will be in Lalibela at Mountain View Hotel.

Day 6: Lalibela - Addis Ababa - Awassa

Your best Ethiopia tour safari will wake up to your breakfast in the hotel. Later enjoy a transfer to the airport. You will be there in time for the 0900hrs flight to Addis Ababa. You will then leave and head South via Butajira. 

There will be a few stops at archeological sites along the way. There will be a stop at Tiya which is an ancient stelae field a "UNESCO" World Heritage Site. You’ll also stop at Adadi Maryam which is a rock church like the ones in Lalibela. 

The other stop will be at Melka Kunture that is a pre-historic tool making site. This is before you get to the final destination which is Awassa. You will spend the night at Tadesse Enjory Hotel.

Day 7: Awassa – Dorze

Start your day on the best Ethiopia safari with breakfast. This will be followed by a visit Lake Awassa and the fish market. Your best Ethiopia tour safari then proceeds to to Dorze. This is set in the highlands above the town of Arba Minch. 

The people of Dorze are famous for their beehive-like houses. They are also known for their fine cotton weaving. A Village tour is on the cards that includes the local market. This if only if the market is open. You may opt to go traditional and sleep at Dorze in traditional Dorze hut. The facility has shared toilet facilities. You may continue to Arba Minch for overnight at Tourist Hotel.

Day 8: Dorze - Turmi

Your best Ethiopia safari will leave after breakfast. You will be heading to the town of Turmi. You should expect to arrive in the afternoon. This journey will have a stop at the village of Weyto. This is home to the Tsemai tribe. 

You will then head through the Weyto Valley to Erbore. Here you have the opportunity for a brief photography stop. Finally, you’ll be at Turmi, home of the Hamer tribe. Traditional night dancing of the Hamer tribe is a must for all. Your overnight in Turmi will be at Evangadi Lodge.

Day 9: Turmi

Today your best Ethiopia safari visits the Dassenech tribe. This is in the town of Omorate. From Omorate you’ll cross the Omo River by boat and enter a Dassenech village. You’ll return to Turmi in the afternoon. 

You have a chance to visit the a local Hamer village. You’ll be lucky to have the Jumping of the Bulls ceremony. This is a coming-of-age ceremony that usher young men into adulthood. You will spend your night in Turmi at Evangadi Lodge.

Day 10: Turmi  - Jinka

You’ll begin your best Ethiopia tour safari with an early breakfast. This will be before your departure to Jinka area. The drive takes you through the towns of Dimeka and Key Afar. 

Dimeka offers one of the most colorful markets in the area. This is popular to th many Southern Ethiopia tribes, including Hamer, Benna and Karo. Your overnight in Jinka will be Orit Hotel.

Day 11: Jinka

Today you will begin your best Ethiopia safari early. This will be with breakfast before departure. You’ll drive through the Mago National Park. The best Ethiopia safari goes onto a village of the Mursi tribe. 

The Mursi people are known for their lower lip and earlobe plates. You’ll return to Jinka in the afternoon. You’ll visit the visit the South Omo Museum & Research Center. Here you’ll learn more about the local tribes. As an alternative, you may hike in the surrounding hills to visit a local Ari village. Your overnight in Jinka will be Orit Hotel.

Day 12: Jinka  - Konso

Enjoy an early breakfast in your Jinka hotel. Your best Ethiopia safari then proceeds to the town of Konso. You’ll stop of in Key Afar to witness the Benna and Tsemai tribes trading goods. You will arrive in Konso in the afternoon. 

Konso people are well known for their wooden statues (wakas). These are erected in honor of dead heroes. Konso people are also known for their innovative agricultural terracing. Time allowing, you may also visit the “natural New York Village”. This is named after the tall sand formations resembling skyscrapers. Your overnight in Konso will be at Strawberry Fields Ecolodge.

Day 13: Konso  - Lake Langano

Today your best Ethiopia tour safari goes to Lake Langano. This will be after breakfast punctuated with stops. You will stop at the Senkele Wildlife Sanctuary. This is famed for its endemic Swayne’s Hartebeest. Your overnight will be at Lake Langano at Abule Bassumo Hotel.

Day 14: Lake Langano - Addis Ababa

You will wake up to an early breakfast on this best Ethiopia tour safari. You got time to enjoy a stunning morning swim in Lake Langano. This is before your departure as you head off for Addis Ababa. 

Depending on time you’ll have a visit to the Abiatta-Shala National Park. This park offers up two interesting lakes. There is the Lake Shala, with its deep blue waters is the deepest lake in Ethiopia at 236m. Lake Abiatta is a soda lake with thousands of flamingos which you may see at various times of the year.

---------- End of Best Ethiopia Tour Safari ----------

Best Ethiopia Tour Safari Costs:

What is included in the Best Ethiopia Tour Safari cost?

• Accommodation on Twin/Double Bed Room sharing basis
• All entrance(admission) fees at places of visits in the itinerary
• All transfer in and outs
• Comfortable safari vehicle
• Gasoline (fuel) and driver's allowance
• Professional experienced English-speaking guide for the entire route
• All on-site guides
• Bottled Water in the vehicle
• And, all related government taxes

Best Ethiopia Tour Safari Price excludes:

• Any meals and drinks
• Visa Fee
• Domestic flight fare
• Fees to take pictures and videos
• Any expense of personal nature such as souvenirs, laundry, tips for service people, etc
• And, any expense which is not mentioned in the "Included" List above

What to Carry on the Best Ethiopia Tour?

• Light and a few heavy clothing for evenings
• Closed, comfortable shoes
• Sun protection like sun cream, hat