Extraordinary Ethiopia Safari

15 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Map not provided by operator
Additional images not provided by operator
Video not provided by operator
4.9/5 Excellent
53 reviews  
98%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Private Guided
In 1960, Ethiopian Abebe Bikila became the first African to win a Gold Medal at the Olympics. When a journalist asked him if he was exhausted right after the event, Bikila replied: ‘I could have done with another 10 kilometers.’ His response is a testament to the perseverance and independent streak of the people. Ethiopia is a land of spectacular color, int...
Inquire for Pricing
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

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

What's this trip about?

    In 1960, Ethiopian Abebe Bikila became the first African to win a Gold Medal at the Olympics. When a journalist asked him if he was exhausted right after the event, Bikila replied: ‘I could have done with another 10 kilometers.’ His response is a testament to the perseverance and independent streak of the people. Ethiopia is a land of spectacular color, intricate cultures and glorious festivals. It is the spiritual home of the Rastafarians, but also a country where monolithic Christian churches have been carved from rock and mountain. This land is where the Ark of the Covenant is marched to the nearest water accompanied by thousands of locals dressed in dazzling white and shaded by sequined velvet umbrellas. Ethiopia is all of that and we haven’t even touched on the wonderful food and overwhelming physical beauty. We will understand entirely if you, like Abebe Bikila, tell us at the end of your safari in Ethiopia, that you could have done with 10 more days.

Compare to similar trips

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transport
Start CityAddis Ababa
End CityAddis Ababa

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

Activities

  • Caving
  • Culture
  • Hiking
  • Historic Sightseeing
  • History
  • Mountaineering
  • Nature
  • Photography
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Wine Tasting

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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.

Day 2: Lalibela – Northern Church Tours

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...

Day 3: Lalibela – Hiking, Cave Church visit, and Coffee Ceremony

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...

Day 4: Lalibela – Southern Church Tours

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.

Day 5: Axum – Historic City Tour

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...

Day 6: Gondar – Castles and Festival Site Explorations

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...

Day 7: Bahir Dar – Lake Cruise, the Blue Nile, and Waterfalls

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...

Day 8: Arba Minch – Boat trip and Wildlife Viewing

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 ...

Day 9:Turmi – Konso, Erbore and Hamer Village visits

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 ...

Day 10: Turmi – Bumi and Karo Tribe Interactions

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.

Day 11: Jinka – Investigate Villages and Markets of the Omo Valley

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.

Day 12: Arba Minch – Mago National Park drive and Mursi Village excursion

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...

Day 13: Addis Ababa – Dorze Village Weaving and Flight to Addis Ababa

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...

Day 14: Addis Ababa – Ethnographic Museum Tour and Traditional Dance

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.

Day 15: Addis Ababa – Entoto Mountain Tour – Begin Your Journey Home

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.

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $0
Price per day$0
Last Updated: 2/23/2024

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

4.9/5  Excellent
Excellent
51
Great
1
Average
0
Disappointing
0
Terrible
1
Write a Review

Other Rothschild Safaris Reviews

S

Sally Maender

Aug 2023

Written on

Safari 2023

We just got back from our 11 day Safari trip ALL PLANNED by Rothschild! We were celebrating my 50th birthday and I’ve always wanted to go on a safari. I researched m...

R

Ray Q

Jan 2023

Written on

African Safari Perfection!

From the first time we spoke to Pam Langhoff at Rothschild Safaris, her main concern was creating exactly the trip that my wife and I wanted. In the end, she helped ...

C

Chris Shoemaker

Aug 2022

We had an absolutely amazing trip planned by Rothschild.

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...

undefined-logo

Response from August 2022

We are so glad to have completely fulfilled your hopes and wishes Chris. It’s such a pleasure hostin...

Write a Review

Tour Operator

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

Accommodation

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
[object Object]
Trip ID
rothsc-ExtEthRot

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save