Ethiopian Explorer

44 days
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Small Group Tour
Travel to Ethiopia and discover unique and beautiful places on this journey through the heart of the country. Experience a land like no other, from the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela and the untouched wilderness in the Simien Mountains, to the sophistication of Gondar and the history of the ancient Aksum ruins. Feel the mist rise from the Blue Nile Falls befo...

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Spot Ethiopia's exotic wildlife on a game drive
    • Be amazed by the pink brilliance of flocks of flamingos
    • Experience distinct local cultures and traditions in the Omo Valley
    • Hike through lush national parks
    • Discover Gondar's ornate castles and palaces
    • Taste spicy Ethiopian delicacies in Addis Ababa
    • Feel the clouds of mist rising from the Blue Nile Falls

What's this trip about?

    Travel to Ethiopia and discover unique and beautiful places on this journey through the heart of the country. Experience a land like no other, from the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela and the untouched wilderness in the Simien Mountains, to the sophistication of Gondar and the history of the ancient Aksum ruins. Feel the mist rise from the Blue Nile Falls before visiting Kenya to spot Africa's iconic Big Five. Along the way, encounter friendly Ethiopian Rastafarians, Kenya's proud Samburu warriors and the rarely visited tribes of the Omo Valley. An adventure like no other, travelling to Ethiopia and Kenya will open your eyes to a special and rarely visited part of the continent.

Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 21 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportRound trip airfare and all internal transport included
Start CityOperator does not provide
End CityOperator does not provide

Travel Themes

  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Overland Journeys
  • Holy Land

Destinations

  • Africa
  • Ethiopia
  • Kenya

Attractions

  • Addis Ababa
  • Axum
  • Bath
  • Gondar
  • Jerusalem
  • Lake Nakuru National Park
  • Lake Tana
  • Lalibela
  • Mt. Kenya
  • Nairobi
  • Rift Valley

Activities

  • Land expedition
  • Wildlife viewing

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Gonder

Border Information: if joining in Gondar, you will most likely enter Ethiopia at Gondar Atse Tewodros Airport. There will be a group meeting at the joining hotel at 6:00pm. Please look out for a note from your tour leader at the reception when you arrive giving more d...

Day 2 Gonder

Today, we will have an included half day guided tour of the historical sites of Gondar, including Gondar Castle, the King Fasilades' Baths and the Debre Birhan Selassie church. In Gondar we will stay in a comfortable hotel with good facilities.

Day 3-5 Simien Mountains National Park

Today marks the start of our 3-day excursion into the Simien Mountains National Park. We will first drive to Debark, where we will have a briefing from our local mountain guide explaining the various trekking options we will have during our excursion, before heading i...

Day 6 Debark

Today is our final day in the Simien Mountains National Park, and we make our way back to Debark for the night. In Debark we will stay in a basic local hotel. Debark is a tiny settlement that was built in the 1840s along the busy Gondar- Massawa trading route. There...

Day 7-8 Axum

Leaving Debark behind us, we continue our journey with a full day of driving through the foothills of the Simien Mountains to reach the ancient town of Axum in the far north of Ethiopia. The roads here are very tough, but we are rewarded with more truly breathtaking s...

Day 9 Mekele

Today we will continue through the breathtaking mountain scenery of the Adwa mountains and visit one of the famous rock-hewn churches of Tigray (either the Abraha Atsbeha or Wukro Chirkos church) near to Mekele. Mekele is the cultural, economic and political hub of t...

Day 10-11 Danakil Depression

After breakfast meet your 4x4 vehicles and drive to Hamed Ella. On the way you will pass through the beautiful Tigre Villages and the escarpment of the Afar depression, this is commonly known as the cradle of mankind is part of the Great East African Rift Valley. Alon...

Day 12 Mekele

Today we will finish our time in the beautiful Danakil Depression. We will make our way back to Mekele to stay in a basic hotel overnight.

Day 13-15 Lalibela

Today we will have a full day drive to the town of Lalibela. Hidden in the hills of northern Ethiopia is the small town of Lalibela. This medieval village has grown up around 13 monolithic churches hewn from rock in the 12th Century CE. The layout and names of the ma...

Day 16-18 Bahir Dar

Today we will drive to Bahir Dar, a small town on Lake Tana, the source of the mighty Blue Nile. Bahir Dar is a small city located on the banks of Lake Tana, a beautiful lake that is famous as the source of the Blue Nile. A few kilometres down the river from Bahir Da...

Day 19 Debremarkos

Today we will continue our journey south towards Addis Ababa. We will break the journey with a nightstop in a basic local hotel in the small town of Debre Markos en route. Estimated Drive Time: 4-6 hours ACTIVITIES: Included: Overland journey north of Addis Ababa, passing through the immense Blue Nile Gorge. (Free)

Day 20 Addis Ababa

Today we will complete our journey to the bustling Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. En route we will drive to the bottom of the dramatic Blue Nile Gorge and up the other side! Referred to more commonly as simply "Addis", the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa lies amo...

Day 21 Addis Ababa

Border Information: If joining in Addis Ababa, you will most likely enter Ethiopia at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (IATA code: ADD). There will be a group meeting at the joining hotel at 6:00pm. Please look out for a note from your tour leader at the recept...

Day 22 Addis Ababa

Today we have a free day in Addis Ababa and will organise an included guided tour of the city including visiting St. George's Cathrdral, The Menelik mausoleum, The national Museum and the colourful city market.

Day 23 Harar

Today we will leave Addis Ababa and we will have a long drive east through the mountains to the ancient trading city of Harar. We will stay in a charming small hotel in the old city inself. Estimated Drive Time - 8-10 hours (please note that all drive times given here...

Day 24-25 Harar

Today we have a free day in ancient Harar and will have an included guided city tour of the walled city of Harar (Harar Jugol). Enjoy its colourful markets, mosques and shrines. In the evening you can visit the Hyena Men who feed the hyenas every night just outside th...

Day 26 Awash National Park

Today we will drive to Awash and overnight in the lovely Awash falls Lodge. Who said Luxury was not part of overlanding! This is a stunning place to experience this great little national park. Estimated Drive Time - 8-10 hours hours Activity Approximate Cost Follow t...

Day 27-28 Lake Ziway

In the morning we will take a park scout out with us to explore the national park and to try to find game or just to enjoy the stunning scenery of this lovely national park. Then we will head to lake Ziway for the night. Estimated drive to lake Ziway 6 hours On the ...

Day 29-31 Bale Mountains National Park

Today we will leave Ziway and drive to the stunning Bale Mountains National Park. Estimated Drive Time - 5-7 hours. We will enjoy 2 full days to explore the National Park. We will keep one day completely free to head out for optional guided walks - there are several p...

Day 32 Wendo Genet, Awassa

Today we will head north to the small town of Awassa, where we can visit the local fish market. After our visit we will head to Wendo Genet, a small town in the hills above Awassa, where we will stay for the night.Estimated Drive Time - 4-6 hours.On the following day ...

Day 33-34 Arba Minch

Today we will travel to the town of Arba Minch, a small town overlooking Lake Chamo. Estimated Drive Time - 7-9 hours On the following day we will have a free day to relax and explore the scenic area, or to take an optional boat trip on Lake Chamo to the view the croc...

Day 35 Arba Minch

Border Information: If joining in Arba Minch, you will most likely enter Ethiopia at Arba Minch Airport (IATA code: AMH). There will be a group meeting at the joining hotel at 6:00pm. Please look out for a note from your tour leader at the reception when you arrive gi...

Day 36 Konso

Today we will arrive in the town of Konso, we will visit the Konzo Village and Cultural centre on route today..In Konso we will camp in the grounds of a basic lodge. Activity Approximate Cost Visit this traditional village and see how locals have lived there for hund...

Day 37 Moyale

Continuing south we will have a full drive day across the Kenyan border to Moyale, where we will stay in a basic local hotel or camp in a local campsite. Border Information: Exit Ethiopia at Moyale, enter Kenya at Moyale. Estimated Drive Time - 8-10 hours.

Day 38 Samburu Village

Today we will have an early start and travel through the very rarelyvisited region of northern Kenya, crossing the infamous MoyaleMarsabit road to the central Samburu region. The scenery along this route is spectacular, as you travel through the black lunar landscapes...

Day 39 Samburu National Reserve

This morning we will enter the Samburu National Reserve, where we will enjoy game drives in the truck (breaking for a long lunch during the heat of the day). Samburu is a stunning National Reserve and is a great opportunity to spot big game such as cheetah, leopards, ...

Day 40-41 Naro Moru, Samburu National Reserve

Today we will get up early to spend the morning enjoying some more excellent game driving in our truck through the Samburu National Reserve. When the animals start to take shelter from the heat of the midday, we will exit the reserve and drive to the small village of ...

Day 42 Naivasha

Today we make our way to Naivasha, on the edge of a beautiful calm lake in the Great Rift Valley. Here we will have the chance to take an optional boat trip on the lake to spot hippos and African fish eagles, and also to visit the Elsamere Born Free Foundation at the ...

Day 43 Nairobi

Today we will drive to the bustling Kenyan capital of Nairobi, where we will have free time on arrival. In Nairobi we will camp in the grounds of a peaceful eco-camp in the suburb of Karen. Estimated Drive Time - 3-4 hours. Activity Approximate Cost Visit the Langata...

Day 44 Nairobi

Border Information: If you are leaving in Nairobi, you will most likely exit Kenya at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (IATA code NBO). Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Nairobi. Please note there is no accommodation included on th...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $5,520
Price per day$125
Last Updated: 4/9/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Intrepid Travel.

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.

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Intrepid Travel

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The Intrepid Travel Experience

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.

Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.

Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

  •   Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
  •   Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
  •   Local leaders - authentic perspectives
  •   Local transport - get close and personal
  •   Local accommodation - experience real living
  •   Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions 

History

Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.

Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.

Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.

 

Values

On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

  • Integrity – Doing the right thing
  • Responsible – Think global, act local
  • Growth – Stakeholders in our own success
  • Innovation – Thriving on new ideas and embracing change
  • Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
  • Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer

 

Why we love this operator
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
What they’re known for
Small group tours for active and adventurous travelers at a range of different price points and service levels.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Bush camp (no facilities) (5 nts),Camping (with basic facilities) (3 nts),Camping (with facilities) (12 nts),Hotel (20 nts),Lodge (3 nts),

Transportation & Flights

Overland vehicle,

Transportation & flights

Overland vehicle
Guides
OUR DRAGOMAN CREW & GUIDES Our crew are passionate about travel and are always up for adventure. It takes someone special to become a Dragoman leader. Our crew undergo the most intensive training program of all the overland companies, spending 8 weeks learning the ropes at our base in Suffolk, UK, and then up to 6 months on the road as a trainee. Our crew are trained to manage and operate the trip safely and efficiently and their duties include: planning the trip according to the itinerary, driving and maintaining the truck, securing services of local guides, general logistics, health and safety, liaising with bureaucracy, dealing with issues where needed and offering advice and support to our customers. In addition they have a basic knowledge of the places visited and will be able to offer suggestions of things to do and see. Dragoman endeavours to provide the services of experienced crew, however, due to the seasonality of travel, situations may arise where your tour leader is new to a particular region or training other crew, new to the area. On all Dragoman overlanding trips, we usually have 2 western crew. However on our trips in East and Southern Africa we either have 2 western crew or 1 western crew and 1 local driver. On trips south of Nairobi in East and Southern Africa we will also have an African camp master/cook who is in charge of running the camp and organising all of the meals. Their knowledge of the local produce makes shopping at the markets great fun and you will learn how to prepare and cook some unusual dishes. In most other areas of Africa, the Americas, India and Turkey, in addition to our crew we will employ local guides in specific locations of interest (for just a few hours up to a few days). On the majority of our trips in Ethiopia, Sudan, Central Asia, China and South East Asia, in addition to our crew we will have a local guide on board who will travel with us for the entire duration of our time within one country. In these cases, the local guide becomes a third crew member and is able to offer their local knowledge as well as an insight into their country and the lives of the local people. Your crew have a duty of care to all members of the group and therefore they have the authority to ask you to leave the trip if you require serious medical assistance, you are behaving in an anti-social manner or refuse to comply with local laws and customs. In all matters relating to the trip, the leader's decision will be final and we appreciate your respect of this.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. When travelling on a trip, you won't be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24 hour emergency contact number has been seen by your leader. If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. http://www.intrepidtravel.com/insurance.php
Visa requirements
VISA INFORMATION Many countries that we visit on our travels will require visas to enter. Some are best obtained before you leave home, and others can be obtained en-route. Whilst the ultimate responsibility for obtaining visas is yours, we will endeavour to assist you wherever possible. The visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. The information provided is given in good faith and we do try to keep the visa information as up to date as possible. Please read the information very carefully to make sure everything is clear and you aware of what you need to do. Please also be aware that rules surrounding visas do change, often suddenly, and without prior warning. This is why it is important that you also double-check the information we provide for yourself. For visas that are needed in advance, you may wish to submit the applications directly to the relevant embassy or consulate. If you require any supporting documentation for your visa applications, Dragoman will obtain this on your behalf as part of your trip price - we will contact you to request additional information in order to make this application for you. However, for trips that involve multiple visas, you may find it beneficial to use a specialist visa agency to assist you with your applications. While this does sometimes increase the cost, it usually makes the process much easier for you. As you will often need to submit your passport together with your applications, we recommend that you avoid making any travel plans in the weeks leading up to your departure. Most countries require that your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your entry into the country. For trips that are not yet guaranteed, you may find yourself in the position whereby you will need to start the visa application process prior to your trip being guaranteed - in this situation we still advise you not to purchase flights until your trip is guaranteed. However, you can start your visa application process, ensuring that when applying for your visas or letters of invitation that you allow several days before and after your entry into the country to allow for delays, availability of flights, etc. ETHIOPIA: All nationalities require a visa for entry to Ethiopia. If you are flying into Addis Ababa you can obtain a 90-day visa can be purchased on arrival. You will need two passport photos and approximately USD50 in cash. You may be asked for proof of a return ticket - please carry your Essential Trip Information if you are leaving overland. If you are entering at any border other than Addis Ababa airport you MUST obtain your visa in advance. For more information, please contact your closest Ethiopian embassy or consulate as this information may change.
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Finish point Wildebeest Eco Camp 151 Mokoyeti Road West, Langata Nairobi KENYA
Trip ID
intrepid-YDOGC

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