The history & wildlife of Ethiopia

Addis Ababa

Day 1: Arrive and tour Addis Ababa

After being met at the airport, you will be taken to the hotel to settle in, then head out for a day of local sightseeing.

Visit the National Museum of Ethiopia to learn of the country's ancient history, and see the oldest human ancestor, Lucy. Then head over to the Ethnological Museum. Set within Haile Selassie’s former palace and surrounded by the beautiful gardens and fountains of Addis Ababa University campus, it is one of the finest museums in Africa.

Before lunch, drive to Holy Trinity Cathedral Church which has a unique architectural style. After a relaxed lunch, drive up to the Entoto Mountains, the best location for a fabulous panoramic view of the capital. It is also a historical place, as Menelik II built his palace here. The area is also notable for a number of celebrated churches; the return drive will be via the Piazza, with a visit to St George's church en route to the hotel.

Simien Mountains National Park

Day 2: Journey into Simien Mountains National Park

Today begins with a domestic flight to Gondar; having arrived, enjoy the drive to Sankaber via Debark - stop off to check in to the Park, receive a brief and to pay the park fees.  Arriving at Buyit Ras, head out for a 3-4 hour hike to Sankaber, heading up towards the top of the ridge. Look out for the endemic, characterful Gelada baboons. Nearing Sankaber, enjoy the beautiful views on both sides of the escarpment. Reach the lodge for a comfortable night in incredible surroundings.

Simien Mountains National Park

Day 3: Explore the impressive Simien Massif

A further 24 km from your lodge leads to the Chennek campsite, passing through the Kurbet Metaya viewpoint (500m before the campsite). Once you pass Kurbet Metaya keep your eyes peeled for the Walia ibex.

Continue 2 km to one of the highest peaks in the Simien Massif: Mount Bwahit at 4,200m. Drive along the foothills through a valley crossed by wild streams. The road descends from the plateau passing through spectacular scenery. Look out for the Walia ibex and Ethiopian wolf.

Gondar

Day 4: Impressive Gondar palace fortress

Early in the morning the drive back to Gondar begins. Once there, check in to the hotel and then head out to explore the city of Gondar, the first capital city during the reign of Fasilides. A dozen castles are dotted around the city, built by various emperors over more than 2 centuries and has many features that seem more of European rather than African origin.

In the afternoon, visit Fasil Ghebbi palace fortress, probably the most impressive of all the castles found in the area and the oldest. Continue to the Church of Debre Berhan Selassie (Light of the Trinity).The interior is decorated with beautiful frescos, cherubs and paintings. Debre Berhan Selassie is rumored to once have been the proposed final resting-place of the Ark of the Covenant; many Ethiopian churches keep replicas.

Lalibela

Day 5: Extraordinary Lalibela rock-hewn churches

Board the short morning flight to reach Lalibela. The town is named after King Lalibela, who built numerous religious buildings here, set in the Lasta mountains. This small town is famous for its unique rock churches chiseled into the red, soft rock, sometimes referred to as the 'eighth wonder of the world".

This is a fascinating collection of churches, some connected by tunnels and with hermit holes where people lived their entire lives. The connecting walls are crowded with religious symbols, while the interior of some of the churches are beautifully painted.

There are 11 monolithic churches in all, which were built in the 12th century; the tour includes a visit to the first and second group of rock-hewn churches, before transferring to the hotel for the night.

Lalibela

Day 6: Churches in the Ethiopian highlands

Depart Lalibela and head for another ancient rock-hewn church known as Yimrhane Kristos. The drive to Yemrehanna passes through the countryside and villages of the Ethiopian highlands which gives a real flavour of the landscape and lifestyle here.

Visit Yemrehanna Kristos, one of Ethiopia’s best-preserved late-Aksumite buildings. Seeing the stepped exterior facade, created from alternating wood and stone layers, provides clues to the construction of the Lalibela rock-hewn churches; Yemrehanna Kristos may predate Lalibela’s churches by up to 80 years, it is a surviving blueprint for the later buildings,.

Drive back to Lalibela for lunch before visiting the remaining churches in the area, including Bet Giyorgis, constructed in honour of the patron saint of Ethiopia, Saint George.

Langano

Day 7: Lalibela to Lake Langano

Early in the morning, head out to one of the churches to watch the pilgrims gather for a church service. White-robed churchgoers gather to attend mass and it can be quite a moving spectacle and an insight into the continued importance of religion here.

Transfer to Lalibela Airport and take a flight to Addis Ababa. Drive out to Lake Langano, where the evening is free for some relaxation by the lake. Swimming and kayaking on the lake are available for those wanting a little more activity.

Bale Mountain National Park

Day 8: Spectacular Bale Mountain wildlife

Set out in the morning for Dinsho, gateway to the incredible Bale Mountains, which reach an altitude of around 4,500m (more than 14,000ft) an amazing location for a guided visit.

This varied habitat is rich in flora and fauna.  A real botanical treat, the vegetation ranges from Hagenia-dominated forest to giant Erica woods to high-altitude moorlands, and boasts fabulous giant lobelias.

Living amongst the foliage, are a huge variety of birds, including owls, ibis, francolin, crane, the red-billed chough, abyssinian catbird, african emerald cuckoo, abyssinian crimsonwing, and even the golden eagle.

The area has plenty of mammals too; look out for mountain nyala, klipspringer, Menelik’s bushbuck, Bohor reedbuck, and others. Enjoy all these sights with the help of local guides to pick out the plants, birds and creatures that make this place so special.

Bale Mountain National Park

Day 9: Magical Harenna Forest

 For the second day in Bale, drive to the Sanetti Plateau (4000m, with Afro-alpine moorland scenery), and then turn south to find a 1200m (3700 ft) escarpment, below which is one of the most extensive forests in Ethiopia, the Harenna Forest. The slope of the southern escarpment falls rapidly from the tree line at 3200m to around 2000m within 8 km, producing a rapid and spectacular change in landscape, habitat, and species composition. It is also home to 3% of Africa's surviving bamboo forest.

Harenna is a magical place, sitting beside a clear mountain stream, with a natural clearing beneath the escarpment, offering breathtaking views of the mountains and the surrounding forest. Rare Bale Monkeys inhabit the trees and the birdlife is spectacular. Wild coffee is harvested to the south of the lodge and delicious Bale honey is obtained by locals from hives placed high up in the canopy.

Addis Ababa

Day 10: Addis Ababa - Departure

Drive back to Addis Ababa via Lake Koka and Lake Ziway. Depending on the time, there may be an opportunity to shop for souvenirs in the local markets. Enjoy a farewell meal before the transfer to the airport, ready for departure.