12-Day Photography Tour, Nature, Birds & Wild Life

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Addis Ababa

Upon landing in Addis Ababa, your guide and driver will warmly welcome you and facilitate a smooth transfer to your hotel for check-in and to freshen up.

If your flight schedule permits an afternoon of exploration, you will have the opportunity to discover some of the capital's premier attractions. Visit the fascinating Ethnographic Museum. For a stunning panoramic perspective, a drive up to Mount Entoto Park offers breathtaking views over the sprawling city below, providing a perfect final glimpse of Ethiopia.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Momona Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Addis Ababa - Bahirdar

Your journey continues with a scenic morning flight aboard Ethiopian Airlines to Bahir Dar. Upon arrival, the vibrant local culture awaits at the Bahir Dar marketplace. Immerse yourself in a sensory experience of colorful spices, handwoven textiles, and the lively atmosphere of this lakeside city.

In the afternoon, a serene boat tour on Lake Tana. You will journey to ancient and secluded island monasteries, such as those on the Zege Peninsula, adorned with vivid frescoes and preserving centuries of religious history. The lake and its lush shores are a sanctuary for diverse wildlife. Keep watch for pods of hippopotamuses, the elegant black-and-white colobus monkeys swinging in the treetops, and majestic black-crowned cranes wading near the shore. The air is alive with birdlife, from the brilliant flash of a malachite kingfisher to the distinctive eastern white pelicans and the delicate lesser jacana stepping across floating vegetation, offering a pristine natural encounter.

Main Destination:

Bahir Dar (City)

Accommodation:

Jacaranda Hotel Bahir Dar

• Mid-range hotel located in Bahir Dar (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Bahirdar - Blue Nile Falls - Semien Mountain NP

We will depart early, setting out on the scenic road journey towards Debark. Our first major stop is the magnificent Blue Nile Falls, where the thunderous cascade creates a permanent rainbow in the mist and the surrounding area teems with diverse birdlife. After this spectacular visit, we continue our drive towards Debark, the charming gateway town to the Simien Mountains.

The journey itself is a highlight, as we will make several strategic stops along the route. You will have the opportunity to visit and observe troops of the endemic Gelada baboons up close as they graze on the highland plateaus. We will also pause at breathtaking viewpoints to peer into the depths of the stunning Simien Gorge, a dramatic landscape carved over millennia, offering unparalleled photographic opportunities of one of Africa's most grand and beautiful mountain ranges.

Main Destination:

Blue Nile Falls (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Ras Dejen Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Debark (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Simien Mountains National Park

Following an early start, we will embark on a spectacular morning trek to fully appreciate the grandeur of the Simien Mountain massif. The crisp morning air and soft light provide the perfect conditions to experience these breathtaking highland landscapes. Upon our return, a well-deserved breakfast will be served.

We then begin our scenic drive to Chenek, one of the most renowned locations within the park. Upon arrival, we will explore the area on foot. Chenek is famed for its populations of the magnificent and endemic Walia Ibex, often seen nimbly navigating the steep cliffs. The site is also a premier destination for bird enthusiasts, offering opportunities to spot endemic species such as the Spot-breasted Plover, Abyssinian Longclaw, Ankober Serin, Thick-billed Ravens, Black-winged Lovebirds, and Red-billed Choughs. After an immersive experience in this wildlife haven, we will drive back to our lodge for the evening.

Main Destination:

Simien Mountains National Park

Best Time To Visit September to December (Beautiful scenery)

High Season October to April (Lodges are busy)

Best Weather October to April

Wildlife in Simien Mountains NP

Gelada Monkey Abundant

Walia Ibex Occasional

Ethiopian Wolf Rare

Klipspringer Rare

Bushbuck Rare

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Golden Jackal Rare

Hyena Rare

Accommodation:

Mid-range camping

• Inside Simien Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Gondar - Addis Ababa

Your final day begins with an early, scenic trek to a breathtaking Semine Mountain viewpoint—a final opportunity to absorb the majestic highland vistas and observe troops of Gelada monkeys in their natural habitat. After returning to the lodge for a hearty breakfast, you will check out and commence the picturesque drive back to Gondar. This journey descends through dramatic, ever-changing landscapes, offering a last look at the region's stunning topography.

Upon arrival in Gondar, you will be transferred directly to the airport for your evening flight to Addis Ababa. A representative will greet you upon your arrival in the capital, facilitating a smooth transfer to your hotel for a final comfortable overnight stay, allowing you to reflect on an unforgettable Ethiopian journey.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Momona Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Addis Ababa - Rift Valley Lakes - Langano

We will embark on a scenic drive south into the Great Rift Valley, a land defined by its stunning lakes and volcanic formations. Our journey includes a stop in the town of Bishoftu for lunch, where you will have the opportunity to walk along the rim or shore of a beautiful crater lake, taking in the serene views from above.

After lunch, we continue to the tranquil shores of Lake Langano, checking into the relaxed Sabana Lodge for an overnight stay. This lakeside retreat is a haven for birdwatchers, with species like the distinctive Go-away Bird and the unique Hammerkop commonly spotted on the grounds.

En route, our drive features fascinating stops, including a visit to Lake Ziway. Here, we will take a boat to the renowned "Bird Island," a sanctuary inhabited solely by vast and varied colonies of birdlife, offering an incredible, close-up encounter with Ethiopia's vibrant avian population.

Main Destination:

Lake Langano

Accommodation:

Sabana Beach Resort

• Mid-range resort located at Lake Langano

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Lake Langano - Bale Mountain National Park

After breakfast, we begin our scenic journey south to Dinsho, the headquarters and gateway to the breathtaking Bale Mountains National Park, where we will be based for a three-night stay. Our exploration begins almost immediately upon arrival in the area. In the enchanting Juniper and Hagenia forests that fringe the park boundaries, we will embark on a search for two of Ethiopia's most iconic and endemic antelopes.

Here, you have an excellent chance to observe the majestic Mountain Nyala, a regal antelope with magnificent spiraled horns that was one of the last large African mammals to be discovered by Western science. We will also seek out the darker and more elusive Menelik's bushbuck. This initial foray is not only a wildlife spectacle but also a premier birding experience, as these lush woodlands are home to a superb variety of endemic and specialized bird species, setting the stage for the remarkable biodiversity we will encounter in the days ahead.

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Best Time To Visit November to February (Little rain)

High Season October to January (Park is never busy)

Best Weather November to February

Wildlife in Bale Mountains NP

Ethiopian Wolf Common

Mountain Nyala Common

Warthog Common

Menelik's
Bushbuck Occasional

Guereza Monkey Occasional

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Olive Baboon Occasional

Bohor Reedbuck Occasional

Starck's Hare Occasional

Giant Mole-rat Occasional

Bale Monkey Rare

Giant Forest Hog Rare

Golden Jackal Rare

Gelada Monkey None

Walia Ibex None

Accommodation:

Goba Wabe Shebelle Hotel

• Budget hotel located less than 1hr drive from Bale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Bale Mountains National Park - Sanetti Plateau

We will embark on an unforgettable excursion along Africa's highest all-weather road, ascending onto the vast, otherworldly expanse of the Sanetti Plateau. This breathtaking Afro-alpine moorland, with its unique "giant lobelia" plants, is the primary sanctuary for the critically endangered Ethiopian wolf. With an estimated global population of only 400 individuals and none in captivity, spotting this sleek, russet-coated predator is a rare privilege. Being diurnal and habituated, they often allow for exceptional, close-range viewing and photography.

The plateau's ecosystem is equally fascinating, centered on the wolf's main prey: the endemic Giant Mole-rat, a peculiar, large rodent that can be seen emerging from its burrows. Birdlife is remarkable, featuring endemics like the striking Blue-winged Goose and numerous raptors soaring overhead, making this a truly unique and profound wildlife experience.

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Mid-range camping

• Inside Bale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Bale Mountains National Park - Harenna Forest

The Bale Mountains National Park is a place of dramatic contrasts, where a monumental escarpment acts as a geological divide between its distinct ecological sectors. As its visionary proprietor, Yvonne Levene, aptly observes, the park is not merely a destination to visit, but an immersive "experience" to be absorbed—a key reason why a stay of at least three days is essential.

Our base, the Bale Mountains Lodge, is nestled within the heart of this magical realm, on the edge of the vast and beautiful tropical Harenna Forest. This mist-shrouded evergreen jungle is a treasure trove for naturalists, a realm that remains poorly inventoried and brimming with discovery. It is one of the few places to seek out the recently described and highly localized Bale monkey, while lucky visitors might even catch a glimpse of a lion. The forest is alive with an exceptional diversity of endemic birdlife and other wildlife, offering a profound and authentic African wilderness experience.

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Mid-range camping

• Inside Bale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Drive to Awash National Park

We will depart on a scenic drive east towards the renowned Awash National Park. Our journey traverses the picturesque highlands of Arsi, where we will make an interesting stop to absorb the local culture and landscape. Upon entering the park, the thunderous spectacle of the Awash Falls greets us, marking the start of an exploration into a rugged wilderness teeming with life.

This protected area is a sanctuary for an array of wildlife unique to the Horn of Africa. As we explore, we will search for iconic mammals such as the elegant Beisa Oryx, the slender Soemmerring's Gazelle, the miniature Guenther's Dik-dik, and troops of both Hamadryas and Anubis baboons. For bird enthusiasts, the park is nothing short of superb, offering the chance to spot a remarkable diversity from its checklist of over 350 species, set against a dramatic backdrop of volcanic terrain and the lush riverine forest of the Awash River.

Main Destination:

Awash National Park

Best Time To Visit October to February (Little rain and less hot)

High Season September to April (The park is never busy)

Best Weather October to February

Wildlife in Awash NP

Olive Baboon Abundant

Beisa Oryx Common

Soemmerring's
Gazelle Common

Hamadryas
Baboon Common

Salt's Dik-dik Common

Show more

Lesser Kudu Occasional

Desert Warthog Occasional

Defassa Waterbuck Occasional

Nile Crocodile Occasional

Spotted Hyena Occasional

Guereza Monkey Rare

Ethiopian Wolf None

Gelada Monkey None

Walia Ibex None

Accommodation:

Doho Lodge & Hot Springs

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Awash NP

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Awash

A full day of birding in Awash National Park immerses you in one of Ethiopia's most diverse ecosystems, set within the dramatic expanse of the Great Rift Valley. Your search will be rewarded with sightings of vibrant birds such as the African Orange-bellied Parrot, the stately Bustard, bustling colonies of Weavers, the distinctive Hoopoe, the melodious Yellow-throated Serine, and the striking Abyssinian Roller.

Beyond the exceptional birdlife, the park's savannah and acacia woodlands support an impressive cast of mammals. As you explore, keep watch for troops of Anubis Baboons, elegant Colobus Monkeys in the riverine forest, and the elusive Black-backed Jackal. The landscape is also home to the peculiar Bat-eared Fox, Warthogs, majestic Beisa Oryx, graceful Soemmering’s Gazelle, the striped Lesser Kudu, and the diminutive Salt’s Dik-dik, creating a truly comprehensive African wildlife experience.

Main Destination:

Awash National Park

Accommodation:

Doho Lodge & Hot Springs

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Awash NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Drive back to Addis Ababa

As your remarkable journey through Ethiopia draws to a close, the final afternoon offers an optional opportunity for souvenir shopping to acquire a tangible memory of your travels, should time permit.

The culmination of your adventure is a celebratory Farewell Dinner at a renowned traditional Ethiopian restaurant. This immersive experience engages all your senses: savor the rich, communal flavors of a classic Ethiopian feast while being captivated by the vibrant energy of live cultural performers. Dynamic dancers and skilled musicians, representing many of the country's diverse ethnic groups, create an unforgettable spectacle of rhythm and color, providing a final, heartfelt glimpse into Ethiopia's rich heritage. Following dinner, a timely transfer will be provided to the airport for your late-night international departure, marking the end of your Ethiopian adventure.

Main Destination:

No major destination visited

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.