12-Day Ethiopia Volcano Simien and Bale Safari Erta Ale

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

Mekelle – Danakil Depression (Erta Ale)

Start with an early-morning 4WD transfer from Mekelle to the Danakil Depression, focusing on Erta Ale Volcano. Travel through remote terrain featuring solidified lava fields and sand dune passing small hamlets along the route. Upon arrival, check in at the Erta Ale camping site, settle in, and prepare for an evening hike. As dusk approaches, hike toward the crater and spend the night hours witnessing the dramatic lava activity, including the boiling lava lake (conditions permitting). Return to camp for dinner and overnight under the stars or in a basic shelter.

Main Destination:

Danakil Depression (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Erta Ale – Hamad Ela

Wake early for a crater-edge hike to experience volcanic views illuminated by sunrise. Return to camp for breakfast, then travel to Hamad Ela by vehicle (approximately 5 hours). Include a picnic lunchen route in shaded palm areas. Visit Hamad Ela village and observe the lifestyle of the Afar people. Continue to Salt Lake Asale, enjoy the natural pool experience, and relax as the sunset reflects across the salt flat landscape. Overnight in Hamad Ela.

Main Destination:

Danakil Depression (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Hamad Ela – Dallol – Mekelle

Depart early for Dallol, famous for its surreal acidic colors, geothermal features, fumaroles, and acid springs—often described as one of Earth’s most bizarre landscapes. Explore the area’s unusual formations, including salt structures, bubbling geothermal areas, and brightly colored mineral landscapes. After lunch in the Hamad Ela area, drive back toward Mekelle. In the late afternoon, take a flight back to Addis Ababa and overnight in Addis Ababa.

Main Destination:

Danakil Depression (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Homeland Hotel Mekelle

• Mid-range hotel located in Mekele (City)

+9 Photos

+8 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Addis Ababa – Gondar – Sankabar Camp (Trek Start)

Fly from Addis Ababa to Gondar. After arrival, transfer to Sankabar, the trek starting point. If time allows, enjoy an optional two-hour walk for panoramic views over the escarpment and opportunities to observe local wildlife, particularly Gelada monkeys. Camp at Sankabar(altitude approximately 3,250 m) for overnight.

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:

Budget camping

• Inside Simien Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Sankabar – Gich Camp via Jinibar Falls Hike from Sankabar to Gich Camp

Sankabar – Gich Camp via Jinibar Falls
Hike from Sankabar to Gich Camp

(approximately 6 hours) with a stop at Jinibar Falls. Continue through the changing Simien landscapes, including greener patches, cliffs, and viewpoints. Arrive at Gich Camp(altitude approximately 3,600 m) and spend the evening relaxing at camp with dinner and overnight.

Main Destination:

Simien Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Simien Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Gich – Chennek via Imet Gogo

Continue the trek from Gich to Chennek (approximately 9 hours). En route, pass Imet Gogo, a major trekking highlight offering outstanding views of the Simien Escarpment. As you descend, you may encounter high-altitude endemic vegetation such as the Giant Lobelia. Reach Chennek(altitude approximately 3,620 m) for afternoon rest. Wildlife sightings may include Gelada monkeys, and with luck the Walia ibex and Ethiopian wolf. Overnight at Chennek.

Main Destination:

Simien Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Simien Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Morning Around Chennek – Afternoon Descent to Gondar

Morning Around Chennek – Afternoon Descent to Gondar
Enjoy a relaxed morning trek around Chennek to explore nearby viewpoints and search for additional wildlife. In the afternoon, begin the descent back toward Gondar, concluding the Simien trekking experience. Fly back to Addis Ababa in the late afternoon/evening and overnight in Addis Ababa.

Main Destination:

Simien Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Jano Hotel

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

+7 Photos

+6 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Addis Ababa – Jinka (via Turmi) – Turmi Overnight

Addis Ababa – Jinka (via Turmi) – Turmi Overnight
Fly from Addis Ababa to the Jinka area, traveling via Turmi. En route, have breakfast and visit Karo tribe village. Continue back to Turmi for overnight. Include time for an additional cultural visit to a Hamer tribe village if included in the schedule.

Main Destination:

Lower Omo Valley (Cultural Village)

Accommodation:

Emerald Lodge Turmi

• Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

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+10 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Turmi to mursi and jinka

Turmi – Mursi – Jinka

In the morning, drive toward Jinka, traveling through Mago National Parkto visit the Mursi tribe village. In the late afternoon, drive to Yetnebersh to visit the Ari tribe village (approximately 7 km from Jinka). Overnight in Jinka.

Main Destination:

Lower Omo Valley (Cultural Village)

Accommodation:

Nasa Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Lower Omo Valley (Cultural Village)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Jinka to Addis abeba

Fly back to Addis Ababa in the morning. After breakfast, visit the Jinka Museum (if included) to learn about local history and culture. Then transfer to the airport in time for your return domestic flight back to Addis Ababa, depending on flight schedules.

Main Destination:

Lower Omo Valley (Cultural Village)

Accommodation:

Jano Hotel

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

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Addis Abeba to Bale Mountains

Addis Ababa – Goba Airport – Dinsho (Bale Mountains Entry)

Fly from Addis Ababa to Goba Airport. Meet your team on arrival and drive to Dinsho, the entry point to the Bale Mountains. Set up camp and begin a hike focused on wildlife and ecosystems, with chances to see Warthog, Mountain Nyala, Menelik’s Bushbuck, and endemic birdlife. Overnight camping in the Dinsho area.

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

Show more

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:

Wabe Shebelle Hotel Goba

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

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Sanetti Plateau & Harenna Forest – Return

Sanetti Plateau & Harenna Forest – Return
After breakfast, break camp and travel to the Sanetti Plateau. Spend time observing high-altitude wildlife and increasing the chance to see the Ethiopian wolf during the morning activity period. Explore unique Bale habitats, including giant mole rat areas, rare lichens, and highland bird species such as birds of prey (eagles, falcons, buzzards). Continue toward Tulu Dimtu (highest point in the park region) before descending into the Harenna Forest. Stop at Rira village for refreshments, then return to Goba townand transfer to the airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa.

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

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