10-Day Simien, Bale & Awash Wildlife Safari

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

Arrival in Addis Ababa

Welcome to Ethiopia! Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your Origin Abyssinia representative and transferred to your hotel. Ethiopia's vibrant capital sits at an elevation of over 2,300 meters and serves as the country's political, cultural, and diplomatic center. Depending on your arrival time, visit the National Museum to see the famous Lucy fossil, enjoy a traditional Ethiopian coffee experience, or simply relax after your international flight. Your guide will provide a comprehensive briefing before your wildlife adventure through Ethiopia's three most spectacular national parks begins.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Capital Hotel & Spa

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

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Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Fly to Gondar & Trek into Simien Mountains National

After breakfast, take a morning flight to Gondar before driving to Debark, the gateway to the UNESCO-listed Simien Mountains National Park. Meet your experienced park ranger, scout, and trekking team before beginning one of Africa's most scenic mountain hikes. Trek through dramatic escarpments and rolling highland grasslands toward Sankaber Camp while enjoying breathtaking panoramic views. Along the trail, watch for large troops of endemic gelada monkeys and numerous bird species that thrive in this remarkable mountain ecosystem. Spend the night camping beneath the spectacular skies of the Simien Highlands.

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
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Trek to Geech via Jinbar Waterfall

Today's trek follows one of the most spectacular trails in the Simien Mountains, leading through dramatic cliffs, deep valleys, and alpine meadows. Visit the magnificent Jinbar Waterfall, where water plunges into a canyon over one thousand meters below, creating one of the park's most impressive natural attractions. Continue to Geech Camp while keeping an eye out for klipspringers, gelada monkeys, and endemic birdlife. The breathtaking scenery and peaceful mountain environment make this one of the highlights of Ethiopia's premier trekking destination.

Main Destination:

Simien Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Simien Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Imet Gogo Viewpoint, Return to Gondar & Fly to Addis Ababa

Enjoy a final morning trek to the spectacular Imet Gogo viewpoint, widely regarded as the finest panoramic viewpoint in the Simien Mountains National Park. The dramatic cliffs, deep valleys, and endless mountain ridges create unforgettable scenery, while the surrounding cliffs offer one of the best opportunities to spot the rare and endangered Walia ibex, found nowhere else on Earth. After completing the trek, return to Gondar Airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa, where you will spend the night before continuing south to Bale Mountains National Park.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Capital Hotel & Spa

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

Meals & Drinks:

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

Drive to Bale Mountains National Park

After breakfast, depart Addis Ababa and travel south through the scenic Great Rift Valley toward Bale Mountains National Park, one of Ethiopia's most important wildlife conservation areas. The journey passes fertile farmland, traditional villages, and beautiful highland scenery, with opportunities to stop at one of the Rift Valley lakes for birdwatching and photography. Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon, surrounded by pristine forest and mountain landscapes. Spend the evening relaxing while preparing for tomorrow's wildlife exploration in one of Africa's most unique alpine ecosystems.

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:

Bale Mountain Lodge

• Luxury lodge located inside Bale Mountains NP

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Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Sanetti Plateau & Ethiopian Wolf Tracking

Today is dedicated to exploring the spectacular Sanetti Plateau, one of the highest roads in Africa at over 4,000 meters above sea level. This unique Afro-alpine landscape is the best place in the world to observe the endangered Ethiopian wolf, Africa's rarest carnivore and a species found only in Ethiopia. Your experienced guide will help you search for wolves while also looking for mountain nyala, rock hyrax, Bohor reedbuck, and a variety of endemic bird species. The plateau's giant lobelias, sweeping grasslands, and dramatic scenery make this one of the country's most unforgettable wildlife experiences.

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Bale Mountain Lodge

• Luxury lodge located inside Bale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Harenna Forest & Return to Addis Ababa

This morning, descend into the lush Harenna Forest on the southern slopes of the Bale Mountains. This ancient cloud forest is famous for its giant trees, wild coffee plants, rich biodiversity, and troops of black-and-white colobus monkeys. The cool, misty environment provides a striking contrast to the open Afro-alpine plateau visited the previous day. After exploring the forest, begin the scenic drive back to Addis Ababa through the Ethiopian Highlands, arriving in the evening for an overnight stay.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Capital Hotel & Spa

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

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Drive to Awash National Park & Afternoon Game Drive

Leave Addis Ababa after breakfast and travel east through the Great Rift Valley to Awash National Park, Ethiopia's oldest national park and one of the country's finest wildlife destinations. Upon arrival, settle into your lodge before heading out on an afternoon game drive. Explore the park's open grasslands, acacia woodlands, and volcanic landscapes while searching for Beisa oryx, greater kudu, Soemmerring's gazelle, warthogs, olive baboons, and numerous bird species. As the sun sets over the savanna, enjoy the beauty of this remarkable wilderness before returning to your lodge for the night.

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:

Awash Falls Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Awash NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Full-Day Safari in Awash National Park & Return to Addis Ababa

Rise early for a full day exploring the diverse landscapes of Awash National Park, where volcanic plains, acacia woodlands, riverine forests, and open savannas provide habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in search of Beisa oryx, greater kudu, Soemmerring's gazelle, salt's dik-dik, olive baboons, warthogs, and numerous bird species. Visit the spectacular Awash Falls, where the Awash River plunges dramatically into a rocky gorge, creating one of the park's most scenic landmarks.

In the late afternoon, return to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy your final evening in Ethiopia, reflecting on an unforgettable journey through the country's most remarkable mountain and wildlife destinations.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Capital Hotel & Spa

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

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Departure

After breakfast, enjoy some free time depending on your international flight schedule. You may choose to relax at your hotel, visit a local café for one final taste of Ethiopia's world-famous coffee, or shop for traditional handicrafts and souvenirs.

At the appropriate time, your Origin Abyssinia representative will transfer you to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport for your onward flight. Your 10-day wildlife safari through the Simien Mountains, Bale Mountains, and Awash National Park comes to an end, leaving you with unforgettable memories of Ethiopia's breathtaking landscapes, unique endemic wildlife, and extraordinary natural heritage.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

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