7-Day Ethiopia Scenic, Wildlife & Cultural Escape

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

Addis Ababa Awash National Park

Drive east through the Ethiopian highlands toward the Rift Valley and Awash.
Along the way, the landscape changes dramatically from highland farmland to dry Rift Valley scenery. Keep an eye out for: Traditional villages and rural life, Acacia and dry woodland, Volcanic hills, Camel and cattle herders
Rift Valley birds, Arrive at Awash National Park around midday, early afternoon.

After lunch, begin your first wildlife drive.
Animals to look for Beisa oryx, gazell, Greater kudu, Lesser kud, Salt's dik-dik, Bat-eared fox, with luck
Occasionally zebra Water buck around suitable water sources.
Awash is also one of the better places on this itinerary for observing dry-country wildlife and birds.
Birds to look for: Abyssinian roller Somali bee-eater
Superb starling, Common ostrich, Vultures and eagles, Hornbills
Awash Falls
Visit the spectacular Awash Falls, where the Awash River drops through a rocky gorge.
Activities:

Walking around the gorge
Sunset if timing permits.

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

Activities:

Game drives (Normal 4x4 vehicle) & Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide)

Accommodation:

Doho Lodge & Hot Springs

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Awash NP

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Early morning wildlife drive and Langano

Wake up early because the cooler morning hours are one of the best periods for wildlife.
Look for: Oryx, Kudu, Gazelles, Warthogs, Baboons, Dik-dik, Ostriches, Raptors
Early morning is also excellent for bird photography because the light is softer and birds are more active.
After breakfast, leave Awash and continue south through the Ethiopian Rift Valley.

Arrive at Lake Langano in the afternoon.
Langano is famous for its unusual brown/reddish water, caused by mineral-rich volcanic sediments.

Activities: Lakeside walk, Swimming at a suitable resort area, Kayaking/canoeing if available
Birdwatching, African fish eagle, Marabou stork, Hadada ibis, Sacred ibis, Egyptian goose, Various kingfishers, Herons and egrets, Weavers, Sunbirds
Photography
Sunset over the lake
Overnight: Lake Langano.

Main Destination:

Lake Langano

Activities:

Game drives (Normal 4x4 vehicle) & Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide)

Accommodation:

Hara Langano Eco Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located at Lake Langano

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Drive from Lake langano to Hawassa

Have breakfast beside the lake before continuing south.
Optional Rift Valley stop
Depending on your interests and road conditions, stop around one of the nearby Rift Valley lakes/wetlands.
These areas are particularly interesting for birdwatchers.
You may see:

Flamingos, Pelicans, Storks, Egrets, Herons, Ibis, Ducks, Waders
Then continue toward Hawassa.
Afternoon — Lake Hawassa
Arrive in Hawassa and check into your hotel.
Spend the afternoon around Lake Hawassa.
One of the highlights is watching the local wildlife around the lake.
Animals:

Hippopotamus, Colobus monkeys, Vervet monkeys
Baboons
Birds: African fish eagle, Great white pelican, Marabou stork, Various herons, Egrets, Kingfishers, Cormorants, Ibis, Darters, Weavers
Hawassa fish market
Visit the famous fish market in the late afternoon.
It is particularly interesting for photography and experiencing local life. Fishermen bring their daily catch from the lake, while birds gather around hoping for scraps.

Overnight: Hawassa.

Main Destination:

Awasa (City)

Activities:

Game drives (Normal 4x4 vehicle), Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide), Nature hikes/walks & Boat trip

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Hawassa

• Mid-range resort located in Awasa (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Fish Market – Lake Ziway – Addis Ababa – Merkato

After breakfast, visit the local fish market in the morning and experience the lively atmosphere and daily activities of the local fishermen.

After the visit, drive back toward Addis Ababa, stopping for lunch in the lakeside town of Ziway. Enjoy some time by Lake Ziway before continuing the drive to Addis Ababa.

Arrive in Addis in the late afternoon and visit the National Museum of Ethiopia, home to important archaeological and historical treasures, including the famous fossil remains of Lucy.

Continue to Mount Entoto for spectacular panoramic views over Addis Ababa and an opportunity to enjoy the scenery surrounding the capital.

Later, drive to Merkato, one of Africa’s largest open-air markets. Explore the vibrant market atmosphere and experience the daily life, commerce, and culture of Addis Ababa.

After the visit, Transfer to your hotel Prepare yourself for the upcoming Wonchi Crater Lake trip, with an early departure planned for the following morning.
Overnight Addis Abeba.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Activities:

Game drives (Normal 4x4 vehicle) & Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide)

Accommodation:

Azzeman Hotel

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

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Addis Abeba to Wenchi Crater Lake

Drive west north toward the highlands and Wenchi.
The scenery gradually changes from the Rift Valley to greener, higher-altitude Ethiopian landscapes.
Along the route you'll see:
Farmland, Eucalyptus forests, Highland villages, Cattle and horses, Mountain landscapes, Terraced agriculture
Traditional Ethiopian homes
Arrival at Wenchi
Reach the Wenchi area before the noon
Wenchi is dramatically different from Awash and the Rift Valley. The crater is a high-altitude volcanic landscape with green slopes, forest and a beautiful lake.
Activities Short hike, Village walk, Scenic viewpoints, Horse riding, Take a traditional boat across the lake toward the island.
Photography
overnight wonchi.

Main Destination:

Wenchi Crater Lake

Activities:

Game drives (Normal 4x4 vehicle), Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide) & Boat trip

Accommodation:

Wanchi Ija Eco Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located at Wenchi Crater Lake

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Wenchi Crater Lake to Addis Ababa

Early morning — Wenchi Crater Lake
This should be one of the highlights of your trip.
After breakfast, head down toward the crater lake with a local guide, to provides spectacular views of the crater.
At the lake:
Walk along the shore, Take photographs, Explore the forest, Observe birds This gives you an opportunity to experience the combination of: Volcanic landscape Highland forest Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity
Local traditions Rural life, After returning from the crater, have lunch and begin the drive back toward Addis Ababa.
Overnight: Addis Ababa.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Activities:

Game drives (Normal 4x4 vehicle) & Walking safaris (with an armed guide)

Accommodation:

Azzeman Hotel

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

Meals & Drinks:

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

Addis abeba, to Debre Libanos and End of Tour

Leave Addis early for Debre Libanos. This final day combines Ethiopian history, Orthodox Christianity, dramatic scenery and wildlife.
Visit the monastery and learn about Saint Tekle Haymanot, one of Ethiopia's most important religious figures.
Explore, Church, Religious sites, spectacular Jemma River Gorge

The landscape changes dramatically into steep cliffs and deep valleys.
Visit the historic Portuguese Bridge, an impressive stone bridge over the gorge.
After lunch, drive back to Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, enjoy a farewell dinner at one of the city’s best traditional Ethiopian restaurants, where you can experience authentic Ethiopian cuisine, traditional music, and cultural performances.

After dinner, you will be transferred to Bole International Airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your unforgettable Ethiopian journey.
End of the tour – Thank you for traveling with us, and we wish you a safe journey home!

Main Destination:

Debre Libanos Monastery (Highlight)

Activities:

Game drives (Normal 4x4 vehicle) & Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

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

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