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Ethiopia Tours & Safari Packages
Ethiopia is one of the most scenic countries in Africa. As the country has been associated with drought and famine for many years, you might expect a desert wasteland. Instead, Ethiopia is mostly lush, mountainous and incredibly fertile. While you won’t find many of the usual safari suspects, there is plenty of animal diversity here. Wildlife viewing is different in Ethiopia. It is mostly about finding endemic creatures unique to Ethiopia in a spectacular setting. Culturally the country is equally special. You might end up dancing with tribal people in the Omo Valley or praying with highlanders in the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. Expect the unexpected in Ethiopia, one of the continent’s most exciting emerging travel destinations.
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3-Day Ethiopian Safari
$891 to $1,111 pp (USD)
Ethiopia: Private tour
Mid-range HotelYou Visit: Addis Ababa (Start), Lalibela (Town), Addis (City), Addis Ababa (End)
Kubwa Five Safaris
5.0/5 – 122 Reviews
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9-Day Bale Mountains Trekking Tour
$1,430 pp (USD)
Ethiopia: Shared tour (max 10 people per group)BudgetCamping & Resort
You Visit: Addis Ababa (Start), Bale Mountains NP, Langano, Addis Ababa (End)
Armaye Ethiopia Tours
5.0/5 – 32 Reviews
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3-Day Omo Valley Peoples Tour from Jinka
$990 pp (USD)
Ethiopia: Shared tour (max 4 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Jinka (Start), Mago NP, Jinka (End)
Ethio Backpacker Tours
5.0/5 – 9 Reviews
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7-Day Bale Mountain National Park Eco-Trekking
$1,330 pp (USD)
Ethiopia: Shared tour (max 30 people per vehicle)BudgetCamping & Hotel
You Visit: Addis Ababa (Start), Bale Mountains NP, Addis (City), Addis Ababa (End)
Finot Tour Ethiopia
5.0/5 – 6 Reviews
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3-Day Awash National Park - Ethiopia
$965 pp (USD)
Ethiopia: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Addis Ababa (Start), Awash NP, Addis Ababa (End)
Yama Ethiopia Tours
5.0/5 – 1 Reviews
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5-Day Tour of Arbaminch
$1,101 pp (USD)
Ethiopia: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & ResortYou Visit: Addis Ababa (Start), Arba Minch (City), Awasa (City), Addis Ababa (End)
Horizon Ethiopia Tours and Travel
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1-Day Paragliding Tandem Flights in Ethiopia
$193 pp (USD)
Ethiopia: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Addis Ababa
SimienEcoTours
5.0/5 – 24 Reviews
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2-Day Awash National Park & Aledeghi Wildlife Reserve
$329 pp (USD)
Ethiopia: Shared tour (max 4 people per vehicle)
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Addis Ababa (Start), Awash NP, Addis (City), Addis Ababa (End)
Gamel Tours
5.0/5 – 7 Reviews
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8-Day Historic Route of Ethiopia
$3,256 pp (USD)
Ethiopia: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & HotelYou Visit: Addis Ababa (Start), Bahir Dar (City), Gondar (City), Simien Mountains NP, Lalibela (Town), Addis Ababa (End)
Senait Ethiopia Tours
4.8/5 – 30 Reviews
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8-Day North Ethiopia ( Culture, Scenic & Churches)
$3,080 pp (USD)
Ethiopia: Private tourBudgetCamping & Lodge
You Visit: Addis Ababa (Start), Danakil Depression (Highlight), Hamad Ela (Village), Mekele (City), Tigray, Lalibela (Town), Gondar (City), Bahir Dar (City), Addis (City), Addis Ababa (End)
Feel The Diffence Adventures
5.0/5 – 5 Reviews
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14-Day Rare Mammals of Ethiopia
$8,252 pp (USD)
Scheduled Start DatesEthiopia: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)BudgetCamping & Lodge
You Visit: Addis Ababa (Start), Maze NP, Yabello WS (Wildlife Sanctuary), Bale Mountains NP, Awasa (City), Addis Ababa (End)
Pictus Safaris
4.2/5 – 5 Reviews
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3-Day Wildlife Safari to Bale Mountains National Park
$462 pp (USD)
Ethiopia: Shared tour (max 4 people per vehicle)BudgetHotel & Rondavel
You Visit: Addis Ababa (Start), Bale Mountains NP, Addis (City), Addis Ababa (End)
Armaye Ethiopia Tours
5.0/5 – 32 Reviews
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5-Day Menze Guassa Eco Trekking
$1,089 pp (USD)
Ethiopia: Shared tour (max 30 people per group)BudgetCamping & Lodge
You Visit: Addis Ababa (Start), GCCA, Addis Ababa (End)
Finot Tour Ethiopia
5.0/5 – 6 Reviews
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5-Day Bale Mountains Trekking
$440 pp (USD)
Ethiopia: Shared tour (max 4 people per vehicle)BudgetCamping
You Visit: Addis Ababa (Start), Bale Mountains NP, Addis Ababa (End)
Ethio Backpacker Tours
5.0/5 – 9 Reviews
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5-Day The Rift Valley Area & Coffee Route
$1,115 pp (USD)
Ethiopia: Private tour
Mid-range Resort & HotelYou Visit: Addis Ababa (Start), Langano, Awasa (City), Yirga Alem (Town), Addis Ababa (End)
Horizon Ethiopia Tours and Travel
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9-Day Ethiopia Denakil and Lalibela Tour
$3,344 to $3,564 pp (USD)
Ethiopia: Private tourBudgetCamping & Lodge
You Visit: Addis Ababa (Start), Great Rift Valley, Ahmed Ela (Village), Erta Ale (Danakil Depression), Danakil Depression (Highlight), Semera (Town), Lalibela (Town), Addis Ababa (End)
Kubwa Five Safaris
5.0/5 – 122 Reviews
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12-Day Best of Ethiopia Birding Tour Around
$4,449 pp (USD)
Ethiopia: Shared tour (max 15 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Lodge & ResortYou Visit: Addis Ababa (Start), Debre Libanos (Highlight), Awash NP, Langano, Awasa (City), Bale Mountains NP, Addis Ababa (End)
Senait Ethiopia Tours
4.8/5 – 30 Reviews
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5-Day Community Hiking in Ethiopia's Green Gurage Zone
$1,287 pp (USD)
Ethiopia: Private tourBudgetCamping & Hotel
You Visit: Addis Ababa (Start), Wenchi Crater Lake, Gurage (Area), Lake Ziway, Addis Ababa (End)
SimienEcoTours
5.0/5 – 24 Reviews
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5-Day Hiking to the Geraltha Clusters
$847 pp (USD)
Ethiopia: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)BudgetHotel
You Visit: Addis Ababa (Start), Hawzen (Town), Addis Ababa (End)
Gamel Tours
5.0/5 – 7 Reviews
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4-Day Northern Historic Route of Ethiopia
$1,335 pp (USD)
Ethiopia: Private tour
Mid-range HotelYou Visit: Addis Ababa (Start), Gondar (City), Simien Mountains NP, Blue Nile Falls (Highlight), Addis Ababa (End)
Yama Ethiopia Tours
5.0/5 – 1 Reviews
6 Questions About Ethiopia Tours
Answered by
Ariadne van Zandbergen
Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert and photographer. She and her husband form a team who write and update many guide books, including the Bradt guide to Ethiopia. She first visited Ethiopia 25 years ago and she has been back many times since.› More about Ariadne
6 Questions About Ethiopia Tours
What is the best time of the year for an Ethiopia safari?
“It is possible to visit Ethiopia at any time of the year. Ethiopia’s spectacular mountain scenery is at its best from September to December, when the sky is crisp and free of haze after the rains, but days are mostly sunny. September is especially recommended as during this month the mountains are covered in meskel flowers. Wildlife viewing is consistent throughout the year, but birding is at its best from November to March when Palearctic migrants are present. However, it might be best to avoid July and August, the peak of the Wet season. Travel during these months can be difficult, especially if you intend to do some hiking or camping. Although the historical circuit can be visited throughout the year, Bale Mountains and Simien Mountains National Parks can be cold and miserable during that time, and roads might deteriorate.”
1What are the main tourist attractions?
“Ethiopia’s main attractions lie in the ‘historical circuit’: Bahir Dar, Gondar, Axum and Lalibela. Most visitors make use of the domestic flights connecting these towns. Bahir Dar is the base for visiting the thunderous Blue Nile Falls and the island monasteries on Lake Tana. Gondar’s main attractions are the European-influenced castles and painted churches, while the ancient city of Axum is the site of the intriguing towering stelae. Perhaps the most fascinating place on the circuit is Lalibela with its labyrinth of medieval rock-hewn churches. Nature-lovers should make a little diversion from Gondar to visit the rugged mountainous Simien Mountains NP and its endemic wildlife. Southern Ethiopia is characterized by the Rift Valley and its scenic lakes teeming with birdlife. Rising up from the rift is Bale Mountains NP, protecting the country’s most diverse habitats and endemic wildlife. Further south, reaching the Kenyan border, is South Omo, a cultural melting pot of different tribes living a traditional lifestyle, pretty much unchanged in hundreds of years. And then there is the Danakil. An inhospitable desert area that ranks amongst the lowest-lying places on earth. Highlights are looking into the earth’s inners at the bubbling psychedelic sulfur-caked hot springs of Dallol and spending a night on the active volcano Erta Ale.”
2Is a holiday in Ethiopia safe?
“Ethiopia is a very safe holiday destination. Some borders with Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan are considered unsafe, but these remote areas are seldom visited by travelers. Although independent travelers might come across some minor hassles, visitors on organized tours are mostly shielded from this. Your guide will take care of your safety and avoid high-risk areas. However, there are some precautions you should take when in unfamiliar cities. For example, don’t walk around showing any valuables and never walk around unguided at night, always take a taxi. If in doubt ask your hotel receptionist or guide.”
› Read more about Safety & Security in Ethiopia 3Where in Ethiopia should I go on safari?
“Ethiopia is mostly known for its historical treasures, but its natural history is as fascinating. Ethiopia’s most popular safari destination is Simien Mountains NP. The dramatic mountain range is incised with tall cliffs and meandering river valleys. It encompasses the 4,533m Ras Dashen, Ethiopia’s highest peak. Although you can drive through the park on a day trip, the Simiens are best explored over a 3- to 10-day hiking trip. Aside from spectacular mountain scenery, the main attraction is the endemic fauna, which includes gelada monkeys and Walia ibex. While the Simiens are easily incorporated in a standard visit of the historical circuit, nature-lovers should make the journey south to Bale Mountains NP. It is the best place in the country to see a wide range of endemic mammals and birds, including the sought-after Ethiopian wolf. To look for these highly endangered dogs, you’ll drive up the world’s highest all-weather road onto the Afro-alpine moorland of Sanetti Plateau. Away from the mountains is Awash National Park in the Rift Valley, a hot and dry wasteland, interrupted by the Awash River, which tumbles down the stunning Awash Falls. This is the place to see several dry-country specials, including the endemic hamadryas baboons.”
4How much will this safari cost?
“There are too many different tours to list here, but here are a few examples. A 10-day mid-range private tour of the historical circuit starts at around US$3,500 per person. To visit the Danakil Depression as part of an 11-day tour costs around US$5,000 per person. While a 10-day tour focusing on the main parks of Simien and Bale Mountains costs about US$3,000 per person. Ethiopia is a relatively affordable safari destination. There are many variables determining the price of an Ethiopia tour. The level of accommodation is a big factor. Local flights can make your trip more comfortable, but they also increase the overall cost. Another variable is the choice between a private or group tour. Ethiopia has a lot of different attractions and areas to visit.”
5What animals can I expect to see?
“Ethiopia is not a regular safari destination. There is no Big Five to speak of. Instead you’ll be looking for some of Africa’s most endangered animals, mostly endemic to Ethiopia. Top of the endemics list is the Ethiopian wolf, classified as the world’s rarest dog species. These charismatic canines are remarkably relaxed on Sanetti Plateau where you might spot packs of them gathering at a den site. You’ll find big troops of the handsome golden-maned gelada monkeys in the Simien Mountains. They spend their nights on steep cliff edges, a habitat they share with the Walia ibex, a hoofed animal with impressive horns. Other endemic ungulates are the mountain nyala and Swayne’s hartebeest. A boat trip in Nechisar National Park gets you to a place called the ‘crocodile market,’ a favorite spot for these monstrous reptiles to gather and bask in the sun.”
6Ethiopia Holiday Reviews
Harriet is a zoologist with more than 20 years’ experience. She has the privilege of working with the world’s top wildlife photographers and photo-guides.
Extraordinary, Epic and Endemics!
Ethiopia is like no other African country – it is truly extraordinary in every sense of the word. Its uniqueness is partly because it’s never been colonised by Europeans (though the Italians had a go in the mid-20th century). It is a...
Stephen is a travel writer and avid conservationist whose work appears in prestigious magazines such as Africa Geographic and Travel Africa.
Safari uniqueness in the land of endemism
The stunning views and spectacular trails of the Bale and Simien Mountains, combined with the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, impressive castles of Gondar, and a cultural extravaganza (that centres on the Omo Valley tribes) make Ethiopia an...
Ethiopia is awesome and allurung. The contry offers a varity on scenery and remarkable churches.
Our guides showed us their country from its best. I really enjoyed my trip to Ethiopia. The people were very frindly and did their best to show us the highlights of their contry. The trip was well organized and the guides gave us ample time...
Unique safari in an unique country
Safaris in Ethiopia are different to what to might expect: that is why you will probably end positively surprised. Parks are wilder, less crowded, more genuine. Landscapes in Ethiopia are superb, difficult to fully capture by even the best...
Not really a safari destination
There are a lot of cool endemic animals and the scenery is just mind blowing.the weather is great all year round but the accommodation is not good even for an African country.the food is not a typical African food it's truly different and a...
A country with incredible unique wildlife and birdlife that as a avid birder was simply amazing
We arranged a private tour which used a Toyota Land Cruiser 4WD and our driver guide was excellent providing great insights into the local countryside, people and culture. The duration of the tour was 8 days which meant we were unable to...