Ethiopia fam trip
This trip gives you three options : the North; the South or combine both.
The North : Bahir Dah, Gondar, Simiens, Axum & Lalibela
Arrival in Addis must be in time to start the tour on 21st April.
21st April Day 1 –Arrival + Addis
Tour starts with sightseeing in Addis Ababa that includes the following (as time allows):
National Museum. See the famous hominid fossil remain of ‘Lucy’ locally known as ‘Dinknesh’ meaning wonderful.
Ethnological Museum in the main campus of the Addis Ababa University by the Institute of Ethiopian Studies to preserve the country's historical and cultural heritages. The collections include the nomadic tribal groups that are now living just as man's forefather lived thousands of years back.
Trinity Cathedral:-a beautiful church with a baroque style of European architecture which is unique to both Ethiopia and Afric. Here you will find scripts of the imperial families, statues done by a Greek sculpture, Stained glass window paintings from the Old and New Testament and coffins of Emperor Haile Silassie-I; the founder of the church, and his wife.
Merkato:- The largest open air market in East Africa
O/N – Panorama Hotel
22nd April Day 2 – Fly Addis – Bahir Dar and drive to Gondar (180km, paved road, 4hrs)
Fly to Bahir Dar and have a boat trip on Ethiopia’s largest water body - Lake Tana (3,600 Km Sq) to visit the island monasteries of Ura Kidane Mihret (14th Century AD) and Azwa Mariam (14th Century AD). In the afternoon, drive to Gondar - the 17th century capital of Ethiopia.O/N - Goha Hotel
23rd April Day 3 – Gondar – Simien Mountains National Park (122km, under construction, 3hrs)
Visit the Imperial Castle Compound of Gondar (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the ‘Bath of Emperor Fasiladas’, the church of Quskuam Mariam (17th century AD), the residence of Empress Mintwab, and the church of Debre Birhan Sillassie which is famous for its wall and ceiling paintings. Then on to Debark (the headquarters of the Simien Mountains NP), and after check-in at the hotel drive 36 km farther to the Simien Mountains (UNESCO World Heritage Site) to see the endemic mammal of Ethiopia - the Gelada Baboon, and the breathtaking scenery of the Mountains. O/N – Simien Mountain Lodge
24th April Day 4 – Simien Mountains National Park – Axum (282km, under construction, 8hrs)
Drive to Axum - the earliest capital of Ethiopia, crossing the Tekezze Gorge. In Axum, there will be a sightseeing tour, which includes the Archaeological Museum of Axum, the famous stele park (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the church of St. Mary of Zion which is believed to be the last resting place of the original Ark of the Covenant, the palace and tomb of King Kaleb and Gebre Meskel (6th Century AD), and the ruined palace of the Queen of Sheba (9th Century BC). O/N – Yeha Hotel
25th April Day 5 – Fly to Lalibela
Fly to Lalibela (pg347)– home of the 12th century AD rock hewn churches of King Lalibela. In the afternoon, visit the group of churches of King Lalibela (UNESCO World Heritage Site).O/N – Roha Hotel
26th April Day 6 – Fly Lalibela – Addis
In the morning, after breakfast, transfer 25km to Lalibela airport to fly back to Addis. In the evening, before departure, you will be invited to a farewell dinner party at one of the best traditional restaurants in Addis where you taste variety of Ethiopian meals, and watch the folkloric dance of the Ethiopian people. Then transfer to the airport for your departure.Departure (or overnight in Addis at own cost)
The South : Omo Valley & Bale Mountains
26th April Day 6: Fly to Addis Ababa and drive to Langano (200km, paved, 4hrs)
Fly into Addis and drive 200 km south to the Rift Valley region. After lunch stop in the town of Debre Zeit and head to Lake Langano. Enjoy swimming at Lake Langano, the only lake in the Rift valley where it is possible to swim. O/N – Sabana Beach Resort
27th April Day 7 - Langano – Bale Mountains
After breakfast, drive to the world famous Bale Mountains National Park. At the park headquarters in Dinsho we search the trails for the colourful Chestnut-naped Francolin, Ground scraper Thrush (of the distinctive, endemic race simensis), the secretive Abyssinian Ground-Thrush, vocal Abyssinian Catbird, and the endemic White-backed Black-Tit. We also hope to see a variety of mammals, including Mountain Nyala- now entirely restricted to the Bale Mountain massif, Menelik’s Bushbuck and Warthog, unusual at this high altitude. Further drive to Goba Wabishebele for overnight.
28th April Day 8: Full day Sanetti Plateau Wildlife Excursion
Today will be a day of great contrasts with amazing scenery and birding. We will depart early, and ascend the Bale massif onto the Sanetti Plateau, which is between 3800m and 4377m above sea level. Once we reach this unique plateau, we will be driving on Africa’s highest road, passing close to the summit of Ethiopia’s second highest mountain. This habitat is termed “Afro-alpine moorland”, and is characterized by Jibrra or Giant Lobelias, which tower like monolithic giants over the rich tussock grasslands and extensive cushions of yellow Everlasting flowers. This site is an Important Bird Area of immense importance, supporting seven globally threatened species and nearly all of Ethiopia’s Highland biome species. The grasslands are estimated to support an incredible biomass of 4,000kg of rodents per hectare. This obviously attracts an array of raptors and we should see Steppe and Golden Eagle, Augur Buzzard and elegant Pallid Harriers. They share this abundant food source with the plateau’s most celebrated resident, the Ethiopian or Simien Wolf, crowned with the unenviable title of “the world’s rarest canid.” We should enjoy excellent photographic opportunities in this unique mountain wonderland. Finally, we will reach the escarpment of this elevated plateau and stare down, through the clouds, at the vast Harenna Forest below. This remarkable forest is the largest intact forest block in Ethiopia and the largest protected Afro-alpine forest on the continent. It still supports populations of lion and the only surviving forest-dwelling African Wild Dogs. Although unlikely that we will see either of these species, the descent through this breathtakingly beautiful moss-draped forest is inspirational. In the afternoon return to Goba. Overnight Goba Wabishebele.
29th April Day 9: Drive Goba – Awassa (210Km gravel road; 6-7hrs)
After breakfast, we drive to Lake Awassa. Here we can enjoy watching several water bird species in and around the lake, and the spectacular sunset. Overnight Tadesse Enjori Hotel
30th April Day 10: Drive to Arba Minch (305km, partially under construction, 8hrs)
Drive 300 km south to Arba Minch visiting the tribal Drive village of Alaba who are noted for their beautifully painted houses, Wolita, known for their cultivation of Enset or False Banana, and Dorze – who are renowned for their huge huts and colorful cotton clothes, en route. O/N – Paradise Lodge
1st May Day 11 - Arba Minch – Turmi (280km, 160km paved, 120km gravel, 8hrs)
In the morning, we take a boat trip on the southernmost Rift Valley Lake of Ethiopia – Lake Chamo. A boat trip on Lake Chamo is among the best anywhere in Ethiopia. One can spot many Hippos and the world's most spectacular concentration of Giant Crocodiles (It is known locally as "Crocodile Market"). The water birds are plentiful and the scenery is truly unforgettable. You will also see locals fishing on their traditional boats. After lunch, drive to Turmi- the settlement of the Hamer people visiting the Erbore people who are noted for their jewellery en route.
O/N - Buska Lodge (B,L,D)
2nd May Day 12: Drive Turmi –Murulle – Turmi (68km one way, gravel, 3hrs one way)
In the morning, we drive to Murulle to visit the Karo people who are one of the smallest ethnic groups in the Omo Valley numbering only about 2000 individuals. The Karos are famous for tattooing, scaring and body painting. They reside by the side of the Omo River. In the afternoon, attend the colorful market at Dimeka wherein the Benna and Hamer tribes meet. We also visit the Hamer people whose women are famous for their typical skirts and hairdressings. The Hamer people are also noted for their ‘Bull Jumping’ Ceremony where boys jump lines of bulls to show the community that they are old and matured enough to carry the responsibility of marriage. Hamers have remarkable hairstyles made from ochre, water, and binding resin. They rub the mixture into their hair then twist the strands repeatedly to create coppery-colored locks. This is a sign of wealth and welfare. Hamers are considered to be masters of body decoration. O/N – Buska Lodge
3rd May Day 13: Drive Turmi – Omorate- Jinka (265km, gravel, 6-7hrs)
After breakfast, we travel to Omorate which is found east of the Omo River; the sole feeder of Lake Turkana or Lake Rudolf. We cross Omo River by a small boat and walk 20 minutes to the Gelab (Dassanech) tribal village. Dassanech people are also known for their body painting and body scarification. In the afternoon, drive to Jinka visiting the Ari village en route. Overnight Jinka Resort
4th May Day 14 – Jinka - Mursi – Arbamich (250KM asphalt and 140Km gravel; 8hrs)
In the morning, you will experience the most famous and extraordinary people of Mursi. The Mursi people are typically known for the clay lip plates the women insert in their lower lips. This practice is regarded as a sign of beauty among the Mursi – the bigger the plate, the more beautiful the wearer. Drive back to Jinka for lunch and drive further to Arba Minch visiting the Konso village en route. O/N Paradise Lodge
5th May Day 15 – Drive Arbaminch – Addis Ababa (440Km, asphalt road, 8hrs)
After breakfast, drive back to Addis Ababa via Hossana visiting Adadi Mariam rock hewn church, Tiya stele, and Gurage villages. Before departure, there will be a farewell dinner party at one of the best traditional restaurants in Addis where you taste a variety of Ethiopian dishes, and watch folkloric dances. Departure (or overnight in Addis at own cost)
Prices
The North :
£517pp ($777) plus £106 ($160) pp domestic airfare.
Single room supplement= £117 ($175)
The South :
£590pp ($885).
Single room supplement= £67 ($100)
Combination :
£1107pp plus £106 domestic airfare.
Single room supplement= £184
Minimum 6 participants.
Maximum 9 participants.
In each case, the ground costs are refundable against your first 10 bookings to Ethiopia. Eg. The North $77 per pax is refundable, upto the total of $777.
Booking this fam trip
Simply email Mandy to request a place for yourself or a senior member of your team, or call 0115 937 7475 ..
MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE 10. Places are limited.
Places must be confirmed by 20th March.
Click to return to Fams main page
Inclusions / Exclusions
Price includes:-
Accommodation in twin room
Meals- Full board
All entrance fees
All airport transfers
All ground transportation using minibus in North, 4x4 in South.
Boat hire in Lake Tana / Lake Chamo
Portage fees
Scout fees
Local guide fees
Professional English speaking guide accompanying throughout the trip
Government tax
Price does not include:-
International and domestic airfare
Alcoholic drinks
Tips
Other personal nature expenses
Culture
With close to 70 million people, Ethiopia hosts c80 different tribal groups, all of which speak different languages and have their own cultural codes. The Omo Valley is where about 50% of Ethiopia's ethnic groups live: the Konso with their terraced agriculture and rituals; the Mursi with their clay lip plates and barbarian life style; the Hamer with their bull-jumping ceremony and the Karo with their body painting and adornment.
History
There are several ancient monasteries and Rock-Hewn churches (the most famous at Lalibela, which is also considered to be the “Eighth Wonder of the World”) as well as eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Wildlife
Simien NP is one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world, with jagged mountain peaks, deep valleys and sharp precipices dropping some 1,500 m. The park is home to some extremely rare animals such as the Gelada baboon, the Simien fox and the Walia ibex. The Rift Valley system is another wondrous region where many other attractions are sited.
