Ethiopian wildlife trip, Omo National park for Expected 5 bugs, discover Elephant, Giraffe, Buffalo, Rhino, Lion, Swayne’s hartebeest, baboons and many more like wildog in Omo and Mago parks ….
Itinerary
Program: wildlife trip
Code: WL 04

Duration: 30 Nights (31 Days)
Transportation: Land (4WD) & flight
Accommodation: Hotel, Lodge & Tent
Tour starts: Addis Ababa
Tour ends: Addis Ababa
Day 1: Arrival/ Addis Ababa & City Tour of Addis Ababa: Addis Ababa is centered at the heart of the country. Addis Ababa in Amharic language means “New Flower”. It was founded by Emperor Menelik in 1886. Addis is graced as Africa’s diplomatic capital with the presence of the head quarter for the African Unity, a seat for numerous embassies and is the port of entry for most travelers.
In the morning, arrive at Addis Ababa bole International Airport, meet with us and transfer to your Hotel then after Breakfast, we drive to the Entoto Mountain (3300m) for a panoramic view of Addis, Entoto Museum with historical and royal exhibit, The Church of St. Mary, built in 1885 and the old palace of emperor MenelikII. Take some images at Mount Entoto. We drive back to Addis for Ethnological Museum (in Addis Ababa University) that exhibits the culture and handicrafts of various Ethiopian ethnic groups, the National Museum in which you are visiting different archaeological findings (including Lucy’s replica Skeleton). Afternoon, visit the Trinity Cathedral, Mausoleum of emperor MenelikII at Bààta Church (you will discover many turtles that have been here since before Addis Ababa was established in 1886) and finally Merkato – the largest open market in Africa. During evening, you will be attending the amazing shoulder to shoulder dances (northern culture) and other many live dances at best cultural restaurants in Addis (Habesha restaurant or Yod Abyssinia). Overnight – at chosen hotel – Addis Ababa

Day 2: Addis Ababa to Mizan Teferi (561 km)
Early morning, drive through many small villages to Mizan Teferi. Lunch in Jimma. Overnight – at chosen hotel - Mizan Teferi

Day 3: Omo National Park
Drive to Omo National Park through different tribes such as Dizi, Menit, and Surma. Overnight- tented camp at the Park’s Head Quarter – Omo Park

Day 4 & 5: Omo National Park
Two Full days looking for wildlife. Expected wildlife: Buffalo, Swayne Hartebeest, elephant, leopard, cheetah, lions, kudu, dik- dik, hyena, Wilddog( probable), monkeys – such as velvet monkeys, common monkeys, Colobus Monkeys ....and birdlife. Note that there could be a Donga Fighting amongst the Surma Tribes during your visit. Based on the accomplishment of the target mission, you may attend the astonishing stick fighting. For the wildlife, an experienced wildlife guide will also join at the park’s head office. Overnight- tented camp at the Park’s Head Quarter – Omo Park

Day 6 – 8: Mago National Park
Drive from Omo National Park to Hanna Mursi. Cross the Omo River by local boat and get the car on the other side of the river for Mago National Park. In the park, looking for wildlife: Buffalo, elephant, kudu, dik-dik, monkeys...also Mursi tribes are settled here. Overnight – tented camp – Mago National Park
Day 9 –11: Arba Minch (272km, starting from the park)
Morning; looking for wildlife and then drive back to Arba Minch. On the way, visit Konso Villages, Konso King & Gesergiyo (New York)-magnificent rock formation. Or (save time) drive to Arba Minch & visit Nechisar National Park on day9 such as Lake Chamo for Hippos, Crocodiles and white pelicans. Looking for wildlife: Zebra, kudu, dik-dik, Swayne’s hartebeest, and monkeys (estimated driving time - 6 hrs). Overnight – at chosen hotel/lodge – Arba Minch
Day 12: Bale Mountains National Park (412 km until Dinsho)
Morning drive to the Dinsho area of Bale Mountains National Park. Based on time, Sinkille Swaynes Hartebeest sanctuary could be visited. Visit Dinsho Forest for: Mountain Nyala, Menelik’s Bush Buck, Bohor (estimated time - 8hrs drive)...Overnight- tented camp or Dinsho Lodge – Dinsho
Day 13 -15: Bale Mountains National Park: Looking for wildlife in the Dinsho Forest/Gaysay area, including Mountain Nyala, and transfer to the Sanetti Plateau area for Ethiopian Wolf (I assure you 100% that Ethiopian Wolf can be seen easily in this park!! I have been here many times & have found it with no problem at all!) And Giant Mole Rat, Harenna Forest (the forest is so dense! bird life is abundant!), Sof Omar (here bats being seen in the caves) natural cave (16 km long). Overnight – at chosen hotel – Bale Goba (found at the bottom of Bale Mountains)
Day 16: Bale Mountains National Park to Lake Langano (255 km)
Last opportunity to photograph Ethiopian Wolf and transfer to Lake Langano. On the way, if not visited on day 14, visit Swayne’s hartebeest at Sinkille Swaynes Hartebeest sanctuary (seeing them in groups is 100% confirmed). Also visit Shalla – Abijata Lakes National Park for ostriches, antelopes, hot springs (at Lake Shalla) and enormous pink Flamingos at Lake Abijata. (Estimated driving time – 6 hrs). Overnight – at chosen lodge - Langano
Day 17 -20: Awash National Park (254 km)
Morning at Lake Langano and drive to Awash National Park. On the way, visit Lake Ziway for birdlife. You can test fresh fish fished on Lake Ziway. Again on the way near Awash Park, bird watching on Lake Beseka. Looking for wildlife at Awash National Park: Oryx (100% confirmed), dik-dik, lion, cheetah, waterbuck (more probable if you can camp near the hot springs), kudu, monkeys & birds like bustard, secretary bird (About 4hrs drive). To see more wildlife camping nearby the hot spring is better. The hot spring is at about 30km dirt road from the main road from Addis Ababa to Harar. Overnight – in tented camp or lodge- Awash Park
Day 21: Babile Elephant Sanctuary (334 asphalt road and about 30 km to sanctuary)
Morning rediscover the Oryx and drive to Harar. Lunch in Harar and proceed to Babile, visit the unique Dakatta Rock formation (on Babile – Jijiga Road) and drive to Babile elephant sanctuary. Looking for elephants (based on time). Overnight –camping in the Sanctuary
Day 22: Elephants – Dakatta Rocks & Harar (61 km)
Looking for wildlife (elephant) for full day. Overnight –camping in the Sanctuary
Day 23: Harar City Tour
Explore the sanctuary in the morning and drive to Harar. Afternoon; visit the walled city of Harar (4th Muslim sacred city after: Jerusalem, Mecca & Medina). Your Harar visit includes: the Rimbaud House, Harari tribes house, Palace of Ras Mekonnen (father of Emperor Haile SellassieI), Museum and the hyena man show (evening). Overnight – at chosen hotel – Harar
Day 24: Harar - Semer for Danakil Depression and Dabbahu Fissure and Circuit
Drive from Harar to Semera for Danakil Depression. on the way, explore Yangudi Rassa National Park known for wildass(rare to be seen), and Ali Dege Wildlife Reserve, known for Gerenuk (558 km asphalt road). If arrival time is before 5pm local time (before the office is closed), we will collect entrance tickets for the Danakil depression ). Overnight – basic hotel – Semera (about 8hrs drive)

NB. at least 2 days will be added if Dabbahu Fissure is added.
Day 25: Arte /Erte Ale Camping
Drive to Afdera then to Arte Ale via Kursewat. Looking the smoke of the Volcano. Overnight – camping – at Arte Ale Bottom/ base of Mount Erta Ale
Day 26: the Active Volcano of Erte Ale
With camel – being loaded equipments, ascend Mount Erta Ale (about 3 hours walk). Discover the volcano during day & night times. Make amazing desert landscape photos of the surroundings. Overnight - on the rim of the crater – Arte Ale
Day 27: Hamed Ela Camping
Descend to where vehicles are camped and drive to Hamed Ela (despite short distance, drive takes almost full day!!). Explore Afar Village and the Salt Lake – Assalé. Overnight – in Afar House/ on open air – Hamed Ela
Day 28: Danakil Depression – Mekelle
Early morning (at 6am local time); before the merciless sun flame, drive to the Danakil depression. On this day; surely, you will be overwhelmed with a strong feeling of admiration, because of the awesome of Dallol. After Dallol; proceed to the traditional salt extraction site from where many camels are waiting to be loaded rock salts just nearby the Salt Lake of Asalé. Then transfer to Mekelle via Berahile -about 5 hrs drive. Overnight – at chosen hotel – Mekelle
Day 29: Yimrahine Kristos –Lalibela
drive from Mekelle to Lalibela via Korem – Yimrahine Kristos cave church. Overnight – at chosen hotel – Lalibela
Day 30: full day in Lalibela
Early morning. Trek to Asheten Mariam (optional) for a panoramic view of the region and a mountain Church named Asheten. After breathing on the top (more than 3000 m), descend down to Lalibela (at 2630m above sea level), one of the most fascinating historical sites of Ethiopia. Visit the first group of six churches: 1.Bet Golgotha, 2.Bet Mikael, 3.Bet Mariam, 4.Bet Meskel, 5.Bet Danaghel and 6.Bet Medhane Alem. Bet Medhane Alem is the largest monolithic rock hewn church in the world, built like a Greek,7.Bete Amanuel, 8.Bete Marqorewos, 9.Bete Abba Libanos, 10.Bete Gabriel -Rufael and 11. Bet Giyorgis is the most elegant of all Lalibela churches, which lies somewhat isolated in the southwest part of the town on a sloping rock terrace. Also visit Nakuto Làabe Cave Church (5km from Lalibela). Overnight – at chosen hotel – Lalibela
Day 31: Lalibela – Addis – Departure
Morning, fly from Lalibela to Addis Ababa and departure in the evening. (End of the trip)