Visit Maze National Park and Chebera Churchura National Park – 13 Days

Itinerary
Program: wildlife trip
Code: Chebera 03
Duration: 12 Nights (13 Days)
Transportation: Land (4WD)
Accommodation: Hotel, Lodge & Tent
Tour starts: Addis Ababa
Tour ends: Addis Ababa
Day 1: Arrival/ Addis Ababa in the morning
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 in1886) 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 orYod Abyssinia). Overnight – at chosen hotel – Addis Ababa
Chebera Churchura National park
Day 2: After breakfast, drive from Addis Ababa to Chebera Churchura National park via Jimma(346 asphalted + 124km dirt road , totaled 470km from Addis Ababa), the main city in Kaffa province. Kaffa is the homeland of Coffee. It was here where coffee discovered by a shepherd named Kaldis then planted everywhere in the world. Lunch in Jimma and proceed to Chida – Amaya – then to the head office game view. Overnight - Tented camp – possibly at Filwuha campsite – CCNP
Hippopotamus and Cape buffalo nearby Lake Bulo
Day 3: Drive and walk towards Lake Bulo for the African elephant, hippopotamus, Cape buffalo, lion, and leopard. Overnight: tented camp – nearby Lake Bulo
Shoshuma campsite
Day 4: Drive and game view towards Shoshuma Campsite, especially for elephants. Overnight: tented camp –Shoshuma – campsite
Maze National Park
Day5: After early morning game drive, leave Chebera Churchura National park for Maze National Park via Amaya – Chida – Sodo – Maze (323km) – Overnight – tented camp – MNP
Swayne’s Hartebeest
Day6: Maze National Park is covered by savannah grassland. The park is primarily designed to protect the endemic Swayne’s Hartebeest’s population. Mammals such as Orbi, Bohor, red buck, warthog, bushbuck, waterbuck, greater kudu, lesser kudu, bush pig, Anibus baboon, vervet monkey, leopard, and wild cats are much probable to seen. Overnight – tented camp – MNP
Awassa/ Shashemene
Day 7: Game view and drive to Awassa or Shashemene via Sodo – Awassa - Shashemene Road. Overnight – chosen hotel – Awassa or Shashemene
Swayne’s Hartebeest
Day8: Morning, drive from Awassa/Shashemene to Senkele (also named as Senkele) for Swayne’s hartebeest, the great place in Ethiopia where Swayne’s Hartebeest sightings are practically guaranteed. Then drive to Dinsho (a place where the Head Quarter office & ticket office of Bale Mountains National Park is). After having tickets for the Bale Mountains National park, trek into the Dinsho Forest for Mountain Nyala, Menelik’s Bushbuck,… the forest itself- the Juniper Hagenia woodland & and birds: Blue-winged goose, Spot-breasted lapwing, Abyssinian long claw, Wattled ibis, Black-headed siskin, Rouget’s rail, .. Drive towards the Gaysay valley walk for more Mountain Nyala herds & then drive to Bale Goba. Overnight – Overnight – Hotel / Lodge– Bale Goba
Ethiopian Wolf, Hare and Bale Monkey
Day9: drive to the main Bale Mountains National Park sites for Abyssinian/Ethiopian Wolf, Hare and Bale Monkey at Harenna Forest, Sanetti Plateau & Tulu Deemtu (also Demtu) summit (4,377m). The Afro Alpine ecosystem on the top of Tulu Deemtu is magnificent! The view over the escarpment, extending to the lowlands & stretching towards the Kenyan Border is spectacular, especially during dry season (November – March.) Overnight – Overnight – Hotel / Lodge– Bale Goba
Sof Omar Natural Cave
Day10: Morning, drive to Robe then to Goro- Sof Omar for full day visit. This vast network limestone caverns the largest in Africa lies at about 100km east of the Bale Mountains range at an elevation 1300m. It has been curved by the Web River, descending from the Bale Region Highlands to the flat arid plains then stretches to Somali Border. The underground chamber, watering by the Web River reaches 16km long, the limestone pillars that support the caverns are high up to 20m. The cavern is named after Sheikh Sof Omar, a 12century Muslim Chief who used the area as a refuge, remaining an important pilgrimage site for Ethiopian Muslims. Sof Omar Cavern best site for birdwatchers to see Salvadori’s Serin– with bold yellow throat (endemic), & good to see acacia-scrub bird species such as orange- bellied Parrot, Blue napped mouse bird, Somali Tit and more others. Overnight – at Goba Shebelle Hotel – Bale Goba
Awash National Park
Day11: Drive from Bale Goba to Awash National Park via Asela Town and Adama/Nazareth. On the way near Awash Park, bird watching on Lake Beseka. Overnight – at Awash falls Lodge – in the Park or hotel – Town Awash Sebath
Hamadryas Baboon and Fil-Wuha
Day12: Looking for wildlife in Oryx plain (Beisa Oryx is 100% Guaranteed), dik-dik, lion/Rare, cheetah/rare, waterbuck, kudu, hamadryas baboons & birds like bustard, secretary bird & Blue colored Fil-Wuha (Natural Hot spring water Overnight – at Awash falls Lodge – in the Park or hotel – Town Awash Sebath
Day13: Addis – Departure: drive back to Addis and fly back home (end of the trip)

This tour can be amended upon request