Ethiopian Nature and History

Upon arrival in Addis, our representative will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Then after breakfast, start your trip by driving to the National Museum of Ethiopia for visiting the long-age history of Ethiopia and the oldest human ancestor, Lucy. Set within Haile Selassie’s former palace and surrounded by the beautiful gardens and fountains of Addis Ababa University’s main campus is the enthralling Ethnological Museum. Even if you’re not normally a museum fan, this one is worth a bit of your time – it’s easily one of the finest museums in Africa. Before lunch, drive to Holy Trinity Cathedral Church which has a unique architectural style. Immediately after a relaxed lunch, drive up to the Entoto Mountains, the best location to observe the panoramic view of the capital. It is also a historical place where Menelik II resided and built his palace. It is notable as the location of a number of celebrated churches, including Saint Mary (Maryam Church). The return drive will be via Piazza en-route, visit St. George Church and transfer to your Hotel.

HIGHLIGHTS ● National Museum of Ethiopia ● Entot Mountains

Day at leisure

highlights

Swiss Inn Nexus Hotel

overnight

Taking the morning flight from Addis Ababa to Dire Dawa, you will have a full day exploring this colorful city. You visit Dire Dawa (best known to be the mosaic of culture and the museum of people as most cultures from around the country, and culture of the French, the Bulgarian, the Greek, the Armenian and the Indian are displayed in this remarkable city with diverse architectural style of the buildings. In the morning session, you will visit the Kefira Market . This is the largest market in Dire Dawa and a great place to experience the local culture and buy souvenirs. Then explore the Old Railway Station - The station was built in the early 1900s and is a great example of colonial architecture. Afternoon, you will visit the Chat Market. Chat is a popular stimulant in Ethiopia, and the market is a great place to see how it's sold and consumed. Take a walk through the Kezira Canyon. This scenic canyon is just outside the city and offers great views of the surrounding area. You will also have the itinerary to enjoy a traditional Ethiopian meal at one of the local restaurants.

Day at leisure

highlights

Samrat Hotel Dire Dawa

overnight

Taking a city tour of a traditional Harari House inside Jugol wall,Catholic church and city museum. The Harar gate, from where the main streets lead to the center, is of recent construction. Harar Jugol numbers 82 mosques, three of which date from the 10th century, 102 shrines and a number of traditional, Indian and combined townhouses with unique interior designs, which constitute a spectacular part of Harar's cultural heritage. Evening, you will experience hyena-feeding. You will see local people feeding the wild hyena just at the outskirts of Harar. Highlights: ● Jugol Wall, ● Traditional Harari House ● Hyena Feeding

Day at leisure

highlights

Harar Ras Hotel

overnight

Leaving Harar in the morning, you will drive to Awash. On arrival, you will check into your rooms, and enjoy the beautiful Dodo springs. This natural spring offers you a great deal of leisure in the pool.

Day at leisure

highlights

Doho Lodge & Hot-Springs

overnight

The day is dedicated to exploring Awash National Park. Awash is one of Ethiopia’s premier national parks, which has a rich diversity of birds as well as mammals such as Golden Jackal, Caracal but rare chance, hyena cave for spotted hyena, Beisa Oryx, and Soemmerring's Gazelle. We’ll look for African Swallow-tailed Kite, a host of Bustards including Arabian, Buff-crested, etc. You will also have the time to see Awash Falls where the crocodiles are seen in a great number. HIGHLIGHTS ● Golden Jackal ● Caracal ● Gazelle ● Awash Falls

Day at leisure

highlights

Doho Lodge & Hot-Springs

overnight

You will have some free time in the spring water in Dodo Lodge then we will drive to Adama for the overnight. En route, you will have a few stopovers for photography.

Day at leisure

highlights

Haile Resort Adama

overnight

In the morning, you will drive to Dinsho, which is the gateway to the fabled Bale Mountains, which reach an altitude of around 4 500 meters (more than 14 000 feet). Meet with guides and drive to the Gaysey Grasslands. Take a leisurely afternoon hike, possibly spotting two endemic mammals that frequent the area: Menelik's Bushbuck and the Mountain Nyala. If you are staying the night at the lodge, you need to drive a few more hours. Otherwise, you can sleepover at Goba Shebelle Hotel which is nearby Dinsho. HIGHLIGHTS ● Gaysey Grasslands ● Menelik's Bushbuck ● Mountain Nyala

Day at leisure

highlights

Bale Mountain Lodge

overnight

To the south of the Park lies a 1200m (3700 ft) escarpment, below which is one of the largest and most extensive forests remaining in Ethiopia, the Harenna Forest. The slope of the southern escarpment falls rapidly from the tree line at 3200m to around 2000m within a distance of only 8 km, producing a rapid and spectacular change in landscape, habitat, and species composition. Then, you will have breakfast and drive to the Sanetti Plateau (altitude of 4000 meters, with Afro-alpine Moorland, beautiful wild alpine scenery). Driving further, stands of Hypericum trees host the endemic griseiventris subspecies of Brown Parisoma. Moorland and Chestnut-naped Francolins and Cinnamon Bracken Warbler frequent dense shrubbery, and Ethiopian Cisticola prefer the more open areas. Then we will be driving on Africa’s highest road, passing close to the summit of Ethiopia’s second-highest mountain. HIGHLIGHTS ● Harenna Forest ● Sanetti Plateau

Day at leisure

highlights

Bale Mountain Lodge

overnight

The drive back to Addis Ababa starts early in the morning. We will cross the majestic Mbale Mountain, Dinsho, and Arsi Mountains. In Addis Ababa, you will have a farewell dinner at one of the best traditional restaurants in the city. The tour ends with a drop off at Bole International Airport.

Day at leisure

highlights

Bale Mountain Lodge

overnight