English
FrenchSafari Tour: Nature and History - Ethiopia Safari Tour
12-Day Ethiopia Safari Tour by Ethiopian Expedition
Offered by - Ethiopian Expedition
Tour Features
This 12-day journey invites you to experience the heart and soul of Ethiopia — a land where ancient civilizations, rugged mountains, sacred spiritual sites, and extraordinary wildlife create one of the most diverse travel landscapes in Africa. Designed for a single traveler seeking depth, authenticity, and comfort, this itinerary blends history, nature, culture, and adventure into one unforgettable experience. From the soaring Simien Mountains and medieval castles of Gondar to the rock-carved churches of Lalibela and the wildlife-rich Bale Highlands, this is a journey that brings the very best of Ethiopia into focus.
| Mid-Range tour | This mid-range tour includes comfortable lodges and tented camps. |
| Can be customized | You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour. |
| Private tour | This tour will be organized exclusively for you and won't be shared with others. |
| Solo travel available | Solo travelers can book this tour. |
| Can start any day | If availability permits, this tour can start on any day. |
| No minimum age | There is no minimum age for this tour. |
| Transportation | This tour uses: Normal 4x4. |
Route & Activities
Ethiopia
Activities Included
Accommodation & Meals
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
| Day | Accommodation | Meals |
| 1-11 | Mid-Range Accommodation No images available | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included with Drinks |
Arrival (See Getting There for more details)
- A transfer from the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
- Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
- Day 1 - Arrival in Addis Ababa
Upon your arrival in Addis Ababa, you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to your hotel. Depending on the time of arrival, you may choose to relax, adjust to the altitude, or enjoy an optional stroll through the city’s vibrant streets or parks. Addis Ababa sits at over 2,400 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest capital cities in the world—so a gentle start ensures a comfortable beginning to your adventure.
Main Destination: Addis Ababa
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included with Drinks
- Day 2 - Fly to Gondar and Drive to the Simien Mountains
In the morning, you will fly north to Gondar, often referred to as the "Camelot of Africa." After a short stop, your journey continues by road toward the Simien Mountains. This scenic drive offers sweeping views of high plateaus, rolling farmland, and dramatic rock formations. As the altitude rises and the landscape becomes rugged, you will enter Simien Mountains National Park—one of the most breathtaking natural environments in Ethiopia. The afternoon is perfect for photographing sunset views along the escarpment.
Main Destination: Simien Mountains National Park
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included with Drinks
- Day 3 - Exploring the Simien Mountains
Today is dedicated to exploring one of Africa’s most majestic mountain landscapes. Walking along the escarpment trails reveals vast, sweeping canyons and dramatic cliffs stretching for kilometers. During your hike, you are likely to encounter the famous Gelada baboons, known for their gentle behavior and social nature. Lammergeyer vultures, thick-billed ravens, and soaring eagles often accompany the silence of the highlands. The day balances scenic walking, wildlife encounters, and time to simply absorb the grandeur of the landscape.
Main Destination: Simien Mountains National Park
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included with Drinks
- Day 4 - Return to Gondar and Historical Exploration
After breakfast, you will return to Gondar for a cultural and historical tour. You will visit the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring castles, banquet halls, and the architectural legacies of Ethiopia’s past emperors. The day continues with visits to Fasilides’ Bath, still used for the Orthodox celebration of Timket, and the beautifully preserved Debre Birhan Selassie Church, famous for its interior ceiling painted with a sea of angelic faces.
Main Destination: Gondar
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included with Drinks
- Day 5 - Fly to Lalibela
In the morning, a short flight will bring you to the holy town of Lalibela — one of the great spiritual treasures of the world. After settling in, you will begin exploring the first cluster of the extraordinary rock-hewn churches. Carved entirely from volcanic tuff and connected by narrow passages, tunnels, and hidden courtyards, these architectural masterpieces were created during the 12th and 13th centuries and continue to serve as active places of worship.
Main Destination: Lalibela
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included with Drinks
- Day 6 - Full Exploration of Lalibela
Your second day in Lalibela offers time to explore the remaining churches, monasteries, and sacred spaces. The afternoon concludes with a visit to the iconic Bete Giyorgis (St. George Church), carved in the shape of a perfect cross and considered one of the most remarkable monolithic structures in the world. The day may end with a traditional coffee ceremony or cultural performance—allowing you to experience the warm hospitality of local people.
Main Destination: Lalibela
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included with Drinks
- Day 7 - Fly to Addis Ababa and Drive to Debre Zeit (Bishoftu)
After returning to Addis by flight, you will continue south to Debre Zeit, a peaceful lakeside retreat surrounded by volcanic crater lakes and known for its birdlife. The remainder of the day is free to relax and enjoy the tranquil scenery.
Main Destination: Abidjatta-Shalla National Park
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included with Drinks
- Day 8 - Journey to Lake Langano and Abijatta-Shalla National Park
Today you continue your journey to Lake Langano, one of the Rift Valley’s most scenic natural areas. In the afternoon, you will visit Abijatta-Shalla National Park, an important bird sanctuary home to flamingos, pelicans, hornbills, and ostriches. The combination of soda lakes, open plains, and wildlife makes this area a paradise for naturalists.
Main Destination: Abidjatta-Shalla National Park
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included with Drinks
- Day 9 - Drive to Bale Mountains National Park
Continuing deeper into the highlands, you will arrive in Bale Mountains National Park. Your first stop is at Dinsho headquarters, where wildlife such as Menelik’s bushbuck, mountain nyala, and warthogs are commonly seen grazing near the forest edges. The afternoon offers a gentle introduction to the unique high-altitude ecosystems of the Bale range.
Main Destination: Bale Mountains National Park
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included with Drinks
- Day 10 - Sanetti Plateau and Harenna Forest
This day offers remarkable contrasts. In the morning, you will explore the windswept Sanetti Plateau, home to the Ethiopian wolf, the rarest canid in Africa. On a clear day, the scenery stretches endlessly across volcanic plains dotted with giant lobelia plants. Later, you descend into the magical Harenna Forest—a lush cloud forest with moss-draped trees, endemic birds, and wild coffee forests.
Main Destination: Bale Mountains National Park
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included with Drinks
- Day 11 - Full Day in Bale Mountains
Another full day allows you to explore at your own pace—whether walking forest trails, birdwatching, photographing wildlife, or visiting traditional mountain villages. The slower pace gives time to truly connect with the unique ecosystems of the Bale Highlands.
Main Destination: Bale Mountains National Park
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included with Drinks
End of tour (See Getting There for more details)
- Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
- A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
Includes
- Park fees (for non-residents)
- All activities mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- Meals (as specified in the day-by-day description)
- All accommodation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Excludes
- International flights (from/to the client's home country)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips: tipping guideline of $6 per person per day for the guide and crew
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees and other personal items)
Rates Per Person
Jul 18, 2026 - Jul 18, 2027
*n/a = not available. This tour is unavailable for solo travelers.
Includes
- Park fees (for non-residents)
- All activities mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- Meals (as specified in the day-by-day description)
- All accommodation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Excludes
- International flights (from/to the client's home country)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips: tipping guideline of $6 per person per day for the guide and crew
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees and other personal items)
Getting There
Ethiopia, situated in the famous Horn of Africa, is known as both the Land of Origins and the Land of a Thousand Smiles. Most of the visitors arrive at the Bole International Airport (ADD) in Addis Ababa. Usually, the Safari operator picks you up at the airport and takes care of any travel arrangements from there. If you are already in the region it’s possible to get in by land from Sudan, Kenya and Djibouti. It is best to stay away from the borders of South Sudan and Somalia. Drive-around tours are also available (especially in southern Ethiopia). Even when flying around, covering some distances by car can be very rewarding as you'll see some of the Ethiopian countrysides.
This tour starts in Addis Ababa and ends in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
Travel Requirements
- All foreign visitors need a passport that is valid for at least six months
- Passports must have a clean and a full visa page for endorsement.
- Visitors can be obtain there Visas in advance from Ethiopian embassies or high commissions.
- You can also apply through the online visa-application portal, the official website of the Ethiopian Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs.
- For certain countries, A tourist visa can also be issued on arrival at Bole International Airport.
- When arriving from a country in Africa or the Americas where yellow fever is present, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required.
Getting There
Ethiopia, situated in the famous Horn of Africa, is known as both the Land of Origins and the Land of a Thousand Smiles. Most of the visitors arrive at the Bole International Airport (ADD) in Addis Ababa. Usually, the Safari operator picks you up at the airport and takes care of any travel arrangements from there. If you are already in the region it’s possible to get in by land from Sudan, Kenya and Djibouti. It is best to stay away from the borders of South Sudan and Somalia. Drive-around tours are also available (especially in southern Ethiopia). Even when flying around, covering some distances by car can be very rewarding as you'll see some of the Ethiopian countrysides.
This tour starts in Addis Ababa and ends in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
Travel Requirements
- All foreign visitors need a passport that is valid for at least six months
- Passports must have a clean and a full visa page for endorsement.
- Visitors can be obtain there Visas in advance from Ethiopian embassies or high commissions.
- You can also apply through the online visa-application portal, the official website of the Ethiopian Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs.
- For certain countries, A tourist visa can also be issued on arrival at Bole International Airport.
- When arriving from a country in Africa or the Americas where yellow fever is present, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required.
Offered By
Ethiopian Expedition
Ethiopia
Ethiopian Expedition, founded by Tesfaw Girmay, is dedicated to providing authentic and expertly crafted travel experiences across Ethiopia. Specializing in small-group and tailor-made tours, we highlight the country’s landscapes, wildlife, culture, and history at their best.
With knowledgeable guides and carefully planned itineraries for photography, cultural immersion, and exploration, we ensure every journey is enriching and memorable. Backed by an experienced team, Ethiopian Expedition delivers seamless logistics and personalized service, offering travelers exceptional access to Ethiopia’s beauty.
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