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FrenchSafari Tour: 9 Days Discover Ethiopia Culture, Nature & wildlife safari Tour - Ethiopia Safari Tour
9-Day Ethiopia Safari Tour by Ethio Top Land Tours
Offered by - Ethio Top Land Tours
Tour Features
Explore the wonders of Northern Ethiopia on this unforgettable 12-day journey through ancient cities, sacred rock-hewn churches, majestic highlands, and the otherworldly Danakil Depression. From the spiritual marvels of Lalibela and Axum to the castles of Gondar, the dramatic cliffs of the Simien Mountains, and the colorful volcanic landscapes of Dallol, this adventure blends history, culture, and raw natural beauty like no other.
| 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. |
| Minimum age required | The minimum age for this tour is 5 years. |
| 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 |
| 1-2 | Mezena Lodge No images available | Breakfast Included with Drinks |
| 3 | Goha Hotel No images available | Breakfast Included |
| 4-5 | Simien Mountain Lodge No images available | Breakfast Included with Drinks |
| 6 | Goha Hotel No images available | No meals selected |
| 7-8 | Dini Hotel Semera No images available | Breakfast Included with Drinks |
| 9 | Mid-Range Accommodation No images available | Breakfast, Dinner Included |
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 - Fly from Addis Ababa to Lalibela
After breakfast in Addis Ababa, you'll drive to Lalibela, the spiritual heart of Ethiopia and home to one of the world's most astounding religious sites. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and take in the highland views that surround this mountain town. In the afternoon, you'll begin your exploration of Lalibela’s famed rock-hewn churches, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These monolithic structures were carved directly from solid volcanic rock in the 12th century. Visit the Northern Cluster, which includes Bete Medhane Alem (the largest rock-hewn church), Bete Maryam, and Bete Golgotha, believed to house the tomb of King Lalibela himself. You will gain your first insight into Ethiopia's deep Orthodox Christian heritage.
Main Destination: Lalibela
Accommodation: Mezena Lodge
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast Included with Drinks
- Day 2 - Explore Bete Giyorgis and Surrounding Monastery
You'll spend a full day exploring the remaining churches of Lalibela, starting with the Southern Cluster, where you’ll find churches such as Bete Emmanuel, Bete Mercurios, and Bete Abba Libanos. These showcase more complex architectural techniques and hidden passageways. In the afternoon, you'll visit the iconic Bete Giyorgis (St. George's Church), the most famous and photogenic of all Lalibela’s churches, carved in the shape of a perfect cross and set deep into the earth
Main Destination: Lalibela
Accommodation: Mezena Lodge
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast Included with Drinks
- Day 3 - Fly Lalibela to Gondar – Castles and Churches of the Royal C
This morning, you'll drive from Lalibela to Gondar, the 17th-century imperial capital of Ethiopia. Upon arrival, you'll explore the Royal Enclosure (Fasil Ghebbi), a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with fairy-tale castles, once home to Emperor Fasilides and his successors. You'll visit the Debre Berhan Selassie Church, renowned for its stunning ceiling of painted cherubs and walls adorned with biblical scenes. Gondar offers a blend of Ethiopian and European architectural styles that reflects its position as a crossroads of cultures and religions. In the evening, you'll stroll through the city or enjoy views from your lodge..
Main Destination: Gondar
Accommodation: Goha Hotel
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast Included
- Day 4 - Drive from Gondar to Simien Mountains National Park
After breakfast, you'll depart Gondar and drive north to the Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO-listed site known for its dramatic peaks, deep valleys, and endemic wildlife. Upon reaching Debark, the park headquarters, you’ll meet your guide and scout and continue into the park towards Sankaber. This area offers relatively easy hiking trails along the escarpment, providing jaw-dropping views of the Simien range. Keep your eyes open for troops of Gelada baboons, grazing peacefully along the cliffs, and possibly even Walia ibex or Ethiopian wolves.
Main Destination: Simien Mountains National Park
Accommodation: Simien Mountain Lodge
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast Included with Drinks
- Day 5 - Simien Mountains –Trekking and Nature Exploration
Today is dedicated to exploring more of the Simien Mountains. Depending on your preference and fitness level, you can hike from Sankaber to Geech or explore shorter trails offering equally rewarding scenery. You'll trek through afro-alpine meadows, juniper forests, and rugged cliffs. Along the way, you’ll experience close encounters with Geladas, and may witness birds of prey like lammergeiers soaring overhead. This day is a highlight for nature lovers and photographers alike, with landscapes rivaling any in East Africa.
Overnight stay: Sankaber campsite.
Main Destination: Simien Mountains National Park
Accommodation: Simien Mountain Lodge
Meals & Drinks: No meals selected
- Day 6 - Drive from Sankaber to Gondar – Return from the Highlands
After a morning walk or relaxed breakfast in the mountains, you'll begin your drive back to Gondar, arriving in the late afternoon. Use the rest of the day to relax, refresh, and enjoy the town’s hospitality. If time allows, consider visiting Fasilides’ Bath, a sunken bathing pool where the Timket festival is celebrated annually.
Accommodation: Goha Hotel
Meals & Drinks: No meals selected
- Day 7 - Fly Gondar to Semera and drive to Hamedella villages
After an early breakfast, you'll begin your adventurous drive toward the Danakil Depression, one of the most extreme and geologically active environments on Earth. The drive will take you through the harsh but mesmerizing landscapes of the Afar region. After reaching the town of Berhale or Hamed Ela, you’ll meet your support crew (including local guides, a scout, and a 4x4 vehicle). Depending on arrival time, you may begin exploring salt flats or witness camel caravans carrying salt blocks extracted from the desert.
Main Destination: Lalibela
Accommodation: Dini Hotel Semera
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast Included with Drinks
- Day 8 - Danakil Depression – Dallol, Salt Lakes, and Sulfur Fields
You'll wake up early to visit Dallol, a surreal and colorful geothermal landscape filled with acidic springs, sulfur mounds, and salt formations. The area, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C, feels like another planet. Explore Lake Asale, shimmering with salt crusts, and witness Afar people harvesting salt using ancient methods. You’ll also see active volcanoes, lava fields, and possibly visit Erta Ale (if logistically feasible). This day is a stark and stunning contrast to Ethiopia’s highlands and offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Main Destination: Lalibela
Accommodation: Dini Hotel Semera
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast Included with Drinks
- Day 9 - Drive back to Semera and fly to Addis Ababa
You will drive back to Semera and later drive back to Addis Ababa. Early in the morning, you'll have another chance to see the stunning sunrise at the volcano. After the visit, you will return to the base camp for breakfast. After breakfast, you'll start your journey back to Semera. You'll arrive in Semera for a late lunch, followed by a drop off at the airport back to Addis Ababa.
Main Destination: Addis Ababa
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Dinner Included
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
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Excludes
- International flights (from/to the client's home country)
- 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
Dec 20, 2025 - Nov 21, 2026
*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
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Excludes
- International flights (from/to the client's home country)
- 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 Lalibela 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 Lalibela 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
Ethio Top Land Tours
Ethiopia
Ethio Top Land Tour, we are passionate about showcasing the unparalleled beauty, history, and culture of Ethiopia. Our mission is to create unforgettable travel experiences by combining personalized itineraries with authentic local insights.
From the majestic Simien Mountains to the ancient churches of Lalibela and the vibrant tribes of the Omo Valley, we guide you through Ethiopia’s most iconic destinations and hidden gems. With a strong commitment to eco-friendly tourism, we aim to preserve the country’s natural and cultural heritage while supporting local communities.
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