16 Days Ethiopia Memories Tour

16 Days Ethiopia memories tour itinerary

Day 1: Addis Ababa city tour

Morning drive to discover the city of Addis Ababa, founded in 1886by Menelik II and situated at an elevation of around 2438m making it the 3^rd highest capital city in the world. It enjoys an excellent climate all year round, with an average temperature of 25°C. Our city tour takes us to visit the National museum housing some of the country’s historic treasures like the 3.5 million year old remains of ‘Lucy’, the oldest hominid ever found. We proceed to the Ethnographic Museum and the church of the Holy Trinity, Ethiopia’s main cathedral and home to the remains of the last emperor, Haile Selassie. Dinner and overnight at Monarch Hotel (www.monarchaddis.com) or Golden Tulip Hotel or Lobelia Hotel (www.hotellobeliaaddis.com) or similar

Day 2: Senbete Market / Dessie

After breakfast, we drive for some 383 kms (8 hrs) to Dessie with a stopover enroute at the Senbete market (Sundays only). The market is frequented by different ethnic groups such as Oromo, Afar and Amhara and is one of the most authentic and colourful markets in Ethiopia. It also has a dedicated area for the trade of livestock, particularly camels, cattle and donkeys. In the late afternoon, we will arrive in Dessie. Dinner and overnight at Melbourne Hotel or similar

Day 3: Woldyia / Mekelle

After breakfast, we drive from Dessie via Woldyia for some 375 kms (8 hrs) to Mekele, arriving in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at Axum Hotel (www.axum-hotels.com) or Planet Hotel or similar

Day 4: Hamed Ela

After breakfast, we drive for some 160kms (3-4 hrs) to the Danakil depression via Berhale to Hamed Ela. This region is the world’s most inhospitable yet most spectacular regions full of intense colours and eye-catching sights. Several locations are more than 100m below sea level. In Berhale, we will see huge camel caravans resting on their way to the highlands. We proceed to Hamed Ela arriving in the afternoon to see how the salt is excavated from the ground, cut in to rectangular pieces and loaded onto the caravans.  Dinner and overnight at Camping in Hamed Ela

Day 5: Dallol / Aba Ala (90 km)

After breakfast, we depart to explore the unbelievable landscapes around Dallol and Lake Assal. Dallol lies 116 meters under sea level turning it into one of the lowest and hottest places on earth. The Dallol volcano is covered by a thick layer of salt but still shows its presence through bizarre salt formations, hundreds of fumaroles (escapes of gas) as well as acid lakes in all colours. In the afternoon, we drive from Dallol to the Afar village of Aba Ala (3 hrs). Dinner and overnight at Basic guesthouse or campsite in Aba Ala

Day 6: Kursuwat / Dodoma / Erta Ale volcano (140 km)

After breakfast, we continue to Kursuwat, where we will process our permit to climb Erta Ale. We proceed to the Afar village of Dodoma, which is the starting point of our trekking to the Erta Ale volcano. In the afternoon, we have an early dinner and start our 3-4 hr trek up to Erta Ale after sunset. Camels will transport our camping materials and food to the rim of the volcano where we will spend the night watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava. Erta Ale is 613 meters high and ranks as one of the most alluring and physically challenging natural attractions in Ethiopia. It is a shield volcano with a base diameter of 30 km and a 1km square caldera at the summit containing the world’s only permanent lava lake. Dinner and overnight at Campsite at the rim of the crater of Erta Ale Volcano

Day 7: Lake Afrera / Semera (210 km)

After a spectacular sunrise over the Lava Lake and breakfast, we start descending down to the vehicles and proceed to Lake Afrera where we shall see the traditional way of the local salt mining. In the afternoon, we proceed on a well paved road southward to Semera. Dinner and overnight at Hotel in Semera

Day 8: Gelafi / Lake Abbe

After breakfast, we drive from Semera for 115kms to Gelafi where we cross the border into Djibouti. After the custom procedures, we will recruit our navigator in Dikhil for the off-road track drive for some 160kms through the desert until we will reach Lake Abbe. We will enjoy a spectacular sunset over the surreal landscape around Lake Abbe formed by the elevation of countless lime stone chimneys. Dinner and overnight at Lake Abbe Lodge or similar in Lake Abbe

Day 9:  Lake Assal / Tadjoura

After early breakfast, we have a short trek through the limestone chimneys around Lake Abbe to see huge flocks of flamingos. We proceed for some 110kms to Lake Assal, one of the saltiest lakes on earth and also the lowest point on the African Continent (-153m). We will enjoy a fantastic bath in Africa’s “Dead Sea”. In the afternoon, we have a 45 km drive on a good paved road until we reach the small coastal town of Tadjoura at the Gulf of Djibouti.  Dinner and

Overnight at Le Golf or similar in Tadjoura

Day 10: Full day on “White Beach” near Tadjoura

Today, we have the full day to relax and enjoy the “White Beach” near Tadjoura. Dinner and overnight at a Basic Guesthouse, White Beach

Day 11: Djibouti (175 km)

After breakfast, we drive for some 175kms along the idyllic Gulf of Djibouti until reaching Djibouti City. In the afternoon, we visit Djibouti City and its interesting market. We pre-book our boat ride for tomorrow in order to swim with the whale sharks. Dinner and overnight at Menelik Hotel or similar in Djibouti City

Day 12: Swimming with Whale Sharks

Full day swimming with sharks and enjoy a boat ride. Dinner and overnight at Menelik Hotel or similar in Djibouti City

Day 13: Dire Dawa

After early breakfast, we drive for some 380kms (8 hrs) from Djibouti City and cross the Grand Barra plains until reaching the Ethiopian border in Dewele. After border formalities, we cross and proceed to Dire Dawa where we will spend the night. Dinner and overnight at La Duchesse Hotel or similar in Dire Dawa

Day 14: Harar

After breakfast, we drive for 60kms (1 hr) from Dire Dawa to Harar to visit the 16^th century walled city of Harar, the 4^th  most important city in the Islamic World and a UNESCO world heritage site. We will visit the home of Arthur Rimbaud, renowned French poet who lived in Harar, the National and Harari museums; the house of Ras Mekonnen (the father of Haile Selassie); traditional Harari homes and many more interesting places. In the evening we will see the “Hyena Man” feeding the hyenas that gather every night in the town. You may also participate in feeding the hyenas. Dinner and overnight at Ras Hotel or Wonderland Hotel or Heritage Plaza Hotel or Rewda Guesthouse or similar

Day 15: Awash National Park

After breakfast, we drive for some 328 kms (7 hrs) to the Awash National Park arriving in the afternoon at the lodge situated next to the Awash Falls. We will see a variety of birds and mammals in the savanna and crocodiles living at the river. We will enjoy an impressive sunset over the awash gorge. Dinner and overnight at Awash Falls Lodge (www.awashfallslodge.net) or similar in Awash National Park 

Day 16: Addis Ababa (215 km)

Early game drive in the park followed by your breakfast, then drive for some 215kms (4 hrs) to arrive in Addis Ababa.

Group Size per vehicle (adults)-2 Pax3 pax4 Pax5 pax6 Pax

What is Included on the safari price:

•  15-night accommodation & meals as per the program
• All tours as per the itinerary
• Transport as per program
• English speaking guide
• Entrance fees to all sites as per the itinerary
• Bottled water during the tours
• Service charges and taxes.

What is Excluded on the safari prices:

•  Flights and taxes
• Entry visa to Ethiopia & Djibouti
• Personal expenses
• Airport transfers
• Optional activities not included above
• Gratuities and tips
• Personal insurance cover
• Deviation from above program