16 Days 15 Nights Africa Expedition Tour

16 Days 15 Nights Africa expedition tour itinerary

Day 1: Addis Ababa city tour

Morning drive to discover the city of Addis Ababa, founded in 1886 by 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. We visit the National museum housing some of the country’s historic treasures like the 3.5 million year old remains of ‘Lucy’. 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: Bahir Dar

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Bahir Dar, capital of the Amhara region situated on the shores of Lake Tana, the largest lake in the country. Bahir Dar is one of the well-planned cities in Ethiopia. This morning we take a boat trip on the lake to learn the secrets of the monasteries and churches on the islands. We will visit Ura Kidane Mihret church on Zeghie peninsula. Under the thatched roof are some distinctive colourful paintings of religious scenes, and a display of illuminated bibles written in Ge’ez, the religious language from which Amharic is derived. Later, we visit Tississat Falls, Amharic for ‘water that smokes’ located about 32km south of Bahar Dar. Dinner and overnight at Kuriftu Lodge (www.kurifturesortspa.com) or Jacaranda Hotel (www.jacarandahotelbahirdar.com) or similar

Day 3: Gondar (UNESCO – World Heritage Site)

After breakfast, we drive for 185 kms (3.5hrs) north to Gondar, the former capital of Ethiopia. Gondar has now become one of Ethiopia’s largest and most impressive cities, with its walled Royal Enclosure. Gondar’s most famous monuments are its well preserved 17^th century castles. The largest and best is that of King Fasilidas. It is a stone-built construction with round turrets and wooden balconies. The king also built a remarkable bath a mile outside town known as the ‘Pavilion of Delight’. The Bathhouse of Fasil is where thousands of Ethiopians celebrate Timkat festival every January. This afternoon, we make a visit to the Debre Birhan Selassie church (Light of Trinity) with its sensational angelic ceiling and mural. Dinner and overnight at Goha Hotel or Fasil Lodge (www.lodgefasil.weebly.com) or Gondar Hills Resort or Taye Belay Hotel or similar

Day 4: Simien Mountains (UNESCO – World Heritage Site)

After breakfast, we drive from Gondar to Debark, the base for our trekking in the Simien Mountains National Park with lunch enroute on an escarpment. We may see Lammergeyer vultures, Gelada Baboons etc. After lunch, we take a short trek to Sankaber Campsite through the beauty of these mountains and via Buyit Ras. Dinner and overnight at Simien Lodge or Limalimo Lodge or Walia Lodge in Debark or Simien Lodge (www.simiens.com) or similar

Day 5: Geech

At Sankabar, we pack our gear and meet our muleteers before commencing the trek to Geech. After about 1.5 hours walking, we cross the Jinnbar River and falls. After crossing the river, we travel along the escarpment before dropping down to get views of the spectacular Geech Abyss. The scenery is wonderful, and heard of the endemic Gelada Baboon can be seen on our way. Dinner and Overnight at Geech Campsite (3600m).

Day 6: Imetgogo

Early in the morning, we walk to Imetgogo (3,926m) which is situated at the end of a long ridge which disappears on either side to the lowlands below. There are outstanding views of the gorge and mountain ranges. It is possible to see a vast expanse of lowlands and gain some perspective of this incredible mountain range. After a short stay here, we continue walking to Seha, the other terrific viewpoint in the National park. We will have our picnic lunch here then we proceed to the last viewpoint, Quedadit. After some stay here, we walk back to Geech camp site. We may see the gelada baboons, Klipspringers, Simien wolf and Walia Ibex. Dinner and Overnight at Geech Campsite (3600m).

Day 7: Chennek

After breakfast, we trek along the escarpment to Chennek, which is bounded by a semi-circular ring of cliffs. After picnic lunch, we walk on the edge of Enatye escarpments (4000m above sea level) which is another breathtaking view in the national park. This dramatic view continues all the way down to our camp at Chennek which is the best place to see the endemic Waliya Ibex, Gelada Baboons, Lammergeye birds with a wing span of almost 3 metres.

Dinner and Overnight at Chenek.

Day 8: Ambiquo

After breakfast, we walk to Ambiquo climbing Buhit Mountain (14530 ft / 4430m), the 2^nd highest peak after Ras Dashen in Simien Mountain ranges. It gives excellent views over the whole area. After refreshments at the summit of Buhit, we descend towards Chero Laba crossing the Mesheha River, we arrive at Ambiquo and rest for the night. Dinner and Overnight Camping at Ambiquo – (10,496 ft /3200m).

Day 9: Ras Dashen summit

We have an early morning trek for 6 hrs towards mount Ras Dashen summit. This is the most challenging day of our trekking to the summit. We head up the valley from campsite to the small village of Mizma from where you will climb steeply upwards eventually reaching an impressive amphitheatre made up of three major buttresses of expanded rock, one of which is your goal, Ras Dashen, which is the 4^th highest peak in Africa (14,901 ft / 4,543m). After taking in the

impressive views descend to our campsite at Ambiquo. Dinner and Overnight at Ambiquo (10496ft/3200m).

Day 10: Sona

After breakfast, we walk from Ambiquo to Sona through the magnificent landscape. From Ambiquo the path leads us back down to the Mesheha River (2,800m). After plenty of ups and downs we might be able to stop for some local coffee in the small village of Arquaziye before continuing to our camping site at Sona. We shall have a good opportunity to meet local people in the fields. Dinner and Overnight at a campsite in sona (3,600m).

Day 11: Mekarebya

After breakfast, we descend into the lowlands starting with a 1,100m descent into the Ansiya valley where we have a relaxed lunch break. We proceed onto our camp, near the village of Mekarebya. This is an excellent day for seeing birds and there are very good views up to the Simien Mountains. Dinner and Overnight at a campsite in Mekarebia.

Day 12: Mulit Camp

After breakfast, we interact with locals to learn about their lifestyles. The final 2 hours of the day involve a sharp 400m of ascent to our final campsite at Mulit. Dinner and Overnight at a Campsite at Mulit.

Day 13: Adi Arkay / Gondar

After breakfast, we walk to Adi Arkay to join our vehicle and drive via Debark to Gondar. Dinner and overnight at Goha Hotel or Fasil Lodge (www.lodgefasil.weebly.com) or Gondar Hills Resort or Taye Belay Hotel or similar

Day 14: Lalibela (UNSCO – World Heritage Site)

After breakfast, transfer to the local airport for your domestic flight to Lalibela to visit the 1^st cluster of rock-hewn churches in the afternoon. Lalibela, the ‘New Jerusalem’, is thought to have been constructed some 800 years ago by King Lalibela. Lalibela was his capital city, but today it is a small village. Although churches carved in rock are found in other parts of the world, those found in Ethiopia are particularly interesting. Generally, they were excavated on all sides of a rectangle, leaving a large block of granite isolated in the centre. They have been classified as one of the wonders of the world. Each church has a unique architectural style and superbly carved. There are 11 rock-cut churches of which the most impressive is Bet Giorgis. It is carved in the form of a Greek cross and it is exceptionally well preserved. Dinner and overnight at Panoramic View Hotel (www.panoramicviewhotel.com) or Mountain View Hotel (www.mountainview-hotel.com) or Maribela Hotel or Top 12 Hotel (www.toptwelvehotel.com) or similar

Day 15: Lalibela

After breakfast, we visit the church of Yimrhane Kristos, a masterpiece of Axumit wood and stone construction renowned for its interior decoration, its beautiful wooden coffer ceiling inlaid with hexagons and medallions with both figurative and geometric motifs. Drive back to Lalibela and visit the remaining rock-hewn churches of Lalibela that include the churches of Bete Gabriel and Rafael, Merkorous, Emanuel and Abba Libanos. Bete Emanuel is the best in this group and exceptionally carved with unique Axumite building features, such as the indentations on the walls, symbols of the multi-storey building taken from the stelae of Axum, monkey heads and false windows. Dinner and overnight at Panoramic View Hotel (www.panoramicviewhotel.com) or Mountain View Hotel (www.mountainview-hotel.com) or Maribela Hotel or Top 12 Hotel (www.toptwelvehotel.com) or similar

Day 16: Addis Ababa

After breakfast, transfer to the local airport for your domestic flight to Addis to connect on your flight back home

Group Size per vehicle (adults)  –2 Pax,3 Pax,4 Pax ,5 Pax ,6 Pax

What is Included on the Safari price:-

•  15-night accommodation & meals as per the program,
• All tours & transport as per program
• English speaking guide
• Entrance fees to all sites mentioned
• One-way regular flight Addis/Bahir Dar
• One-way domestic regular flight Lalibela/Addis
• Airport transfer where mentioned
• Bottled water
• Service charges and taxes

What is Excluded on the Safari price:-

•  International flights and taxes
• Entry visa
• Personal expense
• Optional activities not included above
• Gratuities
• Tips
• personal insurance cover
• Deviation from above program