ETHIOPIA SAFARIS & PHOTO TRIPS-15 DAYS OVERLAND & FLIGHT
ETHIOPIA PHOTO-SAFARI TOURS 15 DAYS OVERLAND & FLIGHT
Ethiopia is one of the world's hotspots of endemism; meaning that a high percentage of wildlife that is found in the country is only found in this country. This is because of its highland terrain and rugged landscape isolating the animals from other parts of Africa; this tour focuses on the rare and endemic mammals of Ethiopia. So just specialist guides and visit some of the seldom visited and incredible wildlife destinations off the beaten track.
Introduction
We know our country very well and we are specialists in tailoring wildlife watching all over the world and we have a great range of specific mammal watching trips. These special mammal watching tours focus on rare and endemic species of mammals, as well as other wildlife in the area.
There are not the huge numbers of large mammals to be found here as in other parts of Africa, but the species that do live here are cleverly adapted to their unique surroundings and very special indeed. The highlights of this tour will undoubtedly be the wonderful long-haired Gelada Baboons with their red 'hearts', the beautifully coloured Ethiopian Wolf and the strange but endearing Giant Mole Rat!
All of these and several other mammals found nowhere else but Ethiopia, will be viewed on this tour, along with general natural history, cultural and bird-watching attractions.
The scenery of the country is also stunning, there are masses of lakes surrounded by mountainous peaks, dusty valleys dotted with acacia trees and pretty little thatched huts in well-kept villages. The people of this country are proud and happy and for the most part self-sufficient. Traditionally decorated ponies and their riders will be seen throughout the moorlands, plus donkeys carrying their mixed cargo all-round the country, together providing an interesting cultural backdrop to a week of viewing most of the countries endemic mammal species and some birdwatching.
The culture of Ethiopia is as unique as well as the wildlife and this tour will aim to showcase both and give a real insight into the real Ethiopia. Because the wildlife watching destinations in Ethiopia are widely dispersed in the country, there is quite a bit of travelling from site to site. This is the only way of doing this tour however. And whilst most itineraries only focus on either the Bale Mountains or the Simien Mountains I have included both into this itinerary as well as including the other best wildlife watching destinations in Ethiopia. This will give you increased time with Gelada baboons, more chance of seeing Ethiopian wolves well and also visiting the only place where the last 200 or so Walia ibex live.
throughout the trip you will be guided by expert naturalist guides, people with an intimate knowledge of the wildlife and habitats you will be visiting.
Whilst the route is well established to visit all of the locations that are best for the targeted species, this trip is also tailorable as there are other wildlife locations in Ethiopia, as well as cultural attractions that we can also add into this itinerary.
All you have to do is to get in touch with your budget and your group size and where you would like to go, and we will come back to you with an itinerary and quote for your perfect Ethiopian mammal watching tour.
Gallery
Itinerary-Ethiopia Safaris & Photo Trips
DAY 1
ARRIVAL & DRIVE TO DEBRE LIBANOS GORGEOn arrival in Addis Ababa (we recommend an early morning arrival) you will meet your guide and then we will leave straight away and head to a Geleda baboon colony at Debre Libanos Gorge. We will spend the majority of the day with these baboons. – overnight in Ethio- German lodge. (Lunch and Dinner)
DAY 2
BACK TO ADDIS ABABAToday you will have a morning with the gelada baboon colonies around the Debre Libanos gorge. Watching their different behaviours and gaining a brand new insight into the world of this highly social, high altitude grazing baboon species. You will then head back to Addis Ababa in the afternoon – overnight in Ghion Hotel – or similar (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
DAY 3-4
DRIVE TO AWASH NATIONAL PARKThis morning you will transfer from the city to Awash National Park and on arrival we will have a late afternoon safari around the park. This national park is good for some endemic species such as Hamadryas baboon, grivet monkey, beisa oryx, Soemmering’s gazelle, Harar dik-dik as well as other mammals such as African wild cat, northern lesser kudu, black-backed jackal. After dinner we can enjoy a night safari to try and find some of the nocturnal speices that live around here. – overnight Awash Falls Lodge – or similar (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
DAY 5
DRIVE AWASH TO LANGANOThis morning you will have an early morning transfer to Lake Langano. On arrival here you will spend time around the lake and enjoy a game drive around Ali Dege plains en route to the Lake. Ali Dege plains is a rich wildlife watching location with lion, cheetah, Somali wild ass (very rarely seen), Beisa oryx, Soemmerring’s gazelle, spotted hyena, Northern gerenuk and Grevy’s zebra all living here – overnight Wabe Shabelle (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
DAY 6
ABIJATA SHALA PARK , DRIVE TO BALE DINSHOThis morning you will travel on and towards the Bale Mountains and Dinsho Grasslands, this is arguably the best ecosystem in Africa for endemic species and we will start by driving through Abiata-Shalla National Park before carrying on to Gobe which is a gateway town for the Bale Mountains. Along the way we will look for wildlife in the Gaysay Grasslands. In the grasslands we hope to see mountain nyala and bohor reedbuck among other species – overnight in Wabe Shabelle (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
DAY 7- 8
HARENA FORESTOver the next two days you will explore the two varying ecosystems of the Bale Mountains. The Harrena Forest (home to the endemic Bale monkey, lions, leopards, giant forest hog, bushpig, Guerza colobus and the newly described African golden wolf (not the Ethiopian wolf); Sanetti Plateau (where the Ethiopian wolf is the highlight and major target here although klipspringers, giant mole rats and various other endemic rodents are commonly seen) – overnight in Wabe Shabelle (Breakfast, Lunches & Dinner)
DAY 9
BALE-SENKELE SANCTUARY -AWASSAThis morning you will leaving the Bale Mountains and be transferred from Gobe to Senkelle Sanctuary with a short game drive around the sanctuary which is very good for Oribi and hartebeest as well as desert warthog and Abyssinian hare. From here will continue onto lake Awassa and our accommodation - overnight in La Dolce Vita (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
DAY 10
AWASSA TO ADDIS ABABAThis morning we will have a short stakeout for hippos (which can been seen in the morning around the lake) and the Gambian suns squirrel at Lake Awassa before continuing to Lake Ziway and hopefully finding the yellow-spotted rock hyrax and then carrying on to Addis Ababa for the night – overnight in Ghion Hotel. (Breakfast and Lunch only).
DAY 11
FLY TO GONDER, DRIVE TO SIMIEN PARK-CHENEK CAMP SITEThis morning we will catch a flight from Addis Ababa to Gondar and then be transported to the Simien Mountains and spend the day wildlife watching, looking particularly for the gelada baboon and Walia ibex as well as other mammals here such as rodents and possibly Ethiopian wolves, although they are seen here far less than in the Bale Mountains. – overnight in Chenek Camp. (Breakfast and Dinner)
DAY 12
WILD LIFE VIEWINGToday will be a full day in the Simien Mountains spent searching for wildlife – overnight in Chenek Camp. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
DAY 13
DRIVE TO GONDERToday you will be transferred back out of the wilderness to Gondar. You'll have to spot the Gelada Baboon around Sankaber camp site. Late in the afternoon, you will be in Gonder.
DAY 14
FLY TO ADDIS ABABA, FAREWELL DRINNER & DEPARTURETake a morning flight back to Addis Ababa. In the evening, head to cultural restaurant to have your dinner Ethiopian dish and to enjoy a live traditional live music and dance. Departure.
To extend your trip, please check our tour packages or enquire us for any custom-made tours.
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