Ethiopia, Wildlife Tours

The Wildlife and Cultural Highlights of Ethiopia

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Tailor-Made Tour
18 Days
From 5680
Culture and Archaeology
Primate Watching

Tour Introduction

18 Days from  5680 per adult. All trip details below can be tailored just for you

An extensive 18 day itinerary focusing on Ethiopia’s most exciting wildlife, historical sites and unique landscapes. This diverse tour begins with the rugged Simien Mountains – home to Ethiopia’s most expressive primate; the Gelada as well as shore footed Walia ibex. There is also the historic Fasil Ghebbi Castle and Debre Birhan Selassie Church in Gondar well as fascinating culture at the Awra Amba community. Then marvel at the incredible architecture of the rock hewn churches at Lalibela where magnificent lammergiers also soar. There is also typical East African wildlife on the plains of Awash, Ali Deghe and lakes at Langano in the Great Rift Valley. Finally, no trip to Ethiopia would be complete without experiencing the remarkable landscapes and incredible wildlife of the Bale Mountains where sightings of the wonderful Ethiopian wolf are usually a daily occurance.

Full Itinerary

Price from  5680 per adult. Based on sharing double / twin rooms
Day 1
Addis Ababa

Met on arrival in Addis Ababa and transfer to the hotel. Morning at leisure to recover from your flight and in the afternoon take a guided city tour of Addis including a visit to the National Museum to see the Lucy exhibit which houses the remains of one of the oldest humans ever discovered. Return to the hotel for the evening.

Staying at Getfam Hotel. Includes Breakfast.

Day 2
Simien Mountains

Morning transfer to the airport and take domestic flight to Gondar. Met on arrival and drive north to Debark and into the wonderful Simien Mountains National Park. Afternoon guided excursion for your first encounters with geladas, highland birds and some magnificent scenery. The volcanic Simien Mountains date back nearly 20 million years and offer some of the most rugged and dramatic mountain landscapes in Africa. The altitude will mostly be between 3,300 and 3,500 meters above sea level.

Staying at Smien Lodge. Includes All Meals.

Day 3
Simien Mountains

This morning enjoy a full day to explore the Simien Mountains National Park perhaps with a packed lunch, enabling you to reach the remote Chennek Valley. Here you will hopefully find the endemic and agile Walia ibex which are surprisingly at home on the craggy ledges of the mountains. Look out too for the impressive lammergeier or “bone breaker vulture” here alongside numerous other species of birds of prey, croaking thick-billed ravens and nimble Ethiopian klipspringers. One of the highlights of the day will be spending time with a troop of habituated geladas (or bleeding heart baboons) as they graze on the montane grasslands of the Park.

Staying at Simien Lodge. Includes All Meals.

Day 4
Gondar

This morning enjoy some birdwatching around the lodge grounds. Later drive south to the historic town of Gondar to visit its seven castles of Fasil Ghebbi, built by Emperor Fasilides in the 17th Century. Later visit the impressive Debre Birhan Selassie Church; one of the most beautiful churches in all of Ethiopia with intricate ceiling and wall paintings dating back to the 17th Century.

Staying at Goha Hotel. Includes All Meals.

Day 5
Lalibela

After perhaps some early morning birdwatching in the hotel grounds, transfer 4 hours south to visit the Awra Amba Community. This fascinating community of approximately 450 people was founded in 1980 by Zumra Nuru who wanted to create a fairer society than the one he was growing up in. The community is unique in Ethiopia in that its members all share the same vision of promoting equality among men and women without following any religion. Learn about the history of the community and its beliefs and impacts around Ethiopia and the world. Continue the drive through beautiful highland landscapes, rural villages and dry open country to Lalibela arriving in the late afternoon.

Staying at Maribela Hotel. Includes All Meals.

Day 6
Lalibela

Today visit Ethiopia’s “must see” historical attraction. One of the most important pilgrim sites for followers of the Orthodox Church Lalibela’s incredible rock hewn churches are also a masterpiece of archaeological work. There are 12 rock hewn churches to explore; some remarkably sculpted out of the hard volcanic rock by hand in the 12th Century and others skilfully built into the side of caves. Bet Medhane Alem (the largest) and St George’s churches are two of the most impressive. Your expert guide will help you make the most of this extraordinary site.

Staying at Maribela Hotel. Includes All Meals.

Day 7
Awash National Park

Today transfer to the Lalibela airport and take flight to Addis Ababa. Met on arrival back in Addis and transfer 4 hours to Awash National Park in the Great Rift Valley. The region is thought to be one of the earliest homes of mankind. In the evening visit a hyena cave at the base of Mount Fentale to watch spotted hyenas emerge as the sun sets.

Staying at Awash Falls Lodge. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.

Day 8
Awash National Park

This morning perhaps take a pre-breakfast bird and wildlife walk around the lodge grounds next to the thundering Awash waterfall. Nile crocodiles and monitor lizards sun themselves on the river banks, inquisitive grivet and guereza colobus monkeys frequent the fig trees and birds are abundant including the beautiful Abyssinian roller, dark chanting goshawk, African grey hornbill and orange-bellied parrot.

Later take a safari across the semi-arid bush and grasslands of the Illala Sala Plains in the south of the Park. This area supports small but important populations of elegant Besia oryx, Soemmerring's gazelle, lesser kudu, Salt’s dik dik, warthog, olive baboon and a huge diversity of birds including the Kori bustard. Leopard tortoises are also common here and in the afternoon transfer 2 hours north to the eastern edge of the park.

Staying at Doho Lodge. Includes All Meals.

Day 9
Ali Deghe Plains


Today take morning and afternoon safaris on the Ale Deghe Wildlife Reserve and Plains where larger herds of oryx and Soemmerring's gazelle can be seen. This is large open grassland with scattered areas of acacia scrub holds other exciting species such as the exceptionally long necked gerenuk antelope and endangered Grevy’s zebra. You may also encounter the newly described African golden wolf (previously thought to be a golden jackal), warthogs and bat-eared foxes and if very lucky even a pride of lions, cheetah or caracal. In the evening perhaps take a night walk for waterbuck, owls and nightjars around the lodge.

Staying at Doho Lodge. Includes All Meals.

Day 10
Ali Deghe Plains

Take another morning safari on the Ale Deghe Plains. This area is also famed for its birdlife and has been called the bustard capital of the world with at least 5 species of bustard regularly seen. Colourful northern carmine bee eaters, delicate scissor-tailed kites, blue-legged Somali ostriches and camouflaged double-banded coursers are among some of the many other avian specialities. Perhaps also visit a local Afar village to learn about the lifestyle of this nomadic tribe. Return to the lodge for lunch and a visit to the hot springs where groups of Hamadryas baboons gather to sunbathe. In the afternoon transfer to Adama (Nazret) for the evening.

Staying at La Residence Hotel. Includes All Meals.

Day 11
Bale Mountains National Park

Today depart on a long drive through changing landscapes as you head into the Bale Mountains National Park. Stop in the rolling Gaysay Grasslands to enjoy the herds of endemic mountain nyala, bohor reedbuck, warthog and olive baboons. Look out too for servals hunting rodents in the tall grasslands of this valley. A stop in the Park headquarters at Dinsho can also provide an opportunity to see the rare Abyssinian long eared owl. Continue the drive to the lodge, arriving in the late afternoon.

Staying at Bale Mountain Lodge. Includes All Meals.

Day 12
Bale Mountains National Park

Enjoy a full day to explore the Bale Mountains National Park. Perhaps begin with a pre-breakfast bird walk through the lush Harenna Forest close to the lodge. You may see black and white guereza colobus monkeys, white-cheeked turaco, African emerald cuckoos and Abyssinian catbirds here.

Later perhaps explore the magical moorland landscapes of the Sanetti Plateau home of the beautiful and critically endangered Ethiopian wolf. For such a rare animal, these unique canids are surprisingly easy to find as they hunt the plateau’s abundant rodent prey during daylight. Bizarre giant mole rats, locally endemic Stark’s hares, klipspringers, blue-winged geese, spot-breasted lapwings and golden eagles could also be spotted up here.

Staying at Bale Mountain Lodge. Includes All Meals.

Day 13
Bale Mountains National Park

Enjoy another full day to explore the Bale Mountains. Perhaps explore more of the biodiverse Harenna Forest or just relax in the beautiful settings. There are various trails leading out from the lodge where waterfalls and wildlife including the locally endemic Bale monkey, African crowned eagle and Bale nose-horned chameleon may be seen. Other activities could include a visit further south to the Sof Omar Caves and habitat of the rare Prince Ruspoli’s turaco, or visits to local villages, a honey harvesting experience or wild coffee collection and processing.

In the evening perhaps take a game drive through the interior of the Harenna Forest in search of secretive forest dwellers such as the huge giant forest hog, bushpig, Menelik’s bushbuck and maybe even the rare Abyssinian lion.

Staying at Bale Mountain Lodge. Includes All Meals.

Day 14
Lake Awassa

Today depart for a long drive down into the Great Rift Valley and Lake Awassa, stooping at points of interest along the journey.

Staying at Haile Resort. Includes All Meals.

Day 15
Lake Awassa

This morning explore Lake Awassa, noted for its abundant birdlife and hippos. Perhaps visit the local fish market for close views of a variety of water birds before taking a boat trip around the lake in search of hippos and different birdlife. After lunch transfer to Lake Langano.

Staying at Hara Langano. Includes All Meals.

Day 16
Lake Langano

Take a morning bird and wildlife walk with your guide in the acacia woodlands around the lodge. Many colourful and endemic birds such as blue-cheeked bee eater, yellow-fronted parrot, silvery-cheeked hornbill and Narina trogon, and colobus monkeys and reptiles can be seen. A group of hippos can also be seen in the lake right in front of the lodge each morning. Later in the morning visit Abijatta-Shalla National Park and enjoy its flocks of flamingos, pelicans and thermal springs. There is also the option of a night walk when African civets, white-tailed mongooses and even aardvarks are occasionally spotted.

Staying at Hara Langano Lodge. Includes All Meals.

Day 17
Lake Langano

Enjoy some more early morning birdwatching around the lodge or relax in the tranquil settings. Return to Addis in the afternoon and enjoy a special farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian Restaurant with live dance performances from around the country. Transfer to the airport in the evening.

Staying at In-flight. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.

Day 18
Depart Addis Ababa

Depart Addis Ababa on flight home.

Includes Breakfast.

Tour Accommodation

Ethiopia Oromia and southern Ethiopia

Getfam Hotel

Overview

The Getfam Hotel provides a comfortable setting and a lovely accommodation option while in Addis Ababa. Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is just a 15-minute drive from the hotel, and a free shuttle service is available for ease of travel. The hotel offers well-furnished modern and comfortable rooms and suites all well equipped with modern facilities for a comfortable stay. There is complimentary Wi-Fi available to guests throughout the hotel and an indoor swimming pool on the second floor, while on the third floor a steam room, sauna and massage room can be found.

Each room has a Samsung LCD satellite TV, tea and coffee facilities, mini-bar and a private bathroom with bathtub and shower head plus complimentary toiletries. On the ground floor guests can enjoy buffet breakfasts and a la carte dining at the restaurant and bar where both tasty Western and Ethiopian cuisine is available.

Swimming Pool
Yes
Air Conditioning
Yes
Rooms
115
Facilities

The Getfam Hotel offers a buffet breakfast, free airport shuttle, free Wi-Fi, a well-equipped gym, an indoor swimming pool, spa, sauna and steam room and an onsite restaurant serving wonderful meals. Inside the rooms you’ll find a complimentary tea & coffee machine, bottled water, safe deposit box, bath robes, slippers and toiletries provided. Each room also features a flat screen TV, a mini-bar, luxurious bedding, an iron with ironing board and a room with roll-away bed is available upon request.

Optional Activities

You could explore Shola Market, or do a shop at the Zefmest Grand Mall and Edna Mall which is located within 2 miles. Medhane Alem Church and “Red Terror” Martyrs' Memorial Museum are also 2 miles away.

Ethiopia Northern Ethiopia Amhara and Tigray

Simien Lodge

Overview

Simien Lodge is the self-proclaimed highest lodge in Africa, sitting at 3,300 meters above sea level. Located on the edge of an escarpment just inside the boundary of the Simien Mountains National Park, the lodge boasts incredible scenic views as well as easy access into the Park. Herds of geladas and thick-billed ravens often frequent the lodge grounds and can be very approachable here.

Rooms are in traditional Ethiopian style Tukels – meaning house.

The round buildings have thatched rooves and each contain two rooms and two ensuite bathrooms. Main rooms can be arranged with double or twin beds and have enough space for an extra bed if required. Being at high altitude, temperatures can be quite cold at times. Therefore, the Tukels have solar powered underfloor heating to take the edge off the cold and hot water bottles can be provided. Extra blankets are also available to ensure guests comfort as there are often power cuts up here.

The restaurant in the main building serves mostly international dishes in buffet format during busy times and as a set menu at quieter times. Traditional Ethiopian cuisine can also be requested and there is a wide selection of wines and other drinks, although the stocks are not always available. Packed lunches can be prepared for guests embarking on a day’s trekking or visits to other parts of the park such as the Chennek Valley as well. The bar is proud to be the highest place to get a drink in Africa and is comfortably furnished for a warm and inviting atmosphere.

They remain open until the last guests have left, and there will often be some sort of evening entertainment occurring, such as a film about the local area or wildlife. Please note that electricity supply can be very hit and miss at this location and torches are very useful to have for the evenings. Please also be aware that the paths between the Tukels can be a little uneven and you will likely feel the effects of the altitude. The lodge has also been long involved with the local community and supports many projects such as school initiatives, monastery restoration, transportation for the local village and mostly recently a community health centre.

Swimming Pool
No
Air Conditioning
No
Rooms
26
Facilities

Rooms have ensuite bathrooms with showers and required amenities, underfloor solar powered heating and extra blankets and hot water bottles can be provided for cold nights. The main lodge has a spacious restaurant and bar area. There is no Wi-Fi or reliable phone reception at the lodge and power cuts are frequent due to the remote location.

Local Wildlife

The wonderfully expressive geladas are usually the highlight of a visit to the Simien Mountains. Sitting in amongst a herd of geladas provides a fascinating and intimate wildlife experience as these wonderful, endemic primates graze, groom and chatter around you. The highly endangered Walia ibex is another key species that is most often seen in the remote Chennek Valley of the Park. Other wildlife includes the agile Ethiopian klipspringer, Menelik's bushbuck and a small population of Ethiopian (Simien) wolf, leopard and golden jackal, although these species are rare to see here. The birdlife is very impressive including the aptly named thick-billed raven, lammergeier, tawny and steppe eagles, Ruppell’s, white-backed and Egyptian vultures, Erckel’s francolin, greater blue-eared starling, Abyssinian Longclaw, moorland chat and Abyssinian wheatear.

Optional Activities

Exploring the Simien Mountains National Park to see its exciting wildlife and landscapes. There is a wide range of treks to choose from and mountain bikes can also be hired. For those interested in culture visits to local churches and villages can also be arranged.

Ethiopia

Goha Hotel

Overview

Built on a hilltop overlooking Gondar town, the Goha Hotel combines stunning views with a comfortable and traditional Ethiopian yet modern design. All the rooms are elegantly and colourfully designed with local art deco influences. Each room features a private bathroom, comfortable beds, TV, telephone and desk.

The charming Hotel restaurant on the terrace has beautiful views and excellent service, serving both traditional and European food. Every Saturday and Sunday live entertainment with traditional music and dance shows is put on. Wi-Fi is a little patchy and most accessible in the restaurant and reception area. Gondar’s historic attractions are all very accessible from the hotel and the Castles and Royal Enclosure is a 10-minute drive away.

Swimming Pool
Yes
Air Conditioning
No
Rooms
82
Facilities

An outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, bar and terrace and free Wi-Fi in the main building. Room facilities include a TV, telephone and private bathroom.

Optional Activities

Take a guided city tour of the royal and ancient history of Gondar. Highlights include the Fasil Ghebbi Royal Enclosure and its castles, dating back to the 17th Century, the Fasilides Bath and the Debre Birhan Selassie Church.

Take one of the hotel bikes to explore the city.

Ethiopia Northern Ethiopia Amhara and Tigray

Maribela Hotel

Overview

This beautifully designed hotel is located of the edge of the Lalibela village overlooking the nearby Mountains. It offers some of the best accommodation in Lalibela with spacious bedrooms that have been decorated in a way to showcase the local colours, decour and culture and the hotel is just a ten minute walk from the famed rock hewn churches.

The hotel has a selection of room categories including single, twin, double or king rooms plus the extra spacious Maribela suites and triple rooms. All the rooms have private balconies and cosy day beds from which guests can relax and take in the stunning location. The restaurant serves an excellent range of Ethiopian and Western cuisine and the hotel is noted for its traditional coffee ceremonies and honey wine. There is also an extensive selection of typical Ethiopian and Lalibela themed crafts and souvenirs available and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.

The Maribela hotel also works closely with the local communities by providing employment and sourcing much of their produce from the local farmers. In 2017, the hotel also begun a reforestation programme on a nearby abandoned plot of land and have already planted over 2,000 trees.

 

Swimming Pool
No
Air Conditioning
No
Rooms
20
Facilities

Rooms have day beds, private balconies, ensuite bathrooms with modern amenities, laundry service, hair dryer, free Wi-Fi and either double, twin or king beds. The hotel also has 24-hour reception desk, airport shuttle, car parking, travel desk, and restaurant and bar.

Local Wildlife

Lammergeiers are widespread in Lalibela's mountains and often soar past the lodge. Tawny and steppe eagles, white-billed starlings, white-winged cliff chats and Ruppell's black chats can also be seen in the lodge area.

Optional Activities

Visiting the impressive Rock Hewn Churches of Lalibela is the top attraction, but the hotel offers authentic coffee ceremonies for its guests in the evening and can arrange other excursions.

Ethiopia Awash Valley and the Afar Region

Awash Falls Lodge

Overview

The Awash Falls Lodge is an eco-friendly rustic style Lodge, located in the heart of Awash National Park, 205 km East of Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa.

The rooms (they call them Tukuls) are built from traditional materials and in a traditional Ethiopian design. A few of them are situated at the edge of the cliff with a great view of Awash Gorge with verandas to sit out on and enjoy the sounds of the water.

With its unique location, you can have your meals in the restaurant with views of the waterfall and river valley. The restaurant offers the tastes of National and International foods. There is also a fully licensed bar. A lovely evening meal can be followed by a traditional coffee ceremony ran by the lodge.

Swimming Pool
No
Air Conditioning
No
Rooms
32
Facilities

Rustic style minimalistic rooms, mosquito nets, a bar, lounge and restaurant, tours, and a conference room.

Local Wildlife

Awash Falls Lodge is an excellent location to take a day tour to see the wildlife which includes seeing Biesa Oryx, Black Backed Jackals, Grants Gazelles, Kudus, crocodiles, and a number of lowland bird species. More than 860 species of birds (9.5% of the world's and 39% of Africa's bird species) both residents and migrants were recorded from lowlands, highlands including afro alpine environments and wetlands of Ethiopia. The country's birds are grouped in 24 Orders and 87 Families.

Optional Activities

Bird watching tours, Cultural shows and dances can be arranged, Games drives, Trekking, Camel rides, a trip to the hot spring or the Hyena cave, boat riding, and village visiting.

Ethiopia Awash Valley and the Afar Region

Doho Lodge

Overview

Doho Lodge is a wonderful welcoming and rustic lakeside lodge located next to the Aledeghi Wildlife Reserve, 22 km northwest of Awash Town and 248 km east of Addis Ababa.

Nature and relaxation are exactly what this lodge has to offer with hot springs to relax in, wildlife surrounding the lodge and in Aledeghi Wildlife Reserve, sunsets over the lake, and embers from the log fire to ease the evening chill.

The rooms are traditional and basic, however the setting, nearby wildlife reserve and delicious restaurant food make this lodge one not to miss out on whilst in Ethiopia.
You can enjoy your breakfast with a traditional Ethiopian coffee in front of the restaurant on the lakefront or with a view of the natural palm forest.

Swimming Pool
Yes
Air Conditioning
No
Rooms
10
Facilities

A Bar, Lounge, Restaurant, Natural hot spring baths, Spa, Laundry Service, Free shuttle service, Room service.

Local Wildlife

Hippos, Waterbucks, Hamadryas baboons, and Warthogs can be seen surrounding the lodge.

Other wildlife can be seen in the surrounding wildlife reserve. Griver monkeys, Rock hyraxes, Abyssinan hare, Jackals, hyenas, Tortoises, etc. and many reptiles including the Rock python and baffadors. Arabian bustard, Orange-bellied parrot, Owles, other bustard species, ducks, Sandgrouses, Nightjars, etc.

Optional Activities

Bird Watching, Game Driving, Boat rowing, Trekking, relaxing in the hot springs, watching a cultural show and dance, and village visits.

Ethiopia

La Residence Hotel and Spa

Overview

La Residence Hotel and Spa is a beautiful boutique hotel situated in Adama, 45.4 miles from the nearest airport in Addis Ababa.

The hotel offers a stunning outdoor pool being one of its many highlights, along with their spacious 32 luxurious rooms and suites. The interior creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Each room is exquisitely decorated to provide the perfect blend of comfort and beauty. They have richly decorated Indian furniture, four-poster beds and colourful unique bathrooms with baths. Each room also features a comfortable lounge area. There are several assorted teas and coffees from Ethiopia to choose from. You will get a refrigerator, safe, flat-screen satellite TV, and a spacious decorated bath.

The staff are very accommodating and friendly, whilst the service in the restaurant is prompt. The food offered varies, serving both International dishes and traditional cuisine. Even the dinnerware is designed in style to reflect the designated artistic uniqueness of La Residence.

 

Swimming Pool
Yes
Air Conditioning
No
Rooms
32
Facilities

An outdoor infinity pool, 24 hour front desk, Free Wifi, a Restaurant and Bar, Laundry Service, Minibar, Safety deposit box, a Fitness centre with a gym, Spa, Room Service, Private Bathroom, TV, and a Balcony terrace.

Optional Activities

Explore Adama, the city below, which was once the previous capital of the Oromia Region.

Ethiopia Oromia and southern Ethiopia

Bale Mountain Lodge

Overview

Within the Harenna Forest of the Bale Mountains National Park, one of the largest remaining Tropical Cloud Forests in Africa and Ethiopia’s premier National Park, you’ll find the warm and welcoming Bale Mountain Lodge.

The lodge sits at 2,380 meters above sea level, on a small hill within an eight-hectare plot overlooking a mountain stream and forest clearing. The lodge offers views of the 1500-meter-high Harenna escarpment, with its volcanic outcrops rising dramatically above the forest. It is generally cool and damp from late April to September but warm and drier from October to mid-April.

All of the rooms offer comfortable beds, private decks and wood-burning stoves. Each is hidden from view from any other to permit guests to feel totally isolated whilst being safe and warm. Some rooms are tree houses built on stilts with outside showers and wonderful forest settings but are located a short walk from the main building. There are also disabled and limited access rooms located next to the main building. The lodge is a superb location from which to explore the forest and the nearby Sanetti Plateau, both of which offer walking and 4WD safaris in the company of a knowledgeable guide. The plateau is around a 40 minute drive away and there are trails into the Harenna Forest leading out from the lodge itself.

The lodge is a spectacular spot for viewing a variety of wildlife nearby.

Swimming Pool
No
Air Conditioning
No
Rooms
11
Facilities

An onsite restaurant and bar, firepit, patio deck, free Wi-Fi internet in the main building, laundry service available and guided tours.

Local Wildlife

Around the lodge itself a variety of mammals occur including guereza black-and-white colobus and the endemic Bale monkeys, warthogs, Menelik's bushbucks, tree hyraxes and African golden jackals, while further afield giant forest hog, bushpig, and lion and leopard are even occasionally spotted. Birdlife is also plentiful with white-cheeked turaco, African emerald cuckoo, Abyssinian catbird, silvery-cheeked hornbill, mountain buzzard and African crowned eagle to name just a few. Travelling on to the Sanetti Plateau (around 40 minutes away) it is possible to see Ethiopian wolf, giant mole rats, Ethiopian Stark’s hares, klipspringers, blue-winged geese, spot-breasted lapwings, Rouget's rail, lammergeier, golden eagle, augur buzzard and much more.

Optional Activities

The lodge is most popular for its wildlife viewing and birding but guided hiking, horse riding, fishing and cultural activities such as village and market visits and honey collecting can all be arranged.

Visiting the Rift Valley, with its camel markets and dry, dusty conditions, is a mere 45-minute drive to the south and the Sof Omar caves, Africa’s largest limestone cave system- a return day trip to the North.

Ethiopia Northern Ethiopia Amhara and Tigray

Haile Resort Gondar

Overview

Haile Resort Gondar is located in central Gondar which is a beautiful northern city and the former capital of Ethiopia during the time of the Ethiopian Empire until 1855 and is steeped in history. The city is built within a low bowl on the Lesser Angereb River Gondar, surrounded by rolling hills and also acts as the gateway to the Simien Mountains further to the north and Lake Tana to the south.

The hotel has 56 spacious and modern rooms with plenty of facilities and is well located for visiting the historic attractions nearby. The hotel features an outdoor pool, a small garden, rooftop terrace and also a 24-hour health club and spa for unwinding after a day exploring the historical centre. The restaurant serves international and some Ethiopian speciality dishes and there is well stocked bar and public lounge to enjoy in the evenings.

 

 

Swimming Pool
Yes
Air Conditioning
Yes
Rooms
56
Facilities

Hotel facilities include a restaurant and bar, 24-hour front desk, room service, free Wi-Fi, an outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, evening entertainment. Each room is fitted with a desk, a flat-screen TV, a modern private bathroom and fridge.

Local Wildlife

Gondar is of most interest for its historical sites, but is also an excellent area for birdwatching. Within the Fasilides Bath, a greyish eagle owl can sometimes be found roosting. While the leafy grounds of the Fasilides Royal Enclosure and Bath are home to many endemic and attractive birds including the endemic Abyssinian slaty flycatcher, Ethiopian black-headed oriole, mocking cliff chat, African grey woodpecker, dusky turtle dove, montane white-eye, tacazze sunbird and many beautiful starlings including the glossy, superb, greater blue-eared and the white-billed.

Optional Activities

Visit Gondar's famous Royal Castles including those in Fasil Ghebbi (the Royal Enclosure), and the Fasilides Bath, for which Gondar has been called the "Camelot of Africa". The Debre Birhan Selassie Church showcases some of the most beautiful Ethiopian church artwork and is well worth visiting.

Ethiopia

Hara Langano Lodge

Overview

Hara Langano Lodge is a lovely peaceful lodge and one that will make you feel like you’re surrounded by nature. It was rebuilt in 2014 which means for Ethiopia the facilities are relatively contemporary and are thoughtfully designed as well as environmentally conscious.

Each room, or gojo as they are known locally, is built in a bungalow style and very well secluded giving you your own little personal piece of nature. Surrounded by forest; you will be able to enjoy the numerous birds and colobus monkeys which thrive in the grounds. Many of the rooms are lakeside where you’ll be able to watch the sunset as you relax on your own veranda. Once the sun has set, the lodge is lit with lanterns (guests are also given their own) giving it a remote and romantic atmosphere.

All the rooms are quite basic and rustic in appearance but are all ensuite with more modern high-pressure showers. The lodge’s main source of power comes from a powerful solar and battery system; however, they do still have a quiet generator to ensure that the electricity supply is on 24/7.

Set back from the shore, you’ll find the lodge restaurant. Whether you want to sample local delicacies such as firfir, doro wat or tibs, or if you prefer something more European, all of the food is cooked from fresh, local ingredients often grown on site. The fish comes straight from the lake and you can even try your hand at fishing its rich waters and have your catch expertly prepared. The lodge also works closely with the local community, providing employment, staff accommodation and clean water supplies and they have also recently set up a tree nursery to help re-forest the surrounding landscape.

This lodge is particularly ideal for those interested in birds and wildlife as the nearby forests support a fantastic array of species and this is one of the best locations in Ethiopia to watch hippos. The Ethiopian bee-eater, yellow-fronted parrot, white-cheeked turaco, silvery-cheeked hornbill, banded barbet and grey-headed bush shrike are among some of the resident birds. The lodge’s resident naturalist is a fantastic guide and knows the area and its wildlife in great detail.

Swimming Pool
No
Air Conditioning
No
Rooms
1
Facilities

A bar and lounge, a selection of boats to take out onto the lake, room service, laundry service, free wifi, babysitting and a shuttlebus service.

Local Wildlife

The lodge has been thoughtfully landscaped so that it blends into the natural environment and still provides a habitat for the local fauna and flora. The lodge grounds are a haven for much of Ethiopia’s dry country birdlife and the lodge offers the best viewing of hippos anywhere in the country. The lodge even manage the lakeshore and grassland habitats to attract and boost the local hippo population.

In addition to hippos, mantled guereza colobus monkeys, bush duikers and occasional aardvarks are found in the area. However the birdlife is particularly exciting with a wide range of both forest and wetland species. Highlights include the yellow-fronted parrot, Ethiopian bee-eater, white-cheeked turaco, silvery-cheeked hornbill, black-headed batis, fiscal shrikes, Senegal thick-knees, Great white pelicans and African fish eagles.

Optional Activities

Given its location the lodge serves as a base for numerous activities in the surrounding area and excursions to Abijatta-Shalla National Park as well as bird and wildlife watching in the lodge grounds. Boat trips on the lake are available to guests wildlife spotting or fishing.

Route Map

Departure Dates

This tour has no set departure date and can be tailored to suit your travel requirements. Contact us for more details.

Travel Information

Are International Flights Included?

No. Please contact us for a quote if required.

Flight Info:

There are direct flights from London Heathrow with Ethiopian Airlines. Flights are 7 hours 35 minutes.

Best Visited:

October to April

Are you ATOL Registered?

Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.

Jonathan Morris

Area Specialist

If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965