Embark on a 14-day mammal watching tour in Ethiopia, showcasing the country’s unique wildlife.
From the endemic Gelada baboons in the Simien Mountains to the diverse species in Awash National Park and Bale Mountains, this Ethiopia tour offers an unparalleled wildlife adventure.
Ideal for nature enthusiasts and photographers, experience Ethiopia’s extraordinary biodiversity up close.
4-Day Ethiopian Mammal Tour Highlights
- Day 1. Flight Addis Ababa – Gondar
- Day 2. Simien Mountains National Park
- Day 3. Drive to Awash National Park
- Day 4. Awash National Park
- Day 5. Drive to Alideghe Wildlife Reserve
- Day 6. Drive to Harar
- Day 7. Harar – Awash
- Day 8. Drive to Langano with stops on the way
- Day 9. Drive to Senkale Wildlife Sanctuary
- Day 10. Drive to Bale Mountains National Park
- Day 11. Bale Mountains Sanneti Plateau
- Day 12. Bale Mountains Harenna Forest
- Day 13. Bale Mountains Gassay Grasslands
- Day 14. Return Back to Addis
Detailed 14-Day Ethiopian Mammal Tour Itinerary
Day 1. Flight Addis Ababa – Gondar
You will be met by our representative who will take you to the airport for your flight to Gonder.
On arrival here you will then head to the Simien mountains which are a UNESCO world heritage site.
The journey to the mountains will take us through the beautiful landscape of Northern region of Ethiopia.
We shall check into our camp and then head out to search for the Gelada baboons.
The Gelada baboons are endemic to this country and they are still many of them living the Simien Mountains.
These baboons just like many other primates feed mainly on roots, grass and other herbs.
They also eat insects and all kinds of locusts.
They are mainly around the Escarpments and its rims where there is less danger from the threats to them.
Overnight Simien Lodge.
Day 2. Simien Mountains National Park
We shall be driving to the Chenneck Campsite which stands at an altitude of about 3,620 meters above sea level.
Here we shall have very nice views of the entire mountains and then we shall be tracking the Gelada baboons that are rare and endemic to this area.
We shall then drive to Bwahit Pass which stands at an altitude of about 4,200 meters above sea level.
The area full of great rocks formed here.
We shall be in position to see the Walia Ibex. The bird is endemic to the Semien Mountains.
Overnight Simien Lodge.
Day 3. Drive to Awash National Park
We shall drive to Gondar and then fly back to Addis Ababa.
When we get o the capital, the guide will drive you to Awash National park.
We shall stop over for a hot lunch and we arrive at the National park in the late afternoon in time for an evening game drive around the park.
Overnight Camping
Day 4. Awash National Park
We shall have an early breakfast and the do a game drive around the park.
The park is covered in grassland and thorny bushes.
We shall make a stop at the Awash falls along the Awash river.
Some of the other wildlife we expect to see are: the Salt’s Dik-dik, Lesser Kudu, Warthog, Hamadryas Baboon, Olive Baboon, Black-backed Jackal, Spotted Hyena, Abyssinian Hare, Aardwolf, Aardvark, Grivet Monkey and Nile Crocodiles.
Overnight Camping.
Day 5. Drive to Alideghe Wildlife Reserve
We shall have our breakfast early as usual and then drive to the North Eastern sector of the Awash National Park to the Alideghi game reserve.
We shall do a game drive in search for the Grevy’s Zebra, Gerenuk, Beisa Oryx, Simmering Gazelle, Grant’s Gazelle, Olive, African Golden Wolf, Somali Ostrich and Hamadrias Baboons.
The birds we shall see are: Abyssinian Roller, Arabian Bustard, Kori bustard and bee eaters.
Overnight Camping.
Day 6. Drive to Harar
We shall be headed for a long drive like about 300 Kilometres today and so we shall wake up a little early and drive to Harar.
This is a township surrounded by falls and it is very important in the history of the Islamic community.
We shall have a chance to feed the hyenas at night.
This practice has been in play for many years to control the hyenas from hunting in the domestic homes of eating the humans.
Overnight Ras Hotel.
Day 7. Harar – Awash
We shall have breakfast and then have a city tour of the township of Harar.
We hall visit the house of Arthur Rimbaud. He was a very famous poet of French origin.
We shall visit the Ntional and the Harar city museum.
The House of the father of Emperor Haile selassieis something you should be excited about.
We shall head back to Awash for dinner and overnight.
Overnight Gennet Hotel.
Day 8. Drive to Langano with stops on the way
We shall be driving to the Lake Langano today.
We shall make a brief stop at the Ziway Lake where we shall be watching the water birds and many other aquatic lives.
Later in the afternoon we shall head ot Langano were we have chances of seeing the Hippos.
We shall take a night forest walk to look for the nocturnal animals like the crested Porcupines.
Overnight Hara Langano Lodge.
Day 9. Drive to Senkale Wildlife Sanctuary
We have breakfast and leave Langano for Sankale wildlife conservation Sanctuary.
This sanctuary is known for the Swayne’s Hartebeest and the Oribi.
We shall make a stop while Enroute at the Abjatta National Park.
We shall see the African Ostriches, Grants Gazelle and African Golden Wolf.
We shall then drive to Awassa where you will have dinner and overnight.
The African clawless Otter are some of the animals we shall see here.
Overnight Haile Resort.
Day 10. Drive to Bale Mountains National Park
We will be head to the Bale Mountains National Park in the South Eastern region of the Country.
The National park is part of the Great Rift Valley.
While here, we shall explore the crater lakes of DebreZeit.
In the afternoon we shall drive to the National park its self while going through the valleys and volcanic mountains.
The stunning Lake Beseka full of bird life is another attraction to look out for. Some of the birds you expect to see here are Wattled Ibis, Pink-winged Pelican, African Fish Eagle and Saddled Stork.
The camel herding tribe the Kereyu are also located in this area.
In the evening, we shall have an evening to night game drive and also see the Awash falls.
Some of the animals we shall possibly come by are Wattled Ibis, Pink-winged Pelican, African Fish Eagle and Saddled Stork.
The other animals you will come by are oryx, baboons, greater and lesser kudu, warthogs, gazelles and colobus monkeys.
You will then head to the lodge or dinner and overnight.
Overnight Wabe Shabale Hotel or similar
Day 11. Bale Mountains Sanneti Plateau
We shall wake up early to get to the wilderness in the Bale mountains National Park.
Our attention today will be reaching the Sanetti Plateau.
We shall try to be here before sunrise.
You will love watching the sun coming out.
This is also the best spot to see the Ethiopian World which is rare endangered and endemic to Ethiopia.
This plateau is one of the largest and tallest in the region.
We shall make a brief stop at the Tulu Dimtu which is also called the Red mountain and it is the tallest in Ethiopia standing at an altitude of about 4,377 meters above sea level.
Overnight WabeShabale Hotel or similar.
Day 12. Bale Mountains Harenna Forest
We shall have our breakfast and head to the Harenna forest.
Be ready to watch the stunning escarpment at the end of this forest.
This forest is the second largest rain forest in the country.
On leaving the forest we shall visit the small village of Rira.
We shall have our lunch here and also try out local drinks made by the locals.
You can do a village walk which is about 2 hours if you have the energy.
We shall now head to the water falls in the area with two falls almost on top of each other.
Look out for the black-and-white colobus monkey and the elusive Bale monkey.
Harena Cultural Lodge.
Day 13. Bale Mountains Gassay Grasslands
We shall be exploring the Bale mountain area once more as we exit the area to Goba where we shall be spending our night.
Some of the animals we shall possibly see are: Civet Cat, Serval Cat, African Golden Wolf, and Caracals.
Overnight Wabe Shabale Hotel.
Day 14. Return Back to Addis
We shall have breakfast and then head for the airport for our flight back to Addis Ababa.
