The tour was titled the ‘Best of Ethiopia’ and we certainly got that. We saw an amazing variety of beautiful and fascinating landscapes and although this involved a lot of travel, it was never dull as we passed through towns and villages and ever-changing scenery. Both the British and the local guide were excellent and we learnt not only about the wildlife but also the history, culture and customs of the country. Of course this was primarily a wildlife tour and we got that in abundance. Highly rated.
M.S. Glasgow, Nov 18
Tour Itinerary and Reports
- Tour report - February 2020
- Tour report - October 2019
- Tour report - February 2019
- Tour report - February 2019
- Tour report - November 2018
- Tour report - February 2018
- Tour report - November 2017
- Tour report - February 2017
- Tour report - February 2016
- Tour report - November 2015
- Tour report - October 2015
- Tour report - February 2015
- Tour report - November 2014
- Tour report - October 2014
- Tour report - November 2013
- Tour report - October 2013
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The Best of Ethiopia
Tour Code: ETH05A 19-day holiday, including visits to both the Simien and Bale Mountains, focusing on the varied and spectacular landscapes of Ethiopia, and the country's abundant birdlife, mammals and rich history.
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
- Tour report - February 2020
- Tour report - February 2019
- Tour report - October 2019
- Tour report - November 2018
- Tour report - February 2019
- Tour report - November 2017
- Tour report - February 2018
- Tour report - February 2016
- Tour report - February 2017
- Tour report - October 2015
- Tour report - November 2015
- Tour report - February 2015
- Tour report - November 2014
- Tour report - October 2014
- Tour report - November 2013
- Tour report - October 2013
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Summary
Ethiopia boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in Africa and an amazing diversity of birds and mammals. This comprehensive tour focuses on the very best of Ethiopia’s wildlife destinations, as well as some of Ethiopia’s landmark sights such as the Blue Nile Falls, source of the Blue Nile, and castles of Gondar. In the spectacular Simien Mountains, we stay in a comfortable lodge from where we are able to explore the rugged domain of the charismatic Gelada Baboon and rare endemic Walia Ibex. We then visit Awash National Park, a classic East African game reserve populated by herds of antelope, bustards and raptors, and the Great Rift Valley, where Lake Awassa provides an idyllic setting for yet more exciting birdwatching and mammal-viewing. A 3-night stay in the Bale Mountains offers an excellent chance of sighting Ethiopian Wolves, before concluding the tour on the tranquil shores of Lake Langano.
- Visit Bahar Dar, Lake Tana and the source of the Blue Nile
- Watch endemic Walia Ibex and Gelada Baboons in the stunning Simien Mountains
- Enjoy a wealth of endemic birds and mammals
- Safari through Awash National Park – land of the Afer tribesmen
- Watch Ethiopian Wolves in the spectacular Bale Mountains
Grading
Grade A/B. This holiday consists of gentle wildlife walks and vehicular safaris. Note that we reach altitudes of over 3,000 metres and infrastructure is sometimes basic. Please refer to the detailed tour itinerary for further information.
Ethiopia is a magical land of myth and legend. It was perhaps the earliest home to man, and later to Prester John and a dynasty originating from the Queen of Sheba and concluding with the Emperor Haile Selassie in 1974. It is a land of mixed race and mixed religion, of countless tribes and even more languages, mingled and matured by time and history. It is filled with donkeys, cattle, and an elegant people... plus the finest of Africa’s mountain scenery. Ethiopia has been a melting pot, since Christ, for ideas from the East, West and from Africa; today nothing seems straightforward. Amharic, the national language, has an alphabet of over 200 characters; the year, following the Julian calendar, has 13 months! Its wildlife — particularly its avifauna — is outstanding. Over 830 birds have been recorded — 29 of them endemic — and we will hope to see nearly half of them, whilst 80 species of larger mammals survive with mixed fortunes, seven of which are also endemic.
We begin in Bahar Dar, at the edge of Lake Tana, the country’s largest lake. Here we have two days to enjoy the excellent lakeside birding, as well as visits to the source of the Blue Nile and the spectacular Blue Nile Falls. It may also be possible to visit one of the wonderful Coptic monasteries on one of the lake’s islands before we set off on the drive around the lake to Gondar. Founded by King Fasilidas in 1635, this town served as the imperial capital for 250 years and is full of historical sites, notably its group of 17th century castles and the fantastically decorated church of Debre Birhan Selassie.
From Gondar we head up into the dramatic Simien Mountains National Park, one of Africa’s most extensive and rugged mountain ranges, reaching its highest point of 4,620 metres at Mount Ras Dashen. Staying in the Simien Lodge for three nights, we have ample time to explore the stunning scenery and search for three of Ethiopia’s most iconic endemic mammals. The Gelada Baboon has its stronghold in these mountains, where a population of around 20,000 individuals lives in troops that can number up to 400. In much smaller numbers, the endangered Walia Ibex may also be seen, whilst the elegant Ethiopian Wolf, now sadly declining in these mountains, will be much harder to see.
After three fabulous days in the Simien Mountains, we return to Gondar where we overnight prior to flying to Addis the following morning. From Addis we drive east to Awash National Park where we will stay for three nights in a comfortable lodge. Awash, spanning 905 square kilometres, became Ethiopia’s first sanctuary in 1966 and, with its rolling grasslands, acacia scrub and the volcano Mount Fantalle, resembles a classical east African game reserve. Beisa Oryx, both Greater and Lesser Kudu, Waterbuck, Soemmering’s Gazelle, Warthog, Swayne’s Hartebeest and Salt’s Dik-dik graze the acacia-dotted grasslands alongside Ostriches, Kori and the rarer Arabian Bustards. Lion, Leopard, Caracal and Serval have all been seen on our tours but they are both infrequent and hard to see. Amongst the larger acacias along the Awash River, hornbills, parrots, finches and doves feed. We will explore the park on foot and also drive into the nearby hills.
Leaving Awash, we follow the Great Rift Valley southwards to the luxuriant shores of Lake Awassa where an abundance of waterbirds awaits. Amongst the lilies and great reedbeds that encompass the lake we should find Black, Goliath and other herons, Marabou Stork, Hamerkop, Hadada Ibis, a variety of egrets, dainty African Pygmy Geese, Fulvous and White-faced Whistling Ducks, Knob-billed Duck, Black Crake, African Jacana, Three-banded Plover, Whiskered and White-winged Black Terns and both Pied and Malachite Kingfishers.
A patchwork landscape unfolds before us as we drive east to the beautiful Bale Mountains National Park, a huge and remote area of grassy uplands, towering outcrops, hanging forests, rocky peaks, and exposed moorlands dotted with giant lobelias, redhot pokers, and with peaty pools and lakes. This is the last refuge of the endemic Mountain Nyala, and of three other endemic mammals — Menelik’s Bushbuck, the peculiar Giant Molerat, and the magnificent Ethiopian Wolf. It is the latter species that we are particularly hoping to find and watch here, for it is a critically endangered species that occurs only in a handful of isolated pockets of the Ethiopian highlands. Threatened by disease and persecution, and the loss of its high-altitude habitat, its numbers are now down to about 500, making it one of the most endangered of the world’s larger mammals. During two full days in the field, we will look for it in its strongholds, the Bale Mountains’ Web Valley and Sanetti Plateau. We will also hope to see some of the commoner mammal species of the area, which include Klippspringer, Grey Duiker, Bohor Reedbuck, Warthog, Rock Hyrax and Olive Baboon, as well as a rich flora and variety of special birds which includes a staggering 14 endemics!
Finally, we transfer our focus back to the beautiful Rift Valley Lakes. These lie amongst acacia woods and farmland between the distant valley walls, each one with a different depth, salinity and character. We will visit both Lake Shalla and Lake Abiata; the latter is a vast and shallow soda lake where the margins are often thick with flamingoes, pelicans, cormorants, storks, herons and waders. We spend our final two nights at Lake Langano, where we have plenty of time to enjoy the tranquil surroundings before we return to Addis Ababa. From here, you may choose to extend your tour with a visit to the famous rock-hewn churches and monasteries in the medieval capital of Lalibela.
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
We stay in a mix of hotels and lodges, all with en-suite facilities. Please note that the Simien Mountain Lodge altitude is around 3,600m.
- Food:
All food is included in the price.
Reviews
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Andy was an excellent leader – well informed, helpful, patient and very good at describing the exact location of small birds in trees. I especially enjoyed the walking tours and being in the mountains amongst beautiful landscapes. Wildlife highlights were the Geladas and wolves but also the amazing profusion of colourful birds. The Lake Lagano accommodation was superb. Mel, the local guide, was also incredible at spotting wildlife.
H.M. Lanarkshire, Nov 18 -
We particularly enjoyed the great variety of landscapes and different habitats for birds and mammals, the quality of the guides and how well everything was explained, and the walking safaris were particularly good. All in all, a first-class experience.
M.S. Lanarkshire, Nov 18 -
I enjoyed the freedom to get out of the vehicle and walk to see birds and mammals - something one can't do on most African safaris. It also allowed me to look in detail at the flora, again not usually possible on African safaris. The freedom to choose whether to search for a particular bird or to study flora or whatever was good.
W.W. Dorset -
Overall a very enjoyable trip with a flexible leader and good company. The hotel was well positioned and offered comfortable room offering fine views.
C.P. Hampshire -
The drivers were excellent and very safe, the trek was superb, the chefs provided excellent meals, the staff were very efficient, and the Bishangari Lodge was memorable and an outstanding way to finish the holiday…
J.H. Cumbria -
Ethiopia, a country of contrasts, hot and dry in the Rift Valley and cool and wet in the Highlands. The Simien Mountains in the North and the Bale Mountains in the South were completely different habitats although of a similar elevation. The mammal highlights would have to be sitting amidst a herd of 100 plus Gelada Baboons; watching an Ethiopian Wolf hunting, catching and eating a Giant Mole Rat, and the chance sighting of a Giant Forest Hog! The bird highlights are more difficult, there were so many of them! I think perhaps the Verreaux's Eagle, such a stunning bird and we got such amazingly good views that I didn't even attempt to try and photograph it. Then there were the numerous Lammergeier, again a stunning bird. I think the overall favourite has to be the Abyssinian Catbird. I heard them frequently, I got glimpses of various part of them quite a few times but eventually I got to see the whole bird in the last few days of the holiday. The photos were still pretty rubbish but I did get the whole bird in the end! One thing that I didn't expect about the holiday was the quality of the hotels and food. From the tripadvisor reports I read it sounded as if the hotels were dire. Not at all. They wouldn't muster much support from people who are used to 5* hotels in Europe/USA etc but every hotel that I stayed in, the bed was comfortable and I was able to have (mostly) a hot shower. Ok, I had to have a couple of cold showers but it really didn't matter :-). The food was great, I normally eat a lot but I couldn't manage the quantities that I was faced with. One thing that I haven't mentioned is the totally STUNNING scenery that we saw. You have to go there... or see my photos ;-)... to realise what an amazingly beautiful country Ethiopia is. Last but not least, our holiday had two amazing guides. Naturetrek organised a guide from the UK, Marcus John, and a local guide, Abiy. Both were amazing and totally made the holiday the success that it was. Damn, I wish I could go on the same holiday again!
F.M. Banffshire -
Ethiopia was an amazing country. We saw a wealth of wildlife, habitats and people. Every day was so jam packed that it felt like a much longer trip. Our guides worked tirelessly to ensure we saw as much as possible and still managed to get us from one place to another on time. There were dozens of highlights but for me sitting near the edge of a cliff in the fading light surrounded by hundreds of Geladas will take some beating.
A.P. Kent -
Our 19 day trip included the Simien and Bale Mts regions as well as the lakes of the Great Rift Valley. We saw many endemic mammals and birds thanks in great part to our outstanding Naturetrek Ethiopian and British guides whose knowledge and expertise was superb. I really feel as though I got to know the country and its people and I thoroughly enjoyed the variety of landscape, walking in the mountains as well as the parks and living in the peaceful, rustic accommodation. All my wildlife hopes were fulfilled!
B.E. Hampshire -
The sheer diversity of wildlife and scenery and the insights I got into a very different culture and spending time with the Gelada's was a memorable experience. Abiy and Marcus made an excellent team.
B.C. London -
I enjoyed the mixture of wildlife, culture and scenery. I wish I had known about the extension to Lalibela. This was the best Naturetrek trip I have been on. I am not a birder and sometimes the participants are over obsessive and less tolerant of those who have a more general interest. I think this worked because Marcus was a very good leader who made you feel included. He also had a good synergy with a local guide who was exceptional.
P.S. Oxfordshire -
Brilliant! Can't praise Marcus and Abiy more highly. Personable, friendly, good communicators, excellent knowledge of the wildlife & country. A pleasure to be with. We enjoyed our time in Ethiopia immensely, a fascinating country, excellent wildlife sightings and the Lalibela extension added a fascinating insight into Ethiopian history. The itinerary seemed well balanced with highlights all the way through. Habitats and scenery were varied and hence the wildlife was varied and we felt we had experienced a good cross-section of Ethiopia including cultural aspects (churches, Gondar Palaces, Lalibela churches). Significantly, the bird life was very prolific and easy to watch. There were many highlights but the spectacular scenery in the mountains coupled with amazing wildlife viewing (watching a wolf catch a Molerat, Walia Ibex and Gelada Baboons in such relaxed state, so many excellent views of spectacular birds) made this a very special holiday.
Mr & Mrs W. West Midlands -
An excellent mix. Scenery, birds, mammals and a bit of culture. I think the itinerary is a good as it can be given that there is so much to fit in and the distances to to be travelled. Can't fault Marcus and Abiy. The leaders can make or break a holiday and this was certainly a case of making it. My favourite moment of the whole trip was on the 23rd October in the Simiens, I think by Sankaber Camp although I need to check that, when Abiy spotted a Serval on the hillside, which was completely unexpected! He said it was the first time he had seen one there. I can't describe how exciting the moment was, especially as for a brief few seconds, before he got the scope on it, Abiy thought it could have been a Leopard!
F.M. Banffshire -
I feel like I saw everything I was hoping for and more. Our two trip leaders were so knowledgeable and their ability to recognise wildlife (particularly birds) almost instantly was phenomenal. Our Ethiopian trip leader always knew where and when to find things.
J.H. Germany -
The organisation overall was really good. Everything worked smoothly. Abiy, the local guide tried everything to give us all the best service, book tables and food in advance, take care of all the little problems that might have occurred. Super in knowing when to go where to see the animals!!! Eric was amazing in identifying birds!!! Both together were super helpful to everybody, a great team. Never had to care about drinking water, tipping...made the trip very relaxed.
U.H. Germany -
This was a huge trip which packed in a vast amount of sights and experiences. Hard to believe we did so much in less than three weeks. It seemed like we were there for three months! The guides worked really hard and delivered an itinerary that worked like clockwork even with our extra demands as we went. It was good not to be confined to the vehicle all day. Highlights were many, but seeing two male Wallia Ibex fighting and sitting near the edge of a cliff surrounding by hundreds of Gelada in the fading light were particularly special.
A.P. Kent -
The entire tour was well thought out and to give us the best of a large country but minimise travelling, without Lalibela we would have missed out on the cultural side. The local guide was exceptional and the group particularly like minded and congenial.
S.G. Kent -
Our local guide, Melkamu Alemu, was outstanding and he made everything go well. His knowledge of his country and wildlife was excellent but he also saw to all the admin and minor issues efficiently and with a smile. Very personable and engaging. We were left just to enjoy the itinerary and all the tour had to offer. The list of things I enjoyed particularly is a long one - many special moments and places. Not necessarily the rare species but the beauty of the wildlife in many habitats, the walks in the mountains especially.
J.W. Hampshire -
The local guide was excellent. Took control of every aspect to make the clients relaxed. I cannot fault him in any way. Varied itinerary - saw a lot of different habitats. Gave a good feel to the country in general.
M.W. Kent
Extensions
Post-tour extension to Lalibela
Outline Itinerary
EXTENSION NOTES
This extension can be booked during the online booking process or by calling us on 01962 733051.An extension cannot be booked independently from the tour
Tour Reports
- Tour report - February 2020
- Tour report - October 2019
- Tour report - February 2019
- Tour report - February 2019
- Tour report - November 2018
- Tour report - February 2018
- Tour report - November 2017
- Tour report - February 2017
- Tour report - February 2016
- Tour report - November 2015
- Tour report - October 2015
- Tour report - February 2015
- Tour report - November 2014
- Tour report - October 2014
- Tour report - November 2013
- Tour report - October 2013
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Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!