Some of the highlights of this safari are the following:
– live in immersion in immense territories rarely visited, including legendary lakes and mountains
– observe and photograph endemic fauna and birds
– benefit from naturalist knowledge and personalized photographic advice
– maximize time with animals and in landscapes when conditions are optimal for observation and photography thanks to private charter flights
– enjoy staying in lodges with exceptional panoramas in the heart of Bale Mountains and the Simien Mountains National Park
A superb adventure on mythical lands, rarely visited, to discover endangered species and animals rarely observed!
Day 1: Departure from Europe to Ethiopia
Departure from Europe during the afternoon or early evening for a direct night flight to Ethiopia and its capital Addis Ababa.
Day 2: Arrival in Addis Ababa and transfer to the Bale Mountains
Arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport early in the morning. Welcome at the airport, breakfast with Ethiopian coffee and private transfer for a visit to the National Museum (time allowing) where cultural and archaeological relics, including a plaster cast of “Lucy,” the 3.2 million-year-old Hominid, are displayed.
After lunch, regular scheduled flight to Robe. Meet your specialist driver guides and drive towards Robe for an end of the afternoon of rest and relaxation.
Night at the Goba Shebelle Hotel. Full board.
Day 3: Bale Mountains National Park – Sodota area
Departure for Dinsho, headquarters of the National Park of the Bale Mountains, around which Nyalas of the mountains, Warthogs, Reedbucks, etc. are observable.
Continuation of the trip on a track to the area of Sodota. The first kilometres cross agricultural land. The route then passes through Web River, alongside an impressive gorge where Rock Hyraxes are often observed. Leopards, Ravishing eagles and Eagle owls sometimes appear along the edges of this gorge. The trail is also the place to begin to look for Wolves of Abyssinia, and raptors, hunting.
Arrival at our camp in Sodota (3,500 metres altitude) to enjoy the magnificent landscape.
Night camping under tent. Full board.
Day 4: Bale Mountains National Park – Wassamar area
The objective of this day is to continue the immersion in the park via a hike (16km, 8h) towards Wassamar, also located at an altitude of 3,500 metres. This exploration also facilitates the observation and photography, in optimal conditions, of the landscapes and the wild animals – with a particular emphasis on the Wolves of Abyssinia.
Night camping under tent. Full board.
Day 5: Bale Mountains National Park – Kernesa area
The objective of this day is an immersion in the park via a hike towards Kernesa, located at an altitude of 3,500 metres. This exploration facilitates the observation and photography, in optimal conditions, of the landscapes and the wild animals – with a particular emphasis on the Wolves of Abyssinia.
Night camping under tent. Full board.
Day 6: Bale Mountains National Park – Sannetti Plateau
After an early breakfast, departure for Sannetti Plateau and Tulu Dimtu, the second highest Summit of Ethiopia (4,377m). It will be the opportunity to observe Abyssinian wolves and Brown-tailed rats, not to mention the native plants such as giant Lobelias and lichen-covered heathers.
Night at Bale Mountain Lodge. Full board.
Day 7: From Bale Mountains National Park to Gondar
After breakfast, departure by road to Robe. Light lunch en route before boarding the regular scheduled flight to Gondar, via Addis-Ababa, where you will arrive in the afternoon.
The rest of the afternoon will be devoted to the visit of the city and its palaces and, if time permits, the churches Dabr Birhan Selassie and the Trinity on the Mount of Light, which houses a rich pictorial cycle representative of the Gondar period.
Night at the Goha Hotel. Full board.
Day 8: From Gondar to the Simien Mountains National Park
After breakfast, departure by road for the Simien Mountains National Park (135 km, 3h).
Arrival at Simien Lodge in time for lunch. Afternoon of rest and discovery of the surroundings.
Night at the Simien Lodge. Full board.
Day 9: Simien Mountains National Park – Chilkwalit area
After a hearty breakfast, departure for a 3 to 4 hour hike in the Chilkwalit area. This loop will allow photography of the endemic species of the park and the opportunity to meet the first troops of the endemic Gelada Baboon.
In case of difficulty, a vehicle will be available and in any case it will provide transportation back to the lodge.
Picnic lunch and hiking tour in the afternoon, taking advantage of this time to admire the striking landscapes of the park. Return to the lodge in the afternoon.
Night at the Simien Lodge. Full board.
Day 10: Simien Mountains National Park – Sankaber and Jinbar area
After breakfast, departure by road for Sankaber (3,250m) and start of a hike to the Jinbar Falls. This walk in the sun will allow the chance to see dizzying falls and likely the impressive sight of Bearded Vulture and Corbivorous Corbels. Perhaps there will also be the chance to spot one of the rare Wolf of Abyssinia of the park.
Picnic lunch and hiking tour in the afternoon, then return to the lodge.
Night at the Simien Lodge. Full board.
Day 11: Simien Mountains National Park – Chenek area
After a hearty breakfast, departure for a 3 to 4 hour hike to the Chenek area (3,620m). It is the best place to observe the local endemic ibex: the Ibex Walia; the only goat in sub-Saharan Africa, whose survival has been made possible by the temperate climate of the Ethiopian mountains and plateaus. With a population of no more than 500 individuals, however, the Ibex Walia is threatened with extinction.
Picnic lunch and hiking tour in the afternoon, then return to the lodge.
Night at the Simien Lodge. Full board.
Day 12: From the Simien Mountains National Park to Addis Ababa
After breakfast, departure by road to Gondar (135 km, 3 hours).
After lunch, transfer to the domestic airport for a scheduled flight to Addis Ababa (1h).
End of Module A
For the participants who only take part in module (A), Day 12 is the last day in Ethiopia.
Their day will continue as follows:
At arrival at Addis Ababa, you will have access to a day room at the Ghion Hotel to refresh and change clothes.
Farewell dinner with all the participants.
Private transfer to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport for your return flight or to your next destination.
For the participants who continue the trip and take part in Module (B), their day will continue as follows:
At arrival at Addis Ababa, transfer to the Ghion Hotel for an afternoon or rest, discovery of the gardens of the hotel or visit of the town (on own account).
Farewell dinner with all the participants.
Night at Ghion Hotel. Bed & Breakfast
– The transfers from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and return, and all transportations by road in privatised 4×4 vehicles (1 vehicle for 2 to 3 participants) driven by specialised driver guides.
– The regular scheduled domestic flights Addis Ababa – Robe and return, and Addis Ababa – Gondar and return (subject to changes)
– The services of Henry Brousmiche as naturalist and photographic advisor
– 1 night at the Goba Shebelle Hotel (or equivalent) in Goba in a twin or double room with en-suite bathroom and toilets. Full board
– 3 nights camping in tents in Bale Mountains National Park. Shared dry toilet. Full board. One to two mules per person for the transportation of the luggage and ride.
– 1 night at the Bale Mountain Lodge (or equivalent) in Bale Mountains National Park in a twin or double room with en-suite bathroom and toilets. Full board
– 1 night at the Goha Hotel (or equivalent) in Gondar in a twin or double room with en-suite bathroom and toilets. Full board
– 4 nights at the Simien Lodge in the Simien Mountains National Park in a twin or double room with en-suite bathroom and toilets. Full board
– 1 night at the Ghion Hotel (or equivalent) in Addis Ababa in a twin or double room with en-suite bathroom and toilets, full board, or 1 day room (as per explanations p.9)
– All Park Fees and Camping Fees (subject to possible changes)
– International flights to Addis Ababa and return
– Travel or Insurances (cancellation, repatriation, luggage, other risks and any additional insurance)
– Visas to be purchased at arrival in Ethiopia
– Meals not mentioned or mentioned as “free” or “on own account” in the itinerary
– Drinks other than the ones mentioned
– Any extras of personal nature, tips, laundry and drinks not mentioned in the program, etc.
