Safari Information
- Departure; Scheduled and tailor-made departure dates
- Duration; 6 Days / 5 Nights
- Lodging; Lodges
- Group Size; Minimum 1
- Note: Travel insurance is compulsory for all safaris
Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Bahir Dar
- Early in the morning, depart on a flight for Bahir Dar (07:00).
- After arrival, take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit a selection of the monasteries hidden on the islands and shores of this sacred lake.
- Visit the Zege Peninsula and the monasteries of Azuwa Maryam and Ura Kidane Mehret and the island monastery of Debre Maryam near the outlet of the Blue Nile River.
- In the afternoon, drive out to the Blue Nile Falls for a short hike in the area.
- Finish the day with the sunset over the lake.
- Overnight in Bahir Dar at Kuriftu Resort and Spa/Abay Minch Lodge/Summerland Hotel/EthioStar Hotel.
Day 2: Gondar
- After breakfast, continue north to Gondar.
- The four-hour drive will take you through rural villages, offering wonderful insight into the Amhara culture.
- After briefly settling in your hotel, explore the sites of Gondar, including a visit to the Royal Enclosure, with six castles and several other buildings.
- Additionally, visit Fasilidas’s Pool, still used for Timket celebrations today, Ras Gimb Palace Museum and the Debre Birhan Selassie church, with the most famous ceiling in Ethiopia.
- Overnight in Gondar at Taye Hotel/Fasil Lodge/Queen Taitu Pension.
Day 3: Axum
- Early morning flight to Axum (07:45).
- Upon arrival to Axum, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel.
- Today will be a full day visiting the sites of Axum, including the famous obelisks (one that was recently erected after being returned from Italy) and the archaeological museum, the Queen of Sheba’s Bath (which supplies water to Axum year-round), Ezana’s inscription, King Kaleb’s tomb, King Bazen’s tomb, and the Queen of Sheba’s Palace.
- You can also visit the St. Mary of Zion church, where the Ark of the Covenant is kept (Men only are allowed to enter the old church).
- Unfortunately, no one (except one specially chosen guardian monk) is allowed to enter the chapel where the Ark is kept.
- Overnight in Axum at Sabean International Hotel/Remhai Hotel/Africa Hotel.
Day 4: Lalibela
- Depart on a morning flight to Lalibela (11:00), the most famous of all of the Ethiopian historical sites.
- After lunch, start your tour of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, visiting the Northwestern Cluster of churches - Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael and Bet Golgotha (entry not permitted for women).
- Overnight in Lalibela at Mountain View Hotel/Lal Hotel/Alief Paradise Hotel.
Day 5: Lalibela
- In the morning, take a trip to visit the church of Yimrehanne Kristos.
- The most popular of the churches outside of Lalibela, this church is built with layers of wood and granite, set in the entrance to a large cavern.
- After the visit, return to Lalibela for lunch and, in the afternoon, visit the Southeastern Cluster of churches – Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanual, and Bet Abba Libanos.
- Finally, you will visit the most famous of all the churches – Bet Giyorgis, constructed in honor of the patron saint of Ethiopia – Saint George.
- Overnight in Lalibela at Mountain View Hotel/Lal Hotel/Alief Paradise Hotel.
Day 6: Addis Ababa - Safari Ends
- In the morning, visit the nearby monastery of Na’akuto La’ab, set on the side of a cliff.
- After the visit, proceed to the airport for the return flight back to Addis Ababa (11:50).
Rates From
From US$ 574.00 pp sharing
Rates Information
The Above Rates should be used as a guideline only.
- Rates are based on four people per safari
- Domestic flights: From US$ 615.00 per person
- All rates are subject to availability
- Rates may vary according to season
- Lodging may change depending on your budget
- All rates may change without notice
- Single supplement may apply
Rates Include
- Domestic airfare as listed above (quoted separately below)
- Private ground transportation (including all airport transfers), inclusive of fuel and insurance
- Hotel accommodation as listed above (or similar quality, based on availability), double or twin share including breakfast
- Entrance fees to all locations including local guide service and boat trip on Lake Tana
- All applicable taxes
Rates Exclude
- Accommodation and activities in Addis Ababa (quoted separately)
- Lunch, dinner and beverages, including all alcoholic beverages
- Camera and/or photo fees
- Tips for driver, guides, etc (at your discretion)
- Items of a personal nature
Palace Of Haile Selassie
Haile Selassie, King of Kings, Lion of Judah, by the grace of God, Emperor of Ethiopia. Quite a mouthful of a title for a single man or, as the Rastafarians would have it, the son of God. So awe-inspiring are the adjectives that you would have expected him to live in a magnificent palace made of the finest Carrara marble or a granite stone castle in the tradition of Gondar.Visiting The Lalibela Rock Churches
Your correspondent has been travelling in Africa for over three decades. I feel that I know sub-Saharan Africa; its smells, its peoples, its geography and its wildlife. Ethiopia is different, as different as snow is to sand. So different that you could get a very sharp knife and detach it somewhere in the Red Sea because it is not similar to any of its Arab world neighbours either.Where To Travel In Ethiopia
New on Uyaphi.com is our Travel in Ethiopia portfolio featuring safaris and tours to this somewhat new African safari destination; we are very excited about Ethiopia and all that she has to offer. Think of Ethiopia as a more cultural safari destination than what one is used to in Africa.