10 Days Ethiopia Safari
Ethiopian travel to Ethiopia’s tourism attractions and why Ethiopia is becoming a popular tourist destination.
Day 1: Airport Pickup and Transfer
Welcome to Ethiopia – the 3rd highest capital city in the world. Upon your arrival in Addis Ababa, meet and greet with our company representative to later transfer you to your hotel. Because it lies in mountains at elevation of 2500m, Ethiopia enjoys a great climate of about an average of 25degrees all year, hence making Ethiopia an extraordinary holiday destination.
Day 2: Timkat Festival in Addis Ababa
Have your morning breakfast at your hotel then enjoy the magnificent Timkat festival which celebrates the Baptism of Jesus Christ or the Epiphany. The Timkat festival involves thousands of worshippers clothed in white veils singing and dancing to the sounds of drums along the streets. It is during this festival that the Arc of the Covenant is paraded in thronging procession that then heads towards a water source where priests donning satin robes celebrate a communal service with the gathering, culminating in the ardent worshippers who fall in the water for mass baptism. The festival is at climax as thousands/millions throng for drops of the holy water that the priests spray towards the crowds. Join in to the joyous parties and festivals that immediately take place in the rest of Addis Ababa, following this festival that excites the whole of Ethiopia.
Day 3: Transfer to Bahir Dar (Former Capital City of Ethiopia)
Bahir Dar is attractive city and significant commercial centre in Ethiopia. Upon arrival in Bahir Dar, you will be transferred to check-in at your hotel near Lake Tana shores – the largest lake in Ethiopia. Later, you have the option to either enjoy a boat-ride to the famous island monasteries or you can just relax at your hotel for the rest of the day.
Day 4: Full day in Bahir Dar
Famous for monasteries founded in Middle Ages, Tana is a worthwhile place to tour. After your breakfast, visit Tana and its local villages and markets where traditional wares such as hand-woven clothes, baskets, and pottery are traded. In the afternoon, you will take a trip to the 14th century monasteries of Kibran Gebriel, Azewa Mariam and Ura Kidanemihret and the Zege Peninsula.
Day 5: Transfer to Gondar, in Nothern Ethiopia
Wakeup to have your morning breakfast then prepare to depart Bahir Dar and drive north towards the Sudan border, reaching the fabled highland city of Gondar (also famously called ‘Ethiopia’s Camelot‘). You will check-in at your hotel that is well perched on the top of a hill allowing you panoramic views of the city and its surroundings. Gondar was the capital city of Ethiopia in the 17th and 18th century, after Bahir Dar had been stripped the capital city status. About 1635, Emperor Fasilidas founded Gondar and with time, Gondar city became famous for its beautiful churches and stunning medieval castles. Today, you will explore this amazing complex and have the rest of the day at leisure in your hotel.
Day 6: Trip to Simien Mountains
After your breakfast, visit the beautiful Simien Mountains and watch canyons, gorges and soaring 4000m peaks that create an amazing wilderness. In some places, the dramatic topography that is dominated by the flow of basalt lava, is reminiscent of the Grand Canyon. You will also visit the remote villages where the life style has changed very little over the past centuries.
Day 7: Transfer from Gondar to Axum (one of the first Capital cities of Ethiopia)
Axum is Ethiopia’s oldest and the holiest city. Axum was Ethiopia’s capital city during the reign of legendary Queen of Sheba in the 10th century BC. Axum rose to prominence around the time of Christ and was the capital city of Axumite Kingdom which, by then, dominated the important cross-roads of Asia and Africa for thousand years. You will get to visit the bath and palace of Queen of Sheba, the Stele Park – where mysterious and magnificent obelisks still stand since the third century, and also visit the Zion Cathedral – the said location of the original Arc of the Covenant.
Day 8: Full day in Axum
Have breakfast at leisure at your hotel, and then embark on a trip to the spectacular and historic Adwa Mountains. Later, return to your accommodation to spend the rest of day relaxing.
Day 9: Transfer to Lalibela
Bewildering and complex labyrinth of tunnels connects narrow passageways, galleries, grottoes, and offset crypts with the churches. Inside this wonderful yet mysterious settlement, deacons and priests do go around doing their work seemingly unaware they are working inside ‘the 8th Wonder of the World‘. After your lunch, you will take a trip to the first and second group of churches, enjoy a city tour, and explore the amazing rock-hewn Bet Gyorgis – the ‘House of St George‘. Return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Transfer from Lalibela to Addis Ababa for flight back Home
Have breakfast at your hotel then checkout from the hotel. Your tour guide/driver will transfer you to the airport in time for your flight back home.
This marks the end of the 10 days Ethiopia safari.