Ethiopia Tours
Ancient Ethiopia Tour
Explore the best of Ethiopia on this private tour. Discover the incredible architecture and the rich history of Gondar and Lalibela and explore Simien Mountain and Bale National Parks.
Tour Overview
Indulge in the sheer magnificence of Ethiopia on this truly unforgettable Ancient Ethiopia tour. Here, nature, history, religion and culture intermingle. Our journey commences in the bustling capital, where we shall immerse ourselves in the richness of Ethiopia's heritage. For example, we visit the capital's most pre-eminent museums and the lively open-air market. We also see the marvellously crafted cathedrals that are a testament to the country's religious devotion.
No tour of Ethiopia is complete without exploring its natural beauty. Therefore, our journey will lead us to the splendid Simien Mountain National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is known for picturesque mountain views and abundant wildlife, including the Walia Ibex and the gelada baboons. We then continue on this remarkable expedition as we visit the historical destinations of Gondar and Lalibela. The incredible architecture and the rich history embedded in these sites are worth experiencing in person.
There is also a visit to Lake Langano, situated in Ethiopia's Great Rift Valley. It is located around 200km south of Addis Ababa and is an excellent opportunity to marvel at Ethiopia's unique landscape. We shall also make our way to the Bale Mountains National Park, perfect for nature enthusiasts and hikers alike. There you may witness the Ethiopian wolf, the giant mole rat, the mountain nyala and the Bale monkey.
Day By Day
Your Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrive Addis Ababa
On arrival, our representative will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. After breakfast, visit the National Museum of Ethiopia. Here you discover the history of Ethiopia and our oldest human ancestor, Lucy. Then comes the enthralling Ethnological Museum, one of the finest museums in Africa. It is set within Haile Selassie's former palace on Addis Ababa University's main campus. Before lunch, visit Holy Trinity Cathedral Church, notable for its unique architectural style. Afterwards, drive up to the Entoto Mountains for a panoramic view of the capital. Here you also find the historic churches of Saint Raguel and Saint Mary. Finally, the return drive passes St. George Church, Menelik II Square, and the largest open-air market in Africa, Merkato.
Overnight in Golden Tulip Hotel, Addis Ababa
DAY 2
Gondar and the Simien Mountains
Take a domestic flight to Gondar and drive towards Sankaber, the gateway to the Simien Mountains. This includes paying the park entrance fee. Then a 3-4 hour hike from Buyit Ras to Sankaber passes close to the escarpment edge. There are beautiful views on both sides, and sightings of the endemic Gelada baboon are likely.
Overnight in Simien Lodge
DAY 3
Simien Mountains National Park
A 24km drive to the Chennek campsite passes the Kurbet Metaya viewpoint. Keep your eyes peeled for the Walia ibex along the way. Then continue 2km further to Mount Bwahit, one of the highest peaks in the Simien Massif at 4,200m. After that, explore the foothills through a valley crossed by wild streams. The road descends through spectacular scenery, so watch for Walia ibex and even the elusive Ethiopian wolf.
Overnight in Simien Lodge
DAY 4
Drive to Gondar
Visit Gondar, the first capital city during the reign of Fasilides. It is home to a dozen castles built by various emperors over 236 years. As a result, the city has a more European than African character. First, visit Fasilades Palace, the oldest and most impressive of the castles. Then see the Church of Debre Berhan Selassie, decorated with beautiful frescos, cherubs and paintings. It is rumoured to have once been the proposed final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant.
Overnight in Gondar Hills Resort, Gondar
DAY 5
Lalibela and the Rock-Hewn Churches
A 30-minute flight brings you to Lalibela, a small town in the Lasta Mountains. It is world-famous for its unique rock churches chiselled into red, soft rock. The town is named after King Lalibela, who built these 11 monolithic 12th-century churches. Moreover, internal channels and hermit holes connect some of them, and they are beautifully painted inside. Today, visit the 1st and 2nd groups of churches.
Overnight in Mezena Lodge, Lalibela
DAY 6
Yemrehanna Kristos Church
Drive through the rural Ethiopian highlands to visit Yemrehanna Kristos, one of Ethiopia's best-preserved late-Aksumite buildings. It was built rather than excavated, with a stepped exterior facade of alternating wood and stone. In fact, it may predate Lalibela's churches by up to 80 years. Then return to Lalibela for lunch and visit the remaining groups of churches. Finally, finish with the most famous of all, Bet Giyorgis, built in honour of Ethiopia's patron saint, Saint George.
Overnight in Mezena Lodge, Lalibela
DAY 7
Langano
Fly back to Addis Ababa, then drive to Lake Langano to relax by the water. Swimming and kayaking are also among the activities on offer.
Overnight in Hara Langano Eco Lodge
DAY 8
Bale Mountain National Park
Drive to Dinsho, gateway to the Bale Mountains, for two days of exploring. The mountains reach an altitude of around 4,500m. Birders can seek Abyssinian Owl, Cape Eagle-Owl, Wattled Crane and many more. Meanwhile, mammal sightings can include mountain nyala, klipspringer and Menelik's bushbuck. Vegetation also ranges from Hagenia forest to giant Erica woods and high-altitude moorlands with giant lobelias.
Overnight in Bale Mountains Lodge
DAY 9
Sanetti Plateau and Harenna Forest
Drive to the Sanetti Plateau (4,000m altitude), with its Afro-alpine moorland and wild alpine scenery. Then continue to the Harenna Forest, one of Ethiopia's largest remaining forests, below a 1,200m escarpment. It is home to rare Bale monkeys, spectacular birdlife, wild coffee and 3% of Africa's remaining bamboo forest.
Overnight in Bale Mountains Lodge
DAY 10
Return to Addis Ababa
Drive back to Addis Ababa via Lake Koka and Lake Ziway, with a chance to go shopping. Afterwards, enjoy a farewell dinner party at the Yod Abyssinia Traditional restaurant. Finally, transfer to the airport, where the tour ends.
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Know Before You Go
Included & Excluded
What’s Included
9 nights' accommodation as described throughout the tour, on a B&B basis
Internal flights as mentioned, if flying internationally with Ethiopian Airlines (otherwise a $247 surcharge applies)
Professional English speaking wildlife and birding guide
Transportation in a fully air-conditioned vehicle for the duration of your tour
Local guide and scout fees
Entrance fees – all entrance and excursion fees detailed in your itinerary
What’s Not Included
International travel to the start and end point. Contact us for information and flight options. A $247 surcharge per person applies if not travelling on Ethiopian Airlines internationally.
Any airport taxes
Travel insurance
Any visa requirements
Alcoholic drinks and drinks not mentioned
Any photography and video fees
Items of a personal nature
Tips for drivers and guides
Tour Map
Book With Confidence
Dates & Prices
This tour is a private tour, so we can arrange it for any departure date. We can also tailor-make and design it just for you. Get in touch to find out more.
From £4,795 per person, based on two people sharing
Good to Know
Travel Information
Safety, Passport, Visa and Health Information
We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination. For example, it covers safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice for Ethiopia.
Your passport should be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of entry. It should also have at least two blank pages. You will need a valid visa before travelling. You can obtain it from the official Ethiopian e-visa platform or your nearest Ethiopian Embassy. Moreover, you must show a valid visa before boarding your flight and on entry. The penalty for overstaying is $10 per person per day. This is payable in full before you can leave the country.
Local Laws and Customs
Ethiopia is religiously diverse and largely tolerant. However, respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions, particularly during Ramadan or when visiting Ethiopian Orthodox sites. For example, modest dress is a must at religious sites. Women may also prefer to dress modestly in rural areas generally. Homosexual acts are illegal, carrying penalties of 1-15 years imprisonment. Therefore, avoid public displays of affection. It is illegal to photograph near military zones or personnel, the Presidential Palace, or anywhere signs prohibit it.
It is also illegal to carry more than 3,000 Ethiopian Birr when entering or leaving the country. The limit is 10,000 if travelling to Djibouti. Excess cash will be seized and may lead to prosecution. In addition, you need an export certificate to take antiques out of the country. Owning ivory is strictly prohibited. Drug offences are treated seriously. Khat is legal within Ethiopia, but it is illegal to take it out of the country. Bags are regularly searched at the airport. Finally, you cannot import satellite phones and binoculars without prior approval.
Health
At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice. The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) publishes this on the TravelHealthPro website. Only private hospitals in Addis Ababa offer a reasonable standard of basic care. Moreover, medical facilities are extremely poor outside the capital. Therefore, carry a comprehensive medical pack when travelling beyond Addis Ababa. Also make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds. These should cover medical treatment, air ambulance evacuation and repatriation. Malaria is common below 2,000m, and bilharzia is present in most Ethiopian lakes. So check before swimming, and drink only boiled or bottled water. Altitude sickness is also a risk in parts of Ethiopia, including Addis Ababa.
What to Bring
Bring lightweight, casual, non-synthetic clothing, because cotton and natural fibres are best. It should appropriately cover the body when you are in the company of local communities. In other words, it doesn't need to be fancy, but it needs to be respectful. Walking shoes or boots plus sandals are the ideal footwear.
Please allow yourself one main piece of luggage and a day-sack. You're expected to carry your own baggage, so don't overload yourself. For example, a soft wheely bag may be easier to manage than a suitcase. We also recommend a sunhat, sun cream, a torch, insect repellent, a reusable water bottle and a power adapter. Finally, bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper.
While You're There
The Ethiopian Birr is the local currency. You may import an unlimited amount of foreign currency. However, you must declare it on arrival on the blue customs form. In addition, you may only exchange foreign currency at authorised banks and hotels. Keep your exchange receipts, because you'll need them to change any leftover Birr back at the airport before departure. Ethiopia is largely a cash-based society. For example, credit cards are accepted at very few outlets in Addis Ababa. International debit cards work at major banks' ATMs in the capital. However, banking facilities are very limited elsewhere, so carry enough cash before travelling beyond Addis Ababa.
The best time to visit is January to March, with regular daily temperatures around 25°C and peak wildlife spotting. However, this is also the busiest season. The rainy season (April-September) brings soaring temperatures and humidity. In addition, some Lower Omo Valley roads are impassable May-August. October to December is an excellent time to visit, with lush countryside and fewer crowds. However, highland nights can drop to 5-10°C, so pack warm clothing. Ethiopia uses a 220V/50Hz supply with type C/E/F/L plugs. Bring an adapter, because they can be hard to find locally. Internet is available in most cities, although connections can be unstable, especially outside major towns.
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