Ethiopia benefits from the incredible variety of Africa’s birdlife as well as the presence of species that have migrated from Europe. Of the ten bird families endemic to the African mainland, eight are represented in Ethiopia.
If you are keen on trekking or a nature lover, the Bale Mountains, the largest Afro-alpine habitat on the African continent gives visitors the opportunities for unsurpassed mountain walking, horse trekking, scenic driving and a chance to view many of Ethiopia’s endemic mammals and some of the loveliest mountain scenery in Africa.
Awash National Park, the oldest wildlife reserve in Ethiopia, boasts some 300 species of birds that you see while driving through the shrub zones and the river banks. Also featured in this Ethiopia nature tour are the beautiful towns of Bishoftu and Awassa and the multi-coloured sands of Lake Langano that makes the sloping beach a perfect spot on which to bask in the sun. Ethiopia benefits from the incredible variety of Africa’s birdlife as well as the presence of species that have migrated from Europe. Of the ten bird families endemic to the African mainland, eight are represented in Ethiopia.
If you are keen on trekking or a nature lover, the Bale Mountains, the largest Afro-alpine habitat on the African continent gives visitors the opportunities for unsurpassed mountain walking, horse trekking, scenic driving and a chance to view many of Ethiopia’s endemic mammals and some of the loveliest mountain scenery in Africa.
Awash National Park, the oldest wildlife reserve in Ethiopia, boasts some 300 species of birds that you see while driving through the shrub zones and the river banks. Also featured in this Ethiopia nature tour are the beautiful towns of Bishoftu and Awassa and the multi-coloured sands of Lake Langano that makes the sloping beach a perfect spot on which to bask in the sun.
Customise this trip for a perfect match
Private, Personalised TravelNo generic group tours. Just the activities you love, and nothing you don't.
Insider Local KnowledgeAccess insider tips, hidden gems and authentic experiences known only to locals.
End-to-end ServiceFrom the initial planning to full support while travelling, Designer Journeys provides seamless service every step of the way.
Travel With ConfidenceFeel assured travelling with an accredited Australian company with comprehensive financial guarantees and a local emergency system.
More than 1900 travellers have booked with us. Join them to make your next trip full of lifelong memories.
Itinerary
Day 1
Drive to Awash National Park via Bishoftu Lakes
Close
Awash National Park is the oldest wildlife reserve in Ethiopia situated 210 km east of Addis. You will leave Addis at about 9 am and take the expressway to Debrezeit Bishoftu, an attractive town just 50 km from Addis surrounded by five crater lakes and beautified by bougainvillaea and palm trees. There we will have breakfast and enjoy the fresh fruit juices while watching various species of birds like cormorants, grebes, and shoveler around the lakes.
Accommodation
Awash Falls Lodge★3 star
Activities
Hora Lake
Lake Babogaya Boat Ride
Awash National Park Safari & Bird Watching
Transportations
Private Driver from Addis Ababa to Bishoftu
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Bishoftu
Oromia
Afar
Day 2
Mount Fentale & Awash National Park
Close
This part of the Upper Great Rift Valley hosts magnificent landscapes and supports immense life forms including indigenous and migrant birds, mammals and other wildlife of varying species. Take a morning excursion to Mount Fentale, a large stratovolcano in the Ethiopian Rift Valley which contains a large spectacular summit caldera. You'll go on an afternoon drive through shrubs and river banks to admire the scenery and see the wildlife and birds, of which the park boasts some 300 species.
Accommodation
Awash Falls Lodge★3 star
Activities
Mount Fentale
Awash National Park Safari & Bird Watching
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Oromia
Afar
Day 3
Drive to Langano
Close
Continue exploring Ethiopian nature with a drive to Langano, one of the southern rift valley lakes, where birds wade in the shallows of the lake and the sparse acacia trees add to the enchanting views. Sheep, cattle, and goats grazing under the shade of the sycamore trees that surround the lake whilst birds such as pelicans, geese and the African fishing eagle frequent the shore.
Accommodation
Sabana Beach Resort★4 star
Activities
Lake Langano
Restaurants
Sabana Lodge
Transportations
Private Driver from Awash to Langano Lake
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Oromia
Day 4
Harenna Forest
Close
Drive to Bale, where you will enjoy a nature trail at Harenna Forest with a brief introduction to the plants and animals of the area. Continuing up to the Web valley to the lovely waterfall of Finch 'Abera, scenic rich in wildlife and endemic birds. The mountains are most famous as home and refuge of the endemic mountain nyala, Simien fox and various avian species.
Accommodation
Bale Mountain Lodge★4 star
Activities
Harenna Forest Safari
Transportations
Private Driver from Langano Lake to Bale Mountains
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Oromia
Day 5
Bale Mountains National Park
Close
Admire the park’s beauty on the road from Goba to the eastern part. There you will find the Sannete plateau at an altitude of 4,000 metres and Tulu Deemtu, the second-highest mountain in Ethiopia at 4,377 metres. Starting from the main road at its base it takes 2 hours to climb the slopes and reach the summit.
Accommodation
Bale Mountain Lodge★4 star
Activities
Bale Mountains National Park
Restaurants
Bale Mountain Lodge
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Oromia
Day 6
Bale to Awassa
Close
Drive to Awassa and visiting some of the Great Rift valley lakes such as Lake Shala and Abyata and Wondo Genet where you can enjoy the hot springs and swimming pool. Lake Shala, a mysterious place full of dramatic beauty, lies in a deep large basin and serves as a mating ground while Abyata is favoured as a feeding sanctuary. Continue to Awassa, one of Ethiopia’s beautiful and growing cities situated at the side of Lake Awassa, rich in birdlife including the endemic yellow-fronted parrot.
Accommodation
Lewi Resort★4 star
Activities
Abidjatta-Shalla National Park
Wondo Genet Hot Spring
Transportations
Private Driver from Bale Mountains to Awassa
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Oromia
Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
Wondo Genet
Day 7
Fish Market, Free Time in Addis & Departure
Close
Take the morning to visit the fish market at Awassa. Here, you can watch the locals sell and buy their catch of the day. Marabou storks and other water birds scavenging the leftovers. After lunch, you have some free time in Addis. Before your departure we will finish this trip at the Habesha 2000 Restaurant, enjoying great food, vibrant and exciting performances of tribal songs and dances from different tribes around the country.
Activities
Awassa Market
Restaurants
Habesha 2000 Restaurant
Transportations
Private Driver from Awassa to Awassa Airport
Plane from Awassa Airport to Addis Ababa Airport
Private Driver from Airport to Addis Ababa
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
Awassa
Addis Ababa
Share With Your Partners
Download this trip itinerary as a PDF and start planning your next trip offline!
What’s included?
6 nights accommodation
11 activities
7 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners
Airport transfer
Domestic flights
Entrance fees
Entry visas / airport departure tax
Ground transportation
Licensed English speaking guides
What’s not included?
Alcohol beverages
Gratuities
International flights
Laundry
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Trekking permits
Starting From
AU$ 6,565/ per traveller sharing
Get a fully customised trip plan today
Benefits of this trip
Ethiopia in 7 days
4-star, 3-star accommodation
24/7 in-destination support from your local designer
