DISCOVER ETHIOPIA

Ethiopia is old beyond imagination, dating back to the very beginning of mankind. It is also the land of the Queen of Sheba, a place of legendary rulers, fabulous kingdoms and ancient mysteries.

The country has much to offer visitors, including cultural, historical and adventures in nature. The historical route in northern Ethiopia is a fascinating journey into its centuries-old history. Bahir Dar is renowned for the spectacular 400m-wide Blue Nile falls and lake Tana with its 37 islands and 20 churches. Lalibella is famous for its rock churches with their towering edifices and Gondar for its majestic16th century palaces. In Axum the world-famous stelae made from single pieces of granite, are a must-see.

Southern Ethiopia is great for adventure tourism. The Bale Mountains National Park and the Awash National Park with its dormant volcano, offers excellent game-viewing. The Simien Mountains National Park is ideal for hiking and trekking.

1. OFFERS
We offer accommodation, transfers and tours.
(All rates on request)

2. CITY PACKAGE

DAY 1:
Arrival in Addis Ababa in the morning. Meet and assist. Transfer to hotel. Afternoon city sight-seeing tour, including:

A. The National Museum
This museum exhibits the long history and culture of the country from prehistoric times. The 3.6 mil-lion years old skeleton of Dinkinesh (Lucy), the oldest homonid in the world is also exhibited in this museum.

B. Menelik's Mausoleum
Built by Empress Zewditu in 1911 on the grounds of Menelik palace. It houses the remains of Menelik and his family resting in crypts under the church. The impressive church with its large dome is one of the landmarks in the city.

C. Mount Entoto
Entoto is a few kilometers north of Addis Ababa. This place attracted Menclik to build his capital until he was convinced by his wife Empress Taitu, to move the city to the lower parts where it is now located. Entoto Mariam and Raguel churches built then, have both interesting murals and painting. There is also a museum that exhibits imperial robes, crowns and other artifacts donated by Emperor Menelik and Empress Taitu.

D. The Merkato
The Merkato is one of the biggest markets in the whole of Africa comprising open markets, modern shops, bazaars, kiosks and covered shops, where small and big businesses thrive side by side.

DAY 2: Depart on the excursion / tour of your choice.
DAY 3: Breakfast. At leisure. Transfer to airport for departure round midday.

3. TOURS

3.1. HISTORIC ROUTE
(five days - four nights)

Day 1 Transfer from your hotel in Addis Ababa to Bole Airport to fly to Bahir Dar. Be met at the airport and transferred to Tana Hotel. After lunch, sightseeing tour of Bahir Dar including villages where they make boats and baskets from papyrus reeds. Also visit the palace which offers the best panoramic view of lake Tana with about thirty islands, most of which contain valuable antiquities, beautiful paintings and murals. Sunset on Lake Tana is also best observed from this point. Dinner and overnight at the Tana hotel.

Day 2 After early breakfast, drive about thirty km. east of the city to visit the roaring majestic Tissisat Falls where it drops about 200 feet below. Drive back to your hotel to collect your baggage and be transferred to the airport to fly to Godar. Overnight in the Goha hotel. After lunch visit the former capital city of Ethiopia and the 17th century royal castles including Fasiledes Bath, Debre Birhan Selassie Church and Qusquam Monastery. Dinner and overnight at the Goha hotel.

Day 3 After breakfast visit the Felash (Black Jews) village, where they display and sell their artifacts just about 5 km. north of the city. Then drive to the airport to fly to Lalibella where you will be met and transferred to the Roha hotel. After lunch, visit King Lalibella's churches carved out of solid rock in the 12th century. Dinner and overnight at the Roha hotel.

Day 4 After breakfast, more visits to the churches and transfer to airport for departure to Axum. After being met at the airport you will be transferred to the Yeha hotel. After lunch, visit the famous obelisks, antiques of Axum, most of which date back to pre-Christianity era. Also visit the palace remnants of the legendary Queen of Sheba, her swimming pool, the Kaleb Tomb and other evidences of the Axumite civilization period. Dinner and overnight at the Yeha Hotel.

Day 5 Before being transferred to the airport to fly to Addis, visit the old and new churches of St. Mary Tsion. Upon arrival in Addis your will be met at Bole Airport and transferred to you hotel where the tour ends.

3.2. HARAR / DIREDAWA - BY AIR
(three days - two nights)

Day 1 Transfer from hotel in Addis Ababa to Bole Airport to catch the flight to Dire Dawa Airport and transfer to the Ras hotel. Lunch. In the afternoon drive up to Harar via a winding road. In Harar visit the medieval walled city with its more than 90 Mosques and shrines, believed to be the fourth most sacred centre of the Islamic faith. Visit the hyena man feeding hyenas by hand. Dinner and overnight at the Ras hotel.

Day 2 After breakfast, more sightseeing of Harar and the surroundings. After lunch drive back to Dire Dawa. Afternoon, visit the bustling chat, and fruit market and overnight at the Ras Hotel.

Day 3 Morning free. After lunch, fly to Addis Ababa where you will be transferred to your hotel.

3.3. AWASH NATIONAL PARK
(two days - one night)

Day 1 Awash National Park is 255 km. east of Addis Ababa. The change of altitude is so fast descending from 3000 m. to 800 m. from Addis to Awash, and so is the change of vegetation on the same route. Awash National Park gives shelter to several species of wildlife including Beisa Oryx, Grevy Zebra, Lion, Bushbuck, Hartebeest, Dik-dik, Sommering Gazelle and over 400 species of birds. Hippos and Crocodiles are also observed strolling in the Awash river. Lunch en route. Dinner and over-night at the Karayu trail camp.

Day 2 Next morning more game view and the Awash Water Falls. After lunch a easy drive back to Addis Ababa.

3.4. RIFT VALLEY LAKES/ARBAMINCH
(five days - four nights)

Day 1 Drive from Addis Ababa through the Rift Valley Lakes of Lake Ziway, Abyata, Lanagno and Shala, all with a very high concentration of bird life and fishes. Lunch at Ziway at Bekele Molla hotel. Late afternoon arrive at Awassa and overnight at Wabi Shebefle hotel. After early breakfast, visit the fish market. Then continue to drive to Arbarf-finch via Soddo with lunch stopover at Bekele Molla hotel. Late afternoon, arrive Arbaminch, dinner and overnight at the Bekele Molia Hotel.

Day 2 After early breakfast, drive to the Nech Sar National Park to visit the endemic antelope family and swayne hartebeest in the high savanna land. Secretary birds are often observed roaming in the park. Zebras and other animals like Grant's Gazelle and Waterbuck are frequently seen. Drive back to the hotel in time for lunch. After lunch drive to Lake Chamo. Boat trip to the "Bridge of Heaven" and Crocodile market. Nile Perch, Tilapia, Catfish, Tigerfish and other species are of high concentration in this lake. Lake Chamo also accommodates large heards of hippos. Late after-noon drive back to the hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 3 After breakfast visit Checncha, once the capital of Gamogofa and inhibited by Dorze people. Weaving is a special art of the Dorze people who fashion beautiful shammas (colourful toga-like garment worn by Ethiopians). The Dorzes are also specialists in constructing unique giant beehive-like houses about 12 metres high. Chencha is also the best view point to Lake Abaya and Nech Sar N.P. Back to the hotel for lunch. Afternoon visit to Arbarninch, meaning forty springs, below the hotel and the forest which gives shelter to lions, leopards often heard roaring at night. Drive back to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Day 4 Drive back to Lake Langano via Soddo, and arrive in Wendo Genet in time for lunch. Wendo Genet is a famous resort area, surrounded by thick forest and flaming trees which are homes of wide variety of bird species. After lunch, drive to Langano. Dinner and overnight.

Day 5 Whole morning is spent in and around the lake walking or hiking. Swimming in the fresh waters of the lake is also very tempting before lunch. Early afternoon drive back to Addis and arrive before dusk.

3. 5. BALE NATIONAL PARK
(five days - 4 nights)

Day 1 Drive south of Addis Ababa. En route in Debrezeit visit the volcanic crater lakes colonized by varied bird species. After refreshment, drive on to Lake Ziway,.160 km. from Addis Ababa. After lunch at Bekele Molla Hotel, visit the lake shore lined with lilies sheltering a variety of water birds. Continue to drive to Lake Abyata dominated by thousands of flamingoes and other birds. Late afternoon drive to the Wabi Shebelle hotel at Lake Langano. Dinner and overnight.

Day 2 After breakfast drive to Bale via Shashe-mene. Picnic lunch en route. Continue to drive through Juniper forest land till you arrive at the Goba Ras Hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Day 3 Full day trip to Bale National Park to visit the flora and the endemic mammals, the Mountain Nayla and Semien Fox. Seven endemic and more than one hundred thirty two bird species are also sheltered in the park. Picnic lunch. More game and flora viewing. Late afternoon, drive back to the hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 4 After breakfast, drive to visit the caves of Sof Omar where the Weyb River flows into a giant underground cave system adorned with arched portals and high, eroded ceilings unique to its type. Picnic lunch en route. Rest of the day drive around to enjoy the flora and fauna of the area. Late after-noon, drive back to the hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 5 After breakfast, drive to Addis via Asela town viewing Batu Mountain and the vast barley growing area. Arrive Sodore for lunch. Afternoon stroll around the swimming pool filled with hot mineral water. The Awash river passing nearby is home to Crocodiles and Hippos. The riverside huge trees also shelter varied bird species. Late after-noon, drive back to Addis to arrive before dusk.

Please contact (012) 460 8382 for rates, or e-mail: info3@duto.co.za

Updated: January 2006