Big 5 African Safaris, accommodated, camping and fully escorted

1: Arrival in Addis Ababa

Arrive Addis Ababa. After check-in ejoy a city tour to the National Museum. Know to be the best museum in Africa full of cultural and archaeological relics. After lnch experince the Merkato Market and a walk is organised in a part of the city.

2: Addis Ababa - Kombolcha

The road crosses the Ethiopian plateaux, with its vast expanses of cultivated fields. In Senbete, on Sundays, there is an interesting market where the Afar, Oromo and Amhara peoples meet. We arrive in Kombolcha in the afternoon. Enjoy a picnic lunch and spend the night at the hotel.
Meals Included: BLD

3: Kombolcha - Laliblea (375km)

Encounter Afar shepherds with their caravans of camels as we pass through villages and small passes. At Lalibela, visit the Genete Maryam Church.
Meals Included: BLD

4 : Lalibela

The city is located at 2,600 metres above sea level. It contains 11 monolithic churches that were built in the twelfth century and are carved out of the pink granite rock; they have been classifed as one of the wonders of the world. Each church has a unique architectual style; all are superbly carved and most of them are decorated with well preserved paitings. the entire city may be descrided as a sculpture dedicated to the glory of God. The day is dedicated to visitng churches. Chruches visited include Bete Medhanealme, Bete Micheal, Bete Denagil, Bete Emmannuel and bete Georgis.
Meals Included: BLD

5: Lalibela

Today we will have an excursion Asheton Maryam Church. In the afternoon we will visit local villages, walk in the small town of Lalibela and visit a local school. (depending on the schedule of the school.
Meals Included: BLD

6: Lalibela - Mekelle (314km)

The partially paved road climbs several times to heights of about 3,000 metres and decends into valleys where powerful rivers run. the landscape is dry but visually splendid. For a considerable stretch, the winding road follows the spectacular canyon of the river Tekeze.
Meals Included: BLD

7: Mekelle - Axum

We leave ealry in the moring to Axum visitng Wikro cherkos and Abraha Astbaha churches on the way.
Meals Included: BLD

8: Axum

The legends narrated in the Kebre Nagast "Book of Kings" recount how the city of Axum as early as the 10th century B.C was already the city in which the Queen of Sheeba resided. Axum was the capital of the long Axumite region, one of the oldest Africa empires, and represented a crucial connecting point between Africa and Asia for almost a thousand years. Today we vist the steles, St.Mary of Zion church, museum of Tigray, inscriptions of Ezana and we will make an excursion to the Queen of Sheeba Palace where we also see plated stones. If we have spare time, a walk in the town of Axum will be organised.
Meals Included: BLD

9: Axum - Gondar

The road passes over muntain regions of wild beauty, running alongside the National Park of the Simien massif. In the park, many of the mountain peaks exceed 4,000m; the highest is Ras Dejen, at 4,543 metres above sea level. These mountains consist of volcanic masses that have been eroded away by centuries of rain. Today they have amethyst-coloured peaks and deep gullies, which have been further deeped by rivers. The crevices play host to the Waliya, the ibex of the Simien Mountains. If time permits take a walk around the city.
Meals Included: BLD

10: Gondar

Gondar was the first capital city of the Ethiopian empire, which began in 1632 with the reign of Fasilidas. In the city, there are a dozen castles built by various emperors over the course of 236 years. The city seems more European than Africa and also has Islamic influences. In the mroning we visit the castles and residence of King Fasiledes and his successors and we also visit the church of Debre Berhan Selassie (Light of the Trinity), which is located at the summit of a hill and surrounded by fortified walls. In the afternoon we will attend the eve of Timkat Ceremony.
Meals Included: BLD

11: Drive to Bahir Dar

Bahir Dar is a pleasing city located at 1,800 metres above sea level on the shore of lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia. There are 37 islands on the lake and 30 of them have chruches and monasteries of considerable historical and cultural interested. Today we will visit the Blue Nile Falls.
Meals Included: BLD

12: Bahir Dar

Today we will have a boat trip on the lake and explore the islands.
Meals Included: BLD

13: Bahir Dar Debre Markos

The road winds over the Ethiopian platuex (2,800m above sea level) and is dotted with villages and markets. Along the roadsie, myriad of people move on foot carrying goods to be sold at market in the nearest village.
Meals Included: BLD

14: Addis Ababa

On our way back, we visit the Nile Gorge and the Debre Libanos Monastry where we will also encounter the Gelada Baboons.
Meals Included: BLD

15: City Tour of Addis Ababa

In the morning we will make time for shopping, next vist the Alliance Ethio Francasie and dependng on accessibilty we visit the Ethiopian train station established with the cooperation between French and Ethiopian government. We will see some monuments in the capital with a possiblility to walk around. In the evning we will have a tradtional dinner with cultural music and transfer to the airport.
Meals Included: BLD

Trip Start	Trip Finish	Twin Share Price	Local Pymt Currency	Single Supp	Trip Notes
01 Jan 2010	31 Oct 2010	$3140	$	$335	Price based on min 2 pax. Price will reduce with more travelers. Enquire with your travel consultant.View Notes