Tour Packages
Cooking Ethiopian Food
As Ethiopia is a country with diverse Ethnic group, there are variety of cooking but there are most popular once, same of them are Shiro wot (Sauce from the powder of beans and cheek pie) and variety of vegetables. So, clients will learn how to cook their own meal starting from shopping from local market.The colorful and flavorful Ethiopian food is known for having plenty of health benefit.Injera, the sourdough- risen flat bread with a slightly spongy texture is traditionally made from teff flour. Teff which is becoming popular in the world is highly nutritious gluten free grain, complete protein, an excellent source of iron and calcium, has the highest fiber content of any grain, making Injera both easy to digest and incredibly filling. Injera is served with wat, healthy, protein, and vegetable rich stews. Moreover, gastronomy tourism helps to empower women and youth and to support sustainability.
Bale Mountains National Park
Located 400km southeast of Addis Ababa, Bale Mountains National Park contains a spectacularly diverse landscape. The high altitude, afro montane Sanetti Plateau rises to over 4,000m and includes the highest peak, Tullu Dimtu(4377 masl) in the southern Ethiopia highlands and the second highest mountain in Ethiopia . This undulating plateau is marked by numerous glacial lakes and swamps and surrounded by higher volcanic ridges and peaks. The southern slopes are covered by the lush and largely unexplored Harenna forest.Visitors will visit about 46 mammals, more than 200 bird species, and vegetation of unspoiled wonder land including various tree species and precious endemic mammals like Ethiopian wolf, Mountain Nyala, Minilik Bush buck, Bale Monkey, Giant Mole rat and Black Lion; and other mammals like forest hog, spotted hyena, lion, leopard, and colobus monkey The Park is the best place for Birdwatchers, Mammal viewers, Trekkers, and Camping lovers
Full day Addis Ababa City Tour
In the full day city tour visitors can cover most part of the city though cannot be finished in a day. The landmarks of Addis Ababa (like Museums, Parks, churches, and markets) can be explored including the early evening national dinner and cultural dancing from different ethnic groups at one of the cultural restaurants.
Adadi Mariam, Tiya and Melka Kunture
Adadi Mariam rock hewn churches, Malka Kunture paleontological site and Tiya stelae field Heading south-west on the Jimma Road, then turning south on to the Butajira Road. Melka Kunture lies near the Awash River Gorge and is one of the most important neolithic sites in Ethiopia. Hand axes and various other implements have been found here. There is a museum at the site.A bit further on the Butajira Road, is the rock hewn church of Adadi Mariam, contemporaneous with those of Lalibela – in fact local tradition ascribes it to King Lalibela who is said to have had it built on his visit to Mount Zuqwala in 1106. Damaged during the wars with Ahmed Gragn in the 16th century, it fell into disuse and was only reopened in the time of Menelik II. It is today in regular use.Our final stop today is at Tiya stellae which are believed to have been erected between the 12th and 14th centuries and are almost certainly grave markers – recent excavations at Tiya have revealed the remains of young people of both sexes, aged between 18 – 30 and buried in fetal positions. It is classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. At some stage we will take a picnic lunch and leave for the return journey to Addis Ababa and arrive in the late afternoon.
Wildlife
Ethiopia has 15 national parks and 3 animal sanctuaries and protected wildlife areas. The country is known for its endemic animals (Like Walia Ibex, Mountain Nyala, Ethiopian wolf, Bale Monkey, Giant Mole Rat, Menelik Bushbuck, Chilada Baboon, Swayne’s heartbeats and eighteen different species of birds which can be visit at Bale and Simien Mountains National Park, and Senkele sanctuary. For big game, it is important to visit Chebera Churchura, Omo and Gambela national parks where visitors can see African Elephants, Buffalo, lion, leopard, Giraffe, waterbuck, reedbuck, Warthog, Kudu, Dik-dik, Oryx, Eland and more.
Axum
Axum obelisks, whose history ruins date back to the ancient Kingdom of Axum, are the pride of Ethiopians and a popular tourist attraction in the nation.
Debrelibanos Monastery
The monastery founded by the renowned 13th century mystic, Saint Teclehaimanot, Debre Libanos, is an important monastic center for Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, there was and there is a small cave near the church where he is said to have stood for seven years on one leg and pray until the other wasted away and dropped off.On the tour to Debrelibanos, visitors can combine history, culture and nature with some good bird watching, as the road takes you through the Sululta Plain there is a chance to see Black-winged plovers, Wattled Ibis, Blue-winged geese, Common Cranes and Wheat ears. On arrival at Debre Libanos, we will first stop at the Jemma River gorge and enjoy a drop of nearly 1000 meters to the valley below. Here at the gorge (and in the forest around the church) we can expect to see different species of birds and one of Ethiopia’s endemic mammals, the Gelada or bleeding-heart baboon. Leaving the Gorge proceed to the church. After the visit to church and Museum visitors can either make the climb to the cave of St Teklehaimanot or hike to the 16th C Portuguese bridge. Lunch at local restaurant Ethiopian traditional Coffee ceremony and in the early afternoon leave and returning to Addis Ababa in the early evening.
Wanchi Crater Lake
Wanchi Crater Lake is the powerful volcano erupting in the tertiary period of the Cenozoic era. It contains hot springs and waterfalls with breathtaking valleys and stunning scenery. The spectacular scenic view of the lake positioned in the middle of the surrounding ringed hills covered by more than 15 major tree species and many other alpine types of vegetation. The Crater Lake is endowed with forest of many aquatic and terrestrial bird species and some mammals. Touristic appeal of the crater mainly steamed from its fantastic beauty. Standing on the rim of the crater you will be watching unique shaped and crystal-clear water lying in deep basin and circular slops covered with greenery alpine vegetation that largely contributed for its dramatic scenery.
Gulale Botanical Garden
It is a great place for Hiking, Cycling, and many other outdoor activities. It is the best place to visit with family and friends where you can enjoy to the core. If you are a lover of hiking this place will never let you down as you can go up hiking on the hill and be witness to many animals, bird life and plant species. This is a nature park and much more than a Botanical Garden which is very stunning to see. It is a kind of a forest reserve that aspires four major objectives such as Conservation; Research, Education and Eco-tourism an all-in-one experience that you can have all in one place.
Unity park
Unity Park is located on the premises of the Grand Palace and it is composed of various historical, natural, and cultural sites. The Grand Palace, where Unity Park is located, was established in 1887, and without counting Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (Dr.), the palace served as the living and working space of seven Ethiopian leaders. The palace covers an area of 40 hectares and contains myriads of historical buildings and plants that date back to the time of Emperor Menelik II.
Bird Watching
More than 800 species of birds are in Ethiopia of which about 18 species are endemic to Ethiopia and about 14 species are shared with Eretria which used to be part of Ethiopia up to 1991. Most bird watching itineraries are in the south of the country – an itinerary in search of all of Ethiopia’s endemic birds would take in Debre Libanos, north of Addis Ababa, the Jemma River valley, the escarpment north west of Addis Ababa, around Debre Berhan and Ankober and the descent to Melka Jedbu, the Awash National Park, the Rift Valley Lakes, Wondo Genet, Bale and the road south through the Harenna forest to Negele, the area near the border with Somalia near Bogol Manyo, west from there to Yabello, Konso and Fejej and Nech Sar National Park. This would take a minimum of 3 weeks, but shorter tours of about 10 days which would guarantee seeing most of the endemics and several hundred other species could be set up covering Awash National Park, the Rift Valley Lakes, and the Bale Mountains
Menagesha Suba Forest
Managesha Suba ForestIt is the oldest forest Park in Africa and Ethiopia some 40 km South-West of Addis Ababa on the South-Western Slope of mountain Wechecha.There are different plantations other than natural enrichment which includes, soft wood, Eucalyptus and Indigenous plantation. Acacia Melanoxylon, Juniperus procera, Myrsine Africana, Olea europea and Scolopia thiefolia are among the various woody species in the forest that are the source of greater satisfaction in natural exploration.The total area of natural forest alone is about 2500 hectares whose composition represents the natural high forests that once existed in highlands of Ethiopia. The forest vegetation varies from high forests to afro alpine vegetation within altitude range of about 2300m to above 3000m. The oldest trees of Juniperus Procera which estimated to be over 200 years old and six other tree species are among high forests while Erica arborea and Helichrysum species represent vegetation of above 3000m (high altitude). Suba as a tourist site boasts not only indigenous tree species but also number of birds and mammal species including Menelik Bushbuck (endemic sub species) which took refuge in the forest enclave. The majestic beauty of Mogli peak and surrounding scenery would all together made the Suba Forest area an ideal place for nature lovers, such as hikers, trekkers and sight seers, forest explorers, scenery admirers, etc.Visitors can experience hiking, bird watching, camping, and picnicking in this forest environment. The scenic and aesthetic quality for recreation the forest the rolling landscape, the highest mountain peak, the old sawmill and railway, the modern tree nursery, the old growth forests, birds, and remnant mammals taking a refuge in this forest.
Entoto
Reaching over 3000 meter above sea level, Etoto is a place filled with different trees and plants that makes the location to be an ideal place to visit. The area gives a natural charm that most visitors would love and perfect place for hiking and different activities.In addition to hiking visitors can enjoy different activities like horse riding which is a recreational activity that merge the visitors with nature, paintball which can played in team and fun ; Go Kart which is the perfect excuse to unravel your strong side on the race field , both a newbie and an experienced driver absolutely love the experience; Archery which is historically known for hunting and combat purposes but in the modern times people use it as a sport. Which After all the long day activities visitors can get spa treatment which can be irresistible.
Crater Lakes around Bishoftu
Bishoftu, about 47 km East of Finfinne/Addis Ababa, is a town characterized by a cluster of volcanic crater lakes and popular Irrecha spiritual site that surround the town. Because of its altitude, which ranges up to 1850 masl, Bishoftu area has warm climate. It is the Centre of major resort lakes that visitors for business and leisure can enjoy. The town of Bishoftu is surrounded by seven crater lakes namely Harsade(with the maximum depth of 37 meters, good for water sports and scenic beauty, rich in fish species and aquatic bird life, the lake where Oromo people celebrate Irrecha, the thanks giving ceremony yearly at the end of September), Bishoftu (having a maximum depth of 85 meters the deepest of the surrounding lakes, with attractive feature scenic beauty), Babogaya (with nearly the same size of that of the Hora Lake, but much deeper, situated at north- east of Hora Lake along a rough, dusty road, place to watch aquatic birds and endowed with breathtaking beauty), Kuriftu( very close to the Babogaya Lake, one of the country’s best known resort centers, popular for watersport), Kilole(Kilole Lake is at the distance of 12 kilometers hard drive to the north- east of the town, farthest of the lakes in the area and good for bird watchers ), Magarisa (Green Lake) ( about 9 kilometers away to the south- west of the town just behind the Air Force base, looks green because of its algae, more dramatic, colorful and beautiful when viewed against the backdrop of the surrounding hills, good for visitors who need silent and listen to themselves) and Chalalaka (where frequently a number of aquatic bird species are observed).
Gulale Botanical Garden
Gulale Botanical Garden It is a great place for Hiking, Cycling, and many other outdoor activities. It is the best place to visit with family and friends where you can enjoy to the core. If you are a lover of hiking this place will never let you down as you can go up hiking on the hill and be witness to many animals, bird life and plant species. This is a nature park and much more than a Botanical Garden which is very stunning to see. It is a kind of a forest reserve that aspires four major objectives such as Conservation; Research, Education and Eco-tourism an all-in-one experience that you can have all in one place.
Half day Addis Ababa City Tour
Now days, Addis Ababa has a lot to offer to the visitors. What can be visited in Addis Ababa cannot be visited in half or full day. To make half day tour visitors should be selective from the Unity Park located in the grand palace (where you can visit min Ethiopia), National Museum (Where you can visit different archeological findings including the 3.2 million years fossil, Lucy) Ethnographic Museum (where different cultures from different Ethnic groups can be visited), Entoto park as well as museum, Trinity cathedral and St. George church with their respective museums.