6-Day Wildlife Safari Adventure - Awash & Bale Mountains
Overview
Tour Overview
Ethiopia Safari: Explore an extraordinary 6-day wildlife spotting adventure through two of Ethiopia's most captivating natural reserves: Awash National Park and Bale
Day by Day
Itinerary
Addis Ababa – Awash National Park (211 km)
Day 1Addis Ababa – Awash National Park (211 km) Addis Ababa – Awash National Park (211 km) Route & Birdlife: Depart Addis Ababa and head east via Adama (Nazret). Stop at Lake Beseka, a haven for birdlife including Striated and Black-headed Herons, White-backed Ducks, Maccoa Ducks, Red-billed Teals, and Common Cranes. Awash Exploration & Game Drive: On arrival, enjoy a guided game drive through Awash National Park, exploring its scenic savannahs and gorges. Visit the Awash River Falls, home to crocodiles and over 400 bird species. Wildlife sightings may include Beisa Oryx, Klipspringer, Salt’s Dikdik, Grivet Monkey, Hamadryas & Anubis Baboons, Warthogs, and hyenas at dusk. Evening Relaxation: Unwind at Doho Lodge, where you can soak in natural hot springs before dinner. Overnight: Doho Lodge (Awash). Main Destination: Awash National Park Best Time To Visit October to February (Little rain and less hot) High Season September to April (The park is never busy) Best Weather October to February Wildlife in Awash NP Olive Baboon Abundant Beisa Oryx Common Soemmerring'sGazelle Common HamadryasBaboon Common Salt's Dik-dik Common Show more Lesser Kudu Occasional Desert Warthog Occasional Defassa Waterbuck Occasional Nile Crocodile Occasional Spotted Hyena Occasional Guereza Monkey Rare Ethiopian Wolf None Gelada Monkey None Walia Ibex None Accommodation: Doho Lodge & Hot Springs Mid-range lodge located just outside Awash NP +10 Photos +9 Photos Meals & Drinks: Lunch
Awash National Park & Alidegy Wildlife Reserve
Day 2Awash National Park & Alidegy Wildlife Reserve Awash National Park & Alidegy Wildlife Reserve Morning Drive: Optional sunrise dip in the hot springs before setting out for Alidegy Wildlife Reserve, prime habitat for large grazers. Look for Soemmerring’s Gazelle, Greater & Lesser Kudu, Defarsa Waterbuck, and herds of Zebras. Carnivore Encounters: With luck, spot Black-backed & Golden Jackals, Caracals, Servals, Wildcats, and possibly Lions or Leopards. Birdlife: Over 400 bird species enrich the park, including Ostriches, Secretary Birds, Abyssinian Rollers, and hornbills. Afternoon Drive: Continue exploring different habitats of Awash. Overnight: Doho Lodge (Awash). Main Destination: Awash National Park Accommodation: Doho Lodge & Hot Springs Mid-range lodge located just outside Awash NP Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Awash – Bale Mountains (via Asela)
Day 3Awash – Bale Mountains (via Asela) Awash – Bale Mountains (via Asela) Final Game Drive: Enjoy a last early-morning safari in Awash before heading south. Scenic Journey: Drive through changing landscapes towards the Bale Highlands, where cooler climates and alpine scenery await. Evening: Settle into your lodge in Goba town. Overnight: Goba Hotel/Lodge. Main Destination: Bale Mountains National Park Best Time To Visit November to February (Little rain) High Season October to January (Park is never busy) Best Weather November to February Wildlife in Bale Mountains NP Ethiopian Wolf Common Mountain Nyala Common Warthog Common Menelik'sBushbuck Occasional Guereza Monkey Occasional Show more Olive Baboon Occasional Bohor Reedbuck Occasional Starck's Hare Occasional Giant Mole-rat Occasional Bale Monkey Rare Giant Forest Hog Rare Golden Jackal Rare Gelada Monkey None Walia Ibex None Accommodation: Wabe Shebelle Hotel Goba Budget hotel located less than 1hr drive from Bale Mountains NP Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Dinsho – Gessa Grassland (Bale Mountains NP)
Day 4Dinsho – Gessa Grassland (Bale Mountains NP) Dinsho – Gessa Grassland (Bale Mountains NP) Wildlife Focus: Explore the Dinsho area and Gessa grasslands, headquarters of Bale Mountains National Park. This is the best place to see the endemic Mountain Nyala. Other highlights include Menelik’s Bushbuck, Warthogs, Bohor Reedbuck, and endemic birds like the Abyssinian Catbird. Nature Walks: Gentle hikes in the grasslands and forests with park scouts. Overnight: Goba Wabe Shebelle Hotel. Main Destination: Bale Mountains National Park Accommodation: Wabe Shebelle Hotel Goba Budget hotel located less than 1hr drive from Bale Mountains NP Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Sanetti Plateau – Ethiopian Wolf Territory
Day 5Sanetti Plateau – Ethiopian Wolf Territory Sanetti Plateau – Ethiopian Wolf Territory High-Altitude Adventure: Ascend to the Sanetti Plateau (over 4,000 m), the best location in Africa to see the Ethiopian Wolf, the world’s rarest canid. Other Wildlife: Look for Giant Molerats (primary prey of the wolf), Abyssinian Hares, Rock Hyrax, and raptors like Augur Buzzards and Lammergeiers. Afternoon: Continue exploring moorlands, alpine lakes, and juniper forests with a chance to spot Baboons and endemic birds. Overnight: Goba Wabe Shebelle Hotel. Main Destination: Bale Mountains National Park Accommodation: Wabe Shebelle Hotel Goba Budget hotel located less than 1hr drive from Bale Mountains NP Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Bale Mountains – Addis Ababa
Day 6Bale Mountains – Addis Ababa Bale Mountains – Addis Ababa Morning: Breakfast at the lodge. Return: Drive (or optional flight) back to Addis Ababa. End of Tour: Transfer to hotel or airport for your onward journey. Main Destination: Addis Ababa (City) Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour) Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Non-alcoholic drinks End of tour (See Getting There for more details)End of tour (See Getting There for more details) Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. You'll be dropped off at the airport. Interested in This Tour? Request a Quote We advise requesting quotes from 3 operators (Learn why) Requests are sent directly to the tour operator If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly Next: Overview Next: Day by Day Next: Rates Next: Inclusions Next: Getting There Next: Offered By Best price guarantee Your request will be sent directly to the operator If preferred, you can contact the operator directly Next: Request a Quote Request a Quote Disclaimer This tour is offered by Ethio Wildlife Tours, not SafariBookings. This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings. If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change. The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability. If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative. $1,320 pp (USD) What is included in this tour Get a F
What's covered
Included & Excluded
Included
- A transfer from and back to the airport is included
- What is included in this tour
Not Included
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
What travellers say
Verified Reviews
Great tour through an amazing landscape. Tour was perfectly organized, no complaints. Somewhere my shoes got lost but when I came back in Addes they were waiting for me in the hotel. Their service goes beyond. Thanks for that
Just got back from a 4-day tour with Ethio Wildlife and it honestly blew me away. We visited several different tribes in Omo valley and each day was completely unique and eye-opening. The whole trip felt very genuine and respectful, not...
I don’t usually like booking tours because of many bad experiences, however, at the time Ethiopia demanded it. I was so lucky to find Melashu’s company. It’s the most transparent, respectful, informative and well managed tour. I did...
I contacted several tour operators in May 2025 hoping to join a group tour of the Simien mountains but since it is a slow tourist season there were none available. Ethio Wildlife were able to organize a private tour for me at a reasonable...
My journey included 3 days in the stunning Simien Mountains, followed by another 3 days exploring the incredible Danakil Depression and 5 Days Omo Valley Tribes, along with a fantastic city tour of Addisabeba The Simien Mountains are...
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