Standard Safari

11-Day Discovery Ethiopian–Culture, History and Adventure

by Ethio Wildlife Tours11 daysEthiopia

Overview

Tour Overview

Ethiopia Safari: Discover Ethiopia’s rich cultures, from the Konso, Hamer, and Dasenech of the Omo Valley to the UNESCO rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. You'll

Day by Day

Itinerary

1

Arrival in Addis Ababa – Flight to Arbaminch

Day 1Arrival in Addis Ababa – Flight to Arbaminch Arrival in Addis Ababa – Flight to Arbaminch Morning arrival in Addis Ababa and connect to your domestic flight to Arbaminch. You'll visit the Dorze Village, known for towering bamboo houses and weaving traditions. You'll take a boat trip on Lake Chamo to see crocodiles, hippos, and abundant birdlife. The afternoon is spent at leisure or optional forest walk. Overnight stay: Mora Hotel, Arbaminch. Main Destination: Arba Minch (City) Accommodation: Mora Heights Hotel Budget hotel located in Arba Minch (City) +7 Photos +6 Photos Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

2

Arbaminch – Konso – Turmi

Day 2Arbaminch – Konso – Turmi Arbaminch – Konso – Turmi You'll drive through the scenic Konso Highlands on your way to Turmi, enjoying sweeping views of terraced hillsides and valleys. You'll visit the Konso people, renowned for their UNESCO-listed cultural landscape, unique traditions, and stone-walled villages. You'll continue to Turmi, the vibrant home of the Hamer tribe, known for their striking adornments and colorful way of life. Overnight stay: Emerald Lodge, Turmi. Main Destination: Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) Accommodation: Emerald Lodge Turmi Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) +11 Photos +10 Photos Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

3

Turmi – Hamer & Dasenech Encounters

Day 3Turmi – Hamer & Dasenech Encounters Turmi – Hamer & Dasenech Encounters You'll spend a full day immersed in the cultural heart of the Omo Valley. You'll cross the Omo River to visit the Dasenech community, known for its unique traditions and way of life. In the afternoon, you'll meet the Hamer people, celebrated for their striking adornments, traditional dances, and vibrant social ceremonies. When available, you'll witness the spectacular bull-jumping ritual, a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience. Overnight stay: Emerald Lodge, Turmi. Main Destination: Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) Accommodation: Emerald Lodge Turmi Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

4

Turmi – Jinka – Addis Ababa (Flight & City Discovery)

Day 4Turmi – Jinka – Addis Ababa (Flight & City Discovery) Turmi – Jinka – Addis Ababa (Flight & City Discovery) You'll journey from Turmi to Jinka, passing through rolling highlands and fertile valleys. Along the way, you will visit the Ari community, known for their farming skills, colorful markets, and pottery traditions. From Jinka, you'll take an afternoon flight back to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival, you'll enjoy a half-day city tour, choosing between the bustling Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market, or the National Museum, home to the world-famous fossil “Lucy.” Overnight stay: Addis Ababa. Main Destination: Addis Ababa (City) Accommodation: Ethiopian Skylight Hotel Luxury hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) +8 Photos +7 Photos Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

5

Addis Ababa – Flight to Lalibela (The Eighth Wonder)

Day 5Addis Ababa – Flight to Lalibela (The Eighth Wonder) Addis Ababa – Flight to Lalibela (The Eighth Wonder) You'll fly north to Lalibela, one of Ethiopia’s most sacred destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, you'll begin exploring the magnificent first group of rock-hewn churches, carved directly from solid stone and connected by a network of tunnels and passageways. Each church reveals a masterpiece of architecture and devotion, earning Lalibela the title “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Overnight stay: Lalibela. Main Destination: Lalibela (Town) Accommodation: Harbe Hotel - Lalibela Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town) +5 Photos +4 Photos Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

6

Lalibela – Full Day Exploration

Day 6Lalibela – Full Day Exploration Lalibela – Full Day Exploration You'll spend the day exploring Lalibela’s second group of rock-hewn churches, including the iconic cross-shaped Bete Giorgis. You'll discover the intricate carvings and underground passageways that connect these sacred sites. In your free time, you'll visit the local markets and interact with residents to experience the daily life and traditions of this historic highland town. Overnight stay: Lalibela. Main Destination: Lalibela (Town) Accommodation: Harbe Hotel - Lalibela Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town) Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

7

Lalibela – Flight to Addis Ababa & City Exploration

Day 7Lalibela – Flight to Addis Ababa & City Exploration Lalibela – Flight to Addis Ababa & City Exploration In the morning, you'll enjoy a final visit to Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches or explore nearby villages to experience local life. You'll fly back to Addis Ababa in the afternoon. Upon arrival, you'll take a half-day city tour, visiting highlights such as the National Museum (home of the famous fossil “Lucy”), Holy Trinity Cathedral, or the vibrant Merkato market. In the evening, you'll relax at your hotel or enjoy a traditional Ethiopian dinner with cultural music. Overnight stay: Addis Ababa. Main Destination: Addis Ababa (City) Accommodation: Ethiopian Skylight Hotel Luxury hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

8

Addis Ababa – Awash National Park Safari

Day 8Addis Ababa – Awash National Park Safari Addis Ababa – Awash National Park Safari You'll depart from Addis Ababa and drive through the scenic landscapes of the Great Rift Valley toward Awash National Park. Upon arrival, you will enjoy an afternoon game drive in this diverse ecosystem. You'll spot wildlife including Beisa oryx, greater and lesser kudu, Soemmerring’s gazelle, warthogs, olive baboons, and a wide variety of bird species. You'll experience the unique combination of savannah, riverine forests, and volcanic landscapes that make Awash a wildlife haven. Overnight stay: Awash Lodge. 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: Awash Falls Lodge Mid-range lodge located just outside Awash NP Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

9

Awash – Erta Ale Volcano Adventure

Day 9Awash – Erta Ale Volcano Adventure Awash – Erta Ale Volcano Adventure You'll depart Awash early and journey north toward the Danakil Depression, one of the hottest and most extreme landscapes on Earth. You'll arrive at Erta Ale and prepare for an evening hike to the rim of the active lava lake. You'll witness the mesmerizing glow of molten lava under the stars, a truly unforgettable experience in one of the world’s most dramatic volcanic regions. Overnight stay: Camping under the stars at Erta Ale. Main Destination: Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression) Accommodation: Budget camping Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

10

Erta Ale – Dalol (Danakil Depression)

Day 10Erta Ale – Dalol (Danakil Depression) Erta Ale – Dalol (Danakil Depression) You'll descend into the surreal landscapes of Dalol, a geothermal wonderland in the Danakil Depression. You'll explore vibrant sulfur springs, colorful salt formations, and vast mineral deposits. You'll observe traditional camel caravans transporting salt across the desert, and take in the extraordinary scenery of one of the most otherworldly places on Earth. Overnight stay: Desert camping near Dalol. Main Destination: Danakil Depression (Highlight) Accommodation: Budget camping Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

11

Dalol – Mekele – Addis Ababa (Farewell)

Day 11Dalol – Mekele – Addis Ababa (Farewell) Dalol – Mekele – Addis Ababa (Farewell) You'll drive from Dalol to Mekele and take a domestic flight back to Addis Ababa. You'll spend your final evening enjoying a farewell dinner with traditional Ethiopian cuisine and cultural performances. Reflect on your journey through Ethiopia’s remarkable landscapes, rich cultures, and historic sites before your international departure. Main Destination: Addis Ababa (City) Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour) Meals & Drinks: All meals 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. Rates include a fixed bu

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

Reviews are aggregated from SafariBookings, TripAdvisor, Google, and Trustpilot — weighted by platform reliability and review volume to give a balanced composite score.
Piotr 5.0/5

A very good tour operator. Great communication, fair price, and everything was high standard: hotels, cars, and guides. But what I loved most was their helpfulness—when I missed my domestic flight and when I got sick, they helped...

Nick 5.0/5

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...

Elena Neal 5.0/5

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...

Evangeline 5.0/5

My tour to the Danakil Depression was truly unforgettable. Danakil is one of the most extraordinary places on Earth, and experiencing it with such a professional, attentive, and highly organized team made all the difference. I am very...

Yirka 5.0/5

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...

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

How much does 11-Day Discovery Ethiopian–Culture, History and Adventure cost?

11-Day Discovery Ethiopian–Culture, History and Adventure starts from USD 2,420 per person. This is a standard-level safari spanning 11 days. Prices vary by season and group size, with low season offering the best rates.

How long is 11-Day Discovery Ethiopian–Culture, History and Adventure?

This safari runs for 11 days and 10 nights across Ethiopia. The itinerary is designed to maximize wildlife viewing while allowing comfortable travel between parks and lodges.

What comfort level is 11-Day Discovery Ethiopian–Culture, History and Adventure?

This is a standard safari featuring comfortable mid-range lodges with ensuite facilities and good service. Operated by Ethio Wildlife Tours ensures a high standard of experience throughout the journey.

Is 11-Day Discovery Ethiopian–Culture, History and Adventure well-rated?

Yes, this safari has an aggregate rating of 5.0 out of 5 based on 7 verified reviews. Ethio Wildlife Tours consistently receives positive feedback for wildlife sightings and overall experience.

Who operates 11-Day Discovery Ethiopian–Culture, History and Adventure?

11-Day Discovery Ethiopian–Culture, History and Adventure is operated by Ethio Wildlife Tours, a safari company based in Ethiopia. You can view their full profile, other tours, and verified reviews on SafariPicked to compare before booking.

What is included in 11-Day Discovery Ethiopian–Culture, History and Adventure?

This tour typically includes A transfer from and back to the airport is included, What is included in this tour. Inclusions may vary by season and availability. Check the full itinerary on SafariPicked for the complete breakdown of what's covered.

How do I book 11-Day Discovery Ethiopian–Culture, History and Adventure?

You can compare pricing and availability for 11-Day Discovery Ethiopian–Culture, History and Adventure on SafariPicked, then book directly with Ethio Wildlife Tours. Most operators offer free cancellation 30–60 days before departure. We recommend booking 3–6 months in advance for peak season dates.