Awash, Harar, Addis, Abiata Shala
This itinerary includes a domestic flight and we will give you the opportunity to offset the emissions if you wish. You will stay in local accommodation and eat produce farmed in the area. When you buy your souvenirs you will know that you are contributing directly to the local economy. Your guides are chosen and trained in Ethiopia.
Day 1
We will meet you at Bole International Airport and when you are
ready will drive outside of Addis to view the incredible scenery
around Ambo and the Wenchi Crater Lake. It is approximately a two
hour drive. If you are a bird watcher you will no doubt want to
visit the Gefersa Resevoir where a variety of birds are guaranteed.
You can discuss with your guide if you wish to visit. If you are
happy to give it a miss our first stop will be at the lakeshore at
the foot of Mount Wenchi where we will proceed by boat to the
monastery of Wenchi Chirkos.
This 13-15th century hexagonal structure is surrounded by
Afro-alpine heather and set on a hill. You may well meet the priest
who will tell you a bit about its history but your guide will also
be able to inform you. We will drive you to a couple of viewpoints
over the crater and enjoy a picnic lunch. After lunch we will take
to the road again in the direction of Lake Langano and will arrive
at our base for the next couple of days, the eco friendly
Bishangari Lodge where you can take a (solar powered) hot shower
and enjoy your evening meal.
(Note:The distance is quite considerable and, depending on the time
of year and the condition of the roads, we may stop over en route
and agree a catch up plan with you)
Day 2
After breakfast, when you are ready we will proceed to visit the
park and its lakes – for which it is famous. Chitu Hora, a small
beautiful crater lake is home to a flock of flamingos (at the end
of the rains for about 4 months) and is well worth the visit. Lake
Abiata is also a good place to see the migrant wader, Mongolian
plover, Pacific golden plover and many more, as over 300 species of
bird have been recorded here. The nearby Lake Shala is also good
for birding as well as boasting a hot spring where you can take a
dip if inclined.
We will return early to the Bishangari Lodge as it is set in
extensive grounds boasting sightings of over 400 species of birds
and some small mammals. The accommodation is in tukuls or wooden
chalets (price is dependent on which you chose.) For payment direct
to the lodge it is possible to arrange boat trips in search of
hippos or guided walks, hiking, horseriding or mountain biking
during your stay.
Day 3
We will continue our exploration of the lakes and there will be
time for you to pursue any of the activities you may have
organized. You can discuss arrangements for lunch with your guide,
depending on what you are choosing to do.
Day 4
An early breakfast and then we start the 5 hour drive to the Bilen
Lodge in the Awash National Park (along the surfaced road). After
you have freshened up and had something to eat we will start our
exploration of this magnificent region which boasts 450 species of
birds. You can expect to see the endemic yellow throated serin, the
Ethiopian cliff swallow, as well as raptors, Abyssinian rollers,
various larks hornbills and waxbills - to name but a few. Alligan
Travel can offer a knowledgeable guide who specializes in ‘bird
lore’ if required.
You will be staying in the eco friendly en-suite chalets of the
Bilen Lodge. The chalets are designed in the style of Afar
houses.
Day 5
After breakfast, you may like to explore the area surrounding the
lodge as it too boasts a vast number of bird species and wildlife
sometimes includes the Beisa Oryx, lesser kudu, dik-dik, warthog,
hyena, crocodile, hippo and Hamadryas and Anubis baboon. After
lunch, having ticked off sightings of the many birds and other
wildlife we will continue our exploration of the Park and its
lakes.
Overnight at Bilen Lodge
( On rare occasions a lion may be heard and occasionally one has
even been known to wonder through the camp!)
Day 6
We will start early again, and drive to Harar, ‘the fourth holiest
city in the world’. After an evening meal you may wish to plunge
straight in to the life of the city and what could be more
interesting than the nightly feeding of the hyenas outside the city
walls, with brave – or foolhardy – visitors allowed to deliver
chunks of meat into the snapping jaws of the wild dogs
themselves.
Day 7
There is much to see in this ancient, walled predominantly Muslim
city. Its small, cobbled alleys are superb to wander around and
there are plenty of small souks selling the unique Harari jewellery
and clothes. The town also has several markets and attractions such
as the Rimbaud Museum – which contains displays about the French
poet, Arthur Rimbaud, who lived in Harar in the late19th Century,
and a display of photographs from the turn of the century. You can
discuss with your guide the order in which you do things and the
sites you would most like to see.
We recommend starting with an excursion outside of Harar to the
cliff-top village of Koremi with its stunning views across the
plains to Mount Gendebure. The village itself comprises ancient
crowded stone houses in labyrinthine layout and is fascinating in
its own right. After a picnic lunch you might return to Harar where
you can continue exploring the many markets, sites and shops.
Alternatively we could take the road towards Babile to see the
gravity defying rock formations know as the ‘Valley of Marvels’ You
may catch sight of the resident baboons.
You can feed the hyenas again tonight if you wish!
Day 8
Today we will drive to Dire Dawa and take the short flight back to
Addis Once in Addis, after you have dropped your luggage off at
your hotel and are refreshed we can begin a tour of the many
interesting sights this city has to offer. Your first visit is to
the final resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie, Trinity
Cathedral, and the Menelik II Mausoleum, which contains the tombs
of the former Emperor Menelik II and his family. During the morning
there will also be a chance to see some of Addis Ababa’s monuments.
These include the Yeketit 12 at Arat Kilo, which commemorates the
thousands of Addis residents massacred by the occupying Italians in
1937.
We will then visit a local family where you will witness and enjoy
the Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
The day finishes with a short drive out of the city up into the
Entoto Hills, where there is an excellent viewpoint overlooking
Addis Ababa. Here, you will be able to visit the Entoto Maryam
church which was built by Emperor Menelik in 1876. As well as a
museum nearby there is a magnificent 120 year old eucalyptus
tree.
Day 9
After breakfast we will continue the tour of Addis starting with
the excellent Ethnological Museum, which is located in the grounds
of Addis Ababa University in the former palace of Emperor Haile
Selassie. Next is a visit to the nearby National Museum, whose
exhibits includes the remains of the oldest human ancestor ever
found, the world famous Lucy. After a coffee at Tomoca in the
bustling Piazza area followed by lunch served at the Addis Ababa
Restaurant, (one of the best traditional eateries in the capital)
we will drive to Mercato, one of the largest outdoor markets in
Africa. When you are done browsing and haggling if you still have
shopping to do we can take you to see some of the local craftsmen
at their work and to shops where it is possible to get beautiful
locally carved gifts and furniture and other artifacts.
If there is still time, and if you have the energy we will then
walk to the biggest mosque in Ethiopia, the Anwar.
You will then be dropped back at your hotel to be picked up at an
agreed time and escorted to a local restaurant for a farewell
dinner where - as well as sampling delicious traditional food - you
will also have a chance to see a display of Ethiopia’s unique music
and dancing.
Day 10
The events of this day depend on the time of your international
flight and you can discuss this with us when booking the tour. We
will be able to suggest how to organize this day when we have an
idea of what time you need to be at the airport – and we will, of
course, be responsible for getting you there whatever the time of
your flight.