Itinerary Expand all Addis Ababa to Addis Ababa Day 1 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Arrive in Addis Ababa International Airport and transfer to the Sheraton Addis Hotel. Meet your African Wildlife Foundation leader – Carter Smith or Craig R. Sholley – and fellow travelers for a briefing on your journey ahead. Carter Smith and Craig R. Sholley share a passion for wildlife conservation in Africa which has spanned decades. From Carter’s years living in the bush rehabilitating birds of prey and working closely with Sir Iain Douglas-Hamilton on Save the Elephants, to Craig’s work studying Mountain gorillas with Dian Fossey at Rwanda’s celebrated Karisoke Research Centre, acting as scientific advisor for the award-winning IMAX film, Mountain Gorilla, and most recently, serving as senior vice president of AWF, they each have a long-standing love affair with this spectacular continent making them the perfect guides for your adventure. Accommodation: Sheraton Addis or similar Meals included: Dinner Day 2 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia After a leisurely morning, venture into the city to visit national sites, including the Holy Trinity Church and the National Museum. Visit a local market and enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony. Accommodation: Sheraton Addis or similar Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Days 3-5 Bale Mountains National Park This morning, take a private charter flight to Goba and enjoy a scenic drive through the national park to Bale Mountain Lodge, a conservation enterprise lodge supported by AWF. Bale Mountains National Park is a premier destination for wildlife enthusiasts, hikers, birdwatchers, and cultural explorers. Hike the local hagenia forest and drive over the high plateau in search of the rare Ethiopian wolf. With fewer than 400 of these wolves remaining, they are the most endangered carnivore in all of Africa. Accommodation: Bale Mountain Lodge or similar Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Days 6-8 Simien Mountains National Park After an early breakfast, return to Goba for your private charter flight to the historic city of Gondar. After a brief city tour, drive to the breathtaking Simien Mountains National Park, with views often compared to the Grand Canyon. Limalimo Lodge is a conservation enterprise lodge developed by AWF and is perched on the edge of the escarpment to take full advantage of the panoramic views. Look for the critically endangered walia ibex and meander through enormous troops of gelada monkeys, casually photographing as you walk amongst them. You will also visit an AWF Classroom Africa school, which provides access to high-quality primary education for the local children. Accommodation: LimaLimo Lodge or similar Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 9 Bahir Dar This morning, depart by road and arrive in Bahir Dar in time for lunch on the shores of Lake Tana. In the afternoon, take a boat tour to visit the local monasteries of Lake Tana, taking in their vibrant colors and learning of their rich history. Accommodation: Kuriftu Resort & Spa or similar Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 10 Lalibela / Addis Ababa On your final full day, board a private charter flight to Lalibela, home to one of the world’s most astounding sacred sites. Nearly a dozen subterranean churches, each carved entirely out of a single block of stone centuries ago, continue to be in use today. Religious ritual is central to life in this town of 10,000 inhabitants — with more than 1,000 of them being priests. Enjoy lunch at Ben Abeba, which offers spectacular views, before flying onward to Addis for dinner and overnight at the Sheraton Addis. Accommodation: Sheraton Addis or similar Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 11 Addis Ababa After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your homeward flight. Meals included: Breakfast
Ethiopia All nationalities require a visa for Ethiopia which can be obtained before departure (at a cost of GBP26) or on arrival (at a cost of USD50 - be prepared to queue for a while). Please note that the Ethiopian government may change their visa on arrival policy at very short notice so make sure to check the latest advice. A certificate of Yellow Fever vaccination maybe required in order to obtain your visa, for instance if you're travelling from a country at risk of Yellow Fever transmission - please check with the embassy for the latest advice.
Ethiopia Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Hepatitis A. Other vaccines to consider: Hepatitis B; Meningococcal Meningitis; Rabies; Typhoid; Yellow Fever. Yellow fever vaccination certificate required for travellers over 9 months of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Hotels and Lodges Sheraton Addis Located in the heart of the Ethiopian capital, Sheraton Addis sits on a hilltop overlooking the city, nestled between the National Palace and the prime minister’s residence. This 5-star hotel mixes African refinement with modern accents and boasts glittering pools with underwater music, an indulgent spa menu of soothing massages at Aqva Club, and several gourmet restaurants. 24-hour service and fine amenities await and all rooms and suites are designed with exceptional comfort and personalized attention in mind. All rooms feature individually-controlled air conditioning, an electronic, in-room safe, flat-screen TV, mini-bar, marble bathrooms, plush bathrobes, slippers, Luxury Collection amenities, and free bottled water, coffee, and tea. Bale Mountain Lodge Bale Mountain Lodge is an eight-room boutique wilderness lodge set in the pristine wilderness of Bale Mountains National Park. The central lodge blends beautifully into its hilly surroundings and features a traditional 'tukul' dining area that overlooks the sweeping vistas of the valley and mountains beyond. All lodge ‘menyetta-bets’ (guest-rooms) are spacious and comfortable with a wood-burning stove in each room to provide warmth and a cozy atmosphere. Furniture is locally manufactured using sustainable wood, and all soft furnishings are locally-sourced and are of the highest quality with an emphasis on comfort with Ethiopian style. To help protect the unique surrounding habitats, the lodge uses eco-friendly practices for micro-hydropower, water, and waste management. LimaLimo Lodge Perched on the edge of the escarpment, Limalimo Lodge is the perfect home base for exploring Ethiopia's Simien Mountains National Park. Combining simple luxury and elegant design in a stunning setting, the lodge promotes sustainable tourism with minimal environmental impact and provides new opportunities to the local community. The bar, restaurant, and terrace provide breathtaking views along the Simien escarpment and give you plenty of space to relax in, including an inviting fire pit for cool evenings. The communal areas are an ideal place to spot wildlife. Eagles, vultures, and many more soar past; Gelada monkeys, klipspringers, jackal, and leopards amongst others are often spotted from Limalimo. Guest rooms are scattered amongst the trees below the bar and restaurant area and reached by winding paths. All rooms have views of the surrounding landscape. Kuriftu Resort & Spa Breathtaking landscapes encompass the resort and guests can enjoy an outdoor pool and sunbathing terrace that overlooks gorgeous Lake Tana. An organic spa and gourmet restaurants are the perfect places to relax after a full day of exploration. Each room has air-conditioning, desk, safe, TV, bathrobe, slippers, toiletries and a coffee maker.
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