12 Days African Trail Tour

12 Days African trail tour itinerary

Day 1: Addis Ababa city tour

Morning drive to discover the city of Addis Ababa, founded in 1886 by Menelik II and situated at an elevation of around 2438m making it the 3^rd highest capital city in the world. It enjoys an excellent climate all year round, with an average temperature of 25°C. Our city tour takes us to visit the National museum housing some of the country’s historic treasures like the 3.5 million year old remains of ‘Lucy’, the oldest hominid every found. We proceed to the Ethnographic Museum and the church of the Holy Trinity, Ethiopia’s main cathedral and home to the remains of the last emperor, Haile Selassie. Dinner and overnight at Monarch Hotel (www.monarchaddis.com) or Golden Tulip Hotel or Lobelia Hotel (www.hotellobeliaaddis.com) or similar

Day 2: Senbete Market / Dessie

After breakfast, we drive for 383kms (8 hrs) to Dessie with a stop at the Senbete market (Sundays only). The market is frequented by different ethnic groups such as Oromo, Afar and Amhara and is one of the most authentic and colourful markets in Ethiopia. It also has a dedicated area for the trade of livestock, particularly camels, cattle and donkeys. In the late afternoon, we arrive in Dessie, where we will spend the night. Dinner and overnight at Melbourne Hotel or similar

Day 3: Bati Market / Semera

After breakfast, we drive for 240 kms to Semera with a stopover enroute at Bati Market. This is the 2^nd largest market in Ethiopia (after the Mercato in Addis Ababa). It is frequented by several ethnic groups making it a colourful place. It is huge huge and chaotic covering a hillside. It is an interesting market in whole Africa. In the afternoon, we proceed towards East into the hot savanna to arrive at Semera. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Semera or similar

Day 4: Gelafi / Lake Abbe

After breakfast, we drive for 115kms to Gelafi where we will cross the border into Djibouti. We pick our navigator in Dikhil for the off-road track through the desert until we will reach Lake Abbe. We proceed from Dikhil to Lake Abbe (160 kms) to enjoy a spectacular sunset over the surreal landscape around Lake Abbe formed by the elevation of countless lime stone chimneys. Dinner and overnight at Lake Abbe Lodge in Lake Abbe

Day 5:  Lake Assal / Tadjoura

Early morning trek through the limestone chimneys around Lake Abbe where we see huge flocks of flamingos. We continue to Lake Assal (110 km), one of the saltiest lakes on earth and also the lowest point on the African Continent (-153m). We will enjoy a fantastic bath in Africa’s “Dead Sea”. In the afternoon, we drive for some 45kms to the small coastal town of Tadjoura at the Gulf of Djibouti. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Le Golf or similar

Day 6: Full day on the ‘’white beach” near Tadjoura

Today, we have full day at leisure to explore the pristine “White Beach” near Tadjoura. We will spend the night in a basic guest house on the beach. Dinner and overnight at Basic Guesthouse, White Beach

Day 7: Djibouti

After breakfast, we drive for some 175 kms along the idyllic Gulf of Djibouti until reaching Djibouti City. In the afternoon, we visit Djibouti City and its interesting market. We will also arrange our boat trip for the next day to swim with the whale sharks. Dinner and overnight at Menelik Hotel, Djibouti City

Day 8: Swimming with Whale Sharks

Today, we have full day at leisure to enjoy watersports activities like a boat trip from Djibouti and have a good chance to swim and snorkel with these stunning creatures. Dinner and overnight at Menelik Hotel, Djibouti City

Day 9: Dire Dawa

After an early breakfast, we leave Djibouti City and drive for some 380 kms (8 hrs) across the Grand Barra plains to arrive at the Ethiopian border in Dewele. After immigration procedures, we cross and proceed to Dire Dawa where we will spend the night. Dinner and overnight at La Duchesse Hotel or similar in Dire Dawa

Day 10: Harar

After breakfast, we drive from Dire Dawa to Harar (60 kms, 1 hr) to visit the 16^th Century walled city of Harar, the 4^thmost important city in the Islamic World and a UNESCO world heritage site. We visit the home of Arthur Rimbaud, renowned French poet who lived in Harar, the National and Harari museums, the house of Ras Mekonnen (the father of Haile Selassie), traditional Harari homes. In the evening, we see the “Hyena Man” feeding the hyenas that gather every night in the town. Dinner and overnight at Ras Hotel or Wonderland Hotel or Heritage Plaza Hotel or Rewda Guesthouse or similar

Day 11: Awash National Park

After breakfast, we drive for some 328 kms (7 hrs) to the Awash National Park to arrive in the afternoon at the lodge located next to the Awash Falls. We will see a variety of birds and mammals in the savanna and crocodiles at the river. We will have an impressive sunset over the Awash gorge. Dinner and overnight at Awash Falls Lodge (www.awashfallslodge.net) or similar in Awash National Park 

Day 12: Addis Ababa

Early morning game drive in the park. After breakfast, we drive for some 215 kms (4 hrs) back to Addis Ababa.

Group Size per vehicle (adults)- 2 Pax,3 Pax ,4 Pax5, Pax, 6 Pax

What is Included on the safari price:  

• 11-night accommodation & meals as per the program
• All tours as per the itinerary
• Transport as per program
• English speaking guide
• Entrance fees to all sites as per the itinerary
• Bottled water during the tours
• All service charges and taxes

What is Excluded on the safari price:

•  Flights and taxes
• Entry visa
• Airport transfers
• Personal expenses
• Optional activities not included above
• Gratuities
• Tips
• Personal insurance cover
• Deviation from above program