Addis Ababa is the first encounter with Ethiopia for those who arrive by air and holds an unending fascination for the traveler because it is a city of contrasts where barefooted farmers drive their grass ladened donkeys past modern skyscrapers. Addis Ababa, meaning “New Flower” is located in the foothills of the Entoto Mountains and was founded by Emporer Menelik II in 1887. Addis is not only the capital but, has become the economic center of Ethiopia with many international and regional organizations like the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) at the Africa Hall and the headquarters of the Organization of African Unity (OAU Addis being the main entry to Ethiopia as well as its center serves as the access to tour all of Ethiopia. For those who have limited time, the surroundings of Addis offer many interesting sites within easy reach. Whether one is a naturalist or a historian, geologist or photographer, there are wide arrays of possibilities to satisfy one's particular interest. An Accommodated Safari through Ethiopia from Addis Ababa to Addis Ababa. This tour gives travellers insights into the various tribes and cultures of Ethiopia, its colourful markets and scenic beauty.

Highlights
Addis Ababa, The Blue Nile Gorge, Debre Markos Monastery, Bahar Dar, Lake Tana, Gondar, Blue Nile Falls, Simien Mountains National Park, Lalibela eleven rock hewn churches, Dessie, Dinsho Bale Park, Saneti Plateau, Wendo Genet, Lake Awash, Lake Abiata, Lake Langano.

Includes
Vehicles on tour: minibuses/buses in Addis Ababa and Toyota Land Cruiser 4WD for the southern regions with capacity of 4 people per vehicle
4* hotel (DeLeopol or Ghion or Imperial) in Addis Ababa on BB basis (bed and breakfast) and 2-3* hotels out of Addis Ababa on FB basis (full board) in double room occupancy
Meals out of Addis Ababa including non-alcoholic drinks during meals
Qualified English Guide(s)
Entrances fees
Cook when needed
Boat on Chamo lake as per program
Government taxes

Excludes
Drinks and meals in Addis Ababa
Alcoholic drinks and other drinks not included with meals throughout the tour
Any flights, including embarkation fees, airports porters and taxes
Tips & all personal expenses

Itinerary
Day 1
Addis Ababa. You will be met on arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel. After meeting up with the rest of the tour group we depart on an afternoon city tour. Visit the National Museum, Trinity Church and the Entoto Mountains with a great magnificent view of the city. You will have the opportunity to explore the Merkato, the largest outdoor market in Africa.
Day 2
Rift Valley Lakes. Drive to the Rift Valley lakes of Shala, Abyata and Langano, admiring wonderful views, many birds, pelicans, flamingoes, hot springs and more. Relax then at the Wenney eco-lodge, secluded in a natural paradise on the shores of Lake Langano, near Munessa forest. Possibility of trekking, bird-watching, horse-riding, boat excursion, cycling, and more. [BD]
Day 3
Arbaminch. Proceed traveling through the Wolayta villages and admiring spectacular green hills, continue to Arbaminch, in Amharic meaning 40 springs. Afternoon drive to Chencha, to visit the highland people of Dorze, with their unique culture, houses, and traditions. Overnight at Swaynes hotel, with spectacular views over Chamo and Abaya lakes. [BLD]
Day 4
Jinka.Drive to Jinka, admiring on the way the interesting Konso, Derase, Ari, Benna and Tsemay people, very famous for hairstyles, their unique culture and traditions, as the ornaments all over their body. Konso people famous for their terracing agricultural works and villages traditions. O/N camp or local hotel Jinka town.
Day 5
Mago National Park. Enter into the Mago National park to visit the Mursi people and villages. Here beautiful women use to put round plates into their lips and men have different scarification based on the number of enemies or wild animals killed in a battle. [BLD]
Day 6
Turmi. Depart for Turmi to visit the Tsemay and Erbore people's colourful market at KeyAfer village. Proceed then to the beautiful region home to the Hamer people, with unique hairstyles, different cultural traits, ornamental traditions and more. [BLD]
Day 7
Karo and Bume People. Cross the Karo people region and visit their village of Kortcho, with beautiful views over the Omo River. Karo people are famous for the men's extravagant hairstyles and for the different ornaments and painting all over the bodies of men, women and children. Proceed to Kangate and cross the Omo River by small boat (only affluent of Lake Turkana), to admire the Bume people and villages. Return to Turmi for overnight stay. [BLD]
Day 8
Omorate Village. A morning excursion to Omorate village, on the banks of Omo river, to visit the Dassanech people and the market Dimeka Village. Admire the Hamer tribe's dances (Evangadi) and with luck the marriage ceremonies with bull jumping performed by men. [BLD]
Day 9
Arbaminch. Cross and visit the Erbore tribe's villages, stopping to admire the agricultural traditions of the Konso. Then proceed for your overnight in Arbaminch. [BLD]
Day 10
Netch Sar National Park. Start with a morning visit to the Netch Sar National park, sanctuary of the endemic Swaynes Hartbeest, numerous zebras and more. Take an afternoon boat cruise on Chamo Lake to look for hippos and crocodiles with a length that reaches 6 meters. [BLD]
Day 11
Addis Ababa.Return to Addis Ababa where the tour ends with an evening of traditional dinner with folkloristic dances. [BLD]
Day 12
you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. [B]