10-Day Southern Ethiopia Wildlife & Rift Valley Adventure
- Wildlife
- 10 Days
- 4wd
This itinerary prioritizes the wildlife of Chebera Churchura and Maze, blending them with the
unique cultural and natural features of the Great Rift Valley.
Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa & City Exploration
Morning: Arrive at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD). You will be met and
transferred to your hotel.
Afternoon: Take a city tour to see the National Museum (home of ‘Lucy’), the Holy Trinity
Cathedral, and enjoy panoramic views of the city from Mount Entoto.
Overnight: Hotel in Addis Ababa.
Day 2: Drive to Chebera Churchura National Park
Morning: Depart early for the long, scenic drive south/southwest toward Chebera
Churchura National Park. The drive is a significant part of the journey, passing through
the beautiful highlands and the Kaffa region (the birthplace of coffee).
Lunch: Stop for lunch in a key town like Jimma or a suitable location along the route.
Afternoon: Arrive at the park headquarters or your designated eco-lodge/campsite
(camping is common and recommended for the best experience).
Overnight: Tented Camp/Eco-Lodge near Chebera Churchura National Park.
Day 3: Chebera Churchura National Park (Elephant & Buffalo Tracking)
Full Day: Spend the day exploring the park, which is a stronghold for the African elephant
and Cape buffalo.
Activities: Take a guided walking safari (accompanied by a park scout/ranger) to sites
like Lake Bulo, which is a key spot for elephants, hippos, and buffalos. The park’s dense
vegetation makes walking safaris essential.
Wildlife: Focus on tracking large mammals and enjoying the incredibly diverse birdlife
and lush, untouched landscape.
Overnight: Tented Camp/Eco-Lodge near Chebera Churchura National Park.
Day 4: Chebera Churchura & Drive to Maze National Park
Morning: Early morning game drive or a final trek in a different section of Chebera
Churchura, perhaps visiting the hot springs (Filwuha) or Borbo Falls.
Late Morning: Depart from Chebera Churchura and drive southeast towards Maze
National Park.
Afternoon: Arrive at Maze, a park known for its savannah grassland environment.
Overnight: Basic Lodge or Tented Camp near Maze National Park.
Day 5: Maze National Park & Arba Minch
Morning: Full game drive and exploration of Maze National Park.
Wildlife Focus: Maze is primarily designed to protect the endangered Swayne’s
Hartebeest, one of Ethiopia’s endemic mammals. You will search for this species along
with Oribi, Bohor Reedbuck, Warthog, and various predators like leopards.
Afternoon: Drive to Arba Minch (meaning “Forty Springs”), a major Rift Valley town
perched on a ridge overlooking two lakes.
Overnight: Lodge/Resort in Arba Minch (e.g., Paradise Lodge) with stunning views over
the Rift Valley.
Day 6: Lake Chamo Boat Trip & Dorze Cultural Visit
Morning: Take a memorable boat trip on Lake Chamo.
Highlights: Visit the area locally known as the “Crocodile Market” to see massive Nile
Crocodiles and large schools of Hippopotamus. Birdlife is abundant, including Great
White Pelicans and African Fish Eagles.
Afternoon: Drive up the mountains above Arba Minch to visit a Dorze village. The Dorze
are famous for their towering, beehive-shaped bamboo houses and their traditional
weaving.
Overnight: Lodge/Resort in Arba Minch.
Day 7: Drive to Awassa & Fish Market
Morning: Scenic drive north through the Rift Valley towards Awassa (Hawassa). The
landscape changes to open savannah and agricultural land.
Lunch: Stop at a suitable restaurant on the way.
Afternoon: Visit the famous Awassa Fish Market on the shore of Lake Awassa. Watch local
fishermen bring in their catch and the market activity, which is also a fantastic spot for
birding, including Marabou Storks, Pelicans, and various Kingfishers.
Overnight: Resort/Hotel in Awassa.
Day 8: Drive to Bale Mountains National Park (Dinsho)
Morning: Depart Awassa and drive east, ascending into the majestic Bale Mountains
National Park—a key destination for Ethiopian endemic wildlife.
Afternoon: Arrive at the park headquarters in Dinsho. Take a gentle acclimatization walk
in the Dinsho area.
Wildlife: Look for the endemic Mountain Nyala and Menelik’s Bushbuck, which are
often easily spotted grazing near the headquarters.
Overnight: Lodge or Hotel in Dinsho or nearby Goba.
Day 9: Bale Mountains (Sanetti Plateau & Ethiopian Wolf)
Full Day: Full-day excursion to the Sanetti Plateau (up to 4,377m), the largest Afro-alpine
habitat in Africa.
Wildlife Focus: This is the best place in the world to see the critically endangered
Ethiopian Wolf. You will drive across the Afro-alpine moorland, home to the Giant
Lobelia.
Harenna Forest: Drive down into the deep, lush Harenna Forest on the southern side
of the park, looking for the endemic Bale Monkey and unique forest bird species.
Overnight: Lodge or Hotel in Goba/Robe.
Day 10: Drive/Fly back to Addis Ababa & Departure
Option 1 (Drive): Morning drive back to Addis Ababa (a long journey).
Option 2 (Fly – Recommended): Short morning transfer from Goba/Robe to the Bale Robe
Airport (GOB). Fly back to Addis Ababa (ADD).
Afternoon: Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, enjoy a final chance for souvenir shopping or a
day room to relax.
Evening: Enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant with cultural music
and dancing before your transfer to Bole International Airport for your international
departure.
Note: This itinerary involves significant driving distances, especially on Day 2 and Day 10 (if
driving). Using a domestic flight (Option 2 on Day 10) is highly recommended for an efficient
and less tiring final day
Tour packages for destinations like the Bale Mountains and Chebera Churchura National
Parks usually cover all essential services within Brilliant tours, such as:
Logistics & Accommodation
Ground Transport: A private, 4×4 safari vehicle (like a Toyota Land Cruiser) with an
experienced driver and fuel for the entire itinerary.
Accommodation: All nights of lodging, which may be a mix of hotels, lodges, and/or high
quality camping gear (including tents, sleeping bags, and mattresses) depending on the
itinerary’s remote locations.
Airport Transfers: Pickup upon arrival and drop-off upon departure at the main airport
(usually Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa).
Food & Drink
Meals: Full board (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) throughout the tour, often including a
professional cook and cooking equipment for camping sections.
Water: Bottled water is typically provided daily, especially during drives and on treks.
Fees & Personnel
All Entrance Fees: This includes fees for National Parks (like Bale Mountains and Chebera
Churchura), reserves, historical sites, and museums mentioned in the itinerary.
Guiding & Staff: The services of an English-speaking Tour Guide for the duration of the
tour, along with local guides, scouts, and park rangers required in the national parks.
Camping Equipment: Essential camping gear (excluding personal items like a sleeping bag
if it’s not a higher-end package, but often including tents, mattresses, tables, and chairs).
These are the costs you should anticipate paying for yourself, as they are rarely covered in
the base package price:
Travel & Insurance
International Flights: Airfare to and from Ethiopia (Addis Ababa).
Domestic Flights: While some packages include one or two domestic flights (like a flight
back to Addis Ababa from a regional airport), they are often listed as a separate, optional
add-on or a clear exclusion unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Travel/Medical Insurance: Personal travel insurance and medical coverage are
mandatory and your responsibility to purchase.
Visa Fees: The cost of your Ethiopian tourist visa, which is often obtainable online or
upon arrival.
Personal Expenses
Tips/Gratuities: For the driver, main guide, local guides, scouts, camp staff, and
hotel/lodge personnel. This is customary and expected.
Alcoholic Beverages: Soft drinks are sometimes included with meals, but all alcoholic
drinks are generally excluded.
Personal Shopping: Souvenirs, handicrafts, or any other personal expenses.
Laundry Service and telephone/communication costs.
Camera/Video Fees: Fees charged at some historical or cultural sites for using still or
video cameras
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