8-Day Gambella National Park Safari Itinerary

Gambella National Park is one of Ethiopia’s most remote and wildlife-rich destinations, known for its vast wetlands, river systems, and open savannahs. The region is home to extraordinary species such as the White-eared Kob, Nile Lechwe, Shoebill Stork, Hippos, and large Nile Crocodiles. This 8-day safari adventure includes exclusive charter flights, private guided game drives, boat safaris, cultural encounters with the Nuer or Anuak communities, and immersive camping experiences under the stars. It is designed for travelers seeking untouched wilderness and a truly authentic East African safari.

Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa

Morning/Afternoon: Arrive at Bole International Airport (ADD), meet your guide, and transfer to a hotel.
Afternoon: City tour of Addis Ababa, potentially including the National Museum (to see “Lucy”) and the Ethnological Museum.
Evening: Welcome dinner and a briefing on the adventure ahead.
Overnight: Hotel in Addis Ababa.

Day 2: Charter Flight to Gambella National Park & Camp Setup

Morning: Transfer to the airport for your private charter flight (often a small Cessna aircraft) west to the remote airstrip near Gambella National Park. This flight offers a stunning aerial view of the changing Ethiopian landscape.
Afternoon: Upon landing, meet the camp team and transfer via safari vehicle to the Mobile Tented Camp (typically located near the Baro or Akobo River).
Evening: Settle into the exclusive camp and enjoy your first dinner in the wilderness.
Overnight: Mobile Tented Camp, Gambella National Park.

Day 3: Game Drives & Kob Migration Search (Seasonal)

Morning: Early wake-up for a coffee and a full morning game drive, focusing on the savannah and floodplains. The park is home to Elephants, Buffalo, Giraffe, Waterbuck, and Lion.
Activity Focus: Searching for large herds of White-eared Kob, which migrate through the park (best seen in the wet season/shoulder months, but present year-round).
Afternoon: Relax at the camp, followed by a late afternoon game drive or a guided walk around the camp vicinity.
Overnight: Mobile Tented Camp, Gambella National Park.

Day 4: Baro River Boat Safari & Shoebill Stork Quest

Morning: A specialized activity today—a boat safari on the Baro River. This is the best way to see the park’s extensive wetland and swamp habitats.
Wildlife Focus: Look for Nile Lechwe (an endemic antelope) and the highly sought-after Shoebill Stork in the permanent marsh areas, along with Hippos and huge Nile Crocodiles.
Afternoon: Continue the drive or walk, exploring the gallery forests that line the riverbanks.
Overnight: Mobile Tented Camp, Gambella National Park.

Day 5: Fly Camping / Deep Wilderness Exploration

Morning: Depart the main camp, driving deep into a different block of the park (e.g., towards the drier southwest or the far plains).
Activity: Extended game drive and tracking in an area less frequently visited, often using professional trackers to look for Leopard, Cheetah, or large Elephant herds.
Evening: Fly Camping. Set up a minimalist camp in a remote, scenic location near a river or oxbow lake, providing a pure wilderness experience under the stars.
Overnight: Fly Camp (basic but comfortable), Gambella National Park.

Day 6: Cultural Immersion with the Nuer or Anuak Tribes

Morning: Break camp and drive/trek out to the park boundaries to meet a local community.
Cultural Focus: Visit a traditional Nuer or Anuak village or a Nuer cattle camp. The Nuer are a Nilotic pastoralist group famous for their cultural ceremonies.
Afternoon: Drive back to the main mobile camp, potentially stopping for a final game drive en route.
Overnight: Mobile Tented Camp, Gambella National Park.

Day 7: Last Game Drive & Relaxation

Morning: Enjoy a leisurely final game drive, focusing on any endemic or rare species you may have missed, such as the Abyssinian Ground Hornbill or African Finfoot.
Daytime: Time to relax at the camp, sort through photos, or enjoy one last guided bush walk.
Evening: Farewell campfire dinner, sharing stories of your Gambella adventure.
Overnight: Mobile Tented Camp, Gambella National Park.

Day 8: Departure

Morning: Enjoy a final breakfast in the bush.
Activity: Short transfer to the local airstrip for your charter flight back to Addis Ababa (ADD).
Afternoon: Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, you may have a day room at a hotel for a shower and rest before your evening transfer to the airport for your international departure.

The price of a remote safari like this is comprehensive and covers nearly all necessary costs once you land in Addis Ababa.

Travel & Transportation

Domestic & Charter Flights:
• Round-trip private charter flights between Addis Ababa and the nearest airstrip serving Gambella National Park (this is the single largest cost).
• All necessary airport transfers in Addis Ababa and at the local airstrip.

Ground Transportation:
• Exclusive use of a private, dedicated 4×4 safari vehicle (usually open-sided for the best game viewing) for all game drives and local transfers within the park.
• Fuel and all vehicle maintenance/logistics costs.

Park Activities:
• All scheduled game drives.
• Baro River boat safaris for hippo, crocodile, and bird-watching (especially the Shoebill Stork).
• Guided walking safaris and fly-camp excursions.

Accommodation & Meals

Accommodation:
• One night in a high-quality hotel in Addis Ababa (Day 1, and often a day room on Day 8).
• Six nights in the park’s Mobile Tented Camps or Fly Camps. These are often large, walk-in canvas tents with full-sized beds, en-suite safari bucket showers (hot water on request), and flush toilets.

Full Board Meals:
• All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) from the start of Day 2 to the end of Day 7, plus most meals on Day 1 and Day 8 as per the itinerary.
• Food is freshly prepared by a professional safari cook, often over an open fire.

Beverages:
• Bottled drinking water provided throughout the day (in the vehicle and at camp).
• Soft drinks, juices, tea, and coffee are usually included at the camp. Note: Some luxury operators may include house alcoholic beverages as well, but this should be confirmed.

Staff, Fees, and Permits

Professional Guiding:
• Services of an experienced, professional, English-speaking safari guide for the entire duration of the trip.

Park Fees:
• All park entrance fees, concession fees, and camping fees for Gambella National Park.
• Fees for local scouts and armed rangers required to accompany safaris in this remote region.

Camp Staff:
• The entire mobile camp crew, including the cook, tent stewards, camp assistants, and security staff.

Cultural Visits:
• Fees for visiting local Nuer or Anuak communities and cattle camps as described in the itinerary.

The cost of this trip is high because the inclusions are so extensive. The exclusions are usually limited to personal items:

International Travel:
• Your international flights to and from Addis Ababa (ADD).
• Ethiopian tourist visa fees.

Gratuities:
• Tipping for the safari staff (guide, driver, cook, camp staff, and scout). Tipping is a significant and expected part of the safari budget.

Alcoholic Beverages:
• Beer, wine, and spirits, unless explicitly stated as “all-inclusive” by the tour operator.

Personal Expenses:
• Travel insurance (highly recommended and often mandatory).
• Laundry services (may be available at the main camp for a fee).
• Souvenirs and personal items.
• Any activities not listed in the final itinerary (e.g., helicopter flights if the package only included fixed-wing charters).