Northern Ethiopia Fly-In Safari

Northern Ethiopia Fly-In Safari
Northern Ethiopia Fly-In Safari
Northern Ethiopia Fly-In Safari
Northern Ethiopia Fly-In Safari
Northern Ethiopia Fly-In Safari
Northern Ethiopia Fly-In Safari
Safari Information
  • Departure; Scheduled and tailor-made departure dates
  • Duration; 6 Days / 5 Nights
  • Lodging; Lodges
  • Group Size; Minimum 1
  • Note: Travel insurance is compulsory for all safaris
Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Bahir Dar

  • Early in the morning, depart on a flight for Bahir Dar (07:00).
  • After arrival, take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit a selection of the monasteries hidden on the islands and shores of this sacred lake.
  • Visit the Zege Peninsula and the monasteries of Azuwa Maryam and Ura Kidane Mehret and the island monastery of Debre Maryam near the outlet of the Blue Nile River.
  • In the afternoon, drive out to the Blue Nile Falls for a short hike in the area.
  • Finish the day with the sunset over the lake.
  • Overnight in Bahir Dar at Kuriftu Resort and Spa/Abay Minch Lodge/Summerland Hotel/EthioStar Hotel.

Day 2: Gondar

  • After breakfast, continue north to Gondar.
  • The four-hour drive will take you through rural villages, offering wonderful insight into the Amhara culture.
  • After briefly settling in your hotel, explore the sites of Gondar, including a visit to the Royal Enclosure, with six castles and several other buildings.
  • Additionally, visit Fasilidas’s Pool, still used for Timket celebrations today, Ras Gimb Palace Museum and the Debre Birhan Selassie church, with the most famous ceiling in Ethiopia.
  • Overnight in Gondar at Taye Hotel/Fasil Lodge/Queen Taitu Pension.

Day 3: Axum

  • Early morning flight to Axum (07:45).
  • Upon arrival to Axum, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel.
  • Today will be a full day visiting the sites of Axum, including the famous obelisks (one that was recently erected after being returned from Italy) and the archaeological museum, the Queen of Sheba’s Bath (which supplies water to Axum year-round), Ezana’s inscription, King Kaleb’s tomb, King Bazen’s tomb, and the Queen of Sheba’s Palace.
  • You can also visit the St. Mary of Zion church, where the Ark of the Covenant is kept (Men only are allowed to enter the old church).
  • Unfortunately, no one (except one specially chosen guardian monk) is allowed to enter the chapel where the Ark is kept.
  • Overnight in Axum at Sabean International Hotel/Remhai Hotel/Africa Hotel.

Day 4: Lalibela

  • Depart on a morning flight to Lalibela (11:00), the most famous of all of the Ethiopian historical sites.
  • After lunch, start your tour of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, visiting the Northwestern Cluster of churches - Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael and Bet Golgotha (entry not permitted for women).
  • Overnight in Lalibela at Mountain View Hotel/Lal Hotel/Alief Paradise Hotel.

Day 5: Lalibela

  • In the morning, take a trip to visit the church of Yimrehanne Kristos.
  • The most popular of the churches outside of Lalibela, this church is built with layers of wood and granite, set in the entrance to a large cavern.
  • After the visit, return to Lalibela for lunch and, in the afternoon, visit the Southeastern Cluster of churches – Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanual, and Bet Abba Libanos.
  • Finally, you will visit the most famous of all the churches – Bet Giyorgis, constructed in honor of the patron saint of Ethiopia – Saint George.
  • Overnight in Lalibela at Mountain View Hotel/Lal Hotel/Alief Paradise Hotel.

Day 6: Addis Ababa - Safari Ends

  • In the morning, visit the nearby monastery of Na’akuto La’ab, set on the side of a cliff.
  • After the visit, proceed to the airport for the return flight back to Addis Ababa (11:50).
Rates From

From US$ 574.00 pp sharing

Rates Information

The Above Rates should be used as a guideline only.

  • Rates are based on four people per safari
  • Domestic flights: From US$ 615.00 per person
  • All rates are subject to availability
  • Rates may vary according to season
  • Lodging may change depending on your budget
  • All rates may change without notice
  • Single supplement may apply
Rates Include
  • Domestic airfare as listed above (quoted separately below)
  • Private ground transportation (including all airport transfers), inclusive of fuel and insurance
  • Hotel accommodation as listed above (or similar quality, based on availability), double or twin share including breakfast
  • Entrance fees to all locations including local guide service and boat trip on Lake Tana
  • All applicable taxes
Rates Exclude
  • Accommodation and activities in Addis Ababa (quoted separately)
  • Lunch, dinner and beverages, including all alcoholic beverages
  • Camera and/or photo fees
  • Tips for driver, guides, etc (at your discretion)
  • Items of a personal nature
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General Information
Popular Ethiopia Destinations
The Town Of Axum
Getting to and from The Town Of Axumis best done via aircraft from any of the surrounding tourist destinations including Addis Ababa. The town is too far North for one to travel realistically here by vehicle from Addis Ababa. From Addis Ababa, by road will take you at least 2 full days whereas a flight is only about 80 minutes.
Lalibela Churches Northern Cluster
We explore the "Northern Cluster" of Lalibela's rock hewn churches on this page, by Northern Cluster, we mean the grouping of Churches north of the River Jordan. These Northern churches are from what we were told, are older than the southern cluster and the workmanship shows that to be true (ish).
Fasil Ghebbi
Positioned right in the heart of the modern city of Gondar ones comes across Fasil Ghebbi (Royal Enclosure), with over 70 000 square metres of castle ruins. Now to say that this is a fascinating place to explore is probably the understatement of the year, a photographers paradise, to be honest.
Queen Of Sheba Palace
The Queen of Sheba who was an "exotic and mysterious woman of power" is one of the great religious figures who appear in the Old Testament, the Hebrew Bible and the Muslim Koran. And her Palace is found right here in Axum. Why would you not want to stop by here and take in the scenery and snap a few photographs?
St. Mary of Zion
Around 300AD the first St. Mary of Zion was built in the town of Axum by the first and largest Christian Kingdom outside of the Roman Empire. The church itself has been rebuilt several times over the past 1700 odd years, with the latest version (as you can see below) having been finished in 1964.
Bet Giyorgis Church
Bet Giyorgis is the most famous of Lalibela's rock hewn churches and gets its name from the patron saint of Ethiopia, St George. The church lies uncovered unlike all the other churches and is accessible by a short walk from either of the clusters (often described as the "8th Wonder of the World").
Blue Nile Falls
The height of the falls is around the 40-metre mark and in full flood, they can span almost 700 metres. In full flood, I reckon these falls could compete with many of the more famous water falls in Africa. For those interested in birding, bring your big lenses with. The birdlife is simply amazing along the banks of this river.