11 Days Southern & Eastern Ethiopia Tour: Harar, Awash, Langano, Hawassa & Senkelle Wildlife Sanctuary

Overview

This 11-day Southern and Eastern Ethiopia tour combines wildlife, culture, nature, and historic cities. Explore Addis Ababa, Awash National Park, the ancient walled city of Harar, the Valley of Marvels, Lake Langano, Hawassa, Senkelle Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Blue Nile Gorge. The tour offers opportunities to experience Ethiopia’s wildlife, Rift Valley lakes, local culture, historic attractions, and scenic landscapes.

Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa & Entoto Hill Exploration

Arrival in Addis Ababa. You will walk around Entoto Hill, which presents a breathtaking view of Addis Ababa from above 3,000 meters above sea level. Unity Park offers travelers the opportunity to learn about nature and Ethiopian history and culture. Here, you can view historical buildings and artifacts, learn about indigenous plants at the traditional garden, and check out the exotic animals at the zoo, including the endemic black-maned lion. There are also a couple of restaurants and cafés where you can refuel throughout the day.

Overnight: Triple E Hotel, Addis Ababa

Day 2: Addis Ababa – Awash National Park

After breakfast, start the drive towards the east via Debre Zeit town, which is famous for its several crater lakes. Arrive at Awash National Park in the afternoon. After you get settled in, you will embark on an afternoon game drive to see the variety of wildlife that inhabits the park. You might see gazelles, baboons, and warthogs, among other animals.

Overnight: Negash Lodge

Day 3: Awash National Park Trek – Harar

You will start your day with a two-hour hike through the national park. Located in Ethiopia’s Great Rift Valley, Awash is home to beautiful vast landscapes and a wide array of bird and animal species. Then you will drive to Harar via the Chercher Mountains.

Overnight: Grand Gate Hotel

Day 4: Explore Harar & Valley of Marvels – Langano

In the morning, you’ll drive out to the Valley of Marvels to view the large balancing rock sculptures dotting the vast landscape. In the afternoon, you will explore vibrant Harar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Colorful and bustling markets, more than 100 mosques and shrines, and a mountaintop vantage point of the entire city are just a few of the cultural offerings you can experience in the “City of Saints.”

Overnight: Savanna Beach Lodge

Day 5: Visit Lake Langano

You will have an early drive to Lake Langano. En route, you will make a stop at the Awash River and Lake Ziway to visit aquatic birds. Continue your drive to Lake Langano, one of the Rift Valley Lakes and the only lake in Ethiopia where swimming is allowed. Upon arrival, you will check into a resort by the lakeside. In the evening, you will have dinner at the lodge and stay the night there.

Overnight: Savanna Beach Lodge

Day 6: Langano – Hawassa

After breakfast, you will drive to Hawassa (75 km from Langano). You will arrive in Hawassa in the afternoon. Right after checking into the hotel, you can walk along the lakeshore for a beautiful evening sunset and birdwatching. You will have dinner and spend the night at the hotel.

Overnight: Haile Resort

Day 7: Excursion to Senkelle Wildlife Sanctuary

In the morning after breakfast, you will visit the scenic fish market in Hawassa. Then you will drive to Senkelle Wildlife Sanctuary (90 km from Hawassa), well known for the endemic and endangered subspecies of Swayne’s Hartebeest.

Overnight: Haile Resort

Day 8: Hawassa – Addis Ababa

In the morning after breakfast, you will visit the scenic fish market in Hawassa. Then you will drive to Addis Ababa. On the way, you will also visit Abijatta-Shalla National Park, Lake Shalla (a very deep crater lake over 260 meters deep), and Lake Abijatta (a soda lake with thousands of flamingos).

Overnight: Triple E Hotel, Addis Ababa

Day 9: Visit the Portuguese Bridge & Blue Nile Gorge

The Blue Nile Gorge is situated 225 km north of Addis Ababa. This majestic and massive gorge is one of the most captivating in Africa. It is traversed by a tortuous road with spectacular views in many places, and a pair of bridges cross the river — the new Japanese suspension bridge handles traffic while the original Italian bridge is now used by shepherds. The area has magnificent natural beauty. The “Portuguese Bridge” area is simply breathtaking, with a waterfall and a deep gorge leading down to the Jemma River Valley.

Overnight: Triple E Hotel, Addis Ababa

Day 10: Free Day in Addis Ababa

On this day, there are no activities planned, only shopping and leisure time.

Overnight: Triple E Hotel

Day 11: Departure

Transfer to Bole International Airport for departure.