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Wildlife on the Roof of Africa

Duration
10 days
Price from
$5,847 pp.
Location
Ethiopia, Africa
Ethiopian Wolf Eto

Trip Highlights

  • Simien Mountains wildlife
  • Bale Mountains exploration
  • Ethiopian wolf sightings

What's Included

  • Guided tours
  • Transportation
  • 10 nights accommodation
See the best of Ethiopia's endemic mammals and birds with us

Ethiopia has an unusually high concentration of endemic mammals and birds. You'll be able to see many of them during this individual tour.

Ethiopia has a high concentration of endemic mammals and birds: of its mammals, best known include the Ethiopian wolf, rarest of all canids. With less than 500 remaining - and none held anywhere in captivity - this impressive species is on the brink of extinction. Another very rare endemic mammal, the Walia ibex, is confined to the Simien Mountains where it numbers some 500 individuals, again with none held anywhere in captivity.

Interestingly Ethiopia has two endemic primates - the iconic Gelada monkey was long considered to be a baboon and is the only primate that grazes. Geladas are happily fairly numerous where they occur - large groups can be seen around Simien Lodge for example. Much harder to spot is the Bale monkey or Bale Mountains vervet, which inhabits bamboo stands in Harenna Forest, Bale National Park.

Also in Bale, visitors come to seek endangered Mountain nyala, an antelope numbering some 2,500. In the Juniper-Hagenia woods around Dinsho where the park HQ is set, you won't have to walk to far to find these antelopes. Also easily seen in Bale is the dark Menelik's bushbuck. And up on Sanetti Plateau, you'll probably see the Ethiopian wolves' favourite prey item, the gopher-like Big headed or Giant mole-rat. The hares you'll see in the area are also endemic (Starck's hare).

In terms of endemic birds, Ethiopia is second only to South Africa with some 30 endemics, a few of which extend their ranges into Eritrea. Birders come from all over to seek the likes of Blue-winged goose, Spotbreasted lapwing, Rouget's rail, White-billed starling and White-tailed swallow. More serious twitchers though, tolerate basic accommodations in order to see some highly localised and extremely sought-after 'megaticks' like Harwood's francolin, Ruspoli's turaco and Streseman's bush-crow. If you want to see any of these, let us know and we'll arrange a superbly guided trip for you.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 Welcome to Ethiopia!

Staying at Golden Tulip

On arrival in Addis Ababa you will be met and transferred to the comfortable Golden Tulip Hotel to overnight with breakfast. In the afternoon your professional guide and driver will take you on a sightseeing tour which includes Mt Entoto Park, from where you can take in panoramic views over the city..

Day 2 Fly to Gondar and drive to Simien Mountains National Park

Staying at Simien Lodge

Take the early morning flight to Gondar, the access town to the Simien Mountains. Your guide and driver travel with you to Debarak where your park permits are issued. Check in at Simien Lodge for a 2 night stay, all meals included. Visit beautiful Sankaber for an introduction to the sub-Afroalpine habitat here. You should see many of the iconic Gelada monkeys here, as well as around the lodge.

Day 3 Chennek's odd faunal assemblage - Walia's and Geladas

Day 4 Back to Gondar for castles

Day 5 Flight to Addis Ababa and drive to the Rift Valley Lakes

Day 6 Bale Mountains National Park

Day 7 Wolves on the Roof of Africa

Day 8 The enchanting Harenna Forest

Day 9 Drive back to Lake Langano

Day 10 Return to Addis Ababa and depart

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Duration

10 days

Location

Ethiopia, Africa

Price from

$5,847 pp.

Price Includes

  • Accommodation as per itinerary with meals as listed
  • Domestic Ethiopian Airlines flights
  • All private transfers and private transportation
  • Professional English-speaking Ethiopian natural history guide
  • All excursions and activities as outlined
  • Park permits, park guide and ranger fees

Price Excludes

  • International flights
  • Single supplements
  • Tips, gratuities, and expenses of a personal nature

Price per person sharing in twin or double room accommodation.

Accommodation and meals are as follows:

  • 1 night at Golden Tulip Hotel - breakfast included.
  • 2 nights at Simien Lodge - all meals included.
  • 1 night at Goha Hotel.
  • 2 nights at Hara Langano - all meals included.
  • 3 nights at Bale Mountains Lodge - all meals included.
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When to go to Ethiopia

Find out the best time to visit Ethiopia with our month by month guide.

  • Best
  • Good
  • Mixed
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

January

January in Ethiopia is all about Timket, an annual Christian festival being celebrated throughout the country. It's a spectacular sight to behold. Check out our Timket tour for more information. Temperatures are pleasant at this time of year so it's a great time for touring around much of the country.

February

February marks the end of winter in Ethiopia, so if you're travelling to the highlands pack a few extra layers as it can get cold at night.

March

Temperatures begin to rise in March, making trekking in the Simien Mountains and exploring Lalibela great options this month. There are occasional rain showers but nothing that will really disrupt activities. It's wet in the Omo Valley region between March and June, with muddy roads disrupting travel in this area.

April

April is the start of the short rains, which begin in the Omo Valley in southern Ethiopia.

May

The rains arrive in the Bale Mountains National Park and the Rift Valley Lakes during May and June, so this isn't a great time for hiking in these areas. However the downpours are usually in the afternoons, leaving the mornings with blue sunny skies, and plenty of opportunity to explore the rest of the country.

June

The rains continue, which make this a great time for the breeding season of migratory birds, with numerous colourful species to keep an eye out for.

July

The wettest months in the northern and central highlands are July and August. The short heavy storms mean this isn't a good time for hiking in the Simien and Bale Mountains, but the downpours don't really disrupt activities throughout the rest of the country. It's a good time to visit Lalibela which will be less crowded than during the rest of the year.

August

The wettest months in the northern and central highlands are July and August. The short heavy storms mean this isn't a good time for hiking in the Simien and Bale Mountains, but the downpours don't really disrupt activities throughout the rest of the country. It's a good time to visit Lalibela which will be less crowded than during the rest of the year.

September

Whilst the beginning of the month will see the tail end of the rainy season, it's actually quite a good month to travel around Ethiopia, just before peak season kicks in, and whilst the country is still green and beautiful. If you want to see the carpets of yellow Meskel flowers, or witness the colourful Meskel Festival, this is the month!

October

October is the start of the peak tourist season in Ethiopia, bringing with it great weather, pleasant temperatures, blue skies and little rainfall. A perfect time for touring around the country, particularly the Central Highlands and Northern Ethiopia.

November

The cooler temperatures and little rainfall during November and December make them great months for exploring the Omo Valley, with better road conditions and green landscapes.

December

The good weather and travelling conditions continue through December and into January, making this an ideal month to explore the whole country.

Elizabeth Spells

I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far & Wild. Everything went so smoothly from the first time I spoke with them. The planning was great, the itinerary was perfect for us, and the lodges were amazing. We spent 10 nights with an amazing guide, travelling through Northern Tanzania and even got to see the migration, which was a lifetime ambition of mine. This wasn't our first safari, so we were nervous as to how it would compare, but it was spot on. We're particularly grateful that she suggested a private 'bush lunch' in the Ngorongoro Crater as the public picnic spot was very busy! I will certainly be using them again to book our next trip....we're thinking of a relaxing beach stay next time to get over the excitement of safari!

Sep 17, 2025
Orla Rhodes

Just back from another amazing F&W organised trip to Namibia with the family (8 adults). Having been there before, Alistair tailored our trip to include our favourite locations and added a new one for us, Okonjima Plains camp, which we loved.The quality of accommodation and guiding, activities, food and drinks was exceptional throughout. Although not inexpensive I felt it was good value for the level of luxury we had. Kwessi Dunes, Shipwreck lodge, Ongava, Okonjima with pit stops Windhoek (city tour recommended ), Swakopmund (Sandwich Harbour and Walvis Bay tour) and Grootberg lodge (best sundowner drive )

Jul 31, 2024
Arnhild Schia

We had a wonderful trip to São Tomé and Príncipe - a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with paradise (almost empty) beaches and jungle forest. It was all well organised by Far and Wild and we stayed at Omali lodge at Sao Tome, then on Roca Sundy, and Sunday Praia at Principe - a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. Omali is close to Sao Tome town with its colonial buildings, markets, hustle and bustle. Roca Sunday gives an old plantation experience and Sundy Praia a luxury beach experience. Very friendly (from time to time a bit slow) service, great fresh food, specifically if you like fish/seafood, vegetables and fruits (almost all sourced locally). Nice temperature between 23 and 30 degrees Celsius, nice swimming conditions. We really recommend this for those who want to experience a pristine destination with few other tourists and friendly and welcoming people. The islands also feel (and I believe are) very safe. At Principe, there are no dangerous animals, snakes or whatever, and it was great to be able to hike in the jungle without being very conscious of where to put your hands and feet. Go before everyone else does!

Jul 3, 2024
Henri Papenfus

Back home again, basking in the joys of a superb safari. Every aspect you arranged for us, including linking up with Mack Air and Wild Horizons locally to transport us. The choice of camps, Camp Hwange in Zimbabwe and Muchenenje Safari Lodge in Botswana, was spot on and exactly what we had hoped for - ideally situated, comfortable, in good surroundings, and with excellent wildlife on the doorstep and throughout the wider country. The service staff in each looked after us very well, catering was excellent, and the game guides were professional, knowledgeable and helpful. The weather was, as usual for that part of the world, also good at the time of our visit. Blue skies and stunning sunsets. Warm but not too hot during the day, although quite cold at sunrise when viewing game. The viewing started. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

Jun 28, 2024
AC

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

Jun 5, 2024
Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

Jun 5, 2024
Stodge

Wow! These guys are amazing. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Friendly AND efficient! Sorted out our trip (last minute and lots of different family member needs, sorry!) in record time and everything worked like clockwork. Trip of a lifetime to the Masai Mara. Will be back (and use F&W again!)!

Jun 5, 2024
Fiona C

It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

Jun 5, 2024

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