Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesGerman, English, French
Private tourOnly your group will participate
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below
Overview
Enjoy the freedom of stopping at different viewpoints to enjoy the dramatic view of the Ethiopian part of the Great East African Rift Valley by drive with a comfortable air conditioned Toyota Minivan, and learn from your professional experienced English speaking tour guide of the Ethiopian birdlife at the Rift Valley Lake of Ziway.
Meet local families and partake a typical Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony, and see the bird life of the lakes and wildlife of the Abiyatta Shalla Lakes National Park.
The tour also includes visiting the unique and still operational rock carved church of Adadi Mariam, Tiya Steles (a cemetery dating back to 12th – 14th Century AD and UNESCO World Heritage Site), and walking by Lake Ziway to spot a number of lowland water birds. The tour includes a total of 580 km drive in two days.
On Thursdays or Sundays, experience local culture at the colorful weekly held cultural market at Adadi town.
What's included
Professional and experienced English speaking tour guide
Bottled water in the vehicle
Local family visits, Cultural Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony, onsite tour guides, and park scouts
Fuel surcharge
Comfortable insured private Toyota Corolla (1 or 2 people) or Minivan with AC and seat belts
Entrance (admission) fees to places of visits
Accommodations
Meals
And, any expense which are not mentioned in the "Included" list above
What to expect
Day 1: Addis Ababa – Adadi Maryam - Tiya World Heritage Site – Lake Ziway – Awassa
Tiya World Heritage Site
1h · Admission ticket not included
Take a guided tour visit the incredible stone grave markers at Tiya. The Steles of Tiya is one of Ethiopia’s sites listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Here you will visit beautiful carved stone grave markers erected between the 12th and 14th Century AD in honor of important local heroes (warriors).
Butajira
1h
Stop at a couple of outlooks for the picturesque scenery of the Ethiopian part of the Great East African Rift Valley. You will also visit one of the villages of the local people of Silte for cultural experience.
Lake Ziway
1h · Admission ticket included
Spot Ethiopian Lowland water birds by walking by the shores of the Rift Valley Lake of Ziway to see families of hippos (if lucky) and a number of birds such as Great white pelicans, Marabou Storks, African Fish Eagle, Sacred Ibis, Hammer Kops, etc
Finally, drive 115 km south to the Rift Valley Lake of Awassa. If the weather is good, enjoy the beautiful sun set over the lake.
Melka Kunture
40m · Admission ticket not included
Visit Melka Kunture archaeological site to learn about humanity's evolutionary story. Set by the Awash River, visit Melka Kunture’s Museum to step back 1.8 million years. Discover stone tools from Homo erectus, witness fossilized footprints, & visit an open-air 800,000 years old butchery site.
Day 2: Awassa Lake – Abidjatta Shalla Lakes National Park – Lake Ziway – Addis Ababa
Fish Market at Awassa Lake
2h · Admission ticket included
After breakfast head to Amora Gedel found by the shores of Lake Awassa. It is where locals come to have breakfast of fresh catch Tilapia fish and spot a number of birds gathered looking for leftover fish. Here you will see the rare Colobus Monkey (Black and White Monkey).
Abidjatta-Shalla National Park
3h · Admission ticket not included
Then, head north to the Abiyatta Shalla Lakes National Park with a stop at Shashemene to visit the Jamaican Rastafarian Community.
At Abiyatta Shalla Lakes NP walk for half an hour to see Ostriches, Gazelles, Warthogs, and different lowland bird species. If the weather is good (September – June), continue driving farther to visit the Natural Hot Spring waters where locals use the waters to get healed from skin diseases.
1h
Visit to visit the Jamaican Rastafarian Community at Shashemene town for about 1 hour. Learn about the backgrounds of the Rastafarianism beliefs and how they are connected with Emperor Haile Sillassie I.
Bishoftu
1h
Stop at one of the crater lakes of Bishoftu (Debre Ziet) which is notable for its scenic beauty. You will also visit a village of the Oromo people to attend a traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony with locals.
Meeting and pickup
Pickup details
Any hotel/lodge in Addis Ababa OR ADDIS ABABA BOLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Additional information
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
June to Mid September is the rainy season where the tour runs. Please be prepared accordingly.
When visiting the rock church of Adadi Mariam, women are expected to be fully dressed and cover hairs.
We can help visitors book accommodations, if needed. Please contact us!
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
