Radisson Blu, Addis Ababa
Simien Lodge
Maribela Hotel
Paradise Lodge, Turmi (Omo Valley)
Nassa Pension, Jinka
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Cost for 8 persons sharing: $8,950
Cost for 6 persons sharing: $9,950
Cost for 4 persons sharing: 10,950
Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world - it has been existing for at least 2,000 years. The country comprises more than 80 ethnic groups and as many languages. Primarily their shared independent existence unites Ethiopia's many nations. Unique among African countries, Ethiopia has never been colonized, one exception being the occupation by Italy in 1936-41.
Our first stop will be the Simien Mountains National Park, a World Heritage Site, where we will spend 3 days. Massive erosion over the years on the Ethiopian plateau has created one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world, with jagged mountain peaks, deep valleys and sharp precipices dropping some 1,500 m. The park is home to some extremely rare animals such as the Gelada baboon, the Simien fox and the Walia ibex, a goat found nowhere else in the world. During our visit we will enjoy easy hikes to stunning lookouts and will concentrate on observing and photographing Gelada baboons. Spending almost all of their time on the ground, geladas are the world’s most terrestrial primates. They are poor tree climbers and spend 99 percent of their time on the ground partly because of their extreme dietary specialization as a grazer. Specially adapted to live high up in the mountains, they use small ledges on the steep, rocky cliffs to escape predators; they also sleep on these edges huddled together in small groups.
Another highlight of our Ethiopia Wild Focus Expedition is the Omo Valley in the South of Ethiopia with various very colorful, traditionally living tribes. The women of the Mursi tribe are famous and unique because of the large plates inserted into their lower lip. Another tribe, the Hamer, are known for their practice of body adornment and wearing a multitude of colorful beads. Women adorn their necks with heavy polished iron jewelry. The Hamer men have a reputation of being less than adoring husbands. The women submit to the ritual floggings proudly and love to show the deep scars that are regarded as a proof of devotion to their husbands. The Karo people differentiate themselves from many of the neighbouring tribes by excelling specifically in body and face painting. They paint themselves daily with coloured ochre, white chalk, yellow mineral rock, charcoal, and pulverized iron ore, all natural resources local to the area. The specific designs drawn on their bodies can change daily and vary in content, ranging from simple stars or lines to animal motifs, such as guinea fowl plumage, or to the most popular – a myriad of handprints covering the torso and legs. The Daasanach tribe has proved itself to be a thrifty group with many tribesmen and women wearing their unique jewellery made out of everything from old digital watches to bottle caps. They have created iconic headdresses from bottle caps, earrings from sim cards and necklaces from syringe caps. While the Daasanach are keen to sell their wares, they have become so fond of their iconic bottle cap hats that they keep them for themselves.
We have made special arrangements to photograph these colorful unique people for the last 5 days of our expedition before returning to Addis Ababa for the last night of our trip.
$8,950.00 – $9,950.00
Letters correspond to points on the map in the map tab.
Upon your arrival at the Bole international airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, you are met by our team and transferred to the hotel. After your long flights you will enjoy relaxing in the hotel or depending on the group’s interest, we can organize a city tour in Addis Ababa. Before dinner, we will have a briefing about the upcoming adventure.
Overnight at Radisson Blu. (B) lunch and dinner on your own
In the morning we will catch the first local flight to Gondar. Upon arrival we will meet our drivers and who will take us to the Simien mountains. We will arrive at the Simien Lodge around midday and have time to settle in and enjoy lunch before we head out to our fist amazing experience with the Gelada baboons.
Overnight in Simien Lodge (B,L,D)
We will spend a full morning and afternoon with the Gelada baboons. Their numbers could reach hundreds at one time.
Overnight Simien Lodge (B,L,D)
Start a trekking route to Geech. On the way, encounter gelada baboons gathered in big groups. A stunning viewpoint at the Jinbar Falls is reached after clambering a few rocks. This waterfall plunges several hundred meters down the escarpment in the abyss. At the end of the day pass through the welcoming village of Geech where the local people will prepare a well deserved coffee. Drive back to the hotel for overnight
Overnight Simien Lodge (B,L,D)
This is probably the most spectacular stage of the whole trekking, offering stunning views all the way. Walk for almost 8 hours to cover 12 km, including a short detour to Imet Gogo (3925 m). This summit offers the most exciting views. You will be surrounded by the majestically lammergeyer and the endemic thick billed raven. Proceed to Chenek, the best spot in order to observe the endemic Walia Ibex. At the end of the route, the car will be waiting for you to take you back to Gondar. On the way, you may stop at the village of the Felasha, known for their pottery skills.
Overnight Gondar Hills Resort (B,L,D)
In the morning, fly to Lalibela. After lunch, start your tour to the Northwestern Cluster of churches: Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael and Bet Golgotha (entrance not allowed for women in this church). In the late afternoon, visit a private house to witness the preparation of llocal food.
Overnight Maribela hotel (B,L,D)
After breakfast, drive out 42 km to Yimerhane Kristos to visit an impressive rock caved church. After lunch, continue with 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. End your day with a stunning sunset over the mountains of Lasta
Maribela Hotel (B,L,D)
In the morning, you may attend a mass service before heading to the airport. Arrive to Addis Ababa in the afternoon. Spend the afternoon discovering the capital city of Addis Ababa. You can visit the National Museum, home to Lucy, a three and a half million year old fossilised skeleton. Afterwards, visit the Trinity Church Cathedral, where the Emperor Haile Selassie I is buried and, if time allows, visit the chaotic Merkato, the largest open-air market in Africa where you can buy anything from electronics to clothes, industrial goods to tea. As a relaxing alternative you may also rest in the hotel and enjoy a relaxing massage.
Overnight in Radisson Blu (B,L.D)
In the morning, fly to Jinka. Proceed to Turmi, hometown of the Hamer tribe. This tribe exhibits beaded decorations, ocre-coloured braided hair and painted white faces. If lucky, you may be able to witness the bull-jumping tradition performed by young hamer boys to proof they are ready to get married.
Overnight in Paradise Lodge (B,L,D)
In the morning, drive to the village of Korcho and visit the Karo tribe known for their body decorations. Drive back to Turmi for lunch. In the afternoon visit the Hamer tribe to witness their daily routine.
Overnight Paradise Lodge (B,L,D
In the morning, drive to Omorate. After crossing the river, visit the Dassanech tribe. Drive back to Turmi for lunch and proceed to Jinka via Key Afar, the popular market where the Ari, Benna and Tsemai tribes trade goods.
Overnight in Nassa Pension (B,L,D)
Drive to the Mago National Park early in the morning in order to spend the day visiting the most famous of Ethiopia’s indigenous tribes: the Mursi people. This will provide you a fascinating insight into this tribe who insert large circular clay discs into the lower lips of their women.
Overnight Nassa Pension (B,L,D)
Drive back to the Mursi villages to continue exploring this fascinating ethnic group. In the afternoon you head back to Jinka and to the Ari village. The Ari people are known for their colourfully painted houses, blacksmithing and pottery.
Overnight Nassa Pension (B.L,D)
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your international flight home
(B)
End of Services
This is not a physically challenging expedition. However participants should be reasonably fit and capable of hiking for many hours in the Simien Mountains. The hikes are not strenuous and we will take our time to observe and photograph.
We have chosen the best accommodations for each region we are going to visit. But please keep in mind that the remote Omo Valley area does not offer luxury accommodations. The lodges/pensions are clean but very basic. It also would be totally out of place to find a 5 star hotel in the midst of traditionally living tribes.
As always we ask every participant to adapt to the new environment in a positive way and not compare it with the country you are coming from. Every place on earth is different from the other, and every place has its own charm.
Wild Focus Expeditions provides specialized, small group photography tours. Our photography expeditions are designed to get participants into distinctive, engaging locations around the world at the optimum times for photography. Our photo tours are created by our team of photographers who want to experience and photograph the world's top wildlife, nature and traditional cultures locations.
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