Excursion Trips Addis Ababa

Addis Menagesha Suba Forest AddisAfter breakfast drive to the western outskirt of Addis Ababa to Menagesha forest. It is the mountainous area having the shape of an upside down pudding basin and is covered more or less entirely in thick heath and on the other side it is fully covered with indigenous trees which becomes a habitat for endemic species of birds and animals. Late after noon drive back to Addis.

ADDIS / Debre Zeit / Lake Koka / Lake Ziway / ADDISAfter breakfast drive to Debre Ziet to visit the Crater Lakes with their bird life. Proceed through the rift-valley region to artificial Lake of Koka to spot various species of birds. Continue driving to Lake Ziway (the largest Northern Ethiopian rift-valley Lake, it is the home of 5 little volcanic Islands) here you will spot various species of water birds. Drive back to Addis.

Melka Kunture, Adadi Mariam & TiyaDuration: Full DayAM, depart south-west of Addis Ababa for visiting:Melka Kunture (50km) where fossils of pre history age and more than 1.5 million years stone tools have been discovered.Adadi Mariam Cave Church (17km further) believed to date back to the 13th century and gives a good indication of the Lalibela 12th century rock-hewn churches.35 km drive from turn-off to Adadi Maryam you reach Tiya Stelae Fields where prehistoric monoliths somewhat similar to the Axum stelae are seen. Picnic lunch en-route and afternoon easy drive back to Addis Ababa.

Excursion trip to Blue Nile Gorge : After breakfast, head north of Addis Ababa to passing Sululta Plains. Our first stop will be the Debre Lobanos Monastery. 103 KM. to the north from Addis Ababa, a right hand turn leads to the ancient monastery of Debre Libanos. This is the beginning of the true gorge country for which the central highlands are renowned. Breath-taking views over chasms with a depth of 2,000 ft. or more. The old monastery itself is situated behind the new church to the right high up on the cliff. The first Abbot of the monastery was one Tekle Haymanot (1260) later canonized. The new church stands beneath a cliff on the edge of the gorge. It has beautiful stained glass windows and before you enter, it is worth noting the mosaic figures on the façade. You can stop and spread a picnic lunch halfway between the turn off and the church. Gregarious gelada baboons peer curiously at the visitor while birds of prey soar overhead.Further drive north and visit the Blue Nile gorge. The great Blue Nile River flows out of Lake Tana and cascades over the famous Blue Nile Falls (Tis Issat), then winds for about 500 km. through some of the most spectacular gorge country in the world. For centuries the river formed the natural barrier between Shewa and Gojam, but now a modern bridge spans the turbulent water. There are guards on the bridge and photographing is forbidden.

Ambo & Wenchi Crater LakeDuration: Full Day The road to Ambo (125km west of Addis) takes you through the capital’s water supply reservoir Gefersa where a range of bush and wetland bird species including as many as a quarter of Ethiopia's 29 endemic birds are found. To reach the Crater Lake Wenchi drive further 27km from Ambo. Walk or mule ride roughly 2km to the crater rim and after enjoying the wonderful views of the surrounding countryside return to Ambo town, have lunch and relax swimming in the hot mineral water pool before driving back to Addis Ababa.

Ankober Duration: Full Day The road to Ankober passes through impressively rugged scenery and after about 130km drive you reach Debre Berhan town where you'll have a coffee break and then drive further a few km, turn on the gravel road and drive zigzagging along several hills scattered all over the cultivated plateau. The gravel road leads to the lofty massive mountain known as Kundi (over 3500 masl) overlooking the Great Rift Valley. From this chilly height covered with eucalyptus forest you may trek down to Ankober Palace Lodge (2870 masl) where you’ll have your lunch enjoying the wonderful scenery.After lunch before driving back to Addis visiting one of the surrounding churches with its artifacts as well as poetry and music school may give you an insight into the life of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in the countryside.

Addis to Awash National Park to Addis : After breakfast, drive to Awash National Park and enjoy a game drive in park and you will have a game drive to visit mammals and birds: The park’s name comes from one of the longest river in Ethiopia: the Awash. This park is the oldest and most developed wildlife reserve in Ethiopia. It is even easy to access. Awash National Park occupies about 830 square kilometres (320 miles) of dry savannah in the middle of the Rift Valley. This hot, arid terrain climbs up to 1000 meters (600 feet) above sea level, with the exception of the peak of Fentale volcano, which reaches 2007 meters (1200 feet). Temperatures in the park are hot and can reach as high as 420 C (1070 F) Nights are cooler, with temperatures between 100 C & 220 C (500 C & 720 F). Rain mainly falls between February and April, and June to August, and averages 619 mm (24 inches). Awash national park has over 350 species of bird that have been recorded in this savannah grassland. Here you will also visit the Awash River Falls. Drive back to Addis through Ethiopian Great Rift Valley Region and visit Beseka Crater Lake.