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Ethiopia

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Discover Ethiopia 16-day Private Tour

From £3,995 per person

Ethiopia

On this extensive private tour you visit the most famous of Ethiopia's historical attractions, including Bahir Dar, Gondar, Lalibela and Axum, as well as the spectacular scenery of the Simyen Mountains, Bale Mountains National Park, the Sanetti Plateau , the Harenna Forest and Blue Niles Falls. Ethiopia has the largest concentration of endemic birds and mammals of any African country, so for nature enthusiasts who also want to immerse themselves in Ethiopia's fascinating history, this is the option to choose. You stay in comfortable lodges throughout.

Itinerary

On this trip you will visit:

Axum
Bahir Dar & Lake Tana
Gondar
Lalibela
Simyen Mountains

Day 1

Fly from London on an overnight Ethiopian Airlines flight to Addis Ababa.

Day 2

Addis Ababa

On arrival, your guide will drive you to the Jupiter International Hotel. An afternoon city tour including visits to Entoto Hills, some of the city's more spectacular cathedrals and the National Museum, where you see among other exhibits, the bones of 'Lucy'. Overnight here, breakfast included.

Day 3

Bahir Dar

Transfer to the airport to fly to Bahir Dar, on the shores of the lovely blue Lake Tana. Your guide will take you to the Zeghe Peninsula to see island monasteries. Overnight in a suite at Abbai Minch Hotel, all meals included. Optional upgrade to Kuriftu Resort & Spa, from £90 per person sharing, per night.

Day 4

Enjoy an excursion to the Blue Niles Falls, Africa's second largest waterfalls, and then to the vibrant market of Bahir Dar.

Day 5

Simyen Mountains National Park

Your overland journey continues onward to the Simyen Mountains, where you overnight in a chalet at Simyen Lodge, all meals included.

Day 6

Spend today exploring the beautiful Simyen Mountains, some of the most dramatic scenery in Africa. In the early morning, you will be driven up to Sankaber Camp, which will be your base. The Simyen Mountains National Park is a World Heritage Site and contains great volcanic plugs, formed 40 million years ago, and now shaped into fantastic crags and flat topped mountains. Seek out the endemic Galada or bleeding heart baboon, the Walia ibex and many endemic birds.

Return to Gondar, founded in 1636 by Emperor Fasilidas who chose Gondar as his imperial seat. Here you can explore the Imperial Compound, with its enchanting 'Fasilidas' castles, still in very good condition. Overnight stay in the Goha Hotel, all meals included.

Day 7

Lalibela

Transfer to the airport for the morning flight to ,a href="http://www.rainbowtours.co.uk/area/ethiopia/lalibela/">Lalibela. Here you will be taken to see some of the famed rock-hewn churches which are cut into the rugged mountainsides. Stay 2 nights at Jerusalem Guesthouse, all meals included.

Day 8

Visit Ashetun Mariam and Yemrehane Christos, two of the most spectacular churches of Lalibela. You can also make a short mule trip.

Day 9

Axum

Fly to Axum in northern Ethiopia where you will see the incredible monolithic obelisks or stelae, the Queen of Sheba's Bath, the church where it is said the Ark of the Covenant is housed, and an interesting museum. Overnight in a suite at the Consular Hotel, all meals included

Day 10

Lake Langano

Travel southwards by land with your guide into the Rift Valley to Lake Langano, where the lakeland scenery is home to an abundance of water birds. Overnight at Bishangari Lodge, all meals included.

Day 11

Bale Mountains National Park

Drive overland to Goba in the Bale Mountains National Park, via the park HQ in Dinsho. In the juniper woods around Dinsho, keep a lookout for endemic mammals like the Mountain nyala and Menelik's bushbuck. There is excellent birding here, with local specials including one of Africa's finest songsters, the Abyssinian catbird. Stay 3 nights in the Goba Wabi Shebelle Hotel, all meals included.

Day 12

Your guide and driver take you to the bleak, high-lying Sanetti Plateau, where wildlife enthusiasts come to look for the world's rarest canid, the Simien wolf. They are easy to see - 75% of the remaining population is concentrated in Bale.

The Sanetti Plateau is included in all birding itineraries to Ethiopia, because it is the best place for endemics like the Blue-winged goose (Africa's only true goose), Spot-breasted lapwing and Rouget's rail. All of these are easy to see in these Afro-alpine moorlands.

Day 13

Excursion to the wonderful Harenna Forest OR to the Sof Omar Caves. The Harenna forest is a treasure trove for naturalists, with several new reptiles and frogs discovered here in recent years. Birds, mammals and butterflies are abundant and diverse. The Sof Omar Caves are a most impressive cave system.

Day 14

Nazret

Depart Bale National Park today for Nazret, to stay overnight in the Safari Lodge, all meals included.

Day 15

Return to Addis overland and opportunity to explore the Merkato district, the largest market in Africa. In the evening you will be taken to see a traditional dance and music. Overnight at the Jupiter International Hotel.

Day 16

Transfer to Addis Ababa airport for your mid-morning Ethiopian Airlines flight to London. Arrive Heathrow in the evening.

Price guides 2013/2014

From £3,995 per person

Prices per person based on two people travelling together, and sharing in twin or double room Price includes international flights (from London Heathrow), domestic Ethiopian Airlines flights, departure taxes, airport facilitation, all transfers and internal travel with all transportation, services of your full-time, experienced, English-speaking escort-guide and of drivers, national park permits and park guide fees, entrance fees and local guide fees, all excursions and activities as outlined, all accommodation as per itinerary with all meals (full board everywhere except in Addis Ababa where it is B&B), based on two people travelling together and sharing in twin or double rooms.

Excludes: Ethiopian visa (issued on arrival), gratuties, additional sightseeing and transfers not mentioned, lunch and dinner in Addis Ababa and items of a personal nature (tips, phone calls, drinks, laundry, travel insurance) are not included.

Speak with a specialist

Rainbow specialists provide a high-quality, personal service and respected, impartial advice so you can make informed decisions about your individual holiday. To talk through your holiday ideas and plans, ring us on 020 7666 1250, or make an enquiry by email.

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