Ethiopia & Kenya
Ethiopia & Kenya
May 25 – June 7
A Wonderful Experience Especially for Photographers
Sat May 25 / Arrive Istanbul
Arrive to Istanbul and please be ready at the international departure section to meet with your guide latest by 21:00. Flight to Addia Ababa on the 25th.
Sun May 26 / Istanbul- Addis Ababa
Early morning arrival in Addis Ababa. After hotel check in, a walking tour to visit the largest open market in Africa: the Merkato. This will be followed by a traditional buffet lunch, where you will enjoy your first taste of what has been described as the “ world’s healthiest meal”: Teff.
In the afternoon visit of national museum where, among others, you will get the chance to stand next to Lucy: the oldest human to be discovered and often referred to as “the mother of humanity.” Your visit of the ethnological museum will be an introduction to the unique culture and tribes you will visit in Ethiopia.
After refreshing at your hotel and dinner, live and traditional music at Habesha 2000. Overnight at Hotel Lobelia (L/D)
Mon May 27 /Addis-Lalibela
Morning flight to Lalibela. One of the 8 unofficial wonders and a UNESCO world heritage site, Lalibela is famous for its wonderful rock hewn churches. Carved out from single stones with an engineering that still remains unexplained, your guided visit of the 11 Lalibela rock hewn churches built in the 12th century will be one of your tour highlights. Overnight at Lal Hotel. (B/L/D)
Tuesday May 28 / Lalibela -Addis-Arbaminch
After sunrise and breakfast in Lalibela, 2 short flights (1 hour) transiting in Addis will get you to Arbaminch where your cultural experience begins. A one hour drive will take you to Dorze village. Your guided visit of the Dorze tribe will take you to see their households, their traditional spinning and their unique houses. You will also get the chance to see the process and to taste their peculiar food made from the roots of banana leaves. Overnight at Ezana hotel. (B/L/D)
Wednesday May 29 / Arbaminch-Konso
A two and a half hour drive will get you to Konso. A UNESCO World heritage site, your visit of the Konso tribe will get you to visit their unique village structure, terracing and unparalleled values. Overnight at Kanta Lodge. (B/L/D)
Thursday May 30 / Konso-Keyafer-Jinka
Your morning drive will take you into the tribal Omo valley of Ethiopia. After lunch visit of Keyafer, the small town where different tribes come together on Thursdays to trade. In one of the most lively markets in the valley, you will get the chance to see the Tsemay and Bena tribes trading. Overnight at Nasa Pension. (B/L/D)
Friday May 31 / Jinka-Mursi-Jinka
Morning drive through the scenic Mago national park. There you will get the chance to see the Mursis. Famous for the large plates that they fit in their lips, your visit of the Mursis will get you to see their day to day life.
After returning to Jinka, visit of the Ari tribe. The Aris are famous for their pottery skills. You will get the chance to see the Aris working on their clay, baking injera and how they prepare their hard liquor. Overnight at Nasa Pension. (B/L/D)
Sat June 1 / Jinka-Dimeka-Turmi
Waking early in the morning, you will get the chance to have a quick visit of the Jinka Market where you will see the Aris trading. You then drive off to Dimeka where the liveliest tribal market is held every Saturday. There you will see the most famous tribe, the Hammers, trading. The Hammers are known for their beautiful skin, skirts made of goat skin, and unique hairstyles.
After visiting the Dimeka market, drive to mango campsite where you will camp the night by the Kaske river. There men from the Hamer tribe will prepare the goat barbecue that they are famous for. Overnight at Mango campsite camping. (B/L/D)
Sun June 2 / Turmi-Omerate-Turmi
In the morning we drive to Omerate. After crossing the Omo river with traditional canoes, you will visit the Dasanech tribe. Famous for their body decoration, you will get the chance to see their way of life.
After returning to Turmi, you will walk to a Hamer village where you will spend the night. You will have a tribal experience with the few remaining primitive tribes in the world. Overnight in Hamer village camping. (B/L/D)
Mon June 3 / Turmi-Arbaminch
Waking up in the morning, walk with the Hamer with the Turmi market as they do every Monday. After breakfast and visit to the Turmi Market, drive to Arbaminch. Overnight at Ezana hotel. (B/L/D)
Tue June 4 / Arbaminch-Addis
Wake up early in the morning to go on a boat trip on lake Chamo. There you will get the chance to see hypos and the Nile crocodile from close up.
After returning to Arbaminch for Lunch, fly to Addis in the afternoon. Visiting the lively traditional market will give you the chance to buy souvenirs to take back home. Overnight at hotel Lobelia. (B/L/D)
Wed June 5 / Addis-Nairobi-Masai Mara
Take the morning flight to Kenya where your customized tour vans will wait for you. Your drive to Masai Mara will include stops for picnic lunch and to see the Masai tribes. Late afternoon and sunset game drives in the Masai Mara national park. Camp the night in Masai Mara. (B/L/D)
Thursday June 6 / Masai Mara
A full day game drive in the Masai Mara where you will go in search of the big 5 among others: lions, leopards, elephants, Rhynos, buffalos, giraffes, cheatahs, hyenas, hypos…Camp the night in Masai Mara. (B/L/D)
Friday June 7 / Masai Mara-Nairobi-Istanbul
After an early game drive to see wildlife at sunrise, drive to Nairobi Kenyata airport for your flight to Istanbul. (B)
END OF TOUR
Tour price:
Per person in a double / twin room: $2890.-
Single supplement : $180.-
Local guides: $80.- per person to be paid cash at Istanbul airport to the tour leader.
Package inclusions
Exclusions
Notes:
Ethiopia remains to be one of the safest countries in Africa
Ethiopia’s currency is Birr, and $1 = 27 Birr. Photography is around 5 Birr and beer at hotels / restaurants is around 15 – 20 Birr.
* All photographs by our tour leader Aslihan Naylor
