Duration
12-Day
Accra, Ethiopia
12-Day Northern Ethiopia Safari
Overview
Embark on a 12-day Northern Ethiopia Safari and explore the country's most remarkable historical and natural wonders. Discover the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, the ancient obelisks of Axum, and the royal castles of Gondar. Journey through the breathtaking Simien Mountains, encounter unique wildlife, and experience the cultural richness of local communities. This immersive tour blends history, adventure, and stunning scenery for an unforgettable Ethiopian experience.
Plan snapshot
Quick Facts
Route
Addis Ababa to Addis Ababa (City) (Day 11-12)
Via Bahir Dar (City), Lalibela (Town), Semera (Town)
Country & park
Ethiopia
Style
Safari
Group size
1-12 travelers
Starts
Any day if available
Minimum age
15 years
Activities
Getting around: minivan & air transfer
Accommodation
Swiss Inn Nexus Hotel - Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – Breakfast Included
Meals
Breakfast Included
Pickup
Airport transfer included
Booking
Request quote
Currency
USD
Rates
Rates Per Person
USD
Start datesSingle2+ people
Jan 1, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026
$4,422 USD
$3,872 USD
Jan 1, 2027 - Dec 31, 2027
$4,422 USD
$3,872 USD
Jan 1, 2028 - Dec 31, 2028
$4,422 USD
$3,872 USD
Before booking
Important To Know
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
This tour is offered in US dollars (USD).
This tour accepts children who are 15 years and older.
Rates include a fixed budget for flights during this tour. Flights may cost more, depending on travel dates. If so, your quote will reflect this.
Quote flow
Request Guidance
We advise requesting quotes from 3 operators ()
Requests are sent directly to the tour operator
If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly
Route
country
Ethiopia
Start
Addis Ababa (Day 1)
Day 2
Bahir Dar (City)
Day 3-5
Lalibela (Town)
Day 6
Semera (Town)
Day 7-8
Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression)
Day 9
Hawzen (Town)
Day 10
Axum (City)
End
Addis Ababa (City) (Day 11-12)
Tour Features
Budget tour
This budget tour uses lodges and hotels.
Private tour
This tour will be organized exclusively for you. However, wildlife viewing activities are run by the lodges/camps and will be shared with others.
Can start any day
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Can be customized
You can request changes to this tour.
Suitable for solo travelers
Solo travelers can book this private tour.
15
Minimum age of 15 years
The minimum age for this tour is 15 years.
Activities & Transportation
Getting around: minivan & air transfer
This operator can select your international flights, but you'll have to book them yourself
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Accommodation & Meals
Day 1
Swiss Inn Nexus Hotel
Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – Breakfast Included
Breakfast Included
Day 2
Jacaranda Hotel Bahir Dar Mid-range hotel in Bahir Dar (City) – Breakfast Included +3 Photos
Mid-range hotel in Bahir Dar (City) – Breakfast Included
Breakfast Included
Day 3-5
Top Twelve Hotel Budget hotel in Lalibela (Town) – Breakfast Included
Budget hotel in Lalibela (Town) – Breakfast Included
Breakfast Included
Day 6
Kuriftu Afar Semera Resort
Mid-range hotel in Semera (Town) – Breakfast Included
Breakfast Included
Day 7-8
Ahmed Ela Camp Budget bush camp in Danakil Depression (Highlight) – Breakfast Included
Budget bush camp in Danakil Depression (Highlight) – Breakfast Included
Breakfast Included
Day 9
Gheralta Lodge
Mid-range lodge in Tigray – Breakfast Included
Breakfast Included
Day 10
Sabean International Hotel Budget hotel in Axum (City) – Breakfast Included
Budget hotel in Axum (City) – Breakfast Included
Breakfast Included
Day 11
Swiss Inn Nexus Hotel
Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – Breakfast Included
Breakfast Included
Day 12
End of tour
(No accommodation)
Breakfast Included
Day By Day
Tour step
Arrival
You'll be collected from the airport. Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
Day 1
Addis Ababa Arrival
Pick-up from the airport and transfer to your hotel for check-in. In the late afternoon, enjoy a gentle city walk to stretch after your flight, followed by a stop at a modern supermarket for essentials. In the evening, dine at one of Addis Ababa’s finest restaurants, sampling authentic Ethiopian cuisine alongside international options. This first day is relaxed, allowing you to adjust and prepare for the adventure ahead. Overnight in Addis Ababa. Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Addis Ababa (City) Stay: Swiss Inn Nexus Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 2
Addis – Bahir Dar (Lake Tana & Blue Nile Falls)
Fly to Bahir Dar, where you’ll begin with a boat trip across Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake. Visit Ura Kidane Mehret Monastery on the Zege Peninsula, known for its vibrant murals and centuries-old manuscripts. Walk through surrounding coffee farms to learn about traditional cultivation, roasting, and join a tasting during an Ethiopian coffee ceremony. In the afternoon, drive to the Blue Nile Falls, Tis Issat, to admire Ethiopia’s most famous waterfall. Overnight in Bahir Dar. Mid-range hotel located in Bahir Dar (City) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Bahir Dar (City) Stay: Jacaranda Hotel Bahir Dar Mid-range hotel located in Bahir Dar (City) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 3
Bahir Dar – Lalibela (via Awramba Village)
After breakfast, drive toward Lalibela, stopping at Awramba village, a model community known for weaving, collective farming, education, and equality-focused traditions. Tour their workshops, schools, and homes before continuing to Lalibela. In the evening, visit a local kitchen for a cooking class: learn to prepare injera, shiro, and doro wat, then share a traditional meal. Conclude with a coffee ceremony before returning to your hotel. Overnight in Lalibela. Budget hotel located in Lalibela (Town) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Lalibela (Town) Stay: Top Twelve Hotel Budget hotel located in Lalibela (Town) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 4
Full-Day Lalibela Churches & Farming Tour
Dedicate the day to exploring Lalibela’s iconic rock-hewn churches. Begin with the Northern Cluster, including Bete Medhane Alem, Bete Maryam, and Bete Golgotha Mikael, each with unique artistry and spiritual heritage. After lunch, visit the Eastern Cluster and finish with the iconic cross-shaped Bete Giyorgis. Later, take part in a farming tour, learning about local crops, ox-plowing, and seasonal harvesting. Share a farm-to-table meal before returning to town. Overnight in Lalibela. Budget hotel located in Lalibela (Town) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Lalibela (Town) Stay: Top Twelve Hotel Budget hotel located in Lalibela (Town) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 5
Lalibela – Food & Drink Immersion
This morning, join a family to learn traditional injera-making, from fermenting teff batter to cooking on a clay griddle. Taste warm injera with local stews. Continue to a household brewery to watch the preparation of tela, a traditional barley-based beer flavored with gesho leaves. Taste freshly brewed tela and enjoy lunch pairing these unique flavors. In the afternoon, browse a market for local ingredients and handicrafts. Overnight in Lalibela. Budget hotel located in Lalibela (Town) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Lalibela (Town) Stay: Top Twelve Hotel Budget hotel located in Lalibela (Town) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 6
Lalibela – Semera (Danakil Gateway)
Leave Lalibela for Semera, the starting point for the Danakil Depression adventure. The drive takes you through striking landscapes and highland plateaus, with stops for photos and a lunch break along the way. Arrive in Semera by evening and settle in. Prepare for the upcoming volcanic expedition, as this marks the shift from cultural discovery to geological wonders. Overnight in Semera. Mid-range hotel located in Semera (Town) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Semera (Town) Stay: Kuriftu Afar Semera Resort Mid-range hotel located in Semera (Town) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 7
Semera – Erta Ale Volcano
Depart early for a 5–6 hour drive to Erta Ale, one of the world’s few continuously active volcanoes. Arrive at base camp by late afternoon, then trek for about 40 minutes to the crater rim. Witness the mesmerizing glow of molten lava, an unforgettable natural spectacle. Spend time exploring the rugged terrain and photographing the fiery landscape before returning to camp for the night. Overnight camping in open air near Erta Ale. Budget bush camp located in Danakil Depression (Highlight) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression) Stay: Ahmed Ela Camp Budget bush camp located in Danakil Depression (Highlight) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 8
Erta Ale – Hamed Ela (Salt Flats)
After breakfast, drive around 3 hours to Hamed Ela, the hub of the Danakil salt flats. After settling in and lunch, take a late-afternoon excursion to the salt lakes. Watch the golden sunset reflected across endless salt plains and see Afar workers carving blocks of salt by hand. This surreal landscape provides stunning photography opportunities. Return to camp for dinner and stargazing. Overnight camping in open area. Budget bush camp located in Danakil Depression (Highlight) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression) Stay: Ahmed Ela Camp Budget bush camp located in Danakil Depression (Highlight) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 9
Hamed Ela – Dallol – Hawzen
This morning, drive to Dallol, one of Earth’s most otherworldly landscapes. Explore its colorful sulfur springs, bubbling acidic pools, and salt mountains. Visit local salt mining areas, where camel caravans transport blocks across the desert. After exploring, continue the drive north to Hawzen, a quiet Tigray village surrounded by mountains and churches. Settle into a guest lodge for a restful evening. Overnight in Hawzen. Mid-range lodge located in Tigray Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Hawzen (Town) Stay: Gheralta Lodge Mid-range lodge located in Tigray Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 10
Hawzen – Tigray Churches – Axum
Begin with Abuna Yemata Guh, a cliffside church reached by a thrilling climb, rewarding you with ancient frescoes and spiritual ambiance. Continue to Mariam Korkor or Daniel Korkor for panoramic views over the Gheralta plateau. After a picnic lunch, drive onward to Axum, Ethiopia’s ancient capital and heart of the Axumite civilization. Arrive in the evening and check into your hotel. Overnight in Axum. Budget hotel located in Axum (City) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Axum (City) Stay: Sabean International Hotel Budget hotel located in Axum (City) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 11
Axum Exploration – Return to Addis
Spend the morning exploring Axum’s treasures. Visit the Northern Stelae Field with its towering obelisks, the ruins of the Queen of Sheba’s Palace, and the Ezana Stone with trilingual inscriptions. Discover the Church of St. Mary of Zion, believed to house the Ark of the Covenant, and explore the tombs of ancient Axumite kings. In the afternoon, fly back to Addis Ababa for an overnight stay. Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Addis Ababa (City) Stay: Swiss Inn Nexus Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 12
Addis Ababa City & Departure
On your final day, explore Addis Ababa. Visit the bustling Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market, and Entoto Mountain for sweeping city views and historic churches. Stop at a local café to savor Ethiopia’s world-famous coffee. After lunch, transfer to the airport for your international departure, marking the end of your journey through Ethiopia’s cultural, historic, and natural wonders. Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Addis Ababa (City) Stay: No accommodation (End of tour) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Tour step
End of tour
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. You'll be dropped off at the airport.
Included
Park fees (For non-residents)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All flights during the tour
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinking water (On all days)
Excluded
International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Getting There
This tour starts and ends in Addis Ababa
This operator can select your international flights, but you'll have to book them yourself
Fly to/from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD - Check price)
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
Offered by
Omo Valley Experience Tours
5.0 operator rating
12 reviews
Omo Valley Experience Tours is a leader in providing travellers with authentic Ethiopian adventures. With high-end 4x4 vehicles, fluent English, and extensive
Office In
Ethiopia
Size
1-5 employees (Founded in 2016)
Tour Types
Budget camping tours where clients assist with camp chores
Destinations
Ethiopia
Traveler feedback
Reviews
Overall
5.0/5Communication
5.0/5Accuracy
5.0/5Value
5.0/5Safety clarity
5.0/5Cultural value
5.0/5Knowledgeable, flexible, very experienced and a terrific conduit for relating to the local people
Robel was the most generous and knowledgeable person for this trip. Most of all he helped us access local knowledge and humor in a very relaxed way and gave many insights into the cultures and religion and history of this amazing awesome inspiring country. He was more than ready to try unplanned drives. An excellent driver and very caring and very well organized.
Robert Logie · Australia
A wonderful guide who goes above and beyond to make the journey enjoyable, safe, and memorable
My two female friends and I, spent an absolutely incredible month traveling around Ethiopia, and having Robel with us for the entire journey made all the difference. He shared his beautiful country with such passion, warmth, and deep knowledge that every single day felt exciting, meaningful, and special. Robel was consistently professional, reliable, and genuinely caring, and we always felt completely safe, comfortable, and wonderfully looked after. His kindness, fantastic sense of humor, and remarkable attention to detail truly elevated our experience and made the trip unforgettable. We honestly couldn’t have imagined a better tour guide, and I would recommend Robel with the highest enthusiasm to anyone looking for an amazing, authentic, and memorable travel experience.
Vasiliki · United Kingdom
Amazing
We went to fish market and l had a wonderful time. Robel was very attentive and made sure l was comfortable being around the animal's and that l felt safe first, he made feel as though l was his number one priority which is quite rare, having traveled all over the world. He is definitely one of a kind. Thank you again Robel and l wish that everyone that comes on your tours will have similar experiences. Love Kehindi &Taiwo ❤️ 💙
Kehindi · Jamaica
Great experience, professional attitude
Omo Valley Experience Tours company with Robel leading, fulfilled our dream above expectation, to visit the ethiopian south tribes. 10 days vip service, covered 10 tribes, 4 amazing ceremonies and several national parks on the way to Addis Ababa. Robel was flexible enough and patient to listen to our needs and to full fill all our wishes in this trip in pleasant way. Full tour days, good hotels & meals, new private jeep with nice driver named Denis and good local tour guides. Couldn’t ask better.
Niza · Israel
Practical answers
Tour FAQs
Are rates charged per person?
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
Which currency is this tour priced in?
This tour is offered in US dollars (USD).
Can children join this tour?
This tour accepts children who are 15 years and older.
Can this tour start on my preferred date?
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Can the itinerary be customized?
You can request changes to this tour.
Where do travelers stay during this tour?
Swiss Inn Nexus Hotel - Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – Breakfast Included. Meals: Breakfast Included
Where does this tour start and end?
This tour starts and ends in Addis Ababa
Are airport transfers included?
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Operator policy
Terms and Conditions
Disclaimer
This tour is offered by Omo Valley Experience Tours, not SafariBookings.
This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
Rates include a fixed budget for flights during this tour. If flights cost more, your quote will reflect this.
The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
This tour is subject to the terms & conditions of Omo Valley Experience Tours.
Keep comparing
Similar Tours
Chebera-Churchura National Park
Ethiopia · 7-Day
Safaris & Nature
5.0
7-Day Ethiopia Tribal Villages & Safari Experience
Chebera-Churchura National Park, Ethiopia · 7-Day · Omo Valley Experience Tours
Duration7-Day
From$1,980 pp (USD)
ModeQuote
Custom quote route
Verified provider
Cultural notes
From
$1,980 pp (USD)
Simien Mountains National Park
Ethiopia · 9-Day
Safaris & Nature
5.0
9-Day Ethiopia Triple Trek Simien, Gheralta & Bale Peaks
Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia · 9-Day · Omo Valley Experience Tours
Duration9-Day
From$2,090 pp (USD)
ModeQuote
Custom quote route
Verified provider
Cultural notes
From
$2,090 pp (USD)
Chebera-Churchura National Park
Ethiopia · 7-Day
Safaris & Nature
5.0
7-Day Omo Valley Ethiopia Culture, Mountains & Wildlife
Chebera-Churchura National Park, Ethiopia · 7-Day · Omo Valley Experience Tours
Duration7-Day
From$2,530 pp (USD)
ModeQuote
Custom quote route
Verified provider
Cultural notes
From
$2,530 pp (USD)