About this safari
Ethiopia's most complete cultural and historical journey. The original wild coffee forests of Kaffa and the 6,000-hectare Bebeka Plantation — where coffee as we know it was born. The medieval castles and painted churches of Gondar. The Simien Mountains — the roof of Africa. Ancient Axum with the Ark of the Covenant. And the extraordinary rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, eighth wonder of the world.
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrive at Bole International Airport and transfer to hotel.
Radisson Blu, Addis AbabaDrive through the southwestern highlands to the town of Jimma in the Kaffa region — where the original wild coffee plants were discovered. The region is famous for broad grasslands, terraced hillsides and forests.
Hotel, JimmaDrive to Bebeka Coffee Plantation — 6,000 hectares, the largest and oldest coffee plantation in Ethiopia. Tour the organic plantation, experimental spice and fruit gardens, and the beehives producing highly recommended honey. Overnight in the comfortable plantation guesthouse.
Bebeka GuesthouseVisit Gerra — the forest coffee area owned by the family of the former king of the Kaffa region. Tour the Abajifar Museum and Palace. Return to Jimma.
Hotel, JimmaReturn drive to Addis Ababa.
Radisson Blu, Addis AbabaFly to Bahir Dar. Boat cruise on Lake Tana to the 14th-century Monastery of Ura Kidane Mihret — the most famous of the Zege peninsula monasteries with beautiful painted maqdas and priceless crosses and crowns. Drive to the Blue Nile Falls.
Avanti Blue Nile Hotel / Kuriftu ResortEn route visit Awra Amba — a unique settlement renowned as a model for gender equality where men cook and women plough. Arrive in Gondar, founded 1636 by Emperor Fassiladas. Visit the extraordinary Castles and Churches and the Debre Birhan Selassie Church with its famous ceiling of angel faces.
Mayleko Lodge / Goha HotelDrive to Sanqaber in the Simien Mountains — the roof of Africa, the most wild and spectacular landscape in Ethiopia. Picnic lunch with magnificent views. Return to Gondar.
Mayleko LodgeFly to Axum — Ethiopia's most ancient city and the seat of the great Axumite Empire. City tour: the stelae park, St Mary's Church and the sanctuary chapel which is the repository of the Ark of the Covenant, coronation yard, Axum Museum, Queen of Sheba's palace ruins and King Kaleb's tomb.
Yared Zema Hotel / Consular HotelFly to Lalibela. Full-day visit to the churches: Bete Medhanialem, Bete Mariam, Bete Meskel, Bete Denagil, Bete Golgota (Group 1), then Bete Giorgis — carved from solid rock in the 12th century, referred to as the eighth wonder of the world.
Mezena Lodge / Lalibela LodgeFly back to Addis Ababa and transfer to Bole International Airport for your departure flight.
Included
- Hotel accommodation B&B throughout
- All private airport transfers and ground transport
- Water throughout
- English-speaking professional escort guide
- Local guide fee at each destination
- Scout (Simien Mountains)
- Boat trip at Lake Tana
- All entrance fees and 15% tax
Not included
- International flights & Ethiopia visa
- Lunch and dinner (except where noted)
- Porter
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Photography/video fees
