Ethiopia and Gorillas Overview

    • 64
    • YDOZC
    • Trip Price tool tip
      USD $4,370
      CAD $4,400
      AUD $4,250
      EUR €3,405
      GBP £2,650
      NZD $5,450
      ZAR R33,985
      CHF FR3,945
    • Kitty tool tip
      USD $2,700
    • Total price tool tip
      USD $7,070*
      CAD $7,021*
      AUD $6,833*
      EUR €5,289*
      GBP £4,297*
      NZD $8,690*
      ZAR R52,763*
      CHF FR6,080*
      *
    •  
       
       
       
       
    •  
       
       
       
       
    • Overland, Wildlife
    • Basix
Book
‡ As our kitty is flexible the indicated amount is indicative only - please click here to view the kitty amount for your departure date.

Trip Validity

  • 2012-01-01 - 2013-12-31

Visit Africa and take an adventure tour through the Eastern highlights of the continent

Travel to Africa and explore Ethiopia before heading on an overland tour through the continent in search of Africa's Big Five and the illusive mountain gorilla. Admire the castles and palaces of Gonder and visit the cosmopolitan city of Nairobi as well as game driving through national parks and discovering traditional African tribal villages in the Omo Valley. With the perfect combination of natural beauty and rich African culture and tradition, this is the perfect African vacation.

  • Visit traditional tribal villages in the Omo Valley Region
  • See majestic rhinos at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
  • Head on a guided gorilla trek in Ruhengeri
  • Take in the beauty of the Blue Nile Falls
  • Explore the castles and palaces of Gonder
  • Trek through the jagged peaks of the Simien Mountains National Park
  • Marvel at the ancient rock-hewn churches of Lalibela

Ethiopia and Gorillas Summary

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Days 1-2 Gonder

Discover Gondar's castles, churches and palaces. The city is often referred to as 'Africa's Camelot'.

Day 3 Debark

Arrive at the gateway to the Simien Mountains, the town of Debark, and prepare for the trek ahead.

Days 4-6 Simien Mountains National Park

Hike through rugged terrain passing eroded volcanic cores, raging rivers and the jagged peaks of the Simien Mountains.

Day 7 Enda Selassie

Travel through the rugged countryside towards Aksum, stopping overnight in Enda Selassie.

Days 8-9 Aksum

Explore the ancient city of Aksum, peppered with obelisks and crumbling palaces.

Day 10 Mekele

Wander through Mekele's cliff-face churches of Tigray.

Day 11 Woldiya

Venture further into the Ethiopian landscape and spend the night at a bush camp near Woldiya.

Days 12-14 Lalibela

Peer into Lalibela's astounding rock-hewn churches.

Days 15-17 Bahir Dar

Walk around the spectacular Blue Nile Falls, then board a reed boat bound for the lake's isolated monasteries.

Day 18 Dejen

Spend the night in Dejen.

Days 19-21 Addis Ababa

Continue the African adventure with some traditional cuisine and perhaps some local music as you get acquainted with the fun-loving culture. Why not arrive a little early and check out the Ethnological Museum, a fascinating glimpse into Ethiopia's tribal heritage.

Day 22 Lake Abiyata

Head to the crystallised white shorelines of Lake Abiyata, home to vast flocks of flamingos that cover the water in a pink haze. Keep an eye out for fish eagles and a plethora of other birdlife who come to feed on the prolific algae the lake provides.

Days 23-25 Bale Mountains National Park

Drive high to the plateau of the Bale Mountains National Park in search of the Simien fox, perhaps explore the riding trails on horseback. Take time to traverse a varying landscape of exotic moorlands and thick forest, criss-crossed by fast-flowing streams.

Day 26 Wendo Genet

Descend from the mountain tops and relax in the luxurious hot springs of Wendo Genet. Let all your stresses wash away in the warm waters, situated in the centre of the panoramic beauty of Ethiopia's natural landscape.

Day 27 Awassa

Pay a visit to the Awassa Children's Project, which promotes sensible, culturally responsible relief work aimed at assisting children primarily orphaned by AIDS, as well as educating the population about the disease and its prevention. See how the members of the organisation work tirelessly to bring about better healthcare and a higher standard of life for their community.

Days 28-29 Arba Minch

Journey to Arba Minch, a town that boasts glorious views of the two Rift Valley lakes of Abaya and Chamo. Perhaps search for a bargain in the vibrant market or take a boat out on to the lake and glide passed 'crocodile market', where vast numbers of crocs congregate.

Days 30-32 Omo Valley Region

Travel into the Omo Valley to experience local markets full of local produce and handicrafts. Visit multiple completely unique tribes, each with their own histories and traditions.

Days 33-34 Konso

Hugging the banks of the Sagan River, learn of the strong traditions of the Konso people. Tour the local dwellings and shop at the local market, sharing in a way of life passed down through generations.

Day 35 Moyale

Enter Northern Kenya and head straight for the market town of Moyale, where both Kenyan and Ethiopian products can be found in abundance amongst a friendly and pleasant atmosphere.

Day 36 Marsabit

Pass through a black lunar landscape on the way to Marsabit, which lies at the foot of an extinct volcano. Trek through the forests to reach Lake Paradise, a site with a well-deserved name, which is a popular hangout for elephants and buffaloes.

Days 37-38 Samburu National Reserve

Trek into the Samburu National Reserve, a pristine wilderness that is home to a fascinating mix of Kenya's nomadic tribes. Keep an eye out for giraffes, zebras and gerenuks in their natural habitat.

Days 39-40 Naro Moru

Travel to the foot of Mt Kenya and safari through the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, home to endangered black and white rhinos as well as several members of Africa's Big Five. Keep an eye out for the chimpanzees, this is the only area of Kenya with wild chimps.

Days 41-42 Nakuru National Park

Take a game drive through Lake Nakuru National Park, world-famous for its population of striking pink flamingos. Keep cameras at the ready to get some colourful shots of flocks of birdlife as well as a variety of Africa's better-known wildlife.

Day 43 Lake Naivasha

As one of the only freshwater lakes in the Great Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha is able to support floating islands of papyrus reeds and is bordered by flat-topped acacias. Explore these lush green surroundings and discover a substantial population of hippos who frolic in the shallows.

Day 44 Nairobi

Pass by the stunningly dressed Masai tribes, who can often be seen tending to their herds, on the way to cosmopolitan Nairobi. Immerse yourself in the culture and make the most of premium restaurants and a lively bar scene.

Day 45 Nakuru National Park

Head for Nakuru and perhaps pay a visit to a working dairy farm.

Day 46 Kericho

Spend some more time mingling with the students before taking an optional tea plantation visit.

Days 47-48 Jinja

Set up camp at near Lake Victoria and prepare for two days of adventure. For adrenaline junkies, why not try some white water rafting.

Day 49 Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Visit Uganda’s Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, an important organisation that helps to reintroduce rhinos back into the wild. Join a local ranger and observe these impressive beasts in their natural habitat.

Day 50 Kaniyo Pabidi Forest

Venture to the Budongo Forest for an afternoon of chimpanzee trekking in Kaniyo Pabidi.

What's included in this trip

  • Start:

    Gonder, Ethiopia
  • Finish:

    Nairobi, Kenya
  • Group size:

    Min 4 , Max 22
  • Ages:

    Min 18
  • Meals:

    All meals when camping
  • Accommodation:

    Bush camp (no facilities) (6 nts), Camp site (1 nt), Camping (with basic facilities) (2 nts), Camping (with facilities) (32 nts), Hostel (3 nts), Hotel (15 nts), Lodge (4 nts)
  • Transport:

    Overland vehicle
  • Included activities:

    1/2 Day Lake Tana reed boat trip, Awassa Children's Project, Blue Nile Gorge, Chimpanzee trekking, Dairy farm visit, Elsamere Conservation Centre, Entrance Blue Nile Falls, Game drive, Game Drive, Lake Nakuru National Park, Guided tour of Aksum, Guided tour of Gonder, Guided tour of rock churches, monastery & visit to local school at Lalibela, Guided visit of Lake Abiyata, Guided walk, Kariandusi School Project Visit, Kazinga Channel boat cruise, Kigali - Genocide Memorial, Launch trip, Mountain gorilla trek & permit, Samburu - Game Drive, Simien Mountains trek (2 days), Tigray Rock-hewn Churches, Visit to Samburu tribal community and cultural project

  • Carbon emissions offset:

    1857kg pp per trip
  • Notes:

    1. This trip requires an additional non-refundable deposit (AUD1000, USD900, EUR650, NZD1000, GBP500, CAD900, ZAR6500, CHF900) in order to secure a gorilla permit. We also require a scanned copy of your passport at time of booking. Please see trip notes (Important notes) for more details.
    2. Please note that this trip requires minimum numbers to depart, and may be cancelled up until 56 days prior to departure. The places showing on the dates and availability page are an indication only so please contact Intrepid to check if your preferred date will depart before making any final arrangements, such as booking non-changeable flights.

  • Trip price from

    USD $4,370
    CAD $4,400
    AUD $4,250
    EUR €3,405
    GBP £2,650
    NZD $5,450
    ZAR R33,985
    CHF FR3,945
    Price information
  • +

    Kitty

    USD $2,700
    Price information
  • Total price from

    USD $7,070*
    CAD $7,021*
    AUD $6,833*
    EUR €5,289*
    GBP £4,297*
    NZD $8,690*
    ZAR R52,763*
    CHF FR6,080*
    *
    Price information
  • ‡ As our kitty is flexible the indicated amount is indicative only - please click here to view the kitty amount for your departure date.
  • Per day from:

    USD $110
    CAD $109
    AUD $106
    EUR €82
    GBP £67
    NZD $135
    ZAR R824
    CHF FR95
Book

About Ethiopia , Kenya , Rwanda , Uganda

    • 64
    • YDOZC
    • Trip Price tool tip
      USD $4,370
      CAD $4,400
      AUD $4,250
      EUR €3,405
      GBP £2,650
      NZD $5,450
      ZAR R33,985
      CHF FR3,945
    • Kitty tool tip
      USD $2,700
    • Total price tool tip
      USD $7,070*
      CAD $7,021*
      AUD $6,833*
      EUR €5,289*
      GBP £4,297*
      NZD $8,690*
      ZAR R52,763*
      CHF FR6,080*
      *
    •  
       
       
       
       
    •  
       
       
       
       
    • Overland, Wildlife
    • Basix
Book
‡ As our kitty is flexible the indicated amount is indicative only - please click here to view the kitty amount for your departure date.