2 Days Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes Tour from Addis Ababa
2 Days Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes Tour from Addis Ababa
From
Highlights
Enjoy the freedom of stopping at different viewpoints to enjoy the dramatic view of the Ethiopian part of the Great East African Rift Valley by drive with a comfortable air conditioned Toyota Minivan, and learn from your professional experienced English speaking tour guide of the Ethiopian birdlife at the Rift Valley Lake of Ziway.
Meet local families and partake a typical Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony, and see the bird life of the lakes and wildlife of the Abiyatta Shalla Lakes National Park.
The tour also includes visiting the unique and still operational rock carved church of Adadi Mariam, Tiya Steles (a cemetery dating back to 12th – 14th Century AD and UNESCO World Heritage Site), and walking by Lake Ziway to spot a number of lowland water birds. The tour includes a total of 580 km drive in two days.
On Thursdays or Sundays, experience local culture at the colorful weekly held cultural market at Adadi town.
Itinerary
Addis Ababa – Adadi Maryam - Tiya World Heritage Site – Lake Ziway – Awassa
Tiya World Heritage Site
1 hoursAdmission Ticket Not IncludedTake a guided tour visit the incredible stone grave markers at Tiya. The Steles of Tiya is one of Ethiopia’s sites listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Here you will visit beautiful carved stone grave markers erected between the 12th and 14th Century AD in honor of important local heroes (warriors).Butajira
1 hoursAdmission Ticket FreeStop at a couple of outlooks for the picturesque scenery of the Ethiopian part of the Great East African Rift Valley. You will also visit one of the villages of the local people of Silte for cultural experience.Lake Ziway
1 hoursAdmission Ticket IncludedSpot Ethiopian Lowland water birds by walking by the shores of the Rift Valley Lake of Ziway to see families of hippos (if lucky) and a number of birds such as Great white pelicans, Marabou Storks, African Fish Eagle, Sacred Ibis, Hammer Kops, etc Finally, drive 115 km south to the Rift Valley Lake of Awassa. If the weather is good, enjoy the beautiful sun set over the lake.Melka Kunture
40 minsAdmission Ticket Not IncludedVisit Melka Kunture archaeological site to learn about humanity's evolutionary story. Set by the Awash River, visit Melka Kunture’s Museum to step back 1.8 million years. Discover stone tools from Homo erectus, witness fossilized footprints, & visit an open-air 800,000 years old butchery site.
Awassa Lake – Abidjatta Shalla Lakes National Park – Lake Ziway – Addis Ababa
Fish Market at Awassa Lake
2 hoursAdmission Ticket IncludedAfter breakfast head to Amora Gedel found by the shores of Lake Awassa. It is where locals come to have breakfast of fresh catch Tilapia fish and spot a number of birds gathered looking for leftover fish. Here you will see the rare Colobus Monkey (Black and White Monkey).Abidjatta-Shalla National Park
3 hoursAdmission Ticket Not IncludedThen, head north to the Abiyatta Shalla Lakes National Park with a stop at Shashemene to visit the Jamaican Rastafarian Community. At Abiyatta Shalla Lakes NP walk for half an hour to see Ostriches, Gazelles, Warthogs, and different lowland bird species. If the weather is good (September – June), continue driving farther to visit the Natural Hot Spring waters where locals use the waters to get healed from skin diseases.Shashemene
1 hoursAdmission Ticket FreeVisit to visit the Jamaican Rastafarian Community at Shashemene town for about 1 hour. Learn about the backgrounds of the Rastafarianism beliefs and how they are connected with Emperor Haile Sillassie I.Bishoftu
1 hoursAdmission Ticket FreeStop at one of the crater lakes of Bishoftu (Debre Ziet) which is notable for its scenic beauty. You will also visit a village of the Oromo people to attend a traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony with locals.
What's included
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
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Provider
Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours