Combination Tour of Bale Mountain National Park, Awash National Park Harar
Combination Tour of Bale Mountain National Park, Awash National Park Harar
Duration: 6nights and 7days
Means of Transportation: Drive by 4×4 and (optional fly from Dire Dawa to Addis)
Tour includes: 2 nights Bale Mountain National Park, 2 nights Awash National Park, 2 nights Harar (Dire Dawa)
Day 1: Bale Mountain National Park
After breakfast we start drive to the Bale Mt. National Park, where fertile land is cultivated by the Oromo people. We arrive at Dinsho (Park HQ), for walk around to see the endemic mammals and Birds such as Menelik’s Bushbuck and Mountain Nyala are endemic mammals. continue drive to the lodge passing the town of Goba and Sanate plateau. Overnight at Wabe Shebelle hotel
Day 2: Full day in Bale Mountain National Park
Morning pack lunch box and drive back to Senate plateau the second highest peak in the country 4377mrs above sea level, to the moorland, where you will see the very endemic birds of Ethiopia and the Red Jackal or Red Fox or Abyssinia Wolf, Giant Mole rats which Abyssinian wolf hunts all day, Bale Monkey which is endemic to Bale Mountain nowhere else on the face 0f the earth. Afterwards, klipspringer, proceed to Harenna forest where you will be rewarded by a stunning view of the magnificent escarpment. Walking/hiking in Harenna forest enjoy old Giant Heather tree and bamboo forest where to spot bale Monkey and forest birds. Overnight at Bale Mountain Lodge
Day 3: Bale to Awash National Park
Early in morning drive to Awash National Park via Asella and Adama. Arrive at Kuriftu Resort in the national park. Late afternoon or early morning of the following day you will have game drive to spot some antelopes and birds species. overnight Kuriftu resort.
Day 4: Awash National Park to Doho Lodge
Early morning drive in the park to see wildlife, mammals and birds. the Awash National Park which is home to mammals such as Beisa Oryx, Lesser Kudu, Black backed Jackal, Bat eared Fox, Hamadryads Baboon and Olive Baboon, Vervet Monkey, Salt’s Dick-dick after visit drive back to your lodge for breakfast. After breakfast drive to Doho lodge. Check in to the lodge the rest afternoon relaxing. As Doho lodge is known for its hot springs from volcanic you may spend your afternoon at the pool filled with naturally warmed water and later after we may visit Afar village. Overnight at Doho lodge.
Day 5: Awash National Park (Doho Lodge) to Harar
Early in the morning pack your breakfast box or early breakfast and the drive Halaideghe Asebot wild life sanctuary. This sanctuary in known Gravy zebra, Gazelle and rarely can be seen Wild Ass, Baisa Oryx and other mammals and birds
After visit Halaideghe Asebot Sanctuary take a road to deep in the rift valley before ascending the eastern highland and then drive to Harar Town. Check in to Rewda guesthouse inside the Jugol. This night you will have a Hyena feeding show. Overnight Rewda guesthouse
Day 6: Full day city tour of Harar
Harar located at an altitude of 1,800 meters, Harar is a labyrinth of small streets surrounded by old city walls. Its architecture reflects a strong Islamic influence. We take a walk through the old city and visit the house where Rimbaud lived. Harar was the poet’s favorite city and he established quarters there in order to trade in arms destined for the emperor Menelik. It is largely 16th century and later, but some of the mosques were founded as early as the 13th century. It was a Centre for learning Quran and propagation that convert the surrounding Oromo Ethnic group in to Islam and some scholar even claim that Harar was the biggest Islamic Centre in the Horn Africa. Our visit will include some of these as well as some of the traditional old houses of Harar. The main sights are: the city walls and gateways, the Friday Mosque from outside, the Museum, the Ras Mekonen House and the supposed house of Rimbaud, one Harari house as model. This evening before dinner there is a visit to the hyena men (the men who feed the hyenas). Overnight at Rewda guest house at Harar.
Day 7: Harar to Dire Dawa and then fly back to Addis
Morning after breakfast drive to Dire Dawa and on the way visit the Qat or Chat market at Awoday and then proceed to Dire Dawa. In Dire Dawa visit Kefira Colorful market where one observes the influence Islamic architecture and the continuation of Harar civilization on construction such as traditional house construction on nearby the market area. Drive or walk to sweet shop to test Halawa and other sweets that region known for it and finally drive to the airport fly back to Addis Ababa.
End of tour