Wild Ethiopia: The Roof of Africa. Discover the Wonders of an Ancient Land Where Nature, Culture & History Are Equally Magnificent

Transcription

1 Wild Ethiopia: The Roof of Africa Discover the Wonders of an Ancient Land Where Nature, Culture & History Are Equally Magnificent

2 Table of Contents: Trip Overview 3 Trip Itinerary 4 Trip Accommodations 9 What Makes Nat Hab Different? 11 Dates & Pricing Information 13 Trip Extensions 17 Page 2

3 Trip Details: Days: 11 Days Price: From $8495 Months: February - December Physical Requirements: Moderate Wild Ethiopia: The Roof of Africa Discover the Wonders of an Ancient Land Where Nature, Culture & History Are Equally Magnificent Atop the Ethiopian Highlands, you are standing on the very roof of Africa. This vast high-altitude plateau, marked with volcanic peaks and rent with deep gorges, is one of the world s most dramatic landscapes. Its soaring crags and rock formations have been described as the chess pieces of the gods. Where the escarpment falls away on one side, the gash of the Rift Valley is revealed far below. Rare endemic wildlife such as walia ibex, mountain nyala, Ethiopian wolf and gelada baboons roam the alpine moors and grasslands among these evocative mountains, while raptors soar overhead. Far below, ancient monuments and ruins stand in testament to Ethiopia s rich human history, once one of the greatest kingdoms on Earth. Trip Highlights Look for rare and endemic wildlife including Africa's most endangered predator, the Ethiopian wolf, plus walia ibex, mountain nyala and boisterous gelada baboons Private chartered flights maximize time in two national parks Bale Mountains and Simien Mountains, where basalt has eroded over eons into fantastic towers and pinnacles Visit Ethiopia's most extraordinary cultural World Heritage Sites, from the medieval rock-hewn churches of Lalibela to the 17th-century stone castles of Gondar Page 3

4 Itinerary At A Glance Day 1 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Day 2 Gondar / Simien Mountains National Park Days 3 & 4 Exploring the Simien Mountains Day 5 Gondar Day 6 Lalibela Day 7 Lalibela Asheton Maryam Monastery Wild Ethiopia: The Roof of Africa Itinerary Discover the Wonders of an Ancient Land Where Nature, Culture & History Are Equally Magnificent Day 1: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Meet your Expedition Leader on arrival at Bole International Airport and transfer to our hotel in the heart of Ethiopia s capital, where we ll have a welcome dinner this evening. Located in the center of the country, bustling Addis Ababa is Ethiopia s geographic, political and cultural hub. Addis is distinct from many other African capitals because it was not founded or developed under colonial rule. Ethiopia s independent influence has led the secretariats of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) to establish their headquarters here. One of Addis best-known sites is the National Museum of Ethiopia, which houses the remains of Lucy, a bipedal hominid that lived 3.2 million years ago and was discovered in Since Addis is located at 7,700 feet above sea level, our overnight stay here provides an important acclimatization interlude before we ascend substantially higher over the next few days. Day 8 Bale Mountains National Park Day 9 Gaysay Grasslands Page 4

5 Itinerary At A Glance Day 10 Sanetti Pleateau & Harenna Forest Day 11 Bale Mountains National Park / Addis / Depart Day 2: Gondar / Simien Mountains National Park Transfer to the airport very early this morning for our flight to Gondar. Driving on to Simien Mountains National Park, the road winds through highland pastures and fields of grain, eventually emerging on top of a vast plateau. This wild high country known as the Roof of Africa boasts some of the continent s most dramatic scenery. The Simien Mountains, among the largest ranges in Africa, include Ras Dashen, Ethiopia s highest peak at 15,157 feet. Precipitous cliffs, Afro-alpine steppe, tree-studded grasslands and deep canyons define this varied terrain that stuns our senses at every turn. After lunch, we ll make an easy hike to Chinquanit to see gelada baboons, a gregarious species of Old World monkey (not actually a baboon) found only in the Ethiopian Highlands. Geladas are the only primates that are primarily grazers, living on the grasses of the central plateau. Large and robust, males weigh up to 60 pounds, with a heavy cape of dark hair down their back. Little known and little studied, geladas live in huge troops of several hundred individuals. They are highly social, often rambunctious, and comfortable allowing us to approach at close range. At night, they sleep on cliff ledges out of range of nocturnal predators such as hyena, leopard and jackal. After an unhurried visit with the baboons, we drive on to Sankaber Camp, stopping for wildlife viewing en route. There's an option to take a longer hike before settling in at Simien Lodge, which is the highest guest accommodation in Africa at 10,700 feet. Drink in the vast scale of the highland landscape, with magnificent views for miles, and keep an eye out for resident wildlife that may include walia ibex, klipspringer, jackal and fox. Days 3 & 4: Exploring the Simien Mountains An exhilarating day is in store as we set off to discover more of this high-altitude region and its local wildlife. Driving along the escarpment edge, we pass Korbete Metia, a solid rock wall that opens up to reveal beautiful views over the distant lowlands, a scenic highlight of our trip. This is a good place for spotting lammergeyers giant birds of prey with a 10-foot wingspan that nest on the cliffs and spend their days soaring on thermals with a variety of other raptors. Look, too, for the tawny eagle, bearded vulture and Ethiopian thick-billed raven. Reaching Chennek at 11,800 feet, we walk among giant lobelia trees with their spiky fronds, in a landscape that s almost otherworldly. This is the best place to spot the walia ibex, a national symbol of Ethiopia and one of the world s most endangered mammals, found only in this isolated region. Habitat loss and pressure on their environment from cultivation have driven their numbers down to just a few hundred animals, which live on the steep slopes and grassy ledges of the escarpment. The area is also home to two more of Ethiopia s threatened endemics: the gelada baboon and the very rare Ethiopian wolf, also called Simien fox. Fewer than 400 remain, living in the alpine zone of the plateau. Keep an eye out, too, for klipspringer and bush buck. After a chance for some leisurely hiking this afternoon, we return to our lodge for dinner. Page 5

6 Day 5: Gondar Drive back to Gondar this morning, famed for its 17th-century stone castles and fortresses that evoke a feeling of an African Camelot. Founded in 1636 by the great Emperor Fassilidas, this UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once the royal capital of Ethiopia enjoys a striking setting atop high, tree-studded hills. We will visit various castles and churches built by Fassilidas and his descendants, including the emperor s own palace, the grandest of them all. Perhaps the greatest highlight is Debre Birhan Selassie church, whose walls and ceilings are intricately decorated with scenes of biblical lore and medieval history. A swarm of bees is credited for preserving this beautiful church from the destruction that befell most of Gondar s churches by marauding Sudanese Dervishes in the 1880s. When their troops appeared outside the church gates, a huge phalanx of bees flew out of the compound and drove them away, a stroke of luck that some attributed to divine providence. Inside the stone walls and arched doors, every available space is filled with scenes from the life of Christ and other historical events, including some hundred faces of whimsical winged cherubs that stare down at us, representing the omnipresent gaze of God. Day 6: Lalibela Today we fly to Lalibela, Ethiopia s cultural crown jewel. A cradle of Ethiopian Christianity, Lalibela is famed for its magnificent ancient churches and is the scene of many major religious ceremonies. Christianity in Ethiopia dates to the 1st century AD, the only pre-colonial Christian presence in sub- Saharan Africa and one of the oldest Christian communities in the world. Today, about 60 percent of Ethiopia s people, with most part of the orthodox tradition. Often called the eighth wonder of the world, Lalibela s mystical rock-hewn churches evoke a profound sense of awe and admiration. Churches below ground level are carved straight from the rock, ringed by trenches and subterranean courtyards and connected by a maze of stone tunnels and passages. Of these, Bete Giyorgis is most famous and most photographed, as it is unobscured by any shelters erected over the site. The churches above ground are equally wondrous feats of engineering, built out of a single hunk of rock, using no blocks, bricks, joints, seams or mortar. While individual churches are often built in the shape of a cross, multiple churches together also form a larger cross. Among the churches we will visit is Bete Amanuel, a 36-foot-high monolith considered by architectural historians to exhibit the finest and most precise workmanship in Lalibela, possibly because it was the private church of the royal family. Bete Medhane is the largest of Lalibela's churches and the largest human-carved monolith in the world, while the most majestic and best preserved of all Lalibela s churches is Bete Markorios, a cave church originally used for secular purposes and thought to be approximately 1,400 years old. Page 6

7 Day 7: Lalibela Asheton Maryam Monastery After a relaxed breakfast we make an excursion to a little-visited 13th-century rock-hewn monastery near Lalibela, at an altitude of more than 13,000 feet. Carved out of a cleft in a vertical cliff face on the side of Abuna Yoseph Mountain, the monastery s setting is spectacular, as is the view from the trail on the way up. Though the hike to reach the site is short, the route is steep, and we take our time in the thin air. After our visit we re treated to a coffee ceremony in a local home, where the lady of the house hand-roasts the green beans over a fire, then grinds and brews them into a delicious cup for us to enjoy. Coffee has long been a hallmark of Ethiopian culture, and in fact, the coffee plant originated in Ethiopia. Ethiopia today is Africa's top coffee consumer and producer, and coffee exports currently constitute about 10 percent of GDP and 60 percent of Ethiopia's foreign income. Day 8: Bale Mountains National Park We fly back to Addis this morning, then continue by private chartered plane to Bale Mountains National Park. Ethiopia s second-highest mountain range contains one of the richest habitats in Ethiopia s alpine heights. It is the best place for viewing a broad cross-section of the country s unique wildlife including Ethiopian wolf, rare mountain nyala, giant forest hog, cape hyrax, colobus and vervet monkeys and 16 endemic bird species. Bale was one of the last regions of Africa to attract serious scientific exploration, and it remains sufficiently out of the way even today that few travelers make it here in comparison with the Simien Mountains. The park s main attractions are its wild alpine scenery, particularly on the Sanetti Plateau that rises more than 13,000 feet above sea level. We ll take a nature walk in the forest around the park headquarters to look for endemic antelope and forest birds. Day 9: Gaysay Grasslands Via a scenic 3-hour drive this morning, we reach the Gaysay grasslands, part of Bale Mountain National Park. The landscape of the northern Gaysay section comprises a central broad, flat valley at altitudes ranging from 9,800 to 11,700 feet. The southern ridge of the Gaysay area, which is relatively dry, is covered mainly with juniper forest, a nationally protected species, while the relatively wet northern ridge is largely covered with Hagenia abyssinic a African redwood trees and Hypericum revolutum, the yellow flowering curry bush. The flat valleys of the Gaysay region offer excellent game viewing, with opportunities to see the rare endemic mountain nyala, duiker, Menelik's bushbuck and wild pigs. Page 7

8 Day 10: Sanetti Pleateau & Harenna Forest Early this morning we drive to the Sanetti Plateau. This vast highland region is the world s largest expanse of Afro-alpine moorland, a montane habitat with an average elevation above 13,000 feet. The plateau is renowned for supporting the most substantial remaining population of Ethiopian wolf, which we'll hope to spot during a wildlife drive in 4x4 vehicles. A walk atop the plateau reveals exhilarating views all the way to the Harenna Forest, one of the most extensive natural forests remaining in Ethiopia. At the southern end of the plateau, the Harenna escarpment affords an astounding view over the forest well over a mile below us deeper than the Grand Canyon. This forest, far denser and more varied than the juniper woodland around Dinsho, has a similar appearance and composition to the forests found in other East African mountain landscapes. Though we're unlikely to see them, lions live in this densely wooded region. Back at Bale Mountains Lodge, we enjoy a festive farewell dinner together. Day 11: Bale Mountains National Park / Addis / Depart After a last morning of activities in Bale Mountains National Park, we return to Addis by private chartered plane. A day room awaits for refreshment and relaxing before late afternoon and evening transfers to the airport. Dinner is included for those with later departures. Page 8

9 Accommodation Details: Sheraton Addis Simien Mountain Lodge Limalimo Lodge Mayleko Lodge Lalibela Lodge Bale Mountain Lodge Wild Ethiopia: The Roof of Africa Accommodations Discover the Wonders of an Ancient Land Where Nature, Culture & History Are Equally Magnificent Sheraton Addis Just four miles from Bole International Airport, at the capital center near the National Museum and Africa's largest public market, this luxury 294-room hotel is an elegant, eco-conscious sanctuary for travelers. Simien Mountain Lodge At 10,700 feet, Africa's highest hotel enjoys awe-inspiring views. Each round, thatch-roofed tukel has a sitting room, bedroom and two bathrooms, plus private balcony, solar-heated floors, and cozy duvets. Page 9

10 Limalimo Lodge At the edge of Ethiopia s Simien Escarpment, an elegant, eco-designed lodge embraces sustainable tourism, minimal impact and luxury in a stunning setting next to Simien Mountains National Park. Mayleko Lodge Dilha Mountain backdrops 20 new stone-and-thatch chalets with expansive views on the peaceful outskirts of the royal city of Gondar. Luxurious traditional design meets sustainable lodging and operations. Lalibela Lodge These 10 locally-owned and run bungalows offer exceptional hospitality, deep comfort and a breathtaking mountain setting, with private verandas overlooking nature and the historic city below. Bale Mountain Lodge A boutique lodge in Bale Mountains National Park s cloud forest, near the Rift Valley, is crafted of local stone and thatch, with a central sunken fireplace for evening relaxation and cozy in-room wood stoves. Page 10

11 Why Choose Us for Your Ethiopian Nature Adventure? While many companies follow a typical course through Ethiopia focused exclusively on history and culture, our itinerary prioritizes immersion in nature to reveal a wondrous diversity of wildlife, habitats and dramatic landscapes much more than you ll typically find on any other Ethiopian journey. See how our trip differs from most: Nature-Focused Adventure Designed for Optimum Wildlife Viewing Our carefully designed route focuses on stunning locations where wildlife is most prolific, including Simien Mountains and Bale Mountains national parks offering you the best opportunities to spot rare and endemic wildlife including Ethiopian wolf, walia ibex, gelada baboons and mountain nyala. Our Comprehensive Itinerary Also Includes Cultural Treasures Compare itineraries: we challenge you to find any other company offering such a varied journey. Few travelers make it to the Bale Mountains, one of the last scientifically studied African regions and the pinnacle of wildlife viewing in Ethiopia, but we spend three days immersed here. Merging wild areas with visits to Ethiopia's most extraordinary cultural World Heritage Sites the medieval churches of Lalibela and the 17th-century stone castles of Gondar ensures a diverse experience that hits all the country s high points. Private Chartered Flights Maximize Your Time in Nature Rather than endure a grueling 18-hour drive roundtrip, we charter a private plane to and from Bale Mountains National Park, giving you more time in nature overall, and substantially enhancing your comfort. Count on a Window Seat & Plenty of Space We guarantee each guest a window seat. Many safari operators use crowded mini-buses or utilize each seat, but we limit the number of guests in each transfer coach and 4x4 vehicle to maximize comfort, provide unimpeded views and allow space for hand luggage and camera gear. Small Groups for Intimate Wildlife Encounters We travel with a maximum of 10 guests, allowing us to get closer to wildlife, take better photos and enjoy personalized interpretation from our Expedition Leaders. Most companies only travel with local or national guides, but because we travel with an Expedition Leader plus a highly qualified national guide, knowledgeable drivers and in some locations regional park guides, our group size means personalized attention and an impressive staff-to-guest ratio. Page 11

12 The World's Finest Safari Guides Natural Habitat Adventures is known worldwide for employing the finest naturalists on the planet! In Ethiopia, rather than using less qualified local park guides or an inexperienced guide as a trip escort, our NHA Safari Expedition Leaders are the most highly trained guides in Africa, renowned for providing exceptional service. With you from beginning to end, our Expedition Leaders average approximately 15 years' guiding experience. Our Quality-Value Guarantee Ensures Your Superior Ethiopia Safari When you travel with Natural Habitat, you receive our exclusive guarantee, clearly stating that we will meet the lofty expectations we set in our promotional materials. To our knowledge, this is the most ambitious guarantee made by any adventure travel company. Feel Good About the Way You Travel We care deeply about the planet, just as you do. Travel with us and relax in the knowledge that the emissions from your trip are 100-percent carbon-offset. Natural Habitat is the world s first carbon-neutral travel company, an important element when you're concerned, as we are, about wildlife habitats threatened by a rapidly warming planet.. Natural Habitat Adventures is WWF's Travel Partner Because of our commitment to environmentally friendly travel, as well as the exceptional quality of our adventures, World Wildlife Fund the world's leading environmental conservation organization has named Natural Habitat as its worldwide travel partner, a designation that makes us exceedingly proud! Page 12

13 Dates & Pricing Summary: Dates: February - December Wild Ethiopia: The Roof of Africa Dates, Pricing & Info Discover the Wonders of an Ancient Land Where Nature, Culture & History Are Equally Magnificent Prices: From $8495 Location: Ethiopia, Africa Group Size: Moderate to Strenuous Physical Requirements: Moderate Departure Return Notes Oct 24, 2017 Nov 4, 2017 Nov 5, 2017 Nov 16, 2017 Dec 3, 2017 Dec 14, 2017 Feb 21, 2018 Mar 3, 2018 Mar 5, 2018 Mar 15, 2018 Oct 24, 2018 Nov 3, 2018 Nov 18, 2018 Nov 28, 2018 Dec 1, 2018 Dec 11, 2018 Page 13

14 Pricing Dates & Pricing Notes Prices are per person based on double occupancy and are given in U.S. dollars dates and fees may change slightly. Guests who reserve their space prior to final pricing confirmation will receive the lowest rate within the range offered. Location of Adventure Ethiopia, Africa Group Size Limit Approximately 10 Travelers A very important feature of our Ethiopia safari is the small group size, as African safaris are best experienced with fewer travelers in order to enhance intimate encounters with wildlife and nature. Included Accommodations, all meals from dinner on Day 1 to dinner on final day, non-alcoholic drinks with meals and in vehicles, services of NHA Expedition Leader, local guides and lodge staff, some gratuities, airport transfers on Day 1 and final day, internal chartered flights, permits and entrance fees, and all taxes. Not Included Travel to and from start and end point of trip (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia), internal scheduled flights (approximately $550, to be added to your invoice), alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, passport and visa fees, video fees in Lalibela and Gondar, optional activities, items of a personal nature (laundry, massage, phone calls, souvenirs, etc.), airline baggage fees, airport and departure taxes, optional travel insurance, and required medical evacuation insurance. Page 14

15 Physical Requirements Moderate to Strenuous This adventure is suited for fit, healthy guests who will not be limited by mobility restrictions or altitude. Travelers must be able to participate in physical activity, including hikes and walks that take place between 10,000 and 14,500 feet above sea level. The lowest altitude on the trip is approximately 5,200 feet, with the highest point at or above approximately 14,500 feet. We highly recommend arriving in Addis Ababa, which sits at 7,700 feet, at least one day early in order to acclimate to the elevation and be ready to participate in all activities. Ideally, guests should be able to walk at these altitudes for at least two to three miles on both level trails and steep but even trails, as well as on rough terrain, at a leisurely pace for two to three hours. We can offer drives in some locations that will access wildlife viewing areas for guests who prefer not to trek the longer distances. Days can be long, as mornings typically start before daybreak and evening meals are served after sundown. Participants should be prepared for some long and bumpy rides in 4x4 vehicles, which are not typically designed as well for rugged terrain as 4x4 custom vehicles used for safaris in other areas of Africa. Our longest drive is not more than four to five hours, but there are no organized toilet facilities on our more rural road journeys. We will still be able to make stops for guests who are comfortable using a private spot behind a bush. Guests must be able to climb into and out of 4x4 vehicles unaided. They must also be able to negotiate steep, uneven steps without handrails, especially in Lalibela. In Lalibela, some of the churches lie almost completely concealed within deep trenches, while others hide in the open mouths of quarried caves. Touring the churches involves easy climbing over rocks and maneuvering through a maze of tunnels. You will need to bring a headlamp or flashlight, as it is quite dark inside the churches and will be difficult to appreciate all the details without sufficient light. Travelers with a sense of adventure and willingness to be flexibile will get the most enjoyment out of this distinctive adventure. Page 15

16 Important Information About This Trip Our Exploratory Adventures are inaugural trips to new destinations for a select small group of travelers. In our quest to continually offer fresh and exhilarating nature experiences, these first-time adventures offer an extra element of discovery (and often include surprises of which we are unaware). Travelers on these departures must be willing to go with the flow and expect the unexpected. If you have an exploratory spirit and are open to potential changes in schedules, itinerary, activities or accommodations as your trip unfolds, you may enjoy this opportunity to be among the very first Nat Hab guests to pioneer a new trip with us. This itinerary surveys the Ethiopian Highlands, often called the "Roof of Africa," comprising the largest continuous area at this altitude on the African continent. Rather than focusing primarily on Ethiopia's cultural history and popular festivals, as many trips do, we concentrate on its natural history and unique wildlife, exploring by vehicle and on foot during the country's dry season. Wildlife viewing happens at high altitudes, typically ranging between 7,000 and 15,000 feet, in habitats where endemic plant and animal species thrive. Most activities involve walking or light hiking to access scenery and key wildlife viewing areas. While not a typical African wildlife safari, our Ethiopia adventure offers frequent sightings of the rare and endangered Ethiopian wolf, photogenic gelada baboons, walia ibex, and other species not seen elsewhere, in the context of stunning scenery. Ethiopia's national parks tend to border farming areas and are generally closer to civilization than many other African nature reserves, but we have included one of the few opportunities to visit Bale Mountains National Park, one of Ethiopia's largest continuous wilderness areas visited by very few tourists. We will also sample iconic cultural heritage sites such as the churches of Lalibela and the castles of Gondar. Mandatory Insurance Since the areas we travel to on this trip are remote and wild (that's why we go there!), we require medical evacuation insurance for our guests' safety. If you decline the medical evacuation insurance coverage offered by Natural Habitat, we request that you send us documentation of the independent coverage you have selected. We will add the cost of a medical evacuation policy to your tour invoice until you provide our office with proof of coverage including your insurance company's name, contact number and your individual policy number. Thank you for understanding that our policy exists exclusively in the interest of our guests' safety. Getting There & Getting Home You must arrive by 5 pm on Day 1 in order to join your group welcome dinner at 7 pm. For early morning arrivals, you may be required to pay for an early hotel check-in prior to 3 pm. We encourage you to arrive a day early to be well-rested for our early start on Day 2. You are free to depart Addis Ababa any time after 7 pm on the final day. Most international flights depart late at night, from 10:30 pm to after midnight, so we do include a dayroom and farewell dinner on the last day. We can best serve you if our Natural Habitat Adventures Travel Desk makes your reservations, as we are intimately familiar with the special requirements of this program and can arrange the most efficient travel. Please call us at Page 16

17 Extension Details: Extra Day in Addis Ababa Year-Round / From $495 Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Extension 4 Days / Year-Round, From $2475 Custom Kenya Safari Camp Extension Year-Round, From $2395 Custom Tanzania Safari Camp Extension Year-Round, From $3225 Wild Ethiopia: The Roof of Africa Extensions Discover the Wonders of an Ancient Land Where Nature, Culture & History Are Equally Magnificent Extra Day in Addis Ababa From coffee roasting and silk weaving to the National Museum containing the fossilized human ancestor "Lucy," Ethiopia's cultural and historic highlights are on display in this journey through its vibrant capital. Year-Round / From $495 Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Extension A 4-day safari extension to track endangered mountain gorillas. Hike through the rain forest and spend rare moments with a habituated family troop. 4 Days / Year-Round, From $2475 Custom Kenya Safari Camp Extension A fly-in extension to some of Kenya's most remote safari camps in the Maasai Mara, Samburu, Amboseli and more. Check out options at isafari.com. Year-Round, From $2395 Page 17

18 Custom Tanzania Safari Camp Extension Extend your safari with a visit to Tanzania's secluded safari camps in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Selous, Ruaha and more. Read about options at isafari.com... Year-Round, From $3225 Page 18

19 Natural Habitat & WWF: Discovering Our Planet Together Natural Habitat Adventures PO Box 3065 Boulder, CO USA & Canada: International: Natural Habitat Adventures NHA has provided more than $2 million to World Wildlife Fund and will continue to give 1 percent of gross sales plus $100,000 annually through 2023 in support of WWF s mission to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth. WWF and World Wildlife Fund are WWF Registered Trademarks Panda Symbol WWF.