Posted By Marvelous Ethiopia Tour on July 21, 2018

Short Day Tours in Ethiopia 

Short Tours of one to three days duration before leaving Ethiopia; these tours are all land journeys as given below and are found in the nearby areas of Addis Ababa. Besides, it is also possible to visit one of the places by Air on the historic route-Axum, Lalibela, Gondar and Bahi Dar, flying out one day from Addis Ababa and returning back on the second day.

1. Half Day City Tour of Addis Ababa

Trinity Cathedral: a beautiful church with a basilica style of European architecture.
It is dedicated to Holly trinity, here you will find stained glass windows paintings from the old and New Testament in the bible and coffins of Emperor Haile Selassie I, the founder of the church, and his wife.

National Museum: The National Museum which is known for its pale ontological and archeological collection dating back over millions of years houses the famous origin of humankind “Lucy or Dinknesh 3.4 million years old” remains. Other fossils and stone tools are also present in the exhibit. The archaeology section displays findings from the pre-Axumite period up to contemporary times. Ethiopian cultural, traditional and ceremonial costumes are on display as well as the throne of Emperor Haile Selassie and other traditional ornaments.

Mount Entoto: It is 3200 meters above sea level, having panoramic view of the capital and the surrounding area.
In 1881 Emperor Menelike II made his first capital here.
Entoto was abandoned as a site for capital since it was cold, difficult to fetch water up and there was a shortage of wood. Empress Taitu, the wife of Menelik II, gave the name Addis Abba, or new flower. Menelik II, imperial compound on Entoto, the church of Saint Marry, and the smaller museum are worth to be visited.

2. Full Day City Tour of Addis Ababa

• Trinity Cathedral: a beautiful church with a basilica style of European architecture. It is dedicated to Holly trinity, here you will find stained glass windows paintings from the old and New Testament in the bible and coffins of Emperor Haile Selassie I, the founder of the church, and his wife.

•National Museum: The National Museum which is known for its pale ontological and archaeological collection dating back over millions of years houses the famous origin of humankind “Lucy or Dinknesh 3.4 million years old” remains. Other fossils and stone tools are also present in the exhibit. The archeology section displays findings from the pre-Axumite period up to contemporary times. Ethiopian cultural, traditional and ceremonial costumes are on display as well as the throne of Emperor Haile Selassie and other traditional ornaments.
• Ethnographic museum: Here you can see artifacts, household utensils, paintings which reflect church history, crosses, and culture of the country. Since it was palace of Emperor Haile Selassie his bedroom and bathroom can be visited.
• Merkato: The largest market in Africa, possibly every commodity is on sale.
• Bata (Saint Marry church): Where Menelik’s Mausoleum, Etege Taitu and Queen Zawditu are buried.
• Mount Entoto: It is 3200 meters above sea level, having panoramic view of the capital and the surrounding area. In 1881 Emperor Menelike II made his first capital here.
Entoto was abandoned as a site for capital since it was cold, difficult to fetch water up and there was a shortage of wood. Empress Taitu, the wife of Menelik II, gave the name Addis Abba, or new flower. Menelik II, imperial compound on Entoto, the church of Saint Marry, and the smaller museum are worth to be visited.

African Union

3. Debre Libanos monastery and Blue Nile Gorge (One day / two days trip from Addis Ababa)

 Debre Libanos: An important monastic center of Ethiopian Orthodox Church. It was set up in the 13th century by Saint Tekle Haimanot, he is said to have prayed for seven years, on one leg. Nearby it, you will visit the 17th century Portuguese bridge and the Jemma River Gorge.  On this tour, you can also visit one of Ethiopian’s endemic mammals, the Gelada/ bleeding heart baboon. In this area there are different birds when you go down to the valley. Blue Nile Gorge: it is the truly magnificent gorge; some people compare it with the Grand Canyon of USA. All the sites mentioned above can be a one-day excursion from Addis Ababa. Or it can be for two days.

4. Melka Kunture, Adadimariam and Tiya / one day excursion from Addis Ababa
Melka kunture: is one of the archeological sites in Ethiopia. Melka Kunture lies in the upper Awash valley, 50 km south of Addis Ababa, at an altitude of 2000m.

Adadi Mariam: is a rock-hewn church located approximately 66 km southwest of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A popular tourist destination, the site is believed to have been built in the 12th century. The rock hewn Church of Adadi Mariam is said to have been built by king Lalibela on his visit to mount Zequala.

Tiya: Classified by UNSCO as world heritage site standing engraved stele which stretch across parts southern Ethiopia, believed to have been erected between the 12th and the 14th centuries. They are grave markers.

Tiya stele

5. Ambo and Wonchi Crater Lake (two days)

Ambo is found at 126 kilometers from Addis, after 32 kilometers to the southwest of Ambo, you can find Wonchi, which is a crater lake.
The Lake covers an area of 560 hectares. The highest peak around the lake is about 3000 meters high. The area has dramatically beautiful. You can find aquatic birds, Columbus monkeys. A small monastery on the Island, saint Kirkos church said to have been built by emperor Zarayakob in the 15th century.

6. Awash national park (2 days Tour)

Awash national park has an area of 827 square kilometres. Has larger concentration of wildlife; Oryx, gazelle, greater and lesser Kudu, baboons, warthog, crocodiles etc.
It has many species of birds; the thunderous water falls of Awash that smokes as it falls over basalt in the gigantic falls, the hot springs surrounded by the palm trees etc.

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7. Lake Zeway (one day / two days tour)

Lake Zeway is one of the Rift Valley lakes in Ethiopia. It is 164 km from Addis Ababa and located to the south, in Oromia region. Lake Zway is rich in Bird Life, and you can find also a significant population of hippopotamuses on the lake. A boat ride can take you to the islands in the middle of the lake, where you can explore wildlife and intact with nature.

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8. Lake Abijata-Shalla and Lake Langano (one day / two days tour)

These lakes are rift valley lakes, and on the way, you can also visit Lake Zeway .
Here you can visit birds of different kinds. Nearby head quarter of Abijata-Shalla, you can see Ostrich. From wildlife, warthog, gazelle and jackals are some of the mammals which are commonly seen in the park. Along the shores of Lake Lango, you can visit different species of birds and it is popular for water sports; Lake Langano is a base to visit other sites since there are resort hotels.

9. Wondo Genet (2 days tours)

On the way from Addis Ababa to Wondo Genet, you can visit different rift valley lakes like Zeway, Abijata-Shalla which are habitates of differsnt birds.
In Wondo Genet, near by the hotel, on the hill, it is good to take walk for its scenery, birds, and monkeys. The hotel is good to relax as it is surrounded by nature.
On the second day, you can drive further to Awassa town, to visit the lake, the fish market, birds along the shores of Lake Awassa. In the afternoon return back to Addis Ababa.

10. Sodere hot spring (one / two days tours)

It lies at the bank of Awash River , where volcanic spring water gush out.
You can visit numerous birds, crocodiles, monkeys, hippos. Because of therapeutic effect of the spring water and warm climate, it is popular by weekenders.

11. Menagesha forest (one day tour)

It is found about 50 km from Addis Ababa to the west.
You can visit different birds like wattled Ibis, Crowned eagle, Banded barbet, Yellow fronted parrot, Abyssinian cat bird, black winged cat bird etc. Wildlife, you can find, Menelik’s bush buck, Columbus monkey, Duiker, warthog, Porcupine.

12. Debre Zeit / Bishoftu (one day / two days tour)

Debre Zeit is situated 40 km southeast of Addis Ababa on the highway to the eastern and southern part of Ethiopia. It has many lakes; the lakes are Hora, Bishoftu, Babogaya, Kuriftu and Chelekleka. All the lakes are in close proximity to each other, which makes it easier to visit them all at once. Debre Zeit is a spot for birds; so beautiful to explore the lakes. Debre Zeit has luxurious resorts and breathtaking beaches.

13. Mount Zequala (one day / two days tour)

Mount Zequala, 75 km south of Addis Ababa, it has an extinct volcano with a beautiful crater lake. The mountain has a monastery, situated at the top of the mountain. At the top Mount Zequala is 3000 meters high ASL. The Crater Lake is beautiful and surrounded by plants, it is considered to be holy. The walk around the church (Abune Gebre Menfis Kidus / Abbo) offers stunning views over the surrounding countryside; the forest on the Crater Lake supports different species of birds. This area is good for fit people to take trekking, starting from the foot of the mountain to the top.

14. Senkelle Swayne’s Hartebeest (two days / three days trip)

Senkelle Swayne’s Hartebeest Sanctuary: is a protected area found 53 km south of Shashemene to the Arba Minch road near the town of Aje. The area is reserved especially for the protection of the Swayne’s Hartebeest, and it has an area of 54 square kilometers.
Although the Senkele sanctuary is primarily established to preserve Ethiopia’s endemic Swayne’s Hartebeest, the sanctuary has also other wild animals and different species of birds.

15: Awassa (three days trip)

Awassa is a city found 275 Km South of Addis Ababa; it is the capital city of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR). Awassa city lies in the Great Rift Valley region; on the eastern edge of Lake Awassa with an elevation of 1708 meters above sea level.  In this town more than 46 different ethnic groups live together.

Important attractions in Awassa include Lake Awassa which has 16 km long and 9 km wide; its surface area is 129 square kilometers. It is good to take boat trip on Lake Awasa to see hippos. Awasa is rich in bird life like Marabou, Malachite King Fisher, Spur Winged plover, Pygmy Geese, Black Winged Love Bird, Ducks, Darters, and Cormorants are some of the birds.

The fish market which is found within the city, colobus and Grivet monkeys, Tabor Hills which has wonderful views and the daily colorful market in the city are some of the attractions.

Categories: SHORT DAY TOURS, ETHIOPIA
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