Ethiopia · Safari

2-Day Awash National Park Safari with Alledighe Wildlife Reserve

2 Days Round trip from Addis Ababa Moderate pace

Spot surreal views at Awash National Park

View all 7 photos

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Enjoy the serene beauty of the Awash River, with panoramic views of lush valleys and volcanic landscapes
02 Experience an early morning game drive when wildlife is most active and the park is at its most beautiful
03 Stop at Beseka Lake to spot a variety of water birds, including herons, ducks, and Common Cranes
04 Explore Alledighe Wildlife Reserve, a vast grassland plain in Ethiopia's Great Rift Valley
05 Look out for wildlife such as Beisa Oryx, Gerenuk, Soemmering gazelle, Grevy's zebra, jackals, and hyenas

Explore the captivating beauty and wildlife of Awash National Park on a 2-day journey through one of Ethiopia's stunning natural reserves. Located in the eastern part of the country, the park offers a mix of diverse landscapes, including volcanic mountains, vast savannas, and rich wildlife. Over two unforgettable days, enjoy opportunities to discover unique flora and fauna, picturesque waterfalls, and serene river views.

Set out early in the morning for a drive to Alledighe Wildlife Reserve (AWR) and enjoy a game drive in this outstanding open grassland area, known for its breathtaking landscape, wonderful weather, and uniquely diverse wildlife.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Addis Ababa, Adama, Awash National Park

Languages English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Drive to Awash National Park and Afternoon Game Drive

Our driver and guide will pick you up from your hotel at 7:30 AM. You will then set off to join the expressway, reaching Adama (formerly Nazret) in about an hour.
You will stop en route at Beseka Lake, home to many water birds, including Striated (or Green-backed) Herons, Black-headed Herons, Red-billed Teal, White-backed and Maccoa Ducks, and Common Cranes.
Depending on how long you stop for birdwatching en route, the 211 km drive will take about 4-5 hours.
For accommodation, you will have the following choices: a hotel in Awash Town with air conditioning, camping, or Doho Lodge, a hot spring resort located about 20 km from Awash Town. This resort features a lake and hot water pools.
As you drive from the park gate toward the Awash River, you can expect to see various mammals, including Beisa Oryx, Klipspringers, Hamadryas and Anubis Baboons, Salt's Dik-dik, Grivet Monkeys, and more.

In the late afternoon, as the temperature cools, you will go on a game drive.

Day 02

Early Game Drive in Alledighe Wildlife Reserve

Set out early in the morning for a drive to Alledighe Wildlife Reserve (AWR) and enjoy a game drive in this outstanding open grassland area, known for its breathtaking landscape, wonderful weather, and uniquely diverse wildlife.
AWR is located in Ethiopia's Great Rift Valley and consists of the country's largest expanse of grassland plains, giving you the chance to see a wide range of animals.
Look out for Beisa Oryx, Grant's gazelle, Gerenuk, Soemmering gazelle, Grevy's zebra, lion, and leopard. Lions and leopards are very rare to see, with only about a 5% chance of spotting them, as well as Black-backed Jackal and spotted hyena.
Birdlife may include Ostrich, Kori Bustard, Arabian Bustard, Black-headed Lapwing, Little Egret, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, White-headed Buffalo Weaver, Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Abyssinian Roller, and Northern Red Bishop. These are among the birds I spotted a week ago, but many more small and large birds can also be seen.
After these activities, we drive back and have lunch in Adama or Nazret town, then continue to Addis for your international flight or back to your hotel, marking the end of the tour.