Ultimate Ethiopia

October 20 - November 1, 2021 | 13 Days | Overland Adventure

RED xum SEA Expedition Highlights Simien Mountains Gondar • Meet the engaging gelada baboons of Simien Mountains National Park. Bahir Dar Lalibela • Visit Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake and he source of the Blue Nile.

• Discover the earliest churches ddis baba known to Christendom—the ancient ETHIOPIA rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, Ethiopia’s ‘New Jerusalem.’

• Visit the remains of several royal castles Bale Mountains Main Tour built between the 13th - 17th centuries BLUE NILE FALLS Extension in the city of Gondar. LALIBELA MAP NOT TO SCALE • Join an optional extension to explore Bale Mountains National Park, home to giant mole-rats, Menelik’s bushbuck, mountain nyala, and over 300 species of birds.

• Itinerary...... page 2 > • Flight Information ...... page 3 > • Meet Your Leader ...... page 4 > • Rates...... page 4 > • Know Before You Go...... page 4 > BLUE NILE FALLS • Optional Post-extension ...... page 5 > ZION CHURCH LALIBELA

Sunday, October 24 Itinerary AXUM / LALIBELA Return to the airport for our flight to Lalibela, capital of the Zagwe Dynasty in the 12th and 13th centuries. Arguably Based on the expeditionary nature of our trips, there may be ongoing enhancements to this itinerary. Ethiopia’s greatest attraction, Lalibela’s famous rock-hewn churches have drawn religious pilgrims since the 16th century and still amaze modern travelers. The majority of the rock- Wednesday, October 20, 2021 hewn churches are situated within the town; after lunch, DEPART USA begin your exploration of the first church complex. The area Board your independent flight to Ethiopia. is a sacred site for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and you are likely to encounter brightly clad priests conducting ancient ceremonies or pilgrims visiting hermit monks in their Thursday, October 21 subterranean haunts. Check in to the Hotel Maribela for dinner ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA and overnight. Arrive in the capital city of Addis Ababa late in the evening and transfer to the Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa for overnight. Monday, October 25 LALIBELA Friday, October 22 This morning, visit the cave church of Yemrehanna Kristos, ADDIS ABABA located a short distance outside of Lalibela. Considered one After a morning at leisure, begin your exploration of this of the most beautiful of all Lalibela’s churches, Yemrehanna fascinating county with a city tour of Addis Ababa. Founded is unique in that it is built, rather than excavated, within a in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II and located 8,000 feet above cave. This afternoon, complete your exploration of Lalibela sea level at the foot of the Entoto Mountains, Addis Ababa is with a visit to the second complex of rock-hewn churches considered the diplomatic capital of Africa, being the seat of in town, culminating with a visit to the famous church of St. the African Union (AU) and playing host to over 100 foreign George. You will also have the opportunity to meet with a embassies. Drive to the summit of Mt. Entoto for fantastic local family to participate in a coffee ceremony and cooking views, then visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral and one of the demonstration. largest open-air markets in Africa, known as the Merkato.

Tuesday, October 26 Saturday, October 23 LALIBELA / GONDAR / SIMIEN MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK ADDIS ABABA / AXUM After breakfast, board our flight to Gondar, then depart After breakfast, board our flight to Axum, a small town that overland for Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO once formed the capital of the great Aksumite Kingdom. Visit World Heritage Site recognized for both its scenic beauty and the area’s main historical sites, including the Archaeological the endangered wildlife that it supports. The region includes Museum; the Zion Cathedral, where the original Ark of many summits above 12,000 feet and culminates in the the Covenant is said to be housed; the Stelae Park, where highest point in Ethiopia, Ras Dashen, which at 15,280 feet is magnificent 3rd- and 4th-century monoliths tower 100 feet into the fourth highest mountain in Africa. Check in to the Simien the sky; and finally, the ruined palace reputed to have been Lodge, your base for two days of exploration. home to the Queen of Sheba. Dinner and overnight at the Sabean Hotel.

ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS | ULTIMATE ETHIOPIA < 2 > GELADA BABOON GONDAR

Wednesday, October 27 locally as Tissiat—which means “Smoking Water.” The Falls SIMIEN MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK are 328 feet wide and the water plunges some 150 feet, giving Spend a full day appreciating breathtaking scenery, while rise to picturesque clouds and rainbows. Nesting behind the keeping an eye out for troops of endemic gelada, or lion- curtain of water are slender-billed chestnut wings. Other birds mane, baboons, terrestrial primates that live in groups in the area include fire finches, ground-scraper thrushes, robin- numbering up to 500 individuals. These baboons feed en chats, yellow-fronted tinkerbirds, and bare-faced go-away masse in the high-altitude meadows during the day and roost birds. Return to Bahir Dar in the afternoon for a visit to the along the edge of the escarpment at night. Other notable lively market. wildlife includes the endemic walia ibex, a large mountain goat unique to the Simien region, as well as the dapper augur buzzard and spectacular, eagle-sized thick-billed ravens. Sunday & Monday, October 31 & November 1 BAHIR DAR / ADDIS ABABA / USA Board our morning flight to Addis Ababa and check in to the Thursday, October 28 Golden Tulip, with the afternoon at leisure. Relax at the hotel, SIMIEN MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK / GONDAR then transfer to the airport for your late evening flight, arriving After breakfast return to Gondar, the 17th-century capital in the USA the next day. of Ethiopia. Our route traverses pastoral highlands, passing through traditional villages inhabited by the Amhara people. This afternoon, visit the Royal Enclosure, home to the castles of Emperors Fasiladas, Iyasu, Dawit, and Mentewab, and come Flight Information to understand why this town has been called “the Camelot of Africa.” Then explore the decorated church of Debre Berhan You will need to purchase airfare from your home city/Addis Ababa and Addis Ababa/home city. The domestic flights within Ethiopia Sellasie, and the Bath of King Fasiladas, who established are included in the price of the expedition. Please contact our Gondar in 1636. Dinner and overnight at the Goha Hotel. in-house Air Department for fare quotes, reservations, or other air-related questions.

Friday, October 29 GONDAR / BAHIR DAR This morning depart Gondar and travel by road to Bahir Dar on the shores of Lake Tana, the source of one of Africa’s greatest rivers. Check in to the Kuriftu Resort in time for lunch, then embark on a boating excursion on Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest body of water. Included will be a visit to the Ura Kidane Mehret monastery on the Zeghie peninsula and the nearby church of Narga Selassie. Birdwatching on the lake is also superb.

Saturday, October 30 BAHIR DAR / BLUE NILE FALLS Today after breakfast, drive to the Blue Nile Falls—known CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF ZION

ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS | ULTIMATE ETHIOPIA < 3 > Meet Your Expedition Leader

LEX HES – A naturalist and wildlife photographer, Lex was born and educated in Johannesburg and has been involved in the world of wildlife for nearly 40 years. Previously a guide at the world-famous Londolozi Game Reserve, Lex is now a popular freelance nature guide who imparts his wealth of knowledge of Africa’s ecosystems in an easygoing and friendly manner. He is an author and nature photographer with five books to his credit—the highly acclaimed Leopards of Londolozi; a children’s book called Bushschool; Attracting Birds to Your Garden in Southern Africa; The Complete Book of Southern African Mammals; and Wild South Africa, about the biomes of his native country. In addition to time spent in the Mpumalanga Lowveld and guiding visitors around Southern Africa, Lex has been involved with biological work on the sub-Antarctic islands of Amsterdam and Marion and leads tours to Kenya, Rwanda, Botswana, Zambia, Madagascar, Namibia, Mozambique, and Tanzania.

Rates

$10,990 per person, double occupancy; $14,990 per person, single occupancy Limited to 14 expedition members.

INCLUDED: NOT INCLUDED: • Domestic airfare within Ethiopia • Round trip airfare from your home city/Addis Ababa and • All excursions in the company of a world-class expedition Addis Ababa/home city leader and local guides • Excess baggage charges • All gratuities • Airport arrival and departure taxes • All accommodations • Transfers for independent arrivals and departures • All group meals, including selected beverages with lunch and dinner • Passport and/or visa fees • All entrance fees • Travel insurance • Arrival and departure transfers on group dates • Items of a personal nature such as laundry, alcoholic beverages • Gift certificates for recommended expedition gear (other than listed at left), and other incidentals • Medical expense coverage and emergency evacuation insurance • Email/Internet/fax/telephone charges

A 25% per person deposit will secure your space on this expedition. All rates are per person, quoted in US dollars, and must be paid in US dollars. Rates and itineraries are subject to change. Please review our Terms & Conditions online at www.zegrahm.com/terms, or call our office for a printed copy.

Know Before You Go This trip is for experienced travelers only. For most activities, a relatively moderate level of exertion is required. You must be able to walk distances of one to three miles, sometimes over uneven surfaces, such as unpaved paths and slippery trails, and climb stairs that may not have handrails, especially when visiting the churches of Lalibela. Please note that the elevation of Addis Ababa is over 7,500 feet and altitude sickness may occur in some individuals. Most of the stop on this expedition will be set at high elevations and most days will be cool, with chilly nights (mid-50s to low-60s˚F). However, the sun will be quite strong and adequate sun protection is essential. Away from the main cities, the infrastructure is poorly developed and there may be delays and/or changes to the published itinerary. Some days will require long drives over unpaved, bumpy roads. All accommodations are the best available in the area, but may not be up to Western standards.

To reserve, visit www.zegrahm.com/ethiopia or contact your travel consultant. < 4 > BALE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

October 31 - November 4, 2021 | 5 Days | Optional Post-extension

Sunday, October 31 Wednesday & Thursday, November 3 & 4 BAHIR DAR / ADDIS ABABA / BALE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL BALE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK / ADDIS ABABA / USA PARK Today, return to Addis Ababa. Check in to the Golden Tulip, and set out overland toward the Bale Mountains, traversing with the afternoon at leisure. Relax at the hotel, then transfer a high mountain pass with sweeping panoramic views of to the airport for your late evening flight, arriving in the USA the Ethiopian highlands. Stop at the park headquarters the next day. at Dinsho to search the moss-festooned juniper forest for endemic birds and mammals, such as groups of clamorous wattled ibis, the strange Abyssinian catbird, Menelik’s bushbuck, and the handsome mountain nyala. Check in to Flight Information the Bale Mountain Lodge, your base for three nights. You will need to purchase airfare from your home city/ Addis Ababa and Addis Ababa/home city. Domestic flights within Ethiopia are included in the cost of the extension. Monday & Tuesday, November 1 & 2 Please contact our in-house Air Department for fare quotes, reservations, or other air-related questions. BALE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK Spend two full days exploring this wonderful Afro-alpine moorland in a landscape dominated by Mount Dimtu, Ethiopia’s second highest peak. The vegetation is extraor- dinary, almost as if from a botanical science fiction movie, Rates and unlike anything elsewhere. The most striking of these $6,990 per person, double occupancy plants, which flourish in the rarified atmosphere 13,000 feet $8,990 per person, solo occupancy above sea level, is the “everlasting” flower, the Helichrysum. It is seemingly everywhere, forming large cushions up to seven feet across and thirty inches in height. This is also the domain of the endemic red Ethiopian wolf, whose chief food source is the giant mole rat. Other animals in this region include the endemic mountain nyala, Menelik’s bushbuck, bohor reedbuck, and olive baboon. Tonight, enjoy a special farewell dinner at the lodge.

To reserve, visit www.zegrahm.com/ethiopia or contact your travel consultant. < 5