Horn of Africa – NEW Itinerary

from
$3,950

Explore the wilder parts of Ethiopia plus Somaliland. The road trip heads through the otherworldly Danakil Depression. Passing through the hottest inhabited place on earth, visiting the lava lake at Erta Ale and witnessing the life of the salt mining Afar nomads that live in this otherwise inhospitable climate. We then visit the ancient walled city of Harar, exploring the narrow alleyways where wild Hyenas still wander before heading to Somaliland to see the stunning cave paintings at Las Geel and finish enjoying the atmosphere in the Somaliland capital Hargeisa.

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  • Vacation Style Holiday Type
    • Africa
    • Desert
    • Hiking
    Culture
  • Activity Level Moderate
    3/8
  • Group Size Small Group
    8
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All about the Horn of Africa – NEW Itinerary.

Explore the wilder parts of Ethiopia plus Somaliland. The road trip heads through the otherworldly Danakil Depression. Passing through the hottest inhabited place on earth, visiting the lava lake at Erta Ale and witnessing the life of the salt mining Afar nomads that live in this otherwise inhospitable climate. We then visit the ancient walled city of Harar, exploring the narrow alleyways where wild Hyenas still wander before heading to Somaliland to see the stunning cave paintings at Las Geel and finish enjoying the atmosphere in the Somaliland capital Hargeisa.

Then, for the truly intrepid, add on an extra 48 hours in Mogadishu with our experienced guide and security team.

Highlights

  • Experience the Danakil Depression – the hottest inhabited place on earth
  • Feed wild Hyenas at dusk in ancient Harar
  • Explore one of the world’s least visited countries – Somaliland
The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance
What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.
  • Accommodation
  • Ground transport
  • One internal flight (Addis Ababa to Semera)
  • International flight from Hargeisa to Addis Ababa (or Hargeisa to Mogadishu if the guest is joining the Mogadishu add-on)
  • Guiding
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner in Ethiopia outside Addis Ababa
  • All meals and camping equipment when in the Danakil Depression
What is not included in this tour?Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.
  • Ethiopia visas ($50 each. You will require two if you return to Addis Ababa at the end of the trip)
  • Somaliland Visa ($70 on arrival at the border)
  • Other Meals
  • Insurance
  • Entrance fees
  • Flights
  • Drinks
  1. Day 1 Arrive in Addis Ababa

    You will have an optional tour of the city depending on arrival time. This could include a trip to the Archeological Museum (where you can meet 3.25 million year old Lucy), the Holy Trinity Cathedral, the Ethnological Museum (the former residence of His Majesty Emperor Haile Sellassie) and Mercato – the largest open-air market in Africa.

    Overnight in Addis.

  2. Day 2 Addis – Semera – Erta Ale

    An early morning flight from Addis to Semera. From here we will drive approximately 8 hours to Erta Ale. En route we will be joined by our Afar escorts.  In the late afternoon we will reach the base of the volcano. We will wait until nightfall before beginning the 3-4 hour trek to the volcanos rim (camels will carry  essential supplies but can also be hired for those that need them, although we highly recommend you walk). On the rim you will be able to gaze into the boiling lava of one of the world’s only permanent lava lakes.

    Overnight camping at Erta Ale.

  3. Day 3 Erta Ale - Afdera

    After breakfast, we drive to Afdera visiting the Afar people along the way. Afdera is one of the famous salt mining regions in the country.

    Lake Afdera is a highly saline body of water fed by thermal springs and is over 100m below sea level.

    Overnight camping at Afdera.

  4. Day 4 Afdera - Awash

    After breakfast, continue your journey to Awash National Park.

    At night in Awash you will have the option to view the Hyenas and Warthogs.

    Overnight Kuriftu Awash Lodge or Similar

  5. Day 5 Awash

    A full day in Ethiopia’s oldest National Park set around the Fantale volcano.

    You will be able to enjoy a game drive in park to visit mammals such as Onyx, Hippo and Kudu and birds some as Ostrich.

    Overnight Kuriftu Awash Lodge or Similar.

  6. Day 6 Awash - Harar

    Early morning, we depart Awash and drive to Dire Dawa. There we will visit the railway museum. The station was built over 100 years ago and has barely changed in all that time. Then we continue driving to Harar.

    Overnight Sherif Guest House or Similar

  7. Day 7 Harar

    A full day to explore the walled city of Harar – considered by some to be the 4th holiest city in Islam. The old city is famed for its medieval townhouses and has 82 mosques, including three built in the 10th century. The walls surrounding the sacred city of Harar were built between the 13th and 16th centuries. African and Islamic traditions combine, creating a particularly unique character. One of Harar’s more unusual traditions is the nightly feeding of wild hyenas that wander the streets.

    Overnight in Harar.

  8. Day 8 Harar - Hargeisa

    A full day to drive from Harar to Hargeisa crossing the border between Ethiopia and Somaliland on the way. As you progress you will pass out of the green Ethiopian lands into the brown scrub desert of Somalia, spotting camel trains as you drive.

    Overnight in Hargeisa.

  9. Day 9 Hargeisa - Las Geel - Hargeisa

    After a visit to the Hargeisa Camel Market we will take you (with your security escort) to the wonderful cave paintings at Las Geel, one of the most intriguing sights in the Horn of Africa. On the overhangs of a rock in the desert are some of the world’s best preserved ancient cave paintings. Dating from 5000-9000 years old they depict cows, people, dogs and even giraffes. Return to Hargeisa.

    Overnight in Hargeisa.

  10. Day 10 Hargeisa - End

    Transfer to airport for morning flight to Addis.

    Connect with evening flights home.

    Those travelling to Mogadishu will depart on the same day from Hargeisa to Mogadishu.

Hotels, Lodges & Rope Beds

We do not and cannot offer a uniform accommodation standard on our itineraries. We consider comfort, location, design, character, historical interest and whether the money we spend will go into the pockets of the local community when we make our choices of where to stay.
The accommodation will be based on you sharing a twin room. An optional single supplement is available for US$250.

The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance.
Included in the price:
  • Accommodation
  • Ground transport
  • Three internal flights (Addis Ababa to Jinka / Arba Minch to Addis Ababa / Addis Ababa to Dire Dawa)
  • International flight from Hargeisa to Addis Ababa (or Hargeisa to Mogadishu if the guest is joining the Mogadishu add-on)
  • Guiding
  • Breakfast
Not included in the price:
  • Ethiopia visas ($50 each. You will need to get two if you return to Addis Ababa at the end of the trip)
  • Somaliland Visa ($50 in Addis Ababa)
  • Hargeisa airport departure tax ($41)
  • Other Meals
  • Insurance
  • Entrance fees
  • International Flights to and from Ethiopia
  • Drinks
Package Confirmed Dates Trip Status Trip Status Price (PP) Excluding Flights Price (PP) Including Flights  
November 17, 2022 - November 26, 2022
Available to book
$3,950
$0
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