Skip to content
Book a free call

Wildlife journeys

Awash National Park and Awash Falls

Beisa oryx on the acacia plains, the Awash River falling into its gorge, and a warm swim among doum palms.

  • Paused
  • 2 days, 1 night
  • Awash National Park
  • Easy

This tour is paused for now

Paused while the road east of Addis Ababa is under official travel warnings.

Get an email when it reopens

You can travel now on

Length 01 day

Nature

Bishoftu

Bishoftu Crater Lakes Day Trip from Addis

An hour from Addis, volcanic craters filled with still water, and Lake Hora, where Oromo people gather each October for Irreecha.

Length 04 days

Nature

Bale Mountains

Bale Mountains

Dawn on the Sanetti Plateau above 4,000 m, watching for the Ethiopian wolf, then the long descent into the Harenna forest.

Overview

The journey in brief

Duration
2 days, 1 night
Where
Eastern · Awash National Park
Travel style
Private tour
Best season
October to March
Difficulty
Easy
Price
USD 595 per person

Above the plains of Awash National Park stands Fantale, a volcano that last erupted around 1820. Below it, beisa oryx and Soemmerring’s gazelle graze the acacia savanna, the Awash River drops over a wide fall into its gorge, and the Filwoha hot springs pool among doum palms in the north of the park.

Two days give you the river at sunset, an early game drive in the cool, and a soak before the road home. More than 400 bird species have been recorded here. The heat is strong by midday. This route is paused for now; we will reopen it when it is safe.

Highlights

  • Beisa oryx and Soemmerring’s gazelle on the open acacia plains at dawn
  • Awash Falls, where the river drops into its gorge beside the lodge
  • Fantale, the volcano above the park, in view from the plains
  • A warm swim in the Filwoha hot springs, shaded by doum palms
  • More than 400 bird species, from kori bustard to hornbills

What is included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off in Addis Ababa
  • 1 night’s accommodation, twin share
  • Meals as listed in the itinerary
  • 4x4 vehicle and driver
  • Guide throughout and a park scout
  • Park entry fees
  • Bottled water

What is not included

  • Single room (optional extra)
  • Meals not listed
  • Drinks and personal expenses
  • Tips for guides, scouts and drivers
  • Travel insurance

Itinerary

Day by day

Day 1 East to the FallsAwash National Park

We collect you from your hotel early and drive east on the road to Djibouti, about four hours, with Fantale rising ahead. After lunch at the lodge you walk to Awash Falls and along the gorge rim, and watch the light fade over the river from your tukul.

Activities

  • Hotel pickup in Addis Ababa
  • Lunch at the lodge
  • Afternoon at Awash Falls and the gorge rim
Where you stay
Awash Falls Lodge, or similar
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 Oryx at Dawn, Hot Springs at NoonAwash National Park

You head out at dawn across the open plains, when the oryx, gazelle and kori bustard are easiest to find. Late morning you reach the Filwoha hot springs, clear blue pools shaded by doum palms, for a swim. Then lunch and the drive back to Addis Ababa.

Activities

  • Dawn game drive across the plains
  • Swim at the Filwoha hot springs
  • Drive back to your hotel in Addis Ababa
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch

Itineraries can change with weather, road and flight conditions. We will tell you promptly if they do.

Good to know

Before you book

Guide languages
English, Amharic
Minimum age
6 years and over
Group size
1 to 12 travellers
Meeting point
Hotel pickup in Addis Ababa. Your guide meets you in the hotel lobby at the agreed time.
Accessibility
Long drives and short walks on uneven ground by the falls; the hot springs have no formal steps or rails. Not suitable for wheelchairs.

What to bring

  • Sun hat
  • Sunscreen
  • Swimwear
  • Binoculars
  • A light layer for the early game drive

Dress code: Light, loose clothing in neutral colours, with closed shoes for the gorge walk.

Cancellation policy

This tour follows the Strict policy. Days are whole calendar days before departure.

Cancellation policy
When you cancelWhat you get back
30 or more days before departure50% refund
Fewer than 30 days before departureNo refund

Read the full booking policy

Questions

About this tour

Will I see big cats?
Lions and leopards live in the park but are rarely seen. Come for the oryx, gazelle, birds and landscape.
Can I swim in the hot springs?
Yes, the pools are clear and warm. Your guide will show you where it is safe to enter.
Can I climb Fantale?
Not on this trip. We can add a guided climb with an extra day; ask us when you book.
How hot is it?
Mornings are pleasant, middays are hot. We plan the walks and drives around the heat.

You may also like

More journeys

Length 04 days

On request Wildlife

Chebera Churchura

Chebera Churchura National Park

Tracking elephants on foot with park scouts through the forests and grasslands of Ethiopia’s least-visited national park.

Length 05 days

Paused Wildlife

Gambela

Gambela National Park and the Baro River

Ethiopia’s far western lowlands, where the Baro runs brown and wide and herds of white-eared kob cross the grass plains.

Plan with us

Ready for Ethiopia?

Choose your dates above, or tell us what you have in mind and we will shape the trip around you.

From USD 595

Notify me when it reopens