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.
Nature journeys
Guassa and Ankober
Ethiopian wolves and gelada on a high, grassy plateau, then a night in Menelik’s old capital above the Rift Valley.
This tour is paused for now
Paused while North Shewa is under official travel warnings.
You can travel now on
Departs 01 Nov
Half day, about 5 hours Nature
Addis Ababa
Entoto Hike and the Hill Churches
Eucalyptus trails on the ridge where Menelik II kept his first capital, two hilltop churches, and Addis Ababa spread out below.
Overview
The journey in brief
- Duration
- 3 days, 2 nights
- Where
- Central · Guassa and Ankober
- Travel style
- Private tour
- Best season
- October to May
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Price
- USD 895 per person
On the Guassa plateau, between 3,200 and 3,700 metres, the grass has been shared out for more than 400 years under the Qero, a community rule that decides who may cut it and when. That old system has kept a home for Ethiopian wolves, the rarest canid in the world, and for gelada troops that can number in the hundreds.
From the plateau the road drops to Ankober, capital of the Shewa kingdom until Menelik II moved to Entoto in 1878. The lodge stands on his palace hill. Nights are cold; walk slowly. This route is paused for now; we will reopen it when it is safe.
Highlights
- Ethiopian wolves hunting across the grass at dawn on the Guassa plateau
- Gelada troops grazing the cliff edge, sometimes hundreds strong
- The Qero, a 400-year-old community rule that protects the grasslands
- A night at Ankober Palace Lodge, on Menelik’s palace hill
- Views from Ankober down the escarpment to the Rift Valley
What is included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Addis Ababa
- 2 nights’ accommodation, twin share
- Meals as listed in the itinerary
- 4x4 vehicle and driver
- Guide throughout and a Guassa community scout
- Conservation area and site 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 1Guassa North to the Menz Highlands
We collect you from your hotel and drive north through Debre Birhan and up onto the Menz highlands, a long half day of about 260 kilometres. By late afternoon you reach the edge of the plateau, where shepherds in heavy wool blankets bring their flocks home.
Activities
- Hotel pickup in Addis Ababa
- Drive north through Debre Birhan
- Evening at the community lodge
Day 2Ankober Wolves, Gelada and the Qero Grasslands
You set out at first light with a community scout, when Ethiopian wolves hunt rats across the tussock grass. Gelada troops graze the cliff edges, grunting to one another. After lunch the road drops south and east to Ankober, where the lodge looks down on the Rift Valley.
Activities
- Dawn walk with a community scout
- Gelada on the escarpment edge
- Afternoon drive to Ankober
Day 3Ankober Menelik’s Hill, Then Back to Addis
Morning on the palace hill at Ankober, where a long stone wall survives from Menelik’s palace and the round churches of Maryam and Medhane Alem stand below. Then you drive back to Addis Ababa, about 140 kilometres, arriving in the afternoon.
Activities
- Walk on Menelik’s palace hill
- Ankober’s round churches
- Drive back to your hotel in Addis Ababa
Itineraries can change with weather, road and flight conditions. We will tell you promptly if they do.
Gallery
A look at the trip
Photo: Unsplash
Good to know
Before you book
- Guide languages
- English, Amharic
- Minimum age
- 8 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
- Walks at 3,200 to 3,700 metres on uneven, tussocky ground, a long rough drive and basic lodging at Guassa. Not suitable for wheelchairs or travellers with heart or breathing conditions.
What to bring
- Warm layers
- A hat and gloves
- A rain jacket
- Walking boots
- Binoculars
- Sunscreen
Dress code: Warm, layered outdoor clothing and sturdy boots; modest clothing for the churches at Ankober.
Cancellation policy
This tour follows the Strict policy. Days are whole calendar days before departure.
| When you cancel | What you get back |
|---|---|
| 30 or more days before departure | 50% refund |
| Fewer than 30 days before departure | No refund |
Questions
About this tour
Will I see an Ethiopian wolf?
Guassa has several resident packs and dawn is the best time, but we never promise a sighting.
How cold does it get?
Nights on the plateau can drop near freezing. Bring proper warm layers.
Is the altitude a problem?
Most people feel it a little. Walk slowly, drink water and tell your guide if you feel unwell.
What is the Guassa lodge like?
Simple and community run, with basic rooms. Ankober Palace Lodge is more comfortable.
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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.