Overview
This journey combines two very different countries. In Ethiopia, explore the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, the castles of Gondar and the dramatic Simien Mountains with their gelada troops.
Then fly to Nairobi and on to the Maasai Mara for three nights of classic safari, followed by two nights in Amboseli with its elephants and Kilimanjaro views. Culture, mountains and wildlife in one unforgettable trip.
Route
Highlights
- Lalibela's rock-hewn churches
- Gondar's castles
- Gelada in the Simien Mountains
- Maasai Mara big cats
- Amboseli elephants and Kilimanjaro
Activities
- City tour
- Coffee ceremony
- Cultural dinner
- Guided church tours
- Monastery hike
- Dawn ceremonies
- Guided historical tour
- Church visits
- Timkat festival
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 1:
Welcome to Addis Ababa
Addis AbabaArrive at Bole International Airport and transfer to your hotel. After a rest, visit the National Museum to meet "Lucy", then drive up Entoto Hill for views over the city. In the evening, enjoy a traditional dinner of injera with music and dance.
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Day 2:
Lalibela's Rock-Hewn Churches
LalibelaAfter breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your flight from Addis Ababa to Lalibela. After lunch, begin exploring the northern cluster of rock-hewn churches, including Bete Medhane Alem, the largest monolithic church in the world, with its forest of columns.
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Day 3:
Bete Giyorgis & the Eastern Churches
LalibelaRise early to see pilgrims at prayer, then explore the eastern cluster of churches through tunnels and trenches. In the afternoon, visit Bete Giyorgis, the cross-shaped Church of Saint George, carved 12 metres into the rock — the most photographed site in Ethiopia.
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Day 4:
Castles of Gondar
GondarAfter breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your flight from Lalibela to Gondar. Explore the Fasil Ghebbi royal enclosure with its castles and palaces, then visit Debre Berhan Selassie church to see its famous ceiling of painted angels.
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Day 5:
Into the Simien Mountains
Simien MountainsAfter breakfast, continue by road from Gondar to Simien Mountains (about 2.5 hours). Take your first walk along the escarpment edge near Sankaber, where the land drops away for hundreds of metres and gelada troops graze on the grassy slopes.
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Day 6:
Trek to Geech
Simien MountainsTrek from Sankaber past the Jinbar waterfall, which plunges into a vast gorge, and climb to the village of Geech, where you can visit a local family. Spend the afternoon among giant lobelias and grazing geladas.
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Day 7:
Into the Maasai Mara
Maasai MaraAfter breakfast, begin your journey from Simien Mountains to Maasai Mara — a cross-border day of scheduled flights connecting through Addis Ababa and Nairobi, with our team meeting you at every stage. After a rest, set out on your first afternoon game drive across the open plains, looking for lion prides, grazing herds of topi and zebra, and elephant families moving towards the river as the light turns golden.
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Day 8:
Full Day in the Maasai Mara
Maasai MaraLeave early, when the predators are most active, with a packed breakfast in the vehicle. Your guide will follow the latest news on the radio — perhaps a cheetah hunting on the short-grass plains or a leopard in the riverine forest. Return to camp for lunch and a rest before an afternoon drive into a different area of the reserve.
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Day 9:
Mara River Day
Maasai MaraSpend a full day exploring towards the Mara River with a picnic lunch. In migration season you may wait near a crossing point as herds of wildebeest gather on the banks; at other times of year the river is a reliable place for hippos, huge Nile crocodiles and big herds of buffalo.
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Day 10:
Amboseli & Kilimanjaro
AmboseliAfter breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your flight from Maasai Mara to Amboseli. As the clouds lift in the late afternoon, watch for the summit of Kilimanjaro appearing above the plains.
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Day 11:
Elephants of Amboseli
AmboseliSet off at dawn for the best chance of clear views of Kilimanjaro, then spend the morning with Amboseli's famous elephant families. Climb Observation Hill for a panorama over the swamps and plains, and return to the lodge for lunch before a final afternoon drive.
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Day 12:
Amboseli to Nairobi
AmboseliAfter an early game drive or a relaxed breakfast, travel back to Nairobi (4–5 hours), with a lunch stop on the way. On arrival you will be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or your hotel.
Meals: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner.
Accommodation
This itinerary is priced with mid-range accommodation. Every property is chosen for its location, guiding and service; final properties are confirmed at booking and we can upgrade or adjust any night.
- Addis AbabaBoutique hotel in the Bole area1 night
- LalibelaHotel with views across the valley2 nights
- GondarHotel near the royal enclosure1 night
- Simien MountainsMountain lodge near Sankaber and supported camping2 nights
- Maasai MaraPermanent tented camp with en-suite tents near the Talek River3 nights
- AmboseliLodge set in gardens inside Amboseli National Park2 nights
Meals: Full board on safari; breakfast and dinner in cities and at the beach
What's included
Included
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and a professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Accommodation as listed (or similar, subject to availability)
- Meals as listed in the day-by-day itinerary
- All national park, reserve and conservation fees
- Arrival and departure airport transfers
- Bottled drinking water during the safari
- All government taxes and levies
- 24-hour in-country support from our Nairobi office
- Domestic and light-aircraft flights as described in the itinerary
- Park scouts, local guide and mule support in the Simien Mountains
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Comprehensive travel insurance (required)
- Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
- Drinks other than drinking water, unless stated
- Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls and souvenirs
- Optional hot-air balloon flight (currently from around USD 450–600 per person)
- Camera and photography fees at some churches and villages
Travel information
Best time to travel
July to October for the Great Migration and river crossings; January to March for dry, quieter game viewing with good predator action. April and May are wetter but green, peaceful and good value. Ethiopia: October to March is the dry season and the best time for travel, with green landscapes after the rains. Kenya: Kenya is a year-round destination.
What to pack
- Neutral-coloured, lightweight clothing (khaki, olive, beige)
- A warm fleece or jacket for early mornings and evenings
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen
- Binoculars and a camera with spare batteries and memory cards
- Insect repellent and personal medication
- Soft-sided duffel bag — light aircraft allow around 15 kg per person
- Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees, and a scarf for women
- Socks for church visits (shoes are removed)
- A small torch for dark church interiors
- Warm layers, hat and gloves for nights at altitude
- Broken-in hiking boots and walking poles
Experiences on this safari
Frequently asked questions
Is this a private safari?
Yes. This itinerary runs privately for your own group, with your own vehicle and guide. It can start on any date, and we can adjust the route, pace and accommodation to suit you.
What does the price include?
The guide price from USD 6,300 per person is based on two people sharing mid-range accommodation in the low season. It includes accommodation, the meals and activities listed, park fees and transfers. Prices vary by season and group size; we confirm an exact quote when you enquire.
Is there a luggage limit on the flights?
Yes. Light aircraft and some domestic flights allow around 15 kg per person including hand luggage, packed in soft-sided bags. We can store extra luggage for you.
When can I see a river crossing?
Crossings most often happen between late July and early October, but the herds move with the rain, so no date can be guaranteed. Spending at least three nights in the Mara gives you the best chance.
Gallery
Open image: Addis Ababa skyline, Ethiopia
Open image: Bete Giyorgis carved into the rock at Lalibela
Open image: Rock-hewn Church of Saint George (Bete Giyorgis), Lalibela
Open image: Fasilides Palace in the Fasil Ghebbi royal enclosure, Gondar
Open image: Lake Tana near Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Open image: Male gelada in the Simien Mountains
Open image: Open savanna of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Open image: Wildebeest crossing the Mara River during the Great MigrationEnquire about this safari
Every date is available on request. Tell us when you would like to travel and we will send a tailored quote — adjustments welcome.
