A remarkable and adventurous journey through the Great Rift Valley from the natural and historic wonders of Ethiopia's highlands through the tribal lands of it's southern reaches and into the dusty game-lands of northern Kenya. A rugged journey of contrasts through some of the Africa's most varied and striking scenery.

Rock-cut churches & The Blue Nile
We begin in Ethiopia's dramatic highlands at one of the world's most impressive sites - the rock-cut churches of Lalibela - architectural wonders hewn out of the bedrock over 800 years ago. Turning south we make for Gondar with its' 17th century castles, once the centre of a unique and powerful kingdom unlike anything else found in Africa. At Bahar Dar we visit the Source of the Blue Nile and Tississat Falls, a 45m drop which is the start of a 1000km journey to Khartoum.

Tribes of the Great Rift Valley
From Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa we leave the highlands making our way through the Rift Valley to Langano and the Rift Valley Lakes. Here we see an incredible variety of birdlife before continuing to Arba Minch and a detour to the Chencha mountains to see the distinctive architecture of the Dorze. We spend the next few days among the tribal lands of the Omo region, from the terraced, cultivated homeland of the Konso to the El Sod crater-lake where the Borena tribe still extract salt for their cattle.

Game-lands of Northern Kenya
Crossing into Kenya at the remote border at Moyale we head for Samburu National Reserve, the least-visited of Kenya's popular game parks. Set around the Ewaso Ngiro river, the permanent water and forest shade support a rich variety of wildlife from giraffe, zebra and the Somali ostrich to lion, leopard and cheetah. After a full day's game-viewing, we continue our journey in the Rift Valley, pausing for a game-drive at Lake Naivasha before our journey ends in Kenya's capital, Nairobi.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Join Addis (Ethiopia); city tour. 2 Fly to Lalibela; visit rock-cut churches on foot. 3 In Lalibela; mule trek to Ashatan Maryam Church. 4 Drive to Gondar via Debre Tabor. 5 Visit castle complex; drive Bahar Dar. 6 Free in Bahar Dar; optional visit to Tississat Falls and boat trip on Lake Tana. 7 Drive to Debre Markos via Blue Nile. 8 Drive to Addis Ababa via Debre Libanos. 9 Free in Addis. 10 Drive via Rift Valley lakes to Langano. 11 Continue to Arbe Minch via Chencha. 12 Visit Lake Chamo; drive Konso; village visit. 13 Drive Yabello via singing wells and El Sod crater. 14 Visit Borena village; drive Moyale. 15 Drive Marsabit (Kenya). 16 Drive Samburu National Reserve. 17 Game viewing in Samburu. 18 Drive Lake Elementeita. 19 Game drive in Lake Naivasha; drive Nairobi. 20 End Nairobi.

Accommodation: 15nts hotels, 1nt lodge, 3nts tented camp; 19 breakfasts, 11 lunches & 10 dinners included.
Transport: Bus/4WD vehicles
Comment: An accommodated but rugged off-beat adventure through diverse scenery, cultural and natural wonders. We use 4WD vehicles on rough roads through southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya. Some basic hotels and limited infrastructure.
Group: 12 to 16.
Staff: Explore Tour Leader, driver & cook.
Trip Reference: KD