2-Day Safari to Awash National Park: Game Drives & Hot Springs

Spot oryx, gazelles and over 400 bird species across Awash's savannahs and gorges

A 2-day safari tour through Awash National Park in Ethiopia's Great Rift Valley, with game drives at sunrise and sunset, visits to Awash Falls and Filwoha Hot Springs, overnight lodge stay, and expert guide throughout. You travel by air-conditioned vehicle, spot wildlife including oryx, gazelles, warthogs, crocodiles and raptors, and experience the park's volcanic landscapes and riverbanks.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Awash National Park safari Tour

• Embark on wildlife safari
• Explore vast savannahs and canyons
• Observe oryx, gazelles, warthogs, crocodiles
• Birdwatch over 400 species
• Visit Awash Falls
• Soak in Filwoha Hot Springs
• Enjoy sunrise and sunset game drives
• Overnight at Doho or Awash Falls Lodge

Day 2: Ethiopian wildlife experience

• Journey through volcanic landscapes
• Observe cheetahs, baboons, raptors
• Visit Awash Falls again
• Experience Filwoha Hot Springs
• Guided game drives at dawn and dusk

The experience

What makes a two-day safari different from a one-day trip is the pace: you arrive with time to settle, drive at dawn when animals move, rest through the heat, then drive again at dusk when they emerge. Awash National Park sits in Ethiopia's Great Rift Valley and holds over 400 bird species alongside oryx, gazelles, warthogs and crocodiles along the Awash River. The park's landscape shifts from vast savannahs to rugged canyons and volcanic formations, so the route itself changes what you see.

Each day centers on game drives timed to wildlife activity. Sunrise and sunset are when predators hunt and prey feed, so those are the windows the guide uses. Between drives you rest at Doho Lodge or Awash Falls Lodge, both on the park grounds. The Filwoha Hot Springs sit within reach for a midday soak: the water stays warm year-round from geothermal activity beneath the park. Awash Falls itself is the park's signature sight, where the river carves through ancient rock formations. You visit it as part of the route, not as a separate detour.

An expert guide travels with you the whole time and explains what you're seeing: the behavior of the animals, the ecology of the different zones, which birds are which. The vehicle is air-conditioned, which matters on a two-day trip because the park sits at altitude and the sun is direct. Dinner and lodge accommodation are included, so you only pay separately for any extras you choose at the lodge.

What’s included

• Entrance fee to Awash National Park.
• government fees.
• air-conditioned vehicle for all game drives.
• expert guide throughout the two days.
• two nights' lodge accommodation at Doho Lodge or Awash Falls Lodge.
• dinner both nights.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 02:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (25 to 60 years) · Senior (61 and older) · Youth (13 to 24 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 12 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Best Ethiopian Tours

Is this one for you?The two-day format gives you time to see the park at its own rhythm: sunrise and sunset drives when wildlife moves, plus a midday rest and the chance to soak in the hot springs. A one-day trip compresses everything into a single long drive. This one lets you settle in and let the landscape reveal itself.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 24 years); Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 4 years).

How many bird species can I actually see in Awash National Park?

Over 400 bird species live in the park, including majestic eagles and vibrant Abyssinian rollers. The guide will help you spot them during the game drives, especially at dawn and dusk when birds are most active.

What wildlife will I have a chance to see on the game drives?

Oryx, gazelles, warthogs, crocodiles, cheetahs, baboons and raptors all live in Awash. The sunrise and sunset drives are timed to when these animals are most active, so your chances of sightings are highest at those hours.

Is Filwoha Hot Springs included in the tour, or do I visit it separately?

Filwoha Hot Springs is part of the itinerary and you visit it during the two days. The geothermal springs stay warm year-round and sit within the park grounds, so the guide incorporates it into the route between game drives.

Do I need any special fitness level or experience to do this safari?

The safari suits all physical fitness levels. The game drives happen from a vehicle, so you're not hiking long distances. Children from age 1 are welcome, though the tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or poor cardiovascular health.

Where do I stay overnight, and is the accommodation comfortable?

You stay at either Doho Lodge or Awash Falls Lodge, both located within the park. The accommodations are comfortable, and dinner is included both nights, so you have a proper rest between the game drives.