2-Day Awash National Park Safari: Wildlife & Crater Hike

A couple of days in acacia woodland chasing oryx, kudu and leopards, then climbing a dormant volcano.

A 2-day safari tour from Addis Ababa into Awash National Park combines game drives through 756 square kilometers of grassland and acacia woodland with a hike to Fantale Crater, a dormant volcano with a 3.5-kilometer caldera. You travel with a private guide, stay one night at Doho Lodge with access to its hot springs, and search for zebras, kudu, Beisa oryx, Swayne's hartebeest, leopards and diverse bird species in their natural habitat. Round-trip transport from your Addis Ababa hotel or airport, national park fees, accommodation with breakfast, and an air-conditioned vehicle are included; lunch and dinner are on your own. Children from age 12 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Travel and wildlife viewing

• Meet at airport or hotel
• Drive to Awash National Park
• Explore Awash River gorge and waterfalls
• Visit hot springs at Filwoha
• Evening game drive for wildlife spotting
• Overnight stay at Doho Lodge

Day 2 — Hiking and scenic views

• Hike to Fantale Crater
• Enjoy 360-degree views of caldera
• Return from hike

The Experience

The drive from Addis Ababa covers 225 kilometers east to the park's boundary along the Awash River. On arrival, you settle into Doho Lodge, an eco-lodge at the park's northern edge known for its hot spring pool, then head out on an evening game drive to spot oryx, baboons, greater and lesser kudu, warthogs and gazelles moving through the landscape. The gorge itself frames the Awash River with waterfalls cutting through the rock; in the south, the river carves deep canyons where Nile crocodiles and hippos gather. If conditions allow and time permits, you may glimpse leopards or lions, though sightings depend on the animals' movements that day.

Day two opens with the optional hike to Fantale Crater. The walk climbs 600 meters over three hours uphill to the crater rim at 2,007 meters, where the 360-degree view stretches across the Rift Valley and the elliptical caldera below. The dormant volcano's steam vents are most visible in early morning, and the scale of the crater—3.5 kilometers across—becomes clear only when you stand at the top. The return descent takes less time. If you skip the crater, a full day of game driving deeper into the park near the hot springs at Filwoha, where palm groves surround the thermal pools, is the alternative.

Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian or French and travels with you both days. The vehicle is air-conditioned for the long drives, and bottled water, Ethiopian coffee ceremony attendance, and breakfast at the lodge are provided. You arrange your own lunch and dinner; the lodge serves both Western and local meals. The park fees, fuel surcharge and overnight stay are all included in the price, so the only logistics left are your own meals and any gratuities for the guide.

What’s included

• Round-trip transport from Addis Ababa airport or hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• one night's accommodation at Doho Lodge with breakfast.
• national park entry fees.
• a private guide for both days.
• bottled water and attendance at an Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
• fuel surcharge and driver expenses.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Daily Addis Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want a private guide and a fixed itinerary that handles transport, lodging and park logistics—the two-day structure fits travelers with limited time in Ethiopia who want wildlife and landscape without building the trip themselves. The optional crater hike adds a physical element; skip it if you prefer game drives only.

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Top questions

What wildlife can I actually expect to see in Awash National Park?

Zebras, kudu, Beisa oryx, Swayne's hartebeest, warthogs, gazelles, baboons and diverse bird species are common during game drives. Nile crocodiles and hippos gather near the Awash River gorge and waterfalls. Leopards and lions inhabit the park but sightings are not guaranteed and depend on their movements on the day you visit.

Is the hike to Fantale Crater difficult, and how long does it take?

The hike to Fantale Crater is a three-hour walk uphill covering 600 meters of elevation gain to reach the rim at 2,007 meters. The descent is faster. It is optional, so if you prefer to spend day two on additional game drives instead, that is an alternative use of your time.

What is included in the 2-day tour price?

Round-trip transport from your Addis Ababa hotel or airport, one night's accommodation at Doho Lodge with breakfast, national park entry fees, an air-conditioned vehicle, a private guide, bottled water, and attendance at an Ethiopian coffee ceremony are included. Lunch, dinner and gratuities for your guide are not.

Where do I stay, and what are the facilities like?

Doho Lodge sits at the northern edge of Awash National Park and is known for its hot spring pool. Rooms are self-contained, traditionally built and separated from neighbors. The lodge serves both Western and local meals and is popular with birdwatchers and wildlife viewers.

Can children join this tour?

Children from age 12 are welcome on the tour. Younger children can join if they sit on an adult's lap during transport, though the tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health due to the long drives and optional hiking.

What languages does the guide speak?

Your private guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or one additional language, depending on availability at the time of booking.