2-day wildlife safari to Awash National Park from Addis Ababa

Two days chasing nocturnal mammals and over 460 bird species in the Rift Valley

A 2-day wildlife safari from Addis Ababa to Awash National Park, 253 km into the Ethiopian Great Rift Valley, with game drives, overnight camping at Alideghe Wildlife Reserve, and guided wildlife viewing. The tour includes a morning drive through volcanic terrain and stops at Beseka Lake, afternoon game drives in Awash National Park and visits to Awash Falls, a night drive to spot nocturnal mammals, an early-morning game drive on day two, breakfast, and dinner. A live English-speaking guide leads the tour. Pickup from Addis Ababa is included, and children from age 5 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Addis Ababa to Awash National Park

• Meet in Addis Ababa morning
• Drive to Awash National Park
• Stop at Beseka Lake for birdwatching
• Afternoon game drive in Awash National Park
• Visit Awash Falls
• Drive to Alideghe Wildlife Reserve
• Overnight camping at Alideghe Reserve

Day 2: Alideghe Reserve to Addis Ababa

• Early morning game drive at Alideghe Reserve
• Stop for breakfast
• Return to Addis Ababa

The experience

Day one starts with a morning pickup in Addis Ababa and a 230 km drive northeast toward Awash National Park. The route cuts through volcanic mountains and valleys where lava lines both sides of the road, and you'll stop at Beseka Lake, rich enough in birdlife that pink-winged pelicans, African fish eagles and saddle-billed storks are regular sightings. In the afternoon, the game drive enters Awash National Park itself, where Beisa oryx, hamadryas baboons, lesser kudu, warthog and gazelle move across the terrain. A visit to Awash Falls breaks the drive before you head to Alideghe Wildlife Reserve for the night.

After dark, a night game drive introduces the mammals most travelers miss: bat-eared foxes, aardvarks, aardwolves, porcupines, African golden wolves, genets and wild cats emerge under the guide's spotlight. On day two, an early-morning game drive around Alideghe Wildlife Reserve targets olive baboons, Soemmering's gazelle, gerenuk, Grevy's zebra, waterbucks and ostriches, along with kori bustards, Arabian bustards, secretary birds and the indigenous birds that make the park home to over 460 species. Breakfast follows before the drive back to Addis Ababa.

What’s included

• Dinner and breakfast.
• overnight camping at Alideghe Wildlife Reserve.
• morning and afternoon game drives on day one, night game drive, and early-morning game drive on day two.
• visit to Awash Falls.
• stop at Beseka Lake.
• pickup from Addis Ababa and return transport.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (20 to 80 years) · Child (5 to 18 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Armaye Ethiopia Tours

Is this one for you?Book this overnight trip if you want to see both day-active and nocturnal wildlife. The night drive and early start let you encounter species you'd miss on a single-day visit.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 18 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What wildlife will I actually see on this safari?

Awash National Park and Alideghe Wildlife Reserve hold over 460 bird species and mammals including Beisa oryx, hamadryas baboons, lesser kudu, warthog, Soemmering's gazelle, gerenuk, Grevy's zebra, waterbucks, ostriches, and nocturnal species like bat-eared foxes, aardvarks and African golden wolves that appear during the night game drive.

How far is Awash National Park from Addis Ababa?

Awash National Park sits 230 km northeast of Addis Ababa in the Ethiopian Great Rift Valley. The drive on day one passes through volcanic mountains and includes a stop at Beseka Lake before reaching the park for afternoon game drives.

Where do I sleep on this 2-day safari?

You overnight at Alideghe Wildlife Reserve with camping accommodation. Dinner is provided on day one and breakfast on day two before the return drive to Addis Ababa.

What happens on the night game drive?

The night game drive at Alideghe Wildlife Reserve uses spotlights to reveal nocturnal mammals that don't appear during daylight hours, including bat-eared foxes, aardvarks, aardwolves, porcupines, African golden wolves and genets.

Is pickup from my hotel included?

Yes, pickup from Addis Ababa is included in the tour. A live English-speaking guide leads the entire 2-day safari and children from age 5 are welcome.