Addis Ababa

National Museum of Ethiopia - Begin your city tour of Addis Ababa at the National Museum of Ethiopia, renowned for its diverse and high-quality exhibits. Among the archaeological displays is the 3.5 million-year-old fossil of Lucy (or Dinkinesh, meaning ‘thou art wonderful’ in the local language), an Australopithecus Afarensis hominid woman. Lucy’s discovery in 1974 revolutionized our understanding of human ancestry, showing that our forebears walked the earth 2.5 million years earlier than previously thought. The museum also houses numerous artifacts from the pre-Axumite civilization.

Meyazia 27 Square Monument - Also known as Dillachin (Victory Monument), this historic site features a Lion of Judah and a series of relief figures and monumental panels celebrating Ethiopia’s liberation.

Yekatit 12 Martyrs Square - Located near Addis Ababa University and the Lion Zoo, this monument holds significant historical importance.

Ethnological Museum - Continue your tour with a visit to the Ethnographic Museum, situated within the Addis Ababa University campus. Once the palace of Emperor Haile Selassie, known as ‘Genete Leul’ (Heaven of the Prince), this museum offers a captivating array of artifacts and everyday objects from various Ethiopian ethnic groups, distinct from those in the National Museum.

Chiromeda Market - Before heading to Mount Entoto, you may opt to stop at Chiromeda Market, which offers a variety of traditional handmade clothing items such as dresses, shawls, scarves, bed covers, napkins, and men’s shirts.

Mount Entoto - Standing at 3,200 meters above sea level, Entoto Hill is the highest point in Addis Ababa. Covered in eucalyptus trees imported from Australia during Menelik II’s reign, it is often called the ‘lung of Addis Ababa.’ Enjoy panoramic views of the city before returning for lunch at a top local restaurant. Note that the entrance fee to Entoto Park is not included.

Tomoca Coffee | Atlas Branch | ቶሞካ ቡና | አትላስ - After lunch, head to Tomoca Coffee to enjoy some of the best coffee in Addis Ababa. Coffee beans and powder are also available for purchase.

Merkato - Explore Merkato, the largest open-air market in Africa, spanning several square miles and employing around 13,000 people across 7,100 businesses. Witness how local entrepreneurs contribute to the environment.

Lion of Judah - This monument features a statue of the Lion of Judah, a symbol of Ethiopian emperors and the nation.

Minilik Square Bus Stop - Drive by Minilik II Square to see the emperor’s monument.

St. George’s Cathedral - One of the oldest cathedrals in Addis Ababa, St. George’s Cathedral was built by Emperor Menelik to commemorate the Battle of Adwa against Italian colonialists.

Wildlife, Birds, Gorge, and Debre Libanos Monastery

Debre Libanos - Depart from your hotel at 8:00 am or earlier and head north on the Gojjam road to Debre Libanos, approximately 110 km or a two-hour drive from Addis Ababa. Debre Libanos is a significant monastic center for Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, founded by the 13th-century mystic Saint Teklehaimanot. After visiting the church, you can climb to the nearby cave of St. Teklehaimanot, where monks may show you the remains of some 300 monks slaughtered by Italian invaders in 1936. Mussolini and the fascist authorities targeted the Ethiopian Orthodox Church to undermine Ethiopian identity, but this atrocity only fueled resistance.

Ethio-German Park Hotel - Enjoy a quick lunch at a nearby hotel while taking in views of the Jemma River, a tributary of the Nile, which drops nearly 1,000 meters to the valley below.

Portuguese Bridge - After lunch, walk about 300 meters to see the famous 16th-century bridge, known to tourists as the Portuguese Bridge. Though it resembles Portuguese architecture, it was actually built by Ethiopians. The nearby cascade, especially impressive during the rainy season, adds to the site’s allure. You may also spot the Gelada, an endemic Ethiopian mammal, and various vultures such as Lammergeyers, Rüppell’s, and Lappet-faced vultures.

After visiting these sites, return to Addis Ababa, arriving around 5:30 pm.

• Fuel
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Pickup from the Airport
• Guide, and Local Guide fee
• Parking fees
• Driver Allowance
• Bottled water
• All Entrance Fee Except Entoto Park

• Any Not Mentioned On The Inclusion