5-Day Awash & Yangudi Rassa National Parks Tour

Overview

Awash National Park is one of Ethiopia’s oldest and most accessible national parks, located in the northeastern part of the country, about 225 kilometers from Addis Ababa. The park is named after the Awash River, which flows through it and forms the southern boundary. The landscape of the park is dominated by acacia woodlands, savannah grasslands, and volcanic formations, including the dormant Mount Fentale. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including oryx, gazelles, baboons, warthogs, and over 450 species of birds. The Awash River Gorge and the Filwoha hot springs are among the park’s main attractions. The park is also an important archaeological site, with remains of early hominids discovered in the area.

Yangudi Rassa National Park is located in the Afar Region in northeastern Ethiopia. The park is a key habitat for the critically endangered African wild ass, as well as Grevy’s zebra. The landscape is mostly arid, with vast plains, scattered acacia trees, and dry riverbeds. Despite the harsh environment, the park supports a variety of wildlife, including gazelles, hyenas, and various bird species. The park is relatively unexplored and offers a unique experience for adventurous travelers interested in rare wildlife and untouched landscapes.

Highlights: Awash National Park’s diverse plains wildlife, dramatic waterfalls, volcanic landscapes, and natural hot springs. Yangudi Rassa National Park’s vital role in protecting the critically endangered African Wild Ass, alongside other unique arid-adapted species.

Itinerary

Day 1: Addis Ababa to Awash National Park
⦁ Morning (approx. 3-4 hours drive): Depart from Addis Ababa early in the morning and drive east along the main highway towards the Afar Region and Awash National Park. You’ll pass through the Rift Valley, observing changing landscapes.
⦁ Lunch: Have lunch en route or upon arrival near Awash town.
⦁ Afternoon: Enter Awash National Park. Begin your exploration with a game drive. The park is home to diverse plains animals, including Beisa Oryx, Soemmering’s Gazelle, Defassa Waterbuck, Greater and Lesser Kudu, Salt’s Dik-dik, as well as baboons, colobus monkeys, and warthogs. Look out for crocodiles and hippos in the Awash River.
⦁ Late Afternoon: Visit the spectacular Awash River Falls and gorge, a dramatic natural feature within the park. Optionally, relax at the Filwuha Hot Springs, natural pools surrounded by palm trees.
⦁ Evening: Dinner and overnight at a lodge inside or near Awash National Park (e.g., Awash Falls Lodge, Doho Lodge & Hotsprings).

Day 2: Awash Park Exploration & Journey to Gewani (Yangudi Rassa)
⦁ Morning: Enjoy an early morning game drive in Awash National Park to catch the animals at their most active. You might also visit the Fantale Volcano (dormant) or the Hyena Caves, where local hyenas are often seen at dusk (requires specific timing).
⦁ Late Morning (approx. 3-4 hours drive): After your final Awash activities, depart from Awash National Park and continue your journey further east into the Afar region towards Gewani, the nearest town to Yangudi Rassa National Park. The landscape becomes more arid and rugged as you enter the Danakil Depression lowlands.
⦁ Afternoon: Arrive in Gewani. Check into your guesthouse or basic hotel.
⦁ Evening: Dinner and overnight in Gewani.

Day 3: Full Day Exploration of Yangudi Rassa National Park
⦁ Full Day: Dedicate the entire day to exploring Yangudi Rassa National Park. This park was established primarily to protect the critically endangered African Wild Ass, a species considered the ancestor of the domestic donkey.
⦁ Engage in extensive game drives across the vast arid plains and rocky outcrops. Beyond the wild ass, you’ll search for other desert-adapted wildlife such as Gerenuk (giraffe gazelle), Beisa Oryx, Soemmering’s Gazelle, and Dorcas Gazelle. Predators like cheetahs, leopards, and lions are also present but very elusive.
⦁ The park is also known for its dry-country bird species, including ostriches and the Arabian Bustard.
⦁ Evening: Return to Gewani for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Gewani – Back Towards Addis Ababa (Overnight Adama)
⦁ Morning: Enjoy a final breakfast in Gewani. Depending on your interest and time, you might opt for a brief morning activity around Gewani, perhaps a short walk or a last look for wildlife in the vicinity.
⦁ Late Morning (approx. 3-4 hours drive): Begin your drive back west, retracing your steps through the Afar region and past Awash National Park.
⦁ Afternoon (approx. 1.5-2 hours further drive): Continue past Awash and head towards Adama (Nazareth), a major city in the Oromia region, which offers better accommodation options than Awash town.
⦁ Evening: Check into your hotel in Adama. Dinner and overnight in Adama. This breaks up the long return journey to Addis Ababa.

Day 5: Adama to Addis Ababa
⦁ Morning: Enjoy a relaxed breakfast in Adama. Depending on your flight schedule or onward plans, you may have some free time to explore Adama briefly.
⦁ Late Morning (approx. 1.5-2 hours drive): Drive back to Addis Ababa via the express highway, concluding your tour of Ethiopia’s eastern parks.
⦁ Afternoon: Arrive in Addis Ababa.

Total cost: $750 pp

Inclusions:
⦁ Transportation
⦁ Accommodation
⦁ Meals (Full board during the tour: breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day)
⦁ Park Activities
⦁ Local Guides & Scouts
⦁ Bottled Water
⦁ Government Taxes and Service Charges

Exclusions:
⦁ International and Domestic Flights
⦁ Travel Insurance
⦁ Tips and Gratuities
⦁ Alcoholic Beverages and Soft Drinks
⦁ Personal Expenses
⦁ Optional Add-Ons
⦁ Special Equipment Rentals (Binoculars, trekking gear, etc)