Journey in Diversity

Member Savings
Sign in to see which companies give additional
savings to Travelstride Members (it’s free)
Overview
Highlights
- Visit the 17th century royal palace compound, the bath of King Fasil, the Debre Birhan Selassie Church,
- Visit the Stelae Park, Queen of Sheba’s palace, the Axum Museum, church of Saint Mary of Zion
- See King Kaleb’s Castle, Mai Shum
- Visit the tomb of King Bazen and museum inside the church grounds.
- Visiting the National Archaeological Museum and the Mercato
- See how traditional African drums are made, stop at the Equator to stand in both, the Northern and Southern hemispheres simultaneously
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Min Group Size
Max Group Size
Trip includes
- Domestic air tickets in Ethiopia
- Accommodation as mentioned or similar, including hotel taxes
- 41 Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
- All sightseeing and transfers by private transportation
- Services of local English speaking guides cum drivers
- Entrance fees to museums, parks and sites included in the itinerary
Itinerary
Upon arrival at Addis Ababa we are warmly received and transferred to our hotel. The balance of the day is free to recover from the flight. Founded in 1886 by Menelik II, Addis Ababa is located at 2,500 m above sea level in one of the highest parts of the Entoto Mountain chain (3,000 m above sea level). Overnight: Dreamliner Hotel, Addis Ababa (1 night)
A short flight gets us to Baher Dar, a pleasant city located on the shores of Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake. After checking into our hotel, we drive to the Blue Nile Falls, known locally as Tissisat (smoking water). 100 m wide, the water plunges for 45 m, giving ...
We drive to Gondar the first capital city of the Ethiopian Empire, founded in 1632 by the Fasilidas. Here a dozen castles were built by various emperors over the course of 236 years. The city feels more European than African and features a distinct Islamic influence. ...
Today we fly to Axum, one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in Africa. The Kebre Nagast (‘Book of Kings’) recounts how Axum was the city in which the Queen of Sheba resided in the 10th century B.C. Legend has it that the son of Queen of Sheba and King Solomo...
A short flight gets us to Lalibela. The city contains 11 monolithic churches carved out of pink granite rock in the 12th century and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Each church (Bet) has a unique architectural style; all are superbly carved and most of them are deco...
After breakfast we take an excursion to visit the unique cave church of Neakuto Leab, followed by a visit of the second group of the 11 medieval monolithic rock hewn cave churches, built by King Lalibela, including the famous Bete Giorgis. (B, L, D)
In the morning we fly to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival we are transferred to our hotel. In the afternoon we explore Ethiopia’s capital visiting the National Archaeological Museum and the Mercato (Italian for market, as the main covered market still in use dates from the c...
A short flight gets us to Entebbe where we are warmly received and transferred to our hotel. In the late afternoon we explore Kampala, Uganda’s capital, known for its beautiful setting on hills. Overnight: Lake Victoria Serena Resort (1 night) (B, D)
After a drive-through tour of Kampala we drive through the countryside to the famous Bwindi National Park. The ancient rainforest of Bwindi spans over 300 sq. km and is the habitat of over 90 mammal species, a range of primates, including the world-famous mountain gor...
This morning we are set for an exciting day as we head out for our first gorilla viewing. We hike through the thick, verdant, rainforest to viewing the gorillas in their natural habitat. This is truly an amazing and an unforgettable experience. Actual trek times vary,...
We drive to the Uganda/Rwanda border and after the formalities we drive to Volcanoes National Park (Parc National des Volcans), which lies in northwestern Rwanda and borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park i...
Today we go on our second gorilla viewing trek, Volcanoes National Park is the definitive location in Africa to look for the rare mountain gorilla and also a great place to encounter golden monkeys. Trekking here involves less walking and is less strenuous than at tre...
The safari portion of tour comes to a close as we drive to Kigali, Rwanda’s capital through the foothills of the Virunga mountain range. Upon arrival we explore the city, visiting the Genocide Museum and the Caplaki Crafts Center. Time permitting we also visit the Mil...
After a wonderful experience of seeing and experiencing the heritage of East Africa, we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Dubai to experience a completely different world. Upon arrival we are welcomed and transferred to our hotel. Overnight: Holiday Inn, Bur Dubai (3 nights) (B, L)
Our specially designed historical tour of Dubai starts with visiting the ancient townhouses of the rich merchant of the region who came from Bastak and settled on the creek of Dubai which is now called Bastakia. We then visit 150-year old Fort Fahidi and the Dubai Mus...
Today we are free to explore Dubai. We could enjoy the many attractions of the Emirate, such as visiting the only 7-star hotel in the world, engage in more shopping adventures or take an excursions to the neighbouring emirates of Abu Dhabi or Sharjah. (B)
After the experiencing the great cultural and natural of our tour, we are transferred to the airport for our departure flight. Optional extensions available within the United Arab Emirates or to neighbouring countries. (B)
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Due to the very limited number of gorilla viewing permits being issued, this tour has been tailored in a way that we have two opportunities of gorilla viewing in two different settings –Uganda and Rwanda.
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Bestway Tours & Safaris.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Bestway Tours & Safaris Reviews & Ratings
Other Bestway Tours & Safaris Reviews
I took the most amazing tour
I took the most amazing tour across Portugal and Spain through Bestway Tours last year. It was a 10 day tour visiting historic cities across the countries and was bl...
Very well organized
Very well organized and efficient staff. Had not 1 but 2 wonderful trips organized by Bestway Tours. Egypt and the second one to Portugal and Spain. Every event went...
The trip was not cancelled but not by me
I had a trip to Russia and India in April 2020. The trip was not cancelled but not by me. The Russian part of the trip was refunded 100%. The flights (over $4,000) w...
Tour Operator
About Travelstride
Find your perfect trip
Save time
Save money
Travel confidently
Logistics
What's excluded
- International airfares
- Insurance/visas
- Tips/gratuities
- Gorilla viewing fees (per person per viewing $600 for Uganda and $750 for Rwanda)
Accommodation
Become a member
- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations