THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Drive east from Addis into the Rift Valley on a two-day loop that mixes wildlife game drives in Awash National Park with Rift geology and Oromo cultural visits. Expect Beisa oryx, hundreds of bird species and an authentic Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
Drive east from Addis into the Rift Valley on a two-day loop that mixes wildlife game drives in Awash National Park with Rift geology and Oromo cultural visits. Expect Beisa oryx, hundreds of bird species and an authentic Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
Book with Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours
Book directly with Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours for the best rates and real-time scheduling.
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Operated by Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours · Awash, Afar
The morning heat presses against the van as Addis Ababa shrinks in the rearview and the Great East African Rift opens ahead — a raw scar of folded rock and wide skies that seems to draw you east. By midday the basalt remnants of Fentale rise like old teeth above Beseka’s saline mirror, and the Awash River, restless and insistent, carves its gorge where birds and baboons rule the cliff edge.
easy.
2 days.
Suitable for most fitness levels; involves long vehicle transfers and short, easy walks around lodge and viewpoints.
Park entrance fees are typically charged on-site and may be included by some tour operators; confirm with the tour provider before travel.
The round-trip driving distance for this itinerary is about 510 km; expect 4–6 hours of driving each direction with stops along the way.
Common sightings include Beisa oryx, Soemmerring’s gazelle, warthogs, dik-diks and many bird species; large predators are rare and sightings are not guaranteed.
The operator notes the tour is physically easy and infants must sit on laps, but it’s not recommended for pregnant travelers—check specific provider guidance before booking.
Awash lies along ancient trade and migration corridors; the Rift’s volcanic activity shaped local settlement and soils used by pastoral and agricultural communities.
Visitor impact is managed through park scouts and regulated entry—stay on designated tracks, avoid feeding animals and minimize plastic waste to protect rivers and bird habitats.
Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
Book with Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours
Book directly with Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours for the best rates and real-time scheduling.
Reserve Now