2 Days Wildlife Safari to Awash National Park

Wild Ethiopia begins outside the capital. This two-day trip gives you a practical way to reach Awash National Park, with two game drives, Awash River Falls, an overnight stay, and a stop at Sodere hot springs. I like the fact that the price includes transport, meals, entrance fees, guides, and accommodation, so you are not constantly reaching for your wallet. I also like the mix of wildlife and hot springs, which makes this more than a simple out-and-back safari.

The main caution is current park access. One serious account reports that the park had been closed for security reasons and that a planned drive was canceled. Check the latest operating conditions with Ethio Travel And Tours before departure, since wildlife trips depend heavily on local access and security.

Key points to know before booking

• Two game drives are planned: You get an afternoon outing on the Ilala Sala Plain and an early morning drive when animals may be active.
• Wildlife can include oryx, kudu, gazelles, warthogs, baboons, and colobus monkeys: Sightings are never promised, but the species list gives you a good sense of the park’s appeal.
• Awash River Falls is part of Day 1: The falls are described as a smaller version of Victoria Falls, offering a scenic break from the vehicle.
• Sodere adds hot springs and river wildlife: Vervet monkeys live around the resort, while crocodiles and, less often, hippos may be seen near the Awash River.
• The $358.98 price covers the major costs: Private air-conditioned transport, meals, lodging, guides, scouts where needed, and entrance fees are included.
• The schedule is road-heavy: You leave Addis Ababa at 8:30 a.m., spend much of the first day reaching the park, and return to the capital after a second long day.

Leaving Addis Ababa for Awash National Park

Your pickup point is Nega City Mall in Kazanchis, Addis Ababa, with departure set for 8:30 a.m. The trip heads south through the Rift Valley before turning east toward Awash National Park. That route gives you a changing view of Ethiopia, but it also means a large part of Day 1 is spent on the road.

I would treat this as a two-day road trip with wildlife stops, not as two full days inside the park. The first day includes the journey, lunch, rest time, an afternoon game drive, and the waterfall visit. That is a sensible pace for a short visit, though you should not expect hours of safari viewing from sunrise to sunset.

The air-conditioned vehicle is a real benefit. Addis Ababa and Awash can offer very different conditions, and a private vehicle gives you more comfort than public transport or a crowded shared bus. The advertised maximum is 10 people, so ask ahead about the exact vehicle and group arrangement if personal space matters to you.

Afternoon wildlife on the Ilala Sala Plain

After arriving at the park, you have lunch and some time to rest before the afternoon outing. The drive takes place around the Ilala Sala Plain in the southern part of Awash National Park. This is your first chance to look for animals rather than simply pass through the area.

The possible sightings are varied. Oryx and kudu offer the larger antelope interest, while gazelles and warthogs are more familiar but still rewarding to see in the wild. Baboons and colobus monkeys bring a different kind of activity, especially if your attention has started to drift after the long drive.

Your local guide and a scout, where needed, are included. That matters on a short safari because you have limited time to search. A local guide can also help identify animals that blend into the surroundings, although the supplied information does not name the individual guide assigned to your departure.

Keep your expectations sensible. A safari is not a zoo visit, and no particular animal is guaranteed. The park’s appeal is the chance to see several East African species in their natural setting, but sightings depend on timing, weather, animal movement, and current access.

Awash River Falls as the Day 1 highlight

The first day also includes a visit to Awash River Falls. The waterfall is described as a scaled-down version of Victoria Falls, which sets a big comparison, but the stop gives the day a welcome scenic focus beyond animal spotting.

This is one of the reasons I like the route. If the wildlife is quiet, you still have a natural attraction built into the program. The falls also break up the vehicle time and give you a different way to experience the park.

The schedule allows about six hours for the Day 1 park visit, including the meal, rest period, game drive, and waterfall stop. The exact order can change in practice, especially if park access or road conditions require adjustments. Ask your guide how much time is available at each stop rather than assuming the printed timing will be exact.

Overnight at Genet Hotel

The overnight stay is at Genet Hotel, and dinner is included. That makes the tour easier to budget and removes the need to arrange a separate hotel after a long day on the road.

The accommodation is best viewed as a practical base for the early morning drive, not as a major feature of the trip. The supplied details do not provide room descriptions or hotel facilities, so I would confirm the room arrangement and expected standard before booking if comfort is a top priority.

Dinner, breakfast, and lunch are included across the two days. Alcoholic drinks are not included, and personal expenses such as telephone, internet, fax, and other items are also your responsibility. Camera or video fees may apply if required, so carry some flexibility in your budget.

The early morning game drive

Day 2 begins with an early game drive around the park. This is a smart use of limited time. Morning activity can offer a different chance to see animals than the previous afternoon, and the cooler start may make the drive more pleasant.

The value here is not just the extra drive itself. If Day 1 is dominated by the journey from Addis Ababa, the morning outing gives you a second opportunity to experience Awash before leaving. You may see some of the same species, or you may find that the park feels entirely different in the early hours.

The wording describes this as another short game drive, so plan for a focused outing rather than a full morning safari. If animal viewing is your main reason for booking, ask before departure how long the drive is expected to last and which parts of the park are open.

Sodere hot springs and river wildlife

After leaving Awash National Park, the route makes a detour to Sodere. The complex sits beside the Awash River and has shady vegetation, natural hot spring waters, and vervet monkeys living around the resort grounds.

Sodere changes the tone of the trip. After two drives and a long road journey, you can refresh in the hot spring area and spend time near the river. It is a useful stop because it gives you something to do on the return journey rather than turning Day 2 into a straight drive back to Addis Ababa.

The nearby river may also offer more wildlife. Crocodiles can be seen, and hippos are possible but less frequent. Do not treat either sighting as certain. The supplied plan says they may be seen, which is the right way to think about river wildlife.

Lunch follows at Sodere before the journey continues to Addis Ababa. The second day is listed at about four hours for the park portion and another four hours for Sodere and the return route. In practical terms, you should keep the whole day open and avoid scheduling an important appointment soon after the expected return.

Is $358.98 good value?

At $358.98 per person, this is not a budget day trip. It becomes more reasonable when you add up what is included: round-trip transport from Addis Ababa, an air-conditioned vehicle, one hotel night, breakfast, lunch, dinner, local guides, scouts where needed, and entrance fees.

The private transport is especially useful if you are traveling with a small party and want a direct route from the capital. You are paying for convenience as well as the park visit. If you arranged each part yourself, you would need to coordinate transport, lodging, meals, park entry, and local guiding.

The value depends on what you want from the safari. If you mainly want guaranteed close-up animal viewing, this price may feel high because wildlife sightings are uncertain and the game drives are short. If you want a simple overnight route with the main arrangements handled for you, the package is easier to justify.

The maximum group size is 10, but private transport is advertised. Get clarification on whether the vehicle is private to your booking or simply a private-style vehicle used for a small group. That question could make a real difference to the experience.

The important security and scheduling warning

You should confirm current park access before you go. A recent account described Awash National Park as closed for two years because of security concerns, with the first game drive canceled. The same account reported a late guide and an attempted change to a different, less satisfactory motel.

That is a serious warning, especially because the central reason to book this tour is access to the park. Conditions can change, but you should not rely only on an old schedule. Ask Ethio Travel And Tours directly about park entry, the status of both game drives, the Genet Hotel booking, and the exact pickup arrangements.

The overall rating is 4.6 from 21 reviews, which suggests that many bookings have gone well. Still, the negative account raises practical issues you should settle before paying or before the cancellation deadline passes. A clear confirmation the day before departure would be wise.

Who will enjoy this Awash trip?

I would recommend this experience to you if you have limited time in Ethiopia and want to add a wildlife area without planning a longer safari. It also suits you if you prefer one package covering transport, meals, guiding, admission, and lodging.

The tour may work well for people who enjoy variety. In two days, you get a Rift Valley road journey, wildlife drives, a waterfall, a hotel stay, a hot spring stop, and possible river animals. That range is a strong point.

I would be more cautious if you want a slow, wildlife-first itinerary. Much of the program involves driving, and the safari portions are described as short. You should also reconsider if uncertain park access would cause major disappointment.

Most people can participate, service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Confirmation is provided when you book. The tour ends back at Nega City Mall, so you will need to arrange your next transfer from there.

What to bring and what to confirm

Bring practical clothing for a road trip and outdoor stops. The available information does not specify a dress code or equipment list, so keep your packing simple and suited to both wildlife viewing and a hot spring visit.

Before departure, confirm:

• The park is open and both game drives are operating
• Your pickup time and exact meeting instructions at Nega City Mall
• The Genet Hotel reservation
• Whether the vehicle is private to your party
• Any camera or video fees
• The expected return time to Addis Ababa

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, the payment is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. Poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund.

Should you book this Awash safari?

Book it if you want a convenient overnight introduction to Awash and value having transport, meals, guiding, admission, and lodging arranged in one price. The combination of two game drives, Awash Falls, and Sodere hot springs gives you a fuller experience than a simple park transfer.

I would book only after confirming current security conditions and the hotel details. The park closure report and service complaints are too important to ignore. If access is confirmed and you accept that wildlife sightings are uncertain, this can be a useful short escape from Addis Ababa. If your priority is a long, reliable safari with extensive time among animals, choose a trip with a longer park stay and stronger guarantees about daily access.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Nega City Mall in Kazanchis, at Tito Street in Addis Ababa.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 8:30 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the starting meeting point, Nega City Mall.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation from Addis Ababa is included in an air-conditioned vehicle.

How many game drives are included?

Two game drives are included, one in the afternoon on Day 1 and one early in the morning on Day 2.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. One overnight stay at Genet Hotel is included.

Are meals included?

Yes. Lunch, dinner, and breakfast are included. Alcoholic drinks are not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.