2 Days Wildlife Safari to Awash National Park

Awash National Park gives you a quick taste of Ethiopia’s Rift Valley without requiring a long wildlife holiday. From Addis Ababa, you head east toward open plains, looking for oryx, kudu, gazelles, warthogs, baboons, and colobus monkeys, then spend the night near the park before a second morning drive.

I like two things here: the private vehicle keeps the long road journey more comfortable, and the price includes meals, accommodation, guides, park fees, and two game drives. The main concern is important: a past booking reported that the park had been closed for security reasons, with the first drive cancelled. Confirm current access before you commit.

Key points to know before booking

• Two short game drives are planned, one in the afternoon and one early the next morning.
• Awash River Falls adds a scenic stop to the wildlife program, though the waterfall is described as a smaller version of Victoria Falls.
• Genet Hotel, all meals, park fees, and transport are included in the $358.98 price.
• Sodere hot springs provide a relaxing stop on the return to Addis Ababa.
• Pickup details need checking, since the tour mentions hotel pickup but gives Nega City Mall in Kazanchis as the meeting point.
• Park access is the deal-breaker. Ask for a current security and entry update before departure.

What the two-day Awash trip really offers

This is not a long safari with hours of wildlife viewing each day. It is a compact overnight outing from Addis Ababa, with driving, a few planned stops, and two short game drives inside or around Awash National Park.

That distinction matters. If you want a gentle introduction to Ethiopia’s wild side, the schedule is practical. You get to see a different part of the country, sleep away from the capital, and add hot springs to the return journey. If your main goal is to photograph large numbers of animals, two short drives may feel limited.

The tour is priced at $358.98 per person. That sounds high until you add up the private air-conditioned vehicle, driver and local support, one night at Genet Hotel, breakfast, lunch, dinner, entrance fees, and two game drives. For a solo visitor or small party, the private transport may make the cost easier to justify.

Still, value depends heavily on what actually operates. The tour only makes sense at this price if Awash National Park is open, the planned drives take place, and the accommodation matches the arrangement described. I would confirm those points in writing.

Leaving Addis Ababa for the Rift Valley

The stated start time is 8:30 am, with the meeting point at Nega City Mall in Kazanchis, on Tito Street. The tour also says pickup is offered and describes round-trip transport from your Addis Ababa hotel, so do not assume these details are identical. Ask exactly where the vehicle will collect you.

The road takes you south through the Rift Valley before turning east toward Awash. The drive is a major part of the experience, not just a transfer between attractions. You will see the city give way to drier country and wider views as the route approaches the national park.

A private air-conditioned vehicle is a real advantage here. You can settle in with your own group, keep your bags with you, and avoid the fixed pace of a large coach. The maximum group size is 10, but private transport suggests a more personal arrangement than a standard bus tour. The supplied details do not name the driver or guide, so request those details if that matters to you.

You should also ask how early the group truly leaves. The written schedule says 8:30 am, while Day 1 describes an early morning departure. Those can mean different things in practice, especially when the drive to Awash takes several hours.

Lunch, rest, and the first look at Awash

After arriving at Awash National Park, lunch is served in the park, followed by time to rest. This pause is sensible. The morning road journey is long, and a short break makes the afternoon drive more comfortable.

The first game drive is planned for the Ilala Sala Plain in the southern part of the park. It is described as a short drive, so set your expectations accordingly. You are not signing up for a full-day safari with continuous vehicle time.

The animals listed for this part of the park include oryx, baboons, kudu, warthogs, gazelles, and colobus monkeys. Each offers a different kind of sighting. Oryx and kudu bring the classic antelope experience, while baboons and colobus monkeys add more active primate watching. Warthogs and gazelles can be rewarding if you catch them in open ground.

Wildlife is never guaranteed. The best result depends on current park conditions, the route available that day, and the skill of the local guide and scout. The tour includes local guides and a scout where needed, which is useful in a park setting, but the details do not identify who will lead your particular drive.

You may find the first drive more about getting a feel for the area than ticking off every species. That is not a fault, but it is worth knowing before you book. The advertised animal list describes what you might see, not a fixed viewing schedule.

Awash River Falls and the afternoon pace

The afternoon program also includes a visit to Awash River Falls. The falls are described as a scaled-down version of Victoria Falls, so keep the comparison in perspective. This is a scenic stop connected to the river, not a substitute for a major waterfall destination.

The appeal is variety. In one afternoon, you can have lunch in the park, rest, search for wildlife, and visit a natural feature. That gives the day more shape than a simple drive in and out.

The exact time at the falls is not stated. Ask whether the stop involves a short walk, how close the vehicle can get, and if the waterfall is flowing strongly at the time of your visit. Those details can affect how much you enjoy the stop, especially if you are hoping to take photographs.

The park’s security situation also deserves direct attention. One serious account connected to this experience said the national park had been closed for about two years because of security concerns, and that the first game drive was cancelled. That may have been a temporary condition or a problem affecting a specific departure, but it is too important to ignore. Ask the operator to confirm current park access, the operating route, and what happens if the game drive cannot run.

A night at Genet Hotel

The overnight stay is at Genet Hotel, with dinner included. The supplied details do not describe the room standard, facilities, or exact location, so treat it as practical safari accommodation rather than a hotel you are choosing for its amenities.

That one night makes the trip less rushed than a same-day excursion. You have time to reach the park, eat lunch, rest, take the afternoon drive, and prepare for the early morning outing. You also avoid trying to cover every part of the program in one exhausting day.

All meals are included: lunch and dinner on the first day, then breakfast and lunch on the second day. This helps control the final cost and removes the need to search for restaurants during a road-based trip. Alcoholic drinks are not included, and personal expenses such as telephone, internet, fax, and other unlisted items are your responsibility.

Because hotel arrangements can change, confirm whether the room is private, what type of board is provided, and whether any charges apply for drinks or services. A past booking also raised concern about being taken to a different, poor-quality motel rather than the expected accommodation. That makes a written confirmation of Genet Hotel especially sensible.

The early morning drive on Day 2

The second game drive takes place early, before leaving the park. This is a good design choice. Morning gives you a chance to see the area at a different time of day, and animals that were difficult to spot during the afternoon may be easier to find.

The drive is again described as short. You should expect a focused outing rather than several hours of tracking. The guide may take you around accessible parts of the park, depending on current conditions and security instructions.

After the drive, the group leaves Awash and begins the return to Addis Ababa. The schedule gives four hours for the park portion on Day 2 and another four hours for the Sodere stop and onward journey. The exact return time is not stated, so avoid booking a fixed evening commitment in Addis unless the operator confirms the arrival time.

Two game drives are better than one for a short visit because they give you two separate chances to see wildlife. They also let you compare the afternoon and morning settings. The limitation is that the total wildlife time remains modest compared with a multi-day safari.

Cooling off at Sodere hot springs

The return journey includes a detour to Sodere, a complex of natural hot spring waters beside the Awash River. The area has shady vegetation, which makes it a pleasant change after the dry open country around the park.

Vervet monkeys live on the resort grounds, so wildlife watching continues outside the national park. Crocodiles and, less often, hippos may be seen in the nearby Awash River. These sightings are not guaranteed, but the river adds another natural feature to the day.

Sodere works well as a break in the long drive. You can refresh, stretch your legs, and enjoy a greener setting before continuing toward Addis Ababa. The details do not specify whether swimming access, towels, or changing facilities are included, so ask if using the hot springs is important to you.

Lunch follows the Sodere stop, then the vehicle continues to Addis Ababa. Food is included, but the precise restaurant or meal style is not given. If you have dietary needs, mention them at booking rather than assuming the included meals will suit you.

Is $358.98 a fair price?

For a private two-day trip, $358.98 can be reasonable. The package covers a long round-trip journey, air-conditioned transport, local guides, a scout where needed, entrance fees, two game drives, three meals on the first and second days, and one hotel night.

The price is strongest for a solo visitor or a small group that values private transport. If you are traveling with several people and the vehicle cost is shared, the overall value improves. If you are comparing it with a basic public-transport visit, it will look expensive, but it offers much more structure and fewer transport headaches.

The weak point is not the arithmetic. It is the uncertainty around delivery. If the park is closed, the first game drive is cancelled, or the hotel changes, the package loses much of its purpose. Before paying, ask for current confirmation of park entry, the hotel name, the number of planned drives, and the pickup location.

Camera or video fees may also apply if required at a site. Alcohol, personal communications, internet, and anything not listed are extra. These are small costs compared with the tour price, but carrying some Ethiopian birr is sensible.

Who will get the most from this safari?

I would consider this trip for someone based in Addis Ababa who wants a short wildlife outing without arranging a car, hotel, meals, permits, and local support separately. It suits first-time visitors who prefer a planned route and want to combine animals, a waterfall, a river, and hot springs.

It may also suit you if you enjoy road journeys and do not need a packed schedule. The drive is part of the experience, and the two game drives are short enough to leave room for rest.

I would hesitate if you have only one free day, need a guaranteed late return to Addis Ababa, or are choosing the tour mainly for serious wildlife photography. I would also postpone booking until the park’s current security and access status is clear.

Most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed. The experience is near public transportation, but the stated start point is Nega City Mall rather than a general hotel pickup location, so confirm the practical arrangements.

My booking verdict

Book this Awash trip if you want a convenient overnight escape from Addis Ababa and you value private transport, included meals, and a simple two-day plan. The combination of two game drives, Awash River Falls, Genet Hotel, and Sodere hot springs gives you a good range of experiences for a short outing.

Do not book without checking park access and accommodation first. The reported cancellation of a game drive and confusion over the hotel are serious enough to warrant a direct message to Ethio Travel And Tours. Ask for written confirmation of the departure point, current park status, Genet Hotel, and the exact fallback plan if security conditions change.

The tour has a 4.6 rating from 21 reviews, which suggests a generally favorable overall response, but the small number of ratings and the specific operational warning mean you should make the final decision based on those confirmations. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, changes are not accepted and the payment is not refunded.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The stated meeting point is Nega City Mall in Kazanchis, at 2Q88+J8J, Tito Street, Addis Ababa. Pickup is also offered, so confirm whether collection from your hotel is available and what time it will occur.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:30 am. The first day also describes an early morning departure, so confirm the exact collection time before the trip.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately two days. It ends back at the stated meeting point in Addis Ababa.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. One overnight stay at Genet Hotel is included.

Are meals included?

Yes. Lunch, dinner, and breakfast are included. Lunch is also provided on the second day. Alcoholic drinks are not included.

How many game drives are planned?

Two short game drives are planned. The first is scheduled for the afternoon of Day 1, and the second takes place early on Day 2.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

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