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Phone: +251 988 111 222
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Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Private & tailor-made Ethiopia tour packages
Ethiopia Tours: Where Do You Want to Go?
Private Ethiopia Tours from Addis Ababa
Drive Ethiopia is a locally owned Ethiopia tour operator based in Addis Ababa. We plan private, tailor-made Ethiopia tours and tour packages for every kind of traveller: day trips from Addis Ababa, the Northern Historic Route through Bahir Dar, Gondar, Axum and Lalibela, trekking in the Simien Mountains and Bale Mountains, Danakil Depression expeditions, and cultural tours to the Omo Valley and Harar.
Love nature? Our Ethiopia wildlife and nature tours take you to see the endemic Ethiopian wolf, gelada monkeys and some of Africa's best birdwatching. Every trip is built around your dates, budget and pace, with an experienced local guide, a comfortable 4x4 and a driver who knows the road. Whether you have 3 days or 3 weeks, we plan the best Ethiopia itinerary for you, including domestic flights, hotels and airport transfers.
Tell us your dates and what you want to see. We reply within 2 hours and send a detailed itinerary with a quote within 24 hours.
Popular Ethiopia Tour Packages
From one day excursions out of Addis Ababa to two week journeys across the north and south, these are our most booked Ethiopia tour packages. Each one can be run as a private tour and tailored to your dates.
Addis Ababa City Tour
Have an exciting journey through the bustling streets of Addis Ababa, the fast-growing capital city of Ethiopia.
Day Trip to Debre Libanos Monastery
On board on a spiritual journey to the serene Debre Libanos Monastery
Excursion to Wonchi Crater Lake
Experience the natural beauty of Ethiopia with a day trip to Wonchi Crater Lake
Northern Historic Route Tour
The historical treasures of Bahir Dar and Gondar, the breathtaking Simien Mountains, and the mystical town of Lalibela.
Ethiopia Nature Tour
A great arrangement to see most of Ethiopia’s endemic mammals and birds beside the two most popular national parks.
Omo Valley Tribes Tour
Journey through Ethiopia’s Omo Valley tribes engages with the Omo people and their rich cultural heritage.
Danakil Depression Tour
Cross the salt flats, sulphur springs and lava lakes of the Danakil, the hottest place on earth.
Harar and Dire Dawa Tour
Walk the walled old town of Harar, its hyena feeders and markets, with Dire Dawa on the way.
Scheduled group departures
Fixed Departure Tours
Fixed dates you can join as a solo traveller, couple or small group. Pick a departure and we reply within 2 hours to confirm your seat.
- All tours start in Addis Ababa
- Join solo, as a couple or a group
- Reply within 2 hours
- Times in local time (EAT)
1 day
Next departure
Addis Ababa City Tour
Every day
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Also departing
1 day
Next departure
Wonchi Crater Lake Day Trip
Every Friday and Saturday
6:00 am to 6:00 pm
Also departing
4 days
Next departure
Danakil Depression Tour
First Friday of each month
August to April season
Also departing
7 days
Next departure
Omo Valley Tribes Tour
1st to 7th of each month
August to April season
Also departing
Prefer your own dates? Every tour also runs as a private trip on any day you choose.
Plan a private trip
Car Rental in Addis Ababa for Your Ethiopia Trip
Travelling independently? Hire a sedan, SUV or 4x4 in Addis Ababa with a local driver or as a self-drive rental. Airport pickups from Bole International included.
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Car with a driver
from $60/day
A local driver who knows the roads, so you can relax, work or take photos.
Best for first visits and longer routes.
Car hire with a driver in Ethiopia
Request this: Car with a driver -
Self-drive
from $50/day
Take the wheel yourself in Addis and on well-marked routes.
Best for confident drivers on familiar roads.
Self-drive car rental in Addis Ababa
Request this: Self-drive -
Airport transfers
from $35/way
Reliable pickups and drop-offs at Bole International, day or night, with flight tracking.
Best for arrivals, departures and late flights.
Request this: Airport transfers
Places to Visit in Ethiopia
Twelve of Ethiopia’s best destinations, from rock churches and highland castles to volcanoes, mountains and living cultures. Tap any place to see when to go, how long you need, and the tours that cover it.
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History
Lalibela
Eleven medieval churches carved from solid rock; 1-2 days. Best Oct-Mar. Historic north tour -
History
Axum
Ancient obelisks and the heart of the Aksumite empire; 1 day. Historic north tour -
History
Gondar
Royal castles and painted churches in the highlands; 1 day. Historic north tour -
Nature
Bahir Dar
Lake Tana's island monasteries and the Blue Nile Falls; 1-2 days. Historic north tour -
Nature
Danakil Depression
Lava lakes, salt flats and neon sulphur springs; 3-4 days. Best Nov-Feb. Danakil tour -
Nature
Bale Mountains
Afro-alpine plateau and the rare Ethiopian wolf; 2-3 days. Nature tour -
Nature
Simien Mountains
Dramatic escarpments, gelada baboons and trekking; 2-4 days. Nature tour -
Culture
Omo Valley
Living cultures and traditional villages of the south; 4-6 days. Omo Valley tour -
Culture
Harar
Walled old town, colourful alleys and the night hyena feeding; 1-2 days. Harar tour -
Culture
Addis Ababa
The lively capital: museums, markets and great food; half to 1 day. City tour -
Nature
Wonchi
Green crater lake with hikes, horse rides and hot springs; day trip from Addis. Day trip -
History
Gheralta
Cliff-top rock churches and red sandstone scenery in Tigray; 1-2 days.
More destinations
- Blue Nile FallsThe Blue Nile's waterfall near Bahir Dar, known as Tis Issat.
- Arba MinchTwin Rift Valley lakes, giant crocodiles and the gateway to the south.
- Rift Valley LakesA chain of lakes south of Addis for birding and weekend escapes
- Awash National ParkSavanna, a river gorge waterfall and a volcano east of Addis
- Konso Cultural LandscapeA UNESCO landscape of stone-terraced hills, walled villages and grave markers
- Debre DamoCliff-top Tigray monastery reached only by climbing a rope up sheer rock.
- Sof Omar CavesOne of Africa's longest cave systems, carved by the Weyib River in Bale.
- Jimma & KaffaLush southwest highlands widely regarded as the birthplace of Arabica coffee.
- Debre LibanosHistoric monastery on the edge of the Jemma gorge, an easy day trip from Addis.
- HawassaRelaxed lakeside city with a morning fish market, birdlife and colobus monkeys.
- Tiya StelaeUNESCO-listed field of carved standing stones, south of Addis Ababa.
- Dire DawaRailway city of the east, with colourful markets and the gateway to Harar.
- Dorze & ChenchaGamo highland villages of tall bamboo houses and fine cotton weaving above Arba Minch.
- YehaPre-Aksumite stone temple in Tigray, among the oldest buildings in Ethiopia.
- National Museum of EthiopiaHome of Lucy, the 3.2-million-year-old human ancestor, plus royal treasures and Ethiopian art.
- Adwa Victory Memorial MuseumAddis Ababa's grand new museum of the 1896 Battle of Adwa, beside Menelik's statue in Piassa.
- Unity Park, Addis AbabaRestored royal palace grounds with throne halls, regional pavilions, gardens and a zoo.
- Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis AbabaGrand cathedral and final resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie and Empress Menen.
- Merkato, Addis AbabaOne of Africa's largest open-air markets: spices, coffee, crafts and a famous recycling quarter.
- Entoto ParkMountain park above Addis Ababa with hiking, zip-lining, horse riding and city views.
- Ethnological Museum, Addis AbabaHaile Selassie's former palace, now a museum of Ethiopian life, art and culture.
- Bishoftu Crater LakesFive volcanic crater lakes and lakeside resorts, under an hour from Addis Ababa.
- Menagesha Suba Forest ParkCenturies-old protected forest with giant junipers, hiking trails and colobus monkeys near Addis.
- St Mary of Zion Church, AxumEthiopia's holiest church, where tradition says the Ark of the Covenant is kept.
- Gorgora, Lake TanaQuiet Lake Tana town with 17th-century Jesuit ruins, old churches and great birding.
- Nechisar National ParkRift Valley park with the Bridge of God, zebra plains and Lake Chamo's giant crocodiles.
- YirgalemLush Sidama town surrounded by shade-grown coffee forests, eco-lodges and colobus monkeys.
- Babile Elephant SanctuaryRugged valleys near Harar sheltering a rare northeast African elephant population.
- Chebera Churchura National ParkHidden forested park in the southwest with Ethiopia's largest herds of forest elephants.
- Gambela National ParkEthiopia's largest park, a remote wetland wilderness on the route of a vast antelope migration.
- Yangudi Rassa National ParkSemi-desert Afar park created to protect the critically endangered African wild ass.
- Alatish National ParkRemote woodland park on the Sudan border, home to lions, elephants and seasonal wetlands.
- Gedeo Cultural LandscapeUNESCO-listed coffee forests and ancient stelae fields in the home of Yirgacheffe coffee.
- Guassa Community Conservation AreaCommunity-protected highland plateau with Ethiopian wolves and gelada monkeys, north of Addis.
- AnkoberOld royal seat of Shewa on a dramatic escarpment, with geladas and a rare endemic bird.
- Mount ZuquallaVolcano with a crater lake and a historic monastery on top, an easy day trip from Addis.
- Melka Kunture and Adadi MaryamA prehistoric site on the Awash River and a medieval rock-hewn church, south of Addis.
- Yemrehanna KristosA medieval church built inside a cave near Lalibela, older than the famous rock churches.
- Lake HaykHighland lake with a historic island monastery, a perfect stop on the road to Lalibela.
- Jinka and Mago National ParkGateway town of South Omo and the national park where the Mursi people live.
- Yabelo and BoranaEndemic birds, the Borana singing wells and a black salt crater in Ethiopia's far south.
- NegashHome of the Al-Nejashi Mosque, linked to the first Muslims who found refuge in Ethiopia.
Why Drive Ethiopia?
Four reasons travellers book with Drive Ethiopia: local knowledge, community-first planning, fast replies, and one company handling tours, cars, flights and hotels.
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Local, On-the-ground Expertise
A full-time Addis Ababa team plus 50+ vetted freelance guides who know Ethiopia’s regions first-hand.
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Community-first Tourism
Every itinerary is built with local partners so travel dollars support the communities we visit.
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A Responsive Team, Always on Call
We reply to every enquiry within 2 hours: fast, reliable communication from first message to final day.
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End-to-End Travel Management
Tours, car rental, domestic flights and hotel bookings, all handled under a single point of contact.
Tell us your dates and Drive Ethiopia sends a full quote within 24 hours. Get a quote
What Travellers Say
Rated 5.0 on Tripadvisor and Google. Here is what recent travellers say about our tours and car rentals.
Ethiopia Tours: Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers on prices, planning, vehicles, safety and payment. Still unsure? Message us and get a reply within 2 hours.
Pricing and quotes
How much does a tour of Ethiopia cost?
Day trips from Addis Ababa start from $55 per person, and multi-day tours range from $345 to $1,599 depending on route, group size and season. Every Drive Ethiopia trip is tailor-made, so tell us your dates and we send an exact quote within 24 hours.
How do I get a price or quote?
Send your dates and the places on your list to Drive Ethiopia through the enquiry form, WhatsApp or email. You get a reply within 2 hours and a detailed itinerary with a quote within 24 hours.
What is included in the price?
Most Drive Ethiopia tour packages include the guide, driver, vehicle, fuel, entrance fees, accommodation and meals. International flights, tips and personal expenses are not included. Your written quote lists exactly what is covered before you pay anything.
Planning your trip
What is the best time to visit Ethiopia?
October to March is dry and ideal for most regions and trekking. The Danakil Depression is best November to February; the green highlands are lush after the June-September rains. Drive Ethiopia plans around your dates whatever the season.
How many days do I need to see Ethiopia?
A week covers the northern historic route (Lalibela, Gondar, Axum, Bahir Dar). Add the Simien or Bale Mountains or the Omo Valley for 9 to 12 days. Short on time? Start with day trips from Addis Ababa.
What are the most popular Ethiopia tour packages?
Our most booked trips are the Northern Historic Route tour through Bahir Dar, Gondar, Axum and Lalibela, Simien Mountains trekking, Danakil Depression expeditions, Omo Valley cultural tours, and day trips from Addis Ababa to Debre Libanos Monastery or Wonchi Crater Lake. Any of them can be combined into one longer private tour.
Can I see Ethiopian wolves, gelada monkeys and endemic birds on a tour?
Yes. Gelada monkeys are easy to see in the Simien Mountains, and the Bale Mountains are the best place in Ethiopia to spot the endemic Ethiopian wolf. We can build a wildlife or birdwatching tour around these parks, with time in highland forests for birds such as the white-cheeked turaco.
Is it better to fly or drive between Lalibela, Gondar and Axum?
Domestic flights between Lalibela, Gondar and Axum all connect through Addis Ababa, so on many itineraries a road trip with your own driver saves time and shows you the highlands along the way. We plan the mix of flights and driving that suits your dates and budget.
Do you organise private and custom tours?
Yes. Every Drive Ethiopia itinerary is tailor-made to your interests, pace and budget, for solo travellers, couples, families and groups.
Do you arrange flights, hotels and airport transfers?
Yes. Drive Ethiopia handles tours, car rentals, domestic flights, hotel bookings and Bole International airport transfers under one point of contact.
Vehicles and driving
Can I rent a car with a driver, or drive myself?
Both. Choose a car with a local driver who knows the roads, or a self-drive vehicle. Drive Ethiopia also runs airport transfers to and from Bole International.
Safety, payment and booking
Where are you based?
Drive Ethiopia is a tour operator and car rental company based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. You deal directly with the team that runs your trip, in the country where it happens.
Is it safe to travel in Ethiopia?
Drive Ethiopia plans routes with local knowledge and experienced guides, and adjusts itineraries to current conditions. Our guides monitor local conditions and official travel advisories daily, brief you before and during your trip, and re-route whenever needed. Vehicles are well maintained and we build in realistic driving times rather than rushing mountain and rural roads.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept bank transfer and cash, and card or online payment for deposits where available. A deposit secures your booking, with the balance due before or at the start of your trip. Prices are quoted in USD and can be paid in the equivalent local currency.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellations made well in advance receive a full refund of everything except non-recoverable costs (such as prepaid permits or domestic flights). Refunds decrease as the start date approaches, and last-minute cancellations may be non-refundable. We will always tell you the exact terms in writing before you pay.
What languages do your guides speak?
Our guides speak fluent English and Amharic, and we can arrange guides for other languages such as French, Italian, German or Spanish on request. Tell us your preferred language when you enquire and we will match you with the right guide.
Still have a question? Message us and get a reply within 2 hours.
Tell Us What You Want to See
Not sure where to start? Tell us your dates and dream destinations, and we’ll build a free, custom Ethiopia itinerary, no obligation.
Whether it’s a Lalibela pilgrimage, a Simien trek, a Danakil expedition, or an airport pickup and self-drive car, share what you have in mind and our Addis Ababa team will handle the rest.
Prefer to talk? Reach us directly, we usually reply in minutes: