2 Days Wildlife Safari to Awash National Park

Wild Ethiopia starts beyond the city. This two-day Awash National Park safari gives you wildlife, a waterfall, an overnight stay, and a hot-spring stop without forcing you to arrange every moving part yourself. I like the two guided game drives, which give you a better chance to see animals at different times of day, and I like that meals, transport, park fees, and accommodation are included. The main concern is current park access: one recent report says security problems had kept Awash closed for two years, so I would confirm the park’s operating status before paying.

The trip costs $358.98 per person and normally sells about 28 days ahead. That is not a bargain-basement safari, but the private air-conditioned vehicle, local guide, scout where needed, Genet Hotel, three meals, and return transport add real value. I would also confirm the exact pickup arrangement, since the stated meeting point is Nega City Mall in Kazanchis at 8:30 a.m., even though pickup is offered.

Key points to know before booking

• Awash is a practical overnight safari from Addis Ababa: You see a national park without committing to a longer Ethiopia wildlife circuit.
• Two short game drives shape the trip: One takes place in the afternoon on Day 1, and another starts early on Day 2.
• The Ilala Sala Plain is the main wildlife area: Possible sightings include oryx, baboons, kudu, warthogs, gazelles, and colobus monkeys.
• Awash River Falls adds scenery beyond animals: The waterfall is described as a smaller version of Victoria Falls.
• Sodere gives the return journey a pleasant break: You can refresh at hot springs beside the Awash River, with possible vervet monkey, crocodile, and occasional hippo sightings.
• Park access needs checking: A recent low-rated report raised a serious concern about closure and a canceled game drive.

Why Awash makes a good short safari from Addis Ababa

I like this trip because it fills a useful gap in an Ethiopia itinerary. If you have only a few days around Addis Ababa, you can still reach open country, watch for wildlife, and sleep outside the capital without planning a full safari holiday.

Awash National Park offers a different setting from the highland sights around Addis Ababa. The drive passes through the Rift Valley before continuing east toward the park. That change matters. You leave the city behind, move through broad open country, and reach a place where the focus shifts from churches, museums, and markets to animals, water, and hot springs.

The wildlife list is appealing but should be read as a list of possible sightings, not a promise. Oryx, kudu, gazelles, warthogs, baboons, and colobus monkeys are named as animals you might see. Primates make this especially interesting, since the park is not only about large grazing animals.

I would approach the safari with sensible expectations. This is a short trip with two short game drives, not a multi-day expedition with hours of daily wildlife searching. You may see several species, or you may spend more time watching the park’s open spaces and waiting for movement. That uncertainty is part of any wildlife outing, but it is especially important when you are paying nearly $360.

Day 1: the road from Addis to Ilala Sala Plain

The tour begins at 8:30 a.m. from Nega City Mall in Kazanchis. The listed address is on Tito Street in Addis Ababa. Pickup is offered, but I would settle the details before departure: ask if the vehicle will collect you at your hotel or if you need to reach the mall yourself.

Transport is by private, air-conditioned vehicle. That is a major comfort on a long road journey, especially when the tour is capped at 10 people. The word private can mean different things in tour listings, so ask if the vehicle is private for your booking or simply reserved for the tour group. Either way, air conditioning and a smaller group are helpful on a two-day road trip.

The first day takes you south through the Rift Valley, then east toward Awash National Park. Lunch is served in the park, followed by rest time. This pause is welcome. A same-day drive from Addis to a park can be tiring, and the break gives you time to settle in before the afternoon outing.

Later, you take a short game drive across the Ilala Sala Plain in the southern section of the park. The open plain is the main wildlife portion of the first day. Your guide and scout, where needed, will help look for animals and explain what you are seeing.

The possible sightings include oryx, baboons, kudu, warthogs, gazelles, and colobus monkeys. Each offers a different kind of encounter. Oryx and kudu bring the classic antelope appeal, while warthogs and baboons are often easier to recognize quickly. Colobus monkeys are a particularly interesting possibility because their appearance differs sharply from the more familiar vervet monkey.

The drive is described as short, so you should not expect an all-day search by vehicle. The benefit is a manageable first look at the park after the long approach from Addis Ababa. The drawback is that wildlife time is limited, and a quiet drive can feel brief if animal sightings are scarce.

Awash River Falls adds a welcome change of pace

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 an ambitious comparison, but the practical point is simple: this stop gives you a strong natural feature to enjoy even if the animals remain shy.

A waterfall also changes the rhythm of a safari. Instead of scanning the plain for movement, you can focus on flowing water and the surrounding setting. I like that this keeps the day from becoming a single repeated activity.

The information provided does not specify the exact walking distance, viewing platform, or time spent at the falls. Wear shoes suitable for ordinary outdoor use and follow the local guide’s directions. Do not assume the stop is a long hike or a formal sightseeing attraction.

Overnight at Genet Hotel

The overnight stay is at Genet Hotel. Accommodation is included, along with dinner on Day 1 and breakfast on Day 2. That makes the tour easier to budget, since you do not need to find a restaurant after the game drive or arrange a separate hotel.

The hotel’s exact room standard and facilities are not provided, so I would not book this expecting a luxury lodge. Ask what room arrangement is included, especially if you are booking with a companion or as a small group. One low-rated report also raised a concern about being directed toward a poor motel rather than the advertised accommodation. Because that detail is serious and the report is incomplete, confirm the name and location of your overnight hotel before departure.

A clear confirmation should state Genet Hotel, not simply a general area. It is also worth asking the operator to confirm that the hotel remains available for your date. That small check can prevent a frustrating arrival after a full day on the road.

Day 2: an early drive when the park wakes up

The second game drive begins early. This is a good design choice. Morning gives you a different chance to see animals, and the park may feel more active before the heat of the day. The drive is again described as short, so the value comes from the timing rather than a long route.

I like the overnight format here. A day trip from Addis might leave you with a rushed park visit after a long drive. Sleeping nearby allows you to make an early start and gives you two separate wildlife windows. If your first drive is quiet, the morning outing offers another chance.

After the drive, you leave Awash National Park and begin the return journey to Addis Ababa. Lunch is included, and the route takes a detour to Sodere. The schedule lists four hours for the park portion and four hours for Sodere, though the exact division between driving, bathing, sightseeing, and lunch is not fully explained. Ask the guide for the day’s timing so you know how much time you will have at each stop.

Sodere hot springs and the Awash River

Sodere is more than a quick roadside rest. The complex has natural hot spring waters and lies beside the Awash River, with shady vegetation around the resort. After a morning game drive and the trip out of the park, this is a practical place to refresh.

Vervet monkeys live on the resort grounds. That adds another wildlife possibility, though you should keep food and personal items secure and follow local instructions around animals. Crocodiles and, less often, hippos may be seen in the nearby river. These sightings are not guaranteed, and the provided schedule does not say that a river cruise or dedicated animal-watching activity is included.

The stop works well because it offers something different from Awash. The park focuses on open country and game drives, while Sodere offers warm water, shade, and a riverside setting. I would treat it as a relaxing break, not as a second safari.

After lunch, you continue to Addis Ababa and finish back at the original meeting point. Since the return time is not stated, keep your evening free. Traffic and road conditions can affect arrival time, and a two-day trip with several stops should not be paired with a tight flight or fixed appointment.

What the $358.98 price really covers

At $358.98 per person, the price makes the most sense if you want convenience. You are paying for a private air-conditioned vehicle, round-trip transport from Addis Ababa, local guides, a scout when needed, entrance fees, two game drives, a hotel night, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Those inclusions remove several costs that can add up quickly. You do not need to arrange a separate driver, pay park entry on arrival, find accommodation, or locate meals in an unfamiliar area. For a solo visitor or a small group, that packaged approach may be worth the premium.

The value is less clear if you already have a vehicle, driver, or hotel arrangements. In that case, you may be paying mainly for the guide, park access, and organized schedule. The maximum group size is 10, which is small enough to be manageable, but the listing does not state how many people are normally booked on a particular date.

Some costs remain outside the package. Alcoholic drinks are excluded, as are videography or camera fees if required. Personal expenses such as internet, fax, telephone, and other unlisted services are also your responsibility.

Before booking, ask about camera charges in particular. The information says a camera or video fee may be needed, but it does not give an amount or explain when it applies. If you plan to carry serious photography equipment, get the answer in writing.

The most important issue: confirm Awash is open

I would not ignore the low rating attached to this experience. A report says Awash National Park had been closed for two years because of security concerns, with the first game drive canceled. The same report also describes a late guide and confusion over the overnight accommodation.

That account may reflect conditions on one date, but it points to a genuine question you should ask before booking: Is the park open for both scheduled game drives on your travel date?

Ask the operator to confirm all of the following:

• Awash National Park is open to the public.
• The Ilala Sala Plain route is available.
• Both game drives are expected to operate.
• Genet Hotel is the confirmed accommodation.
• The pickup location and time are correct.

The tour has a 4.6 rating from 21 reviews, which suggests that the overall experience has worked well for many people. Still, a strong average rating cannot replace a current safety and access check. Conditions in a national park can change, and this particular report raises a concern too specific to dismiss.

Who will enjoy this two-day trip

I would recommend this safari to you if you want a short wildlife outing from Addis Ababa and prefer an organized package. It suits people who value a private vehicle, included meals, and a guide who handles park access and the route.

It is also a good match if you want variety. You get a road trip through the Rift Valley, a national park, two game drives, a waterfall, an overnight stay, hot springs, and a riverside stop. The trip does not depend entirely on a single animal sighting to feel worthwhile.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is extensive wildlife photography. The game drives are short, and sightings cannot be guaranteed. You should also think twice if you dislike long road journeys or need a firm return time to Addis Ababa.

The tour is available to most participants, allows service animals, and is near public transportation. Confirmation is provided when you book. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations inside that window are not refunded. Poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Awash safari?

I would book this trip after confirming that Awash National Park is open and that Genet Hotel is truly reserved. Those two checks address the biggest practical concerns.

If the park is operating normally, the tour offers a useful mix of wildlife, scenery, comfort, and simple planning. The two game drives are short, but the waterfall and Sodere hot springs give the journey more substance. The price is fair for someone who needs transport, accommodation, meals, guides, and entrance fees bundled together.

I would skip it if the operator cannot clearly confirm park access, hotel details, and pickup arrangements. A safari needs dependable logistics. Ask those questions first, then book if the answers are firm.

FAQ

How long is the Awash National Park safari?

The experience lasts approximately two days and includes one overnight stay.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $358.98 per person.

Where does the tour start?

The stated meeting point is Nega City Mall in Kazanchis, Addis Ababa, at 8:30 a.m.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered, but the stated start point is Nega City Mall. Confirm the exact pickup arrangement with Ethio Travel And Tours before departure.

What accommodation is included?

The overnight stay at Genet Hotel is included.

Are meals included?

Yes. Lunch, dinner, and breakfast are included in the tour price.

How many game drives are included?

Two game drives are included. One takes place on the afternoon of Day 1, and the other takes place early on Day 2.

What is not included?

Alcoholic drinks, any required video or camera fee, personal expenses such as internet, fax, and telephone, and services not listed in the inclusions are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted or refunded.