There's a lot of variables that influence the cost of a trip to Ethiopia. A typical two-week trip for 2 people will cost $3000-3500 per person, but this can be much lower or much higher depending on the kind of trip you are booking.
The biggest factors that influence price are:
No two trips to Ethiopia are the same, and the vast majority of the trip we run are tailor-made. This means that we can design the trip so that it meets your requirements - ensuring we keep to your budget, and design the trip in a way that maximises enjoyment, and minimises frustrations.
Price guide based on two people travelling together:
The scope of experiences on offer in Ethiopia cannot be understated.
A few clicks of online research and you'll soon become familiar with the classic routes, but dig deeper and you'll find a world of extraordinary possibilities. When it comes to unlocking the potential in Ethiopia, nobody can match our experience, connections, and ability to design truly remarkable adventures.
This page is designed to help you understand which kind of trip is right for you, as well as highlight some of what we believe are the most exciting destinations in the country.
Tented camps in the furthest corners of Ethiopia.
Tented Camp at Gambella National Park.
Aerial Shot of Gambella Camp.
Bubbling Supersatured Springs at Dallol.
Loading salt blocks onto the camels in the Danakil Depression.
Peering over the crater rim, Erta Ale.
Under the searing Danakil sun, Dallol.
Sunrise in the Simiens from Limalimo Lodge.
Lales Camp in the Omo Valley.
Dancing in the Omo Valley.
Karo Tribe in the Omo Valley.
Afternoon glow on Biete Giyorgis, Lalibela.
Breakfast at Mequat Mariam, Community Trekking.
The size of Bet Giyorgis church dwarfs nearby onlookers.
Admiring the view en route to Erar, Community Trekking.
Taking a break, Community Trekking in Tigray.
Jinbar Falls in the Simien Mountains.
At the Imet Gogo viewpoint, Simien Mountains.
The mainstay of Ethiopian travel. Except for a few remote regions and camps, tailor-made adventures of this kind can cover the length and breadth of the country. Accommodation options can range from budget hotel to luxury lodges, and all aspects of these trips can be tailored to you.
To learn more about the major travel routes in Ethiopia, check out our Ultimate Ethiopia Travel Guide.
Transport: road transport by minibus or 4WD where appropriate, air travel by commercial domestic flights.
Guides: local guides only.
Accommodation: budget to luxury lodges, certain exclusive camps N/A.
Price bracket: 3000-3500 USD per person for a 2-week trip, based on 2 people travelling together.
Gelada Monkeys in the Simiens.
Below you'll find some examples of multi-week adventures in Ethiopia based on the classic routes and services. These trips are a synthesis of natural beauty, outdoor adventures, flora and fauna, ancient architecture, historical monuments and profound cultural experiences. These trips are our most popular adventures.
Part of what makes Ethiopia so special is its long list of incredible historical and cultural sites. If you are someone who values accurate, quality guiding when you travel, you can choose to travel with a professional, English-speaking escort guide.
Transport: road transport by minibus or 4WD where appropriate, air travel by commercial domestic flights.
Guides: professional escort guide, professional birding guide for birders
Accommodation: budget to luxury lodges, certain exclusive camps N/A.
Price bracket: 4000-4500 USD per person for a 2-week trip, based on 2 people travelling together.
The Ethiopian Government requires visitors to use local guides employed by Local Guide Associations when visiting historical sites and national parks. Therefore, most itineraries will include a combination of local guides, one for each of the destinations visited.
The local guides are generally enthusiastic and welcoming. While some will speak English (and often other languages) very well, others will only have a basic ability, which can hinder communication. Sometimes, they might have a limited education with an understanding of local history that seldom exceeds the basic. What they will know extremely well are the local myths and legends. These will often be entwined with accepted ‘fact’ until the join is difficult to see, which can be annoying if you value detail and the objective record. It can be fun if you take it in context.
Over the years, with our local partners, we have developed a little black book of the best local guides and so use these whenever we can, but it is worth mentioning that some of the negative traits (to some) are shared by the best. Sometimes in peak seasons it is hard to secure favoured guides, or they will be randomly allocated, and we can’t get those we know.
So, if you value informative and charming guides, able to both make a trip run seamlessly in a tricky country, whilst also leading you through the labyrinth of Ethiopian history, we suggest you invest in an escort guide who will accompany you throughout your tour. Whilst these guides do vary from operator to operator, generally they are professional guides with years of experience who have often studied their subjects of interest like archaeology, history, or wildlife to an advanced level. They know when to give you space; they know just when to appear. In our opinion, a great guide is the difference between a good trip and a brilliant trip.
It is possible to add a professional escort guide to any classic or tailor-made itinerary, and we can provide a separate quote for inclusion of a professional guide so you can make an informed decision about what kind of trip is right for you.
These trips typically stick to the core destinations, but with an enhanced level of service. The quality of guides cannot be compared to the classic setups, and the emphasis here is on filling your adventure with special, magical moments that will stay with you forever. All aspects of the trip are tailored to you, and the partners we work with here are committed to quality, premium service in an otherwise semi-chaotic tourism destination.
Transport: road transport by minibus or 4WD where appropriate, air travel by charter aircraft or commercial domestic flights where appropriate.
Guides: professional escort guide, professional birding guide for birders.
Accommodation: Luxury lodges & hotels, access to exclusive camps.
Price bracket: 9000-15000 USD per person for a 2-week trip, based on 2 people travelling together.
Lale's camp - a luxury tented camp in the Omo Valley
Luxury in Ethiopia is exclusive access to the country's most remarkable destinations. Specialist guides and travel by charter aircraft means you can craft bespoke itineraries that blend Ethiopia's most exceptional experiences into one, seamless adventure.
The upper echelon of Ethiopian exploration. Charter aircraft takes you into otherwise inaccessible regions of the country like Gambella National Park. In the Omo Valley, accommodation is in exclusive tented camps offering a completely different experience in the Omo than the typical, often run-down, lodge stays. Fly camps in the Bale Mountains and highlands in the south offer exclusivity that can't be found anywhere else in the country. Fly into the Danakil desert by helicopter and drop in to explore the volcanoes, before returning to the skies to your onward journey, wherever it may lead...
Transport: road transport by minibus or 4WD where appropriate, air travel by commercial domestic flights.
Guides: professional escort guide, professional birding guide for birders.
Accommodation: budget to luxury lodges, exclusive camps.
Price bracket: 20,000 - 30,000 USD per person for a 2-week trip, based on 2 people travelling together.For Helicopter flyovers in the Danakil and beyond, prices extend to 80k per person.
Aerial shot of tented camps in Gambella
Travel to the furthest corners of Ethiopia by charter flight or private helicopter, camp overnight in luxury lodges or private tented camps that offer exclusive access into the most exciting regions of Ethiopia.
Jagged peaks in the Simien Mountains, towering limestone cliffs in Tigray, thick jungle thickets in the Bale Mountains, neon acid springs of cinder cone volcanoes in the Danakil Depression. Combined with Ethiopia's cultural diversity and historic monuments, the possibilities for adventure are endless.
Our aim is to help travellers explore much more of Ethiopia's attractions than the churches for which it is so rightly famous. We want people to consider the whole picture, to stab a finger at the furthest corner of the map and ask - what can I do there?
Mount Bwahit at 4,400m in the Simien Mountains.
Jaw-dropping plateaus, ridges, gorges and gullies characterize this UNESCO World Heritage Site. With some of the world's best trekking routes, endemic wildlife and luxurious lodges…
Trek through rural Ethiopia and stay overnight at charming, community run guesthouses with views among the best you'll find anywhere in Africa. The majority of money for our …
The Bale Mountains are one of Ethiopia's most beautiful wilderness destinations. A verdant, jungle environment packed with endemic wildlife, staggering vistas, boutique lodges and …
A geological depression caused by the continental drift of three tectonic plates, the Danakil Depression is one of Earth’s most unusual environments. Renowned as the ‘hottest …
After exploring the ancient rock churches in the centre of the town, head up into the surrounding mountains and discover a world of breathtaking views, charming lodges, welcoming …
Gambella is a place reserved for true explorers. In a remote corner of southwestern Ethiopia, Gambella is only accessible via charter aircraft. Those that come exploring here will …
A place of faith, festivals, mystery and legends that will engage your heart as much as your mind. Atop wide valleys and weather-gouged escarpments, Lalibela is the living, beating…
Incredible rock churches, stunning landscapes, luxury & boutique Lodges. Spend the day climbing to ancient cave monasteries, to be rewarded by magnificent views, before …
Situated on the outskirts of the famous Lake Tana, 600km north of Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar is the third largest and arguably the most beautiful city in Ethiopia. As the capital for …
Known for its remarkable collection of crumbling castles, fortifications and 17th century churches, Gonder is often referred to as the “Camelot of Africa”. This small city in …
Dating back to the previous millennium, the beautiful city of Harar is one of the oldest cities in Ethiopia. Located on the border of the far eastern Somali region, this UNESCO …
The original capital of Ethiopia, Axum was once a hugely influential city back in the days of the Axumite empire. Its glory days are long gone, but the relics that remain from that…
Every destination in Ethiopia can be explored a hundred ways. Get in touch with us and we can bring your dream Ethiopia itinerary to life.
We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
Whatever your budget, group size, length of stay, preferred activity or appetite for adventure, we can help.
+1 315 645 2889
