2 Days Wildlife Safari to Awash National Park

Awash National Park is one of Ethiopia’s best options when you want wildlife without a long, multi-day slog. I love that this trip gives you two game drives instead of just one long chase, and I also like that meals plus your Genet Hotel stay are included. The one thing to consider is that access can be unpredictable, and in at least one case a drive was cancelled due to security concerns relayed by the guide.

You’ll also appreciate how the trip is set up for comfort: round-trip transport from Addis in a private, air-conditioned vehicle makes the long drive feel more manageable. Pickup starts at 8:30 am from Nega City Mall in Kazanchis, so you can plan your morning and not lose time.

On Day 1 you’ll head into the park after lunch and rest, then return with a stop at Sodere’s natural hot spring complex, where you may spot vervet monkeys and even see crocodiles in the nearby Awash River. On the flip side, the tour is weather-dependent, and alcohol isn’t included, so you’ll want to plan accordingly.

Key highlights at a glance

• Two game drives with a local guide, designed for morning wildlife activity and an afternoon chance at different species
• Genet Hotel included overnight, so you’re not hunting for a room after the safari
• All meals included (breakfast, lunch, dinner), which is a real value boost on a two-day plan
• Ilala Sala Plain game drive in the southern part of the park, with chances for oryx, kudu, baboons, warthogs, gazelles, and colobus monkeys
• Sodere hot springs detour with lush grounds and possible vervet monkeys, plus crocodiles and rare hippo sightings near the river

Why Awash National Park safari fits a fast 2-day trip

Awash National Park is built for practical wildlife viewing. In just two days, you get enough time to catch animals when they’re most active, without spending your whole trip locked in the car. The pacing matters here: you drive in, you relax midday, and then you do a game drive when conditions may be better for spotting.

I like that the plan is not just a single wildlife outing. Two game drives usually means you get more than one shot at the park’s different rhythms. Morning tends to be a classic time for activity, and the second drive gives you a second chance at sightings even if the afternoon is quiet.

You also get variety beyond animals. The itinerary includes a chance to visit the Awash River Falls, described as a scaled-down version of Victoria Falls, plus a stop at Sodere’s hot spring resort area on the way back. That makes the trip feel like more than “drive, drive, safari, sleep.”

One more practical point: the tour runs with a maximum of 10 travelers. That’s small enough to keep things friendly, but big enough that logistics like group coordination stay easy.

Day 1: Addis Ababa to Awash, Ilala Sala Plain, and the falls option

Day 1 starts with an early departure from Addis Ababa. You’ll drive south through the Rift Valley region and then head east toward Awash National Park. That routing is important because it gives you a sense of Ethiopia changing as you go, even though your main goal is wildlife.

Once you arrive, lunch is served inside the park area. Then you get rest time before the afternoon game drive. I like this structure because it helps you avoid the classic mistake on wildlife trips: going nonstop and then feeling wrecked when the best sightings happen.

After lunch and downtime, you head out for a short game drive through the Ilala Sala Plain in the southern part of the park. This is the part of the trip built for real “I see animals” moments. Based on the tour info, your guide is actively looking for species such as:

• oryx
• baboons
• kudu
• warthogs
• gazelles
• colubus monkeys

A quick reality check: a short game drive means you have to be patient and ready to stop often, but you won’t have hours of continuous driving. The upside is that the drive stays focused. You’re not stuck in motion for the sake of motion.

There’s also an opportunity to visit Awash River Falls. If you’re hoping to mix wildlife with a readable landmark, this adds a nice break from the car. The falls are described as a scaled-down version of Victoria Falls, so think of it as a viewpoint-and-walk type stop rather than a full-day destination.

What your included meals and rest time really change

This tour includes lunch in the park on Day 1, plus breakfast and dinner. On a two-day itinerary, this is one of the biggest value perks, because it prevents that awkward budgeting moment where you’re stuck paying safari-area prices for basic food.

It also changes your energy levels. Rest time after lunch means you’re not constantly pushing through fatigue. Safari time is mentally demanding even when you’re comfortable. You’re scanning, listening, reacting to your guide, and trying to catch brief animal moments. A real meal plus time to reset helps.

If you like to photograph or just watch for behavior, this pacing gives you room to do that instead of constantly checking your watch.

Overnight at Genet Hotel: why the stay is part of the trip value

Your overnight stay is included at Genet Hotel. That matters because it removes one of the hardest parts of two-day trips: finding a dependable place to sleep after a wildlife day, then figuring out how you’ll get there and out of it next morning.

While the tour info doesn’t promise hotel-style extras beyond the included stay, it does give you a clear, fixed expectation. You’re not guessing what your sleep situation will be, and you’re not paying for it separately.

For you, the key benefit is recovery. A morning game drive works best when you’re not running on bad sleep. Even if you’re an early riser, you’ll likely want your evening to be simple: shower, dinner, early bedtime, then back to the car when the plan says so.

Also note one logistics detail that can affect the feel of the evening: alcoholic drinks aren’t included. If that’s part of how you like to unwind, plan to purchase separately or adjust your expectations.

Day 2: Early game drive, then Sodere hot springs by the Awash River

Day 2 begins with an early start and another short game drive around the park. This is specifically positioned as a chance to see the park come alive in the morning. If you like wildlife at its most active, you’re getting exactly that timing.

After the game drive, you leave Awash National Park and head back toward Addis Ababa. On the route, you make a detour to the Sodere complex of natural hot spring waters. That stop adds a very different vibe from the safari.

Sodere sits alongside the Awash River and includes lush, shady vegetation. You may also spot vervet monkeys living on the resort grounds. The tour info also points out possible sightings of crocodiles and less frequently hippos in the nearby river.

I like adding Sodere because it gives you a decompression moment. You go from scanning for animals in the savanna to sitting somewhere that feels designed for relaxation. Even if you’re not going in the water, the environment can feel like a reset before the drive back to Addis.

After lunch at Sodere, you continue the journey to Addis Ababa. The trip is built so you’re not rushing back at the end of your second day with no break.

Price and value: what you get for about $358.98 per person

At $358.98 per person, this is not a budget-only safari, but it also doesn’t feel overpriced for what’s included. Here’s where the value comes from.

You’re getting:

• Round-trip transport from Addis in a private, air-conditioned vehicle
• Two game drives with local support
• All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• One overnight stay at Genet Hotel
• Entrance fees as per the program
• Local guides and Scout where needed

For many wildlife trips, the most expensive parts are often the accommodation, entrance fees, and guided transport. This one bundles those into one price, which is easier for you to compare. It also reduces your risk of spending more later to fill gaps.

What’s not included is also clear:

• alcohol
• any videography or camera fees if they apply
• personal items like internet and phone costs

That clarity helps you budget. If you bring a camera or plan to record video, it’s smart to confirm what fees might be required, because that can change your final total.

Vehicle comfort, group size, and the kind of safari this is

This tour uses a private air-conditioned vehicle. That sounds like a small detail, but on a two-day safari, it can make a big difference. You’re traveling long stretches, and air-conditioning helps you stay sharp when it’s time to be outside scanning for animals.

The maximum group size is 10 travelers. That typically means a smoother experience than large buses, and it also tends to make it easier for your guide to manage quick stops on the road.

You should still expect the safari experience to be built around short game drives. That’s not a bad thing, it just means you’re not on an all-day expedition. You’ll likely spend time waiting, watching, and moving based on what your guide sees. Your best strategy is to stay patient, keep your expectations flexible, and treat each drive as a focused wildlife window.

One caution from real-world experience: there have been reports of scheduling problems. In at least one case, the first drive was cancelled due to security concerns said by the guide. That’s rare, but it’s worth keeping in mind when you plan your trip around this safari.

Wildlife expectations: which animals you’re really hunting

This is not a guarantee safari. Wildlife is wildlife. But the tour info does give you a clear sense of what your guide will be looking for.

On Day 1’s Ilala Sala Plain drive in the southern park area, you’re specifically set up to look for:

• oryx
• baboons
• kudu
• warthogs
• gazelles
• colobus monkeys

On Day 2, the morning drive is framed as a chance to see the park come alive, which usually means more visible animal movement. You’ll get another opportunity for sightings without needing to guess what species might appear.

Then there’s the Sodere bonus. You’re not only going for animals in the park. At Sodere you might spot vervet monkeys, and there is potential to see crocodiles and, less frequently, hippos near the river.

If you’re excited by seeing a mix of mammals and primates, this itinerary is geared toward exactly that.

Should you book this Awash wildlife safari?

I’d book this if you want a straightforward two-day wildlife plan that includes the big cost items, like meals and the Genet Hotel overnight, plus comfortable round-trip transport from Addis. It’s also a great fit if you like structure, because the timing includes rest time, two drives, and a relaxing hot spring stop.

I would think twice if your trip dates are tight and you absolutely cannot risk a cancelled or modified drive. There are reports that the first drive was cancelled due to security concerns relayed by the guide, so if this safari is your only wildlife shot, build in some flexibility.

If you do book, I’d suggest you:

• ask ahead how camera/video fees are handled for your planned equipment
• plan to skip alcohol unless you’re ready to purchase separately
• be ready for an early start on both days, and bring what you need for comfort in the morning

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 8:30 am from the meeting point at Nega City Mall in Kazanchis.

Where does the pickup happen?

Pickup is at Nega City Mall, Kazanchis (ነጋ ሲቲ ሞል, ካሳንችስ2Q88+J8J), Tito St, Addis Ababa.

How long is the trip?

The experience is listed as 2 days, with an approximate duration of about 2 days.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes all meals (lunch, breakfast, dinner), an overnight stay at Genet Hotel, air-conditioned vehicle transport, local guides and Scout where needed, and entrance fees as per the program.

Does it include two game drives?

Yes, the program includes two game drives with a local guide.

Is alcohol included?

No. Alcoholic drinks are not included.

Are camera or video fees included?

Camera and videography fees are not listed as included. You may need to pay if any camera or video fees apply.

How many people are in the group?

The maximum group size is 10 travelers.

Is the tour dependent on weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather, and if it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.