“two amazing worlds” ethiopia & madagascar - 2020...fasiladas, founder of gonder, in 1665....

Journeys Unlimited [Aust.] / WILDLIFE SAFARI CONSULTANTS / Madagascar Travel Centre Email: [email protected]

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“two amazing worlds”

Ethiopia & Madagascar - 2020

“Ethiopia”, a name that recalls memories of terrible famines and suffering, but this is not the Ethiopia of today. The country has turned the corner from adversity and conflict and now boasts the fastest growing economy of any African nation. It’s an incredible mix of culture, history, and wildlife. An African destination unlike any other. An ancient history – arguably being the birthplace of humanity following the discovery of the 3.2 million-year-old skeleton dubbed "Lucy" – and a fiercely independent Abyssinian royalty which includes the legendary Queen of Sheba, it is the only country in Africa never to be colonised. A land of unexpected castles, mountain landscapes, ancient churches and a veritable mosaic of peoples with over 83 ethnic groups with 200 dialects. To top it off, this is the home of coffee !!

Madagascar, no not the cartoon, but one of David Attenborough’s favourite destinations and like no other place on earth, where over 80% of the flora and fauna are unique to this island. A nation of folk whose origins trace back to Indonesia, not Africa, and a country which is challenged by its dense rainforests and almost desert-like spiny forests, whilst having stunning beaches and coastline, fascinating cultures and very welcoming people.

In this tour you experience the highlights of both nations. After the core tour you have the opportunity to extend your stay in either Ethiopia or Madagascar and discover more of these fascinating nations.

Join us on “the Roof of the World” and on the “Red Island”



The Itinerary……

Saturday 17th October – Fly from Australia This afternoon join your Qantas flight to Singapore, and then connect with Ethiopian Airlines direct to Addis Ababa. Sunday 18th October - Arrive in Addis Ababa Founded in 1886 by Emporer Menelik II, Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia and the seat of the African Union (AU). Addis Ababa is the third highest capital in the world and one of the largest cities in Africa with a population well over 5 million. It is located at 2500 m above sea level at the foot step of the highest peak of Entoto Mountain chain (3200m above sea level), and enjoys an excellent climate all year round; with an average temperature of 16ºC. Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with wide avenues of Jacarandas, interesting museums and one of the largest open-air markets in Africa, known as Merkato. Today you will be taken on a tour of the city that includes a visit to the “Merkato” and the historic St. George Cathedral. Later, time to rest after your long journey.

Overnight Golden Tulip Hotel , Addis Ababa (Meals: B) Monday 19th October - Addis Ababa Today you have a tour of the city that includes: National Museum: It comprises of many archaeological and historical findings including the famous complete hominid fossil remain of ‘Lucy’ locally known as ‘Dinknesh’, meaning “wonderful”. Visiting this museum will provide a good briefing for your forthcoming visit to the historic northern areas of Ethiopia.

Trinity Cathedral: a beautiful church with a baroque style of European architecture which is unique to both Ethiopia and Africa and is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. Here you will find scripts of the imperial families, statues by a Greek sculptor, stained glass window paintings from the Old and New Testament in the Bible and coffins of Emperor Haile Selassie-I, the founder of the church, and his wife.



Weaving: This visit will teach us about the making of cultural clothes with their different designs in the traditional way. Here you will see the weavers making the fabrics, and selling their final products nearby. The main products are the traditional Shema Clothes like “Gabi” and “Netela”, made from cotton, which are a completely different style from industrially made nylon clothes. The national cloth is also made in the same way. While weaving is the activity that is undertaken in many parts of the country, there are people who specialize in making cultural clothes with unique forms. These are “Dorze” people, one of the Southern Nationalities, who are also known for their beehive shaped houses, which some say looks like an elephant’s head. In Addis Ababa, they are leading makers of cultural clothes.

Mount Entoto: This is the highest peak in Addis with an altitude of 3200 meters and was the site for the first palace of Emperor Menelik II, the founder of Addis Ababa. Here is St. Mary’s church, where Emperor Menelik was crowned Emperor. From here there are views of the city with its surrounding plains and volcanic cones.

Overnight Golden Tulip Hotel , Addis Ababa (Meals: B) Tuesday 20th October - Fly to Bahir Dar After breakfast you transfer to the airport and fly to the lake-side city of Bahir Dar. In the afternoon we visit the Blue Nile Falls. The Blue Nile Falls is considered by many as one of the most spectacular falls in Africa. When in full flood the falls are quite impressive at 400 m wide and 45 m high. On the easy 30-min walk to the viewpoint many birds can be seen, while hippos and crocodiles are occasionally spotted on the banks of the river, especially in the early morning and late afternoon hours.

Overnight Avanti Resort (Meals: B, L, D) Wednesday 21st October – Bahir Dar We head out on Lake Tana to the Zege Peninsula and its famous monasteries. While on board our private boat, keep an eye out for a variety of bird species and the traditional Tankwa (canoes) crossing the lake.



After a short hike through local villages and coffee farms, we reach the monastery of Ura Kidane Meret. This is home to an important collection of crosses and crowns dating back to the 16th century. The painted “Maqdas”, colourful and well-preserved, tell stories of the Ethiopian saints.

The second monastery we visit, Azwa Maryam, is a small and pleasant site with gardens and a humorous young priest.

In the afternoon explore the city of Bahir Dar with its interesting market and visit the viewpoints around Bezawit Palace (the palace of the former Ethiopian Emperor – Haile Selassie), which provides stunning views of the area.

Overnight Avanti Resort (Meals: B, L, D) Thursday 22nd October - Drive to Gondar After breakfast we drive to Gondar. This afternoon we explore the Royal Enclosure and its buildings. The fortress, which is surrounded by a 900 metre-long wall, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The oldest and most impressive structure in the compound is the two-story palace of Emperor Fasilidas, built of solid basalt stones. Other royal buildings of interest include the library of Emperor Yohannes I, the House of Song where royal ceremonies took place, the elegant reception and banquet hall of Emperor Bakaffa, and the palace of the king's wife. Also visit the nearby bath of King Fasiledes, where modern-day Timkat ceremonies are performed. Finally, view the Church of DebreBirhan Selassie, an imposing structure with brightly colored ceilings. Overnight Mayleko Lodge , Gondar (Meals: B, L, D)



Friday 23rd October - Drive to Simien Mountains After breakfast we leave Gondar and head to Sankaber, the headquarters of Simien Mountains National Park, passing through rural villages and crossing mountain passes with some of the most stunning vistas of Ethiopia.

The Simien Mountains National park occupies a surface area of 180 km sq. Its altitude varies from 1900 - 4450 metres and it is noted for the stunning sheer cliff faces which can easily exceed 1500 metres. It includes Ras Dashan (4450m), the highest mountain in Ethiopia and tenth highest mountain of Africa.

The Park is home to a number of endangered species including the Ethiopian Wolf and the Walia Ibex (a wild goat found nowhere else in the world). However one of the most striking and well-known attractions is the Gelada Baboon, with the red-heart on its chest. Our lodge is located in an area of the park where baboon sightings are common, whilst appreciating the breath-taking scenery that surrounds it. Overnight Simien Lodge , Simien Mountains (Meals: B, L, D) Saturday 24th October - Drive Axum Today we drive to Axum, a journey that passes through stunning mountain scenery and permits a good view of rural life in this northern area of Ethiopia.. This simple frontier town is in fact a city of great importance it was the ancient capital of Ethiopia. According to local legend, Axum was home to Queen Sheba and is the current resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. As we explore Axum, and its ancient relics, our sense of adventure and imagination guides us through this mysterious and historic place. Overnight Sabean Hotel , Axum (Meals: B, L, D)



Sunday 25th October - Axum Today we get another glimpse of the history of this area with a city tour that includes the Archaeological museum of Axum and the Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion. The original church was built by Emperor Fasiladas, founder of Gonder, in 1665. It’s thought that this church is built on the original foundations of a temple build by King Ezana or King Kaleb in the 4th or 6th centuries, making this the oldest Christian site in Africa. Keep your eye out for the guarded chapel, which is said to be the home of the Ark of the Covenant. The modern St. Mary’s of Zion Cathedral dates from the 1960s when Emperor Haile Selassie had it build. The architectural style is painfully out of place in the ancient city, but the contrast between the buildings on the site is fascinating. We also spend time exploring the on-site museum under the church, which houses many of Ethiopia’s priceless relics (the museum was recently opened to both women and men, however photography is not allowed). In the afternoon, visit the famous ‘Stele field’ which is from the 4th Century AD and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Consisting of the ruined palace and tomb of King Kaleb and King Gebre Meskel (5th and 6th Century AD) and the residence of the legendary Queen of Sheba (9th century BC). The North Stelae Park contains over 120 stelae, some are upright, some are buried and others have been removed. The Rome Stelae, the tallest at 25m high, was shipped to Italy in 1937 under orders from Mussolini, but has since been returned and re-erected. Overnight Sabean Hotel , Axum (Meals: B, L, D) Monday 26th October - Fly to Lalibela After breakfast, we transfer to the airport and fly to Lalibela. Lalibela is arguably one of the most important religious and historical sites in all of Africa and the entire Christian world. Ethiopia was the first country to adopt Christianity as a state religion, and the Ethiopian Orthodox religious practices roots lie in Judaism.



There are no less than 200 churches in the Lasta Region of Lalibela, some hidden in enormous caves, but it's exceptional to find 11 churches of such master craftsmanship in one locale. These brilliant feats of engineering and architecture are often referred to as the "Eighth wonder of the world". The churches are said to have been constructed during King Lalibela’s reign during the 12th and 13th centuries when Lalibela (then known as Roha) was the capital of the Zagwe dynasty. Many different theories exist on how they were built and by whom, including angels and the “Knights Templar”. Legend has it that King Lalibela was exiled in Jerusalem and returned to Ethiopia to build a new Jerusalem. This afternoon we visit the first group of the churches which represent the earthly Jerusalem. This group includes Bete Medhanialem (Saviour church), Bete Miriam, Bete Denagel, Bete Meskal, Debra Sina, and Bete Golgotha. Standing 38 feet tall with seventy-two pillars, Medhane Alem is not only the largest in Lalibela, but it is the largest monolithic rock-hewn church in the world. The oldest of the churches, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Bet Maryam is the only Lalibela monolith with a porch. The remains of exquisite early frescoes can be seen on the ceiling and upper walls, and there are many elaborately carved details on the piers, capitals, and arches. Bet Golgotha houses remarkable reliefs of figures, early Christian art rarely seen in other parts of Ethiopia. Overnight Maribela Hotel, Lalibela (Meals: B, L, D) Tuesday 27th October - Lalibela In the morning we visit the Second group of the churches representing the heavenly Jerusalem. In this group are the Bete Gabriel & Raphael, Bete Merquorios, Bete Emmanuel, and Bete Abba Libanos. Finally we visit the most interesting cross-shaped church of Bete Giorgis (St. George), which is said to be the symbolization of Noah’s ark. The cruciform-shaped Bete Giorgis is the most perfect and beautiful church here in Lalibela and its interior is dominated by depictions of Saint George killing the dragon.

In the afternoon, we will visit a family in Lalibela where we will experience Ethiopian cooking and also coffee ceremony. Overnight Maribela Hotel, Lalibela (Meals: B, L, D)



Wednesday 28th October - Fly to Addis This morning we drive to the airport to catch the flight back to Addis Ababa. The rest of the day is free for exploring more of the city or visiting one of the colourful markets.

In the evening, you will have a farewell dinner party in one of the traditional restaurants in Addis Ababa to taste the varieties of Ethiopian dishes and enjoy the traditional dances of different ethnic groups. Overnight Golden Tulip Hotel , Addis Ababa (Meals: B) Thursday 29th October - Addis Ababa to Antananarivo This we transfer to the airport for our Ethiopian Airlines flight to Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. After a mid-afternoon arrival we transfer to our hotel in the city centre, vibrant with the peak hour frenzy beginning.

Overnight Le Louvre Hotel, Antananarivo. (Meals: B) Friday 30th October – to Andasibe This morning we depart for Andasibe, a journey of 145kms on quite good roads (about three hours duration). We will stop at Réserve Peyrieras, a private reserve created by Mr. Peyrieras. Almost all species of Madagascar’s insects and butterflies are represented here. Visitors can observe them at all stages of their development at the large aviaries adapted to their natural environment. Mr. Peyrieras also has a large collection of chameleons, plus various amphibians, snakes, lizards and crocodiles. The nearby forests are home to some Coquerel Sifaka, and if they are nearby we shall visit them for some close-up photos.



This evening we undertake a night-walk through the forests of the Lodge’s private reserve. Overnight Eulophiella Hotel, Andasibe. (Meals: B, L, D) Saturday 31st October - Andasibe

This morning you will visit the Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. Its 154 km² encompasses two distinct areas: the small Réserve Spéciale d'Analamazaotra (popularly known by the old French name of the nearby town and railway station, “Périnet”) in the south next to Andasibe village, and the much larger Parc National de Mantadia to the north. Both parts belonged to the same humid forest, but because of human activities are now divided in two. The park was created in 1989. The Reserve is famous for the Indri which is the largest of all lemurs and whose calls can be heard widely during the mornings. There are 13 other lemur species found here. The extraordinary animal diversity is completed with another 15 mammal species, more than 100 of birds (many of them endemic, like the Madagascar yellowbrow, Madagascar baza, Madagascar wagtail or the Madagascar serpent-eagle), 50 species of reptiles, among them the biggest chameleon of the island - the boa manditra, many leaf-tailed geckos and more than 80 species of amphibians.

We will take lunch at Feon’Ny Ala restaurant and then visit Vakona Private Reserve, which is a nature reserve owned by Vakona Forest Lodge and also contains “Lemur Island” - a great opportunity to get up close to Lemurs in a natural setting.

Overnight Eulophiella Hotel, Andasibe. (Meals: B, L, D)



Sunday 1st November – to Antsirabe This morning we depart from the moist eastern highlands of Madagascar and head south-west into the high central plateau, a much drier but very important farming area. On the way we pass through several towns including Ambatolampy, where there is a craft factory producing aluminium “cocottes” (similar to a Dutch Oven) used for cooking in all Malagasy households.

This area is also an important rice-growing area and some quite stunning terraces line the roads we travel along. Overnight Plumeria Hotel, Antsirabe. (Meals: B, L, D) Monday 2nd November – to Ranomafana National Park We continue south down the national highway with our next stop being Ambositra. Ambositra’s vicinity to the forests has turned it into the centre of Madagascar's wood carving industry. Its name means “the place of the eunuchs” supposedly because the Merina tribe castrated all defeated warriors of the local tribe, the Zafimaniry. The cultural influence of this tribe can be found in the traditional motifs of the local houses with their intricately carved balconies, panels and shutters. There are many specialized workshops in printmaking, woodcarving and marquetry. Artisans usually coming from the nearby Zafimaniry villages are found in small workshops. We will have lunch at L’Artisan hotel before continuing our journey. Later this afternoon we arrive at Ranomafana National Park (which means “hot water” in Malagasy), deriving from the local thermal springs in the centre of the park. Overnight Thermal Hotel, Ranomafana. (Meals: B, L, D) Tuesday 3rd November - Ranomafana National Park Ranomafana National Park is doubtless one of the most spectacular National Parks of Madagascar. The park contains twelve lemur species. Aside from the rare golden bamboo lemur, visitors may see: eastern woolly lemur, red bellied lemur, eastern grey bamboo lemur, greater bamboo lemur, red-fronted brown lemur, black-and-white ruffed lemur, Milne-Edward´s sifaka, Small-toothed sportive lemur, greater dwarf lemur and brown mouse lemur and sometimes the very rare aye-aye.



Overnight Thermal Hotel, Ranomafana. (Meals: B, L, D) Wednesday 4th November - Ranomafana National Park Today we depart Ranomafana and drive to Ranohira. The journey will take us through some stunning landscapes of the Horombe Plateau.

Our first stop on this journey will be Ambalavao which is home to the renowned Antaimoro craft paper (hand-made), which is beautifully decorated with dried flowers and leaves. We shall witness the paper and decoration processes.

Ambalavao is also the site of the largest Zebu (the national cattle) market in Madagascar - we shall call in here, as it is being held today. In conjunction with the cattle market, today is also the town’s weekly “market-day” so we shall also visit if time permits.

We continue on to nearby Anja Park. The forest in Anja was designated a protected area reserve by the Government of Madagascar in 1999. The reserve extends over 30 hectares. The space is enriched with an ecological wealth of flora and fauna species, most notable for its dense population of semi-tame ring-tailed lemurs. Anja Reserve is the most visited community-managed forest and ecotourist site in Madagascar. Anja has become a vital example of how community management of natural resources can both effectively protect the area and benefit the community.

Lunch will be taken at Anja Park following our lemur walk.



Later this afternoon we arrive at Isalo. Overnight Relais de la Reine Hotel, Isalo. (Meals: B, L, D) Thursday 5th November – Isalo National Park Today we visit Isalo National Park. Established in 1962, the Isalo protects 815 km² of sandstone massif wildly eroded by wind and rain into bizarre ridges (known as “runiformes”) featuring wild forms, impressive gorges and canyons and tiny stalagmite pinnacles.

Though wildlife is here not as prominent as in other parks of the country, there are still species you should be on the lookout for. Ring-tailed lemurs, brown lemurs, sifakas and 14 nocturnal lemurs hide in dense vegetation along the streams. The park is also home to approximately 80 species of birds (including the rare Benson’s rock-thrush, the knob-billed duck and the crested ibis), 35 species of reptiles and several endemic frogs. The flora is indeed more interesting than the fauna. There are several local endemic plants among the 500 species which are found within Isalo, such as the elephant’s foot and some rare palms and aloe species.

The park’s terrain varies from grasslands to steep gorges, and a variety of walking circuits are provided to meet the individual’s capabilities. Our guide will assist you in determining which ones will match your abilities. Overnight Relais de la Reine Hotel, Isalo. (Meals: B, L, D) Friday 6th November – To Ifaty This morning we depart from Isalo and drive to Tulear (or Toliara) 245kms in around 4 hours. We shall take lunch at Auberge de la Table, and then visit Arboretum d'Antsokay. The Arboretum was created around 1980, on the initiative of a Swiss amateur botanist, Hermann Pétignat who died in 2000 (his family continue to operate the facility). On a surface of 40 hectares there are almost 900 species of plants, 90% endemic to the region.



Afterwards we proceed to Ifaty to enjoy some time on the beaches alongside the Mozambique Channel.

Overnight Le Paradisier Hotel, Ifaty (Meals: B, L, D) Saturday 7th November – Ifaty This morning we will have a local tour to Reniala Park where, amongst other natural history wonders, we will explore the Spiny Forest. Reniala Private Reserve is a small protected area of only 60 ha, established and managed by a local environmental association called Reniala (which means baobab in Malagasy) that is trying to develop eco-tourism in the area.

It shelters an amazing, bizarre and unique ecosystem which only occurs in the southern parts of Madagascar: the spiny forest. The towering spiny bushes are home to more than 2000 plants species (many of them local endemic), some spectacular and very old baobabs (there is a giant baobab of 12.5 m diameter) and a complete endemic plants family, the Didieraceae. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy Ifaty …….

Overnight Le Paradisier Hotel, Ifaty (Meals: B, L, D)



Sunday 8th November – Ifaty to Antananarivo Today we fly back from Toliara to Anatanarivo – depending upon the flight schedules you will either have a morning to enjoy Ifaty, or an afternoon in Antananarivo.

Overnight Le Louvre Hotel, Antananarivo. (Meals: B) Monday 9th November – Antananarivo This morning you have a guided tour of the city of Antananarivo, with time later in the day to explore further by yourself.

Overnight Le Louvre Hotel, Antananarivo. (Meals: B)

Monday 10th November – departure……. Later this morning you will be transferred to the airport for your Ethiopian Airlines flight back to Addis Ababa, where a connecting flight will take you through to Singapore, and finally with Qantas back to Australia.

J E a c b

Option 1 – stay on in Madagascar to join a planned tour or we will design one for you.

Option 2 – when you return to Ethiopia stop-over for a tour of the ethnic tribal regions of the south, visit Harar, or have a tour designed just for you.

Option 3 – enjoy a Singapore stopover on your way home



“Two Amazing worlds” - 2020

The cost of this tour is made up of two components:

(1) International Airfare – We recommend that you use the combination flight of Qantas/Ethiopian Airlines that travels to Addis via Singapore. For the period of travel of this tour, the lowest airfare is AU$1,950.00 (April 2019) – this will increase as we approach the departure time. It is important to note that by using this airfare you arrive into the country using Ethiopian Airlines and this qualifies you for a discount on the domestic flights. In the price shown below this has been incorporated – ** should you travel into Ethiopia with another airline, then you will need to pay an additional US$365.00 for your tour cost. Please contact us to book your flights and obtain the current best price.

(2) Tour cost. We are quoting this tour in US Dollars. The tour price will be converted from

US Dollars to Australian Dollars at the current NAB Selling Rate on the day of your final payment. The total cost is US $7,985.00 per person sharing. (A single supplement applies for sole use of a room: Supplement = US$1,980.00 , with a very limited number of single rooms available )

The “Tour Cost” includes:-

The complete tour as per the itinerary All Domestic Airfares within Ethiopia (subject to arriving with Ethiopian **) All Domestic Airfares within Madagascar Meals as specified – All meals, except in Addis Ababa & Antananarivo, where it is

breakfast only. All entrance fees as per the itinerary All airport transfers and ground transportation

The “Tour Cost” does not include:

International Airfares – identified above in component 1. Ethiopian Visa (around USD$50.00) + Madagascan Visa (around USD$40.00) Travel Insurance (we have special discounted offers for this tour) Any alcoholic drinks Personal expenses like souvenirs, laundry, etc Photographic fees Tips

Any costs associated with extension “options” mentioned, which are priced individually.

“two amazing worlds” ethiopia & madagascar - 2020...fasiladas, founder of gonder, in 1665....

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