Adventurous photo tour through Ethiopia:
in search of the Ethiopian Wolf
As an avid Africa traveler, Ethiopia has been on my bucket list for a long time. A journey to the roof of Africa in search of the world's most rare and endangered canine; the Ethiopian wolf.
This journey started in 2018 through a collaboration with biologist-photographer Bart van Engeldorp Gastelaars to take shape. Bart is passionate about his field and is actively involved in the management and protection of nature areas. In addition, he is also an experience expert for this trip and a good photographer.
In collaboration with the travel specialist for Ethiopia, Yared Tour & Travel, we have put together the following unique journey for you.
Expedition Ethiopia – Adventurous photo tour on the roof of Africa
It is early morning on the high Sanetti Plateau in Ethiopia's Bale Mountains. A light ground frost has strengthened the already largely white vegetation that covers the spectacularly beautiful Afro-alpine heath. The landscape is punctuated by rocky peaks and the tall, charismatic flowering Giant Lobelias.
Suddenly there is movement. A russet colored Ethiopian Wolf appears from behind a ledge and climbs onto one of the rocks. He twists and cries, and is soon joined by three others. The wolves greet each other and then trot right past us. As they disappear toward the rising sun, a boisterous party of Blue-winged Geese soars overhead and a Steppe Eagle, a winter visitor from Central Asia, glides toward us, searching for the ubiquitous grass rats already warming themselves in the sun's rays after the long, cold night.
We are at 4100 meters altitude, this is 'The Roof of Africa', a truly unique place for the nature photographer!
This adventurous journey coincides with the period when the Ethiopian wolves care for the young in their den and will be held in late January - early February 2021.
Together with a small group of a maximum of 6 participants, we will search for the most rare and endangered canine in the world: the endemic Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis). From semi-desert to cloud forest, from primitive camping to luxury lodges: in this journey of contrasts we will gain a lot of impressions. Read on for the full programme.
Highlights of this 11-day photo tour in Ethiopia:
- We visit one of the most diverse areas of Ethiopia: Bale Mountains National Park
- We camp on it Sanetti Plateau: a plateau between 3000 and 4377 meters with the highest all-weather road in Africa. We visit Tullu Dimtu, the 4th highest mountain in Ethiopia. An unforgettable experience!
- We stay in the exclusive Bale Mountain Lodge in the Harenna Forest, the largest cloud forest in Ethiopia
- We will look for the many endemic species of Ethiopia, such as the Ethiopian wolf, mountain nyala, Balemeerkat, giant mole rat, blue-winged goose, Ethiopian lapwing, geel-faced parrot, Catbird Timalia, giant lobelia
- We visit Sekelle Swayne's Hartebeest Sanctuary
- We use 4×4 cars with a guaranteed window seat and privately driver
- By traveling with a small group of a maximum of 6 participants and three guides (Bart, Mike and an experienced local guide), there is the certainty of maximum attention. The escorts rotate among the three 4×4 cars.
- During the adventurous camping nights we have our own cook & camp assistant
- We stay in the various areas for a longer period of time, so that we have plenty of time to work on one alternate portfolio to work, many species to discover and enjoy it landscape too to enjoy
Ethiopia
Ethiopia is a unique and almost undiscovered destination. Ethiopia is home to a rich history, hospitable people, delicious unique cuisine, varied landscapes and species found nowhere else in the world. Ethiopia is located in East Africa and is approximately 27 times larger than the Netherlands and 36 times larger than Belgium. It borders Eritrea, Djibouti to the north, Somalia to the east, Kenya to the south, and South Sudan and Sudan to the west. The capital of Ethiopia is Addis Ababa. The language is Amharic and the currency is Birr. 55% of the population consider themselves to be Christianity and 43% to Islam. Many Christians belong to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
Unique nature
Nature in Ethiopia is one of contrasts. Via the Great Rift Valley we travel to the highlands of Bale Mountains National Park. Bale Mountains National Park covers about 2150 square kilometers and is located about 400km southeast of Addis Ababa. Here we will look for photogenic chameleons and the mountain nyalas present there. On the high plains around 4100 meters such as the Web Valley and Sanetti Plateau we see a unique aromontane ecosystem with herbs and lichen vegetation, red hot poker and up to six meters high giant lobelia, rodents such as the giant mole rat and an oh so beautiful top predator: the Ethiopian wolf. This canid is only found in Ethiopia and the largest population (± 450 individuals) can be found in Bale Mountains.
Then we descend to the Harenna Forest, a cloud forest that, in addition to a beautiful vegetation, is home to numerous bird species such as the white-cheeked turaco and silver-eared hornbill and mammals such as the eastern colobus monkey and the giant forest hog. There are even lions, leopards and hyenas and maybe even wild dogs. mind you, a sighting of one of these latter species would be very special!
The best way to experience this area is by setting up mobile campsites. This makes this trip so unique because it allows us to stay as close as possible to the best photo spots and minimize travel times.
Er is volledige ondersteuning van een camp-crew als bijvoorbeeld, kok assistent e.d., maar enige flexibiliteit wordt verwacht. Zo slapen we in onze slaapzakken op matrassen en kan het ’s avonds flink afkoelen. Na onze overnachtingen in het veld, komen we weer helemaal bij met een verblijf van twee nachten in de exclusieve Bale Mountain lodge.
The journey
This unique photo and nature tour has been put together in such a way that we will experience this part of Ethiopia in a magnificent and very personal way. During this journey we encounter numerous rare and endemic species. That makes the trip interesting for both nature photographers and nature lovers. The local language is English, so international participants are also very welcome.
We camp in Bale Mountains within the park itself at adventure sites. At all camping sites, but also at Bale Mountain Lodge, there is a good chance that animals visit the camp / lodge. When camping we enjoy the darkness in the Web Valley and the Sanetti Plateau with only some light from the moon and the campfire. A wonderful way to enjoy (and photograph) the starry sky! A pure experience and an experience you will never forget!
You will be guided by Mike Muizebelt (nature photographer and Africa specialist) and Bart van Engeldorp Gastelaars (biologist and nature photographer). Together with the professional local guide, they provide the tour guide, tell you more about nature and culture and help you take even better photos.
During the trip, all photographic techniques that we use will be amply discussed. We are happy to share our years of experience with photography with you.
Part of this trip is of course also a meet & greet in Voorschoten, where we will prepare you well for the trip through an extensive briefing.
Itinerary from day to day
- January 29, 2021: Departure from Amsterdam and arrival in Addis Ababa.
- January 30, 2021: VDeparture to Bale Mountains NP via the Rift Valley.
- January 31, 2021: Webb Valley–BMNP
- February 1, 2021: Webb Valley–BMNP
- February 2, 2021 : Sanetti Plateau–BMNP
- February 3, 2021 : Sanetti Plateau – BMNP
- February 4, 2021 : Harenna Forest–BMNP
- February 5, 2021 : Harenna forest – BMNP
- February 6, 2021 : Sankele Sanctuary
- February 7, 2021 : Return journey and evening flight to Amsterdam
- February 8, 2021: arrival Amsterdam
Bookings and Information
This adventurous nature and photo tour to Ethiopia focuses mainly on wildlife, the landscapes and the combination between rough camping and occasional relaxation in luxury lodges.
We use four 4×4 cars with driver, with plenty of space and a private window seat for each participant. Bart, Mike and the local guide rotate over the cars, so that we can serve everyone equally. The structure of the trip makes it suitable for both nature lovers and photographers of all levels. The fourth is used for the crew and part of our luggage.
Due to the travel pace, some camping conditions and the altitude, this trip is particularly suitable for travelers from a normal fitness level.
The price of this unique trip is € 4450 pp and a maximum of 6 people can join this unforgettable trip (the trip takes place from 5 participants).
This price is based on single occupation. Unlike many trips, you don't have to share a tent or room! Are you traveling with your partner? Then of course we will make sure that you share your accommodation!
Bookings are made through Yared Tours & Travel. A deposit is required to reserve a spot on this unique nature and photo tour.
Included
- All accommodations
- Transport in a 4×4 vehicle with a guaranteed window seat
- All regular meals and drinks (alcohol is not served during the altitude camping sessions due to possible altitude sickness)
- Continuous photographic guidance and assessments of results on a regular basis
- Explanation and insight into the ecosystem we travel through. This is translated into an image report so that you can tell a complete story after this trip
- Services of a locally registered and experienced (English speaking) guide
- All entrance fees and excursions as described in the itinerary
- Transfer from and to Addis Abbeba airport
Exclusive
- International flights and any airport taxes (± € 500)
- Sleeping bag & pillow
- Visa costs (± € 50)
- All meals not included in the detailed itinerary
- Tips
- Items of a personal nature (telephone charges, souvenirs, medicines, etc.).
- Travel and cancellation insurance
Comments
- All items and services are subject to availability at the time of going ahead with this trip. In consultation we can move to other accommodation.
- We cannot guarantee that we will see and photograph the Ethiopian wolf. After all, they are wild animals and there is always chance in the game. However, Bale Mountains is home to the largest population of wolves in Ethiopia and we're going to the best places to see them. Last time we saw and photographed 20 wolves in 4 days
- Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in Africa. Tourism in this region is often still in its infancy. Our trip contributes both to the socio-economic development of the area and protection of the park by hiring as many local people and services as possible. However, the quality of accommodations, catering and services may differ from what you may be used to. We assume that you understand this.
- The Terms and Conditions of Yared Tour & Travel apply to this trip.
All images ©www.picturingwildlife.com
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Would you rather go to a more traditional African destination? Also for photo trips to, for example Botswana or Namibia I am happy to serve you.
