12-Day Expedition Through Ethiopia’s Untamed Landscapes, Wildlife & Wild Coffee Forests

Discover the Ethiopia that exists beyond the classic tourist routes. There is another Ethiopia waiting to be explored. An Ethiopia of vast wetlands, remote wilderness, ancient forests, wild coffee, rare wildlife and communities whose lives remain closely connected to the land.

Aman Ethiopia: The Hidden Wild is a specialist 12-day expedition designed for travelers who want to experience this lesser-known side of the country.
With a maximum of six guests, the journey is designed around wildlife observation, photography, nature, conservation and authentic cultural encounters.

From the wetlands of Gambella to the dense forests of Masha, the wild coffee landscapes of Kafa, the elephant country of Chebera Churchura, the open savannas of Maze and the Rift Valley lakes around Arba Minch, every stage of the journey reveals a completely different Ethiopia.

THE HIDDEN WILD AT A GLANCE

FIVE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT LANDSCAPES

Gambella wetlands ↓ Mizan & Masha forests ↓ Kafa wild coffee forests ↓ Chebera Churchura wilderness ↓ Maze savanna & Arba Minch Rift Valley

WILDLIFE

Elephants • Buffalo • Lions • Leopards • Hippos • Crocodiles • Swayne’s hartebeest • White-eared kob • Nile lechwe • Zebra • Kudu • Warthog • Hundreds of bird species

CULTURE
Traditional coffee ceremonies • Coffee-growing communities • Local guides • Rural southwestern Ethiopia

PHOTOGRAPHY
Wildlife • Birds • Landscapes • Forests • Coffee • Local life • Golden-hour photography

CONSERVATION
Local park scouts • Protected landscapes • Community connections • Responsible wildlife observation

WHY ONLY SIX GUESTS?

• The Hidden Wild is deliberately limited to a maximum of six travelers. A small group means:
• More space for photography equipment
• Better visibility from the vehicle
• Greater flexibility during wildlife encounters
• More personal interaction with guides
• Less pressure on local communities and environments
• A quieter wilderness experience
• This is designed to feel like an expedition with friends, not a conventional large-group tour.

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL

We believe that visiting remote landscapes comes with responsibility. Throughout the journey, we aim to:

Respect wildlife and maintain appropriate viewing distances. Support local guides, communities and small businesses. Avoid unnecessary disturbance to wildlife and natural habitats. Respect local cultures and traditions. Travel with small groups to reduce our impact. Follow the instructions of park authorities and local conservation teams.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This is a genuine wilderness expedition. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

Gambella and other remote areas can experience seasonal flooding, difficult road conditions and changes in accessibility.

Wildlife movements also change throughout the year. The final route is therefore confirmed according to current road conditions, park access, weather, local security information and guidance from park authorities. Aman Ethiopia Tours & Travel reserves the right to make reasonable adjustments while maintaining the spirit and major experiences of the expedition.

DAY 1: ADDIS ABABA – GAMBELLA

Our expedition begins with a domestic flight from Addis Ababa to Gambella, in western Ethiopia. After arrival, meet your Aman Ethiopia Tours & Travel expedition team and transfer to your accommodation.

Gambella feels very different from the Ethiopian highlands. The landscape is warm and low-lying, shaped by rivers, wetlands, grasslands and seasonal floodplains. After settling in, we take a gentle afternoon excursion around Gambella, depending on local conditions.

This is our first opportunity to photograph the landscape, observe local life and become familiar with the unique environment of western Ethiopia. As evening approaches, the wetlands and surrounding countryside become alive with bird calls and local activity.

Overnight: Gambella

DAY 2: GAMBELLA NATIONAL PARK – WILDLIFE EXPEDITION

We leave early for Gambella National Park, one of Ethiopia’s least-visited major protected areas. The park contains extensive wetlands, floodplains, grasslands and woodland, supporting wildlife rarely encountered elsewhere in the country. Our wildlife search may include:

• White-eared kob
• Nile lechwe
• African buffalo
• African elephant
• Lelwel hartebeest
• Tiang
• Hippopotamus
• Warthog
• Lion
• Leopard
• Numerous wetland and savanna birds.

During the appropriate season, large concentrations of white-eared kob can create spectacular opportunities for wildlife photography. We spend much of the day in the field, allowing enough time to observe animal behavior rather than simply driving from one location to another. The exact route and wildlife areas visited will depend on seasonal conditions, park access and local advice.

Overnight: Gambella

DAY 3 | GAMBELLA – MIZAN – MASHA FOREST – KAFA – BONGA

Today begins a dramatic transformation in the landscape. After breakfast, we leave Gambella and drive toward Bonga, entering the greener highlands of southwestern Ethiopia.

The journey takes us through Mizan, an important coffee-growing area, where we can stop to experience and photograph the surrounding coffee landscapes. From Mizan, we continue toward Masha, travelling through one of the most beautiful and densely forested sections of southwestern Ethiopia. The road gradually disappears into a landscape of thick vegetation, forested hills and rural communities. This is not simply a transfer day.

The journey itself is part of The Hidden Wild. We pass through coffee-growing areas and dense forest landscapes while watching the scenery transform from Gambella’s lowland wetlands into the lush highlands of Kafa. Along the way, we make selected stops for photography, coffee and local interaction when conditions allow. By late afternoon or evening, we arrive in Bonga, the heart of the Kafa region. After settling into our accommodation, enjoy a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony.

Overnight: Bonga

Main experiences: Mizan coffee landscapes • Masha dense forest • Kafa highlands • Scenic photography • Traditional coffee

DAY 4: KAFA BIOSPHERE – WILD COFFEE FOREST

We begin our exploration of Kafa, one of Ethiopia’s most important coffee landscapes. Kafa is closely associated with wild Arabica coffee, with coffee plants growing naturally beneath the forest canopy. Accompanied by a local guide, we walk into the forest to discover the relationship between coffee, biodiversity and local communities.
The forest provides opportunities to photograph:

• Wild coffee plants
• Forest birds
• Monkeys and other primates
• Butterflies and insects
• Native trees and plants
• Streams and waterfalls
• Local people and traditional activities
• Rather than rushing through the forest, we take time to observe the small details that make this ecosystem special.

Later, return to Bonga and enjoy another traditional coffee experience.

Overnight: Bonga

DAY 5: KAFA – COFFEE, FOREST & COMMUNITY

Today is dedicated to experiencing Kafa at a slower pace. We visit a local coffee-growing area and, where possible, meet members of the community involved in traditional coffee production. We learn how coffee is harvested, processed and prepared, and how the forest continues to support local livelihoods. There is also time for birdwatching, photography and forest exploration. For photographers, this day offers an opportunity to move beyond conventional wildlife photography and capture the relationship between people, culture and nature.

In the afternoon, return to Bonga.

Overnight: Bonga

DAY 6 | KAFA – CHEBERA CHURCHURA NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, we leave Kafa and continue toward Chebera Churchura National Park. The scenery changes once again as coffee forests give way to a mixture of woodland, grassland, river systems and wilderness. Chebera Churchura is one of southwestern Ethiopia’s important wildlife areas and is particularly known for its population of African elephants and buffalo.

After arrival, meet the local park team and begin our first exploration. Depending on arrival time and road conditions, we take an afternoon game drive. Possible wildlife

• African elephant
• African buffalo
• Hippopotamus
• Lion
• Leopard
• Bushbuck
• Warthog
• Primates
• Raptors and other birds

Overnight: Chebera Churchura, camping or available park accommodation

DAY 7: CHEBERA CHURCHURA – FULL-DAY WILDLIFE & PHOTOGRAPHY

On Day 7 in Chebera Churchura, we rise before sunrise for a full day of wildlife exploration, taking advantage of the early morning’s cooler temperatures and softer light. We search for elephants, buffalo, antelope, and other wildlife, adjusting our photography schedule based on animal activity and landscape beauty. Additionally, we engage with park scouts and local conservation personnel to gain insights into wildlife protection efforts in remote Ethiopia.Overnight: Chebera Churchura

DAY 8: CHEBERA CHURCHURA – MAZE NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, we leave Chebera Churchura and travel toward Maze National Park. The landscape opens into savanna and grassland, creating a completely different environment from the forests we have just experienced. Maze is particularly important for the Swayne’s hartebeest, one of Ethiopia’s most distinctive and endangered antelopes.

After arrival, we begin an afternoon game drive. The open landscapes and late-afternoon light create excellent opportunities for wildlife and landscape photography.

Overnight: Maze National Park, camping or available accommodation

DAY 9: MAZE – SWAYNE’S HARTEBEEST WILDLIFE EXPEDITION

We leave camp early for a full morning of wildlife exploration. Our main target is Swayne’s hartebeest, but we remain alert for other wildlife. Possible sightings

• Swayne’s hartebeest
• Waterbuck
• Greater kudu
• Lesser kudu
• Warthog
• Buffalo
• Bushpig
• Lion
• Leopard
• Cheetah
• Spotted hyena
• Olive baboon
• Numerous bird species

Our local scout helps us understand animal tracks, movements and the different habitats within the park. After lunch, continue exploring before enjoying the final sunset over the Maze landscape.

Overnight: Maze National Park

DAY 10: MAZE – ARBA MINCH

Wake early for one final game drive through Maze. This is our last opportunity to photograph the wildlife of the park before beginning the journey toward Arba Minch. The landscape gradually changes as we approach the Great Rift Valley. After arrival in Arba Minch, check into our hotel and enjoy a more relaxed evening. After several nights in remote wilderness areas, this is an opportunity to rest, organize photographs and enjoy the comforts of Arba Minch.

Overnight: Arba Minch

DAY 11: NECH SAR NATIONAL PARK & LAKE CHAMO BOAT SAFARI

Today we explore Nech Sar National Park and the spectacular landscape between Lakes Abaya and Chamo. We begin with a wildlife drive through the park’s grasslands and woodland. Possible wildlife includes:

• Burchell’s zebra
• Swayne’s hartebeest
• Grant’s gazelle
• Greater kudu
• Waterbuck
• Warthog
• Baboons and other primates
• Numerous bird species

Later, we take a boat trip on Lake Chamo. The lake is famous for its large Nile crocodiles, which can often be seen resting along the shoreline. We also look for:

• Nile crocodiles
• Hippopotamus
• African fish eagles
• Pelicans
• Herons
• Kingfishers
• Other waterbirds

The boat provides a wonderful opportunity to photograph wildlife from the water and enjoy the surrounding Rift Valley landscape. Return to Arba Minch in the evening.

Overnight: Arba Minch

DAY 12: ARBA MINCH – FINAL MORNING – ADDIS ABABA

Our final morning begins slowly. Depending on your flight schedule, there may be time for a short morning excursion, photography around Arba Minch or a final visit to a local viewpoint. We then transfer to Arba Minch Airport for our domestic flight to Addis Ababa. For international travelers continuing their journey, Aman Ethiopia Tours & Travel can coordinate the airport transfer and onward arrangements. The Hidden Wild ends here, but the memories of Ethiopia’s forests, wetlands, wildlife and people travel home with you. END OF SERVICE!!