Day 1: Arrival in Gambela & Afternoon Game Drive

Begin your adventure with a transfer from your hotel in Addis Ababa to Bole International Airport for your journey to Gambela. On arrival, meet your local guide and driver and transfer to your hotel in Gambela town. After check-in and lunch, relax before your first wildlife experience.

In the afternoon, enter Gambela National Park for a game drive through its northern and central areas. Explore open grasslands, wetlands, woodlands, and seasonal floodplains while looking for topi, Lelwel hartebeest, waterbuck, buffalo, and elephant. With patience and favorable conditions, you may also encounter lion or leopard. Return to Gambela town for dinner and overnight.

Day 2: White-Eared Kob, Nile Lechwe & Local Culture

Rise early for a wildlife-focused game drive when temperatures are cooler and animals are more active. Explore areas associated with the seasonal movement of white-eared kob, one of Gambela’s most spectacular wildlife experiences. During the appropriate season, large concentrations may gather across the open plains.

Continue exploring the park in search of Nile lechwe and other wildlife adapted to the region’s wetlands and grasslands. Your guide will help identify wildlife and adjust the route according to current animal activity and local conditions.

In the afternoon, visit a nearby community for a cultural experience. Meet local people and learn about traditional lifestyles, livelihoods, food, and daily life among the Anuak and Nuer communities. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Gambela Market, Italian Fort & Departure

After breakfast, explore Gambela town and visit the local market to observe everyday life and discover regional products and handmade items. Continue to the historic Italian Fort, offering insight into Gambela’s colonial-era history and the region’s past.

Depending on your departure schedule, enjoy free time for a final walk, local coffee, or relaxation before lunch at the hotel or a local restaurant.

Later, transfer to Gambela Airport for your onward journey to Addis Ababa. On arrival, continue by transfer to your hotel or Bole International Airport for your international departure.

Wildlife Note: Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed and vary with season, weather, water levels, animal movements, and local conditions. The white-eared kob migration is seasonal, so the best opportunities depend on your travel dates.