21/05/2017
About Us
Our Story
African Unity Tours Ethiopia officially opened its doors for operation in 20017, founded by an Addis Ababa. Combining their personal and professional travel experience, they formed African Unity Tours Ethiopia to bring the fascinating history and culture of Ethiopia to the world. From modest beginnings, our company focused on providing unique experiences, through tailor-made programs and personalized service. With an emphasis on quality and professional service we have quickly risen within the ranks of tourism service providers within Ethiopia and are constantly evolving with this vibrant, flourishing industry. As Ethiopia and its tourism sector develop, we are excited to bring new, innovative experiences to our guests.
Our Staff
Our staff bring many years of professional and personal travel experience to ensure every booking is handled with excellence and professionalism. We are truly dedicated to providing quality service and expert knowledge to our clients, from the initial point of contact through the end of their stay and often long after they have returned to their home country.
Our office staff is a group of young, vibrant people who will assist you with all of your pre-trip planning needs. Once on the road, you will be lead by our excellent field staff who are a wealth of knowledge and work in a myriad of ways to ensure an unforgettable experience. Our fleet of 4WD vehicles, minibuses and Coaster buses will meet the needs of any group size. Our vehicles are driven by professional Ethiopian driver/guides with expert knowledge in their country. All drivers are well-trained and English-speaking and make wonderful travel companions for our guests. For larger groups, we have a large staff of well-trained guides with proficiency in a variety of languages, including French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian and Czech.
Our Values
Our values are simple and are focused on the client experience and the impact and contribution to Ethiopian society and development.
We appreciate that every opportunity to travel and experience new cultures is a privilege that must be cherished. We are committed to ensuring unforgettable experiences and professional service.
We believe that tourism should benefit the local communities of a destination. To that effect, we support community-based tourism projects and organizations that focus on societal development.
Our Services
We offer personalized service in order to meet your specific needs. We have welcomed many different types of visitors to Ethiopia including individuals, groups, business travelers, photographers, student groups, volunteers, and meeting & conference organizers. The services we offer include, but are not limited to:
Vehicle hire with driver
Domestic/International flight bookings
Hotel reservations
Transfer service from &to
Professional guide service in English, Spanish, Italian, German, French, Russian, Czech and other languages on request
Event Organize
Community-based & traveler's philanthropy tourism experiences
Our Memberships
We are legally licensed and registered with the Ethiopian Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
ETOA logo
We are proud members of the Ethiopian Tour Operators Association. We have been a member since 2009 under certificate number ETOA/070/09.
ASTA logo We have been a member of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) since 2017. ASTA is the world's largest association of travel professionals.
EAE logo The Ecotourism Association of Ethiopia is a pioneer in promoting sustainable tourism opportunities within Ethiopia. We have been a member since 2017
Gondwana DMCs logo
Gondwana DMCs is a network of first class destination management companies and tour operators from around the world. Each representative is carefully selected based on their committment to offering expert travel advice, creative itineraries and personalized service. We have been the Ethiopian representative for Gondwana DMCs since 2017.
Complete list of Gondwana DMCs members
The Ethiopia Travelers Philanthropy Fund was started to give visitors the opportunity to give back to Ethiopia in a responsible way. The initiative was introduced by the USAID-funded Ethiopia Sustainable Tourism Alliance in conjunction with Sustainable Travel International. The program supports sustainable tourism development by connecting travelers to projects that improve the environment, boost local incomes, and enhance the destination for future visitors. The program was offficially launched in June 2017. We are happy to be one of a few select supporting tour operators bringing this experience to you.
About Ethiopia
Truly a land of contrasts, from the cool peaks of the Simien Mountains to the searing desert of the Danakil Depression, from the historical northern highlands to the wild free-roaming southern regions, Ethiopia remains a unique destination within Africa and the world.
History in Ethiopia begins with her most famous ancestor, Lucy, who roamed these lands some 3.2 million years ago. The rise of the Axumited Empire in the 1st century BC usually marks the beginning of relatively modern Ethiopian history.
With Christianity introduced to this geographically and culturally isolated country in the 4th century, one can’t help while watching the colorful Orthodox celebrations to realize that these acts of faith and devotion are likely as close to the most original form of Christianity as is present in the world today.
Along with a vibrant history come magical stories and legends that define Ethiopia’s legacy. Join us and discover the richness of Ethiopia’s tradition.
Gheralta Landscapes
Interesting Facts about Ethiopia
Geography
The area of Ethiopia is 1,104,300 sq. km, which makes it approximately as big as France and Spain combined.
The capital of Ethiopia is Addis Ababa, which means "new flower" in Amharic. The altitude is 2,355m (7,726 ft), making it the 3rd highest capital city in the world. It is also the diplomatic capital of Africa.
More than 70% of Africa's mountains are found in Ethiopia. Probably due to the high altitude in the country, Ethiopians are famous for being great long distance runners.
Lake Tana is the source of the Blue Nile River, which meets the White Nile River in Sudan to form the Great Nile River. Lake Tana supplies 85% of the water to the Great Nile River.
The Danakil Depression is home to one of the lowest points on the African continent - Dallol, at 116m below sea level - and one of the only lava lakes in the world - at Erta Ale volcano.
The Great Rift Valley, the most significant physical detail on the planet that is visible from space, cuts through Ethiopia from the northeast to the south of the country
Culture
There are more than 80 different ethnic groups in Ethiopia with just as many languages and over 200 dialects are spoken throughout the country.
Ethiopia is the only country in Africa with its own unique script.
Ethiopia claims to hold the Ark of the Covenant as well as a piece of the True Cross on which Jesus was crucified.
Ethiopia is known as the Cradle of Mankind, with some of the earliest ancestors found buried in the soil. Lucy (3.5 million years old), the most famous fossils found, were unearthed in Hadar.
Ethiopia remains one of the only nations in Africa never to be colonized. It was occupied briefly by the Italians from 1936 to 1941.
Ethiopia is home to 9 UNESCO World Heritage sites, more than any other country in Africa.
Time
Ethiopia follows the Julian calendar consisting of 12 months of 30 days each and a 13th month of 5 or 6 days. It is roughly 7 and a half years behind the Gregorian calendar.
The Ethiopian fiscal year begins on 8 July and the Ethiopian new year begins on 11 September (12 September in leap years). Ethiopians will ring in the year 2005 on 11 September, 2012.
As with many equatorial countries, the sun dictates time in Ethiopia. The sunrise marks the beginning of the day and the sunset marks the end of the day. What most of the world would call 7:00, Ethiopians would call 1:00. Both noon and midnight are 6:00 in Ethiopia.
Food & Drink
Coffee, one of the world's most popular beverages, was discovered in Ethiopia, in the region of Kaffa.
Ethiopia has the largest per capital density of cattle in Africa and the 10th largest in the world.
Teff, the grain used to make the Ethiopian staple injera, is an ancient grain believed to have originated in Ethiopia between 4000BC and 1000BC. It is the smallest grain in the world and is rich in calcium, phosphorous, iron, copper, aluminum, barium and thiamine and is a good source of protein, amino acids, carbohydrates and fiber. It is a great gluten-free option.
Religion
Ethiopia is the home of the Black Jews, known as the Falashas, or Beta Israel.
Ethiopia adopted Christianity in the 4th century, making it one of the oldest Christian nations in the world.
Islam also appeared early in Ethiopia, during the time of Mohammed, when his followers fled persecution in Arabia and sought refuge in Ethiopia.
Emperor Haile Selassie, the last emperor of Ethiopia, is worshipped by Rastafarians as a devine being. In fact, their name comes from Haile Selassie's birth name, Ras Tafari, which means "Prince Tafari".
Nature
There are 279 species of mammals found in Ethiopia, of which 5 are critically endangered, 8 are endangered, 27 are vulnerable and 12 are near-threatened. There are 31 endemic mammal species found in Ethiopia.
There are 924 species of birds found in Ethiopia, making Ethiopia a bird-watchers paradise. Of these, 23 species are endemic to Ethiopia.
There are 175 species of fish found in Ethiopia, 40 of which are endemic.
The gelada baboon is, in fact, not a baboon, but an old world monkey often classified in its own genus. They are the last surviving species of ancient grazing primates that were once widespread. They have a complex social system where women are dominant. The patch of skin on their chest becomes bright red on females when they are most fertile. Young males form bachelor groups and older males serve as grandfatherly figures, looking after the young. They can be found in large groups, sometimes up to 800 or more, particularly when there is food to be found.
Itineraries in "Addis Ababa" Region
2 Days Awash National Park
A short overnight trip to Awash National Park.
Day Trips from Addis Ababa
Various 1-day trips from Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa City Tour
Full day tour of Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa.
2-Day trips from Addis Ababa
Various 2-day trips from Addis Ababa, requiring an overnight outside the city.
2-Day trips from Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa
Summary:
Various 2-day trips from Addis Ababa, requiring an overnight outside the city.
Awassa
Day 1
Depart south from Addis Ababa via Butajira. On the way you will visit the archeological sites of Tiya (ancient stelae field and UNESCO World Heritage Site), Adadi Maryam (a rock-hewn church similar to those in Lalibela) and Melka Kunture (pre-historic tool-making site). Final destination for the day is Awassa. Overnight in Awassa (hotel).
Day 2
After breakfast, visit the local fish market on the shores of Lake Awassa. Afterwards, take a boat trip on the lake to visit the hippos. Finally, return north to Addis Ababa. Time permitting, you may visit the Abiatta-Shala National Park. Lake Shala, with its deep blue waters is the deepest lake in Ethiopia at 236m. Lake Abiatta is a soda lake at which thousands of flamingos can be seen at various times of the year.
Archeological Sites/Lake Langano/Lake Ziway*
Day 1
Depart south from Addis Ababa via Butajira. On the way you will visit the archeological sites of Tiya (ancient stelae field and UNESCO World Heritage Site), Adadi Maryam (a rock-hewn church similar to those in Lalibela) and Melk Kunture (pre-historic tool-making site). Final destination for the day is Lake Langano. Overnight in Lake Langano (camping or lodge).
Day 2
Early morning, depart from Lake Langano for a short trip north to Lake Ziway. After a brief morning hike, depart north to Lake Ziway. . Here you will take a boat trip on Lake Ziway to the island of Tullo Gudo. The island hosts the church of Maryam Tsion which, according to tradition, once housed the Ark of the Covenant to hide it from invaders. After the visit, return to shore, enjoying the bountiful birdlife on this lake and possibly some hippos. Return to Addis Ababa late afternoon.
Debre Zeit/Mt. Zuquala
Day 1
Depart from Addis for a short drive to Debre Zeit, home to several crater lakes and a popular weekend getaway spot for Addis Ababa residents. You can spend the day visiting the lakes or doing some light hiking (circling Lake Hora takes 1 ½ hours). The area is very popular for birdwatching. There are several lake-side establishments for lunch and even a spa. Overnight in Debre Zeit (hotel or lodge).
Day 2
After breakfast, depart for a visit to Mt. Zuqualla, an extinct volcano that offers beautiful views of the surrounding areas. Here you can visit the monastery of Mt. Zuqualla Maryam, which may date back as far as the 4th century. The nearby crater-lake is considered holy by the monks of the monastery. Return to Addis Ababa in the afternoon.
Lake Wenchi*/Menagesha Forest
Day 1
Early morning departure to Lake Wenchi. Here you can do some horseback riding or hiking around this stunning crater lake and/or a boat trip on the lake to visit the island monastery of Cherkos and the hot springs. Overnight in Woliso (lodge).
Day 2
After breakfast, drive to the Menagesha National Forest for some hiking. Here you will enjoy the wildlife, such as the colobus monkeys and endemic Menelik’s bushbuck, as well as birds, including the endemic Ethiopian oriole and Abyssinian woodpecker. After the visit, return to Addis Ababa in the afternoon.
Awash National Park
Day 1
Depart east from Addis Ababa to Awash National Park. In the evening you will have a chance to do a short game drive to see the local wildlife, such as oryx, baboons, greater and lesser kudu, warthogs, gazelles, colubus monkeys. Additionally, you’d be very lucky to see leopards, lions, and other cats. The landscapes in the park are beautiful, looking over the Awash Gorge. Overnight in Awash National Park (lodge or camping).
Day 2
Early morning, take a drive in the park to witness the park as it wakes up. Afterwards, depart from Awash, returning to Addis Ababa. On the way you can stop in Sodere to take a shower in the therapeutic hot springs waters.
*An asterisk denotes a community-based tourism initiative. By visiting these sites, you are directly supporting the local community.
7-Day Simien
This 7-day trek in the Simien Mountains brings you to the peak of Ras Dashen - the highest point in Ethiopia.
4-Day Simien Mountains Trek
This 4-day trek in the Simien Mountains takes you to the highlights of the Simien Mountains National Park.
7 Days North - Bahir Dar, Gondar, Lalibela
Overland trip visiting Bahir Dar, Gondar and Lalibela
10 Days North - The Historical Route
Overland trip visiting the main sites in The Historical Route - Bahir Dar, Gondar, Axum and Lalibela
6 Days Historical Route by Air
Visit the main historical sites in the north of Ethiopia - Bahir Dar, Gondar, Axum & Lalibela in 6 days using domestic flights.
12 Days North including the Simien Mountains
This 12-day program visits the main historical sites and the stunning Simien Mountains.
7-Day Simien Mountains trek and back to Addis then departure at mid-night
we thank you for Visited us !!!!!!
