Tropic Air - Ethiopia By Helicopter

From the spectacular Simien Mountains to the Danakil Depression and the rock hewn churches of Tigray there is no better way to explore the wonders of Ethiopia than on this eight-day helicopter safari with Tropic Air

A once-in-a-lifetime adventure giving you the chance to explore a unique country and view breath-taking landscapes, rich cultures, astoundingly beautiful architecture and an abundance of wildlife Ethiopia is a country just waiting to be explored.

1. Fly to Addis Ababa

2. Days 1-2: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

   Starting in Addis Ababa you will meet your guide and pilot and have a day exploring the capital. Be sure to pay a visit to ‘Lucy’; at the National Museum; this is one of the earliest fossil records of human ancestor being bi-pedal and oldest hominid ever found.

   Accommodation: Sheraton Addis (1 night)

3. Days 2-4: Lalibela, Ethiopia

   The next day is when the flying adventure begins. Your expert pilot will fly the helicopter up through the Blue Nile Gorge to the iconic rock churches of Lalibela. With eleven medieval monolithic churches you can easily spend a couple of days exploring these archetypal monuments. We recommend staying at the Mountain View Hotel which offers one of the best views in Lalibela.

   Accommodation: Mountain View Hotel (2 nights)

4. Days 4-7: Hawzen, East Tigrai, Tigrai

   After a couple of days visiting the rock churches we recommend taking the unforgettable flight route along the Tekeze River and all the way up to the historic area of Gheralta.

   Be sure to wake up before sunrise one morning and soar up above the clouds where you will land on top of one of the mountain peaks to witness the sunrise over the mountain range.

   Included in your adventure is to visit the out-of-this-world Danakil Depression. This is a geological depression that has resulted from three tectonic plates and it is among one of the hottest places on earth with an average annual temperature of 37 Degrees Celsius. Flying over this unique environment you will think you are landing on Mars – lurid green acid lakes, volcanoes and endless salt pans cover the earth’s surface. Keep a look out for one of the camel trains which belong to the Afar People as they make their way across the salt pans. Soar over the Etra Ale, an active volcano and see the molten lava bubbling below you. This is unlike anything you have seen before and probably ever will again.

   Accommodation: Gheralta Lodge (3 nights)

5. Days 7-8: Simien Mountains, Ethiopia

   The Simien Mountain Range is the highest mountain range in Ethiopia and home to a number of endangered animals including the rare Ethiopian wolf and the Gelada Baboon. With your knowledgeable pilot and a Euro Copter and your disposal you can spend a few days trying to find these rare creatures and exploring new areas of the mountain range or taking a flight over to the Tigray region famous for these rock-hewn churches which supposedly date back all the way to the 6th or 7th Century.

   Accommodation: Limalimo Lodge (1 night)

6. Days 8-9: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

   Enjoy a morning visit to castles of Gondar then end this adventure with a flight along the Rift Valley and back to Addis Ababa.

   Accommodation: Sheraton Addis (1 night)

7. Fly home from Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa, Lalibela and Hawzen