Family · Cultural · Private
Northern Ethiopia for Families
Castles, boats, monkeys and churches with tunnels — the north at a pace that works for children.
The Journey
8 nights, designed around the hours that matter
The great northern sites, reshaped for families: domestic flights instead of long drives, lodges rather than tents, and days that mix one big sight with plenty of time to play. Children meet gelada monkeys a few metres away, explore a real castle, ride a boat to an island monastery and walk the tunnels between Lalibela's churches.
Places
- Addis Ababa
- Lake Tana
- Gondar
- Simien Mountains
- Lalibela
Tailor-made journey
Priced to your plans
Quoted individually once we know your dates, lodges and group size.
- Duration
- 9 Days · 8 nights
- Best season
- Oct – Mar
- Group size
- Families of 3 – 8
- Style
- Family · Cultural · Private
Final pricing depends on season, room category and group size. No deposit is taken until the itinerary is right.
Day by Day
The itinerary, as it usually runs
A working draft rather than a fixed schedule — we move days around for weather, festivals and how you are feeling.
Day 1
Arrive Addis Ababa
Private transfer and an easy afternoon — then meet Lucy, the 3.2-million-year-old ancestor, at the National Museum.
Days 2 – 3
Bahir Dar & Lake Tana
A short flight north, a private boat to an island monastery, and a walk to the Blue Nile Falls across an old stone bridge.
Day 4
Gondar's castles
Up to Gondar to explore the royal enclosure — six castles to run around, and Fasilides' Bath.
Days 5 – 6
The Simien rim
Two nights at an escarpment lodge, with short walks to watch gelada monkeys graze a few metres away and views over the edge of the world.
Days 7 – 8
Lalibela
A flight to Lalibela, the rock-hewn churches and the trench passages that connect them, and an injera and coffee afternoon with a local family.
Day 9
Departure
A flight back to Addis Ababa for your journey home.
What Is Included
- All domestic flights, so no day has a long drive
- A private vehicle and a family-experienced guide
- Family rooms or connecting rooms at every lodge
- A private boat on Lake Tana
- An injera and coffee afternoon with a local family
- Breakfast daily and most dinners
Not Included
- International flights and Ethiopian visa fees
- Travel insurance (required)
- Drinks, snacks and personal spending
Enquire
Make Northern Ethiopia for Families yours
Send us your dates and we will confirm availability, quote precisely, and suggest the two or three changes we would make if it were our own trip.
Runs Oct – Mar · Families of 3 – 8 · priced to your plans
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Speak With a Designer
Questions before you enquire?
Altitude, road time, how hard the walking really is, whether the children will cope. Ask us anything — a designer will answer honestly.
Or call us directly on +1909-450-7246