Wildlife journeys
Tracking elephants on foot with park scouts through the forests and grasslands of Ethiopia’s least-visited national park.
Overview
Chebera Churchura was a hunting area until it became a national park in 2005. Since then its elephants have multiplied, to several hundred by recent park counts. They move between riverine forest, woodland and tall grass in the Omo-Gibe basin, along with buffalo, hippo, waterbuck and greater kudu.
There are no crowds and few vehicles. You walk with armed park scouts, follow fresh tracks, and sometimes hear the herd before you see it. Thick cover means sightings are earned, not guaranteed. Roads are long and the lodge is simple, which is the price of having a park like this nearly to yourself.
Itinerary
Your guide meets you at Bole International Airport for the morning flight to Jimma. From there a 4x4 heads south through Chida and Ameya on rough roads into Dawro and Konta country. You reach the park in the afternoon and register with the scouts.
You set out at first light with armed scouts to read the tracks and dung of the night’s herds. The day mixes walking and slow drives, with hippos in the lakes and a hot spring in the forest. Lunch in the shade, then out again as the heat drops.
One more early drive, when the animals are moving. Then the long road north to Jimma, through farmland and forest. Dinner in a comfortable hotel after two nights in the bush.
In the morning you visit the 19th-century wooden palace of King Abba Jifar II on the hill above Jimma, once the seat of the kingdom of Jimma. Afternoon flight to Addis Ababa and transfer to your hotel or international flight.
Itineraries can change with weather, road and flight conditions. We will tell you promptly if they do.
Gallery
Photo: Unsplash
Good to know
Dress code: Long sleeves and trousers in green, brown or khaki for walks; nothing bright or white.
This tour follows the Strict policy. Days are whole calendar days before departure.
| When you cancel | What you get back |
|---|---|
| 30 or more days before departure | 50% refund |
| Fewer than 30 days before departure | No refund |
A non-refundable USD 150 per traveller (domestic flights) is deducted before these percentages are applied.
Questions
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