Historic Route
Duration: 10 Nights / 11 Days
By Surface
• Day 01: Arrival in Addis Ababa, and Half Day City tour
• Day 02: Drive Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar, en route visit Deber Libanos monastery. Overnight hotel
• Day 03: Visit the Blue Nile Falls and afternoon boat trip on Lake Tana, visit Island monasteries. Overnight hotel
• Day 04: Drive Bahir Dar to Gondar, and visit Fassiledes castles and Debre Birhan Sellassie Church. Overnight hotel
• Day 05: Drive Gondar to Axum. Overnight hotel
• Day 06: Visit the mysterious monolithic stelea and the city’s museum. Overnight hotel
• Day 07: Drive Axum to Mekele, en route visiting Yeha and Debre-Damo Monastery. Overnight hotel
• Day 08: Drive Mekele to Lalibela through the dramatic highland scenery. Overnight hotel
• Day 09: Full day visit to the rock-hewn churches of Laibela. Overnight hotel
• Day 10: Drive Lalibela to Kombolcha.Overnight hotel
• Day 11: Drive Kombolcha to Addis, enjoy the night and then departure
Historic Route
Duration: 14 Nights / 15 Days
By Surface
• Day 01: Arrival in Addis Ababa and Half day city tour. Overnight hotel
• Day 02: Drive Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar, en route visit Debre-Libanos Monastrery. Overnight hotel
• Day 03: Morning, visit the Blue Nile Falls and afternoon boat trip on Lake Tana to visit the Island Monasteries. Overnight hotel
• Day 04: Drive to Gondar, and in the afternoon, visit the Fassiledes castles and the marvelous Debre Birhan Sellassie Church. Overnight hotel
• Day 05: Drive to the Semien Mountain National Park, visit the dramatic scenery, fauna and flora. Overnight camping
• Day 06: continue trekking at the national park. Overnight camping.
• Day 07: Third day stay of the central part of the national park and return back to Debark. Overnight hotel
• Day 08: Drive Debark to Axum. Overnight hotel
• Day 09: Visit the mysterious monolithic stelea and the city’s museum. Overnight hotel
• Day 10: Drive to Mekele, en route visiting Yeha and Debre-Damo monastery. Overnight hotel
• Day 11: Drive Mekele to Lalibela through the dramatic highland scenery. Overnight hotel
• Day 12: Full day visit at the rock- hewn churches of Lalibela. Overnight hotel
• Day 13: Excursion with riding mule to visit the churches found out of Lalibela. Overnight hotel
• Day 14: Drive back to via kombolcha Over night hotel
• Day 15: Drive to Addis Ababa and Evening departure
Historic Route
Duration: 7 Nights / 8 Days
By Air
• Day 01: Arrive Addis Ababa and Half day city tour. Overnight hotel
• Day 02: Fly to Bahir Dar, Visit the city’s colorful Market and Bezait palace, and also the majestic Blue Nile Falls. Overnight hotel
• Day 03: Boat trip on Lake Tana to visit monasteries, afternoon drive to Gondar. Overnight hotel
• Day 04: Visit of Fasil castle, Debre Birhan Sellassie Church and the Falashia village. Overnight hotel
• Day 05: Fly to Axum and visit the stelea park, ruins of queen Sheba’s palace and St. Mary of Zion church. Overnight hotel
• Day 06: Fly to Lalibela and visit the first group of the rock-hewn churches. Overnight hotel
• Day 07: Visit the rest of the churches and make an excursion out of the city of Lalibela. Overnight hotel
• Day 08: Fly back to Addis Ababa, city tour and visit of Ethiopian traditional restaurants. Departure
Historic route
Duration: 16 days/15nights
By surface
•Day 1: Arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Air port Meet and greet you Zelalem Tours representative at exit of luggage claim and transfer you to the hotel. Overnight stay in the Jupiter hotel.
•Day 2: City tour in Addis Ababa. Addis Ababa is the third highest capital of the world on an altitude of 2300-2500 m. with a pleasant climate and a background of green with eucalyptus trees covered mountains. The city is founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II and Queen Taitu. Visit Entoto Mountains, with very nice view over the capital, the National/Ethnographic museum, St George church and the Merkato, biggest open air market in Africa. Overnight stay in the Jupitor hotel.
•Day 3: Drive to Debre Markos 325km asphalt road On this day you start your tour to North Ethiopia. En route you can visit one of Ethiopia’s most holy sites: the Debre Libanos monastery founded in the 13th century by priest Tekla Haimanot, today one of Ethiopia’s most renowned saints. Continuing on from Debre Libanos to the main route, the road dropping more than 1000m, gradually winds down to the bottom of the Blue Nile Gorge, which is comparable in scale to American’s Grand Canyon cited to be the largest canyon in Africa. Overnight stay in Tilq Hotel.
•Day 4: Drive to Bahir dar; to the Shores of Lake Tana 260km asphalt road. You drive through the plain landscape of Gojjam land, well-known for its Teff productivity. Upon arrival having a lunch drive to Tis Isat (smoking of Fire); Since a dam has been built upstream, the waterfall is reduced a little. Also the walk to the waterfall is nice and you can enjoy nature and watch birds. Overnight stay in Homeland Hotel.
•Day 5: Visit the Island monasteries of Lake Tana. Make a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit the medieval period island monasteries such as; Kibran Gabriel (only for men), Entos and on the Zegien peninsula visit Ura Kidan Mehiret, Azuwa Mariam, Mahal Giorgis. In afternoon make free time. Overnight stay in Homeland Hotel.
•Day 6: City tour in Gondar. After having breakfast drive to Gondar, 180km asphalt road via a scenic route and marvelous landscape and Visit the Royal Enclosure that is surrounded by high stone walls containing the 17th century palaces of King Fassiladas, King Iyasu and Queen Mentewab and different other buildings. Visit also Fasiladas’ Bath, (that is filled with water for the important Timkat (epiphany) ceremony once a year). Having a lunch in afternoon visit the rectangular Debre Brehan Selassie (Trinity at the Mount of Light) has a ceilings decorated with beautiful winged Angels. Depending on the time you can visit also Kweskwam Complex which is a royal compound built by the Empress Mentewab. Inside the palace look out the figures of crosses and Ethiopian characters and animals, such as St Samuel riding his lion. Overnight stay in the Florida Hotel.
•Day 7: Drive to Debarq, 100km gravel road to visit the Simien Mountains National Park. Finish formalities at the Head Quarter of the park at Debarq and continue to drive another 20km then make a short walk/trek. O/n stay inside the park at Simen Lodge or drive back to Debarq.
•Day 8: Drive to Axum. Today you drive in a very scenic route, first take the zig-zag road of Lima Limu with many hairpins and crossing a rough mountain landscape. Later you descend in to the impressive Takezze River gorge. Overnight stay in Sabean Hotel.
•Day 9: City tour in Axum. Axum is a town with impressive monuments that testify of the rich and glorious past of the mighty Kingdom of Axum (1-700 A.D.). And the town also recorded in UNESCO lists as a World Heritage Site. Upon arrival check in hotel then start to make a visit to the famous Axumi’s stelae, St. Mary of Zion church (which supposed to house the Ark of Covenant) and archeological museum, the ruins palace of Queen Sheba so called Dungur & palace. Outside Axum you can visit also the tombs of Kings Kaleb & Gebre Meskel dating to 6th century. They are a great example of the sheer sophistication of Axumite architecture and building techniques. Overnight stay in Sabean Hotel.
•Day 10: Drive to Hawzen via Adigrat. On the way you can visit Ethiopia’s earliest known capital city of Yeha which is considered as the birthplace of the country’s earliest civilization. Its single most remarkable antiquity is the well-preserved walls of the 12m-high stone temple of the moon that is thought to be over 2500 years old. Another possible excursion is to Debre Damo monastery (only accessible for men). The Debre Damo Monastery is built on the flat- topped mountain of Debre Damo. The monastery is only accessible by climbing a rope which hangs down from a perpendicular rock, an adventure in itself! Overnight stay in Gheralta Lodge.
•Day 11: Visit the Rock-hewn Churches of Tigray and drive to Mekelle. You can visit 1 or 2 Churches some of the most beautiful medieval Churches on impressive viewpoints are Abuna Yemata Guh, Debre Maryam Korkor or Abreha we Atsheba church, which are all situated near to the road between Mekele and Hawzen. You have to climb rather steep to reach this Churches so take good walking shoes. In Mekelle visit the 17th century palace-museum of Emperor Yohannes IV. Overnight stay in Axum Hotel, Mekelle.
•Day 12: Drive to Lalibela. Lalibela and its rock-hewn church are thought, to date the 12th and 13th century during King Lalibela reign. The churches are remarkable since they are entirely freed from the rock, refined and concentrated in small land. Overnight stay in Mountain View hotel.
•Day 13: Visit the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, so called eighty wonder of the world. Start to visit the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela which are clustered in to three different places separated by River Jordan. Today visit the first and the third groups of churches. O/n stay in Lalibela. Overnight stay in Mountain View Hotel. Day 14: Continue sightseeing around and in Lalibela. Make excursion to visit Asheton Mariam by mule or drive to 45km gravel road North of Lalibela to visit Yemrehan Christos church. In afternoon continue to visit the second groups of churches. Overngight stay in Mountain View Hotel.
•Day 15: Drive to Kombolcha. On this day also will you enjoy the mountainous landscape and splendid views on your way to Kombolcha. En route near to Dessie you can visit lovely Lake Hayk and its 13th Century Istafanos monastery, which is only accessible for men. Overnight stay in Sunnyside Hotel.
•Day 16: Drive to Addis Ababa and flight back home.Today you will last minute shopping in Merkato or in the numerous souvenir shops near Churchill road, to visit art galleries. Late in afternoon have a fare-well dinner then check in for flight back home.
Duration: 11nights /12days
By Air
•Day 1: Arrival at Addis Ababa and transfer to your hotel.
•Day 2: Flight to Axum and drive to the 5th century B.C. temple at Yeha. Overnight hotel in Adwa.
•Day 3: Explore the historic town of Axum. Overnight hotel.
•Day 4: Flight to Lalibela and visit the rock-hewn churches. Overnight hotel.
•Day 5: A.M. Mule excursion to one of the rock-hewn churches out of town. P.M. Explore the rest of the rock-hewn churches in Lalibela. Overnight hotel.
•Day 6: Flight to Gondar and explore the 17th century castles and monastery. Overnight hotel.
•Day 7: Drive to the Simien Mountains National Park. Overnight lodge or camping.
•Day 8: Drive back to Gondar. Overnight hotel.
•Day 9: Drive to Bahirdar and explore the lake-side town. Overnight hotel.
•Day 10: A.M. Excursion to the Blue Nile Falls and P.M. boat trip on Lake Tana to the island monasteries. Overnight hotel.
•Day 11: Flight back to Addis Ababa. Overnight hotel.
•Day 12: Departure back home.
Please specify the tour code when you made inquiry.
Half day sight seeing of Addis
By Surface
Visit the national museum where the remains of the famous Lucy (Australopithecus afrensis, 3.5 million years) are displayed, Merkato (the largest open-air market in Africa), see a panoramic view of the city, view various street statues, monuments, airport etc.
Full day sight seeing of Addis
In addition to the half-day sight seeing stops, visit the Saint George Cathedral (for wonderful art and mosaics), the Africa Hall, and the ethnological (ethnographic) museum, where Ethiopia's 80 nationalities and different cultures are displayed at the former palace of Emperor Haile Sellassie.
Day trip from Addis
• To Blue Nile George, Debere Libanos monastery and Portuguese bridge
• Debere Ziet
• Zikuala mountain and Gebre Menfes Kidus monastery
• Mt. Entoto and Sululta rolling plain
• Sodore resort center
• Addis Alem Debre Tsion Mariam church and Menagesha Suba forest
• Wonchi crater lake
ZELALEM TOUR AND CAR RENTAL has specialized in group, individual, educational and leisure tours for the last 10 years in Ethiopia. We also serve to specialized tours such as: -Architectural, Medical tours and documentary filming tour packages as well. We are based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with a squad of experienced professionals. We afford the best vacation holidays in Ethiopia. We have the widest choices of well designed tour packages for groups and individuals throughout Ethiopia. Our packages include: cultural tours, historical tours, festival tours, adventure tours, wildlife safari, trekking, business, conference tours, bird-watching, car rental and so much more.
We have excellent reputation in this industry, locally & internationally. We have collected many local & international awards for best quality and hospitality services.
We have received award from Century International Quality ARA, for Gold category, Switzerland Geneva 2014 for our best performance in tourism, of quality hospitality services.
Our Travel Guide Magazine, entitled “Ker-Ezhi Ethiopia” which is one of Ethiopian native Guragigna language-literally mean “Ethiopia watches something good “ which has a traffic hit more than 2.5million,has won an award of Century International quality Era in gold category at Geneva, Switzerland in 2014, for our best performance in tourism and excellence in quality.
We have also got our award for social responsibility, business Excellency and ambassador of quality management from UK, Oxford on July 2016.
We had been awarded for principles of the QC100 Total Quality Management Model, at Geneva, Switzerland in 2014.
We had won THE BIZZ 2014 award for our business excellence on September 28, 2014, at the Emirates palace,inAbu Dhabi,UAE
We had also been nominated for Manager of the Year award from 2Woodins way, Oxford,Uk in February 2015.
Our website: www.Ker-ezhiethiopia.com,we promote Ethiopian Airlines on our home page as a banner, since 2012.And ET website is also linked to our tour website,www.zelalemtourethio.com We also hosted all editions of Ker-ezhi magazine on goggle play store as Ethiopian is advertised through this also. Our applications has been downloaded more than 4.5million times from all over the world.Eventhough we have been asked by different big airlines to advertise their company on our tour website, tour guide magazine and applications, we insist to promote ET,as we are dedicated to promote Ethiopian.
We have immense Experience in organizing cultural, historical, nature based, trekking, bird watching, leisure tour, safari, honey-moon and adventure tour packages. Our professional guides lead tours in English, Chinese, Spanish, Russian, German and French as well. We also customize our package as per clients’ request. We have been working with a number of travel agents from Europe and USA for years.
In addition to our regular tour itineraries, Zelalem Tour, Travel and Car Rental offers custom-tailored tours to suit clients' individual needs. Ethiopia has a lot to offer and ZTC is prepared to show you all around this great country.
• Holiday/Vacation tours and travel
• Business tours and travel
• Study/Educational tours and travel
• Car/Vehicle hire (rental) services
• Excursions
• Mountain and desert trekking
• Meeting and Conference tours
• Birding
• Honeymoon vacations
Available cars: -
We have more than 25 excellent cars available; this includes:
MERCEDES S & E CLASSES, TOYOTA COROLLA, TOYOTA YARIS, TOYOTA PRADO LAND CRUISER, NISSAN PATROL 4WD V8, LAND CRUISER 105, AUTOMOBILES, SUVS, FOUR WHEEL DRIVES, MINI BUSES AND COASTER BUSES
All our cars are with models of above 2010.
Note:
- All our cars are fully insured.
- Cars availability: 24/7.
- Driver, Fluency in English
- In the case of any technical problems, we immediately replace with the same condition car!
N.B.We have special prices rates for crew members &Transit passenger’s transportation (Airport-hotel-airport).
For more details about our tour packages, hotels reservation, online car rent booking, travel, tour services, please visit our below website,www.zelalemtourethio.com which has language options in: English, French, Arabic, Deutsche, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese...and so on.
Please feel free to call us: +251911209106 or +251911217287, E-mail us: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for any further questions and requests regarding our services.
Prior to entry, visitors should be in possession of a valid health certificate for yellow fever. Vaccination against cholera is also required for any person who has visited or transited a cholera- infected area within six days prior to his/her arrival in Ethiopia. Harlem Tours and Car Rental clients won’t be worried as our guides and drivers take care of them while on tour. While camping we serve fresh and well cooked meals.
Ethiopia can be visited any time of the year as it provides you with 13 months of sunshine or any kind of weather you like, depending on the region that you want to visit and/or the activities you want to engage in.
The food and drink of Ethiopia reflects the many different cultures. A typical dish is wot, a hot spicy stew of meat or vegetables, seasoned with a blend of Berbere (chili powder). It is made with Doro (chicken), and normally served with Injera, the traditional spongy pancake made from a fermented Teff Flour batter. Ethiopia produces its own wines: Dukam and Gouder are fine reds, while Axumite is sweeter. Crystals is a dry white wine. The famous honey wine or Tej is found all over the country as is Tela, a local beer, and Katikala distillated liquor.
Christianity and Islam are the two main religions in Ethiopia making up 90% of the population each with other religions making up the rest. Most of the Christians belong to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. While visiting churches, shoes must be removed before entering the building. One should never smoke anywhere near a church. Only priests are allowed to step into the Holy of Holies where the ‘TABOT’ replica of the Ark of the Covenant is kept.
Addis Ababa has hotels that cater for all pockets, from the luxurious Sheraton, Intercontinental and Hilton hotels to the tourist class hotels. Outside Addis, mainly in the ‘Historic Route’ good standard hotels are available. However, to visit the remote and the people of the wilderness, our camping equipments are of a high standard.
There are two seasons: the dry season prevails from October through May; the wet season runs from June to September.
Passport, Visa & Health Requirements
Passport, visa and health requirements vary from country to country. Contact your travel agent or the nearest Ethiopian ticket office for current passport, visa and health requirements of the countries you are planning to travel to.
Many countries require proof of return/onward and sufficient funds for your stay. Please contact the nearest Consulate of the country to which you are traveling to for additional information.
Passengers traveling on Ethiopian Airlines between Vienna and Stockholm who require entry visa to Schengen countries must have a valid multiple Schengen visa.Passengers holding a single country Schengen visa to enter Sweden or another Schengen country cannot travel on Ethiopian Airlines flight between Stockholm and Vienna. A multiple Schengen visa is required.
This is because the flight is operated as transit flight carrying international passengers beyond European airports.
Passengers traveling on Ethiopian Airlines between Rome and Stockholm who require entry visa to Schengen countries must have a valid multiple Schengen visa. Passengers holding a single country Schengen visa to enter Sweden or another Schengen country cannot travel on Ethiopian Airlines flight between Stockholm and Rome. A multiple Schengen visa is required.
This is because the flight is operated as transit flight carrying international passengers beyond European airports.
Identification Cards (ID)
Please remember to have your government-issued picture ID card available at all times. Note also that you may be required to present proof of age (such as a birth certificate) at the airport for children who may be traveling with you.
Customs
Customs regulations and procedures that apply to travelers entering or exiting vary from country to country and are changed frequently. Contact your travel agent or the nearest Ethiopian ticket office for current customs regulations of countries you are planning to travel to.
Duty-free imports are permitted for up to:
• 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars or ½ Ib of tobacco
• 1 liter of alcoholic Beverages
• ½ liter, or two bottles of perfumes
Visitors may export souvenirs with a value not exceeding Birr 500, although some articles (such as animal skins and antiques) require an export permit.
Suggested Arrival Times
To make your trip as enjoyable as possible, please allow enough time for check-in, security screening and boarding.
Due to some lengthy security checkpoint waiting times, earlier arrivals are recommended. We recommend that you check in at least 3 hours before your flight is scheduled to depart.
Tips for a Comfortable Flight
• For your own comfort try and travel light.
• Wear loose clothing and elasticized stockings made of natural fiber.
• Increase your normal intake of water and only if need be drink alcohol but in moderation.
• Use moisturizing cream to keep your skin from drying out.
• Take off shoes in the plane to prevent your feet from swelling up or wear shoes that will cope with expanding ankles.
• Avoid heavy meals during the flight.
• Short walks once every two hours are excellent for circulation.
• Try to touch your toes when waiting in the aisle to stretch your hamstrings.
• On arrival at your destination, have a hot shower or a relaxing bath.
• On arrival a quick jog, brisk walk, or a vigorous scrub will help stimulate your circulation.
Ethiopia is in the GMT + 3 hours time zone.
Ethiopian calendar: Ethiopia still retains the Julian calendar, in which the year is divided into 12 months of 30 days each, and a 13th month of five days and six days during the leap year. The Ethiopian Calendar is almost eight years behind the Gregorian calendar.
Ethiopia has an elevated central plateau varying in height between 2,000 and 3,000 meters. In the north and in the center of the country, there are some 25 mountains whose peaks rise over 4000 meters.
Ethiopia uses 220 volts 50 cycles AC.
The population is estimated to be over 72 million with 50% of those under 20 years old. The average number of inhabitants per square kilometer is 49.
Ethiopia a multi-ethnic state with a great variety of languages spoken in the country. There are 83 with 200 dialects. The main three languages are Amharic (the national language of the country). Tigrigna and Oromigna. English is also widely spoken.
Disclaimer
These pages are for informative purposes only and do not form a contract. As such, any information contained within this site is subjected to change with or without notice. Zelalem tour and car rental assumes no liability for these changes. ZTC also reserves the right to interpret and apply these policies and procedures. In each case,ZTC’s interpretations and applications shall be final and conclusive.
Contracts and agreements will be valid consequent to but after Zelalem Tours and Car Rental’s confirmation of the booking by fax, e-mail, letter or telephone. Booking information may include full passenger’s name and nationality.
A. Zelalem Tour and Car Rental: shall accept agency or individual requests for tours, safaris, car hire etc in good faith.
B. On confirmation of tours, agencies making bookings with Zelalem Tours shall make payments as follows:
1. 25% upon confirmation of the tour.
2. The balance of 75% 45 days prior to the commencement of the tour.
3. If complete payment has not been made as per above, Zelalem Tours is not obliged to accept the client/conduct the tour unless other arrangements have been made beforehand, and no refunds will be made.
While every effort is made to hold on to the specifics mentioned in the agreed itinerary, changes may be required at times. However, we honestly and professionally try to meet the conditions of the original program.
Obtaining travel insurance, which is available from your own country, is strongly recommended.
Cancellations of tour bookings must be made in writing, and are subject to the following charges:
1. From 60 days to 31 days prior to departure an administrative fee of US$50.00 per person will be made.
2. 30 days to 15 days prior to departure, a fee of 50% of the tour price will be charged.
3. Cancellations made within 14 days prior to departure, no refund will be made.
Prior to issuance of tickets, changes of confirmed reservations may be subject to additional fees as the result of other principals' price changes such as airline, hotel, parks, churches or museums.
Only the laws of Ethiopia govern Zelalem Tours and Car Rental’s liability to passengers transported in its own vehicles, and all claims are subject to the jurisdiction of the court of Ethiopia in which the cause of action arises. Although every possible care is taken to safeguard you and your property, Harlem Tours and Car Rental accepts no liability for loss or damage of any personal effects.
Zelalem Tours and Car Rental will give its best efforts to assist visitors when dealing with third parties such as hotels, airline and other transport companies and travel agents. However, Zelalem Tours and Car Rental cannot be held responsible for any loss or harm such as sickness, injury, death, or additional costs incurred due to denied boarding, overbooking cancellation or delay caused by the third parties.
We accept cash, visa, union pay, master cards, American express card and bank transfer.
A valid driver’s license and a credit card or debit card used must be in the same name. Debit Cards must have a Visa, Master Card or Discover logo.
Credit card must have available funds of $500 greater than the total amount of the rental charges. All required funds will be taken as a deposit against rental charges.
All unused funds will be returned through your credit card processor after the vehicle is returned.
When you rent a vehicle from Zelalem tour and car rent, you are responsible for damage to the rental vehicle and any third party claims for liability. You may also be responsible for the cost of the repair of the vehicle, loss of use, towing storage and impound fees.
Zelalem tour and car rental offers, at an additional charge, a Collision Damage to cover your financial responsibility for collision damage to the rented vehicle. Your own auto insurance may cover all or part of your financial responsibility for the rented vehicle, so you should determine the extent of your coverage before deciding whether to purchase a CDW.
You must be 25 years of age to rent or drive a vehicle from Zelalem Tour and Car rental.
Rates & Late Charges
For self drive rental, a rental day is each 24 hour time period beginning with the date/time indicated on your rental agreement. There is no grace period and hourly charges apply after the rental period. After three hours late, a full day charge applies.
In the case of renting a car with driver, operational hour is from 6:00am-7:00pm (14hours per day), unless special agreement if made.
Note:
-All our cars are fully insured.
-Cars availability: 24/7.
-Driver, Fluency in English
Many of our contracts include unlimited mileage. If you do not plan on driving more than 75 kms per day, then one of our promotional rates may best suit your needs. These rates have an extra charge per kms if you exceed the specified mileage on your agreement.
Extending Your Contract
If you intend to extend your contract beyond the current expiration date, you must notify our office immediately and pay all necessary additional deposits. If you keep the vehicle longer than the return date specified on the contract, an increased rate will be charged. Only the renter is permitted to extend the rental agreement.
If additional funds are not available or a payment cannot be made, a request for extension will be denied and the vehicle must be returned on the original return date and time. In order to extend the rental period, cash renters must make an additional payment for deposit in our office prior to the contract end date.
Zelalem tour and car rental don’t accept additional driver. Operation of our vehicles by anyone other than the driver listed on the contract will immediately terminate the contract and result in a forfeit of your deposit. No additional drivers may be added to a contract over the telephone. Photo copies or fax copies of the driver's license will not be accepted.
Honor Reservations - Cancellations
We request to be notified (formal) 24hours before the guest arrival if your travel plans change and you cannot honor your reservation. Cancelation in less than 24hours results on non refund ability of cash. Cash deposits CAN NOT be refunded, once the service starts rendering. Your non-refundable deposit guarantees you the vehicle when you get here, as WE DO NOT OVERBOOK!
EARLY or LATE Return: Your rental rate applies only to the exact reservation period specified. Returning the vehicle early or past the confirmed return date subjects you to a higher daily and or weekly charge of $10 per day.
Fueling the rental vehicle is the renter’s responsibility. Vehicles must be returned with the same amount of fuel as the start of the rental to avoid refueling charges. Renters should stop at a local station and refuel to the same level before returning it. If the customer chooses not to do so, we charge a premium for providing this refueling service to them. That charge takes into account both direct and indirect costs of having us refuel for you.
Please return your vehicle in the same clean condition that you received it. A cleaning fee may be applied for any vehicle that is not returned in a reasonably clean condition or excessively dirty condition.
If your vehicle breaks down, you must notify us immediately. We will advise you on how to proceed. For your safety, do not attempt to drive a damaged rental vehicle. You will be re-reimbursed for any repairs authorized by us, or for any oil or parts authorized by us. You must retain any and all receipts for re-reimbursement. Our emergency breakdown after hour’s number is printed on your contract.
You are responsible for all damage to or loss of the vehicle, or missing equipment, regardless if you are at fault or not.
You must report all accidents or incidents of theft or vandalism to the police within 24 hours after the time you discover them. You must provide us with a copy of the police report. You must report all accidents involving the vehicle directly to us within 24 hours of occurrence.
Failure to report any damage, loss or vandalism will result in forfeiture of your deposit.
Rental Agreement Violations
Rental Agreement violations include, but are not limited to:
1. Driving under the influence of intoxicants.
2. Operation of the vehicle by an unauthorized driver.
3. Failure to return the vehicle by the due-back date and time.
4. Failure to pay all charges at the time of return.
Ethiopia owes its rich biodiversity to the combination of a tropical location and an altitudinal span ranging from 4,533 metres above sea level to 116 metres below sea level. The country is known for its unusually high level of endemism i.e. plant and animal species found nowhere else in the world. Among vertebrates alone, at least 140 species are unique to Ethiopia, including more than 40 mammals and 18 birds.
The varied flora embraces the world’s most extensive tracts if Afroalpine moorland, along with a varied mix of forest, savannah, desert and cultivation.
Ethiopia provides refuge to a typical Afro-tropical fauna, ranging from parrot and pelicans to lions and crocodiles, but it is most notable perhaps for endemic species such as the Ethiopian wolf, gelada baboon and Prince Ruspoli’s turaco.
Noted for the singularity of its cultural landscapes, Ethiopia produces food, music and art that bears little resemblance to anywhere else in the world - as well, more familiarly as some of the most delicious coffee you’ll ever taste.
Ethiopia is the original home of coffee and its rich coffee culture is embodied in the aromatic and age-old ‘coffee ceremonies’ held daily all over the country.
Ethiopia’s unique cuisine - dominated by pancake-like injera, heaped with a tantalizingly spiced selection of vegan or meat dishes - will delight visitors with adventurous palates.
A host of colorful Christian and Islamic festivals includes the Meskel Ceremony held in Addis Ababa or Aksum, and Timkat, best experienced in Gondar.
High quality silver and wooden crosses, delicately hand woven fabrics and goatskin ‘picnic baskets’ are among several unique handicrafts produced in Ethiopia.
Homegrown music includes atmospheric 1,500-year-old church liturgies and chants, bright lurching Ethio-pop from the 1970s, and the often mischievous improvised lyrics of bard-like azmari singers.
Best known to scholars for the mediaeval paintings that adorn some of its older churches, Ethiopia also has a lively contemporary artsscene centred on Addis Ababa.
Ethiopia is a country of exceptional interest to educational and specialist groups. A tally of nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, more than any other country in Africa, underlines its remarkable wealth of fascinating and often unique cultural, historical, ethnographic and paleontological sites. Ethiopia also offers rich pickings to natural history students, thanks to the presence of many endemic and near-endemic species including Africa’s only indigenous wolf and goat.
• Historic and cultural circuits incorporate the 3,000-year-old city of Aksum, the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, and walled Islamic city of Harar.
• Some of the world’s oldest and holiest religious sites, including several churches founded in the 4th to 6th century AD, and the oldest mosque site in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• An ethnographic diversity ranging from the Semitic-speaking Amhara and Tigray people of the northern highlands to the pastoralist Afar of the Danakil and the rich mosaic of traditional beliefs that inhabit South Omo.
• Archaeological sites include ancient palaces and pools associated with the Queen of Sheba, the towering 2,800-year-old temple at Yeha, and the world’s tallest field of stelae (obelisks) in Aksum.
• Ethiopia’s unique wealth of paleontological sites, including fossils dating back more than 5 million years, makes it the leading contender for the Cradle of Humankind.
• The world’s oldest active lava lake, the ancient white salt flats of the Danakil, mysterious crater lakes, Africa’s deepest riverine gorge and the craggy peaks of the upper Simien are among the landscapes and features that make Ethiopia fascinating to geologists.
• Endemic mammals such as the Ethiopian wolf and gelada baboon can be seen alongside a full 18 bird species of bird found nowhere else in the world, and a similar number shared only with Eritrea.
• The western highlands of Ethiopia are the original home of coffee, which still grows wild in the forest undergrowth.
• An ancient tradition of hand-woven cotton and other textiles is exemplified by the skilled Dorze weavers of the southern highlands
• Ranging from contemporary Ethio-jazz and funky Ethio-pop to the time-honoured blues performed by traditional azmari, Ethiopia has one of the most unique and liveliest music scenes in Africa.
Abyssinia, now Ethiopia, is the original home of the coffee (arabica) plant. Kaffa, the province in the south-western highlands where they first blossomed, gave its name to coffee. The formal cultivation and use of coffee as a beverage began early in the 9th century. Prior to that, coffee trees grew wild in the forests of Kaffa, and may in the region were familiar with the berries and the drink. According to Ethiopia’s ancient history, an Abyssinian goatherd, Kaldi, who lived around AD 850, discovered coffee. He observed his goats prancing excitedly and bleating loudly after chewing the bright red berries that grew on some green bushes nearby. Kaldi tried a few berries himself, and soon felt a sense of elation. He filled his pockets with the berries and ran home to announce his discovery. At his wife’s suggestion, he took the berries to the Monks in the monastery near Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile River.
Kaldi presented the chief Monk with the berries and related his account of their miraculous effect. "Devil’s work!" exclaimed the monk, and hurled the berries in the fire. Within minutes the monastery filled with the aroma of roasting beans, and the other monks gathered to investigate. The beans were raked from the fire and crushed to extinguish the embers. The chief Monk ordered the grains to be placed in the ewer and covered with hot water to preserve their goodness. That night the monks sat up drinking the rich fragrant brew, and vowed that they would drink it daily to keep them awake during their long, nocturnal devotions.
While this popular account provides a religious approval for the drinking of roasted coffee berries, it is believed that Ethiopian monks were already chewing the berries as a stimulant for centuries before it was brewed. Ethiopian records establish that Ethiopian and Sudanese traders who traveled to Yemen over 600 years ago chewed the berries en route to their destination to survive the harsh difficult journey. Residents of Kaffa, as well as other ethnic groups such as the Oromo were also familiar with coffee. They mixed ground coffee with butter, and consumed them for sustenance. This practice of mixing ground coffee beans with ghee (clarified butter) to give it a distinctive, buttery flavor persists to this day in parts of Kaffa and Sidamo, two of the principle coffee producing regions of Ethiopia.
Brewed coffee, the dry, roasted, ground, non-alcoholic beverage is described as Bunna (in Amharic), Bun (in Tigrigna), Buna (in Oromiya), Bono (in Kefficho), and Kaffa (in Guragigna). Arabic scientific documents dating from around 900 AD refer to a beverage drunk in Ethiopia, known as ‘buna." This is one of the earliest references to Ethiopian, coffee in its brewed form. It is recorded that in 1454 the Mufti of Aden visited Ethiopia, and saw his own countrymen drinking coffee there. He was suitably impressed with the drink which cured him of some affliction, and his approval made it popular among the dervishes of the Yemen who used it in religious ceremonies, and subsequently introduced it to Mecca.
The transformation of coffee as a trendy social drink occurred in Mecca through the establishment of the first coffee houses. Known as Kaveh Kanes, these coffee houses were originally religious meeting places, but soon became social meeting places for gossip, singing and story-telling. With the spread of coffee as a popular beverage it soon became a subject for heated debate among devout Muslims.
The Arabic word for coffee, kahwah, is also one of several words for wine. In the process of stripping the cherry husk, the pulp of the bean was fermented to make potent liquor. Some argued that the Qu'ran forbade the use of wine or intoxicating beverages, but other Muslims in favor of coffee argued that it was not an intoxicant but a stimulant. The dispute over coffee came to a head in 1511 in Mecca. The governor of Mecca, Beg, saw some people drinking coffee in a mosque as they prepared a night-long prayer vigil. Furious he drove them from the mosque and ordered all coffee houses to be closed. A heated debate ensued, with coffee being condemned as an unhealthy brew by two devious Persian doctors, the Hakimani brothers, who wanted coffee banned, because melancholic patients who otherwise would have paid the doctors to treat them, used it as a popular cure. The Mufti of Mecca spoke in defense of coffee. The issue was finally resolved when the Sultan of Cairo intervened and reprimanded the Khair Beg for banning a drink that was widely enjoyed in Cairo without consulting his superior. In 1512, when Khair Beg was accused of embezzlement, the Sultan had him put to death. Coffee survived in Mecca.
Genna is Ethiopian Christmas, and coincides with other Orthodox Christmas celebrations around the world. The feast marks the end of the 40-day fasting period of Advent. On Christmas Eve, the faithful participate in church services through the night before celebrating with family and friends on Christmas day.
Lalibela is the most popular place to celebrate Genna, as thousands of pilgrims flock to the holy city for this celebration.
The Ethiopian celebration of Timket (also known as Epiphany), is a symbolic reenactment of the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan by John the Baptist. For Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, it serves as a renewal of their baptismal vows.
Timket is a two-day festival, starting the day before, when the church tabot (replica of the Ark of the Covenant) is taken from the church to a nearby location, usually near a body of water. This is representative of Jesus coming to the River Jordan. The tabot spends the night in this location while the priests and other faithful hold a vigil through the night. In the morning the water is blessed and is then sprinkled on the gatherers (or they may chose to bathe in the water), renewing their baptismal vows. Long parades then carry the tabot back home to the church while the revelers sing and dance.
Gondar is a popular place to witness Timket, as the Bath of Fasilidas provides a stunning backdrop for the festivities. Lalibela is another popular location, as is Addis Ababa, where it is held at the Jan Meda fairgrounds.
Fasika is Ethiopian Easter and is celebrated in conjunction with Orthodox Easter celebrations around the world. Fasika is the most important holiday in the Ethiopian Orthodox calendar andfollows a long 55-day fast, where no meat or dairy products are consumed. Strict followers generally consume one meal of vegetables and lentils during this time. Church services are attended on the eve before the holiday, where revelers participate in a colorful service lit with candles. The following day, families and friends celebrate Fasika with special feasts that mark the end of the long fast. Doro wat, a spicy chicken stew, is the most traditional food served in all households. Celebrations continue for the following week, with an unofficial "second Fasika" the following weekend.
Axum has a colorful procession for Palm Sunday (known as Hosanna), the week before Fasikawhich is well worth a visit. Like most holidays, the celebration takes place the night before the actually holiday (Saturday night).
Enkutatash, which means “Gift of Jewels” is the celebration of the Ethiopian New Year. Ethiopia follows the Julian calendar, which consists of 13 months - 12 months each with 30 days and a final month with 5 days (6 days in leap year). The Julian calendar is 7 years and 8 months behind the Gregorian calendar, which is used throughout most of the Western world. In 2007 (Gregorian calendar), Ethiopia rang in the year 2000 and the new Ethiopian Millennium with colorful celebrations throughout the country.
Enkutatash happens to come near the end of a long rainy season, coloring the green landscapes with bright yellow flowers (called the Meskel Flower, or adei abeba in Amharic) and giving great reason to celebrate the new harvest. Torches of dry wood are burned in front of houses on New Year’s Eve. On New Year’s Day, girls dressed in new clothes go door-to-door singing songs. Families and friends celebrate together with large feasts.
This day also happens to coincide with the saint’s day of St. John the Baptist. This religious ceremony can be seen at the Kostete Yohannes church in the village of Gaynt, where celebrations are carried out for three days. Just outside of Addis Ababa, on the Entoto Mountain, Raguel Church has the largest religious celebration in the country.
Meskel (Finding of the True Cross), is the celebration of the finding of remnants of the actual cross on which Jesus was crucified. The word "meskel" means "cross" in Amharic. According to Christian tradition, St. Eleni (Empress Helena) discovered the hiding place of three crosses used at the crucifixion of Jesus. In her dream, Eleni was told she should make a bonfire; the direction of the smoke would tell her the exact location of the True Cross on which Jesus was crucified. She followed the directions from her dream, and the smoke landed exactly where the cross was buried.
Meskel celebrations begin the night before with large bonfires topped with a cross and decorated with meskel flowers. The bonfire preparations are blessed and burned while revelers sing and dance around the fire, locally calleddemera. It is believed that the direction of the smoke will predict the future for the year to come. After the demerahas burnt out, the faithful mark crosses on their foreheads with the ash.
The biggest Meskel celebration is in Addis Ababa, held in the centrally-located Meskel Square. Gondar, Axum and Lalibela are also good locations to celebrate this festival. Probably the most exuberant celebrations take place in the region of the Gurage people, southwest from Addis.
Ethiopia’s immense cultural, paleontological and natural wealth is reflected in its tally of nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the most of any country in Africa. Eight of these nine sites are cultural, and one - the Simien Mountains National Park - is natural. Five other sites in Ethiopia are currently under consideration by UNESCO as Tentative World Heritage Sites.
• The mediaeval complex of rock-hewn churches at LALIBELA is sub-Saharan Africa's most breathtaking historical site, comprising as it does eleven churches and two chapels excavated in the 12th century.
• Founded more than 3,000 years ago, the ancient capital of AKSUM - surrounded by towering obelisks and ruined palaces dating back to its heyday - was once home to the Queen of Sheba and is now reputedly the last resting place of the Biblical Ark of the Covenant.
• The Fasil Ghebbi at GONDAR - dubbed the Camelot of Africa - is renowned for its fairytale castles and intricately decorated churches built during imperial Ethiopia’s 17th century prime.
• The walled citadel of HARAR JUGOL is the the fourth-holiest city in the Islamic world, after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem, and its 48 hectares are crammed with an incredible 82 mosques and 438 other shrines.
• The most striking feature of the KONSO Cultural Landscape is its warren-like terraced hilltop villages and anthropomorphic wooden grave-markers known as waka.
• Ethiopia’s only Natural World Heritage Site, SIMIEN MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK is renowned for its spectacular mountain scenery and the presence of endemic animals such as Walia ibex and gelada baboon.
• A short drive south of the capital Addis Ababa, TIYA is an archeological site comprising 36 engraved megaliths or stelae erected in mediaeval time as to mark a mysterious burial complex of unknown cultural affiliations.
• Though not geared towards tourism, the Lower VALLEY OF THE AWASH RIVER is one of Africa’s most important paleontological sites; having yielded numerous important hominid fossils including the 3.2-million-year old Australopithecus afarensis female nicknamed Lucy.
• The LOWER VALLEY OF THE OMO RIVER is another important but difficult-to-explore palaeontological region, having yielded Australopithecus and Homo fossils dating back 2.4 million years.