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Djibouti
Day 1: Arrive Djibouti (L,D)
Arrival in the morning, meet our guide and start the city tour. Djibouti is well-known for its harbor, an extremely important point of commercial exchanges, as you can see from the multitude of ships and boats that every dock there daily. Lunch at the restaurant.
Dinner and overnight stay at Menelik hotel.
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Day 2: Djibouti-Abbé Lake (B,L,D)
In the morning we leave for Abbè Lake, the natural border with Etiopia where we admire some beautiful volcanic chimneys still active. In this area that looks like the Rift valley, it’s easy to meet nomads (Afar) or wild animals such as flamingoes, gazelles and ostriches.
Picnic lunch.
Overnight at the basic and simple “campement” -- a local wild camp on the shore of the lake.
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Day 3: Abbé Lake – Assal Lake (B,L,D)
We leave Abbè Lake and reach the road of the Tadjoura Gulf. During this trip we have the opportunity to enjoy an astonishing landscape characterized by: houses of the local population, the Afar, flat land with volcanic flows, colorful stones and the spectacular Goubet Bay and the Devil Island.
We then reach Assal Lake, the lowest point of the whole Africa (-155 meters). The Afar still pick up the salt with traditional techniques In the blue salted lake.
Overnight at the basic and simple “campement”
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Day 4: Assal Lake – Goubet Gulf – Day Forest– Tadjoura (the seaside of ‘le Sable Blanc’)(B,L,D)
In the morning we leave for the Goubet Gulf, a volcanic land of 7km situated between the Assal lake and the sea. Here we are exactly on the split of the earth crust, the natural border between Africa and Asia. After a nice walk on the shore of the lake we drive towards the Day Forest on the Goda Mountain. Here we ejoy a walk into the forest, then move to the coast.
During the drive, enjoy beautiful views of the landscape of the Tadjoura Gulf.
Arrival in Tadjoura, early in the afternoon, we reach the stunning Le Sable Blanc. Overnight in simple but comfortable bungalows, situated on the seaside
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Day 5: Le Sable Blanc – excursion to Obock (B,L,D)
We travel northwards to Obock. During the journey we enjoy an amazing view of the white sand beaches and the deep blue water of the Gulf. We visit the harbor city. Return to the hotel. Lunch and afternoon at leisure, to relax at the seaside.
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Day 6: Tadjoura – Djibouti (B,L,D)
Morning at leisure to relax at this idyllic bay. After lunch we leave for the capital city. Arrival at the Menelik Hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
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Day 7: Djibouti – Moucha Isles (B,L,D)
In the morning transfer to the harbor and board a motor boat to reach the coral isles of Moucha, situated in the middle of the Tadjoura Gulf. We have a full day to enjoy relaxing, walking on the beautiful beaches, go snorkeling or diving (extra cost).
Overnight at one of the main resorts on the island, bungalows with private facilities..
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Day 8 :Moucha Isles – Djibouti - Departure
After a last dive/snorkel on the sea in the early morning, travel back to Djibouti by boat. From the harbor transfer to the airport to board the flight in the early afternoon.
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Eritrea
Day 1: Arrive Asmara.
Transfer to hotel.
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Day 2: Sunday Asmara – Keren (B)
An excursion on board the legendary train, pulled by locomotives "Mallet" from Asmara to Nefasit or Arbaroba and back (subject to availability and additional local payment).
This is a rare opportunity to travel along one of the most daring railways in the world, whose construction began in 1897, on board trains that go back to the times of the colonies, still efficient thanks to a "loving" maintenance. We will cover the stretch Asmara-Arbaroba, about 18km one of the most striking and scenic parts of the entire route.
In the afternoon departure to Keren, (1,392 Mt. high), crossroad between the highland and the lowland and well-known for its silver filigree works. We will make several stops along the way and arrive in the late afternoon. Overnight at Sarina Hotel
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Day 3: Keren – Asmara (B)
Sightseeing tour of the city and its market. Sites include: the Italian and British war cemeteries, the mosque and the little Greek church near the market, the governor country-seat, the Romanesque Saint Michael church and the old Fortress (1,460 Mt. high). Last but not least, a visit to "Mariam Dearit" (Our Lady of Baobab), a chapel built inside the tree itself.
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Day 4-5: Asmara – Dhalak (B,L,D)
Departure to Massawa, 100 km from Asmara brings to the beach of Massawa where we descend to 2450 metres. As soon as the tourist permits are ready, we will board the motorboat for the three-day excursion to the Dahlak islands, to the discovery of “the pearls of Red Sea.”
The Dahlak Archipelago, comprising over 200 islands in the Red Sea, is a pristine and lesser-known destination. Renowned for its unique ecosystem, it rivals globally renowned sites like the Maldives.
The itinerary includes visiting some of the most interesting and richest coral reef islands. During the 2-days exploration, we will visit various islands. The base camp will be set up on one of these islands, from which we go for daily excursions to explore the surrounding islands.
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Day 6: Massawa - Asmara – Massawa (B)
After enjoying a last swim in this paradise, return to Massawa in the early afternoon. If time allows will do a short visit to the city and proceed to Asmara, arriving in the evening.
Overnight in Asmara Palace Hotel. If Continuing to South Sudan: transfer to the airport at midnight for the flight to Juba Egypt Air dep 03: 25 am arriving 2:30 pm next day.
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Day 7: Depart Asmara
Those ending the tour in Eritrea, transfer to the airport.
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South Sudan
Day 1: Arrive Juba. Drive to Mandari Cattle Camp (L,D)
Met on arrival. Lunch in a restaurant near the White Nile.
Afterwards, drive to a Mundari cattle camp. Meet the tribal leaders and observe the magical arrival of the long horned Ankole cows to their resting place (1hr. drive approx.). Camp near the cattle camp.
Dinner and overnight at the camp.
We provide large tents with camp beds, mattress, blankets and pillow. Bring sleeping bag and towels for the shower. Simple toilets and showers to share.
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Day 2: Mandari Cattle Camp- Juba (B,L,D)
We rise early morning to spend time with the Mundari tribe and their sacred long horned cattle before they leave for grazing. We will learn about their way of life and have the possibility to participate in their morning routine. Drive to Juba, where we will have lunch at a restaurant near the White Nile with a short optional boat ride.
This afternoon we visit the Konyo market to have a taste of the local population living in the capital.
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Day 3: Juba - Kapoeta (B,L,D)
This morning we fly to Kapoeta and then drive to a traditional Toposa community out of Kapoeta (1hr. flight + 1,5hr drive approx.). We will reach a remote Toposa region to meet the people in their ‘boma’ –a fenced village- located in a beautiful wild environment. Reach the tribe and meet the elders and the people living there. Tour around the village to visit their houses and the way they live.
Toposa belongs to the Ateker Nation which includes the Turkana in Northern Kenya, the Karamajong in Northern Uganda, and the Nyangatom in Ethiopia. Their economy depends entirely on cattle but they can also grow sorghum and cassava to sustain themselves. After the visit, we will camp in their territory to have a deeper connection with this area.
Lunch, Dinner and overnight at the camp.
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Day 4: Kapoeta (B,L,D)
In the morning we will visit other remote villages in the Toposa territory to get to know more about their traditions and customs. In remote areas, Toposa women still dress in beaded skirts of great beauty and scarify their faces and bodies.
After a lunch in the wild, drive 2 hours back to Kapoeta town.
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Day 5: Kapoeta – Larim Tribe (B,L,D)
In the morning drive to Camp 15 (1.5hr drive approx.), a marketplace where Didinga and Larim tribes meet every day to commerce and gossip. Meet local authorities and drive to Boya Hills (1.5 hr drive approx.), a special area for plant lovers (many rare species).
Larim people number a few thousand individuals living on the foot of Boya Hills. They descended from the top around 20 years ago looking for better pastures for the cattle and to get near the water points which are scarce in the region. It is a rich culture and one of their symbol is the unique houses built in wood and adobe, and decorated with snail shells and drawings. After the visit, we will camp in their territory.
Lunch, Dinner and overnight at the camp.
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Day 6: Larim Tribe - Juba (B,L,D)
In the morning we visit other remote villages in the Larim territory to get to know more about their traditions and customs. Larim scarify their bodies and faces, pierce noses, ears and lips and smoke nicely carved wood and metal pipes. Then we will start our long drive to Juba, with a short stop in Torit to have lunch (7hr. drive total). In Juba, we will visit the artisan market before arriving at the hotel. Farewell dinner on the 10th floor of the Pyramid Hotel.
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Day 7: Depart Juba (B)
Transfer to the airport.
