Ankober - Day Trip » Venture Ethiopia - Tours and Travel

Ankober - Day Trip

This small, remote but historic town lies on the edge of the spectacular escarpment that drops down to the Awash Valley.  A site of strategic importance, the town once acted as a medieval tollgate between the highlands and the Afar region.  It was also the seat of government of Emperor Menelik II, before he moved the capital to Addis Ababa in the late 19th century. A more recent claim to fame, at least amongst birders, came with the discovery of a new species of endemic finch - the Ankober Serin - in 1976.

  • Visit the ruins of one of Menelik II's palaces
  • See the church where Menelik II married Itegue Taitu
  • Look out for birds including Rufus-breasted Sparrowhawk, Erckel's Francolin, Abyssinian Catbird and Ankober Serin

Situated 172 km north-east of Addis Ababa, and at 2870 m above sea level on the edge of the dramatic escarpment that drops down to the Awash Valley and the Afar Depression, Ankober offers spectacular views over the Great Rift Valley.

The city was founded by Merid Azmatch Amha Iyesus (1745-1775), of the Solomonic Dynasty.  His descendants ruled from there for about one hundred years and built up Ankober to become a very important city politically.  It served as the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Shoa, and for a while as the capital of the Ethiopian Empire during the reign of Emperor Menelik II, prior to his moving the capital to Addis Ababa in 1886.

Menelik married Itegue Taitu at the Ankober Medhane Alem church, where the golden cloak of the wedding is still kept.  A number of Shoan rulers are also buried around the Ankober churches.  The small village of Let Marefeya, near to Ankober, served as the site of the Italian Geographical expedition centre in the 1880s. The head of the expedition, Count Antinori was buried there and his tomb can be visited today.

This is a day trip from Addis Ababa.  Early in the morning, you will meet with your driver and guide either at our office in the Itegue Taitu Hotel (Piassa) or at your hotel, by prior arrangement.  The journey to Ankober takes around four hours, including stops along the way to enjoy the scenery and birds.  You'll then spend most of the day enjoying the historic city of Ankober and its surrounds before returning to Addis Ababa in the late afternoon/evening.

Services Included

  • An experienced professional English-speaking local guide

  • Private vehicle transport from Addis Ababa and back

  • Lunch

  • Entrance fees

Services Not Included

  • Tips for staff

  • Miscellaneous expenses – alcoholic drinks, souvenirs etc.

Upcoming group tour dates:

If you are interested in this tour, we can arrange dates to suit you so please contact us.

 

Prices

A tour for 1 person costs 5,908 ETB (110 USD / 103 EUR / 91 GBP).

A tour for 2 people costs 3,149 ETB (58 USD / 55 EUR / 49 GBP) per person.

A tour for 3 or more people costs 2,229 ETB (41 USD / 396 EUR / 35 GBP) per person.

 

Please see the further details tab for information about services included.

A deposit is required upon booking.  For more details, please see our FAQ page, or read our full terms and conditions.

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