13-Day Ethiopia Cultural, Wildlife and Nature Tour

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arrival in Addis Ababa – Welcome to Ethiopia

Upon your arrival at Bole International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by a representative of Inward Ethiopia Tours and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, you will have some time to relax and refresh following your journey.
Depending on your arrival time, we will introduce you to Ethiopia's capital with a short city tour. Visit the National Museum of Ethiopia, home to the famous fossil remains of Lucy and other fascinating paleoanthropological exhibits. Continue to Mount Entoto, one of the highest points overlooking Addis Ababa, where you can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the city. You will also have the opportunity to experience a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
Overnight in Addis Ababa.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Bentark Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Rift Valley Landscapes, Flamingos & Lake Hawassa Experience

After breakfast, depart for Hawassa, driving south through Ethiopia's beautiful Great Rift Valley. Along the way, enjoy the scenic landscapes and views of the Rift Valley lakes.
Make a stop at Lake Ziway, where you can admire the spectacular lake scenery and observe a variety of aquatic birds. Continue your journey with a stop near Lake Abijatta-Shalla National Park, an area known for its beautiful landscapes and abundant birdlife, including flamingos.
Arrive in Hawassa in the late afternoon. Depending on local conditions and timing, enjoy a boat trip on Lake Hawassa, where you may have the opportunity to see hippopotamuses and a variety of aquatic birds. Later, relax by the lakeside and enjoy the beautiful sunset. You will also visit Amora Gedel Park, a popular spot for birdwatching and observing local lakeside life.
Overnight in Hawassa.

Main Destination:

Awasa (City)

Activities:

• Afternoon boat trip

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Hawassa

• Mid-range resort located in Awasa (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Hawassa Fish Market & Dorze Cultural Village Experience – Journey to Arba Minch

After breakfast, visit the lively local fish market in Hawassa, where you can observe fishermen, traders, and the daily activities surrounding the lake. Take photographs and experience the vibrant atmosphere before continuing your journey to Arba Minch.
Stop for lunch in Welayta Sodo or along the way, then proceed to the Dorze village in the Guge Mountains before checking in at your lodge.
The Dorze people are famous for their distinctive elephant-shaped traditional houses, colorful cultural dances, traditional weaving, and unique way of life. During your visit, learn about their customs and traditions, explore their traditional homes, and discover how they produce kocho, a traditional food made from the enset plant, often known as false banana. You may also have the opportunity to taste local food and traditional drinks.
After the visit, continue to your lodge in Arba Minch. Enjoy the beautiful views of the city and the surrounding landscape, especially at sunset.
O. Night Arba minch.

Main Destination:

Arba Minch (City)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Arba Minch

• Mid-range hotel located in Arba Minch (City)

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Konso Cultural Heritage & Arbore Village Visit en Route to Turmi

After breakfast, depart for the Lower Omo Valley, traveling through the remarkable cultural landscapes of the Konso people.
Stop in Konso to explore its traditional settlements and learn about the community's distinctive way of life. The Konso are renowned for their terraced agricultural landscapes, stone-walled villages, traditional architecture, and sustainable farming practices. Visit a traditional Konso village and learn about the community's cultural heritage, social organization, and distinctive building styles.
Continue your journey toward Turmi, stopping at an Arbore village along the way. The Arbore people are known for their colorful beadwork, elaborate necklaces, earrings, metal anklets, and distinctive traditional clothing. Spend some time learning about their customs and daily life, and take photographs where appropriate and with the residents' permission.
After the cultural visit, continue driving through the scenic landscapes of the Lower Omo Valley.
Overnight Turmi.

Main Destination:

Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Buska Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Turmi to Omorate Dassanech Cultural Experience & Hamar Bull-Jumping Opportunity

After breakfast, take a day trip from Turmi to Omorate, located near the Kenyan border. This region is home to the Dassanech people, The Dassanech are an Indigenous agro-pastoralist community whose traditional way of life is closely connected to the Omo River and the surrounding arid environment. Their settlements extend across parts of southern Ethiopia and neighboring regions near Lake Turkana.
During your visit, learn about their traditional lifestyle, cultural practices, homes, and daily activities. Enjoy the opportunity to interact respectfully with local residents and photograph the surrounding landscapes and cultural scenes with permission.
In the afternoon, return to Turmi. If a traditional Hamar bull-jumping ceremony is scheduled by the local community, you may have the opportunity to attend this important cultural event. However, the ceremony cannot be guaranteed, as it depends entirely on local arrangements and community schedules.
Overnight in Turmi.

Main Destination:

Omorate (Lower Omo Valley)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Buska Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Cultural Encounters with the Karo and Nyangatom Tribes of the Lower Omo Valley

After breakfast, explore another part of the Lower Omo Valley, visiting communities of the Karo and Nyangatom people.
The Karo are particularly well known for their elaborate body painting, using natural pigments to create beautiful and intricate designs. Their cultural traditions and artistic expressions make this visit a memorable experience.
Continue toward the Nyangatom area, where you can learn about the community's pastoral lifestyle, cultural traditions, and relationship with the surrounding environment.
Along the way, enjoy the spectacular scenery of the savanna grasslands, river valleys, and remote landscapes of the Lower Omo Valley. Keep an eye out for wildlife and colorful bird species that inhabit the region.
After the visits, return to Turmi in the afternoon.
Overnight in Turmi.

Main Destination:

Lower Omo Valley (Cultural Village)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Buska Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located in Lower Omo Valley (Cultural Village)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

South Omo Cultural Journey Key Afer Market and Mursi Village Visit – Jinka

After breakfast, depart for Jinka, traveling through the culturally diverse landscapes of South Omo.
Stop at Key Afer, a lively local town known for its colorful markets. If your visit coincides with a market day, you may encounter people from several ethnic communities, including the Hamar, Ari, Benna, and Tsemay, creating wonderful opportunities to observe local trade and traditional clothing.
Continue for a visit to a Mursi community, The Mursi people are well known for their distinctive cultural traditions, including the lip plates worn by some women. During the visit, learn about their lifestyle, customs, and relationship with the surrounding environment.
Please remember that photography should always be approached respectfully and in accordance with local community expectations.

Check in at your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening.
Overnight in Jinka.

Main Destination:

Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Nasa Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Scenic Drive from Jinka to Yirga Alem via Maze National Park Wildlife Experience

After breakfast, begin your scenic drive from Jinka to Yirga Alem, enjoying the beautiful landscapes of southern Ethiopia along the way. En route, visit the wildlife-rich surroundings of Maze National Park known for its diverse wildlife and natural savanna habitats. Keep an eye out for commonly sighted animals such as bohor reedbucks, bushbucks, warthogs, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, and various antelope species. With some luck, you may also spot larger wildlife, including buffaloes, as well as a variety of bird species.

Take short stops at suitable locations to observe wildlife, enjoy the open savanna grasslands, and photograph the park's natural beauty. As you continue toward Yirga Alem, admire the spectacular views of green hills, forests, and the traditional homes of local communities in southern Ethiopia. Keep your camera ready and ask your driver to stop at scenic viewpoints for memorable photographs.

In the late afternoon, arrive in Yirga Alem

Overnight: Yirga Alem.

Main Destination:

Maze National Park

Activities:

• Game drive (normal 4x4 vehicle)

Accommodation:

Aregash Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located in Yirga Alem (Town)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Sidama Cultural Experience & Scenic Journey to Bale Mountains National Park

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel. Before departing for Bale Mountains National Park, enjoy a short visit to a local Sidama village to discover the traditional way of life, daily activities, and cultural practices of the community.
You will also have the opportunity to visit a local coffee farm and learn about coffee cultivation in the Sidama region, which is famous for its high-quality coffee exported to international markets. Enjoy the morning activities and gain insight into the importance of coffee in the local economy and culture.
After the village visit, continue your scenic drive toward Bale Mountains National Park, enjoying the changing landscapes along the way.
Upon arrival, check in at your accommodation and relax.
Overnight: Bale Mountains National Park area.

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Best Time To Visit November to February (Little rain)

High Season October to January (Park is never busy)

Best Weather November to February

Wildlife in Bale Mountains NP

Ethiopian Wolf Common

Mountain Nyala Common

Warthog Common

Menelik's
Bushbuck Occasional

Guereza Monkey Occasional

Show more

Olive Baboon Occasional

Bohor Reedbuck Occasional

Starck's Hare Occasional

Giant Mole-rat Occasional

Bale Monkey Rare

Giant Forest Hog Rare

Golden Jackal Rare

Gelada Monkey None

Walia Ibex None

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Wabe Shebelle Hotel Goba

• Budget hotel located less than 1hr drive from Bale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Sanetti Plateau & Harenna Forest Wildlife and Nature Exploration

After breakfast, begin a scenic excursion game drive to the spectacular Sanetti Plateau and Harenna Forest in Bale mountain N.P
The Sanetti Plateau is renowned for its unique high-altitude landscapes, breathtaking mountain views, and rich wildlife. Keep your eyes open for the Ethiopian wolf, one of Ethiopia's rarest and most remarkable wild animals. The plateau is also an excellent place for observing birds and other highland wildlife.
Continue your journey toward the beautiful Harenna Forest, one of the largest remaining forests in Ethiopia. Along the way, stop at scenic viewpoints overlooking the mountain escarpments and surrounding landscapes. Enjoy the forest scenery and look for wildlife as you explore the area.
Take a guided walk with a local guide to enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery and experience the natural beauty of the Bale Mountains more closely.
This day promises unforgettable encounters with Ethiopia's remarkable highland landscapes and wildlife.
Overnight: Bale.

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Activities:

• Morning game drive (normal 4x4 vehicle) & afternoon nature hike/walk

Accommodation:

Wabe Shebelle Hotel Goba

• Budget hotel located less than 1hr drive from Bale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Bale Mountains N P Wildlife Trekking and Highland Nature Experience

After breakfast, have walk in the Dinsho area of Bale Mountains National Park, which is known for its beautiful grasslands, mountain scenery, and diverse wildlife.
During your walk and visit, look for endemic mammals such as the mountain nyala, Menelik's bushbuck, Olive baboon and Common duiker as well as various bird species. With the help of your local guide, explore the area on foot and learn about the park's unique ecosystem and wildlife conservation efforts.
Enjoy a guided trek through the scenic surroundings, taking time to appreciate the natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere of the highlands. Enjoy Horseback riding.
After your exploration, return to your accommodation and enjoy a relaxing evening.
Overnight: Bale Mountains National Park Comping site.

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Activities:

• Morning nature hike/walk

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Bale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Scenic Drive from the Ethiopian Highlands to Addis Ababa via Asella

After an early breakfast, begin your scenic drive back to Addis Ababa via Asella. This journey offers aother opportunity to experience the diverse landscapes and rural lifestyles of the Ethiopian highlands.
Alonng the way, enjoy views of rolling hills, agricultural fields, traditional villages, and countryside activities. Make occasional stops at suitable viewpoints to take photographs and appreciate the scenery.
Stop for lunch in Asella, where you can enjoy a meal and, if available, traditional Ethiopian coffee. After lunch, continue your drive to Addis Ababa.
Arrive in Addis Ababa in the evening and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight: Addis Ababa.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Bentark Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Excursion Tour To Debre Libanos Monastery with Traditional Ethiopian Farewell Dinner

After breakfast, depart from Addis Ababa for a day excursion to Debre Libanos Monastery, one of Ethiopia's most important religious sites, located approximately 110 km north of the capital.
Upon arrival, visit the monastery and its museum to learn about the site's religious significance and history.
Continue to the historic Portuguese Bridge, where you can enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding gorge and the dramatic landscape of the Jemma River Valley, part of the Blue Nile drainage system.
Enjoy lunch at a scenic location overlooking the gorge, taking in the magnificent views of the cliffs and surrounding countryside.
After lunch Drive back to Addis
In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant, where you can experience authentic Ethiopian cuisine, traditional live music, and cultural dancing.
After dinner, transfer to Bole International Airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your memorable Ethiopian adventure.
End of the tour.

Main Destination:

Debre Libanos Monastery (Highlight)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.