$1,750 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateArrival
Arrival
Day 1
Arrival in Addis Ababa – City Tour
Arrival in Addis Ababa – City Tour
Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, your guide will provide a briefing about your upcoming journey through Ethiopia.
Depending on your arrival time, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a short city tour of Addis Ababa. Visit the National Museum of Ethiopia, home to important archaeological discoveries, including the famous fossil of Lucy. Continue to Mount Entoto to enjoy panoramic views of the capital, and explore some of the city's historic landmarks and monuments.
You may also visit Merkato, one of Africa's largest open-air markets, where you can experience the vibrant atmosphere of local Ethiopian commerce. To complete your introduction to Ethiopia, enjoy a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony and sample local cuisine.
After the tour, return to your hotel and relax in preparation for the journey ahead.
Overnight: Addis Ababa.
- Main Destination:
- Addis Ababa (City)
- Activities:
- Accommodation:
- Hotel Golden Tulip Addis Ababa
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Addis Ababa – Lake Ziway – Abijatta-Shalla National Park – Hawassa
Addis Ababa – Lake Ziway – Abijatta-Shalla National Park – Hawassa
After breakfast, begin your journey south through the beautiful landscapes of the Great Rift Valley, passing scenic countryside, lakes, and traditional villages.
Stop in the lakeside town of Ziway for lunch and a short visit. Lake Ziway is well known for its rich birdlife, including pelicans, ducks, Enjoy the peaceful lakeside atmosphere before continuing toward Abijatta-Shalla National Park.
Explore the park's remarkable landscapes and look for flamingos, other waterbirds, and wildlife. After spending some time enjoying the natural surroundings, continue driving to Hawassa, arriving in the late afternoon.
In the evening, enjoy a one-hour boat trip on Lake Hawassa, where you may spot hippos and a variety of waterbirds while watching the sun set over the lake.
Return to shore and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of Hawassa's lakeside area.
Overnight: Hawassa.
- Main Destination:
- Abijatta-Shalla National Park
- Activities:
- Accommodation:
- Lewi Resort Hawassa
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Hawassa – Fish Market – Amora Gedel Park – Chebera Churchura National Park
Hawassa – Fish Market – Amora Gedel Park – Chebera Churchura National Park
After an early breakfast, visit Hawassa's lively fish market, where local fishermen bring in their daily catch and traders gather along the lakeshore. Experience the vibrant morning activities and observe the local fishing culture.
Continue to Amora Gedel Park, a beautiful lakeside area known for its birdlife and vervet monkeys.
After your visit, begin the drive toward Chebera Churchura National Park, passing through the countryside and traditional towns of southern Ethiopia. Stop in Sodo for lunch and a short rest before continuing your journey.
Arrive at Chebera Churchura National Park in the late afternoon. Check in at your accommodation, relax, and prepare for the following day's wildlife exploration.
Overnight: Chebera Churchura National Park area.
- Main Destination:
- Chebera-Churchura National Park
- Activities:
- Accommodation:
-
Chebera Safari Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Full-Day Wildlife Exploration in Chebera Churchura National Park
Full-Day Wildlife Exploration in Chebera Churchura National Park
Begin the day with an early morning game drive in Chebera Churchura National Park, accompanied by a local guide and park scout. Explore the park's diverse habitats in search of African elephants, buffalo, and other wildlife.
Chebera Churchura is known for its rich natural environment, with forests, grasslands, rivers, and scenic landscapes that support a variety of animal and bird species. Wildlife sightings depend on the season and local conditions.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park, bringing packed food and drinking water arranged in advance.
In the afternoon, continue exploring the park on foot with your local guide and scout, where permitted and safe. Discover the surrounding vegetation, observe wildlife signs, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this relatively little-known national park. Visit a local waterfall if conditions and access allow.
Later in the afternoon, return to your accommodation and relax.
Overnight: Chebera Churchura National Park area.
- Main Destination:
- Chebera-Churchura National Park
- Activities:
- Accommodation:
- Chebera Safari Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Chebera Churchura – Sodo – Jinka
Chebera Churchura – Sodo – Jinka
After breakfast, depart for Jinka, the gateway to the fascinating cultures and landscapes of the Lower Omo Valley.
Enjoy a scenic drive through southern Ethiopia, passing rural settlements, cultivated fields, and changing landscapes. Along the way have a game drive the Maze national park, look out for wildlife in suitable areas, including wayne’s Hartebeest, buffaloes, greater and lesser kudu, oribi, waterbuck, bushbuck, warthogs, and Anubis baboonsbirds, baboons, and antelope where present.
Stop in Sodo for lunch before continuing south toward Jinka. Enjoy opportunities to observe local life along the route and take photographs at appropriate stops.
Arrive in Jinka in the late afternoon, check in at your hotel, and relax after the day's journey.
Overnight: Jinka.
- Main Destination:
- Maze National Park
- Activities:
- Accommodation:
-
Jinka Resort
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Jinka – Mago National Park – Mursi Community – Jinka
Jinka – Mago National Park – Mursi Community – Jinka
After breakfast, set out for an excursion to Mago National Park, a landscape of savanna grasslands, woodland, and diverse wildlife.
Travel through the park toward a Mursi community, accompanied by your local guide. The Mursi are one of the Indigenous peoples of the Lower Omo Valley, known for distinctive cultural traditions, body adornment, and lip-plate practices among some women.
Spend time learning about the community's daily life, traditions, and relationship with the surrounding environment. Your guide will help facilitate respectful cultural interaction and explain local customs. Photography should always be undertaken with permission and in accordance with community expectations.
Enjoy the landscapes of Mago National Park during the excursion before returning to Jinka in the late afternoon.
Overnight: Jinka.
- Main Destination:
- Mago National Park
- Activities:
- Accommodation:
- Jinka Resort
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Jinka – Ari Community – Key Afer (Market Day, If Applicable) – Turmi
Jinka – Ari Community – Key Afer (Market Day, If Applicable) – Turmi
After breakfast, visit a nearby Ari community to learn about local traditions, farming practices, crafts, and everyday life.
Continue your journey through the Lower Omo Valley toward Turmi, home to the Hamar people and a center for exploring the region's rich cultural diversity.
Depending on your travel date, visit the traditional market at Key Afer, particularly if your journey falls on Wednesday, when the market is generally held. The market brings together people from different communities in the region, offering an opportunity to observe local trade and social life.
Along the way, you may encounter members of the Banna community. Your guide can explain local traditions, including the stick-walking practices associated with some Banna boys and young men.
Continue to Turmi, arriving in the late afternoon. Check in at your accommodation and relax.
Overnight: Turmi.
Day 8
Turmi – Omorate – Dassanech Community – Turmi
Turmi – Omorate – Dassanech Community – Turmi
After breakfast, drive to Omorate, located near the Kenyan border, to visit a Dassanech community.
Enjoy the scenic journey through the dry landscapes of the Lower Omo Valley, with opportunities to observe local settlements and distinctive termite mounds that rise above the surrounding terrain.
At Omorate, cross the Omo River by traditional boat, subject to local arrangements and river conditions. Visit the Dassanech community and learn about their cultural traditions, pastoral lifestyle, and ways of adapting to the challenging environment.
Return to Turmi in the afternoon. If a traditional Hamar bull-jumping ceremony is taking place and arrangements can be made, you may have the opportunity to attend this important rite of passage. The ceremony is not held every day and depends on local arrangements.
Visit a nearby Hamar village to learn more about traditional houses, family life, and cultural practices.
Overnight: Turmi.
- Main Destination:
- Omorate (Lower Omo Valley)
- Activities:
- Accommodation:
- Paradise Lodge Turmi
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Turmi – Karo Community – Nyangatom Community – Turmi
Turmi – Karo Community – Nyangatom Community – Turmi
After breakfast, depart for an excursion to the western side of the Lower Omo Valley to visit the Karo and Nyangatom tribs.
Travel through scenic landscapes along the Omo River, enjoying views of the surrounding countryside and, where conditions permit, parts of the Omo Valley's protected natural areas.
Visit a Karo settlement, where you can learn about the community's traditions and distinctive body painting and decoration. The Karo people are known for their artistic use of natural pigments and for living along the banks of the Omo River.
Depending on local arrangements, you may also visit a community school or another local institution to gain further insight into daily life.
Continue to a Nyangatom community, where your guide will introduce you to local traditions, livelihoods, and cultural practices, including fishing and livestock keeping where relevant.
After the visits, drive back to Turmi, enjoying the scenery along the way.
Overnight: Turmi.
- Main Destination:
- Lower Omo Valley (Cultural Village)
- Activities:
- Accommodation:
- Paradise Lodge Turmi
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Turmi – Konso Cultural Landscape – Arba Minch
Turmi – Konso Cultural Landscape – Arba Minch
After breakfast, depart Turmi and begin the scenic drive toward Arba Minch.
Depending on road conditions, seasonal accessibility, and the route selected, travel via Key Afer and the Konso area or follow an alternative route recommended by your guide.
Visit the Konso Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its terraced hillsides, traditional settlements, and distinctive dry-stone walls. Learn about the Konso people's agricultural traditions, community organization, and cultural heritage.
Enjoy lunch along the way before continuing to Arba Minch.
Arrive in the late afternoon and check in at your lodge or hotel. Depending on your arrival time, relax and enjoy the views of the surrounding landscape.
Overnight: Arba Minch.
- Main Destination:
- Arba Minch (City)
- Activities:
- Accommodation:
- Haile Resort Arba Minch
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 11
Lake Chamo Boat Safari – Gamo Highlands – Arba Minch
Lake Chamo Boat Safari – Gamo Highlands – Arba Minch
Wake up early to enjoy the sunrise and the beautiful scenery around Arba Minch, overlooking the Rift Valley lakes and surrounding highlands.
After breakfast, embark on a boat safari on Lake Chamo. Look for Nile crocodiles, hippos, and a variety of waterbirds. Wildlife sightings depend on seasonal conditions and the animals' movements.
Later, travel into the Gamo Highlands to discover the region's distinctive traditional architecture and cultural heritage. Visit villages known for their towering, beehive-shaped bamboo houses, and learn about traditional weaving and other local crafts.
Experience the warmth of local hospitality and, where possible, participate in a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. Enjoy panoramic views of the highlands and gain insight into the everyday life and cultural traditions of the Gamo people.
Return to Arba Minch in the afternoon or evening.
Overnight: Arba Minch.
- Main Destination:
- Lake Chamo
- Activities:
- Accommodation:
- Haile Resort Arba Minch
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 12
Arba Minch – Flight to Addis Ababa – Farewell Dinner
Arba Minch – Flight to Addis Ababa – Farewell Dinner
Enjoy a relaxing morning in Arba Minch. After breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch your domestic flight to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival in the afternoon, transfer to your hotel and enjoy some free time to relax.
Depending on your interests and available time, an optional short city tour can be arranged to explore some of Addis Ababa's highlights or do some last-minute shopping.
In the evening, enjoy a memorable farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant, where you can savor authentic Ethiopian cuisine while experiencing live traditional music and cultural dances representing Ethiopia's diverse ethnic groups.
After dinner, transfer to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport for your international departure.
End of your unforgettable Ethiopian adventure.
- Main Destination:
- Addis Ababa (City)
- Activities:
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
