Welcome to Ethiopia! Arrive at Addis Abeba bole international airport. Here you will be greeted by your tour guide or driver from Zani Ethiopian Tours. Then you will be transferred to hotel. If your arrival is early morning, after a leisurely morning rest and relax you will spend the afternoon on a site seeing of Addis Abeba. Established by Emperor Menelik II 1887 Addis Abeba or ‘New flower’ in Amharic, is relatively young city full of contrasts. This city tour includes, The National Museum which houses the country’s historic treasures & the famous ‘Lucy”, The Holy Trinity Orthodox Church Ethiopian main cathedral and home to the remains of the last emperor: Drive up to Mount Entoto to have a panoramic view of the city and end the tour with Merkato, one of the largest open air markets in Africa.
Overnight: Addis Abeba. Accommodation: Cassiopeia Hotel/ Best western Hotel
Leaving Addis this Morning and travel to the south. Southern region is noted for its enormous variety of peoples &culture. Drive through Southern Ethiopia rift valley. It comprises numerous hot springs, beautiful lakes and wildlife. You will drive though Addis-Butajira road. Your first stop will be at Tiya stelae filed which is registered by UNESCO for its 600-800 years old large stone pillars. There are around 36 standing stones 32 of which are engraved and decorated with enigmatic symbols marking a large prehistoric royal burial place. Then visit Lake Ziway which is one of the rift valley lakes with 5 volcanic islands. The lake is reach in fish, hippos and bird life. Proceed to Abijatta-Shalla National Park. The park contains the rift valley lakes of Abijatta and Shalla which are separated by 3 kms of hilly land. You will enjoy the view at a lookout point over the two lakes, whose shores will be pink from the thousands of both Lesser and Greater flamingos in the water. Hot Springs, Ostriches, birds, Gazelles and other mammals are the main attractions in the park. End the day with the visit of Lake Langano which is Bilharzia free and safe for swimming and has fantastic birdlife. Enjoy the rest of the day at the shores of the lake.
Overnight: Langano Accommodation: Resort or Lodge
After breakfast, start a full day scenic drive to the Bale Mountains National Park, Arrive at Dinsho, Park head quarter, in the afternoon, in time for a walk around to see three of the endemic mammals: Menelik’s Bushbuck and Mountain Nyala. And birds like Blue-winged Goose, Spot-Breasted Lapwing, Abyssinian Long Claw, Wattled Ibis, Black-Headed Siskin, Rouget’s Rail, and of course other species, too. Finally transfer to Goba town.
Overnight: Goba. Accommodation: Hotel
Today’s excursion lets you explore the wild wonders of the Senate Plateau and Harenna Forest. This vast highland region is the world’s largest expanse of Afro-alpine moorland, a montane habitat with an average elevation above 13,000 feet. The plateau is renowned for supporting the largest remaining population of Ethiopian Wolf. The plateau is crawling with Rodents, the largest being the Giant Mole rat found only in Bale Mountains. Here you drive to Tullu Dimitu meaning “Red Mountain” just 4kms from the main road. This is the second highest point in Ethiopia at 4,377meters above sea level. The Harenna Forest is one of the most extensive natural forests remaining in Ethiopia. This forest, far denser and more varied than the juniper woodland around Dinsho, has a similar appearance and composition to the forests found in other East African mountain landscapes. Lions live in this densely wooded region though it is rare to see. Here in the forest you have chance to see primate species such as endemic Bale Monkey, Colobus Monkey and other. Late in the afternoon drive back to your accommodation.
Overnight: Bale Goba. Accommodation: Hotel or Lodge.
Today after breakfast, start our drive further to South to HAWASSA. Along the road visiting different local villages and coffee farms.
Overnight: Hawassa, Accommodation: Haile Resort
Today start our day visiting the Fish market on Lake Awassa where you will see firsthand how locals trade and prepare their fish. Then drive towards the Bale Mountains National Park. After the first market, to Dorze Village, set in the highlands above Arba Minch city.
The Dorze people are known for their tall beehive-like houses and their fine cotton weaving. You will visit the village and learn about the daily lives of these industrious people. You will drive back to Arbaminch where you can have agood accommodation.
Overnight: Arbaminch, Accommodation: Haile Resort
In the morning Embark on a boat trip on Lake Chamo, a lake that supports a large population of crocodiles, hippos and fish. Visit the famous Crocodile Market which is not a market but a place to see large concentration of giant Nile Crocodiles and many hippos.
Afterwards,, proceed drinking to Konso.
In the afternoon, take on a walking tour through the fascinating Konso village of Gamole. Observe the unique architecture with stone-walled fences, narrow alleyways, and thatched huts. Appreciate the colorful attire worn by the women of Konso.
This community was recently recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique traditions and farming practices.
Overnight: Konso
Accommodation: Kanta Lodge
Today early start driving from Konso to Turmi, along the way stopping at the Erbore tribal village on the way. Witness the striking beauty of the Arbore women with their dark skin and strong features. Learn about their pre-marriage head-shaving traditions and dark robe attire.
Arrive at Turmi, your final destination for the day.
Overnight: Turmi
Accommodation: Paradise Lodge
Take an early morning drive to the remote Kara village, home to one of the smallest tribes in the area. Renowned for their body painting skills, meet the Kara people at their largest village,Korcho. This village is known for its breathtaking views over the famous Omo River and offering a more authentic experience.
Return to Turmi for lunch.In the late afternoon, drive to a local Hammer village. Interact with hospitable families and playful children who enjoy meeting new people. Witness the pride the Hammer people take in their appearance, decorated with beads and intricate hairstyles.
Overnight: Turmi, Accommodation: Paradise Lodge
Again an early drive to Omorate(75km south of Turmi), in order to visit the Dassanech/Geleb tribe who settled at the bank of the Majestic Omo River (which is a primary source of life for most tribal people) at the last border b/n Kenya and Ethiopia.
The Dassanech tribe are known for their very interesting house design and body painting. So, as soon as we reach Omorate, wewill take the local wooden boat in order to cross the Omo River and meet the Dassanech people who live on the other side of the River. After the boat cross, you will spend some times visiting the village and experiencing a village life style of these authentic Dassanech people.
After the village visit, we will be drive back back to Turmi until midady, then after lunch, proceed to Dimeka in order to attend at the other colourful Hammer.
Overnight: Turmi
Accommodation: Paradise Lodge
Morning depart to jinka through my home town , but along the way visit one the local Banna village called Shaba,then there you will spend the rest of the days visiting this village and share your experience with the local Banna people. BANNA boys are famous for their long stick walking.
Then proceed driving to jinka for lunch. In the afternoon you will take a walking tour through the local Ari village and local market in Jinka.
Overnight: Jinka
Accommodation: Jinka Resort
This morning you will drive through the Mago national park to visit one of the villages of the Mursi Tribe. The Mursi, possibly the most well-known tribe in the area, is famous for both for their women who practice extending their lower lips with clay discs and their men who engage in stick fighting rituals called Donga. The Mursi are probably the last tribes in Africa amongst whom it is still the norm for women to wear those large pottery or wooden discs or plates. Afterwards return to Jinka and after lunch break, drive back to Arbaminch in the afternoon.
Overnight: Arbaminch
Accommodation: Haile Resort
Today on our last day in the South, depart Arbaminch and take a look drive back to Addis. On arrival in Addis, dending your free time for Shopping and evening head to the farewell Evening cultural dinner party in one of the Traditional Ethiopian restaurant with dances from the different ethnic Groups then transfer to airports for your departure.
End of Tour.
