17 Days Southern Ethiopia

Duration: 16 Nights / 17 Days

Day 1: Addis Ababa- Wondogenet

Drive to the Rift valley region en route visit Lake ziway, Lake Langano a beautiful lake with its sandy shores, continue driving to Wondogenet a beautiful resort situated amid wooden hills, , is a source for the hot spring in which people enjoy taking an open air bath. Wondogenet is also known for its rich bird life, Colobus and Vervet monkies .Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 2: Wondogenet-Bale

Drive to the country of Bale Mountain, which is the house of the unique wild life and several bird species. After picnic lunch, stop at Dinsho-the park head quarter to pay the entrance fee but more to see games like the endemic mountain Nyala,M enelik’s Bush buck and others like the Grey Duiker, Bohor, Reedbuck, Wartogs and others. Continue to Goba. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 3: Bale

Set out with a picnic lunch to the high plateau of Senete (4000m high) home to the shy Ethiopian Wolf and many bird species. This drive takes you to the impenetrable Harena forest-reputedly home to lions and Leopard. After picnic lunch drive to the Tulu Dimitu peak–the thirds highest peaks of Ethiopia with an altitude of 4,377m. In the late afternoon drive to Goba. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 4: Bale-Sofomar-Bale

Drive the Sofomar caves which were formed by river Weib on its long journey to the Indian Ocean. The Muslims communities living in the country and abroad have used the cozy interiors of the cave as holy shrines for the past hundreds of years. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 5: Goba-Awassa

Drive to Awassa, situated close to a lake of same name again rich in bird life. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 6: Awassa-Yabello

In the morning have a brief stay at the fish market, drive to yabello en-route visit the Tuttu Fella Stelle park .Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 7: Yabello

Drive some 80km down south .Turn off from the main road to the left and drive further 13km to reach the village called El sod at Dublok to visit the “Singing well”. Drive back to Yabello and visit the Saturday market. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 8: Yabello-Woito

Drive via Konso to stay overnight camping at Woito. Stop at Konso for lunch and continue driving to Woito. Reach Woito and spend the time with the Tsemay people at their Sunday market. O.N camping.

Day 9:  Woito-Turmi

Drive to Turmi.Visit the Hammer people here at Turmi and their famous Monday market. O/N camping.

Day 10: Turmi-Omorate

Morning, drive to Omorate and cross the Omo River by local boat to visit the Dasennech tribe (also known as Galeb tribe). Afterwards, return to Turmi and, if there is Jumping of the Bulls traditional Hamer wedding ceremony, it will be visited. Monday is market day in Turmi. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 11:Turmi–Karo-Turmi

Early morning depart from Turmi to the village of Kangatan. Here you will cross the Omo River and take a short walk through the local fields to visit a village of the Nyangatom tribe. After the visit, return across the river and proceed to the Karo village of Korcho, with a stunning location looking over the Omo River. The Karo people, while the smallest tribes of the Omo valley in number are also known to be the most decorated .after the visit return to Turmi .Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 12: Jinka –Turmi

Depart for Jinka, via Dimeka and Key Afar.  Tuesdays and Saturdays are market days in Dimeka, which is one of the most colorful markets in the area and is visited by many tribes, including Hamer, Benna and Karo.  Afterwards, continue to Jinka. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 13: Jinka – Mursi-Jinka

In the morning, drive through the Mago National Park to a local village of the Mursi tribe.  The Mursi are known for their lower lip and earlobe plates.  In the afternoon, after returning to Jinka, you can visit the South Omo Museum & Research Center to learn more about the local tribes.  Alternatively, take a hike in the surrounding hills to visit a local Ari village. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 14:  Jinka –Konso

After an early breakfast drive back to Jinka..Visit the Saturday market at Jinka, Continue driving further northeast to Konso en route seeing the Tsemay and Konso people. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 15: Konso- Arba Minch

After breakfast drive to New York and Machekie, the famous Konso village. Walk the traits that shake through the home stead and somehow experience their way of living. The Konso people are known for their close-knit homestead, terracing of their hilly farmlands and wonderful wooden artifacts. Back to Konso and continue driving to Arba Minch Check at Bekele Molla Hotel. After lunch and relaxation go out for boat trip on Lake Chamo to see the crocodile market and the hippos. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 16: Arba Minch

Set out with picnic lunch to Nechsar National Park to see games like Zebra, Gazelle Kudu, the endemic Swaynes hertebest Dik-Dik and crocodiles by the lake Chamo. After lunch drive to the high countries of the Dorze people who are known for their weaving and unique egg shaped houses. Visit also their colorful market at Chencha. In the late afternoon return to Arba Minch. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 17: Arba Minch – Addis

Early in the morning, depart from Arba Minch for a full day’s drive to Addis Ababa on the way you may have time to visit one of the following archeological sites of interest , Tiya (Ancient stele field and UNESCO world heritage site), Adadi Mariyam (rock hewn church similar to those in Lalibela or Melka Kunture (pre historic tool making site). Late in the afternoon you arrive in Addis Ababa. In the evening farewell party in one of Ethiopian traditional restaurant where you can see cultural music and dance, then transfer to the airport for flight back home

Note: The above program can be adjusted according to your time, Budget and interest.