$2,200 to $2,860 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateArrival
Arrival
Day 1
Hawasa
Hawasa
Addis to hawassa Departing Addis in the morning the journey south passes through the large town of debre Zeit and descends gradually to the Rift floor at Mojo In the Rift stops will be made at the Awash River and Lake Ziway to observe water birds Lake Ziway is the third largest Ethiopian lake and is the shallowest lake in the rift valley chain Its widespread aquatic vegetation attracts a variety of water birds saddle billed stork fish eagle herons darters kingfishers and wood hoopoe
hawassa is the largest town in southern Ethiopia and the capital of the south region The town is located on the shores of the very large and beautiful Lake hawassa It is possible to enjoy an evening or early morning walk along the foreshore embankment and observe up to a hundred species of birds in a couple of hours Overnight stay in Hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Awasa (City)
- Accommodation:
- Triple-E Hotel and Spa
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Arbaminch
Arbaminch
Day 2 - Hawassa-Arba Minch. Before starting the drive to Arba Minch a visit will be made to the fascinating morning fish market in Hawassa where the fishermen unload and sell their fish (Tilapia & Catfish). Pelicans and Marabou Storks walk amidst the crowd consuming the leftovers. Black and White Colobus (Gurezas) monkeys can be seen in the tall trees near the Lake shore. The journey across the Rift then south to Arba Minch is via the towns of via Shashemene and Sodo. O/N Lodge or hotel in Arba-Minch. Enjoy a wonderful evenning at the edge of town looking acroos the rift at the great expanse of mountain, lakes and forest watching birds soaring into the evening sky from the top of the escarpment overlooking Nechisar National Park.
- Main Destination:
- Arba Minch (City)
- Accommodation:
- Haile Resort Hawassa
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Jinka
Jinka
Day 3 - Arba Minch-Jinka. Leaving Arba Minch and driving south the route passes the shores of Lake Chamo and enters the terraced mountains of Konso Beyond Konso there are magnificent views of the Woyto valley on the way to Jinka. If it is a Thursday you will have the opportunities to visit the Key-Afar market, where the Hammer, Benna, Ari and Tsmay ethnic groups gather to sell buy and sell their produce. In Jinka it is possible to visit the museum and research center. Overnight stay in Hotel or Campsite.
- Main Destination:
- Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)
- Accommodation:
- Eco Omo Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Turmi
Turmi
Day 4 - Jinka-Mursi-Turmi. Drive from Jinka to the Mago National Park. In the morning an excursion will be made into the Mago valley to visit a Mursi village. Returning to Jinka for lunch a stop will be made in an Ari village on the way to Turmi via key-Afer and Dimeka. Overnight stay in Lodge, hotel or campsite in Turmi. Dimeka and Turmi are on a 1300m high plateau and their markets are important for the Hamar-Bena ethnic group.
- Main Destination:
- Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)
- Accommodation:
-
Buska Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Konso
Konso
Day 5 - Turmi-Konso. Leaving Turmi the journey returns to Konso via Arbore on the Rift floor. Arbore and the rift floor provides opportunity to see the way of life of the Arbore and Tsemai people. Konso town is the centre of Konso Culture culture. The Konso practice a highly sophisticated and successful agricultural economy in an arid environment using terracing to bring the steep rocky slopes into production. Coffee, sorghum, fruits and vegetables and multi-use Moringa trees are grown by the Konso on their terraces. A visit will be made to one of the Konso villages. Overnight stay in Hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Konso (Cultural Village)
- Accommodation:
- Kanta Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Arbaminch
Arbaminch
Day 6 - Konso- Dorze. After breakfast in Konso, drive to Dorze via Arba Minch. On the way a boat trip will be taken on Lake Chamo where the biggest crocodiles in Africa sunbath on the shoreline. Hippos hide themselves under the water and there is excellent bird life including weavers, sunbirds, waxbills, pelicans, storks, ibis, fish eagles and goliath herons. After lunch in Arbaminch drive to Dorze, the road climbs 1500m to the top, where there is a panoramic view Across the rift and lakes Abaya and Chamo. A visit will be made to a Dorze village. The Dorze are famous for beehive like houses made out of bamboo which grows well in the wet Gemu highlands. They are the best weavers of traditional cloth in Ethiopia. Overnight stay in their local lodge.
- Main Destination:
- Arba Minch (City)
- Accommodation:
- Paradise Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Addis abeba
Addis abeba
Day 7 - Dorze-Addis. Departing Dorze the route back to Addis Ababa takes a mainly different route beyond Sodo following the Western Rift wall throughthe green and fertile lands of the Wolaita, Hadiya, Silti and Gurage people. Before arriving in Addis a stop is made at the world heritage listed Tiya stelae field and the fascinating Melka-Kunture pre-historical site where thousands of Stone Age tools are found. There is also a small but interesting museum at Melka-Kunture.
Back in Addis enjoy an evening of traditional food, cultural music and dance before transfer to the airport for return flight or stay in Addis prior to taking an additional tour.
- Main Destination:
- Addis Ababa (City)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
