Dejene Ethiopia Tours – Southern Ethiopia (8 Days)

This 8-day tour is perfect for travelers who want to explore the fantastic landscapes and unique tribes of South Ethiopia within a short trip. The tour can be perfectly combined with any of our other Ethiopia tours or with a beach holiday or safari in East Africa.

Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa and City Tour Upon arrival at Bole International Airport, you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your reserved hotel. Depending on your arrival time, we have various sightseeing options for you to choose from. You can visit Mount Entoto, the Institute of Ethiopian Studies, the National Museum, Trinity Cathedral, or the Mercato, the largest open-air market in Africa. Accommodation: Hotel, Addis Ababa

Day 2: Addis Ababa – Tiya – Arba Minch (465 km) After breakfast, we drive to Arba Minch (approx. 7hrs.), with a stop on the way at Tiya (80km from Addis Ababa) to explore the Stelae field of Tiya, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The field comprises some 45 stones of up to 2-3m in height. We then continue to Arba Minch with some fantastic scenery, including the best spot to view the two rift valley lakes, Lake Abaya to the north and Lake Chamo to the South. We will arrive at the lodge in the late afternoon, and you may relax at the lodge with stunning views from the terrace. Accommodation: Lodge or Resort, Arba Minch

Day 3: Arbaminch – Lake Chamo – Dorze Village – Arbaminch Morning: After breakfast, we undertake a boat cruise on Lake Chamo and search for Africa’s biggest crocodiles (up to 6m long), hippos, and a large variety of bird life. Afternoon: We will visit the Dorze people, known for their weaving and beekeeping skills, and their unique huts, with some fantastic scenery, including the Wolayta farmlands, with views of the lush green hills and valleys. The Dorze village is found high in the Guge Mountains overlooking Lake Abaya and Lake Chamo. Accommodation: Lodge or Resort, Arba Minch

Day 4: Arbaminch – Konso – Key Afer Market – Jinka (240 km) After breakfast, we drive to Konso approx. (travelling time 3.5 hrs.). Konso is a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site. We will visit the village compound and the local museum and are usually welcomed in the Konso chief’s compound, which includes the family graveyard and house mummies. From Konso, we continue our journey to the colorful market of Key Afer (Thursdays only) frequented by several tribes of the Omo valley, such as Derase, Tsemay, Benna, and Ari, before reaching Jinka in the late afternoon. Accommodation: Hotel or Lodge, Jinka

Day 5: Jinka – Mago National Park (Mursi) – Turmi (160 km) Morning:We enter the Mago National Park (travelling time approx. 2hrs), admiring different animals and birds on the way; and proceed to visit to the Mursi tribe and their villages. One of the most unique tribes in Africa. Here women use huge round lips plates for beauty reasonsAfternoon:After lunch, we continue our trip to Turmi (approx. 3 hrs), where we will meet the fascinating Hamer tribe. Turmi serves as our base to explore the tribes of the Southern Omo Valley. The whole region of the Southern Omo has been declared a UNESCO world heritage site since 1980. Accommodation: Lodge, Turmi

Day 6: Turmi – Dimeka Market – Turmi Morning:After breakfast, we visit the colourful market in Dimeka near Turmi (Saturdays only), frequented by several tribes of the Omo valley. Afternoon:Turmi is well known for its traditional events and with some luck we will even participate in a Hamer marriage ceremony, with its bull jumping ceremony and more! In the late afternoon, we will also visit a nearby Hamer village and encounter the tribe in its daily life surroundings. With some luck, we may even witness a moonshine dance (Evangadi), a traditional dance of young Hamer men and women. Accommodation: Lodge, Turmi

Day 7: Turmi – Konso (240km) Morning:After breakfast, we depart from Turmi to Konso (approx. 6 hrs), driving through a scenic landscape that provides an opportunity for photography and stops at various villages and viewpoints. On the way, we visit the villages of the Tsemay and Benna tribes, known for their colorful dress and ornaments.Afternoon:In the afternoon, we arrive in Konso, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site, where we visit the village compound, local museum, and the Konso chief’s compound. Konso people have a rich agrarian culture and are known for their ingenious terraces and walls that encircle their fields and villages for protection against livestock damage and flooding. Accommodation: Lodge or Hotel, Konso

Day 8: Konso – Addis Ababa (525km) Morning:After breakfast, we depart from Konso to Addis Ababa (approx. 9hrs), stopping for lunch and refreshments on the way. We will arrive in Addis Ababa in the late afternoon, where you will have a chance to do some last-minute shopping or sightseeing if time allows. In the evening, we will take you to a traditional Ethiopian restaurant where you can enjoy delicious Ethiopian cuisine and cultural dance performances. Accommodation: Hotel, Addis Ababa