11-Day Cultural Tour of South Ethiopia with Tribes and Salt Mining

In the morning, drive to the airport for your flight to Addis. Then depart from Addis to the south via the Rift Valley, en route visiting Lake Ziway for its beautiful bird life along the lakeshore. Stop at Langano to visit Abiatta-Shalla National Park. Lake Shalla is a soda lake and a very deep crater lake, at over 200 metres deep, and it is a refuge for numerous flamingos. Overnight in Awasa.

After breakfast, drive to the Awasa local fish market on the shore of the lake. Then ascend through the Gughe Mountains to visit the Dorze people, known for their tall beehive-like houses and fine cotton weavings. Learn about and experience the daily life of these industrious people. Monday and Thursday are market days in Dorze and nearby Chencha, and Tuesday and Saturday are market days. Overnight in Arba Minch.

In the morning, take a boat trip on Lake Chamo to visit the Crocodile Market and see local hippos. Then continue to Jinka, passing through Weyto, where Saturday is market day. In Key Afer, the biggest market takes place on Thursday. Overnight in Jinka.

After breakfast, drive through Mago National Park to visit the Mursi tribe, known for the plates inserted in their lower lips and earlobes. In the afternoon, return to Jinka to visit the South Omo Valley Museum and Research Center to learn more about the tribes. Overnight in Jinka.

Depart from Jinka via Turmi. On the way, stop at Dimeka local market, one of the most colourful markets in South Omo, visited by many tribes including the Hamer, Benna, Tsemai, and Ari. Then continue driving to Turmi, home of the Hamer people. At night, you can see the traditional dancing of the Hamer people, known as Evangadi. Overnight in Turmi.

In the morning, take a day trip to Omorate to see the Dessanech tribe. Here, you will cross the Omo River by a small boat. Afterwards, return to Turmi. If there is a traditional Hamer wedding ceremony taking place, you will see the jumping bulls. Overnight in Turmi.

Today will be a day trip to Murule to find the Karo tribe on the shores of the Omo River valley. They are known for their body-coloured decoration, particularly during local ceremonies. Return to Turmi.

After breakfast, depart from Turmi to Konso through the Weyto Valley to Erbore market day. The Konso people are known for their wooden statues called Wakhas, erected in honour of dead heroes, and for their intricate agricultural terracing. Proceed to Chew Bahir (Salty Lake), then drive to Konso. Overnight in Konso.

Today, depart from Konso to Yabello and visit Borena National Park wildlife sanctuary to see the endemic Ethiopian Bush Crow and Abyssinian Hornbill. Then drive to Yabello. Overnight in Yabello.

In the morning, drive south of Yabello to the local village of Dublock to experience the chanting chain of Borena people filling packets of water from the long channelled opening of the wells. Continue to Elsod, a crater lake where salt is mined from the lake for sale and use throughout Ethiopia. Then drive to Langano. Overnight in Sabana Lodge.

Today, drive through the great scenery of green mountains. If time permits, en route visit Adadi Maryam and Tiya Archeological Site. Overnight in Addis Ababa.

Today, we will also have shopping time. In the evening, we go to places of several plates and watch traditional dances of numerous ethnic groups, while serving you traditional Ethiopian coffee. Later, we will transfer you to the airport for your departure.