Ethiopia · Tribal Experiences

10-Day Southern Ethiopia Adventure from Addis Ababa to Lake Langano

10 Days Round trip from Addis Ababa Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore ancient sites like Tiya, Adadi Maryam, and Melka Kunture
  • 02 Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of the Dorze people
  • 03 Take a boat trip on Lake Chamo to see hippos and the "crocodile market"
  • 04 Witness the traditional evangadi night dancing of the Hamer tribe
  • 05 Visit distinctive tribal communities including the Dassenech and Mursi
  • 06 Discover endemic wildlife at Senkele Wildlife Sanctuary

Embark on a journey through southern Ethiopia from Addis Ababa to Lake Langano, exploring archaeological treasures, tribal cultures, and remarkable wildlife along the way. Visit ancient sites such as Tiya, Adadi Maryam, and Melka Kunture, discover the daily life of the Dorze people, and take a boat trip on Lake Chamo to see hippos and the famous "crocodile market." The route also leads through Turmi, Omorate, Jinka, and Konso for encounters with the Hamer, Dassenech, Mursi, and other local communities, before ending with wildlife viewing at Senkele Wildlife Sanctuary and the lakes of Abiatta-Shala on the return to Addis Ababa.

Embark on a journey through southern Ethiopia from Addis Ababa to Lake Langano, exploring archaeological treasures, tribal cultures, and remarkable wildlife along the way.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 10 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Addis Ababa, Awassa, Arba Minch, Konso, Lake Langano, Jinka, Turmi, Tiya, Butajira, Chencha, Mago National Park, Abijatta-Shalla National Park, Omorate, Lake Chamo
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Addis Ababa to Awassa via Ancient Heritage Sites

  • Depart south from Addis Ababa via Butajira.
  • On the way, you will visit the archaeological sites of Tiya, an ancient stelae field and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Adadi Maryam, a rock-hewn church similar to those in Lalibela, and Melka Kunture, a prehistoric tool-making site.
  • Your final destination for the day is Awassa.

Overnight in Ker awd hotel.

2
Day 02

Lake Awassa and Dorze Cultural Discovery

  • In the morning after breakfast, visit the fish market on the shores of Lake Awassa.
  • Then proceed to Dorze, set in the highlands above Arba Minch.
  • You will visit the village and learn about the daily lives of these industrious people. If today is market day - in Dorze village on Monday and Thursday, and in nearby Chencha on Tuesday and Saturday - that will also be visited.
  • Continue to Arba Minch for the night.

Overnight in Moreha Light hotel.

3
Day 03

Market Visit and Lake Chamo Boat Excursion

  • In the morning, visit the local market in Dorze (Monday and Thursday) or Chencha (Tuesday and Saturday).
  • Afterwards, continue driving to Arba Minch.
  • In the afternoon, take a boat trip on Lake Chamo to visit the "crocodile market" and see the local hippos.
  • Overnight in Arba Minch.

Overnight in Moreha Light hotel.

4
Day 04

Journey to Turmi and Hamer Night Dancing

  • After breakfast, depart from Arba Minch to Turmi.
  • On the way, you will pass through the village of Weyto, home to the Tsemai tribe, where market day is Saturday.
  • Continue through the Weyto Valley to Erbore, where you will have a brief visit to a local Erbore village. Market day here is also Saturday.
  • Finally, proceed to Turmi, home of the Hamer tribe.
  • At night, you can see the traditional night dancing of the Hamer tribe, known as evangadi.

Overnight in Turmi.

Overnight in Kizo lodge.

5
Day 05

Omorate Excursion and Dassenech Village Visit

  • In the morning, take a day trip to Omorate to visit the Dassenech tribe.
  • Here, you will cross the Omo River by local boat and enter a Dassenech village.
  • Afterwards, return to Turmi. Monday is market day, and you will also visit a local Hamer village.

Overnight in Turmi.

Overnight in Kizo lodge.

6
Day 06

Drive to Jinka via Dimeka and Key Afar

  • Depart for Jinka via Dimeka and Key Afar.
  • Afterwards, continue to Jinka.

Overnight in Nasa Pension.

7
Day 07

Mago National Park and Mursi Tribe Exploration

  • In the morning, drive through Mago National Park to a local village of the Mursi tribe.
  • 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 in Kizo lodge.

8
Day 08

Konso Village Heritage and Waka Statues

  • After breakfast, depart from Jinka to Konso via Key Afar.
  • After the visit, proceed to Konso, where market days are Mondays and Thursdays.
  • Today, you will have the opportunity to visit a local village and the cultural museum displaying many waka statues. Time permitting, you can also visit the "natural New York Village," named after the tall sand formations resembling skyscrapers.

Overnight in Konso (Kanta lodge).

9
Day 09

Senkele Wildlife Sanctuary to Lake Langano

  • After breakfast, depart from Konso to Lake Langano.
  • On the way, you will visit the Senkele Wildlife Sanctuary, which was established to protect the endemic Swayne's Hartebeest.
  • Continue to Lake Langano for the night.

Overnight in Langano hotel.

10
Day 10

Lake Langano Morning and Return to Addis Ababa

  • After a morning swim in the lake, depart north to Addis Ababa.
  • On the way, you may visit Abiatta-Shala National Park.
  • Lake Shala, with its deep blue waters, is the deepest lake in Ethiopia at 236 m.
  • Lake Abiatta is a soda lake where thousands of flamingos can be seen at various times of the year.
  • Afterwards, take a flight back home or stay a night in Addis.
Tiya stelae field, Dorze Village highland homes, Lake Chamo crocodile market, Mago National Park

Where this trip takes you

Tiya stelae field, Dorze Village highland homes, Lake Chamo crocodile market, Mago National Park

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Addis Ababa 14 cities · 10 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Domestic flight
  • Accommodation with breakfast
  • Local guides
  • Overland transport
  • Entrance fees

What's Not Included

  • Lunch and dinner
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Video camera fee

What to bring

  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Light clothing
  • Warm clothes for the evening
  • Comfortable walking shoes

Know before you go

  • If you have any special or specific needs, please let us know.
  • The Konso people are known for their wooden statues, called wakas, which are erected in honor of dead heroes, as well as for their innovative agricultural terracing.
  • Thursday is market day in Key Afar, where you will see the Benna and Tsemai tribes trading goods. This is another very popular market in the region.
  • The Mursi are known for their lower lip and earlobe plates.
  • Tuesdays and Saturdays are market days in Dimeka, one of the most colorful markets in the area, visited by many tribes including the Hamer, Benna, and Karo.
  • If there is a Jumping of the Bulls traditional Hamer coming-of-age ceremony, that will be visited.
  • The Dorze people are known for their tall beehive-like houses and their fine cotton weaving.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tour start
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 10 days finish where they began, in Addis Ababa.

Watch the tourHQ film Watch the film

Create your own adventure

Can't find the perfect tour? Tailor your dream trip.

  • Tell us your destination, dates and group size.
  • Our travel experts and local guides design a tailored itinerary, just for you.
  • Enjoy your trip with peace of mind, knowing everything is taken care of.
Plan my holiday

Say goodbye to travel stress.

Starting from

USD 483.50 /person
Book This Tour

Estimated room rates

Single Room $483.50 — $1,934.00
Double Sharing $483.50 — $967.00

When

Travellers

Total