Southern Ethiopia 9-Day Private Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: Addis Ababa

On the first day, we'll meet you at the arrivals terminal of Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. With presentations over, we'll take you to the hotel in Addis Ababa where we'll spend the first night. Rest well because the fantastic south of Ethiopia awaits us!

Day 2: Addis Ababa - Arba Minch

After breakfast, we'll take you back to the airport to catch a flight to Arba Minch.

Upon arrival, we'll pick you up from the airport and drive to Dorze Village, located in the highlands of Arba Minch. Dorze is famous for its tall beehive-like houses, made from bamboo canes and banana plant leaves. Here, we'll enjoy a guided tour of the town and learn what daily life is like for its inhabitants.

Finally, we'll let you relax until the next day at Hotel Paradise Lodge in Arba Minch.

Day 3: Arba Minch - Arbore - Turmi

We'll enjoy a rich breakfast, before leaving Arba Minch behind and heading to Turmi. Along the way, we'll pass by the town of Weyto, home to the Tsemai tribe. Did you know it's one of the least-known ethnic groups in Ethiopia? Then, we'll explore Weyto Valley up to Arbore, where we'll participate in a brief tour of this pastoral town near Lake Stefany.

At the end of the day, we'll arrive in Turmi, home to the Hamer tribe. At night, we can head into one of the largest and most traditional towns in the country, which almost solely relies on agriculture and farming. Did you know that its inhabitants are characterised by their elaborate hairstyles and body paintings? These reflect the social status of each person.

Then, we'll relax at Buska Lodge in Turmi. See you tomorrow!

Day 4: Turmi - Omorate - Turmi

On the fourth morning, we'll take a day trip to Omorate to visit the Dassanech tribe. Once there, we'll cross the Omo River in a small boat and explore this town to learn about its deeply rooted traditions. Here, we'll learn what life is like on the shore of Lake Turkana, where they hunt crocodiles and fish every day.

In the afternoon, we'll return to Turmi, where, if it's happening on this day, we can witness the famous Hamer tribal bull jumping. Do you know what this initiation ritual is? Young men, naked and with their characteristic hairstyles, must jump over and walk on several bulls, keeping their balance. If they pass this test, they can get married and start a family. Here, we'll tell you more facts about this ceremony.

We'll end the 4th day at Buska Lodge in Turmi.

Day 5: Turmi - Nyangaton - Turmi

Early in the morning, after breakfast, we'll leave Turmi for the town of Kangatan. Here, we'll cross the River Omo and take a brief walk through the fields in the area to visit the town of the Nyangatom Tribe. Let's explore this farming town!

At the end of the day, we'll return to Turmi to rest until the next day at Buska Lodge.

Day 6: Turmi - Kara - Turmi

Once we've finished breakfast, we'll travel to the town of Kara, home to a small tribe of only 3,000 inhabitants. Upon arrival, we'll tell you the history of this town on the western shore of the River Omo, discussing body paintings they use for beautification purposes.

After spending time with the inhabitants of Kara, we'll return to Buska Lodge in Turmi.

Day 7: Jinka - Mursi - Jinka

On the 7th day, after an energising breakfast, we'll travel to the Mursi Tribe, located in Mago National Park. Do you know why this town is famous? Here, we'll discover the unique customs when women, upon reaching adulthood, insert a clay disc into their lower lip as decoration.

We'll spend the whole morning spending time and experiences with the Mursi tribe and then travel to Jinka for lunch at your own expense. In the afternoon, after refreshments, we'll drive to the village of Aari.

At the end of the day, we'll rest at Jinka Resort Hotel.

Day 8: Jinka - Konso - Arba Minch

After breakfast, we'll take a road trip to Konso. The slopes of this village have been terraced to grow sunflowers, fruit trees, cotton and corn–you'll love it!

We'll continue the tour by driving to one of the most interesting walled villages in Konso, called Gamole. In this region, the villages are fortified with stone walls as a defensive measure and its cultural landscape was declared a World Heritage Site in 2011!

Then, we'll stop at one of the largest lagoons in the Rift Valley, Lake Chamo. We'll take a boat ride to spot different species of birds such as the greater kestrel, Orange River francolin, yellow-throated grouse, desert stilts and bustards. In addition, did you know that this lake is known for its huge population of crocodiles and hippos? Watch out! We might be able to spot one.

We'll end the day at Arba Minch, at Paradise Lodge accommodation. See you tomorrow!

Day 9: Arba Minch - Addis Ababa

On the 9th day, we'll catch a flight from Arba Minch to Addis Ababa. After dinner, we'll take you to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport with enough time to catch your return flight home.

Accommodation

This tour includes 8 nights of accommodation with breakfast at the following 3 and 4-star hotels:

• Adís Abeba (1 night): Hotel Lobelia 4* or similar
• Arba Minch​ (2 nights): Hotel Paradise Lodge 3* or similar
• Turmi (4 nights): Buska Lodge 3* or similar
• Jinka (1 night): Jinka Resort Hotel 3* or similar

Flights

Please note that international flights to and from Addis Ababa are not included.

In order to participate in the tour, you must book an international flight to and from Addis Ababa arriving in the Ethiopian capital on the day of your tour. The return international flight from Addis Ababa must be on the ninth day of the tour from 9:30 pm onwards.

Domestic return flights between Addis Ababa and Arba Minch are included.