12 Days Southern Ethiopia Tour
Tour Highlights
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Explore 8+ Indigenous tribes including Hamer, Mursi, Dassanech, Karo, Nyangatom & Dorze
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See UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Konso Cultural Landscape & Tiya Stelae
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Scenic boat trip on Lake Chamo – hippos & giant crocodiles
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Authentic visits to weekly tribal markets
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Discover unique traditional architectures: Dorze huts & Konso stone terraces
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Visit salt crater lake El Sod & watch Borena salt extraction
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Wildlife opportunities in Abiata-Shala & Yabello Sanctuary
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Optional attendance of Hamer bull-jumping ceremony
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Overnight tribal experiences for immersive cultural encounters
Day 1: Addis Ababa - Awassa via Butajira
Drive south from Addis Ababa visiting key archaeological and cultural stops:
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Tiya Stelae Field – UNESCO-listed site
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Adadi Maryam – rock-hewn church
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Melka Kunture – prehistoric tool-making excavation site
Continue to Awassa (Hawassa) for relaxation.
Overnight: Hotel in Awassa
Day 2: Awassa - Dorze Village (Arba Minch Highlands)
Morning visit to Lake Awassa fish market, then continue to Dorze.
Explore Dorze’s:
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Beehive-shaped houses
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Renowned cotton weaving
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Lively market day if coinciding (Mon/Thu in Dorze, Tue/Sat in Chencha)
Overnight: Traditional Dorze hut (shared facilities)
Day 3: Dorze Market - Arba Minch & Lake Chamo Boat Trip
If a market day, visit Dorze or Chencha market.
Drive to Arba Minch for an afternoon boat safari on Lake Chamo:
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“Crocodile Market”
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Hippos & aquatic birds
Overnight: Hotel/Lodge in Arba Minch
Day 4: Arba Minch - Erbore - Turmi (Hamer Territory)
Drive through Weyto (Tsemai tribe) and Erbore village visit.
Continue to Turmi, home to the Hamer people.
Evening cultural immersion with Evangadi (Hamer night dance).
Overnight: Camping / Hotel / Lodge in Turmi
Day 5: Dassanech Tribe in Omorate
Cross the Omo River by local boat to visit the Dassanech tribe.
Return to Turmi for:
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Hamer village visit
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Bull-Jumping Ceremony if available
Overnight: Camping / Basic Hotel / Lodge in Turmi
Day 6: Nyangatom Tribe - Karo Tribe - Return to Turmi
Morning visit to Nyangatom (via river crossing and field walk)
Continue to Korcho village – stunning cliffside view over the Omo River.
Meet the Karo people — celebrated for elaborate body painting.
Return to Turmi; second chance to witness bull-jumping.
Overnight: Camping / Basic Hotel / Lodge in Turmi
Day 7: Turmi - Dimeka - Key Afer - Jinka
Drive north through tribal heartlands.
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Market in Dimeka (Tue/Sat) — vibrant multi-tribal exchange
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Continue to Jinka for evening rest
Overnight: Camping / Hotel / Lodge in Jinka
Day 8: Mursi Tribe in Mago National Park
Drive to visit the Mursi people, known for lip plates and rich cultural rituals.
Afternoon options:
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South Omo Museum & Research Center
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Ari village hike in hills near Jinka
Overnight: Camping / Hotel / Lodge in Jinka
Day 9: Jinka - Key Afer Market - Konso
Drive to Key Afer (Thu market day) — Benna & Tsemai tribes common.
Continue to Konso — UNESCO World Heritage agricultural landscape.
Overnight: Camping / Hotel / Lodge in Konso
Day 10: Explore Konso - Yabello
Visit Konso’s:
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Waka grave statues
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Cultural museum
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Stone-terraced villages
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Optional visit to New York Village – dramatic sand formations
Continue to Yabello.
Possible visit to Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary.
Overnight: Hotel in Yabello
Day 11: El Sod Crater & Borena Culture - Yirgalem
Morning excursion to El Sod:
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Witness traditional salt extraction from a crater lake
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Meet the Borena people
Continue to Yirgalem for a relaxing forest lodge stay with evening coffee ceremony and possible hyena sightings.
Overnight: Lodge in Yirgalem
Day 12: Yirgalem - Abiata-Shala NP - Addis Ababa
Drive north toward Addis Ababa.
Possible stop at Abiata-Shala National Park:
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Lake Shala — Ethiopia’s deepest lake
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Lake Abiata — seasonal flamingo habitat
Arrive in Addis. Optional:
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Souvenir shopping
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Cultural farewell dinner
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Airport transfer for international departure
