Few journeys on Earth can match the richness and intensity of a journey into Southern Ethiopia. In just 10 days, you’ll experience the full sweep of African life — wildlife, ancient landscapes, and living cultures that feel untouched by time. This journey is not only about what you will see, but about what you will feel: the rhythm of tribal dances around a fire, the sight of vast Rift Valley lakes shimmering at sunset, and the quiet awe of standing face-to-face with people whose traditions stretch back thousands of years.
From Awash National Park’s savanna plains to the UNESCO-recognized Konso terraced landscapes, and from the Mursi’s lip-plate traditions to the artistic body paintings of the Karo, every day unveils a chapter of Ethiopia’s astonishing diversity. You’ll travel comfortably in 4×4 vehicles, stay in some of the region’s best lodges, and be accompanied by guides who know how to bridge worlds — introducing you to wildlife, landscapes, and communities with both respect and insight.
This is more than a tour — it is an expedition into the soul of Ethiopia.
Why This Trip is Extraordinary
- 🌍 UNESCO Sites & Protected Landscapes – Visit Tiya Stelae, the Konso Cultural Landscape, and protected parks like Awash and Nech Sar.
- 🦓 Wildlife & Safari Experiences – Spot oryx, baboons, kudu, zebras, hippos, and giant Nile crocodiles in Awash & Lake Chamo.
- 👣 Immersive Tribal Encounters – Meet the Dorze, Ari, Mursi, Hamer, Dassanech, and Karo tribes, each with distinct traditions, dress, and art forms.
- 🎭 Cultural Ceremonies – Witness once-in-a-lifetime events like the Hamer bull-jumping rite of passage or tribal dances around the Omo River.
- 🛶 Scenic Adventures – Boat rides across Lake Ziway, Lake Langano, Lake Chamo, and the Omo River.
- 🌄 Stunning Landscapes – Drive through the Great Rift Valley, volcanic lakes, and highland terraces shaped by centuries of human hands.
- 🍲 Comfort & Hospitality – Stay in some of the south’s best eco-lodges (Paradise Lodge, Buska Lodge, Eco-Omo) and enjoy meals that mix Ethiopian cuisine with Western comfort.
✨ Why This Trip is Unmissable
In just 10 days, you’ll journey from the savanna plains of Awash to the cultural crossroads of the Omo Valley, encountering landscapes, wildlife, and communities you won’t find anywhere else in Africa. This is not just sightseeing — it is an immersion into the living tapestry of Ethiopia, where every village, ritual, and landscape has a story to tell.
Welcome to Ethiopia! On arrival at Bole International Airport, our team greets you with a warm Ethiopian welcome. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a city tour: the National Museum (home of Lucy, the 3.2-million-year-old hominid), the Holy Trinity Cathedral, and a drive up Mount Entoto for sweeping city views. In the evening, savor a cultural dinner featuring traditional music and dance.
Overnight: Golden Tulip / Hilton
Drive east into the savanna landscapes of Awash National Park, Ethiopia’s oldest reserve. On your game drive, keep an eye out for Soemmerring’s gazelle, oryx, baboons, warthogs, and 400+ bird species. Visit the spectacular Awash River Falls, thundering into a gorge lined with lush greenery. At dusk, the acacia plains glow golden — a photographer’s dream.
Overnight: Awash Falls Lodge
Journey south through the Rift Valley, stopping at Lake Ziway for a boat trip to see pelicans, jacanas, and island monasteries. Continue to Lake Langano, one of Ethiopia’s few swimmable lakes. Spend the afternoon birdwatching, kayaking, or simply enjoying the lakeside views as the sun dips low over the water.
Overnight: Sabana Beach Resort
Take a morning flight to Arba Minch, gateway to the southern tribes. In the afternoon, climb into the Guge highlands to visit the Dorze people, famous for their towering beehive-shaped homes, weaving traditions, and terraces carved into the mountainsides. Watch a weaving demonstration and taste local bread made from the enset (false banana) plant.
Overnight: Paradise Lodge / Haile Resort
Set out on a boat safari across Lake Chamo, home to hippos, pelicans, and the largest crocodiles in Africa. Later, drive into Nech Sar National Park to spot zebras, gazelles, and birdlife across sweeping plains of “white grass.” The contrast of wildlife and Rift Valley scenery makes this one of Ethiopia’s most stunning days.
Overnight: Paradise Lodge / Haile Resort
Drive south via Konso, a UNESCO site famed for its terraced farming and carved wooden grave markers (waga). Meet the Konso King and learn about their ingenious land management system. After lunch, continue through Ari villages to reach Jinka, the cultural heart of the Omo Valley.
Overnight: Eco-Omo Lodge
Enter Mago National Park to meet the Mursi tribe, where women wear clay lip plates and men practice age-old stick-fighting rituals. Few encounters in the world feel as raw and powerful. Return to Jinka to visit the South Omo Research Center & Museum for context.
Overnight: Eco-Omo Lodge
Drive to Turmi, home of the Hamer tribe. Visit a village to learn about their elaborate hairstyles, beadwork, and symbolic body decorations. In the evening, witness (if timed) a bull-jumping ceremony, an extraordinary rite of passage.
Overnight: Buska Lodge
Cross the Omo River by boat to meet the Dassanech, semi-nomadic river dwellers. Continue to Murulle to meet the Karo people, renowned for their intricate body paintings, often using white chalk and red ochre. These visits offer a glimpse of some of the most visually striking cultural traditions on Earth.
Overnight: Buska Lodge
Fly from Jinka back to Addis. Shop for souvenirs in local markets before enjoying a farewell cultural dinner, complete with dance performances from across Ethiopia’s 80+ ethnic groups. Transfer to Bole International Airport for your flight home.
