8 Days 7 Nights Ethiopia Highlight Tour

8 Days 7 Nights Ethiopia highlight tour itinerary

Day 1: Addis Ababa city tour

Morning drive to discover the city of Addis Ababa, founded in 1886 by Menelik II and situated at an elevation of around 2438m making it the 3^rd highest capital city in the world. It enjoys an excellent climate all year round, with an average temperature of 25°C. Our city tour takes us to visit the National museum housing some of the country’s historic treasures like the 3.5 million year old remains of ‘Lucy’, the oldest hominid ever found. We proceed to the Ethnographic Museum and the church of the Holy Trinity, Ethiopia’s main cathedral and home to the remains of the last emperor, Haile Selassie. Dinner and overnight at Monarch Hotel (www.monarchaddis.com) or similar

Day 2: Arba Minch

After breakfast, we drive for some 465 kms (7 hrs) to Arba Minch with a stop on the way at Tiya (80km from Addis Ababa) to explore the Stelae field of Tiya, listed as UNESCO world heritage site. Mysterious engraved stelae stretch across Southern Ethiopia. The field comprises some 45 stones of up to 2-3m in height. We then continue to Arba Minch with some fantastic scenery, including the best spot to view the two rift valley lakes, Lake Abaya to the north and Lake Chamo to the South. We will arrive at the lodge in the late afternoon.and you may relax at the lodge with stunning views from the terrace. Dinner and overnight at Paradise Lodge (www.paradiselodgeethiopia.com) or Haile Resort or similar

Day 3: Lake Chamo

After breakfast, we visit Dorze people with some fantastic views of the Wolayta farmlands, lush green hills and valleys. The Dorze village is found high in the Guge Mountains overlooking Lake Abaya and Lake Chamo.After lunch, take a boat cruise on Lake Chamo and search for Africa’s biggest crocodiles (up to 6m long), hippos and a large variety of bird life. Dinner and overnight at Paradise Lodge (www.paradiselodgeethiopia.com) or Haile Resort or similar

Day 4:  Konso / Key Afer Market / Jinka

After breakfast, we drive for some 240 kms (3.5 kms) to Konso. Konso is another UNESCO Cultural Heritage site. We will visit the village compound and the the local museum, and usually we are also welcomed in the Konso chief’s compound, which includes the family graveyard and house mummies. The Konso people have a rich agrarian culture and construct ingenious terraces and walls that encircle their fields and villages for protection against livestock damage and flooding. From Konso we continue our journey to the colourful market of Key Afer (Thursdays only) frequented by several tribes of the Omo valley, such as Derase, Tsemay, Benna and Ari, before reaching Jinka in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at Jinka Resort or Eco-Omo Lodge (www.eco-omo.com) or similar

Day 5: Mago National Park (Mursi Tribes) / Turmi

After breakfast, we drive for some 160 kms (2 hrs) to the Mago National park as we see animals and birds on the way. We proceed to visit the Mursi tribe and their villages. Women use huge round lips plates for beauty reasons. After lunch, we continue our trip to Turmi (approx. 3 hrs) where we will meet the fascinating Hamer tribe. Turmi is our base to explore the Southern tribes of the Omo Valley. The whole region of the Southern Omo is UNESCO world heritage site since 1980. Dinner and overnight at Turmi Lodge or Buska Lodge (www.buskalodge.com) or Paradise Lodge or similar

Day 6: Dimeka Market

After breakfast, we visit the colourful market in Dimeka near Turmi (Saturdays only), frequented by several tribes of the Omo valley. After lunch, we drive to Turmi, which is well known for its traditional events and with some luck we will even participate in a Hamer marriage ceremony, with its bull jumping ceremony and more! In the late afternoon, we will also visit a nearby Hamer village and encounter the tribe in its daily life surroundings. With some luck, we may even witness a moonshine dance (Evangadi), a traditional dance of young Hamer men and women. Dinner and overnight at Turmi Lodge or Camping or Buska Lodge (www.buskalodge.com) or similar

Day 7: Omorate / Konso

After breakfast, we drive for 70 kms to Omorate to visit the Dassanech Ethnic group famous for their nomad lifestyle and interesting decoration and scarification on their bodies. There are also great views of the Omo River when crossing in a dugout canoe. After lunch, we drive back to Konso 180 kms (3.5 hrs). Dinner and overnight at Kanta Lodge or simila

Day 8: Addis Ababa

After breakfast, drive from Konso to Arba Minch (1 hr) and transfer to the local airport for your flight to Addis Ababa.

Group Size per vehicle (adults) –2 Pax ,3 Pax ,4 Pax ,5 Pax ,6 Pax

What is Included on the safari price:-

• 7-night accommodation & meals as per the program
• All tours as per the itinerary
• Transport as per program
• English peaking guide
• Entrance fees to all sites as per the itinerary
• One-way domestic regular flight Arba Minch/Addis
• Bottled water
• During the tours
• All service charges and taxes.

What is Excluded on the safari price:-

•  International flights and taxes
• Entry visa
• Airport transfers
• Personal expenses
• Optional activities not included above
• Gratuities
• Tips
• Personal insurance cover
• Deviation from above program