Experience the incredible wildlife, dramatic Rift Valley lakes, and unique tribal cultures of southern Ethiopia on this signature 7-day safari expedition. From the acacia savannahs of Awash to the Lower Omo Valley.
Designed to offer high-conversion cultural sensitivity, comfortable lodge stays, and direct encounters with Africa’s most iconic landscapes.
Depart Addis Ababa in private 4WD vehicles driving east into the Great Rift Valley. Arrive at Awash National Park in time for lunch. Embark on an afternoon game drive across the Ilala Sala plains where herds of Beisa oryx, Soemmerring's gazelles, and Hamadryas baboons roam beneath Mount Fantale. Overnight at Awash Falls Lodge.
Drive south along the Rift Valley lake chain. Enter Abiata-Shalla National Park to view thousands of lesser flamingos on the alkaline waters and explore boiling hydrothermal springs. Continue to Lake Langano for an evening swim in bilharzia-free waters.
Journey through fertile southern green hills into the homeland of the Dorze people. Tour their tall elephant-faced bamboo houses that can last over 80 years. Taste traditional fermented enset flatbread (kocho) with spicy honey sauce. Descend to Arba Minch ("Forty Springs").
Board a motorboat on Lake Chamo, navigating pods of hippos and enormous Nile crocodiles lounging along the water’s edge. Continue overland into South Omo, passing colorful roadside markets and arriving at Jinka.
Cross Mago National Park into the territory of the nomadic Mursi. Learn about their pastoralist traditions, body painting, and clay ornaments. In the afternoon, travel to Turmi to check into comfortable bungalows beside the seasonal Keske River.
A journey south to the border town of Omorate. Cross the brown waters of the Omo River in wooden dugouts to visit a Dassanech settlement. Return to Turmi. If a Bull Jumping ceremony or Evangadi dance is taking place, attend with local community permission.
Visit the fortified hilltop villages of the Konso people, recognized by UNESCO for 400 years of dry-stone terraced agriculture. Arrive at Arba Minch airport for your flight to Addis Ababa with unforgettable memories.
