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The Best of Southern Ethiopia

Duration
11 Days
Price
£6,815 pp.
Location
Ethiopia, Africa
Bale Mountains Np Harenna Visitors Morning

Trip Highlights

  • Explore Ethiopia’s rich cultural heritage
  • Experience the Omo Valley tribes
  • Relax by Lake Awassa

What's Included

  • Expert local guide throughout
  • Handpicked lodges & hotels
  • Transfers between destinations

Southern Ethiopia offers a markedly contrasting experience to the historical North.

Explore the lakes of the Great Rift Valley, enjoy unique wildlife experiences and the chance to meet some fascinating tribes deep in the Omo Valley.

Southern Ethiopia offers a markedly contrasting experience to the historical North, with the dry and dusty highlands replaced by verdant mountain ranges, the lakes of the Great Rift Valley and fertile farmlands fed by the mighty Omo River. Castles and churches are replaced with unique wildlife experiences and the chance to meet some of the vibrant tribes deep within the Omo Valley.

Having started in Addis Ababa you will drive down to the breathtaking Bale Mountains, where some of Ethiopia’s most spectacular scenery unfolds before your eyes. Trips in to the Harrena Forest and Sanetti Plateau fill your days here, with a huge variety of wildlife including the World’s rarest canid, the Ethiopian Wolf to be spotted. From Bale you will spend two pleasant days travelling cross-country to reach the Omo Valley, with nights spent on the shores of lakes Awassa and Chamo respectively. Enjoy a scenic boat trip on Lake Chamo before heading deep in to the Omo Valley, past the normal stopping point of Turmi and on to your camp which is tucked away on the banks of the Omo River. The camp is your base for getting away from the crowds to see some of the more remote and interesting tribes of the region, aided greatly by the fact that your guide, Lale, is from the region and so knows the intricacies of the tribes and offers you a truly immersive experience. After your time exploring the Omo, you will be transferred to Jinka for a short flight to Addis Ababa and then fly home from there.


Trip Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Addis Ababa

Staying at Bale Mountain Lodge

You will be met at Addis Ababa airport and transferred to a nearby hotel for a refreshing breakfast and a quick briefing on the adventure you are about to undertake. From Addis you will then set off on the scenic drive South to the stunning Bale Mountains National Park, the first stop on your discovery of Southern Ethiopia. Your home for the next 3 nights will be Bale Mountain Lodge, a beautifully designed lodge which offers panoramic views to the surrounding peaks. Arrive in time for sundowner drinks and dinner before a well-earned night’s rest.

Day 2 Explore Herrena Forest

Start your exploration in earnest today, with a visit to the Harrena Forest, a wildlife lovers haven, with sightings such as giant forest hog, black-maned lion, vervet and Bale monkeys as well as rarer species such as Meneilek’s bushbuck all enjoyed on a regular basis. Keen birders will also revel in the variety of avian life here, with unique species such as Abyssinian catbird, black-headed siskin and Ethiopian cisticola all spotted. With clear mountain streams, beautiful clearings where you can enjoy a picnic lunch and the feeling of being a million miles from anywhere, this really is an amazing spot to explore.

Day 3 Explore the Sanetti Plateau

Day 4 Journey to the Great Rift Valley

Day 5 Journey through the lush lowlands

Day 6 Tranquil boat trip and Omo Valley

Day 7 Unique interactions with tribes of the Omo Valley

Day 8 Live like a local

Day 9 A final day exploring with Lale

Day 10 Farewell to your hosts

Day 11 Time to head home

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When to go to Ethiopia

Find out the best time to visit Ethiopia with our month by month guide.

  • Best
  • Good
  • Mixed
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

January

January in Ethiopia is all about Timket, an annual Christian festival being celebrated throughout the country. It's a spectacular sight to behold. Check out our Timket tour for more information. Temperatures are pleasant at this time of year so it's a great time for touring around much of the country.

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February

February marks the end of winter in Ethiopia, so if you're travelling to the highlands pack a few extra layers as it can get cold at night.

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March

Temperatures begin to rise in March, making trekking in the Simien Mountains and exploring Lalibela great options this month. There are occasional rain showers but nothing that will really disrupt activities. It's wet in the Omo Valley region between March and June, with muddy roads disrupting travel in this area.

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April

April is the start of the short rains, which begin in the Omo Valley in southern Ethiopia.

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May

The rains arrive in the Bale Mountains National Park and the Rift Valley Lakes during May and June, so this isn't a great time for hiking in these areas. However the downpours are usually in the afternoons, leaving the mornings with blue sunny skies, and plenty of opportunity to explore the rest of the country.

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June

The rains continue, which make this a great time for the breeding season of migratory birds, with numerous colourful species to keep an eye out for.

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July

The wettest months in the northern and central highlands are July and August. The short heavy storms mean this isn't a good time for hiking in the Simien and Bale Mountains, but the downpours don't really disrupt activities throughout the rest of the country. It's a good time to visit Lalibela which will be less crowded than during the rest of the year.

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August

The wettest months in the northern and central highlands are July and August. The short heavy storms mean this isn't a good time for hiking in the Simien and Bale Mountains, but the downpours don't really disrupt activities throughout the rest of the country. It's a good time to visit Lalibela which will be less crowded than during the rest of the year.

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September

Whilst the beginning of the month will see the tail end of the rainy season, it's actually quite a good month to travel around Ethiopia, just before peak season kicks in, and whilst the country is still green and beautiful. If you want to see the carpets of yellow Meskel flowers, or witness the colourful Meskel Festival, this is the month!

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October

October is the start of the peak tourist season in Ethiopia, bringing with it great weather, pleasant temperatures, blue skies and little rainfall. A perfect time for touring around the country, particularly the Central Highlands and Northern Ethiopia.

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November

The cooler temperatures and little rainfall during November and December make them great months for exploring the Omo Valley, with better road conditions and green landscapes.

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December

The good weather and travelling conditions continue through December and into January, making this an ideal month to explore the whole country.

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