Ethiopia’s Hidden Tribes & Nature Safari

Ethiopia’s Hidden Tribes & Nature Safari – 12 Days / 11 Nights

Tour Highlights

  • Explore the rich cultural heritage of Addis Ababa, including the National Museum and Holy Trinity Cathedral
  • Visit the unique Dorze Village with its beehive-shaped huts and traditional weaving techniques
  • Enjoy a boat safari on Lake Chamo and a wildlife drive in Nech Sar National Park
  • Experience the traditions of the Hamer tribe, including the Evangadi dance and Bull-Jumping Ceremony
  • Discover the body painting art of the Karo tribe and their views of the Omo River
  • Cross the Omo River to visit the nomadic Dassanech tribe
  • Experience the Mursi tribe with their famous lip plates and body scarification
  • Trek through the Bale Mountains to spot the elusive Ethiopian wolves on the Sanetti Plateau
  • Visit Harenna Forest, Ethiopia’s largest cloud forest, and explore wild coffee forests
  • Game drive in Awash National Park and visit Awash Falls
  • Enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant
Day 1

Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa – City Exploration & Cultural Introduction

  1. Welcome at Bole International Airport
  2. Visit the National Museum(home of Lucy, the 3.2-million-year-old fossil)
  3. Explore Holy Trinity Cathedral(important Ethiopian Orthodox site)
  4. Drive up to Entoto Hillsfor panoramic city views
  5. Traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony& cultural dinner
  6. Overnight in Addis Ababa

Day 2: Addis Ababa – Arba Minch (Flight or Drive ~7 hrs)

  1. Morning flight or scenic drive to Arba Minch
  2. Visit Dorze Villageto learn about:
    1. Beehive-shaped huts
    2. Traditional weaving techniques
  3. Sunset over Lake Chamo& Lake Abaya
  4. Overnight in Arba Minch (lodge with lake views)

Day 3: Lake Chamo Safari & Nech Sar National Park

  1. Morning boat safarion Lake Chamo:
    1. Spot hippos, crocodiles & water birds
  2. Explore Nech Sar National Parkon a wildlife drive:
    1. Zebras, gazelles, baboons & colobus monkeys
  3. Visit Konso Cultural Village(UNESCO site) in the afternoon
  4. Overnight in Konso

Day 4: Konso – Key Afer Market – Turmi (Hamer Tribe Land)

  1. Drive to Turmi, home of the Hamer tribe(~4 hrs)
  2. Stop at Key Afer Market(if it’s a market day)
  3. Evening Evangadi danceperformance by the Hamer people
  4. Overnight in Turmi(lodge or traditional village stay)
Day 5

Day 5: Karo & Hamer Tribes Exploration

  1. Morning visit to a Hamer village:
    1. Learn about Hamer customs & hairstyles
    2. If available, witness a Bull-Jumping Ceremony
  2. Drive to Karo village (Kolcho)(~1.5 hrs)
    1. Famous for body paintings & Omo River views
  3. Return to Turmifor overnight

Day 6: Dassanech Tribe – Jinka

  1. Drive to Omorate(~1.5 hrs)
  2. Cross the Omo Riverby traditional canoe
  3. Visit the Dassanech tribe, known for their nomadic lifestyle
  4. Drive to Jinka(~2.5 hrs)
  5. Overnight in Jinka

Day 7: Mursi Tribe – Mago National Park – Drive to Arba Minch

  1. Early morning drive to Mago National Park
  2. Visit the Mursi tribe(known for lip plates & body scarification)
  3. Return to Jinkaand drive to Arba Minch (~5 hrs)
  4. Overnight in Arba Minch

Day 8: Arba Minch – Bale Mountains (Drive ~7 hrs)

  1. Scenic drive from Arba Minchto Bale Mountains
  2. Arrive at Dinsho(Bale Mountains Headquarters)
  3. Short hike to spot:
    1. Mountain nyalas & Menelik’s bushbucks
  4. Overnight in Bale Mountains Lodge
Day 9

Day 9: Bale Mountains – Sanetti Plateau & Ethiopian Wolves

  1. Drive & trek across Sanetti Plateau(~4,200m)
    1. Best place to spot Ethiopian wolves
  2. Visit Harenna Forest, Ethiopia’s largest cloud forest
    1. Explore wild coffee forests & honey farmers
  3. Overnight in Bale Mountains Lodge

Day 10: Bale Mountains – Awash National Park (Drive ~6 hrs)

  1. Drive from Bale Mountainsto Awash National Park
  2. Game drivein Awash National Park:
    1. Oryx, warthogs, baboons & kudus
  3. Sunset at Awash Falls
  4. Overnight in Awash Lodge

Day 11: Awash National Park – Addis Ababa (Drive ~5 hrs)

  1. Morning wildlife safari& birdwatching
  2. Return drive to Addis Ababa
  3. Free time for shopping or relaxation
  4. Farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant
  5. Overnight in Addis Ababa

Day 12: Departure

  1. Free morning for last-minute exploration or souvenir shopping
  2. Transfer to Bole International Airportfor departure

End Of Tour

What's Included:

Private guided tour with an English-speaking guide

4WD Land Cruiser or Minivan transport

Accommodation in selected lodges, eco-camps, and traditional village stays

All meals (except for specified exclusions)

Cultural experiences including coffee ceremonies and local dances

Entrance fees to national parks, cultural villages, and sites

Domestic flights (where applicable)

All transport during the tour (including traditional canoe crossing)

Wildlife safaris and bird watching

Farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant

What's Excluded:

Lunch and dinner (can be arranged upon request)

Personal expenses (souvenirs, tips, etc.)

International flights

Travel insurance

Alcoholic beverages (unless specified)

Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary

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