Tour overview
This trip takes you to the Ethiopian Rift Valley region. Ethiopian Rift Valley system, which is part of the famous East African Rift Valley, Ethiopian Rift Valley is endowed with a pleasant climate and comprises numerous beautiful lakes, hot springs(the natural contents of the hot springs are highly valued for their therapeutic effects ) and a variety of wildlife. Rift Valley lakes are famous for the different bird species. Each of the seven lakes has its own unique characters; it provides ideal habitats for exuberant variety of flora and fauna that make the region an attractive destination. The Great Rift Valley, formed about 20 million years ago, is the single largest geographical feature on the African continent.
Ethiopian Rift Valley runs through Ethiopia from the Red Sea to the Kenyan border. The Rift Valley lakes include some of the oldest and deepest lakes in the world, apart from the hot springs and volcanoes; marvelous string of lakes attracts tourists from all over the world. This is a great itinerary which gives travelers an extraordinary opportunity to travel through Ethiopia’s fascinating Southern Rift valley region, famous for its natural spectacles and the chance to meet some ethnic groups. Visit Lake Awassa, Ziway and Langano to spot different birds, Abijatta-Shalla National Park; Boat trip on Lake Chamo to see Nile Crocodiles and Hippos and the beautiful Wondogenet forest.This tour also includes the visit to theethnic groups who inhabit this part of the country and learn about the indigenous culture of the people. Discover the Dorze well-known cotton weavers and the Sidama people famous for their coffee plantations. This will be a truly unforgettable experience
Download pdf brochureDay 1: Arrive in Addis Abeba Ethiopia & City Tour
Welcome to Ethiopia! Arrive at Addis Abeba bole international airport. Here you will be greeted by your tour guide or driver from Memento Ethiopia Tours. Then you will be transferred to hotel. If your arrival is early morning, after a leisurely morning rest and relax you will spend the afternoon on a site seeing of Addis Abeba. Established by Emperor Menelik II 1887 Addis Abeba or ‘New flower’ in Amharic, is relatively young city full of contrasts. This city tour includes, The National Museum which houses the country’s historic treasures & the famous ‘Lucy”, The Holy Trinity Orthodox Church Ethiopian main cathedral and home to the remains of the last emperor: Drive up to Mount Entoto to have a panoramic view of the city and end the tour with Merkato, one of the largest open air markets in Africa.
Overnight: Addis Abeba.
Accommodation: Hotel.
Day 2: Fly to Arbaminch and visit the Dorze Tribe
Transfer from your hotel to Addis Abeba Bole International Airport for your internal flight south to Arbaminch. Southern region is noted for its enormous variety of peoples &culture. Up on arrival at Arbaminch meet your driver and transfer to your accommodation.Then in the afternoon short drive to visit the Dorze tribe who lives on the Guge Mountain. The Dorze are renowned for their cotton-weaving techniques and beehive shaped houses constructed entirely from organic materials. Here in their village you can see the unique beehive huts, observe their exceptional cotton weaving skills and learn about their life and traditions.
Overnight: Arbaminch
Accommodation: Hotel or Lodge
Day 3: Boat Trip on Lake Chamo & Drive to Yirgalem
In the morning embark on a boat trip on Lake Chamo, a lake that supports a large population of crocodiles, hippos and fish. Visit the famous Crocodile Market which is not a market but a place to see large concentration of giant Nile Crocodiles and many hippos. The lake is about 32 kms long and provides a lush wetland habitat for many of flora and fauna. Then drive towards Yirgalem the home of the Sidama tribe. The Sidama are agricultural and semi-pastoral Kushitic people. Sidama region of Ethiopia is home of the Sidamo Coffee. The important staple food is Ensete or False Banana. Other crops are also grown and they breed cattle. However, a substantial area of the Sidama land produces coffee, which is the major cash crop in the region. It supplies over 40% of washed coffee to the central market. Coffee has been the major source of income for the rural households in the coffee producing regions of the Sidama land.
Overnight: Yirgalem
Accommodation: Hotel or Lodge
Day 4: Visit Lake Awassa, the Fish Market & Abijatta – Shalla Park.
Drive to Awassa and visit the Fish market on Lake Awassa where you will see firsthand how locals trade and prepare their fish. Then you will have another Boat ride to see Hippos and Birds. Lake Awassa is one of the 7 lakes located in Ethiopian Rift valley. The lake is best to fish, cruise on small rafts, and enjoy the view of beautiful bird species and different kinds of ducks. Then visit the small park known as Amora Gedel, located on one side of the shores of the lake. At Amora Gedel you can have a memorable picnic with monkeys jumping behind your back. Continue towards Wondogent. Known as the Ethiopian paradise, Wondogenet is a place that anyone passionate with nature should visit. Wondogenet is rich in forestry and after the famous mountain where you will get one of the most beautiful scenery and top view all the way to Lake Awassa. Wondogenet is home to one of the hot spring waters in the country. Many say that the spring water remedies different physical illnesses. The locals use it to cook potatoes .There is a wide variety of wildlife in Wondogenet, particularly a wide variety of bird species and monkeys are plentiful. After Wondogenet drive to Lake Langano and transfer to Resort located around the lake and relax at the lake shores.
Overnight: Langano
Accommodation: Resort or Lodge
Day 5: Drive Back to Addis via Debre Zeit & Departure.
Today you will visit Abijatta-Shalla National Park which is located close to Lake Langano. The park contains the rift valley lakes of Abijatta and Shalla which are separated by 3 kms of hilly land. You will enjoy the view at a lookout point over the two lakes. Hot Springs, Ostriches, birds, Gazelles and other mammals are the main attractions in the park. Then drive back to Addis via Debre Zeit. Also known as Bishoftu, Debre Zeit issituated 22 minutes away from the capital city and known for its creator lakes. The luxurious popular weekend getaway offers breathtaking beaches and mountains generating unforgettable experiences. Arrive in Addis in the afternoon. You can do last minute shopping. Then transfer to hotel to rest and get settled before your night flight. In the evening enjoy final farewell dinner at a well-known local Ethiopian restaurant with cultural dances. Later this evening you will be transferred to Addis Abeba Bole International Airport for your return flight back home. Your vacation ends here.
