Lake Langano is one of The Rift Valley Lakes, which is found at 210 kms to the south of Addis Ababa. It is popular resort for swimming, aquatic sports, sunbathing, camping and bird watching. Along the shores, acacia inhabiting birds like Hornbills and Ravens set up a noisy chatter. In the heart of Abjata-Shalla Lakes National Park, there are two exceptionally scenic stretches of water lakes Abjata and Shalla, which together form 50% of the 800 kms. conservation area.

Despite their natural beauty these lakes are best known for their bird life. At Abjata, more than 10 meters deep, greater and lesser flamingoes abound the lake along with White Necked Cormorants, several species of Herons, Storks, Fish Eagles, Spoon Bills, Ibises, King Fishers etc.

Lake Shalla is well known for its large colony of Great White Pelicans and also their breeding ground. It is thought to be the deepest lake in Africa (north of the equator). On the way to Langano or on the way back, you pass by the volcanic lakes of Debre Zeit, the artificial lake of Koka and the lake of Ziway, which are also ideal for bird watching and photographing.

Day 1. Arrive from your international flight and transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 2. In the Morning we visit the National Museum and magnificent Trinity Cathedral, resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie. In the afternoon drive up into the Entoto hills to enjoy panoramic views across the capital before a traditional Ethiopian dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 3. Leaving the capital behind we board comfortable 4x4 vehicles and head south. We pass the Rift Valley lakes to Arba Minch, set amidst green hills close to the Rift Valley lake of Chamo and Nechisar National Park. This afternoon we take a boat trip on Lake Chamo to see hippos and some of the largest crocodiles in Africa. Two nights stay at the Swayness hotel.


Day 4. This morning we have an excursion into the Nechisar National Park to view zebra, gazelle and perhaps Swayne’s hartebeest. In the afternoon we drive to Chencha, home of the Dorze people, set high up in the Gughe Mountains where we see the traditional Dorze beehive shaped bamboo huts and visit the local weekly market.

Day 5. This morning we leave for Turmi, the principal town of Hamer country. We stop at Weita to see the Tsemai and Arbore peoples at the busy colourful Sunday market. The Tsemai are farmers and pastoralists who grow sorghum and maize. Two nights stay at the Turmi camping lodge.

Day 6. This morning we visit the weekly colourful Monday market at Turmi, the most colourful and famous in the region. This afternoon we will visit some of the surrounding Hamer villages to meet the Hamer tribes with their beautiful body decoration and hopefully see some traditional dancing and even the famous Bull-jumping initiation ceremony!

Day 7. Leaving for Dimeka we visit the weekly Hamer tribes market before proceeding to Murulle, home of the Karo people. They are considered the masters of body painting and decorate their bodies with chalk paint often imitating the spotted plumage of a guinea fowl. We spend the afternoon visiting some Karo villages with their famous practice of face and torso paintings and extravagant hairstyles Overnight at the Murulle Camp site.

Day 8. We cross the Omo River this morning by ferry to visit the Burmi people known for their cosmetic facial scarring. In the afternoon we arrive at the Mago National Park where we hope to spot giraffe, zebra, baboons and even lion. Overnight at the Mago camp site.

Day 9. We cross the Mago River this morning to visit the Mursi and Male villages. Undeniably a highlight of our Omo Safari will be the visit to the Mursi women, famous residents of the South Omo valley who wear clay lip plates. Later we drive into the highlands to Jinka, close to the Omo National Park. Overnight stay at the Jinka resort hotel

Day 10. Today’s long drive takes us through the region of the Ari and Bana peoples. Along the way we also stop to visit the Konso people famous for their terracing style agriculture and their basalt stone houses. We encounter the Borena people and their ‘singing wells’ dug to provide water for their cattle herds. At El Sod (House of Salt) we see the locals extracting black salt from the deep crater below. We arrive at Yabello in the evening; home to the endemic white tailed swallow. Overnight at the Mobile hotel.

Day 11. After visiting the weekly market of the Borena people in Yabeloo we head north for Awasa. We stop on the way to visit the Sidamo people known for their ‘Tukul’ huts and staple diet of Enset (False banana). In the afternoon we arrive at Lake Awasa, set in a volcanic caldera. With abundant bird life we also hope to see hippo and civet monkey. Overnight at the Wabishebelle hotel

Day 12. After a visit this morning to the famous Awasa fish market we drive into the scenic Bale Mountains National Park. We stop at Dinsho to see the parks endemic antelope; the mountain Nyala, and the abundant forest birds. Our destination is Goba for two nights stay at the Wabishabele hotel.

Day 13. A short distance away from Goba is the highlight of the Bale Mountains; the Sanetti Plateau. We have a day to explore this unique expanse of Afro-alpine moorland where the famous Simien wolf is unexpectedly common. We also see a variety of endemic birds and waterfowl amongst this spectacular scenery

Day 14. Our return to Addis takes us via the attractive town of Asela, notable for its fertile cultivated hills of millet, maize and indigenous trees. We continue to Nazaret visiting nearby Koka to see the impressive dam and famous pools abundant in hippo and water birds. Overnight at your hotel.
Farewell dinner and cultural show in Addis.