Depart Addis Ababa and drive into Ethiopia’s Great Rift Valley, stopping at Tiya Stelae, a UNESCO-listed archaeological site featuring mysterious ancient grave markers.

Continue your ascent into the Gughe Highlands, where the Dorze people reside. These former warriors are known for their beehive-shaped bamboo huts, elaborate weaving skills, and unique culinary traditions.

Witness the making of Kocho bread, a staple dish crafted from false banana, and participate in a lively Dorze dance performance, an exciting cultural expression of community and celebration.

Accommodation: Dorze/Tsehai Lodge

Descend into Nechisar National Park, an untamed wilderness filled with majestic wildlife and stunning scenery. Travel through grasslands and wetlands, spotting:

• Burchell’s zebra, Greater kudu, and Thomson’s gazelle
• The endangered Swayne’s hartebeest
• Exotic birds such as Secretary birds and Abyssinian ground hornbills

After lunch, board a boat safari on Lake Chamo, where enormous Nile crocodiles bask on the shores, hippos emerge from the water, and Rift Valley birds thrive in the dense ecosystem.

Accommodation: Mora Hights Hotel

Travel to Gidole, home to the Derashe people, where you’ll witness the Filla dance, an electrifying tribal performance blending drumming, chanting, and synchronized movements.

Later, enter Konso’s UNESCO-listed cultural landscape, where ancient stone-walled villages, hero statues, and age-grade societal traditions tell the story of Ethiopia’s agricultural pioneers. Visit the Konso King’s Compound, learning about tribal governance, warrior traditions, and unique farming techniques that have survived for centuries.

Accommodation: Kanta Lodge

Morning – Scenic Drive from Konso to Jinka
Begin your day with a morning drive from Konso to Jinka, journeying through the heart of the Omo Valley. Along the way, enjoy sweeping views of terraced hillsides and rural landscapes that reflect Ethiopia’s agricultural heritage.

Midday – Key Afer Tribal Market
Pause at the Key Afer Market, a vibrant weekly gathering where the Hamar, Tsemay, and Benna communities come together to trade goods, socialize, and celebrate their traditions. This is a rare opportunity to witness authentic cultural exchange and traditional attire in a lively setting.

Afternoon – South Omo Anthropological Museum
Upon arrival in Jinka, visit the South Omo Anthropological Museum, perched on a hill overlooking the town. The museum offers a fascinating introduction to the customs, tools, and lifestyles of the region’s many ethnic groups—an essential primer before deeper exploration of the Omo Valley.

Accommodation: Kanta Lodge

Journey into Mago National Park, home to the Mursi people, one of Ethiopia’s most visually striking tribes.

Women of the Mursi adorn themselves with ceremonial lip plates, considered symbols of beauty and prestige, while men cover their bodies in bold white chalk-painted designs, representing spiritual connections and warrior status.This rare encounter offers deep insights into Mursi traditions, including body modification, cattle culture, and ceremonial customs.Then drive to Turmi.

At night in Turmi, witness the Evangadi dance, an energetic tribal celebration where young men and women perform synchronized movements to drums and chants under the moonlight.

Accommodation: Buska Lodge

The day begins with a scenic drive to Korcho, a stunning clifftop village overlooking the Omo River, home to the Karo tribe. Known for their elaborate body painting, the Karo mix natural pigments, white chalk, ochre, and charcoal to create intricate designs that express status, beauty, and storytelling.

Spend time engaging with local families, learning about their ceremonial traditions, hunting practices, and cultural artistry. Capture breathtaking photographs against the river backdrop, one of Ethiopia’s most photogenic tribal experiences.

After lunch, travel south to Omarate, where you’ll cross the Omo River by local boat to meet the Dassanech tribe. This semi-nomadic community is known for their scarification rituals, cattle herding, and floodplain settlements. Immerse yourself in their daily routines, observing how they adapt their lifestyle to the changing waters of the Omo River.

Accommodation: Buska Lodge

Begin the morning with an immersive Hamar village visit, engaging with one of Ethiopia’s most charismatic tribal groups. The Hamar people are renowned for their intricate hairstyles, oiled bodies, and culturally rich traditions.

Before lunch, depart Turmi and drive toward Yabello, deep in the Borena heartland. The vast semi-arid savanna stretches endlessly, offering an authentic glimpse into Ethiopia’s pastoral landscapes.

Accommodation: Yabello Motel

In the morning, visit Ethiopia’s legendary Singing Wells, where Borena herders form human chains to draw water for their cattle, singing rhythmically to maintain spirited cooperation. This centuries-old tradition showcases community resilience and water conservation in a harsh environment.

Later, travel to El Sod Crater Lake, a spectacular salt-extraction site within a collapsed volcano. Descend into the crater and observe local laborers harvesting Ethiopia’s black salt, a practice that has sustained the region for generations.

Accommodation: Yabello Motel

Depart Yabello and drive toward Yirgalem, Ethiopia’s lush coffee-growing highlands. Along the way, stop at Tutu Fela Stelea Field, an archaeological marvel showcasing anthropomorphic and phallic-shaped ancient stone carvings.

As you arrive in Yirgalem, take a nature walk through evergreen forests, spotting hyenas, jackals, and vibrant bird species. Enjoy an organic Ethiopian coffee ceremony, a time-honored tradition that reflects Ethiopia’s status as the birthplace of coffee.

Accommodation: Aregash Lodge

Embark on a breathtaking drive from Yirgalem to Goba, where Ethiopia's vibrant savanna gives way to majestic highlands. Your adventure begins at Senkele Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected area where you’ll encounter endangered Swayne’s hartebeest, graceful Bohor reedbuck, nimble Oribi, majestic Greater kudu, and lively warthogs. Playful olive baboons and curious vervet monkeys further animate the expansive grasslands, while rare birds like the greater spotted eagle and swallow-tailed kite add bright splashes of color overhead.

Continuing along your scenic route, you’ll arrive in Goba at the highland splendor of Dinsho Bale Mountains Park HQ. Here, sweeping alpine meadows and unique endemic wildlife await—including the elegant mountain nyala and distinctive Menelik’s bushbuck, along with a diverse array of highland birds that call this rugged terrain home. This day perfectly captures the transition from the wild savanna to the serene majesty of Ethiopia’s Bale Mountains.

Accommodation: Nuu Robe Hotel

Spend the day exploring Bale Mountains National Park, home to Ethiopia’s most diverse ecosystems and rarest wildlife.

Begin your adventure in Sanetti Plateau, one of Africa’s highest alpine landscapes, where the endangered Ethiopian wolf thrives. Spot giant mole rats, a primary food source for these elusive predators, while enjoying panoramic views stretching across the highlands.

Later, descend into Harenna Forest, a lush paradise teeming with endemic wildlife, including:

• Bale monkeys, found only in this forest
• Menelik’s bushbuck, an Ethiopian antelope unique to Bale
• White-cheeked turaco & Abyssinian oriole, adding vibrant colors to the canopy

Accommodation: Nuu Robe Hotel

Bid farewell to the Bale Mountains and travel toward Langano, Ethiopia’s only swimmable lake, offering a peaceful retreat before returning to Addis Ababa.

On the way, stop at Abijatta-Shalla National Park, home to volcanic lakes and unique Rift Valley birdlife. Witness thousands of flamingos painting the shores in pink, alongside Grant’s gazelles, ostriches, and warthogs roaming freely.

Accommodation: Borati Resort

After a relaxed breakfast in Langano, drive to Addis Ababa, with time for a half-day city tour, visiting Unity Park and Jubliee Palace.

In the evening, celebrate the successful completion of your journey with a farewell dinner, featuring live Ethiopian music, traditional dance performances, and authentic cuisine, marking the perfect ending to this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Accommodation: None