Southern Ethiopia

The capital Addis Ababa and, to its south, the Great Rift Valley lakes, the Bale Mountains and the tribal lands of the Omo Valley, showing Ethiopia's other cultural and natural side.

This region is defined by whole regional states and includes the city of Addis Ababa; the Oromia, Sidama, Central Ethiopia, South Ethiopia and South West Ethiopia Peoples' regions surrounding the capital; and Gambela and Benishangul-Gumuz in the west.

Highlights: in Addis Ababa, the National Museum (home of the "Lucy" fossil), Holy Trinity Cathedral, the Merkato market and coffee ceremonies; the Rift Valley lakes of Ziway, Langano, Abijatta-Shalla and Hawassa; the Sanetti Plateau and the Ethiopian wolf in Bale Mountains National Park; Arba Minch and Nechisar National Park; the Hamar, Mursi and Karo peoples and their markets in the Omo Valley; and Kaffa, the birthplace of coffee in the southwest.

Classic itinerary: 1–2 days in Addis; the "Southern Route" of Addis – Rift Valley lakes – Arba Minch – Jinka – Turmi – Jeka takes 7–10 days, usually with a 4WD vehicle and guide; the Bale Mountains take 3–4 days.

Getting around: Addis Ababa's Bole Airport is one of Africa's largest hubs; in the south, chartered vehicles are the main option. Note: photographing people in tribal villages requires payment and consent; Addis lies at about 2,400 m.

Destinations

Itineraries