Ethiopian American Travel Tours

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Ethiopian American Travel Tours

THE MAIN ATTRACTIONS IN SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

RIFT VALLEY LAKES & ARBA MINCH

5 days/4 nights

BALE MOUNTAINS NP & SOF OMAR CAVES

6 days/5 nights

BALE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

5 days/4 nights

Bale Mountain

Rift Valley

OMO Ethnological Expedition-Tour

13 days/12 nights

Ethiopia's Rift Valley is known to be one of the biggest bird sanctuaries in Africa. Each of the seven lakes has its own attractions, shelters different species of birds and many wild animals. The Rift valley is also the habitat for a variety of flora and fauna.

The Addis Ababa southern road leads you to Debre-Zeit, an exotic small town with spectacular crater lakes. Proceed to Lake Ziway,the first of the rift valley Lakes. Continue to Lake Langano for lunch. After lunch proceed to Lake Abijatta and Shala National Park for bird watching. Continuing your drive you'll arrive in Awassa where you will spend the night. Before starting your Journey back to Addis Ababa visit Lake Awassa and its fish market and observe different species of birds.

OMO, THE UNIQUE WILDERNESS

The Omo Valley is located in the remote south-west of Ethiopia. The area is rich in anthropological remains and archaeological findings. The Mago Park and the Omo National Park which are among the richest parks of the country are found in this region. The Omo valley is also home of mostly nomadic and semi-nomadic people like the Hamer, Borena, Nyangatom, Tsemay, Dasanech, Mursi and Karo who wander with their spears, head rests and cattle. There are more than a dozen different fascinating ethnic groups. Although most of them lead a simple pastoral life, they have rich traditions and colorful rituals. Their jewelry, body paintings, scarification and hairstyles are unique and fascinating. Explore the wild South with one of our expedition tours.

Bale

The Bale Mountains National Park is more than 4000 meters of an untouched beautiful world. This spectacular park is situated 400 kilometers from Addis Ababa; 150 Kilometers from Shashamane; 310 Kilometers from Nazareth; and 175 Kilometers from Awassa.

Bale Mountains National Park was created originally in 1971 as a protection to the then dwindling numbers of mountain Nyala. It is 2470 square kilometers of alpine plateau, forest and woodland, and boasts the highest all-weather road in Africa, going over 4000 meters. The highest peak in southern Ethiopia, Tullu Deemtu at 4377 meters, is within the park.

There is a main road running through the length of the park, and a few other tracks. A most enjoyable and peaceful way to see the area is on horseback. Local ponies and saddles may be hired either for day trips around Dinsho or for more ambitious camping trips up in the mountains.

The highland plateaux is home to many endemic species. Bale Mountains National Park harbours sixteen of Ethiopia's 25 endemic bird species. There are over 200 species recorded for the park so far.

Sof Omar

Sof Omar, a tiny Muslim village in Bale, is the site of an amazing complex of natural caves, cut by the Weyb River as it finds its way into the nearby mountains. The settlement, which is a religious site, is named after a local Sheikh.

Visitors to Sof Omar make their way, armed with torches and official underground map, far into the bowels of the earth. Besides a subterranean stream, one can see an extraordinary number of arched portals, high eroded ceilings and deep echoing chambers.

Some 35 percent of the Ethiopian population is Muslim. Nearly half the population is Christian, belonging to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, whose 4th Century beginnings came long before Europe accepted Christianity. A further small percentage of the population adheres to traditional and other beliefs, including Judaism.

The Awash Falls

The Awash River falls enclosed within the 850 Km square area of the Awash National Park. The falls is an additional value and factor that makes the Awash river the most loved river in Ethiopia. The Honest Awash river, as it is mostly referred to, starts and ends in Ethiopia. The Awash river waters most of the arid parts of the country and finally sinks into the sand. Not far from the Keruou Lodge some steps down in to the river gorge, one comes to a spot least developed but quiet, close and directly in front of the Awash River Falls. The wonderful scenery can keep anybody focused for hours and end.

The Rift Valley Lakes

The Rift Valley Lakes stretch across the middle of Ethiopia. From north east to the south west and down to Lake Turkana. About seven different sizes of lakes with Awash gorge extending the folding, up north forms the famous Rift Valley Depression. Ziway, Langano Abijatta, Shalla, Awassa, Abaya and Chamo are the big ones. There are however smaller lakes up north and still some scattered in the central southeastern regions as well.

Historic Route

Main Attractions in Northern Ethiopia

Eastern Route of Ethiopia

Main Attractions in Southern Ethiopia

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