Ethiopia. Tribes of Southern Ethiopia: Mursi, Surma, Lake Chamo and much more

Addis Ababa - ArbaMinch Upon arrival you will be welcomed by your guide and drive streight from Addis to Arbaminch for 450km; visiting the rock-hewn church of Adadi Mariam that is believed to be the southern most church founded by King Lalibela, the pre-historic archeological site of Melka Kunture, and the stelea field of Tiya (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Overnight at Paradise Lodge (BB)

Arbaminch Morning visit Chencha, to visit the Dorze village, the Dorze people are well known for the weaving tradition and their attractive elephant shaped traditional hut made from bamboo and false banana tree leafs, here you will also see the daily activity of the Dorze people. Afternoon excursion by boat on Lake Chamo to see crocodiles and hippos believed to be among of the largest ones in all Africa. Overnight at Paradise Lodge (BB)

ArbaMinch - Jinka Drive 240 KM from Arbaminch to Jinka. 90 KM from Arbaminch down to south is the territory of Konso people. Konso people are very known to be hardworking and famous of terrace agriculture by which they exploit every meters of the mountainous terrain to grow coffee, bean, sorghum, cotton, and maze. They are as well known for weaving. Continue to Jinka. Overnight at Jinka Resort Hotel (BB)

Jinka – Turmi Drive to Turmi en route visiting the Mursi village, here starts the real natural part of the tour where we shall explore different people living in their natural state where time and space seems not to exist. The Mursi people, one of the most interesting, from anthropological point of view, in Africa. They belong to The Nilo-Saharan language group and they speak a language similar to that of Surma and Me’en people. Among their vast and strange cultures is found also the “Lip Plate” which they practice by cutting their lower lip to insert a terra-cotta disc. The men have scarifications on their shoulders and arms. Overnight at Turmi Lodge (BB)

Turmi- Murelle Excursion to the Karo - Turmi This morning we depart for excursaion to Murelle, We will meet with people of tribe Karo, which are famous for their tatoos. They are shepperds and in market days exchange cattle for other good they require. They are very hospitable and keep very distance from civilization. You will feel that you just went a few centuries back in history/. On a way back to Turmi after lunch we will visit the village of Hamar tribe. Arrive in the evening to Turmi and rest. Overnight at Turmi Lodge (BB)

Turmi - Yabello Drive from Turmi to Yabello 300km, early departure and en-route visit of the Erbore people. The Erbore people, are from the Cushitic language family. They live west of the Woito river (which flows from north to south into the swampy plain which was once lake Stefanie), northeast of the lake, and on the right bank of the lower Sagan. Overnight at Yabello Motel (BB)

Yabello – Awassa Drive for 520km, Morning drive to El-sod crater meaning in local language “house of salt” The village of El Sod, around 20Km south of Dublock, lies beside one of Ethiopia's largest salt deposits. Known as the house of salt, it's famed for its 100m deep Crater Lake, one of four in the region. The lake is about 800m across and is so dark; it looks like an oil slick. Valuable, muddy, black salt has been extract from the lake for centuries. The salt is retrieved from the lake without any mechanization. Return and after lunch continue to Awassa. En route there are lots of skyscraper termite hills on the way from Yabelo to Hageremarima. Stop in some Borana villages. The Borana Oromo, are pastoralist ethnic groups living in southern Ethiopia of the Oromian Region and northern Kenya. Along your route you will also come across coffee plantations, false banana plants and visit the Sidama village as well. In the afternoon a sightseeing of the wonderful anthropomorphic erected burial stones of Tutufela that date back between 1st BC and 12nd AD. Overnight at Tadesse Enjory (BB)

Awassa – Langano – Addis Ababa: Drive 275 Kms: morning visit to the Awassa fish market and after coffee drive to the Abyatta and Shalla parks to see different bird species in Langano. Lunch on the way and continue driving to Addis Ababa, shopping, and dinner at traditional restaurant. Departure