17 days tour to the West

Activities: History, Religion, Scenery and Wildlife

17 days, 16 nights


Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa Mahteb Tours

Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa at Bole International Air port

Meet and greet Vacation Ethiopia Tours representative. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Reliance Hotel Apartment.

City tour in Addis Ababa Addis Ababa. You will first visit to the National Museum (pre historic, cultural, archaeological attractions), Ethnographic Museum of Addis Ababa University (culture, dressing style, traditional practices of over 80 ethnic groups, and collection of traditional musical instruments). Your visit also comprises tourist attraction sites like Emperor Minelik’s Palace, St. Raguel’s Church, Merkato, (the largest open market in Africa).

In the evening, you will have dinner at the hotel and you will rest.

Jimma, Weliso,

Gurage Tribe, Mahteb Ethiopian Tours


Day 2: Drive to Jimma

Depart from Addis Ababa to Jimma via Weliso, which is home to the Gurage tribe, known as “the hardest working people in Ethiopia”. On the way you will pass through beautiful landscapes as you drive through the Gibe River Valley. 

Overnight stay in Central hotel.

Mizan Tefari, Bonga

Bonga, Mahtep Ethiopian Tours

Day 3: Drive to Mizan Tefari

Continue your drive to Mizan Tefari via Bonga. Bonga is in ancient Kingdom of Kaffa, the birthplace of coffee. You will have an opportunity to visit a traditional Kaffa house and learn about the culture of the Kaffa people. 

Overnight stay in Local hotel.

Kibish

Kibish Formation Mahteb Ethiopian Tours


Day 4: Drive to Kibish

Depart from Mizan Tefari to Kibish. On the way, visit the Bebeka coffee plantation, where they cultivate organic coffee trees as well as rubber trees. You can also learn about the coffee processing techniques. Afterwards, pass through Dima, which is home to the Anuak tribe; here you can visit these tribes and learn about their culture. 

Overnight camping in Kibish.

Omo National Park

Omo Nationalpark Mahteb Ethiopian Tours


Day 5: Drive to Omo National Park

Today drive to Omo National Park. 

Overnight camping in Omo National Park.

Omo National Park

Simien Mountains Mahteb Tours


Day 6: Visit the Omo National Park

Today, continue to visit Omo National Park, where you can see wildlife such as oryx, eland, zebra, buffalo, waterbuck, kudu, hartebeest, and maybe (if you’re lucky) lion, leopard, or cheetah. Overnight camping in 

Mago National Park.

Kibish Surma

Surma Tribe Mahteb Ethiopian Tours


Day 7: Drive back Kibish

Today you will drive to Kibish, visiting the Surma tribe near the village. 

Overnight camping in Kibish.

Tulgete Surma

Surma Tribe Mahtheb Ethiopian Tours


Day 8: Drive to Tulgete

After your breakfast, depart 25 km to the Surma village of Tulgete, where you can visit with the local Surma people. Also, if you’re lucky, see the Surma stick-fighting competition, known as Donga. Here, men from different local villages meet and compete against each other, winning the respect of the maiden ladies in the crowd. 

Overnight camping in Tulgete.

Magi, Dizi

Dizi Tribe Mahteb Ethiopian Travel


Day 9: Day trip from Tulgete

From Tulgete, take a day trip to Magi, where you will meet with the Dizi, Surma, perhaps the Bume tribe. If lucky, you will visit on market day (Saturday), which is a wonderful opportunity to meet and mingle with the local tribes.

Return to Tulgete for overnight. 

Bebeka

Bebeka Mahteb Ethiopian Tours


Day 10: Drive to Bebeka 

Today continue driving to Bebeka. 

Overnight stay in Bebeka guest house. 

Metu, Sor Waterfalls

Sor Waterfall Mahteb Ethiopian Tours


Day 11: Drive to Metu

Today you will drive to Metu. Along the way you can visit the Sor waterfalls. 

Overnight stay in local hotel. 

Gambela

Addis Ababa Mahteb Tours

 

Continue driving from Metu to Gambella, descending from Metu into the steamy lowlands, home to Gambela. 

Overnight stay in local hotel. 

Gambela National Park

Gambela National Park Mahteb Ethiopian Tours

 

Day 13: Day trip to Gambela National Park

Today you will drive into the Gambela National Park, home to wonderful birdlife, as well as elephants, baboons, buffalo, lion, antelope, monkeys, and other antelope.

Overnight camping in Gambela National Park.

Anuak and Nuer Village

Nuer Women Gambela Mahteb Ethiopian Tours

 Day 14: Visit Anuak and Nuer village

Today you will continue to explore Gambela National Park and the people living in the area – the Anuak and Nuer people. 

Overnight stay in local hotel. 

Nekemente

Nekemente Mahteb Tours


Day 15: Drive to Nekemte

Today we depart from Gambela, driving to Nekemte. 

Overnight stay in local hotel.

Ambo

Journey to Ambro Mahteb Tours


Day 16: Drive to Ambo

Depart from Nekemte to Ambo, another beautiful journey along the escarpment and through this prime agricultural region. 

Overnight stay in local hotel.

Lake Wenchi

Addis Ababa Mahteb Tours


Day 17: Visit Lake Wenchi Crater Lake & drive to Addis Ababa and departure

Today you will visit Lake Wenchi, a crater lake hosting an island monastery, hot springs and stunning scenery. You may take a boat trip on Lake Wenchi to visit the Cherkos monastery on the island. Horse riding is also available. 

Afterwards, continue driving back to Addis Ababa.