National Parks & Sanctuaries

National Parks & Sanctuaries

With 14 major wildlife reserves, Ethiopia provides a microcosm of the entire sub-Saharan ecosystem. Birdlife abounds, and indigenous animals from the rare Walia Ibex to the shy wild ass, roam free just as nature intended. Ethiopia, after the rains, is a land decked with flowers and with many more native plants than most countries in Africa.
Here are listed the national parks and their attractive features.

Abiyata-Shala national park
Abiyata Shala national park has been reserved for aquatic bird species like the great white pelicans and greater and lesser flamingo. Lake Abiyata is particularly the source of food for the water birds and Lake Shala is the breeding colony of great white pelicans.

Awash national park
Awash national park is located in the northern part of the Great Rift Valley, 225 km east of Addis Ababa. The wildlife consists of mainly of Beisa Oryx, lesser kudu, Hamadryas baboon and also around 400 species of birds in the park.

Bale Mountains National Park
Bale mountains national park, which is found in south eastern Ethiopia at about 400 km from Addis Ababa. The mountains are most famous as home and refuge for the endemic Mountain Nyala and red fox, both these mammals occur in reasonable numbers enable visitors to see beautiful animals while trekking around the Senetti plateau.

Gambella National Park
Gambella National Park lays in the western part of the country is the biggest national park in the country. The natural environment of Gambella national park has contributed to the presence of wide variety of wildlife, including the big mammals and birds.

Mago national park
The Mago national park is located southwest of Addis Ababa close to the Kenyan border. The park is on the eastern bank of Omo River, mainly grass savannah and some forested areas around the river, mostly seen are plain animals.

Netchsar National Park
The name Netchsar means “white grasses” and refers to the central grassy plain which was established as a sanctuary for the endemic Swayne Hartbeest, an endangered sub-species throughout Ethiopia. Other wildlife in the park includes hippo, zebra, crocodile and different kinds of birds.

Omo National Park
Omo national park is located adjacent to the Mago national park by the western bank of the Omo River. The park is one of the richest wild life sanctuaries in Ethiopia. Omo national park is the home of big game animals like lions, leopard, cheetah, elephant, zebra and giraffe. More than three hundred species of birds are in habited the park including the endemic black-winged lovebird.

Semien Mountains National Park
The Semien mountain highlands constitute of the major mountain massifs in Africa. The region most marvellous of all Ethiopian landscapes includes the highest point in Ethiopia, the Ras Dashen, at 4543 meters ASL, the 4th highest mountain in Africa. The Semien mountain massif is the home to Walia Ibex, red fox and Chelada Baboon all are endemic to Ethiopia.

10 Days – Tribes of the Omo Valley

Tour Code: WET - 030

Summary:
Visit the tribes of the Omo Valley in 10 days.
OMO “THE UNIQUE WILDERNESS”

The Lower Omo is home to a remarkable mix of small, contrasting ethnic groups. Join us on a fascinating tour to the south Omo valley, where a mosaic of indigenous tribes, intriguing cultural value, beautiful landscape and diversified tribes with their own unique village settlements for a century. This trip is carefully designed to offer you the best of Omo valley with the exceptional experience of the local villagers’ interaction with visiting one of the tribe’s family houses as a guest. Lifestyles are as varied as the tribes themselves. Lacking any material, culture and artifacts common to other cultures, these tribes find unique ways in which to express their artistic impulses. This package will also offer you to explore the best possible Exotic and colorful weekly Traditional Markets that add unique value for your holiday.

Day 1: Depart south from Addis Ababa via Butajira. On the way you will visit the archeological sites of Tiya (ancient stelae field and UNESCO World Heritage Site), Adadi Maryam (a rock-hewn church similar to those in Lalibela) and Melka Kunture (pre-historic tool-making site). Final destination for the day is Awassa. Overnight in Awassa (hotel).
Day 2: In the morning after breakfast, visit the fish market on the shores of Lake Awassa and then proceed driving to Dorze, set in the highlands above Arba Minch. The Dorze people are known for their tall beehive-like houses and their fine cotton weaving. You will visit the village and learn about the daily lives of these industrious people. If today is market day (in Dorze village on Monday and Thursday and in nearby Chencha on Tuesday and Saturday), that will be visited. Overnight in Dorze in traditional Dorze hut (shared toilet facilities) or continue to Arba Minch for overnight (hotel or lodge).
Day 3: In the morning, visit the local market in Dorze (Monday and Thursday) or Chencha (Tuesday and Saturday). Afterwards, continue driving to Arba Minch. In the afternoon, take a boat trip on Lake Chamo to visit the “crocodile market” and the local hippos. Overnight in Arba Minch (hotel or lodge).
Day 4: After breakfast, depart from Arba Minch to Turmi. On the way you will pass through the village of Weyto (market day Saturday), which is home to the Tsemai tribe. Continue through the Weyto Valley to Erbore, where you will have a brief visit to a local Erbore village (market day is Saturday). Finally, proceed to Turmi, home of the Hamer tribe. At night, you can see the traditional night dancing of the Hamer tribe, known as evangadi. Overnight in Turmi (hotel or lodge).
Day 5: In the morning, take a day trip to Omorate to visit the Dassenech tribe. Here you will cross the Omo River by local boat and enter a Dassenech village. Afterwards, return to Turmi (Monday is market day) for a visit to a local Hamer village. If there is Jumping of the Bulls traditional Hamer coming-of-age ceremony, that will be visited. Overnight in Turmi (basic hotel or lodge).

Day 6: Depart for Jinka, via Dimeka and Key Afar. Tuesdays and Saturdays are market days in Dimeka, which is one of the most colorful markets in the area and is visited by many tribes, including Hamer, Benna and Karo. Afterwards, continue to Jinka. Overnight in Jinka ( hotel or lodge).
Day 7: In the morning, drive through the Mago National Park to a local village of the Mursi tribe. The Mursi are known for their lower lip and earlobe plates. In the afternoon, after returning to Jinka, you can visit the South Omo Museum & Research Center to learn more about the local tribes. Alternatively, take a hike in the surrounding hills to visit a local Ari village. Overnight in Jinka ( hotel or lodge).
Day 8: After breakfast, depart from Jinka to Konso, via Key Afar. Thursday is market day in Key Afar, where you will see the Benna and Tsemai tribes trading goods. This is another very popular market in the region. After the visit, proceed to Konso (market days are Mondays and Thursdays). The Konso people are known for their wooden statues, known as wakas, which are erected in honor of dead heroes as well as their innovative agricultural terracing. Today you will have the opportunity to visit a local village and the cultural museum displaying many waka statues. If time permits, you can also visit the “natural New York Village”, named after the tall sand formations resembling skyscrapers. Overnight in Konso ( hotel or lodge).
Day 9: After breakfast, depart from Konso to Lake Langano. On the way you will visit the Senkele Wildlife Sanctuary, which was established to protect the endemic Swayne’s Hartebeest. Continue to Lake Langano for overnight (camping or lodge).
Day 10: After a morning swim in the lake, depart north to Addis Ababa. On the way, you may visit the Abiatta-Shala National Park. Lake Shala, with its deep blue waters is the deepest lake in Ethiopia at 236m. Lake Abiatta is a soda lake at which thousands of flamingos can be seen at various times of the year.

End of Tour
*** This itinerary is flexible, and will likely change in order to coordinate visits with market days in the south, which is a great opportunity to mingle with the people, many of whom travel long distances on foot to attend.
Travel Price
Based on 2 people: 1870 USD per person – with 1 jeep
Based on 4 people: 1360 USD per person
Based on 5 – 7 people: 1630 USD per person – with 2 jeeps
Based on 8 -11 people: XXX USD per person – with 3 jeeps
SRS (Single room Supplement) = 220 USD
For 8 and more people please contact us for a better price.

Includes
• All trips in private vehicles: 4X4 Jeeps for the whole trip
• English speaking professional tour guide ( for 5 and more people )
• Boat trip on the Lake Chamo
• Hotel rooms based on double bed basis
• Meals: half board ( BREAKFAST and DINNER ONLY )
• Embarkation fee for cars
• Local guides at all destinations
• Drinking water and non alcoholic drinks during meals
• All entrance fees as per itinerary
• 12 nights in hotel in double room
Not included in the performance
Meals and drinks not mentioned; visa (approx. U.S. $ 20), optional tours, photo and video fees; gratuities; Personal nature expenses.

About Us

Witness Ethiopia Tours is a privately owned Tour Operator that offers varieties of activities that Ethiopia is known for. Witness Ethiopia Tours is one of the strongest tour operators in Ethiopia, engaged in bringing visitors from all over the world. We believe in high standards of service.

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Down Town Building, 2nd Floor, Room
No. 207
+251904169516 / +251911785789
+251118886060
info@witnessethiopiatours.com
ermiasnegus@gmail.com
addis@kiboslopessafaris.com