Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
church of
Adadi Maryam
. Then head south to World Heritage-listed
Tiya
, one of south-
ern Ethiopia's most important stelae fields. Little is known about their significance; some
of them are engraved with enigmatic symbols, which adds to the sense of mystery. Next
stop:
Lake Hare Sheitan
, some 50km south of Tiya. It's a circular crater lake filled with
deep-green waters - very photogenic.
Southwestern Ethiopia's largest city,
Arba Minch
is a good base if you want to explore
the nearby
Nechisar National Park
, where you'll have good chance to spot gargantuan
crocodiles, zebras, Swayne's hartebeest and the odd Abyssinian lion. From Arba Minch
you can also detour up the mountains to see the woven houses and traditional lifestyle in a
Dorze
village and then continue south and visit the amazing, fortresslike
Konso
villages,
at the gateway to the cultural riches of the
Lower Omo Valley
.
In Omo, visits to ethnic villages such as those of the Mursi above
Mago National
Park
, the Karo northwest of
Turmi
and the Daasanach along the mighty Omo River at
Omorate will transport you to another world; as will the important markets in
Jinka
,
Dimeka
and
Key Afar
. If you're lucky, a Jumping of the Bulls ceremony will be happen-
ing during your visit.
Slip east for a look at the 'House of Salt' and a 'singing well' at
El Sod
before turning
north for a night lakeside in modern and orderly
Awasa
. Then it's time for some remote
trekking amid Ethiopian wolves and superb scenery in
Bale Mountains National Park
and around
Dodola
.
See the hot springs and flamingo flocks in
Abiata-Shala Lakes National Park
before
unwinding in a lakeside resort and doing a bit or birdwatching at
Lake Langano
. Stop at
Lake Ziway
to see hippos, birdlife and island monasteries. You could spend another night
on a lake at
Debre Zeyit
before returning to the chaos of capital Addis Ababa.
