A weekend in Arba Minch

Arba Minch

We will arrive in the afternoon in the lush city of Arba Minch, gateway to the South, a pleasant city that enjoys a wonderful location and offers magnificent views. On the shores of Lakes Abaya and Chamo, surrounded by forests and national parks, it is a magnificent gateway to the southern part of the country.

Overnight at Halie Resort

Arba Minch

Nechisar Park, located not far from the city, is home to more than 104 mammal species and 350 bird species. Nearly 15% of the park is covered by lakes, including Lake Abaya to the north and Lake Chamo. Among the protected species, you may encounter plains zebras, Grant’s gazelles, dik-diks, and greater kudus, as well as one of the last three herds of Swayne’s hartebeest, the bushpig (Potamochoerus larvatus), olive baboons, African wild dogs, or side-striped jackals. The afternoon will be dedicated to a cruise where you can spot giant Nile crocodiles peacefully cohabiting with herds of hippos.

Overnight at Halie Resort

Arba Minch

This morning, we will gain some elevation to reach the surrounding mountains near the town of Chencha, located 37 km north of Arba Minch, where the villages of the Dorze community and their very distinctive house roofs are hidden. Tucked away in the Gugé mountains, the Dorze people are an Omotic people famous for their beehive-shaped huts reaching up to 12 meters high and lasting more than 80 years. The Dorze are also known for their intelligent and almost exclusive use of the enset plant, the cornerstone of their environmentally respectful economy, which serves as food, clothing material, and building material. In the afternoon, we will enjoy one last stroll along the lakes in the pleasant city before returning to the capital.

Late afternoon flight to Addis Ababa