The Ethiopian Great Rift Valley

The rifting and consequent separation between the African and the Arabian tectonic plates over 35 million years ago originated in an amazing geological and geographical place known as the Ethiopian Great Rift Valley. Starting from northern Syria and reaching central Mozambique, this 6,000km valley reaches deep widths and great elevations, some of them found in Ethiopia. As a result of this geographic accident and due to the high rainfall in the quaternary era, there is a group of lakes in Ethiopia called the Rift Valley Lakes, including Ziway, Langano, Abiata and Shala in the North and Abaya and Chamo in the South. This tour will allow the visitor to witness one of the most intense geological sites in the world.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ROUTE

• Game drive at Awash National Park
• The Sof Omar Caves
• Spot the Ethiopian wolf in Bale
• Awassa fish market
• Relax in Langano

Day 1
Drive to Awash National Park via Adama. Visit the park where you will spot wildlife such as crocodiles, different species of antelopes and monkeys and enjoy the sunset view from the lodge inside the park. Overnight in Awash National Park (lodge or camping).
Day 2
Drive to Goba via Asela and visit the Sanette Plateau and Tullo Deemtu Mount. In the afternoon, visit the Sof Omar caves, a vast network of limestone caverns and go back to the Bale Mountains National Park for overnight (camping).
Day 3
Visit the Bale Mountains National Park with a full day program of trekking inside the park where you will be able to spot some endemic species such as the Ethiopian wolf. Overnight in Bale Mountains National Park (overnight).
Day 4
Drive to Awassa and visit the city with a tour to the lake and the fish market. Overnight in Awassa (hotel).
Day 5
Drive to the Great Rift Valley Lakes region for relaxation at one of the lodges next to Langano Lake. Overnight in Langano (resort, hotel or camping).
Day 6
Before driving back to Addis, visit the Abiata-Shala National Park to enjoy the scenic lakes and spot water birds. In the evening, Inside Ethiopia Tours offers you a farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant with local dancers and musicians representing some of the country’s ethnic groups. End of the tour.