Uncover Ethiopia in 7 Days

Thinking of heading for an adventure of a lifetime in Africa region, but do not know where to start from? Consider the gateway into Africa, welcome to Ethiopia. Capturing the essence of Africa, Ethiopia is known as the land of origins, a country located in East Africa.

From hunting wildlife to sipping top grade Arabian coffee, the adventures are endless! On my recent trip to South of Ethiopia, I came to realize there are simply so much more to explore the unexplored land. We kickstart the journey from her capital, Addis Ababa and transverse through the mysterious forest of The Bale Mountains National Park. The onwards journey bring us to witness the hustle and bustle of the daily local life in Hawassa Market. Next up would be one of the highlight of the trip where one gets to indulge and enjoy the relaxing resort of Halala Kella. It overlooks the majestic Omo River, giving it the perfect moment to reconnect with your inner soul. The journey continue into the town of Arba Minch where one would have the opportunity to get close to the wildlife habitat of the Crocodiles. The trip ends with a visit to Wanchi crater lake, known for its stunning waterfalls, hot springs and stunning scenery around the lake.

 Day 1: Addis Ababa 

Discover the heart of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, the capital city of Africa.  Kickstart the trip by tantalizing our taste buds thru the appreciation of Ethiopia greatest gift to mankind- Coffee Beans. We are talking about high quality aroma coffee which in fact, many big coffee chains are using these beans to process it. Fun fact, the next time if you were to drink a coffee, be sure to check out its country of origin, it would be likely coming in from Ethiopia! Witness how coffee beans are carefully selected, researched, hand picked and process via a factory tour right from the origin. One may purchase coffee beans directly, however do note each foreign visitor can only buy up to a maximum of 4kilograms per person.

Next up is a visit to the Unity Park located right in the downtown of Addis Ababa. This attraction showcase the history, royal family members of the Ethiopian empire , showcasing the historical, cultural aspects of the community. Needless to say, when one is in Africa, you would expect to see animals. Located within the park, rare species of black mane lions and Ethiopian animals namely Giraffes, Zebras, Kudu, Impala, Eland, Gemsbok, Nyala, Wildebeest, and White Rhino are on display.

The other highlight in the city is National Museum of Ethiopia. Seize the opportunity to check out Lucy, known to be a 3.5 million-year old fossil skeleton of a human ancestor,  which was discovered in Ethiopia back in 1974.

 Day 2: Addis Ababa – Goba – Bale National Park 

Take a domestic flight from Addis Ababa to Goba, located in the South Western of the country. It is just an hour long flight duration and the journey along it allows one to witness the vastness and beauty of  the country from above.

We arrived around lunch time at our accommodation: Bale Mountain Lodge. After lunch, we took a short hike around the lodge and the scenery was simply awesome! A hike to the nearby waterfall is an adventure itself as we passed by local villages and witness first hand on how they live their life.

Day 3: Bale National Park – Harenna Forest – Hawassa 

The largest and most extensive forest remaining in Ethiopia, the Harenna Forest. It has the vibe of mysterious forest setting among the clouds, producing a rapid & spectacular change in landscape. Over in this area, Bale Monkeys  an wild dogs are commonly spotted.  Also not be missed in Bale National Park, it allows one to reach the 2nd highest point in Ethiopia.

Head on to Hawassa city, where we were glad to spot wild Hippopotamus right in the doorstep of our resort, overlooking the river.

Day 4: Hawassa – Halala Kella

In the morning, head to Hawassa local fish market and witness how the locals go about in drinking fish soup. Also, we had the opportunity to visit what looks like a national park conversative area that has wild animals roaming the vicinity.

Halala Kella, also referred to as Halala Kella, stands as a leisure spot located in southern Ethiopia. It serves as a retreat for relaxation and introspection, inviting guests to unwind and gain fresh insights. Halala Kella provides a distinctive getaway, attracting individuals in search of serenity and self-reflection. Moreover, Halala Kella is connected to the Great Medieval Defensive Dry Stone Walls of DawuroKati Halala Keela in Southwest Ethiopia, presenting a fusion of contemporary tourism and historical legacy in the nation.

Day 5: Halala Kella

On this day, it was simply doing nothing except a day of spa, gym session, swim in the infinity pool overlooking the river. In the late afternoon, I took the rented bike and cycle around the village. Dinner served over the sunset bar area where camp fire style was set up for us to enjoy throughout the night.

Day 6: Halala Kella – Arab Minch – Addis Ababa 

After breakfast, we took the boat across the river and continue our journey towards Arab Minch.  The visit to Arba Minch Crocodile Ranch is a must for all domestic and international tourists who came to Arba Minch town. The primary purposes of the ranch were conservation of Nile crocodile in Lakes Abaya and Chamo, commercializing crocodile skin and meat to the global market. In fact, the star attraction in this town  is Lake Chamo. Rich in wildlife, Crocodile Market itself, is best accessed using a chartered boat, which allows visitors a glimpse of hippos, various species of water birds, as well as its star residents: the Nile Crocodiles, which can grow to 7 metres long.

Day 7: Addis Ababa – Wanchi Crater Lake- Addis Ababa 

Be enchanted by the beauty of Wanchi Crater Lake, located 350km away from Addis Ababa. It is approximately 3.5 hours journey each way between Addis Ababa and Wanchi. However, it is all worth it as one take in the awesome scenery that could rival with Switzerland with its carpet grass and mountain valleys in the far sight. I would even suggest to stay for 1 night so as to not make a rushing day trip back to the capital.

Overall, Southern Ethiopia region is still at its purest state if one would want to explore the authentic side of Ethiopia. There were not many visitors around yet hospitality & services at their very best. Road conditions are acceptable, in fact around 60% of the road usage on my trip, I find that the paved roads are smooth and well maintained. The remaining 40% are mountainous road with sandy & rocky conditions, not that ideal if one want to speed down the road. Hence, 4 wheel drive is certainly recommended and if you join a tour, most likely you will be sitting in one. There were not many toilets readily available along the road. That leads me to my next article that I had shared previously on travel tips to Ethiopia, link can be found here.

Categories: Africa Region, Itinerary