Awash National Park is geographically located in the main Rift Valley system stretched over 756 km2 situated at 225 kms south east of Addis on the plain through which the highway and railway line leading to Dire Dawa and Djibouti passes. It is established in 1966 and is the first officially gazetted wildlife reserve in the Country. Dominated by savannah vegetation (shrub, bush, acacia and open grass lands), it’s a home for various mammal and bird species.

The Omo National Park was proposed for its extensive wilderness area and prolific plains wildlife; it is important for the very large herds of Common Enland and for the conservation of Elephant.

Species recorded: 75 mammals and 325 birds

Charismatic species: Common E-land

Location: the park is situated in South Omo Zone some 870km south of Addis Ababa at the coordinate between N6010’ and E35050’. Its altitude ranges between 440-1,183m asl. It is located t the extreme southern part of Ethiopia, the Omo national park extends following the Omo river bank close to Sudan border.

Rainy season: the rainfall in the park average about 810mm per year. The wet season is March to June with a second wet season in September. The main dry season is December to February.

Temperature: the highest temperature is 36-400c in December- February and the lowest are 20-210c in March-May.

This Mago National Park was proposed for the conservation of its large numbers of wildlife, particularly Buffalo, Giraffe, and Elephant.

Species recorded: 81 mammals and 257 birds

Charismatic species: African Buffalo

Location: Mago National park is situated at the same corner with Omo National park and separated by the Omo River close to Kenya Border some 800km south of Addis Ababa and 30km from Jinka town, at coordinate between N5030’ and E36030’. It took some feature as in the Omo national park and is age.

Rainy season: the rainfall in the park averages about 900mm a year. The wet season is March to June with a second wet season in September. The main dry season is December to February.

Temperature: the highest temperature is 36-400c in December- February and the lowest are 20-210c in April – June.

Ecological Zone: Rift Valley

The Simien Mountains National Park’s (SMNP) name is traditionally linked to the Amharic word “Semien” which means north. It is one of the best of national parks in terms of scenic potential & variety. High rising volcanic plugs that are a result of a vast series of volcanic activities in the past are the main and major attractions of the park.

The SMNP, after being recommended by the UNESCO mission in 1965, was formally established by 1966 and gazetted in 1966. Due to its unique landscape and the rich biodiversity resources, the park was listed on the list of World Natural Heritage by UNESCO in 1978.

It is part of the area of wonderful topographical features known as “the roof of Africa”. It includes opportunities for viewing a variety of wildlife, birdlife, and flora. The unchanging traditional life of the local people, trekking, mountain hiking and ecological studies gives SMNP its excellent potential as the first important place of interest to visit in the Ethiopian tourist circle.

Species recorded: 21 mammals and 180 birds

Charismatic species: Walia Ibex

Location:  The Simien Mountains National Park is found North West of the country, in the Amhara Regional State, about 850km from Addis Ababa and about 102km from Gondar. It has an area of about 232.5km2 and is adjacent to Mt. Ras Dashen, which is the tenth highest peak in Africa. It lies within the center of a triangle that forms part of the important historical sites of Ethiopia which are regularly visited by a number of foreign tourists namely. This triangle includs Axum, Gondar and Lalibela.

Rainy Season: The rainy season in the area occurs between June and mid- September. Average annual rainfall is about 1550mm.

Temperature: The area usually experiences a cool climate, which ranges from -2.5 to 18 degrees. During the dry season early mornings are the coldest time of the day.

Discover the very best of Ethiopia when you travel with Walk in Ethiopia Tours. Enjoy insider experiences, ancient African civilization, amazing wildlife encounters, unique cultural interactions, and a host of extraordinary moments on one of our Ethiopia luxury tours.

At Walk in Ethiopia Tours, we custom design your luxury travel to suit your available time, specific interests, and travel lifestyle. With an outstanding and expert personal knowledge about all our destinations, along with the skill and ability to innovate, we have the knowledge and genuine desire to understand our client’s sophisticated luxury holiday needs.
We can custom design an excellent itinerary with comfort to some of the most magnificent attractions Ethiopia has to offer with a private charter or helicopter combined with luxurious ground transport as well as comfortable lodging. There are a number of luxurious international-standard hotel options in the capital city of Addis Ababa and excellent  lodges and eco resorts in the major tourist destinations in Ethiopia.

Here are some of Ethiopia's memorable adventures awaiting you:

• Explore the beautiful and vibrant city of Addis Ababa, the political capital of Africa.
• Take a private charter to visit the amazing rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, often referred to as one of ‘the living wonders of the world’.
• Fly over the Blue Nile Falls and sip champagne on a sunset cruise on Lake Tana while visiting the source of the Blue Nile and the island monasteries.
• Enjoy the splendid view of the stunning Simien Mountains and sample some excellent Ethiopian wines
• Take a helicopter safari and picnic in the spectacular Tigray Mountains.
• Enjoy the spectacular views as you fly over Erta Ale lava lake.
• Explore the out-of-this-world Danakil Depression landscape.
• Take a charter flight into the Ethiopian Great Rift Valley and venture thousands of years back in time.
• Get to know the exotic tribes of the Omo Valley and their world.
• Get lost in the beautiful nature of the Bale Mountains, one of the biggest Afro-Alpine habitats and home to many endemic wildlife including the Ethiopian Wolf.

We completely understand that the most difficult question for luxury holiday seekers is not where to go for a luxury holiday, but who should plan it. Walk in Ethiopia Tours has fulfilled the dreams and aspirations of many luxury travelers from around the world for more than 12years. Have your Ethiopian luxury tour designed by National Geographic’s award-winning adventure company.
With Grand Walk in Ethiopia Tours, you can relax confident that you have made the right choice.

Walk in Ethiopia tour, travel and car rental
Destination: Arbamich, Jinka, Konso, Mursi, Turmi,Hamer
Durations: 8days/7 nights
Type of tour: Cultural
Mode of transportation: surface
Day 1 Addis Abeba - Arbaminch
Early in the morning after breakfast drive to Arbaminch which means ‘forty springs’. On the way you will see the Tiya stelae. The site contains 36 monuments, including 32 carved stelae covered with symbols, most of which are difficult to decipher. Overnight in a lodge
Day 2 Arbaminch – Jinka
In the morning you will take a boat trip on Chamo lake to visit corocodiles, hippos etc. Drive to Jinka across various ethnics like Tsemay and Bena. Continue driving to Jinka with a stop at Tsemay and Bena village. If it is Thursday; you will visit the spectacular Key Afer market where different Omo valley ethnic group meet in harmony. Overnight: Jinka in a resort.
Day 3 Jinka- Mursi – Jinka
Drive from Jinka Excursion to the Mursi people via Mago National Park. These people are curious and famous in that the women wear geometrical lip plates in the slits of their lips and in the afternoon you will visit the Ari tribes whose women are known for selling pottery and wearing skirts made from banana trees called Enset. Tribe members wear a lot of jewellery and have many piercings in their ears. They wrap beads and bracelets around their arms and waist for decoration. Overnight: in Jinka resort
Day 4 Jinka - Turmi
Today you will drive to Turmi via different small villages and visit the beautiful and friendly Hamer tribs. The Hamer tribes are well known for their bull jumping and dancing ceremony. Overnight: In Turmi Lodge
Day 5 Turmi –Omorte-Turmi
Drive to Omorate for a visit of Dasench people with a wooden boat crossing the Omo River and if it is a market day, you will visit the Turmi market. Late in the afternoon drive back to Turmi. Overnight in a Lodge
Day 6 Turmi – Arbaminch
Today you will drive to Arba Minch via Konso for visit of UNESCO world heritage site of Konso (well known for their terracing system for more than 800 years). Overnight: In a lodge
Day 7 Arbaminch- Hawassa
Early in the morning you will visit the dorze people who are well known cotton weavers, the Dorze tribe were once warriors. They are famous for their cotton woven cloths and beehive huts. They cultivate their own food and prevent erosion by terracing along the mountainside. In their farmlands, the Dorze will grow highland cereals. They also grow spices, vegetables; fruits and tobacco within their compound. The Dorze people wear colorful toga robes called shammas. They are very popular throughout Ethiopia. Dorze hut is made up of hard wood poles, woven bamboo, enset and other natural materials. Then drive to Hawassa. Overnight in a Hotel
Day 8 Hawassa- Addis Abeba
In the morning you will visit the spectacular lakes and fish market which is found in Hawassa city and take your breakfast there, then drive back to Addis Ababa.
In the evening, you will have a farewell dinner party in a traditional restaurant where you will enjoy with the music and dance of the Ethiopian nationalities. And transfer you to the airport
……………………..........................………..End of the tour…………………………………………………

All visitors to Ethiopia require a visa. However, at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, a tourist Visa on Arrival (VOA) is available to leisure visitors from the USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, China, Japan, Korea, Israel, Russia, the UK and all other European Union nations. A one-month tourist VOA costs US$50 and three months costs US$70. Multiple-entry visas are not currently available on arrival, so should be obtained in advance at an embassy. Please note that visa on arrival is not available to visitors entering by land borders.
 
Business travellers, consultants and professionals working for NGOs need a Business Visa. This should be obtained in advance from an Ethiopian Embassy. Visitors who have their residence in countries without an Ethiopian Embassy, or far from the capital where the Embassy is located, can get the support of the organisation they are working for in Ethiopia to provide them with a document issued by the Immigration Authority allowing them to get a one-month single-entry visa on arrival. Both tourist and business visas can be extended at the Immigration Authority offices located in Churchill Road, near the Post Office, in Addis Ababa.
 
Banking and Money In Ethiopia

The Ethiopian birr is one of the strongest currencies in Africa, though it has devalued significantly in recent years. Banknotes come in denominations of birr 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1, and centime and birr 1 coins are also minted. Foreign currency, in particular US dollars, pounds sterling and euros, can be changed into birr at private ‘forex bureaux’, as well as at most banks during banking hours (usually 8.30am to 4pm Monday–Saturday).  Local currency can be drawn from a countrywide network of 24-hour ATMs with international Visa and MasterCards.
 
Retail Opening Hours In Ethiopia

Shop opening hours tend to be less fixed and more whimsical than in Europe or North America. However, most places operate to core opening hours of around 8am to 5pm Monday–Saturday, but some might stay open until as late as 9pm or 10pm, and many also open on Sundays and public holidays.
 
Power Supply In Ethiopia

Electricity is 220 volts at 50 cycles. Power cuts are frequent although the largest hotels and restaurants serving international visitors usually have generators. In any case it is a good idea to bring a torch as some streets in Addis can be dark at night. A torch will also be useful if you are planning to visit remote locations. Plug standards vary but the Type C (European two-pin) and Type L (Italian three-pin) sockets are most common.
 
Telephone In Ethiopia

The international dialling code is +251. As is the case elsewhere, mobile phones are now more popular than land lines. The only provider is Ethio Telecom (www.ethiotelecom.et), which sells cheap local SIM cards at its stores in Addis Ababa and elsewhere. All phone numbers are now 10 numerals long, and mobile numbers can easily be recognised because they all start with ‘09’.

Ethiopia is a safe and reasonably healthy country provided you take a few common sense precautions.Ensure your inoculations for typhoid, tetanus, polio and hepatitis A are up to date, mainly if you are traveling out of the capital or you will stay away from the largest hotels Anti-malarial prophylactics should be taken if you’ll be visiting low-lying moist regions such as the southern Rift Valley and South Omo. There is also a small risk of malaria, especially during the rainy season, at mid-altitude sites such as Bahir Dar and Harar. Malaria is all but absent above 2000m, for instance in Addis Ababa, Gondar, Lalibela and the Bale and Simien mountains.

Avoid drinking or brushing your teeth with tap water. Bottled water is safe and widely available. Its a good idea to carry a few packs of antiseptic wet wipes to wash your hands after toilet stops or before meals in more remote areas where running water may not be available. 

Ethiopia is a safe and politically stable country, though there may be some risk attached to travel in remote border areas with more volatile neighbors such as Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan. None of these areas is likely to be visited on a normal tour. Pickpockets and con artists proliferate in central Addis Ababa but are not a serious cause for concern elsewhere in the country