Starting from Addis Ababa, venture south into the heart of Ethiopia’s most captivating natural and cultural landscape. Over three days, you’ll wander through the lush, aromatic Sidama coffee region, encounter colobus monkeys, hippos, and rare birds at Lake Hawassa, and explore the flamingo paradise of Abiyata-Shala National Park. This itinerary blends coffee culture, wildlife exploration, and the breathtaking scenery of the Great Rift Valley, making it an ideal escape from the city and a return to nature.
Hawassa Hotel
Depart from Addis Ababa in the early morning, driving south into the Great Rift Valley. Along the way, you’ll pass rolling farmlands and scattered villages, the scenery gradually transitioning from the hustle and bustle of the city to the vastness of the highlands.
Upon arrival in Hawassa, enjoy lunch at a lakeside restaurant and take a short rest. Lake Hawassa is one of the most vibrant lakes in the Rift Valley, with gentle breezes and flocks of waterbirds.
After lunch, continue south for about an hour to reach Yirgalem, the gateway to the Sidama coffee region. We will stay at Aregash Lodge, nestled among coffee plantations and bamboo forests—an eco-resort surrounded by coffee trees and pristine forests, and one of the most renowned unique accommodations in southern Ethiopia.
Afternoon Activities | Sidama Village Visit and Coffee Forest Walk
After checking in, a local guide will lead you on a cultural exploration of the nearby Sidama villages. The Sidama are one of the main ethnic groups in Ethiopia, making their living through coffee cultivation. You will walk through the villages, learn about the daily lives of the locals, and experience their way of life, intertwined with coffee trees for thousands of years.
Under the shade of the forest, you can witness how coffee trees grow in their natural ecosystem. If you visit during the harvest season from October to December, you’ll even have the opportunity to pick ripe red coffee cherries yourself.
In the evening, return to Aregash Lodge for dinner. Enjoy a cup of freshly roasted Sidamo coffee in the quiet night surrounded by coffee trees, experiencing the pristine charm of the “birthplace of coffee.”
Lunch: Local restaurant in Awassa
Dinner: Aregash Lodge
Accommodation: Aregash Lodge (Eco-resort, located within a coffee plantation)
Hawassa Wildlife Park
Upon arrival in Hawassa, check into your hotel and after a short rest, head to Hawassa Wildlife Park. This is a renowned ecological reserve in southern Ethiopia, home to a rich variety of wildlife.
Within the park, you will have the opportunity to see:
Black-and-White Colobus – This black-and-white primate, with its long, white, “cloak-like” fur, is endemic to Ethiopia and can gracefully leap long distances between branches.
Various rare birds, including pelicans, African ospreys, and kingfishers.
You may also see green-tailed macaques and other primates moving among the trees in the lakeside area.
Evening to Night | Another Side of Lakeside Wildlife
Dusk is the most captivating time at Lake Hawassa. As darkness falls, the lakeshore comes alive:
Hippos come ashore: Hippos, which lurk in the water during the day, climb onto the grassy shore to forage at dusk.
Hyenas appear: Under the cover of night, hyenas begin to hunt around the lake, a unique nocturnal ecological phenomenon in the Lake Hawassa area.
After dinner at the hotel, you can wait for the animals to come alive under the cover of night on the lakeside terrace or in a safe area with a guide.
Breakfast: Aregash Lodge
Lunch: Hawassa
Dinner: Hawassa
Accommodation: Hawassa Hotel
After breakfast, depart for Abijata-Shalla Lakes National Park, approximately 70 kilometers from Hawassa.
Morning | Rift Valley Lakes and Flamingo Paradise
This 887 square kilometer national park encompasses two lakes: Lake Abijata and Lake Shalla, with elevations ranging from 1,540 to 2,075 meters.
Within the park, you will see:
Swarms of flamingos (if you’re lucky): The shallow waters of Lake Abiyata are a feeding ground for both lesser and greater flamingos, often creating a spectacular pink spectacle on the lakeshore as flocks of flamingos forage.
Ostriches: Africa’s largest birds roam the savanna.
Warthogs: You can often see them rooting in the grass for food.
Various antelopes: Such as Grant’s gazelle and East African oryx.
Sara Lake Hot Spring Experience
Sara Lake is the deepest lake in Ethiopia, exceeding 266 meters in depth. Its waters are a deep, dark blue, surrounded by steep volcanic walls. Natural geothermal hot springs are located on the northeast side of the lake. The springs are extremely hot, and locals often boil eggs and potatoes here—eggs are placed in the hot spring and cooked in no time. You can also experience the fun of “geothermal egg boiling” or soak your feet in the natural rock pools to relieve the fatigue of your long journey.
Lunch at Lake Ziway
After leaving the national park, drive to Lake Ziway, one of the most aquatic-rich lakes in the Rift Valley. After lunch, continue driving back to Addis Ababa, expecting to arrive in the city in the evening, concluding your three-day adventure.
Breakfast: Hawassa Hotel
Lunch: Lake Ziway Restaurant
Dinner: On your own
Pick-up from Airport
Professional English speaking guide
Road transportation cars, drivers, fuel
Accommodation
Fees for entrances and local guides
Incidental meals, snacks and drinksTravel InsuranceVideo filming and photography fees.Personal nature expenses, alcoholic drinks, laundry expenses,Telephone calls, tips for the tour staffs etc…Any other expenses except those listed on the inclusion parts.
