Tribes and Wildlife in the South

As you journey south of Addis, the Ethiopian landscape changes noticeably. The weather is warmer and there is arguably more colour everywhere you look. Scenically, the region is dominated by the Great Rift Valley, a great intra-continental fissure that is lined with six stunning lakes teeming with flamingos, pelicans, and other charismatic African birds. Rising to the east of this, Bale Mountains National Park is unquestionably the best part of the country for viewing endemic wildlife, including the iconic Ethiopian wolf. Culturally, the highlight is the ethnic groups that inhabit the Omo River Valley. Their ancient traditional rituals such as body painting, scarification and bull jumping can be as disturbing as they are mesmerizing to behold. Other lesser attractions include Sheshamene, haven of tranquillity, and a patch of Jamaica that Rastafarian settlers – mainly from the Caribbean and some from the United States – call home.