|
Western Ethiopia is the country’s least known and least
traveled region. Travelers pass through the Welega high plains then move
on through the luxuriant Illulabor forest to wind up in Gambella, a rustic
fluvial port town which at the beginning of the twentieth century
underwent a major economic and social boom due to the trade of coffee,
salt, bees’ wax, liquor, cotton and slaves. Situated along the banks of
the Baro River, Ethiopia’s only navigable waterway, not far from the
Sudanese boarder, Gambella has fallen into decadence and seems to relive
its past with its old colonial storehouses, the old merchant villas
immersed in magnificent tropical vegetation. Nuer villages skirt the
city’s edges and the Anuak marketplace is located to the north of the
city. Returning towards Addis one finds Gimma, the capital of the Kaffa
region, home of the nation’s coffee plantations. Kaffa’s unique
geographical position gives it a temperate climate, perfectly suitable for
any kind of agricultural crop. Tourists can purchase beautiful handcrafted
goods, succulent honey and the famous three-legged stools in the market
place.
BY CAR
Code LTT 501 AMBO AND LAKE WENCHI (2DAYS)
Day01 Drive to Ambo, visit Addis Alem church, enjoy thermal water swimming
pool in Ambo, overnight hotel.
Day02 Drive to lake Wenchi and trek around the lake with a boat trip to
the island church of Cherkos, visit Guder Falls and drive back to Addis.
BY CAR
Code LTT 502 AMBO, JIMMA, GAMBELA (12 DAYS)
Day01 Arrival in Addis Ababa, city tour, overnight Ghion hotel.
Day02 Drive to Ambo, enjoy thermal swimming pool, overnight hotel.
Day03 Drive to lake Wenchi, trekking and boat trip to island church of
Cherkos, visit Guder Falls, overnight hotel.
Day04 Drive to Bedele via Nekemte, overnight hotel.
Day05 Drive to Gambela via Metu and trek to visit Sor River Waterfalls,
overnight hotel.
Day06 Gambela drive west to Itang, visit Anuak and Nuer people, overnight
hotel.
Day07 Gambela city tour and visit Anuak and Nuer markets, overnight hotel.
Day08 Drive to Jimma, overnight hotel.
Day09 Jimma, visit the Museum and the Palace of Abba Jiffar, overnight
hotel.
Day10 Drive to Wolisso, relax and enjoy the thermal water swimming pool at
Negash Lodge where to stop for the night.
Day11 Drive back to Addis Ababa via Butajira, visit Adadi Mariam church
and Tiya stelae, overnight Ghion hotel.
Day12 Departure.
Notes
The areas around Gambela are affected by malaria therefore it is strongly
recommended the prophylaxis against it and all the necessary precautions
(mosquito repellents, scarpe chiuse and long sleeves after the sunset).
The people in this part of the country are not so used to meet tourists
then it is suggested to kindly ask them before shooting photos also to
their house or animals. The best period to come to visit is from November
to January. |
