Two and half days trip along the Rift Valley lakes up to the Sidamo forest
One hundred and fifty kilometres south of Addis Abeba, Lake Zway offers some of the best birdwatching in the Rift Valley and the island of Tullu Gudu has a rich history: a monastery with ancient religious manuscripts where it is supposed that the Covenant Ark had stayed for some years. Just a myth? It could be, but the Zay people that live in Tulo Gudo speak a language that is a mix of Oromo, Tigrean and Gurage… In the forests of Sidamo it grows one of the finest coffees in the world and people prepare a bread from false banana leaves. The park of Abyata and Shala lakes is a great environment among the savannah acacias, thermal springs, pink flamingos and rich wildlife.
Day 1. Addis Abeba – Tiya – Zway. Leave Addis Abeba in the early afternoon; the Tiya archaeological site along the Butajira road; Lake Zway at the sunset is a sanctuary for birdwatchers; fish dinner. Night at Haile Resort
Day 2. Lake Zway Tulu Gudo – Yirgalem. Navigation along the lake up to the island of Tulo Gudo; the ancient monastery of Maryam Tsion that is the most historical one in south Ethiopia; short trekking along the paths of the island. To the south along the acacia savannah of the Rift Valley up to Awassa; fish market. Continue to the south into Sidamo region up to coffee plantations area; coffee ceremony with hyenas . Night at Yirgalem Lodge
Day 3. Yirgalem – Sidamo Village – Abiata Shala – Addis Abeba. Visit the nearby Sidamo village, by walking in the coffee plantation. To the north and into Abiata Shala Park, where around the lakes there are colonies of flamingos. Arrival in the afternoon at Addis Abeba
