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The S

outhern Ethiopia

SNNPRS is one of the federal regional states of Ethiopia endowed with a remarkably

rich cultural, Historical and Natural diversity The presence of more than 50 nations

Nationalities and peoples (70% of the country) with an exceptional variety of

ceremonies, festivals, celebrations, rituals, and other living expressions. Moreover,

two of the world heritages sites; the Great Rift Valley Lakes; wildlife protected areas;

hot springs; waterfalls, the south-western natural forest; Konso Cultural village,

Gedeo agro-forestry practices, together with the diverse cultural resources set the

region among the top priority attractions.

The place

where you feel

the breathing

culture of

Ethiopia…

MAJOR TOURIST ATTRACTION PLACES

Colored by the nature

Natural attraction: Wildlife Protected Areas: The Region holds seven National Parks (Namely: Mago, Maze and Chebra-Churchura, Gibe-Sheleko, Loka Abaya, Nech-Sar, and Omo), two wildlife re-serve(Tama & Chelbi), two Controlled Hunting Areas (Welishet-Sala & Murule) and different community based wildlife conservation areas. Rivers and Lakes: The Region is fortunate in possessing a number of water basins which is certainly one of the reasons for the rich biological diversity. Omo (one of the big river in the country), Gojeb, Gibe, Bilate, Segen, Akobo and Woyto Rivers and Rift Valley Lakes such as Abaya (the largest of the Great Rift Valley Lakes of Ethiopia), Chamo (the most productive), Hwassa, Chew Bahir and

Rudolf are found within SNNPRS.

Home for crocodiles

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Cultural and Ethnic Attractions SNNPR one of the most important regional states of the country embraces about 56 nationalities

that have their own languages and cultures. The ethnic diversity is high in South-Omo Administrative Zone, where there are 16 Nationalities. The peoples have diverse & unspoiled culture in their life style, body decoration, dressing, wearing jewelries and way of life. Each of the nationalities of the region has their own, weeding, burial, religious and other cultural ceremonies. Some of nationalities are known of their special cotton cloths weaving and dressing, in addition to that making bracelets, nickels, earrings and bead. The stone and wood curving techniques of the Konso nationalities are very impressive and attractive for tourists.

Southern

Erbore: very colorful people

Erbore are a very exciting people. Their happy way of life is rooted in their deep belief that their singing and dancing eliminates negative energy and with the negative energy gone, the tribe will prosper.

Although relatively large, Erbore is far more rustic and unaffected than many similarly sized towns in South Omo. The Erbore build their huts slightly oval in shape. The Erbore have a bodily mutilation of raised dots on the chest and abdomen. The Erbore believe in a Supreme Being creator and father of men whom they call Waq.

Cold and hot springs The region has numerous natural springs as well as holly and mineral waters which are curative & attractive. The Forty-Springs “Arba-Minch” ( Gamo-Gofa), Wondo-Genet & Gidabo Hot-Springs (Sidama), Arto Hot-Springs (Halaba), Dadiben Hot-Springs (Kaffa), Loqe and Jatu Hot-Springs (Gurage) Wejemta and Usinka Hot-Springs (Benchi-Maji Zone.

Historical and man made attractions A number of ancient monasteries and Churches are known in the region. Most of the Orthodox Churches ark of tabernacles came from the northern parts of the country and are built on the top of hills.

Get Colored

Erbore: very

colorful people Together with the Burji, and the Konso,

the Erbore speak Cushitic language.

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Mursi or M

ursu

Women of the Mursi

tribe may have their lips

cut at the age of 15 or

16…

Mursi or Mursu

The Mursi or Mursu people are the most popular in Ethiopia's Omo Valley. They are well known for their unique lip plates. They are settled around the Omo River and in the Mago National Park since they have to move accordingly with the climate. They herd cattle and grow crops along the banks of the Omo River. The Mursi women paint their bodies and face in white. They also are the ones who wear the lip plates. Women of the Mursi tribe may have their lips cut at the age of 15 or 16. A small clay plate is then inserted into the lip. Through the years, larger plates are inserted into the lip causing it to stretch. The larger the clay plate, the more the woman is worth before she gets married. It is said that the clay plates were originally used to prevent capture by slave traders… this region have a lot of other tribes other than the one listed above.

Tsemai

The Tsemai, the dominant people of Weito village on the Konso-Jinka road, are regarded to be among the least known ethnic groups of Ethiopia. Estimated to be a total of some 5,000 people, their territory extends along the western bank of the Weito River, known in Tsemai as the Dulaika River.

This region is also have embraced many tribes with that are not

included here...

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Ethiopia known for its wide spectrum of biological diversity with endemic,

endangered and globally threatened flora and fauna. The diversity of the biological

resource is a reflection of the Region unique geological history and diverse physical

and climatic conditions. The wildlife resource of the Region are mainly restricted in

Wildlife Protected Areas, Namely: seven National Parks, two wildlife Reserves, six

Controlled Hunting Areas and ten Important Bird Areas as well as different

community based wildlife conservation areas. So far 127 mammals (46% of the

country) and 574 birds (65% of the country) have been recorded together with some

endemic, near endemic and/or globally threatened species.

Flora and fauna

Nech-Sar National Park (NNP) Location: NNP is found in SNNPRS between the two Great Rift Valley lakes (Chamo & Abaya) near Arba- Minch town & located about 500 & 270km south of Addis Ababa and Hawassa, respectively. Main Attractions: NNP diverse habitats and vegetation types shelter for over some 104 small, medium and larger species of mammals, 351 species of birds and 1000 species of vascular plants The park is known for its beautiful natural scenery

and varieties of mammals and avian species. Among

mammals: Burchel’s zebra, Grant’s gazelle, greater

kudu, waterbuck, Guenther’s dikdik, bushbuck,

jackal, spot-ted hyena, leopard, lion, cheetah

servalcat, honey badger, gureza-coloubs, vervet

monkey, olive-baboon, wild dog and caracal are

common & conspicuous in the park. Among the avian

the endemic Nech-Sar Nightjar and the globally

threatened lesser-kestrel, lesser-flamingo and

phalied-harrier are known. Nech-Sar is very well-

known for its wonderful attraction sites such as

Crocodile Market (where hundredth of giant Nile

crocodile with congregation of waterfowls and hippo

herds are commonly seen on the shore of the lake Nech-Sar National Park

: seven National Parks, two wildlife Reserves, six Controlled Hunting Areas and ten

Important Bird Areas as well as different community based wildlife conservation

areas. So far 127 mammals… with some endemic near endemic and/or globally

threatened species…

HIGHLIGHTS

Burchel’s zebra