Cultural Attraction

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KONSO CULTURAL LANDSCAPE

Konso Cultural Landscape is a 55 square km arid property of stone walled terraces and fortified settlements in the Konso highlands of Ethiopia. It constitutes a spectacular example of a living cultural tradition stretching back 21 generations (more than 400 years) adapted to its dry hostile environment. The landscape demonstrates the shared values, social cohesion and engineering knowledge of its communities.
Each of the seven lakes has its own special life and character and provides ideal habitats for the exuberant variety of flora and fauna that make the region a beautiful and exotic destination for tourists.
Most of the lakes are suitable and safe for swimming other water sports. Besides, lakes Abiata and Shalla are ideal places for bird watchers. Most of the Rift Valley lakes are not fully exploited for touristic purposes. The Rift Valley is also a site of numerous natural hot springs & the chemical contents of the hot springs are highly valued for their therapeutic purposes though at present they are not fully utilized. In short, the Rift Valley is endowed with many beautiful lakes, numerous hot springs, a warm and pleasant climate and a variety of wildlife. It is considered one of the most ideal areas for the development of international tourism in Ethiopia.

SEMIEN MOUNTAIN PEOPLE

No description of the Simien would be complete without a mention of its people. They are Amharas; their language is Ethiopia’s official tongue, Amharic (Amharigna). Most Amharas belong to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
But when Ethiopia was invaded by the Muslim forces of Ahmed Gragn in the sixteenth century, several Muslim settlements were established in the Simien. These settlements have remained there, culturally distinct from, but intermingled: with, the Christian majority. Thus the region today contains members of both religious groups. With very few exceptions, the people of the region are farmers. The Muslims, but not the Christians, may supplement their farming activities by weaving.

OMO PEOPLE

Reckoned by enthusiasts to be one of Africa’s premier location for Omo Peoplewhite water river rafting, its early fury takes it through gorges hundreds of meters deep and over fish, crocodile and hippo.
On the final leg of its journey south to Turkana, the Omo forms the border between Kefa and Gamo Gofa provinces. It’s here that Ethiopia’s largest nature sanctuary, the Omo National park is located, with belts of forest, hot springs and extensive wilderness.
The park is one of the richest in spectacle and yet one of the least-visited areas in East and Central Africa. Most easily accessed from the town of Jinka, another sanctuary, the Mago National park, has been establishing on the eastern bank of the river, comprising mainly savanna, with some forestes areas. The highest point is Mount Mago, in the north of the park.
Both park offer incredible spectacles of big game. Both also have the merit of being far from the beaten track and virtually unexplored, and thus are place in which game can be seen in a truly natural state.