Location: Arba Minch
Top Things to do in Arba Minch
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The 7 Best Things to Do in Arba Minch, Ethiopia
Arba Minch (Amharic: አርባ ምንጭ, "forty springs") is a city and separate woreda in southern Ethiopia; the first common name for this city was Ganta Garo. Located in the Gamo Gofa Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region about 500 kilometers south of Addis Ababa, at an elevation of 1285 meters above sea level. It is the largest town in Gamo Gofa Zone and the second town in SNNPR next to Awassa. It is surrounded by Arba Minch Zuria woreda.
Restaurants in Arba Minch
1. Dorze tribe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By Patty6-13 - Davis, California
We really enjoyed our visit to the Dorze village and learned so much from our guide, Masai. Unique bamboo and false banana leaf huts have no central beam but are partitioned off inside with woven mats. They keep animals inside for safety & additional warmth from their body heat. We enjoyed the demonstration of making the Kocho, a fermented bread that is a staple of their diet. And the village dancing and singing were a highlight. The only downside was the hard selling tactics of local villagers as we arrived & departed.
2. Explore Omo Valley
Overall Ratings
5 based on 44 reviews
Explore Omo Valley is a private tour company specializing in custom day tours of the Omo Valley. Growing up in the Hamar tribe, business owner Emanuel is able to organize unique, personal experiences visiting areas that other larger companies cannot. Immerse yourself in the culture and collaborate with Emanuel to create your dream itinerary for a once-in-a-lifetime, unforgettable adventure.
Reviewed By vancouvertravellers4 - Vancouver, Canada
Six of us (3 couples) travelled in the South Omo valley with Emanuel (Emany) for 9 days in late November 2017. We would highly recommend Emany as a guide for several reasons:
- Emany is a very nice man who worked hard to make sure we were happy, safe and had the experience we were hoping for.
-Emany is knowledgeable about the local tribes and was able to communicate with the locals in all of the tribes we visited. In many of the villages, Emany arranged for a local guide to join us - someone who lived in the the village and was able to speak some English.
-Emany was very flexible and adjusted our trip as we went along, to make sure we were having a positive experience. We told him that we wanted to walk/hike as much as possible and he arranged for us to walk in several of the areas. This was a great way to get away from other travellers and to visit the more removed villages. In several areas, we walked from village to village which was a wonderful experience. Near Arba Minch, we spent a half day hiking in the national park.
We did a combination of camping and staying in Lodges. The lodges Emany picked were great and the best to be found in the area. (Paradise Lodge, Buska lodge, Kanta Konso lodge...) When we camped, we had a cook along who prepared delicious food. Camping allowed us to spend more time with the people in the village, especially the children!
-Emany arranged for us to have two four wheel drive vehicles which was perfect for us. We had two drivers who were also friendly and knowledgeable.
-Earlier in our trip, as part of a safari, we visited a Masai tribe in Kenya. This was not a very positive experience as it felt very contrived and staged. We were a bit worried that our visits to villages in the south Omo valley might be a similar experience. This was Not the case and Emany planned our trip so that, in most cases, we were not visiting villages that were regularly visited by other groups of travellers. We did camp a night with the Mursi tribe and that was a somewhat intense experience with pressure to take photos etc. Emany had warned us about this and worked hard to minimize the challenges of staying with this tribe. (While somewhat challenging, our stay with the Mursi tribe was fascinating and we had some wonderful experiences interacting with the children and young adults. We also got to see the men in the village taking blood from a cow for their meal, which was fascinating!) The other tribes and villages that Emany took us to were much more welcoming and relaxed, We rarely saw other foreigners/travellers which was what we were hoping for!
One final note: Please listen to Emany and DO NOT hand out candy, pens, money etc to the children. The children in some areas have learned to ask foreigners for these things. The locals do not want their children begging. It was frustrating to see vehicles pulled over at the side of the road handing out candy to local children. As a result of this type of behaviour by tourists, some of the children will repeatedly ask for 'carmelos' or pens. We found that by firmly telling them 'No' and instead engaging with them, the children were wonderful. We shook a lot of hands, held a lot of hands, helped them practice their English and teach us their languages, sang with them, kicked homemade soccer balls with them and really enjoyed our many many interactions with the children!
3. Arbaminich town,Nech sar national park, Crocodile two lakes
Overall Ratings
4 based on 85 reviews
Reviewed By Gidons51 - Herzliya, Israel
Big city with 230 thousand population. A tourist center for the attractions in the area . In the area mainly grow bananas. Known for a 10 thousand students university. Sleeping point for visiting Dorse tribe , Chamo lake and Abaya lake . Some lodges and restaurants.
4. Chamo Lake
Overall Ratings
4 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By Patty6-13 - Davis, California
We enjoyed a 2 hour boat trip on Lake Chamo to view the huge crocodiles and many aquatic birds: fish eagles, Egyptian geese, goliath herons, white pelicans, maribou storks, & many more. Also saw 1 hippo. Lake is within Nechisar National Park.
Many local fishermen on wooden rafts setting nets.
5. Gamo Travel Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Truly capture the spirit of Arba Minch and Dorze. We tailor day tours so you can immerse yourself in the culture, wildlife and eco tapestry of this stunning and ancient land. Explore Lake Chamo and see crocs, hippos and pelicans, visit the local savannah and swim in the natural Springs. Alternatively, visit a mountain village, see weavers, potters, bustling markets and join a coffee ceremony.
Reviewed By Geordie H - Brisbane, Australia
Absolutely awesome experience! Wes really knows the area and all of the people seem to know Wes! Can't recommend this trip enough! Dorze Lodge was a beautiful and relaxing place with magnificent views. The Omo Valley was a great experience, meeting local tribes in their villages and having a chance to spend some time with them was fantastic. You couldn't be in better hands.
6. Nechisar National Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 49 reviews
7. See Us Arba Minch
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Jessica A - Nicosia, Cyprus
I’ve done a few trips with See Us Arba Minch, alone, with friends, also with family. I would recommend them to anyone interested in travelling to Southern Ethiopia! A beautiful part of the world and a great locally run tour operator who are friendly, professional, flexible and accommodating every time.
