Southern Ethiopia

Southern Ethiopia is the southern part of Ethiopia. Administratively, it comprising of most of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region (also known simply as the SNNPR), as well as the southern parts of Oromia.

Cities

• 1 Awasa – the capital of Sidama Region
• 2 Arba Minch
• 3 Chencha
• 4 Dila
• 5 Irgalem
• 6 Konso – a small town with ancient sculptures and fossil beds, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site
• 7 Moyale – a small town in the south on the Kenyan border
• 8 Shashemene - also known as Shashamane, known for its Rastafari community
• 9 Waka
• 10 Wolaita Sodo - capital of South Ethiopia Regional State, on the north of Lake Abaya.
• 11 Wondo Genet
• 12 Worabe
• 13 Yabelo – a small town in the south
• 14 Ziway – a small city on the shores of a large lake

Other destinations

• 1 Abijatta Shalla Lakes National Park
• 2 Bale Mountains National Park
• 3 Chelbi Wildlife Reserve
• 4 Geraille National Park
• 5 Lower Valley of the Omo – a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its hominid fossils, a tourist attraction for its tribal cultures
• 6 Mago National Park
• 7 Maze National Park
• 8 Nech Sar National Park
• 9 Omo National Park
• 10 Yabelo Wildlife Sanctuary

Understand

The Ethiopian part of the Great Rift Valley cuts through Southern Ethiopia, creating a savannah landscape similar to what most people have in mind when they picture East Africa, but very different from most of Ethiopia. All along this valley are lakes (from north to south: Ziway, Langano, Abijatta, Shalla, Awasa, Abaya, Chamo) and national parks with wildlife.

To the east of the valley are the Bale Mountains, offering hiking opportunities less touristy than those at their northern equivalent.

Talk

Gamo-Gofa-Dawro is spoken in parts of Southern Ethiopia.

See

• 1 Gedeo Cultural Landscape. A UNESCO World Heritage Site south of the town of Dilla. It is composed of rock art sites and forests sacred to the Gedeo people. (updated Sep 2023)