Arba Minch & Dorze: Village tour, Lake Chamo boat, springs

Summary

Meet Dorze weavers, cruise Lake Chamo & walk Arba Minch springs

You’ll walk bamboo villages in Dorze, try your hand at making local bread with a family, cruise Lake Chamo spotting hippos and crocodiles, hike rainforest trails near Forty Springs, and end with an Ethiopian coffee ceremony you’ll remember long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the air to smell like wood smoke and eucalyptus when we stepped out of the 4WD in Dorze. Our guide, Tesfaye, waved us over with this easy grin — he’d grown up nearby and seemed to know everyone. The road up from Arba Minch twisted through green hills that looked almost too lush for southern Ethiopia. I kept craning my neck at the bamboo houses (they really do look like beehives) while kids ran past us laughing, their sandals slapping the dust. We tried making kocho bread with a family — it’s sticky and takes forever to mash (my hands still smelled faintly sour after). Li laughed when I tried to say “ameseghinalehu” — probably butchered it.

That night at Dorze Lodge, there was singing around the fire. The stars were sharp and bright; someone handed me tej in a recycled Fanta bottle. I couldn’t follow all the words but you don’t really need to. Next morning we drove down to Arba Minch for the Lake Chamo boat trip — hippos snorted somewhere off in the reeds and crocodiles sunned themselves on muddy banks. Local fishermen paddled by in these impossibly narrow canoes, barely glancing up as pelicans flapped overhead. It felt both peaceful and kind of wild at the same time.

The last day was slower — we walked through Nechisar National Park’s rainforest near Forty Springs. There was this cool hush under the trees except for monkeys crashing about now and then (one nearly dropped something on my head). The water at the spring tasted cold and metallic; I dunked my feet in just because Tesfaye said locals swear by it. Lunch was simple but good — injera with spicy lentils — before wandering through Arba Minch’s market where women sold bright baskets and kids tried to sell us mangoes. The coffee ceremony at the end… honestly, I still think about that smell every time I brew coffee at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Dorze Village Tour and Stay

• Drive to Dorze and walking tour
• Visit bamboo houses and local bread making
• See market, spinning, and Dorze weavers
• Overnight at Dorze Lodge
• Evening campfire with singing and dancing

Day 2 — Lake Chamo Boat Tour

• Drive to Arba Minch and boat tour on Lake Chamo
• See crocodiles, hippos, fishermen, and birds
• Overnight at Haile Resort

Day 3 — Forty Springs and City Walk

• Visit Forty Springs and rainforest hike
• Swim in natural pool
• Arba Minch market or walking tour
• Coffee ceremony and transfer to hotel or airport

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Arba Minch & Dorze tour?

Yes, pickup from your Arba Minch hotel or airport is included.

Do I get to visit both Dorze village and Lake Chamo?

Yes, you’ll spend time in Dorze village on day one and take a boat trip on Lake Chamo on day two.

Are meals provided during the tour?

The tour includes 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners plus soft drinks with meals.

What kind of accommodation is included?

You stay overnight at Dorze Lodge (village) and Haile Resort (Arba Minch).

Is there a coffee ceremony included?

Yes, there’s a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony on your last day.

Are infants or young children allowed?

Infants must sit on an adult’s lap; baby seats aren’t provided but you can bring your own.

Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

No wheelchair access; not suitable for strollers or prams.

Can I add an extra day to visit Konso village?

Yes, you can extend your tour to include Konso World Heritage village.

What’s included

Your days include pickup from Arba Minch airport or hotel, all transport by 4WD with a professional driver and English-speaking guide, two nights’ accommodation (Dorze Lodge and Haile Resort), all main meals plus soft drinks, a guided walking tour in Dorze village (with bread-making), evening singing around the campfire, a Lake Chamo boat trip to see wildlife, gentle hikes in Nechisar National Park near Forty Springs, an Arba Minch city walk including its market, and a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony before drop-off.