UNESCO Cultural Landscape · Southern Ethiopia & Omo Valley
Konso
A UNESCO-listed cultural landscape of dry-stone terraces and fortified villages, shaped by more than 400 years of Konso farming tradition.
- Best Time
- Year-round except April and May
- Suggested Stay
- Half day to 1 day
- Altitude
- 1,650 m
- Region
- Southern Ethiopia & Omo Valley
Why We Go
Walled hilltop villages, stone terraces and carved wooden waka memorials.
The Konso live among basalt hills in southern Ethiopia, where generations of farmers have built stone terraces to cultivate sorghum, maize and cotton in a challenging environment. Their villages, built on hilltops and enclosed by stone walls, are entered through narrow gates and organised around communal mora houses.
The Konso Cultural Landscape was inscribed by UNESCO in 2011. A visit is a highlight of any journey between Arba Minch and the Omo Valley.
Highlights
- Walking through the gates and lanes of a walled village
- Mora houses where men gather and boys sleep
- Waka: carved wooden figures commemorating heroes
- Terraced hillsides stretching to the horizon
Journeys Including Konso
Routes that pass through here
More in Southern Ethiopia & Omo Valley
Plan This Destination
Build Konso into your journey
Nothing here is fixed. Tell us how long you have and what else you want to see, and our team will plan the route, including the flights, the guides and the hours that matter.
Let’s Plan Your Ethiopian Adventure
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Speak to someone who has been there this season
Our guides travel these routes all year. Ask about road conditions, festival dates or the best time to visit. You will get a straight answer.
Or call us directly on +251 912 039405