From the paved road that links Shecha to Sikela, the land drops away toward a green wall of forest, and beyond it the water splits into two lakes — Abaya to the north, Chamo to the south. That view, and the springs that gave the town its name, are what most travellers come for.
Arba Minch suits slow travellers who are happy to walk, take a boat, and spend a day in the hills. It is a base for the lakes and the national park rather than a place of monuments, and the practical details below are drawn from what is known about the town and its surroundings.
This guide covers the main things to do in and around Arba Minch, followed by a one-day plan and answers to common questions.
Top things to do in Arba Minch
1. Nech Sar National Park
The park covers the isthmus between Lake Abaya and Lake Chamo, and it is the main reason to come to Arba Minch. The gate is on the eastern side of Sikela.
You can enter on foot, by bike, by motorbike or by car; there is an entrance fee. Combine the park with the lakes in a single visit rather than treating them separately.
2. Boat safari on Lake Chamo
A boat safari takes you across Lake Chamo, where you can see crocodiles at a place known as the crocodile market, along with a variety of birds. You can arrange it through the local guide association or organise it yourself on arrival in the park.
Ask to be taken to the crocodile market and keep time for birdwatching on the water. This is best done as part of your park visit, since the boat leaves from within the park area.
3. Lake Abaya shore and ferry station
On Lake Abaya you can reach the shore and a ferry station just behind the crocodile farm. From there you walk around with a ranger and may see monkeys, hornbill, zebra, dik-dik and other antelope.
You can pay for the ranger service or simply tip the ferry captain who shows you the way. It is worth watching where the locals go by the small ferry boats.
4. Forty Springs
Forty Springs lies on the road about three kilometres inside from the park entrance and can be reached on foot. The springs themselves are unspectacular, so treat them as a stop on the way rather than a destination.
Visit them as part of your walk into Nech Sar National Park, when you are already heading in that direction.
5. Dorze villages near Chencha
The Dorze villages in the hills to the east, around Chencha, are the main excursion outside town. There are many smaller villages in the area, and several lodging options if you want to stay overnight.
Public buses leave every hour in both directions between Arba Minch and Chencha. You can go on your own, pick up a guide in Chencha, or take a guide from Arba Minch for the visit.
6. Walk from Dorze Lodge to the villages
If you travel as far as Dorze Lodge, you can walk easily to the first village in about twenty minutes without a guide. The road up is stony and steep, which is worth knowing before you decide how to get there.
From the road it is roughly a fifteen-minute walk to the lodge. Give yourself daylight for the walk back.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start early and enter Nech Sar National Park from the gate on the eastern side of Sikela. Walk in to Forty Springs, which sits on the road inside the entrance, then continue toward the lakes.
Afternoon: Take the boat safari on Lake Chamo to see the crocodiles at the crocodile market and the birds. If time allows, continue to the Lake Abaya shore and the ferry station behind the crocodile farm and walk with a ranger.
Evening: Return to town and eat in Sikela, the downtown commercial and residential area, which is connected to the uptown centre of Shecha by a paved road. Buses and taxis link the two parts of town.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Nech Sar National Park?
The gate is on the eastern side of Sikela, the downtown area of Arba Minch. You can enter on foot, by bike, by motorbike or by car, and there is an entrance fee.
Can I visit the Dorze villages without a guide?
Yes. Public buses run every hour between Arba Minch and Chencha, and you can go on your own, take a guide in Chencha, or arrange a guide from Arba Minch. From Dorze Lodge you can walk to the first village in about twenty minutes without a guide.
What will I see on the lake boat safari?
The boat crosses Lake Chamo, where you can see crocodiles at the crocodile market and various birds. On Lake Abaya you reach the shore and a ferry station behind the crocodile farm, where a ranger walks with you and you may see monkeys, hornbill, zebra, dik-dik and other antelope.
How do I get around Arba Minch itself?
The uptown administrative centre of Shecha and the downtown area of Sikela are connected by a paved road, and buses and taxis run between them. Arba Minch Airport has commercial flights to and from Addis Ababa.
Decide how many days you want for the park and the lakes, then plan the Dorze villages around them.