UNESCO Heritage · Southern Rift
Konso
In 2011 the Konso Cultural Landscape became the first place in Ethiopia listed by UNESCO as a cultural landscape: 55 square kilometres of dry-stone terraces and fortified hilltop villages, built and maintained by the Konso over some 21 generations.
Why We Go
Stone-terraced hills and walled villages — a living landscape more than 400 years in the making.
Konso agriculture is a feat of engineering. Dry-stone walls, some five metres high, contour the hillsides into terraces that hold the soil, catch the rain and release the excess — the reason crops grow here at all in a dry, difficult environment. The tradition stretches back more than four hundred years.
The Konso live in fortified hilltop towns, each encircled by up to six concentric stone walls and entered through ceremonial gates. Of the two dozen or so traditional villages, Mecheke, Dokatu, Gamole and Buso are the most visited, and a local guide explains the meeting houses, generation poles and public spaces that organise village life.
Waka — carved wooden grave markers — honour important men and brave warriors. Many still stand in place, and the Konso Museum shows around two hundred that were recovered after being looted by collectors. Konso lies 87 kilometres from Arba Minch, on the road to the Omo Valley.
Highlights
- 01Terraces of dry-stone walls, in places up to five metres high
- 02Walled villages such as Mecheke and Gamole, ringed by as many as six stone walls
- 03The Konso Museum, with around 200 carved waka grave markers returned after looting
- 04A landscape still farmed, lived in and governed by its own traditions
Best combined with a stay of 1 – 2 days, travelling October – March.
Journeys Including Konso
Routes that pass through here
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Build Konso into your journey
Nothing here is fixed. Tell us how long you have and what else you want to see, and a designer will draw the route — including the flights, the guides and the hours that matter.
Speak With a Designer
Speak to someone who has been there this season
Our designers travel these routes themselves. Ask about road conditions, festival dates or which lodge has the better view — you will get a straight answer.
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