Ethiopia Retreat

Journey to Ethiopia with Zami Collective
19th - 25th October 2026

Ethiopia is best characterised by its rich history as the birthplace of humans, for its smooth coffee culture and Tezeta, its nostalgic music and Ethiopian jazz scene.

Join the Zami Collective in 2026 for a 6-night, 7-day retreat held at the start of the Ethiopian spring and the flowering season.

Start your trip in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, where you will spend your days sampling Ethiopian jazz, in coffee ceremonies and touring the Arts scene. You will spend the second half of your journey* in either the Gheralta Mountains, Simien Mountains National Park, or Lake Langano, some of the most spectacular natural landscapes Ethiopia has to offer.

Experience hand-picked hotels and boutique eco lodges throughout your stay in Ethiopia. Connect and dream with your Zami cohort in communal dreaming workshops and spend your days trekking the Simien Mountains, by the shores of Lake Langano, or exploring the rock-hewn churches of Hawzen. Each location is a nature lovers dream, rich in wildlife and historical legacies, offering phenomenal cultural landscapes.

Modern house with large windows and an outdoor walkway, surrounded by lush greenery, at sunset with a colorful sky.

Inside a wooden house, a woman with a hat is working outside among tall green crops, seen through large glass windows, with another person sitting inside the house.

Sunlight casting shadows of window panes and plants onto a wooden floor and white wall in a room with potted plants and an easel.

A person wearing a beige sweater and a brown hat stands overlooking a mountain range with lush green cliffs.

Modern wooden house with large glass windows overlooking mountains and greenery in the distance

View of the Grand Canyon with layered rock formations and a hazy sky.

Aerial view of green mountains and valleys with patches of farmland under a partly cloudy sky.

Outdoor wooden table set for breakfast with cups, bowls, and utensils, overlooking a mountainous landscape at sunrise, with a large vase of green leafy plant on the table.

Landscape view of mountains and valleys during sunset with a sky filled with orange, pink, purple, and blue hues, and some green vegetation in the foreground.

Outdoor terrace with a wooden dining table and chairs, a plate of sliced fruit, coffee cups, and a lounge chair, overlooking a mountain range with a sky filled with clouds.

Scenic view of green terraced fields on a hillside with mountains in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.

Agricultural fields with various crops, including banana plants and greens, bordered by a dense tree line and some buildings in the distance under a clear sky.

Two cups of coffee on a counter inside a cafe, viewed through a window with a street scene outside including parked cars, a person wearing a mask and hat, and a stack of books outside.

Sunlit bedroom with a bed, stacked blankets, and a view into a bathroom with towels and sunlight streaming in.

Sunlit rocky peaks and lush green vegetation in a mountainous landscape, with layered valleys in the distance.

A lush green hillside with tall trees in foreground, set against a background of misty mountains under a clear sky.

In Addis Ababa, you will stay at the Double Tree by Hilton, Hyatt Regency, or a hotel of similar standard. Rooms are available on a shared or private basis with ensuite bathroom. There is a spa, and multiple eateries. You will stay on a half board basis with breakfast and dinner included.

Outside of Addis Ababa, you will be hosted in an eco lodge with panoramic mountain or lake views in the second half of the journey. Each room is equipped with either a king-sized bed, twin beds or triple bed basis, along with ensuite bathroom.

Workshops will take place in the lodge's communal spaces and mornings will be spent walking to the lodge's lookout points. You will stay on a full board basis, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner served communally and prepared by wonderful local chefs with produce sourced from the local area.

Please note our retreats and residencies are priced per person, and flights are not included in the retreat package. It is your responsibility to book the appropriate international and domestic flights and we will be on hand to assist in this process once bookings are confirmed. Information will be shared with participants through a curated Ethiopia travel guide that includes flight routes and details on local customs, as well as a packing list. If you intend to travel with a friend, please do let us know at the time of booking, and we will do our very best to pair you in a shared room.

*You will be notified of the final travel route one month prior to departure based on security updates and travel advisory.

Ethiopia, Lake Langano

What We Love

“Ethiopia’s Simien Mountains, if you ever needed a gentle reminder that the universe is all knowing, pure magnificence — welcome to the Simien Mountains National Park. Walking through these mountains peaks you realise how tiny our little human being selves are and just how magical the earth is. Deep exhales, the winds’ whispers, the birds— you can feel it all from the tops of Ras Amba and Ras Dejen. Don’t miss the traditional Ethiopian Buna Coffee ceremonies by the shores of Lake Langano, as the sun sets sweetly across Southern Ethiopia.”

— Zami Collective

What Our Guests Love

“This was my first time traveling with Zami and my first time visiting Ethiopia and I had an amazing time. I really enjoyed being able to see so many different art spaces in Addis Ababa and connecting with and hearing from artists about their practice and the spaces/collectives they are cultivating. The nature throughout the country was very calming and relaxing to be immersed in and the food was delicious everywhere we went and the accommodations were very nice in every city we visited. I would definitely recommend a Zami retreat to anyone interested in the destinations/experiences they offer. I'll for sure be traveling back to Ethiopia in the near future!”

— Alexandra A, Visual Artist, Ethiopia Retreat 2025

See what our 2025 Ethiopia Cohort got up to in Addis Ababa and Lake Langano here

Itinerary

Selam! Welcome to Ethiopia! Exit international departures at Bole International airport, Addis Ababa. Your driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel for the next 3 nights. Guests will have the chance to settle into their rooms from 2pm and freshen up. Join us for sundowners at the Cascada for introductions before our first Zami family dinner. Get ready for an evening of Ethiopian Jazz! We're headed to Fendika cultural centre, one of the city's magical Azmari Bets (traditional folk music house) and home to Ethiocolour!
Start your day with a delicious breakfast spread filled with fruits, juices, teas and nourishments. We will head out for a day of activities in the city including art, culture and nature, visiting Sabahar textiles workshop and Zoma gardens. You will have some free time to relax or the chance to buy some lunch. It's time to sample some Ethiopian buna! Join us for our first Ethiopian coffee ceremony in Addis Ababa. Followed by a honey tasting workshop and botanical tea tasting. Return to the hotel to freshen up before regrouping for sundowners and for Zami family dinner.
Start your day with breakfast before heading out for Zami Collective’s curated Addis Ababa Art Trail. Experience the city's rich tapestry of artists, photographers and creatives as we studio hop and partake in workshops with artists. Close the day with a sunset walk through Friendship Park and watch the evening light show. Head back to the hotel where you can unwind, relax and freshen up for Zami family dinner, followed by an evening of traditional Ethiopian music and dancing. Catch an early night's rest as tomorrow you will be heading to the next location.
Today we head to Lake Langano* for the next 3 nights. The journey is approximately 2.5 hours from Addis Ababa. Guests will have the chance to settle into their rooms and freshen up before a late lunch is served. Spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying some free time and exploring the grounds of the lodge. Catch an early night for tomorrow's first full day of activities.
Start your day with a hearty breakfast Today we explore the surrounding nature of Bishingari. Enjoy a lake-side lunch before hiking back to the lodge where you can freshen up and take some rest. Regroup for Zami family dinner!
Start your day with a delicious breakfast spread at 9:00am. Take a guided hike and bird watching tour through Bishingari forest to the hot springs. Along the way there is a waterfall stop. Enjoy a delicious lunch under the gazebo before we regroup for an afternoon workshop of communal dream-sharing. Zami is a Carriacou name for women who work together as friends and lovers. The workshop will explore how we can activate our dreams through group exercises and breakout sessions. Enjoy some downtime time in the afternoon with a traditional coffee ceremony by the shores at sunset. Zami family dinner will be served.
Enjoy an Ethiopian brunch spread and get ready to depart the lodge. Guests will return to Bole International Airport for onward flights back to your respective home countries. Thank you so much for sharing your love and presence with Zami Collective, you have left a collective dream print in Ethiopia.

*Example of a tentative itinerary based on Lake Langano. Second half of the retreat subject to changes based on travel advisory.

How to Book

So, you want to join us in Ethiopia! Please register your interest through the application portal. Once your application has been reviewed we will be in touch to process your booking.

APPLICATION PORTAL

To hold your spot a £750 non-refundable deposit must be made through a booking link provided to you in your confirmation. The remainder of your reservation will be due by a date stipulated in your booking confirmation. We do offer a limited number of payment plans; if you’d like to request one please email: info@zamicollective.com

Please look out for a confirmation email and welcome note with information on how to make your remaining payments and the Ethiopia Welcome Guide. Carefully read our Terms and Conditions including our cancellation policy before booking.

Available Packages

£2450 private room
£2250 twin room
£1950 triple room — limited availability

Non-refundable Deposit £750

Early Bird Discount
A £150 discount will applied to early bird bookings for private and twin rooms booked before 30th May 2026! A discount code will be shared with you via email.

Early bird packages
£2100 twin room
£2300 private room (limited availability)
Non-refundable Deposit £750