Ethiopia - Photo tour to Surma, Gambela and Bale Mountains

Photograph the Surma or Suri people known for body paintings, scarification, intricate head designs. An add up tour to Bale Mountains national park will enable photographers to enjoy nature , Ethiopian Endemic Mammals and birds.

TOUR CODE: AAT-PT-33
DURATION: 13 DAYS/12 NIGHTS
SITE: GAMBELLA , SURMA AND BALE MOUNTAINS
TRANSPORT: BY AIR & SURFACE

Tour Highlights

Explore the fascinating and strange cultures of the indigenous tribes of Western Ethiopia in a modern 4WD
Visit the Oromo, the Nuer, the Anuak, Surma and Gurage people and their village
Explore the rich culture of the Surma people which are well known for their stick fighting events
Get to know the traditional lifestyle, colorful dresses and strange rituals, amazing hairstyles, body-painting and scaring
Enjoy indigenous forest, savannah as well as tea, coffee and spice plantations
Explore the dramatic Nature and wild life of Bale Mountains National Park
Shop the stalls of Merkato, the largest open-air market in Africa
Traditional Ethiopian farewell dinner with “coffee ceremony” and traditional dances of different ethnic groups.

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Itinerary

Departure Day: Daily Guaranteed Departure with 2 participants minimum
Western Ethiopia is a truly extraordinary place to visit with superb scenery and colorful culture. The fascinating costumes, colorful ceremonies and celebrations, arts, crafts, music and dance of Gambela, and Surma people along with the natural forests in the western part will be visited. The Nuer people are known by body scarification. The Surma people are renowned for the strange custom followed by their women who, on reaching maturity, have their lower lips slit and circular or rectangular clay discs inserted. Surma men are known by the stick fighting, called Donga.

Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa
WELCOME TO ETHIOPIA. On arrival in Addis Ababa our representative will meet you at Bole
International Airport. After transfer to your hotel an overview of the program will be given. The rest of the day visit historical sites in Addis Ababa including the National Archaeological Museum, where the 3,6 million year old skeletal remains of “Lucy” rest, which were discovered in 1974. Proceed to the Unity Park at the National Palace, the Holy Trinity Cathedral and Mount Entoto, which rises up to an altitude of 3200 meters and offers a panoramic view of the metropolis. Overnight in 4-star hotel.

Day 2: Fly to Gambella
After breakfast transfer to the Airport for your flight to Gambella, After a 2 hours flight (10;00-1200) you will arrive at Gambella and meet the driver in Gambella and transfer to Gambella Hotel: the rest of the day visit The major two tribes living in Gambella town, the Nuer and Anuak people,

Day 3: Whole day in Gambella
Whole day exploring and photographing the major two tribes living in Gambella:Nuer and Anuak people.

Day 4: Mizan Teferi, 340 Km about 8 -10 hours drive.
Drive from Mizan Teferi to Gambella on interesting landscape. This drive passes through the fa-mous tea plantation and indigenous natural forests In the country. Then after we will descend to into the steamy lowlands region and finally arrive in Gambella late in the Afternoon. Overnight Eden hotel, a hotel with private toilet and clean bathroom

Day 5: Drive Mizan Teferi to Kibish (Surma Tribe)
This morning is an exciting travel day as we head deep into the little-visited portion of southwestern Ethiopia. En route we pass through Bebeka coffee plantation (located about 30km outside Mizan), which is the largest and oldest coffee plantation in Ethiopia. Passing through the town of Tulgit, will finally arrive in Kibish, where we will be camping for the next three nights. Much of our focus today will be photographing the fabulous Suri people, who due to their remoteness are one of the least visited of the tribes.

Day 6 & Day 7: Kibish area (Surma Tribe)
We have two full days to explore and photograph the fascinating Suri, making the most of our time in this remote region of Ethiopia. Overnight Camping in Kibish

Day 8: Drive Kibish to Jimma
After a scrumptious breakfast prepared by our camp crew, we depart for a full day drive (approximately 10 hours) back to Jimma where we will overnight. Overnight Boni Hotel

Day 9: Addis Ababa
After breakfast drive to Addis Ababa. En route visit The Oromo and Gurage Ethnic groups. Evening a fare well diner party in one of the traditional Ethiopian restaurants with dances from the different ethnic groups. Finally transfer to the airport for your flight back home .End of the tour.

Day 10: Drive From Jimma to Langano via Welkite and Butajera Town, 400 kms 8 hours drive
After breakfast drive from Jimma heading east to the small town of Welkite , 200 Kms from Jimma, and from this town take the right side turn turn to Butajera and stop for Lunch at Readeat Asefa Hotel (107 Killometers from Welkite to Butajera) . After lunch drive to Zeway and then to Langano and relax by the Lake side for the remaining of the day. Dinner and Overnight at Sabana Lodge Langano.

Day 11: Drive to Bale Mountains, 250 kms 5 hours drive
After breakfast leave the Rift Valley and drive to the town of Sashemene. Turn to the left and continue driving to Arisi Mountains. Stop in Dodola town and have your lunch box packed from Sabana Lodge . Then after start the ascent of the Bale Mountains. Continue drive to Bale mountains National Park head quarter, Dinsho. This Park Head Quarter, is surrounded by big juniper trees and numerous species of wildlife. It is here that you are going to visit the Ethiopian endemic Mammals like Mountain Nyla, Menelick’s Bush Back. You will also have a chance to see Warthog, Bohor Reedbuck and Grey Duiker. The bird species that are spotted in this area include Blue-winged goose, Spot-breasted lapwing, Abyssinian long claw, Wattled ibis, Black-headed siskin, Rouget’s rail, Banded barbet and of course other species, too. The Dinsho area is covered by grassy riverine plains which are bordered by bands of bushes such as sage bush and St. John's wourt. Wild flowers, such as lobelia, geraniums, red-hot pokers and Alchemilla form a colorful carpet during the spring season. After your visit, drive to Goba for an overnight at Bale Mountains Lodge. Dinner and Overnight Bale Lodge or Goba Wabishebele Hotel depending on availability

Day 12: Goba – Sanetti Plateau – Awassa, 260 kms, 5 hours drive
In the morning, after breakfast, drive to the Afro-alpine setting of the Sanetti Plateau to see the endemic Ethiopian Wolf and the Gaint Mole rat. Here you will also visit the indigenous plants like the giant Lobilia and giant heath. Everlastings are very popular around senate Plateau and you also visit endemic birds of Ethiopia. Have lunch at Goba Town and then after drive to Awassa. Dinner and Overnight Haile Resort Hotel

Day 13: Drive to Addis Ababa, evening departure
After breakfast visit the fish market in Awassa, where local people buy fish from the fisher men. Then drive to Addis Ababa. We will stop at Zeway Town for Lunch. Depending on the available time make sight. Evening a fare well diner party in Yod Abyssinia Cultural Ethiopian restaurants with dances from the different ethnic groups. Finally transfer to the airport for your flight back home .End of the tour.

Hotels:
For this trip we have included very good tourist standard hotels. In Addis Ababa 4* Hotel is considered and out side Addis Ababa in other towns the best available 3* are considered.

Trip Information

Inclusions
We respect your personal preference on what is to be included and not included on the tour cost.
But as a standard included in our given prices are meet and greet at airport, All accommodation, Meals in Addis, on bed and breakfast basis, Meals out of Addis, on full board basis, All entrance fees at sites, churches, parks and villages, All ground transportation according to the itinerary and Guide service.

Exclusions
International flights, Lunch and Dinner in Addis Ababa , Any drinks including local non-alcoholic beverage and alcoholic drinks, Video filming and photography fees, Incidental meals, snacks and drinks and Tips and items of personal nature like laundry, souvenirs, etc

Visa and Immigration Requirements
Most nationals require a visa for entry into Ethiopia. The easiest way to get Ethiopian Visa is to get it on line thttps://www.evisa.gov.et/ . Again visa can be obtained at Ethiopia’s diplomatic missions overseas.. The last option is to get visa on arrival at Bole International Airport; nationals of 33 countries are now allowed to receive their tourist visas on arrival in Ethiopia at the regular charge. The list includes Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greek, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Thailand, citizens of United Kingdom and United States.

How to get in to Ethiopia
Addis Ababa is a major hub for international airlines. Ethiopian Airlines, the national airline of Ethiopia, provides excellent links with East, West and South Africa, Europe and the Middle East, with connections to America and the Far East. The national airline also offers domestic services to the major towns in Ethiopia, as well as most regional centers. All international services arrive at Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa. Other airlines serving Ethiopia include: Kenya Airways, Emirates, Egyptian, Alitalia, British Airways, Lufthansa, Saudi, Aeroflot, Yemeni, and Turkish Airways.
Luggage on tour
your luggage should not exceed 20kgs (44lbs). One large suitcase/rucksack, and one small hand luggage rucksack is acceptable. Soft rolling bag (we usually use a 22 inch roll aboard) are recommended.

Weather and Climate
There are two seasons: the dry season prevails from October through May; the wet season runs from June to September.
Generally except for June, July and August, most part of Ethiopia will be sunny and pleasant temperature to travel around.
When you travel to the north you are staying in higher altitude towns (Example Addis Ababa, Gondar, and Lalibela) the daily average Temperature is from 20 – 25 degrees and the temperature drops quite rapidly towards sunset. Evenings are fairly cold and you are advised to bring something warm for the evenings, like a sweater or warm Jacket.
Those travelling to the Southern Omo Valley of Ethiopia, the weather of this region will be sunny, hot and dry; the average temperatures is about 30 degrees. During the day the sun is strong. Shorts, Hats, sun glasses, sun creams, light cotton summer clothes and layers of clothes are recommended. Although the daytime temperatures are not very high, the sun is strong and people coming pale and pasty from a European winter should be careful of sunburn -long sleeved shirts may be advisable.

Currency
Travelers are advised to travel with American Dollar or Euro. Australian dollar cannot be exchanged in Ethiopia. There is ATM machine In Most of the Regions and one can withdraw money Visa or Master Card. Banks are places to exchange money.

Accommodation
Hotel rooms are basic but generally clean with en suite toilet and bath facilities (usually shower only). In many places hotel accommodation is limited; we utilize the best tourist class properties available. Hotel in Addis is 3-star international standard.

Transport
We will be using 4WD Land Cruisers, 4WD mini buses or Coaster buses depending on the conditions of the roads and the size of the group. All our vehicles are Air- conditioned.
For internal flights, we use the national airline Ethiopian Air lines, which offer excellent domestic services to the major towns in Ethiopia.

Greetings:
Handshaking is the usual mode of greeting, although friends or families who have not seen each other for some time will kiss on each cheek. (Displays of sexual intimacy, kissing or hugging, will arouse embarrassment among most Ethiopians.) Usually a handshake greeting is accompanied by a pleasant discussion on personal matters before getting down to business. The offer of tea or coffee is normal, and time is not that important. Smoking is not popular amongst traditional people, or in front of priests. Shoes are often taken off on entering churches, and always on entering mosques.

Security
Despite years of the civil wars in the previous regime, in terms of crime and robbers, Ethiopia is still a very safe country to visit, and Addis Ababa is still one of the safest capitals in Africa. Visitors should of course take the usual precautions, not carry large amounts of money with them and leave particularly valuable items with hotel reception. Both men and women visitors should be careful about hand and money bags, keeping them close at hand in crowded places. Like everywhere else, pick pockets and snatch thieves like to create some kind of diversion before making their move, so visitors should walk purposefully and be cautious about sudden introductions in the street.

Price includes

Price doesn’t include