Travel to Bale Mountains National park and the Southern Omo Valley of Ethiopia and visit Endemic mammals, birds with the tribes of Benna, Hamer, Mursi, Karo, Geleb and Arbore
TOUR CODE: AAT-OV-22
DURATION: 10 DAYS/ 9 NIGHTS
SITE: Langano, Arba Minch,Konso, Jinka Mursi, Turmi,
TRANSPORT: BY SURFACE
Tour Highlights
- Explore Bale Mountains National Park
- Explore the Colorful tribes of Ethiopia in the Omo valley region who still adhere to ancient animistic rituals. Beaded leather skirts and complementing body painting, feathered headdresses and dramatic scarification and the more unusual are the isolated Mursi tribe whose women wear large clay lip plates symbolizing their worth and beauty.
- Explore the dramatic nature of the Southern Ethiopia Omo Valley
- Boat trip on Lake Chamo , home to huge crocodiles, hippos and a variety of birdlife
- Overland travel to the south by a very good condition of Toyota Land Cruiser
- Escorted throughout by a highly experienced Tour Guide
- Best accommodations available in Ethiopia
- Shop the stalls of Merkato, the largest open-air market in Africa
- Traditional Ethiopian farewell dinner with “coffee ceremony”
Departure Day: Daily Guaranteed Departure with 2 participants minimum
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Itinerary
This itinerary is ideal for those who wish to get to know the remarkable people living in Souther Omo Valley. Around Arba Minch you can visit the Dorze people; take a boat trip on Lake Chamo (Nech' Sar National Park) and continue to Konso to overnight there. The Konso landscapes and people are quite distinctive - it is worth seeing a village here. Continue to Jinka, near where you visit a village of the Mursi tribe and can make a coffee stop in scenic Mago National Park. Not too far away, you then spend time in Turmi, which is the ideal base from where to visit the Hamar and Karo tribes. Here you'll have the opportunity to see firsthand the Omo River and to understand the fragile situation in which the wonderful people of this region find themselves in today.
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 hotel.
Day 2: Bale Mountains - Dinsho - Goba
After breakfast, we start a full day's drive to the Bale Mt. National Park, traveling thorough the southeast part of the capital, where fertile land is cultivated by the Oromo people. We arrive at Dinsho, Park head quarter, in the afternoon, in time for a walk around to see three of the endemic mammals: Menelik's Bushbuck, and Mountain Nyala. And birds Blue-winged goose, Spot-breasted lapwing, Abyssinian long claw, Wattled ibis, Black-headed siskin, Rouget’s rail, and of course other species, too. Overnight stay at Wabishebelle Hotel
Day 3: Drive to Senete plateau then drive to Awassa
Leave the lodge early in the morning towards Sanete Plateau. While crossing a lush green forest, you will enjoy the Semien Wolves, endemic mammals. Then you will take another hike to the right hand side of the road to reach the highest peak, 4377 meters above sea level. It is here where you will highly experience the chilly wind. Then you will walk slightly down and down across a moorland landscape dotted with white and yellow cushions of flowers, colorful lichen-covered rocks and sparse Giant Lobelias. You will visit many water birds in the small ponds. In particular search the trails of Bale Mountains for Chestnut-napped Francolin, Ground scarper Thrush (of the distinctive, endemic race Simensis), the secretive Abyssinian Ground-Thrush, vocal Abyssinian Catbird, and the endemic White-backed Black-Tit on the high moorlands, if we are very fortunate, we will see a pair of the endangered Wattled Crane striding through the moist grassland or spot a Cape Eagle-Owl sunning on a rocky perch. We will also search for Moorland Francolin, the endemic Spot-breasted Lapwing, others like Thekla Lark, Red-breasted Wheatear and dumpy Moorland Chats; Ethiopian Wolf is also highly prized here. Then after you drive to Awassa for an overnight stay in Haile resort.
Day 4: Drive Arba Minch
After breakfast visit the fish Market at Lake Awassa where the local people buy fish from the fisher. Drive to Arba Minch via Wolayta Sodo. En route visit the Alaba people and their village. Arba Minch - meaning 'Forty Springs' in Amharic - takes its name from the bubbling streams that cover the forest and the flats of the town. Overnight Paradise Lodge
Day 5: Boat Trip on Lake Chamo then drive to Jinka, 234 Kms 4-5 hours drive
After breakfast take a boat trip on Lake Chamo, where you can spot many hippos and spectacular concentrations of giant crocodiles. The water birds are great the scenery is unforgettable. Locals fish here in traditional fishing boats. Then after drive to Konso where you visit the Konso people, known for colorful dresses and unusually engraved wooden statues, used as grave markers. Continue along impressive land terracing to the village of the Woito people, near the Woito River. On the way to Jinka stop at the Key Afer Market (Thursday is market day), a tribal market, where different ethnic groups gather to sell and buy their agricultural products. Overnight Eco Omo Lodge
Day 6: Jinka – Mursi - Jinka – Turmi, 265 Kms about 4-5 hours drive
After breakfast leave Jinka and drive to the Mursi village to visit and appreciate the very attractive culture of the Mursi tribe. They are renowned for the strange custom followed by their women who, on reaching maturity, have their lower lips slit and circular clay discs inserted. Then drive back to Jinka and continue to Turmi through Dimeka to visit the Hamer people and their village. Turmi is a small town, which is the base to visit the Hamer village. Overnight Buska Lodge
Day 7: In Turmi, 130km, 5 Hours drive
After breakfast drive to Karo village and visit the Karo people in the afternoon visit the hammer village. Hamers have remarkable hairstyles made from ochre, water and binding resin. They rub the mixture into their hair then twist the strands repeatedly to create coppery-colored locks. This is a sign of wealth and welfare. Karo people are considered to be masters of body decoration. Afternoon drive to Demeka and attend the Saturday Tribal markes. Then drive back to Turmi .Overnight Buska Lodge
Day 8: Drive Arba Minch (290 kms, about 5 - 6 hours drive)
After breakfast drive back to Arba Minch visiting the Arbore people and their Village en route. Overnight Haile Resort
Day 9: Lake Langano
Drive to Lake Langano visiting Chencha and the Dorze village en route. Dorze village is high in the mountains north of Arba Minch. The Dorze are well known as master weavers and live in interesting igloo-shaped houses. Then drive to Awassa, which is surrounded by mountains and populated by countless species of birds. Overnight in Lake Langano Sabana lodge
Day 10: Addis Ababa, Then Departure
After breakfast drive back to Addis Ababa through the Great Rift Valley lakes Via Awassa. En route we will stop on the viewpoints for the Rift Valley Lakes of Shala, Abyta and Langano. In the Evening a fare well diner party in one of the Traditional Ethiopian restaurant with dances from the different ethnic Groups. Transfer out to the airport for departure back to home.
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
- Special qualified guide as well as mandatory local guide and scout fees in parks and villages
- 4-star hotel in Addis Ababa and the best available hotels outside of Addis Ababa
- All accommodation based on twin room occupancy
- Meals in Addis, on bed and breakfast basis
- Meals out of Addis, on full board basis
- Farewell dinner in Addis to enjoy traditional Ethiopian food and music
- All entrance fees at parks and villages
- All transfers and visits in Addis Ababa using mini-bus according to the itinerary
- All ground transportation including insurance, fuel and all costs of the driver
- Boat trip
- A traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony at a convenient time in the program
- Government taxes
Price doesn’t include
- International flights
- Lunch and Dinner in Addis Ababa
- Any kind of drinks, alcoholic or non-alcoholic
- Video filming and photographing fees
- Incidental meals, snacks and drinks
- Tips and items of personal nature like laundry, souvenirs, etc.
- All what is not included in the list above