14 Days Omo Valley/Tribal, Yabello and Bale Park Tour

TYPOLOGIES

Cultural

DIFFICULTY

Low

MIN. AGE

3 Years

$ 3149

Amazing Experience

Tour Code: OVT321
Duration: 13 nights and 14 days
Transportation: Surface drive by 4 ᵡ 4 Toyota Land
Cruiser

The only country in Africa never to have been fully colonised, Ethiopia’s human history is as enthralling as its scenery. The tribes of the Omo Valley symbolise the Africa of old, with body adornments and ancient ceremonies. Trek the highlands with a local guide, who will reveal the secrets not just of the environment – but of the people’s relationship with this land, to complete your Ethiopia cultural tour and for a real immersion, book a night in a community tukul – a traditional thatched hut located within a village

Hoya Tours Ethiopia guide well come! At Bole International Airport and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time you will have a full day or half day city tour of Addis Ababa.The city was founded by Emperor Menelik 2 in 1886.Addis Ababa in Amharic means "New Flower".The capital city is home for Africa's Diplomatic capital with the presence of the HeadQuarters of the African Union and many embassies. After breakfast or rest we will drive up to the Entoto Mountain(3300m) high for a panoramic view of Addis, visit Entoto Museum with historical and Royal Exhibit, and the church of St.Mary.Drive back to Addis Ababa and visit Ethnographic Museum,NationalMuseum,Holy Trinity Cathedral and Merkato Market(One of the biggest Open Air Market in Africa).

Accommodation: Azzeman Hotel
Accommodation upgrades options: Best Western plus Pearl Addis
Meals: Breakfast

After early breakfast, we are driving down south in the rift valley to Dorze(2900m ). The Dorze tribe were warriors, famous for their cotton woven cloths and beehive huts construction design. On the way we have site seeing at Tiya stale (UNESCO’s World Heritage Site); you will see grave markers erected in the 14 the century AD, and the Great East African Rift Valley system. Before we arrive in Dorze,we drive ascending up on Gughe hill through dramatic views, up on arrival in Dorze, walk in the Dorze villages and experience the beehive shape of the famous Dorze huts. And the preparation of their Staple food made out of False Banana and traditional dance in the evening.

Accommodation: Dorze Lodge
Accommodation upgrade options: None
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, we descend down through dramatic views over Abaya and Chamo lakes and the panoramic landscape of Guge Mountain to NechiSar National Park for bird spotting and game view. In the park you will see different bird species including the rare Greater Kestrel, Orange River Francolin, Yellow throated and Grouse, Secretary Bird, and many others. In addition to birds you will visit some mammals like Swayne’s Hartebeest, Thomson's Gazelle, Burchell's Zebra, Greater Kudu,Dik-Dik and Hamadrays Baboon. In the afternoon, we will go for a Boat Safari on Lake Chamo to view the resident hippos, crocodiles and abundant birdlife.

Accommodation:Haile Resort Arbaminch
Accommodation upgrade options: Paradise Lodge Arbaminch
Meals: Breakfast

Today we drove to Konso via Gidole Town. The Konso people are noted for colourful clothing, traditional masks and shields, and decorative feather.Saturday is one of the big colourful markets in Gidole Town. Before the market visit, you will enjoy one of the most popular and unique wind instruments(Filla) supported with traditional dance of Derashe people; test local food made out of grain and Sorghum called “hawalat “, and drink coffee. People gather to the market from Kusume,Mashole,Busa and Dobasse tribes from the surrounding areas, after Market visit, you continue your drive to Konso through scenic views over Lake Chamo and the Great East African Rift Valley. In Konso we visit the Konso cultural landscape(UNESCO's World Heritage Site),Konso Villages, Konso Museum and King's Compound, meet the ‘king of Konso.

Accommodation:Haile Resort Arbaminch
Accommodation upgrades options:Paradise Lodge
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, we will drive to Mursi via Jinka town. Mursi people are inhabited in Mago National Park between Omo and Mago Rivers.There is the option to camp in the park,and this gives you the opportunity to see all sorts of wildlife:defassa waterbuck, gernuk, bushbuck, jackson's hartebeest, lesser kudu, gureza monkey. Mursi women, wear clay or woods plates put in their lips and ears, as are also amazing hairstyles with ornaments such as metal rings and various fabrics. The men wear spectacular drawings painted with white chalk all over their bodies. The Mursi women are popular for their lip plates. The insertion of wooden and Terracotta (Clay) discs into their earlobes is a widespread custom amongst Mursi tribes. The women split and stretch their lower lips to make room for similar bigger discs. Drive back to Jinka.

Accommodation: Omo Eco Lodge
Accommodation upgrades options: None
Meals: Breakfast

Before we drive to Turmi, in the morning we will visit the Anthropological Museum of Jinka, displaying the South Omo tribes. And then continue for the cultural excursion of Ari Villages. After early lunch you will drive to Turmi.On the way visit Alduba market; one of the most colourful markets among the Lower Omo Valley tribes. Tuesday is market day in Alduba. While you are in Turmi you will experience the Hammar people's night dance known as "Evangadi". It happens on a regular basis and are usually associated with crop harvest, the full moon, peace and stability in their areas.We will check whether there is a “bull jumping ceremony “in the vicinity .This is a social custom of passage ceremony for a young men, marking their transition to adulthood.

Accommodation: Buska Lodge
Accommodation upgrades options: Turmi Paradise Lodge
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast drive to Karo tribes on a rough road with picnic lunch. The Karo tribes are mainly known for their special hairstyle and body paintings. Take your time here, discover and experience their way of life. Drive to Nyangatom via Murulle by crossing Omo River.In the late afternoon, drive back to Turmi.

Accommodation: Buska Lodge
Accommodation upgrades options: Turmi Paradise Lodge
Meals: Breakfast

Today we will drive to Omorate(75km),along the Omo river and cross the river by local boat. This area is inhabited by Dassenech tribe,known by interesting house design and body painting.You will stay with them for a couple of hours, then cross the river again and drive back to Turism. After relaxed lunch, visit Hamar Villages. The Hamar tribes are fine looking people,they take great pride in their appearance, shaving and colouring their hair, oiling their bodies and decorating themselves.

Accommodation:Buska Lodge
Accommodation upgrade options: Turmi Paradise Lodge
Meals: Breakfast

Yabello is a heartland of Borena people in Oromia Regional State.They are pastoralists who travel around with their camels and cattle. They live in semiarid savanna and with their "Singing Wells''.They provide water for animals and themselves when water elsewhere is absent. You might be lucky to witness the chain of people bring the water up mean while singing to keep the spirit up. The cratr lake of El Sod (Chew Bet) with a salt lake at the bottom offers great scenery and a challenging walk down and up to see the harvesting process of the salt. It is an amazing experience!

Accommodation: Yabelo Motel
Accommodation upgrades options: None
Meals: Breakfast

This day you drive to Yirgalem, enroute explore the Tutu Fella stelea field-a unique collection of carved stones.Most of the stelea here are of the anthromorphic type, but several are phallic, we see circumcision marks at Tutu Fella .Yirgalem is one of the popular coffee growing regions in Ethiopia,the scenery is extraordinarily lush and evergreen. There are more than 20 bird species recorded in the area. And on our nature walk we can see Hyena, Jackals, guereza and Vervet monkeys.

Accommodation: Aregash Lodge
Accommodation upgrades options: None
Meals: Breakfast

Today you drive to Dinsho, Bale National Park's headquarters, on the detour to Senkele Wildlife Sanctuary to explore Swayne's Hartebeest. Swayne's hartebeest is a large antelope with humped shoulders, a long narrow face, and lyre-shaped horns.(It is native to Eastern and Southern Africa).Drive back to Shashemene for lunch, enjoy your lunch and keep driving to Dinsho. At Dinsho national park headquarters you will view endemic wild animals like Mountain Nyala,Menelik's Bushbuck,Bohor and many birdlife. And continue driving to Goba.

Accommodation: GobaWabe Shebelle Hotel
Accommodation upgrades options: None
Meals: Breakfast

In the morning you drive for a nature walk in and the surrounding of the pristine Harenna Forest. Here you have chances of spotting wildlife: like the Bale Monkey and Menelik Bushbuck and Birds including Abyssinian Oriole, Abyssinian Salty, Flycatcher, Yellow-Fronted Parrot, White-Cheeked Turaco and Narina Trogon. After lunch, drive ascending up the mountain to the Sanetti Plateau and view an endemic Ethiopian wolf, Giant Mole Rate (common food source for wolves) and a variety of bird life, and continue driving back to Goba.

Accommodation: GobaWabe Shebelle Hotel
Accommodation upgrades options: None
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast drive to Langano via Shashamane, visit Abijatta -Shalla National park .Take a gentle walking tour in the Abijatta -Shalla National Park to see Grant's gazelle, Ostrich, Warthog, and a variety of Rift Valley bird life. Take time at a viewpoint to enjoy the superb view of Lake Abijata and Lake Shala.

Accommodation: Sababna Resort
Accommodation upgrades options: None
Meals: Breakfast

Today after a relaxed breakfast you will drive to Addis Ababa.
Half day city tour of Addis Ababa, Unity Park and Entoto Park
In the evening/afternoon, farewell party with free cultural dinner and traditional music to experience Ethiopia’s cultural meals. After the farewell part, transfer to Bole international airport for international departure. End of tour.

Notice: This itinerary can be amended up on request

Tour Map

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