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Ethiopia – Omo Valley Cultural Safari

Date: Monthly departures
Travel Style: Set Departure

This itinerary gets travelers “off the beaten path” with an opportunity to learn about and interact with some of Ethiopia’s most unique cultural groups. The itinerary covers many of the tribes in the Omo valley, visits their villages, and meet the weekly markets at Key Afer, Dimeka and Turmi.

  • Trip Type
    No Trip Type
  • Activities
  • Group Size
    No size limit
  • Locations
    Africa , Ethiopia
  • Trip Duration
    11 Day(s) 10 Night(s)
Keywords : Ethiopia
Trip code ETH-0117
  • Overview
  • Itinerary
  • Trip Includes
  • Trip Excludes
  • Video
  • Gallery
  • Dates & Cost

Date: Monthly departures (join a small group or build your own departure)
Host: Local guides
Group size: Minimum 2/Maximum 10 participants
Cost: Starting from US$3,051 per person, sharing

As the northern part of the country is notable for its historical relics, there are the Omotic tribes of the south who still adhere to ancient animistic rituals. Beaded leather skirts and complementing body painting, feathered headdresses and dramatic scarification make the Hamar, Bumi, Karo, and Bena people visually outstanding. Even more unusual are the isolated Mursi tribe whose women wear large clay lip plates symbolizing their worth and beauty.

This itinerary gets travelers “off the beaten path” with an opportunity to learn about and interact with some of Ethiopia’s most unique cultural groups. The itinerary covers many of the tribes in the Omo valley including the Hamer people (known for their bull jumping ceremony), Mursi people (known for their leap plates), Karo (known for their body paintings), Dassenech, Ari, Dorze, Tsemai, etc. In addition to the visit to their respective villages, the itinerary is also scheduled to meet the weekly markets at Key Afer, Dimeka and Turmi. This tour is ideal for photographers and culture lovers.

Questions? Please contact one of the Civilized Adventures' Adventure Travel Specialists at info@civilizedadv.com

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive

Upon arrival at the airport you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to the hotel.

Overnight at Juniper International or Similar 4* Hotel

Day 2 - Addis - Tiya - Adadi Mariam - Langano

Drive south to the Rift Valley Lake of Langano visiting the rock-hewn church of Adadi Mariam that is believed to be the southernmost church, founded by King Lalibela, the prehistoric archeological site of Melka Kunture, and the stelea field of Tiya (UNESCO World Heritage Site). At Lake Langano enjoy a swim and bird watching.

Overnight at Sabana Beach Resort or similar

Day 3 - Langano - Arba Minch

Drive from Langano to Arba Minch through the fertile land of Wolayta and Alaba regions. The Alaba people are very famous for their beautiful home painting style. Along the way visit Senkele Wildlife Sanctuary, here you will see the endemic Swayne’s Hartebeest and other mammals.

Overnight at Paradise Lodge or similar

Day 4 - Arba Minch

After breakfast drive to Chencha, to visit the Dorze village, the Dorze people are well known for their weaving tradition and attractive elephant shaped traditional hut made from bamboo and false banana tree leafs. Here you will also see the daily activity of the Doreze people. Drive back to Arba Minch for lunch and in the afternoon you will have a boat trip on lake Chamo, one of the rift valley lakes, where you’ll visit the Crocodile Market. From here you can see a large number of crocodiles, different aquatic birds and hippos.

Overnight at Paradise Lodge or similar

Day 5- Arba Minch - Jinka

Drive south to Jinka, visiting the villages of the Konso people who are renowned for their colorful hand-woven cotton clothes and beautiful rock terraces.

Overnight at Eco Omo Lodge or similar

Day 6 - Jinka

Today, you will take an excursion to the Mago National Park and visit the people of Mursi, typically known for the clay lip plates of the women. Then, drive back to Jinka and visit the Cultural Museum of the People of the Lower Omo Valley.

Overnight at Eco Omo Lodge or similar

Day 7 - Jinka - Turmi

Drive to Turmi – the village of the Hamer people whose women are noted for their typical hairdressing, and leather skirts. (If today is Saturday or Tuesday, you will have a stop at the colorful weekly market of the Hamer and the Benna people at Dimeka.)

Overnight at Buska Lodge or similar

Day 8 - Turmi

In the morning, you will have an excursion to Omo Rate to visit the Dasenech people who are the southernmost people of the country and are known for their scarifications. Then, with a picnic lunch stop at Murulle, head to Korcho – the village of the Karo people.

Overnight at Buska Lodge or similar

Day 9 - Turmi - Yabello

Drive to Yabello with a stop at the villages of the nomadic people of Erbore.

Overnight at Yabello Motel or similar

Day 10 - Yabello - Awassa

Head to the north visiting the nomadic people of Borena, and the other people of Sidama who are renowned for their cultivation of Enset or False Banana.

Overnight at Haile Resort or similar

Day 11 - Awassa - Addis

This morning we will visit the ‘Fish Market’ at the Shore of Lake Awassa. Drive back to Addis visiting the chains of the Rift Valley Lakes of Langano, Abiyatta, Shalla, and Ziway. Have a free afternoon in Addis. In the evening, before departure, have a farewell dinner party at one of the best traditional restaurants where you will see the folkloric dances of the people of Ethiopia, and taste a variety of Ethiopian meals.

You will be transferred to the airport for your evening departure.

Call us to create YOUR Custom Civilized Adventure!

Includes:

  • 10 nights accommodation on a twin room sharing basis
  • English speaking guide and ground transportation through-out the program
  • All meals outside Addis and breakfast in Addis
  • All entrance fees as mentioned
  • Boat hire on lake Chamo

Excludes:

  • International airfare and airport taxes
  • Visa fees
  • Lunch and dinner in Addis
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Gratuities
  • All items of a personal nature
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Any increases due to circumstances beyond our control (i.e. park fee increases, fuel surcharges, currency fluctuations)

For a great video on Brian Keating’s latest escapades in Ethiopia, take a look below :

Dates & Cost

  • Jan 26-Feb 05, 2021 US$3,427 per person
  • Feb 17-27, 2021 US$3,427 per person
  • Mar 21-31 ,2021 US$3,427 per person
  • Apr 11-21, 2021 US$3,051 per person
  • May 23-Jun 02, 2021 US$3,051 per person
  • Jun 13-23, 2021 US$3,051 per person
  • Jul 11-Jul 21, 2021 US$3,208 per person
  • Aug 15-25, 2021 US$3,208 per person
  • Sep 26-Oct 06,2021 US$3,208 per person (Meskel Festival in Addis Ababa)
  • Oct 17-27, 2021 US$3,336 per person
  • Dec 03-12 ,2021 US$3,336 per person

If you're looking to travel on your own please contact us for single supplement pricing.

Prices are valid at time of publication (October 21, 2020) and while not expected, itinerary and prices are subject to change. Contact us for dates of availability and pricing based on your group size and departure.