Day 1 – Arrive in Addis Ababa

Welcome to Ethiopia! Upon arrival in Addis, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The name of the city, in Amharic, means ‘new flower’. Founded in 1886 by Menelik II, it is located at 2,500 metres above sea level in one of the highest parts of the Entoto mountain chain (3,000 metres above sea level). Addis enjoys an excellent climate all year round, with an average temperature of 25°C. Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with wide avenues of jacaranda trees, interesting museums and one of the largest open air markets in Africa, known as the “Mercato”. This afternoon, you will have a city tour which includes a trip to the Archaeological Museum (where you can meet 3.25 million year old Lucy), the Holy Trinity Cathedral and the Ethnological Museum (the former residence of His Majesty Emperor Haile Sellassie).
Accommodation: Jupiter International Hotel or Similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast& Dinner

Day 2 – Arba Minch

An early start today, departing at around 07:30, heading down the western side of the Rift Valley passing through Butajira, Hossana and Sodo. It’s a long day’s drive, taking about 8 hours with lunch and coffee stops en route, but it is on a good asphalt road. The scenery is very attractive as you pass down the Rift Valley, on the western side. There are interesting places to be visited en route – the Neolithic site and museum at Melka Kunture, the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Tiya, and the rock hewn church at Adadi Mariam, contemporaneous with the churches of Lalibela.

After Sodo you skirt the western shores of Lakes Abaya and Chamo, the southernmost of Ethiopia’s Rift Valley Lakes, before arriving in Arba Minch, or “40 springs”, and check into Paradise Lodge. The Lodge is situated on a hill overlooking the narrow stretch of forested land, known locally as “the bridge of heaven”, which separates the two lakes.

Distance: 454 kms – approx. 8 hours
Accommodation: Paradise Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast& Dinner

Day 3 – Konso & Jinka

Today, you drive south to Konso, whose people are known for their intricately terraced hillsides, fine woven materials and the carved totems with which they decorate their graves. Konso is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Market days in Konso are Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Pass the Weyto River where you will see a great variety of pelicans and other aquatic birds. On Thursdays there is a very attractive market at Key Afer, frequented by the Bena and Ari people. After your visit, you turn towards Jinka, where the markets are held on Saturdays and Tuesdays. This afternoon oyou could visit the museum in Jinka (not included), which along with various artefacts has a lot of ethnographical information about the people of the Omo.

Located in southwestern Ethiopia, near the borders of Sudan and Kenya, Jinka is the largest town in the Debub Omo Zone. It serves as an excellent base from which to explore the surrounding area. This remote market town is home to the Mursi people, who are well known for their elaborate lip plates made of clay. At the South Omo Research Center and Museum, visitors can learn more about the Mursi, as well as other groups in the region, through a series of exhibits detailing the cultures and customs of local tribes. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy the nearby Mago National Park, where abundant wildlife finds shelter in the dense acacia woodland.
Distance: 275 kms – approx. 5 hours
Accommodation: Eco Omo Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast& Dinner

Day 4 – Jinka

You leave Jinka and drive to the Mago National Park. The park has a variety of mammals and birds, but the animals tend to stay away from the roads and sightings cannot be guaranteed. In the park you may see the following animals: elephant, buffalo, Grant’s Gazelle, Topi and Burchill’s Zebra.

The main attraction in Mago are the Mursi people, so you head to Shembel, the nearest Mursi village and if you wish, you can go further, up the escarpment to the Mursi villages there! The Mursi are known for their body scarification and (among the women) the wearing of lip plates.
Accommodation: Eco Omo Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5 – Jinka – Turmi

After breakfast at the Eco Omo Lodge, you will depart and begin your visit to the Hamer villages around Turmi. The Hamer are a fine-looking people, both the men and women take great pride in their appearance, shaving and coloring their hair, oiling their bodies and decorating themselves with beads and bracelets worn around their arms and legs. If this visit falls on a Saturday or a Tuesday, you will also visit the market at Dimeke, which is one of the most colorful and interesting in the area. During the time you have in Turmi, if there is a bull jumping ceremony in the vicinity, you will head to see this rite of passage ceremony for young men, marking their transition to adulthood. It may also possible to see Evangadi, or Hamer dancing ceremonies.
Distance: 132kms – 3 hours
Accommodation: Buska Lodge OR Similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast& Dinner

Day 6 – Turmi

After breakfast you will drive to Murule, visiting the Korcho village of the Karo people. Among the people living along the Omo, the Karo excel in face and body painting. You will then head to your lodge in Turmi, the Buska Lodge for lunch.

After lunch you will head towards the Omo River to Omo Rate, passing Kangate and the villages of the Bume people, going on to visit the Galeb villages. Here you will cross the river in a local boat and visit the villages on the other side.

Accommodation: Buska Lodge OR Similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast& Dinner

Day 7 – Kibish

After breakfast you will be transferred to Kibish, which is approximately 140 km, where you will visit the Demeka Market on the way (if the day is Saturday).
Distance: 140 kms – 3 hours
Accommodation: Camping, Kibish
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch& Dinner

Day 8 – Kibish

Following breakfast, you will head around the old Kibish village (14kms round trip) for the visit of more of the Surma villages – to visit and appreciate the very attractive culture of Surma people, they 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. The Surma men are well known for their stick fighting, which is called Donga. It is extremely rare to witness a Donga.
Accommodation: Camping, Kibish
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch& Dinner

Day 9: Kibish

Today you will have the chance to explore more Surma Tribe Villages, hopefully witnessing some of their ceremonies & cultural-events. According to the Suri, they came to their present territory near Mount Naita about 200 years ago from the banks of the Nile River. The Surma have a sky god named Tuma. The Suri also believe in spirits and use medicine and undertake sacrifices or prayers and directly send them to Tuma. Another belief of the Suri is the rain maker.

Piercing and lip plates are a strong part of the Suri culture. At the point of puberty most women have their bottom teeth removed in order to get their lower lip pierced. Once the lip is pierced, it’s then stretched and a lip plate is then placed in the hole of the piercing.
Accommodation: Camping, Kibish
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10 – Bonga

Today you will depart from Kibish and the Surma Villages, leaving with fond memories of a truly unique way life that is unparalleled to anything you will find in the Western world. You will be driven to Bonga. On the way, we will shortly stop at the Bebeka coffee plantation, where coffee, tea, spices and rubber trees are cultivated and we may learn about the local coffee production.
Distance: 280kms – 7hrs
Accommodation: Local Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 11: Full Day in Kaffa Region (The Origins of Coffee)

Today we start with an excursion to the Alem Gonna wetlands. An early morning visit not only pays off because of the many bird species and De Brazza monkeys, but also because of the mystical atmosphere created by the landscape shrouded in mist. We walk through the wetland during sunrise and enjoy a freshly prepared breakfast picnic. After a short stop in Bonga, we will go on a short trek to the Barta waterfall (approx. 1h). The waterfall is over 70m high surrounded by basalt walls in the middle of the rain forest. On our way back, we will stop at the house of Mirutse, a local bee-keeper producing here organic forest honey. He will give us some interesting information on bee-keeping and local plants. For those with plenty of energy left after lunch; we have an option of another interesting walk to some hot springs located in the middle of the rain forest (10 km walks back and forth). However, there are also less strenuous options in this incredibly diverse area.
Distance: 361kms- 7hrs
Accommodation: Local Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 12: Welsio

After breakfast, we continue to Welsio via Jimma. On the way, we will visit the palace of the former Kafa king Ras Abba Jifar II overlooking the town and the adjacent coffee forests. The palace is a relic of a glorious past when coffee trade gave the king wealth and power. The then economically strong region remained independent from the Ethiopian empire until 1930.
Distance: 361kms- 7hrs
Accommodation: Negash Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 13: Addis Ababa- 160 kms- 2:30 hrs drive

Following breakfast we’ll depart Weliso for Wenchi. Wenchi is a highland area, situated 30km west of Woliso. The area is famed for its beautiful mountainous landscape and stunning crater lake. Upon arriving at the lake, you can hike (or take a horse) down to the base of the lake. At the lakeside, we will have lunch and then take a short boat ride out to an old monastery with a church which is situated on one of the lakes islands. After lunch, you will have the option to hike back or else take a horse if you feel like it. Then after, we will head to Addis Ababa. Arrival time back in Addis Ababa will be around 4.00 pm and in the evening you will have a fare well dinner party and then be transferred to airport for your departure.
Distance: 160kms- 7hrs
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Dinner

USD 3,298 – Prices are per person based on 2 people travelling together. Prices guideline only, actual price will depend on final itinerary, accommodation choices, and time of year. 

Includes

• Airport transfers and road transport around Addis Ababa by private minibus.
• Road transport by standard 4WD with English speaking driver/ guide, including fuel, driver allowances and accommodation.
• Accommodation based on double/ twin room sharing.
• Meal plan Breakfast and Dinner. Full board during camping days
• Fees for entrances, local guides, compulsory scouts and boats for activities mentioned in the itinerary.
• Camping equipment except sleeping bags, cook etc
• All government taxes for the services included in the tour price. 

Day 1: Addis Ababa

We will meet you at Bole International Airport for your international flight. The first day we spend in the bustling capital of the country: Addis Ababa. We take you on a city tour visiting some sites of your choice like the Ethnographic Museum, National Museum, Trinity Cathedral, Mercato, the largest market of Africa, or the smaller and easier accessible Shola market. We can also visit the Entoto Hills just outside Addis Ababa, meanwhile passing by the Shiro Meda market, famous for traditional clothing. Or have a walk through a village to get an impression how many inhabitants of Addis Ababa are living. When you are interested in art, there are several galleries in town. In the evening we visit a cultural restaurant, enjoying the great Ethiopian food together with traditional music and dance from all over this fascinating country.
Accommodation: Monarch Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast

Day 2: Addis Ababa to Jinka

A short domestic flight takes us to Jinka where we meet our vehicle waiting at the airport. We are entering an area where the people living their authentic tribal life. Nowadays a vanishing lifestyle. More than at any other place we shouldn’t forget that we are the visitors and act responsible. In the afternoon we visit the Jinka museum at the South Omo Research Centre to learn more about the people living in the area and we visit the Ari people who have adopted a much more ‘western’ lifestyle than their neighbors we are going to meet the coming days.
Accommodation: Eco Omo Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast

Day 3: Jinka to Turmi

Early morning, we travel into the Mago National Park on our way to probably the most well-known people of the Omo Valley: the Mursi. Don’t expect much game on this brief visit to the park. After about a 2 hours’ drive we reach one of the villages where the Mursi people are living. We return to Jinka for lunch and continue to Turmi, traversing an area where Ari, Banna, Bashada and eventually Hamar people are living. En route we visit the weekly market in Key Afar where we find Ari, Banna and Tsamai people. Today or tomorrow we have a chance to experience the ‘Evangadi’ dance or the ‘Bull jumping’ ceremony. We have to be lucky to be a witness and it is not guaranteed, therefore it is not included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Buska Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast

Day 4: Turmi

This morning we visit the Karo people in Kolcho, well known for their body painting. They live along the bank of the Omo River, about 60 km from Turmi, a 2.5 hrs drive. We continue to visit the Nyangatom people near the small settlement of Kangatan, not too far from Kolcho, at the other side of the Omo River. To reach Kolcho and Kangatan we have to cross the Kizoo River. Usually a dry riverbed, but not passable after heavy rain.
Accommodation: Buska Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast

Day 5: Turmi

We drive about 70 km to Omerate at the east bank of the Omo River. This is the area where the Dassanech people are living and we are going to cross the Omo River by local canoe to visit one of their villages. We return to Turmi and continue to Dimeka where Saturday is the weekly market. Mainly Hamar, but also Bashada and Banna people travel from far to attend the market.
Accommodation: Buska Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast

Day 6: Turmi to Arba Minch

We try to take the road at eastern side of the Buska Mountains and visit en route the Arbore people. This road follows a riverbed for some kilometers, mostly dry and no problem but not passable after heavy rain. After lunch in Karat-Konso village we meet the Konso people with their maze like villages and terraces for agriculture. They are also well known for their Waga stelae, grave markers for the brave and important men of this people. The cultural landscape of Konso is the youngest World Heritage Site of Ethiopia. After lunch we proceed to Arba Minch.

Accommodation: Paradise Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast

Day 7: Arba Minch

This morning we embark on a boat trip on Lake Chamo and have a good chance to come up close with most probably the biggest crocodiles you have ever seen. Many (water) birds and hippopotamus are also easily found. In the afternoon we drive from Arba Minch at an altitude of 1400 m to the highland village of Dorze at 2600 m, enjoying beautiful vistas over Lake Abaya and Lake Chamo on the way. We visit the Dorze people with their famous beehive like huts and see the preparation of their staple food made of false banana. Of course we try their food. Monday is market day and well worth a visit.
Accommodation: Paradise Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast

Day 8: Arba Minch to Yirgalem

We continue our journey on the bottom of the Rift Valley and close to our destination we enter the green and fertile hills where a lot of the famous Ethiopian coffee is grown. En route we visit Senkele Game Sanctuary where we have a good chance to find the endemic Swaynes hartebeest. We stay at the Aregash Lodge in Yirgalem, situated at a coffee plantation. The lodge is a fine example of an eco-lodge. The huts are built in the same style as the surrounding Sidamo people. Delicious organic, home grown, food is served in the restaurant.
Accommodation: Aregash Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast

Day 9: Yirgalem to Awassa

Today a very relaxing day with a visit of the coffee plantation and a nearby Sidamo village. Around the lodge we’ll find many monkeys and beautiful birds. Afternoon, a short drive will get you to Awassa. The rest of the day is spend at leisure at our lovely resort, owned by Ethiopia’s most famous long distance runner Haile Gebreselassie.
Accommodation: Haile Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast

Day 10: Hawassa to Goba

Morning visit the fish market around Lake Awassa-with many birds around, waiting to get their share of the catch of the day. Our next destination is the Bale Mountains. In Dinsho we visit the park headquarters to finalize the formalities to enter the park. Here we enjoy a walk in beautiful surrounding area with juniper-hagenia forest and have a very good chance to see the endemic mountain Nyala and Menelik’s bushbuck.
Accommodation: Bale Mountains Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast

Day 11: Goba

The Bale Mountains are known for great scenery and of course we continue our search for endemic species. Among them the Ethiopian wolf and many birds. The Sanetti plateau is Afroalpine moorland with the highest point, Tullu Deemtu, at 4377 m. The Harenna Forest, south of the Sanetti Plateau, is Afromontane cloud forest. The area is easily accessible via Africa’s highest all-weather road.
Accommodation: Bale Mountains Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast

Day 12: Goba to Addis

On the last day of our remarkable visit to southern Ethiopia we leave the Bale Mountains behind and return by flight to Addis Ababa. Our minibus is available for transport around town and a room is available until the time is there to take you to Bole International Airport for your international flight.

USD 3364 – Prices are per person based on 2 people travelling together. Prices guideline only, actual prices will depend on final itinerary, accommodation choices, and time of year. 

Includes

• Airport transfers and road transport around Addis Ababa by private minibus.
• Road transport by standard 4WD with English speaking driver/ guide, including fuel, driver allowances and accommodation.
• Accommodation based on double/ twin room sharing.
• Meal plan-Breakfast and Dinner. Full board at Bale Mountain Lodge.
• Fees for entrances, local guides, compulsory scouts and boats for activities mentioned in the itinerary.
• All government taxes for the services included in the tour price