8-Day Bale National Park and Omo Valley Tour

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Bale Mountains – A Paradise for Nature Seekers

Begin your journey with a scenic morning drive southeast toward the breathtaking Bale Mountains National Park. Along the way, enjoy a relaxing lunch stop in Asella, a charming town known for its cool climate and mountain views. Continue your drive to the park headquarters, arriving in the early afternoon. After settling in, set out for a leisurely hike in the surrounding area, offering excellent opportunities to encounter some of Ethiopia’s unique endemic wildlife. You may spot remarkable mammals such as the Menelik's bushbuck and the rare mountain nyala. The park is also a haven for bird enthusiasts, with species including the black-headed siskin, Rouget's rail, wattled ibis, spot-breasted lapwing, and the striking Abyssinian longclaw, among many others. Enjoy the peaceful surroundings and immerse yourself in one of Africa’s most unique highland ecosystems.
Overnight Bale Robe.

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Best Time To Visit November to February (Little rain)

High Season October to January (Park is never busy)

Best Weather November to February

Wildlife in Bale Mountains NP

Ethiopian Wolf Common

Mountain Nyala Common

Warthog Common

Menelik's
Bushbuck Occasional

Guereza Monkey Occasional

Show more

Olive Baboon Occasional

Bohor Reedbuck Occasional

Starck's Hare Occasional

Giant Mole-rat Occasional

Bale Monkey Rare

Giant Forest Hog Rare

Golden Jackal Rare

Gelada Monkey None

Walia Ibex None

Accommodation:

Nurobe Hotel

• Budget hotel located less than 1hr drive from Bale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Exploring the Wonders of Bale Mountains National Park

Spend a full day immersed in the extraordinary landscapes of Bale Mountains National Park, one of Africa’s most remarkable biodiversity hotspots. Throughout the day, keep watch for endemic wildlife, including the endangered Ethiopian wolf, the rarest red wolf in the world. Bird enthusiasts will be delighted by sightings of species such as the blue-winged goose, chestnut-naped francolin, and the striking alpine chat. Enjoy a day of discovery in this pristine wilderness before returning for a restful evening surrounded by nature.
Overnight Bale Robe.

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Nurobe Hotel

• Budget hotel located less than 1hr drive from Bale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Drive from Bale to Lakeside City Hawassa

Traveling south along the Great Rift Valley, you arrive in Hawassa, a peaceful lakeside destination known for its natural beauty. Lake Hawassa is the centerpiece, where visitors can enjoy boat rides, bird watching, and encounters with hippos. The Hawassa Fish Market provides a lively cultural experience, showcasing local fishermen and fresh catches Enjoy scenic walks along the Fiker hayke, (lake). Watch hippos and a variety of aquatic bird species, Pelicans, Ducks, Grey Herons, Storks, Plover, Egrets, Kingfishers, Fish eagles, Ibis, Spoonbills
Overnight Hawassa.

Main Destination:

Awasa (City)

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Hawassa

• Mid-range resort located in Awasa (City)

+6 Photos

+5 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Drive To Areba-minch with visting Dorze village

Start your day early with a visit to the famous Hawassa Fish Market, located along the shores of Lake Hawassa rive to Arba Minch, one of the main towns in southern Ethiopia, beautifully set between Lakes Abaya and Chamo. Along the way, visit a traditional Dorze village in the Guge Mountains.
The Dorze people are renowned for their remarkable craftsmanship, especially their tall, beehive-shaped houses made from woven bamboo. These unique structures can reach up to 10 meters in height and are designed to last for decades. Ingeniously, if the base becomes infested with termites, the entire house can be lifted and relocated—an impressive example of sustainable and adaptive architecture.
Meet villagers, learn about their customs, and sometimes enjoy traditional music and dance. Taste traditional foods made from enset, including “kocho,” and experience local hospitality.
Overnight Areba-minch.

Main Destination:

Arba Minch (City)

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Arba Minch

• Mid-range hotel located in Arba Minch (City)

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Drive to Omo valley via Konso

Today, you will drive south toward the remote and culturally rich South Omo Valley, enjoying a scenic journey through diverse landscapes and traditional villages. En route, stop at Konso, home of the Konso people, renowned for their impressive terraced farming system and sustainable agricultural practices. Take time to explore the village and learn about their unique culture and way of life. If your visit coincides with a local market day, you may have the opportunity to stop at a nearby market town frequented by the Gato tribe. These vibrant markets offer a wonderful chance to take photographs, interact with local communities, and experience authentic daily life. Continue your drive through the territories of the Banna tribe, where you will observe their traditional farming methods and experience the beauty of the surrounding landscapes. Arrive in Turmi in the late afternoon for your overnight stay.
Overnight Turmi.

Main Destination:

Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Accommodation:

Buska Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

From Turmi to Omorate

Drive across wide savannah plains from Turmi to Omorate (72 km) to visit the Daasanach tribe, who live along the lower Omo River near the Kenyan border. This semi-nomadic community relies on cattle herding, floodplain farming, and fishing, with a striking landscape of dry plains contrasted by lush riverbanks.

In the afternoon, visit the Hamar tribe, one of the most culturally rich groups in southern Ethiopia. They are known for the *Evangadi* (bull-jumping ceremony), a rite of passage for young men before marriage. Hamar women are also renowned for their distinctive hairstyles, coated with butter and ochre, and adorned with colorful beads and leather skirts.

In the late afternoon, return to your lodge and enjoy the sunset, surrounded by the beauty of nature.

Main Destination:

Omorate (Lower Omo Valley)

Accommodation:

Buska Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

From Turmi to karo and Mursi tribe

In the morning, cross to the other side of the Omo River to visit the Karo tribe at Korcho, one of the most scenic villages in the Omo Valley. Perched on a high cliff, it offers stunning panoramic views over the river. The Karo, one of the smallest ethnic groups in the region, are renowned as masters of body painting, using natural pigments like white chalk, ochre, charcoal, and minerals to create intricate patterns inspired by nature.

After the visit, drive back to Jinka. If your trip coincides with a market day, stop at Key Afer to experience a lively local market frequented by the Aari people. You may also encounter Mursi women, known for their distinctive lip plates made of clay or wood, a unique cultural tradition.

Overnight in Jinka.

Main Destination:

Lower Omo Valley (Cultural Village)

Accommodation:

Jinka Resort

• Budget hotel located in Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Fly back from Jinka to addis and city Tour

Take a flight to Addis Ababa and enjoy a city tour. Visit the National Museum of Ethiopia to see the famous fossil “Lucy” (Dinkinesh) and other archaeological treasures. Continue to Holy Trinity Cathedral, one of the most important Ethiopian Orthodox churches, where you can admire stained-glass windows and the tombs of Haile Selassie and Menen Asfaw.

Drive up to Entoto Mountain for panoramic views of the city, and visit Entoto Maryam Church along with the former palace of Menelik II. Explore Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market, where you can experience local life and discover spices, handicrafts, and coffee.

End the day with an optional farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant, featuring cultural music and dance.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.