10-Day Omo Valley and Bale Mountain Tour

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

Addis Ababa -Arba Minchi

Drive to Arba Minch via Hoseana. En route visit Melka Kunture, a stone-age archeological site; Adadi Mariam, the southern most of Ethiopia's ancient rock- hewn churches; and Tiya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its mysterious stelae, thought to be grave markers, dating from the 12th century.

Main Destination:

Arba Minch (City)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Arba Minch

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

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Arba Minchi-Jinka

Take a boat trip on Lake Chamo and view crocodiles sunning on the lakeshore, pods of hippopotami and the abundant birdlife. Drive to Jinka through areas inhabited by various peoples such as the Konso, Tseme, Benna and Ari. Once in Jinka, visit a nearby village of the Ari people.​.

Main Destination:

Lake Chamo

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Jinka Resort

• Budget hotel located in Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Mago National Park

Early in the morning, drive to Mago National Park to visit a Mursi village and learn about the community’s traditional lifestyle, cultural practices, and daily activities. The Mursi are particularly known for the distinctive clay lip plates worn by some women, as well as their traditional body decorations. Spend time learning about their cultural heritage and the changes shaping their lives today.

In the afternoon, return to Jinka and visit the Omo Valley Museum to discover more about the region’s diverse Indigenous communities, their traditions, traditional clothing, and cultural heritage.

Main Destination:

Mago National Park

Best Time To Go June to February (Little rainfall)

High Season October to January (It might be busier)

Best Weather

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Jinka Resort

• Budget hotel located in Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Jinka to Turmi

Drive to Turmi in the heartland of the Hamer people. The Hamer are known for their body decorations and the clay and ochre that is used to create their unique hairstyles. Turmi is a very small town and nearby we explore a Hamer village and meet some of the locals.

Main Destination:

Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Paradise Lodge Turmi

• Budget tented camp located near Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Drive to Karo

After breakfast, drive toward Murulle, stopping at Kangaton to visit a Nyangatom village and learn about the community’s traditional lifestyle, customs, and daily activities. Continue to Murulle to visit the Karo people, who are well known for their elaborate body painting, decorative scarification, and distinctive cultural traditions. Enjoy the opportunity to learn about their way of life and experience the rich cultural diversity of the Omo Valley.

In the afternoon, return to Turmi, enjoying the scenic landscapes along the way.

Overnight at a lodge in Turmi (B, L, D).

Main Destination:

Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Paradise Lodge Turmi

• Budget tented camp located near Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Omorates Excursions

Excursion from Turmi to Omorate. Crossing of the Omo River via a traditional canoe (a recently built bridge now also allows for optional crossing via tour vehicle.). Visit a village of another Omo tribe, the Dasanech, a semi nomadic people who are one of the more numerous tribes (population about 70,000) in the Omo. Return to Turmi in the afternoon.​
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Overnight Lodge (B, L, D).

Main Destination:

Omorate (Lower Omo Valley)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Paradise Lodge Turmi

• Budget tented camp located near Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Turmi to Konso

Drive to Konso, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. A highland people, the Konso are known for the ancient and intricate terraces that encircle their well-planned villages. Each Konso village begins on a hill top. As the population grows a new “ring” of homes are built around the hilltop. When the final “ring” reaches near the bottom of the hill, a new village on a different hill must be built. Look for the “generation pole” located in each village. Every 18 years and new pole is added to the others making it easy to calculate the age of the village.
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Overnight Lodge (B, L, D).

Main Destination:

Konso (Cultural Village)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Kanta Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located in Konso (Cultural Village)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Konso to Hawassa

Drive to the lakeside town of Hawassa. En route, visit a Dorze Village in the Guge Mountains. The Dorze are known for their tall, beehive- shaped bamboo houses. If the base becomes infested with termites, the entire house can be lifted and moved to another location.
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Overnight Hotel (B, L, D).

Main Destination:

Awasa (City)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Hawassa

• Mid-range resort located in Awasa (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Hawessa to bale mountain

Drive to the Bale Mountains National Park and meet with park guide. Arrive at the park headquarters in the afternoon, in time for a leisurely afternoon hike, possibly spotting two endemic mammals that frequent the area: Menelik's Bushbuck and the Mountain Nyala. Birds in this area include the Blue-Winged Goose, the Spot-Breasted Lapwing, the Abyssinian Long Claw, the Wattled Ibis, the Black- Headed Siskin, Rouget’s Rail, and numerous other species.
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Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)I.

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

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Wabe Shebelle Hotel Goba

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

Meals & Drinks:

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

Bale mountain to Addis Ababa

Drive to Addis Ababa stopping at Rift Valley Lakes that are renowned for their endemic birdlife. Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, optional souvenir shopping if time permits. Enjoy a Farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country's many ethnic groups. Transfer to airport for late night departure or additional hotel night booked upon request.
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(B, L, D).

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

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.