Begin your journey in Ethiopia's vibrant capital, where you'll explore the Ethnological Museum and the breathtaking Holy Trinity Cathedral, offering insights into the nation's diverse heritage.
Colors of the Omo Valley | 8-Day Tribal Tour
An Exploration into Ethiopia's Tribal Heartland
Embark on an Omo Valley tour that condenses Ethiopia’s most vivid tribal encounters into eight unforgettable days. Threading Rift-Valley lakes, Hamer hamlets and Mago’s savannahs, this Omo Valley tribal tour unveils lip-plate Mursi warriors, ochre-braided Hamer dancers and the Karo tribe body painting that turns river cliffs into open-air galleries.
Experience a living kaleidoscope where wild landscapes and enduring customs colour every moment.
Destination Highlights
Highlighted Destinations
Experience the stunning Rift Valley Lakes, known for their rich birdlife and scenic beauty, providing a perfect backdrop for your Omo Valley adventure.
Encounter the iconic Mursi tribe, famous for their lip plates and warrior heritage, in the wildlife-rich Mago National Park.
Cross the Omo River by canoe to visit the Dassenech tribe, and explore the ochre-braided beauty of Hamer villages, known for their vibrant culture and traditions.
Witness the intricate body painting of the Karo tribe at Korcho bluff, where chalk-and-clay designs transform river cliffs into open-air galleries.
Explore the UNESCO-listed Konso terraces, with their maze-like stone villages and Waqa stelae, showcasing the unique agricultural practices of the Konso people.
Enjoy a hippo-filled boat cruise on Lake Chamo and visit the master weavers of the Dorze tribe in the highlands, known for their intricate textiles and traditional huts.
Itinerary at a Glance
Day by day Tour Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN ADDIS ABABA & CITY TOUR
- Fly to Addis Ababa; upon arrival at Bole international airport, your hospitality begins. We provide you with a meet-and-greet service at the airport and then transfer you to your hotel.
- This afternoon, enjoy a tour of Addis Ababa, a pleasant capital city with wide jacaranda-edged avenues, interesting museums, and lively markets. Start our visit with the Ethnological Museum for an overview of Ethiopia's history, culture, and traditions, and its collections from thousand-year-old nomadic tribes.
- Next, see the beautiful baroque-styled Holy Trinity Cathedral which contains the thrones and the tomb of Emperor Haile Selassie (the last king of Ethiopia) and some other members of the royal family. We end up the city tour by inviting you to the oldest and best coffee roaster and coffee shop-Tomoca. Not only do they serve fantastic Ethiopian coffee, but they also offer other fine coffees.
- Overnight in Addis Ababa
DAY 2: FLY TO JINKA
- A short domestic flight takes you to Jinka where you will meet your vehicle waiting at the airport. You 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 responsibly.
- 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 in the coming days.
- Overnight in Jinka
DAY 3: EXCURSION TO MAGO NATIONAL PARK AND VISIT MURSI TRIBE
- Today your journey begins early in the morning with an excursion to Mago National Park to visit the Mursi village. They are possibly the most famous residents of the South Omo Valley. The men of the Mursi tribe are renowned warriors, and Mursi women are famous for the lip plates they use for adornment. Learn about the incredibly unique culture.
- Having lunch in Jinka, continue to Turmi, crossing an area where Ari, Benna, and eventually Hamer people are living.
- Overnight in Turmi
DAY 4: EXCURSION TO VISIT DASSENECH
- After breakfast, your drive will take you through flat-open savannah land and go via Omorate on the eastern banks of the Omo River. Crossing the river by local dugout canoe, you reach the homeland of Dassenech and visit one of their villages. They are agro-pastoralists and herd cattle and practice flood retreat cultivation on both sides of the river.
- You return to Turmi and spend the afternoon visiting some small Hamer villages. The Hamer people are particularly beautiful and are most distinguishable by their hair, which they style into thick braids with red mud and lard. They wear thick copper bracelets and necklaces, and elaborate costumes with cowrie shells, beads, and leather.
- Overnight in Turmi
DAY 5: EXCURSION TO VISIT KARA
- This morning you take an excursion to Korcho and visit the Karo tribe who are very famous for their body painting. The Karo people use clays and locally available vegetable pigments to trace fantastic patterns on each other's faces, chests, arms, and legs. Karo men, as with neighboring tribes, are also famous for their unique hairstyle.
- Overnight in Turmi
DAY 6: DRIVE TO ARBA MINCH VIA ELBORE
- Departing Turmi after breakfast, we head for Weyto. Lying midway between Konso and Key Afar, the village is home to the Tsemai and Arbore peoples. These people are mainly farmers and pastoralists, tending their herds and growing sorghum and maize and supplementing it with honey.
- Continuing from here, we cross the Weyto Valley and head for Konso. 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 Waqa stelae, grave markers for the brave and important men of this people. The cultural landscape of Konso is the youngest World Heritage Site in Ethiopia.
- Then you proceed to Arba Minch.
- Overnight in Arba Minch
DAY 7: BOAT TRIP ON LAKE CHAMO & EXCURSION TO DORZE
- This morning, not far from Arba Minch, you will take a relaxing boat trip on Lake Chamo to spot wildlife such as crocodiles, and hippos as well as many beautiful aquatic birds.
- In the afternoon, drive from Arba Minch to the highland village of Dorze. They are one of the small segments of ethnical groups in southern Ethiopia. Once warriors, the Dorze have now turned to farming and weaving to earn a living. Their success in the field of weaving has been phenomenal and the Dorze name is synonymous with best-woven cotton cloth. Monday is market day and well worth a visit.
- Overnight in Arba Minch
DAY 8: FLY TO ADDIS ABABA & DEPARTURE
- You will have this morning at your leisure. At noon transfer you to the airport for your flight to Addis. On arrival in Addis, you transfer to a hotel where you can freshen up and have lunch.
- You have the afternoon free for shopping in Addis Ababa.
- Depending on your flight schedule, a transfer is arranged to Addis Ababa Bole international airport for the flight back home.
- Thanks for vacationing with Sawla Tours.
Begin Your Adventure with Sawla Tours
At Sawla Tours, we believe that every journey should be as unique as the traveler. Our expert team is dedicated to crafting personalized itineraries that reflect your interests and passions, ensuring an unforgettable Ethiopian experience.
Whether you're seeking cultural immersion, wildlife adventures, or breathtaking landscapes, we tailor each tour to your preferences. From the moment you reach out, our travel designers work closely with you to create a bespoke itinerary that captures the essence of Ethiopia.
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