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.
Ethiopia Tribal Culture | Custom Omo Valley Tour
Omo Valley Tour: 13-Day Ethiopia Cultural Journeys
Immerse yourself in Ethiopia tribal culture on this 11-day odyssey across the country’s enigmatic south. Designed as a custom Omo Valley tour, the route leads from Addis Ababa’s museums to Rift-Valley lakes, then deep into Hamer, Karo, Dassenech and Mursi territory, where a new generation of travellers comes seeking the famed Hamer tribe ceremony and other living traditions.
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.
Immerse yourself in the ochre-braided beauty of Hamer villages, known for their vibrant culture and traditions, including the famous bull-jumping ceremony.
Encounter the iconic Mursi tribe, famous for their lip plates and warrior heritage, in the wildlife-rich and acacia-dotted Mago National Park.
Witness the intricate body painting of the Karo tribe at Korcho bluff, where chalk-and-clay designs transform river cliffs into open-air galleries.
Cross the Omo River by canoe to visit the Dassenech tribe, where you'll learn about their agro-pastoral lifestyle and cultural practices.
Explore the UNESCO-listed Konso terraces, with their maze-like stone villages and Waqa stelae, showcasing the unique agricultural practices of the Konso people.
Experience the eco-lodges amid Arabica plantations in the lush coffee highlands of Yirgalem and Hawassa, where you can relax and enjoy the serene landscapes.
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: DRIVE TO ARBA MINCH
- Early this morning, after breakfast, commence your private driving to the famous lake-side town of Arba Minch. The drive will pass through high mountain plateaus, scenic landscapes, and the beautiful villages of Gurage and Wolayita; en route stop at the archaeological site of Melka Kunture and the stelae field of Tiya. Having lunch stop en route, you continue driving to Arba Minch. It and the surrounding area are inhabited by the people of the Gamo tribe, originally nomads but now farmers. The last section of this drive offers magnificent views of Lake Abaya, surrounded by mountains.
- Overnight in Arba Minch
DAY 3: DRIVE TO JINKA VIA KONSO
- 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 beautiful aquatic birds.
- Leaving Arba Minch behind, you drive to Jinka through dramatic scenery towards the heartland of the tribes of the South Omo Valley. En route, you stop at the village of Konso who are known for their distinctive religious and cultural traditions. After lunch continue your drive towards Jinka overnight.
- Overnight in Jinka
DAY 4: 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 5: 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 6: 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 7: 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 for lunch. Then you proceed to Arba Minch.
- Overnight in Arba Minch
DAY 8: DRIVE TO YIRGALEM
- You continue your journey on the bottom of the Rift Valley, and close to your destination, you enter the green and fertile hills where a lot of the famous Ethiopian coffee is grown. En route, you visit Senkele Game Sanctuary where we have a good chance to find the endemic Swayne's hartebeest.
- You 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, homegrown, food is served in the restaurant.
- Overnight in Yirgalem
DAY 9: DRIVE TO HAWASSA
- It is a short drive to Hawassa, where we visit the fish market with many birds around, waiting to get their share of the catch of the day. An optional boat trip is available to explore the lake. The afternoon is spending at leisure at our lovely resort.
- Overnight in Hawassa
DAY 10: DRIVE TO ADDIS ABABA
- Enjoy breakfast early this morning, and depart early for the Fish Market of Hawassa. Afterward, drive towards Addis Ababa, visiting the region's lakes en route. The lakes of Abijata and Shalla are particularly stunning. Also visit the lakes of Abijata, Shalla, and Zeway (dependent on water levels) en route.
- Overnight in Hawassa
DAY 11: DEPARTURE
- 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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