Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Ethiopia’s most striking landscapes and cultures. Trek across the breathtaking highlands of the Bale Mountains in search of the elusive and endangered Ethiopian wolf, Africa’s rarest canid: amid sweeping alpine vistas and unique Afroalpine flora. Then descend into the vibrant heart of the Omo Valley, where you’ll immerse yourself in the diverse traditions of Ethiopia’s indigenous tribes, including the Hamar, Mursi, and Karo. From dramatic wildlife encounters to intimate cultural exchanges, this expedition offers a rare blend of raw nature and ancient human heritage.
Top Highlights:
- Trek the Bale Mountains in search of the elusive and endangered Ethiopian wolf.
- Spot endemic mammals including Bale Mountain Nyala, Minilik Bushbuck, and warthogs.
- Witness the ritual and culture around world-famous Yirgacheffe coffee.
- Visit the Dorze people in Chencha, known for their tall beehive-shaped dwellings and cotton weaving.
- Explore Konso, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for old and unique terracing.
- Meet the Hamer tribe and experience seasonal cultural activities like the Evangadi (Hamer Dancing).
- Visit the Erbore tribe, known for unique body paintings and elegant faces.
- Observe the Mursi people, recognized for their unique item of decoration: lip plates.
Tour Plan
Addis Ababa, founded in 1886 by Menelik II, is situated at 2,500 meters (8000 ft) above sea level. It is the highest capital city in the world, after La Paz and Quito in South America. The city enjoys an excellent climate all year round, with an average temperature of 25C (77F). With multiethnic population of over 5 million, Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with wide avenues of jacarandas, interesting museums, and one of the largest open-air markets in Africa, known as the “Mercato”.
capital city in the world, after La Paz and Quito in South America. The city enjoys an excellent climate all year round, with an average temperature of 25C (77F). With multiethnic population of over 5 million, Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with wide avenues of jacarandas, interesting museums, and one of the largest open-air markets in Africa, known as the “Mercato”.
Wake up early for fresheley brewed Ethiopian Coffee and transfer to Addis Ababa airport for the flight to Bale Mountains.
This is one of the biggest Afro Alpine Habitat in the entire African continent. In the afternoon, we will have a game walk/drive around the headquarter to spot some of the endemic mammals in the park including:
Bale Mountain Nyala (endemic to Bale Mountains National Park), Minilik Bushbuck, warthogs and many more.
We will also drive to Woyeb Valley to look for
Overnight: Bale Mountains Lodge-Bale (Meal: B/L/D)
In the morning, drive high in Senetie Plateau, one of the most beautiful parts of the park. This is the territory of the endemic Abyssinian Wolf. This very endangered canine is the only wolf family found in Africa. It can be spotted commonly here in the vast afro alpine vegetation hunting on Giant Mole Rat on which it commonly feeds.
On this well conserved afro alpine ecosystem, you will definitely see some endemic birds like the Blue Winged Goose and other birds as well as the Giant Mole Rat pretty much everywhere.
Later in the afternoon, we will take a relaxing trek around Gesse Valley where we can see many more wildlife and enjoy the scenic view walking around the valley.
Overnight: Bale Mountains Lodge-Bale (Meal: B/L/D)
In the morning, we will have one more early morning session looking for the wolf around the Woyeb River. After breakfast, we will drive south west to the Rift Valley Lakes of Awassa.
We will have lunch by the lake and have a relaxing time at the beautiful resort perched on the shore of the lake.
Late afternoon, we will take short boat ride on the lake to spot some hippos and different aquatic birds while enjoying the beautiful sunset.
Overnight: Haile Resort-Awassa (Meal: B/L/D)
Early in the morning we will drive further south East to Dilla area the home of the world famous Yirgache Coffee Origin. Here will meet farmers and visit their coffee farms and document their day today activity around this magical cherry. We will witness the ritual around the coffee and complete Yirga Chefe Cofee Culture.
We will then drive back to Yirgalem with more visit to coffee farms and the beautiful landscapes.
Overnight: Aregash Lodge-Yirgalem. (Meal: B/L/D)
We will have one more early morning visit to coffee farm near by. After breakfast we will drive to Arbaminch another beautiful town in the Rift Valley. While driving from Yirgalem to Arbaminch we will visit different villages.
When we approach Arbminch town we will make a detour and drive north to mountain village of Chencha located on the South Western escarpment of the Great Rift Valley running north south all the way to Mozambique. This is the home of the Dorze people. The Dorze people, once famous warriors in the region, they are now renowned cotton weavers whose tall beehive shaped and bamboo woven dwellings are among the most distinctive structures to be seen anywhere in Africa.
Our visit to this village and the unique cultural experience is a nice way to get slowly to the authentic tribal experience wait for us deep in the Omo Valley. As the sun goes down, we will drive back to Arba Minch enjoying the beautiful view with the sunset and drive through hundreds and hundreds of cattle herds here and there as they come back from day long grazing in the field.
Overnight: Haile Resort-Arbaminch. (Meal: B/L/D)
In the morning, we will continue driving further to the Omo Valley. Driving from Arbaminch to Turmi, noting prepares you for the exciting experience awaiting you as we will be driving through many tribal villages and small towns including the Tsemay and Konso. At Konso we will have a brief stop at Konso, one of Ethiopia’s UNESCO World Heritage site. The Konso are famous for their old and unique terracing and unusual engraved wooden statues of Konso grave markers.
Our last destination today is Turmi, home to the beautiful Nomadic Hamer Tribe living on side of Keske River. In the afternoon, we will visit Hamer Village as the Hammer bring their cattle back home, we will get a good chance to get some great shots.
Overnight – Buska Lodge-Arbaminch. (Meal: B/L/D)
In the cool morning, we will drive to Omorate to visit the Desanech (Geleb) tribal village after crossing the Omo River by boat. The Desanech are nomadic pastoralists found across the western bank of the Omo River south of Lake Turkana very close to the Kenyan boarder.
In the afternoon, we will drive to Hamer Village. The Hamer, display an elaborate and diverse selection of body decorations. They are also identifiable for their high cheekbones, elaborate custom of beads, cowries and leather, and thick copper necklaces. At the same village we will enjoy the seasonal cultural activities including the famous Evangadi (Hamer Dancing).
Overnight: Buska Lodge. (Meal: B/L/D)
Early in the morning we will drive to Erbore Village. These are small number of nomadic pastoralists who lives near Chew Bahir (Salt Lake) in a low, hot and flat land in four small villages. The Erbore, which means “land of the bull’ are famous for their unique cultural activities including their decorations, bids, body paintings on their elegant face. They are truly one of the most attractive tribes of the Omo Valley.
After visiting the Erbore Tribe, we will drive to Jinka en-route visiting the Key Afer weekly market. Every Thursday, the Hamer, Ari, Bena and Tsemay tribes come together to this weekly market to sell, buy and barter different goods and daily items.
Soon after our visit to the market, we will drive to Jinka.
Overnight: Eco Omo Lodge. (Meal: B/L/D)
Early in the morning we will drive from Jinka to Mursi Village to get to their village before the sunrise. The Mursi, undoubtedly the most celebrated residents of South Omo are distinctive group of pastoralists. The Mursi are best known for their unique item of decoration, lip plates. Women of Mursi wear circular clay plate on their lower lip and the bigger a women can wear, the greater her value when she get married.
After visiting the Mursi village, we will drive back to our hotel for breakfast. We will then take a flight to Addis Ababa. The rest of the day city tour of Addis Abeba. In the evening there will be farewell dinner with live music and Ethiopian dishes. After farewell dinner transfer to Addis Ababa airport for the flight back.
End of tour.
