Tribes of South Omo

Departure - ADD
Return - ADD
  • Duration 7 Days

Tour Plan

Isolated for millennia from the rest of the world, the beautiful Omo Valley is home to an exciting mix of many small and distinctive tribal groups. Amongst others, we find the Karo, the Mursi and the Hamer — all of whom have retained their own unique customs and traditions. Lifestyles are as varied as the tribes themselves. Lacking any material culture and artifacts common to other cultures, these tribes find unique ways in which to express their artistic impulses. Both the Surma and the Karo, for example, are experts at body painting, using clays and locally available vegetable pigments to trace fantastic patterns on each other’s faces, chests, arms, and legs. These designs are created purely for fun and aesthetic effect, each artist vying to outdo the others. You will witness age-old customs and rituals, learning of the symbolism that remains an integral part of everyday life.

You can book this tour on any date as an individual journey.

Day 1

Arrive Addis Ababa
Arrive in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Welcome to Ethiopia! Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you will met by your tour guide and driver and transferred to the 4-star Jupiter Hotel.

 

Addis Ababa, founded in 1886 by Menelik II, is situated at 2,500 meters (8000 ft.) above sea level. It is the 5th highest capital city in the world. The city enjoys an excellent climate year-round, with an average temperature of 25C (77F). 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”.

You have a half-day tour and visit the National Museum (to see “Lucy”), one of the churches in Addis Ababa, the Mercato, and enjoy the view from Entoto Mountain.

Overnight: Hotel Jupiter Bole

Day 2

Addis Ababa, Arbaminch, Tia Stele (B, D)
In the morning, we will drive south of Addis Ababa through Butajira and further south to Tiya, where you will see the southernmost example of a peculiar type of engraved, standing stele that stretches across parts of southern Ethiopia. These steles are believed to have been erected between the 12th and 14th centuries and are almost certainly grave markers. Recent excavations at Tiya have revealed the remains of young people of both sexes, aged between 18–30 and buried in fetal positions. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the stele field at Tiya today comprises more than 45 stones of up to 2m.

After lunch, we will continue driving to Arba Minch on the way visiting the different small villages of Welyita at Sodo and Alaba at Tembaro.

Overnight: Paradise Lodge

Day 3

Arbaminch, Jinka (B, Picnic Lunch, D)

After an early breakfast, we will drive to Jinka visiting different cultural peoples, including the Konso, and their villages en route. The Konso are famous for their old and unique terracing and unusual engraved wooden statues of Konso grave markers. Between Konso and Jinka, will also have brief stops to visit several different cultural peoples and their villages. Overnight: Omo Eco, Jinka

Day 4

Jinka, Mago, Mursi, Turmi (B, Picnic Lunch, D)

After having an early breakfast, we will drive from Jinka to Mursi Village. The Mursi, undoubtedly the most celebrated residents of South Omo, are a distinctive group of pastoralists. The Mursi are best known for their unique item of decoration — lip plates. Women of Mursi wear circular clay plates on their lower lip and the bigger a woman can wear, the greater her value when she gets married.  After we visit the Mursi Village, we will have our picnic lunch in the Mago National Park and drive to Turmi. Overnight: Buska Lodge

Day 5

Turmi, Omorate (B, Picnic Lunch, 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 border. In the afternoon, we will drive to Hamer Village. The Hamer displays an elaborate and diverse selection of body decorations. They are also identifiable for their high cheekbones and elaborate custom of beads, cowries, leather, and thick copper necklaces. In the same village, we might enjoy the seasonal cultural activities including the famous Evangadi (Hamer Dancing).  Overnight: Buska Lodge

Day 6

Turmi, Arba Minch (B, D)
In the morning, we will start driving back to Arba Minch with brief stops to visit different villages including Erbore and Tsemay.

In the afternoon, we will have a boat cruise on Lake Chamo to see some of the biggest African crocodiles. Hippopotamuses and many beautiful aquatic birds including the lovely Kingfisher and African Fish Eagle are also easily seen.

Overnight: Paradise Lodge Hotel, Arba Minch

Day 7

Arba Minch, Addis Ababa, Departure (B, D)

In the morning, we drive back to Addis Ababa en route visiting different small towns like Shashemene, where Rastafarian culture lives; Ziway and one of the Great Rift Valley Lakes.

In the evening, there will be a farewell dinner party with a traditional special buffet and local drinks. There will also be a cultural dance show of the different ethnic groups living in the country — the perfect way to end the trip!

At the end of the farewell dinner, transfer to Addis Ababa airport for the flight back home. End of tour.

Your tour guide will keep the tour flexible in order to include different colorful markets, depending on the dates.

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

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