Discover the abundant birdlife and wildlife in the picturesque Rift Valley region.
Introducing Discovering the Hidden Realms
Ethiopia's Tribal Odyssey and Pristine Wilderness
An extraordinary expedition through Ethiopia's captivating landscapes and delve into the rich tapestry of tribal cultures that have remained untouched by time. From the bustling streets of Addis Ababa to the serene shores of Lake Chamo, this journey will unveil the secrets of the Rift Valley Lakes, where diverse birdlife and wildlife flourish.
Venture deep into the South Omo Valley, where encounters with the highly adorned Hamer and famous Mursi tribes will leave you in awe of their ancient traditions, including the mesmerizing lip plates worn by Mursi women. As you traverse the rugged terrains of Omo National Park and witness the extraordinary body paintings of the Kara tribe, prepare to be immersed in a world where nature and humanity intertwine harmoniously.
Unveil the hidden realms of Ethiopia as you wander through Suri villages and traverse the coffee plantations of Jimma, before bidding farewell to this remarkable journey. Join us as we uncover the captivating beauty and cultural richness of Ethiopia's tribal odyssey and pristine wilderness.
Destination Highlights
Highlighted Destinations
Engage with the unique cultural diversity of Ethiopia's indigenous tribes, from the Hamer and Mursi to the Suri and Kara.
Experience the renowned Mursi tribe and witness their fascinating lip plates, symbolizing beauty and identity.
Immerse yourself in the adorned Hamer villages, known for their intricate braided hairstyles, copper jewelry, and vibrant costumes.
Explore the pristine wilderness and diverse ecosystems of the Omo National Park, home to rich flora and fauna.
Unveil the hidden realms of Ethiopia as you wander through Suri villages
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 ARBA MINCH & VISIT DORZE VILLAGE
- A short domestic flight takes you to the famous lakeside town of Arba Minch where you will meet your vehicle waiting at the airport.
- Then you drive 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.
- Return to Arba Minch. 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 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 & DRIVE TO OMO NATIONAL PARK
- 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: EXPLORE KARA TRIBE & DRIVE TO OMO NATIONAL PARK
- 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.
- Leaving Korcho, we drive through the jungle and enter Omo National Park. There are no roads as such but we should arrive at the Park headquarters by late afternoon, in time for a short game drive. Overnight in Omo National Park Camping
DAY 7: EXPLORE SURI TRIBE IN KIBISH
- We continue on rough roads through the forest and open savanna land to Kibish.
- Passing through small villages of Suri, you will finally arrive in Kibish, where you will be camping for the next two nights.
- Overnight in Kibish Camping
DAY 8 & 9: INTERACT WITH SURI TRIBE IN KIBISH
- Spending our next two days here will give us ample opportunities to explore a little more of this region in some depth. The Suri are pastoralists, placing much value on their cattle, which they protect vigorously against theft from neighboring tribes. The Surma, however, also steal livestock from their enemies, and in recent times there has been more pressure on their grazing lands due to input from people from adjacent Sudan who have been displaced by civil war, resulting in not-infrequent fighting in the area.
- We will take a break from the vehicles today and do some exploring on foot amongst the nearby Surma villages.
- Overnight in Kibish Camping
DAY 10: DRIVE TO MIZAN
- This morning is an exciting full-day drive to Mizan Teferi. You will have the afternoon to explore the local market at Mizan.
- Overnight in Mizan Teferi
DAY 11: DRIVE TO JIMMA
- This morning is an exciting full-day drive to Jimma. This route takes us through a landscape, much of which is dominated by coffee plantations.
- Jimma, the largest city in southwestern Ethiopia and inhabited by Oromo, Kefecho, and Kulo people, is our destination for the evening. It used to be the capital of the former Kaffa Province, and it is this region which is recognized as the home of the Coffee arabica, or coffee.
- Overnight in Jimma
DAY 12: FLY TO ADDIS ABABA & DEPARTURE
- After an enjoyable breakfast, you transfer to Jimma airport for your flight to Addis Ababa. You have the afternoon at leisure and possible to do shopping in the city.
- Overnight in Addis Ababa
DAY 13: 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.
How Can We Help You Create an Extraordinary Ethiopian Adventure?
At Sawla Tours, we are passionate about turning your travel dreams into reality. With years of hands-on experience in crafting unforgettable journeys to Ethiopia, we are your go-to experts in deciding when to travel, where to explore, and what to discover.
Whether you have a detailed itinerary in mind, seek professional advice, or simply don't know where to begin, we're eager to assist. Reach out to us today, and together, we'll create an extraordinary travel experience tailored just for you.
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