This tour is designed to give you true insights into what Southern Ethiopia is like. Culturally and geographically diverse, and sharing little in common with Ethiopia’s northern regions, the Omo Valley feels like a world of its own. The southwestern area is home to one of the most colorful and varied cultural mosaics in the world, inhabited by nearly sixteen different peoples, each with their own cultures, lifestyles, and beliefs.
Accompanied by one of our experienced Bale Trek Ethiopia Tours experts available in English, French, and German you will explore the castellated settlements of the Konso people and meet their king, encounter the skilled weavers of the Dorze ethnic group, and wander through picturesque villages. The journey begins with a boat ride on Lake Chamo, where you can admire the magnificent giant crocodiles and a variety of water birds in their natural habitat. You will also visit the village of the famous Hamar tribe near Turmi, known for their fine pottery and remarkable hairstyles. The women are striking, adorned with colorful beaded goat skins, ornate necklaces, and metal bangles around their wrists and ankles, reflecting the wealth and prestige of their husbands.
DAY 1: Fly to Arbaminch and Visit the Dorze Tribe
you will fly to Arbaminch, located in southern Ethiopia, a region noted for its immense cultural variety. Upon arrival, you will meet your guide and driver before transferring to your accommodation. In the afternoon, you will take a short drive to visit the Dorze tribe, who live in the Guge Mountains. The Dorze are renowned for their cotton weaving techniques and distinctive beehive-shaped houses made entirely from organic materials. In their village, you can explore their unique huts, observe their weaving skills, and learn about their way of life and traditions. Overnight stay will be in Arbaminch at one of the best hotels.
DAY 2: Arbaminch to Turmi – Visit Konso and Hamar Tribe
Morning after breakfast, drive to Turmi, a small town and central hub for visiting the Omo Valley tribes. En route, stop at Konso and visit their village. The Konso tribe is famous for their agricultural terracing method and wooden totems that honor the dead. The Konso villages are a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to their cultural significance. The villages are surrounded by high stone walls and consist of separate compounds.
After lunch, continue further south through acacia forest to Turmi. Visit the village of the famous Hamar tribe, located close to Turmi. They are known for their fine pottery and remarkable hairstyles. The women are striking, wearing colorful beaded goat skins, ornate necklaces, and metal bangles around their wrists and ankles. These decorations indicate the wealth and prestige of a woman’s husband.
Overnight: Turmi at one of the best lodges.
DAY 3: Drive to Omorate – Visit Dassenech Tribe
In the morning, will drive to Omorate to visit the Dassenech tribe. The road takes you along 75 kilometers of paved path to Omorate, a settlement on the Omo River near the Kenyan border. Crossing the river by local boat, you will walk into one of the Dassenech villages. This semi-nomadic tribe, whose clans extend across Sudan, Kenya, and southern Ethiopia, are known for their unique and ornate hairstyles. The Dassenech live by growing crops and fishing.
After the visit, you will return to Turmi and continue to Jinka. On the way, you will stop to explore the village of the Ari people, who live in lush surroundings near Jinka. The Ari cultivate coffee and fruits for both trade and self-sufficiency, and their villages, shaded by banana, mango, and avocado trees, are considered some of the most beautiful in the country. Overnight stay will be in Jinka at one of the best hotels.
DAY 4: Discover the Mursi Tribe – Fly Back to Addis Ababa
begins with a drive through Mago National Park to visit one of the villages of the Mursi tribe. The Mursi are among the most well known tribes of the Omo Valley, famous for the women who wear clay lip plates and the men who take part in stick-fighting rituals known as Donga. They are believed to be one of the last tribes in Africa where such traditions are still the norm. After the visit, you will return to Jinka and transfer to Jinka Bako Airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa, arriving in the afternoon.