1

07:00

Addis Abeba

Drive

Depart from Addis Ababa to Jimma via Weliso, which is home to the Gurage tribe, known as “the hardest working people in Ethiopia”.  On the way you will pass through beautiful landscapes as you drive through the Gibe River Valley. 

Overnight in Jimma at Central Jimma Hotel/Honeyland Hotel.

2

08:30

Jima

 Drive

Continue your drive to Mizan Tefari via Bonga.  Bonga is in the ancient Kingdom of Kaffa, the birthplace of coffee.  You will have an opportunity to visit a traditional Kaffa house and learn about the culture of the Kaffa people.  You will also pass through the Belete Forest, where you can visit the Colobus monkeys

Breakfast

Overnight in Mizan Tefari at local hotel.

3

08:00

Mizan Tefari

 Drive

Depart from Mizan Tefari to Kibish.  On the way, visit the Bebeka coffee plantation, where they cultivate organic coffee trees as well as rubber trees.  You can also learn about the coffee processing techniques. 

Breakfast

Overnight camping in Kibish.

4

07:00

Kibish

Drive

Today you will have a full day visiting the Surma tribe near the village of Kibish.  The Surma people are similar to the Mursi people.  The women are known for the clay plates inserted in their lower lips, which is a sign of beauty. 

Breakfast

Overnight camping in Kibish.

5

08:00

Kibish

Drive

Today, depart Kibish for Tum.  On the way, visit the Dizi tribe.  The Dizi people are hereditarily very short people who have beehive-like houses, similar to the Dorze. 

Breakfast

Overnight camping in Tum.

6

08;00

Tum

From Tum, take a day trip to Magi, where you will meet with the Dizi, Surma, Tishena, and perhaps the Nyangatom tribe.  If lucky, you will visit on market day (Saturday), which is a wonderful opportunity to meet and mingle with the local tribes.  Return to Tum

Overnight camping in Tum.

7

08:30

Tum

After breakfast, continue south toward the Omo National Park.  Tonight will overnight in the village of Adicas (camping).

Overnight in the village of Adicas (camping)

8

Adicas

From Adicas, enter the Omo National Park and proceed to the camp at Mui.  The Omo National Park is home to some of the last big game in Ethiopia, and you will take a game drive to hopefully see some of these large animals, including lions. 

Overnight camping in Mui.

9

Mui

After a morning game drive, depart south to Omorate.  Here you will cross the Omo River by local ferry. 

Overnight in Omorate (camping or basic hotel).

10

Omorate

In the morning, you will cross the Omo River by local boat and enter a Dassenech village for a visit.  Afterwards, return to Turmi (Monday is market day) for a visit to a local Hamer village.  If there is Jumping of the Bulls traditional Hamer coming-of-age ceremony, that will be visited. 

Overnight in Turmi at

a)     Buska Lodge

b)    Evangadi Lodge

c)     Camping at Keske Campsite.

11

Turmi

Early morning depart from Turmi to the village of Kangatan.  Here you will cross the Omo River and take a short walk through the local fields to visit a village of the Nyangatom tribe.  After the visit, return across the river and proceed to the Karo village of Korcho, with a stunning location looking over the Omo River.  The Karo people, while the smallest tribe of the Omo Valley in number, are also known to be the most decorated.  After the visit, return to Turmi for another opportunity to see Jumping of the Bulls. 

Overnight in Turmi at

a)     Buska Lodge

b)    Evangadi Lodge

c)     Camping at Keske Campsite.

12

Turmi

Depart for Jinka, via Dimeka and Key Afar.  Tuesdays and Saturdays are market days in Dimeka, which is one of the most colorful markets in the area and is visited by many tribes, including Hamer, Benna and Karo.  Afterwards, continue to Jinka.  .

Overnight in Jinka at

a)    Eco Omo Lodge

b)    Orit Hotel

c)     Goh Hotel

13

Jinka

In the morning, drive through the Mago National Park to a local village of the Mursi tribe.  The Mursi are known for their lower lip and earlobe plates.  In the afternoon, after returning to Jinka, you can visit the South Omo Museum & Research Center to learn more about the local tribes.  Alternatively, take a hike in the surrounding hills to visit a local Ari village. 

Overnight in Jinka at

a)    Eco Omo Lodge

b)    Orit Hotel

c)     Goh Hotel

14

Jinka

After breakfast, depart from Jinka to Konso, via Key Afar.  Thursday is market day in Key Afar, where you will see the Benna and Tsemai tribes trading goods.  This is another very popular market in the region.  After the visit, proceed to Konso (market days are Mondays and Thursdays). 

Overnight in Konso at

a)     Kanta Lodge (tukul)

b)    Kanta Lodge (standard room)

c)     Strawberry Fields Ecolodge.

15

Konso

The Konso people are known for their wooden statues, known as wakas, which are erected in honor of dead heroes as well as their innovative agricultural terracing.  Today you will have the opportunity to visit a local village and the cultural museum displaying many waka statues.  Time permitting, you can also visit the “natural New York Village”, named after the tall sand formations resembling skyscrapers.  After the visit, proceed to Arba Minch. 

Overnight in Arba Minch at

a)    Paradise Lodge

b)    Tourist Hotel

c)     Camping at Wabe Shabelle Hotel.

16

Arba Minch

Early in the morning, take a boat trip on Lake Chamo to visit the “crocodile market”, and the local hippos.  Afterwards, proceed driving to Dorze, set in the highlands above Arba Minch.  The Dorze people are known for their tall beehive-like houses and their fine cotton weaving.  You will visit the village and learn about the daily lives of these industrious people.  If today is market day (in Dorze village on Monday and Thursday and in nearby Chencha on Tuesday and Saturday), that will be visited. 

Overnight in Dorze in

traditional Dorze hut (shared toilet facilities)

or

return to Arba Minch for overnight at

a)     Paradise Lodge

b)    Tourist Hotel

c)     Camping at Wabe Shabelle Hotel.

17

Dorze

Or

Arba Minch

After breakfast, depart from Dorze or Arba Minch to Awassa.  On the way, visit the Senkelle Wildlife Sanctuary, established to protect the endemic Swayne’s hartebeest. 

Overnight in Awassa at

a)     Haile Resort

b)    Tadesse Enjory Hotel

c)     Pinna Hotel.

18

Awassa

In the morning after breakfast, visit the fish market on the shores of Lake Awassa.  Afterwards, proceed north to Lake Langano.  On the way you may stop in Wondo Genet, former Emperor Haile Selassie’s favorite weekend getaway spot.  Here you can take a shower in the therapeutic hot spring waters, swim in the pool and a short hike in the forest.  Proceed to Lake Langano for overnight

Overnight at Lake Langano at

a)     Bishangari Lodge

b)    Sabana Beach Resort

c)     Wenney Ecolodge

d)    Abule Bassumo Hotel.

19

Langano

After breakfast, depart north to Addis Ababa.  On the way, you may visit the Abiatta-Shala National Park.  Lake Shala, with its deep blue waters is the deepest lake in Ethiopia at 236m.  Lake Abiatta is a soda lake at which thousands of flamingos can be seen at various times of the year.

End of Tour.