Omo Valley Safari

Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Awassa

Departing Addis Ababa we head South via Butajira.
We take in a few archaeological sites along the way, including Tiya (ancient stelae field a "UNESCO" World Heritage Site), Adadi Maryam (a rock church similar to Lalibela) and Melka Kunture (pre-historic tool-making site).
Awassa is our final stop of the day.
Overnight in Awassa at Haile Resort/Tadesse Enjory Hotel/Pinna Hotel.

Day 2: Dorze

After breakfast, we visit Lake Awassa and the fish market.
From Lake Awassa we drive to Dorze (set in the highlands above the town of Arba Minch).
The people of Dorze are renowned for their beehive-like houses and their fine cotton weaving.
A village tour is on the cards and a visit to the local market (should it be open).
Overnight in Dorze in traditional Dorze hut (shared toilet facilities) or continue to Arba Minch for overnight at Paradise Lodge/Tourist Hotel/camping at Wabe Shabelle Hotel.

Day 3: Lake Chamo

Breakfast and a short walk around we head off for the town of Arba Minch.
An afternoon boat trip on Lake Chamo and a visit to the "Crocodile Market" is on the cards.
Overnight in Arba Minch at Paradise Lodge/Tourist Hotel/camping at Wabe Shabelle Hotel.

Day 4: Turmi

Depart from Arba Minch after breakfast we head for the town of Turmi (arriving in the afternoon).
Along the way, we stop in the village of Weyto (home to the Tsemai tribe).
Continuing on from Weyto we head through the Weyto Valley to Erbore for a brief photography stop.
Finally, we arrive at Turmi, home of the Hamer tribe.
Traditional night dancing of the Hamer tribe is a must for all.
Overnight in Turmi at Buska Lodge/Evangadi Lodge/camping at Keske Campsite.

Day 5: Turmi

A morning trip to visit the Dassenech tribe in the town of Omorate.
From Omorate we cross the Omo River (by boat) and enter a Dassenech village.
Returning to Turmi in the afternoon, a chance to visit the local Hamer village is on the cards.
If there is Jumping of the Bulls traditional Hamer coming-of-age ceremony, that will be visited.
Overnight in Turmi at Buska Lodge/Evangadi Lodge/camping at Keske Campsite.

Day 6: Jinka

Departing for the Jinka area we travel through the towns of Dimeka and Key Afar.
Dimeka offers one of the most colourful markets in the area and is visited by many tribes, including Hamer, Benna and Karo.
Overnight in Jinka at Eco Omo Lodge/Orit Hotel/Goh Hotel.

Day 7: Jinka

A morning drive through the Mago National Park awaits and onto a village of the Mursi tribe.
The Mursi people are known for their lower lip and earlobe plates.
Returning to Jinka in the afternoon.
We visit the South Omo Museum & Research Center to learn more about the local tribes.
Or alternatively, hike in the surrounding hills to visit a local Ari village.
Overnight in Jinka at Eco Omo Lodge/Orit Hotel/Goh Hotel.

Day 8: Konso

After breakfast, we leave Jinka behind and head for to the town of Konso.
Along the way, we stop off in Key Afar where we witness the Benna and Tsemai tribes trading goods.
Arriving in Konso in the afternoon.
Konso people are well known for their wooden statues (wakas), which are erected in honour of dead heroes.
Konso people are also interestingly known for their innovative agricultural terracing.
Time permitting, you can also visit the “natural New York Village”, named after the tall sand formations resembling skyscrapers.
Overnight in Konso at Kanta Lodge (tukul)/Kanta Lodge (standard room)/Strawberry Fields Ecolodge.

Day 9: Lake Langano

Lake Langano is our destination today.
En route, we stop off at the Senkele Wildlife Sanctuary (famed for its endemic Swayne’s Hartebeest).
Overnight at Lake Langano at Bishangari Lodge/Sabana Beach Resort/Wenney Ecolodge/Abule Bassumo Hotel.

Day 10: Addis Ababa - Safari Ends

A stunning morning swim in Lake Langano awaits before we head off for Addis Ababa.
On the way to Addis Ababa, there is the chance of stopping off at Abiatta-Shala National Park (time-dependent).
Abiatta-Shala National Park offers up two interesting lakes;
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.

Palace Of Haile Selassie

Haile Selassie, King of Kings, Lion of Judah, by the grace of God, Emperor of Ethiopia. Quite a mouthful of a title for a single man or, as the Rastafarians would have it, the son of God. So awe-inspiring are the adjectives that you would have expected him to live in a magnificent palace made of the finest Carrara marble or a granite stone castle in the tradition of Gondar.
Palace Of Haile Selassie
Visiting The Lalibela Rock Churches

Your correspondent has been travelling in Africa for over three decades. I feel that I know sub-Saharan Africa; its smells, its peoples, its geography and its wildlife. Ethiopia is different, as different as snow is to sand. So different that you could get a very sharp knife and detach it somewhere in the Red Sea because it is not similar to any of its Arab world neighbours either.
Visiting The Lalibela Rock Churches
Where To Travel In Ethiopia

New on Uyaphi.com is our Travel in Ethiopia portfolio featuring safaris and tours to this somewhat new African safari destination; we are very excited about Ethiopia and all that she has to offer. Think of Ethiopia as a more cultural safari destination than what one is used to in Africa.
Where To Travel In Ethiopia