Visit the unusual traditional tribes living in isolated regions of the Omo Valley, travelling off the beaten track to experience their unique ways of life.
Encounter the tribal Suri, Mursi, Hamer, Karo, Dasenech, Konso, Agnuak, Nuer, Ari, Benna, Dorze and other ethnic groups, witnessing their ancient customs and strange rituals firsthand. Enjoy people-watching at the bustling markets in remote villages and towns of southern Ethiopia gaining insight into local trade and culture. Along the way, admire the scenic Rift Valley lakes, rivers, dramatic Mago National Park and changing landscapes of Ethiopia.
A cultural exploration like none other in Africa!
Welcome to the Horn of Africa! Your guide is there to meet you at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport when you land in ancient Ethiopia. From the airport, you are transferred to your comfortable hotel in Addis Ababa, the busy capital of Ethiopia.
Spend the rest of the day relaxing at the hotel or exploring the historic city. Addis Ababa is the largest city in Ethiopia serving as one of the major diplomatic centres of Africa. Modern and ancient cultures flourish side-by-side in Addis, which is Africa's highest city. Located at an elevation 2 355m (7 726 ft) Addis Ababa is one of the highest capital cities in the world. Addis Ababa means "new flower" in Amharic and here you will find a mix of interesting cultural and historical sites. Highlights include the National Museum, Ethnological Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral, old colonial buildings and the Merkato, one of the largest open-air markets in Africa. Spend some time sightseeing and head up Mount Entoto to enjoy the views of the city and surrounds.
On day two we have breakfast in Addis and travel to the airport for our flight to Gambela.
After lunch, we visit the market in Gambela for a taste of local culture and commerce. Then we take a walk along the Baro River which splits to form the Jajjaba tributary at Gambale. Keep an eye out for birds along the Baro which flows across into Sudan where it merges with the White Nile. Watch the sunset along the river before retiring to our hotel for dinner and relaxation.
Today we set off for the nearby town of Itang where we visit a community of the Nilotic ethnic group known as the Nuer people.
The Nuer people are pastoralists who keep cattle and supplement their livelihoods by fishing. They are also known as Nei Ti Naath, which means the "original people or human beings". The Nuer live mostly in South Sudan with small populations in southwestern Ethiopia.
This afternoon we visit the Luo Nilotic ethnic group of the Anuak, also known as the Anyuak by neighbouring tribes, or the name which they give themselves, Anywaa, which means 'to share'. The distinctive Anuak are a marginalised indigenous group found scattered along the rivers of southeastern Sudan and southwestern Ethiopia. Their ancestral lands lie in the fertile region of Gambella where they practice subsistence farming, fishing, hunting and limited gold mining.
This morning, we drive to the oldest and largest coffee farm in Ethiopia, the Bebeka Coffee Plantation. After exploring this lush coffee estate by 4x4 vehicle we visit the Maji people, driving through the green rolling hills via Tepi Tea Plantation. Also called the Dizi, the ancient Maji are a shrinking tribe of Omotic-speaking Ethiopians.
Day five kicks off with a short visit to the rubber plantations around Bebeka. Then we drive further south to Kibish, passing through Tulgit en route. The small village of Tulgit is home to the Surma tribes, incorporating Suri, Mursi and Mekan people. The Surma are best-known for the ornate lip disks traditionally worn by women. Our drive to the remote area of Kibish takes us across the Akobo River on the western side of the Omo River. This region is undeveloped and largely unchanged by western influences.
We spend the whole of day six with the Suri of the Kibish region. In this semi-nomadic tribe, cattle is highly valued serving as a measure of wealth.
A young man pays dowry in cattle for his bride. The number of cattle required for dowry is determined by the size of the young woman's lip disk. Upon reaching puberty a Suri girl has her lower teeth knocked out and a wooden plug inserted into her lower lip. The lower lip is then stretched by inserting increasingly larger lip plates. The larger the lip plate of the bride-to-be the more dowry her family can fetch.
Suri men are taught cattle herding and stick fighting, a practice which continues despite being officially banned. Suri and Mursi warriors still fight one another at stick fighting events which also serve as social events for meeting women. The Suri also practice body scarification and ceremonial rituals include drinking cattle blood and painting their bodies with white clay.
On day seven we travel back to Bebeka and on to Mizan Teferi, the largest town in the Bench Maji Zone.
Along the way, we stop in Bebeka to see how the local coffee is prepared for export - from the nursery to the packaging and transport of the coffee.
Today we encounter the Oromo people and visit a chat farm where this mild stimulant is cultivated. Also known as khat or qat, chat is a controversial stimulant widely used in Ethiopia and Kenya where it remains legal. The Oromo are one of the largest ethnic groups in Ethiopia and are mostly Muslim with a minority still holding to traditional religious beliefs.
Our destination for the day is Jimma, the former capital of the was the capital of the then Kaffa Province. The largest city in western Ethiopia, Jimma is a bustling centre with big markets and universities.
Travelling further south today we make our way to Arba Minch. Our journey takes us via the Gojeb River, where we pause to look for hippos, and Wolaita Sodo.
We stop in Wolaita Sodo to visit the Omotic people of Wolita, also called Wolayta. The Wolayta are known for their cultivation of Enset (false bananas) and their strong influence on Ethiopian culture and cuisine.
After breakfast this morning we are off to the well-known market in Key Afar, located between Weyto and Jinka. This is one of the biggest and best markets in the Omo Valley attracting diverse ethnic groups. At this bustling multi-cultural market, we encounter the Ari, Banna, Hamer and Tsemai tribes selling, trading and buying goods.
After people-watching at the market, we travel on to Jinka which is located in the hills fringing the Tama Plains.
On day 11, we take a trip to Mago National Park. Mago National Park is about 2162 km² in size and incorporates grassland, wetland, riverine forest, acacia woodland and scrub habitats. The national park is home to various mammals and rich birdlife, but the main attraction is the Mursi villages along Mago River. We drive through the park, enjoying the beautiful dramatic scenery en route to the Mursi. Then we spend some time with the Mursi people to experience their traditional ways, including the practice of inserting lip plates into the lower lips of young women, as the Suri tribe does.
After visiting the Mursi tribe in Mago Park we return to Jinka. This afternoon we go to the Cultural Museum of the People of the Lower Omo Valley on a hilltop overlooking Jinka. This small museum houses an interesting collection of displays that offer insight into the Omo Valley tribes and their customs.
This morning we continue travelling south, first to Dimeka and then Turmi. In Dimeka we stop in at the local market to experience the trade and bustle of the Hamar (also called Hamer) and Benna people. Then we drive to the small market town of Turmi, fringes by Hamer villages.
This evening after dinner at the lodge we drive to one of the villages surrounding Turmi for a Hamer cultural experience. The main event of our visit is witnessing the traditional dancing of the Hamer, known as the Evangadi Dance or Hamer night dance.
Start the day with breakfast at the lodge in Turmi before heading out to Omorate where we visit the Dasenech people. Arriving in the small town of Omorate (also called Kelem) we cross the Omo River to reach the Dassanach village on the opposite bank. The Dassanach are semi-nomadic people who move their livestock (cattle and goats) in search of grazing. The live in temporary dome-shaped huts and grow crops on a small scale on a seasonal basis. This ethnic group is known for its custom of body scarification and circumcision is carried out on both sexes. The Dassanach (also spelt Dassanech) men are traditionally fierce warriors, feared by neighbouring tribes, but this unique tribe is open to immigrants willing to adhere to their customs and traditions.
After visiting the Dassanech we stop for a picnic lunch at Murulle and continue to Korcho village. Here we spend time with the Karo people. The Karo also practice body scarification. Male scarification serves to show that an enemy or wild animal has been killed, while female scarification is purely ornamental. The Karo grow sorghum, maize and beans. They practice polygamy and wear interesting traditional dress, including beads, headdresses and white body paint. From Korcho we drive back to our lodge in Turmi.
We get an early start today, hitting the road north to Arba Minch.
Along the way, we stop at Lake Chamo for a boat trip. One of the biggest Rift Valley lakes in Ethiopia, Chamo is home to thousands of Nile crocodiles and abundant birdlife. Our boat ride takes us to a spot where the massive Nile crocodiles of Lake Chamo congregate, known as the Crocodile Market. Also, keep an eye out for various water birds and hippos on the boat trip, as well as local fishermen out on the lake. From Lake Chamo we proceed to the city of Arba Minch, flanked by lakes and mountains.
Next, we continue driving north to Lake Langano, via a Dorze village and other scenic Rift Valley lakes such as Abaya and Awassa. We stop to visit the friendly Omo Valley tribe of the Dorze and see their unique traditional huts. These tall beehive huts are shaped like elephants and made from enset (false banana) leaves and bamboo. Our village visit gives you an opportunity to observe the daily lives of the Dorze. Once a warrior tribe, today the Dorze are best known for their cotton weaving and beehive huts.
Arriving at freshwater Lake Langano you can take a refreshing dip after our day on the road.
On the final day of our Cultural Ethiopia Tour, we drive back to Addis Ababa where our journey began.
After lunch in Addis, we embark on a short tour of the city. Highlights include the National Archeological Museum and the vibrant Merkato. This evening, we celebrate our travel together with a farewell dinner at one of the best traditional restaurants in Addis Ababa. Enjoy sampling a variety of tasty Ethiopian dishes and watching traditional folk dances. After dinner, you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight bringing our fascinating Ethiopian experience to a finish.
This tour does not take children.
All Ethiopia Tours | All Lodge Safari trips
1. Kibish
2. Langano Lake, Ethiopia
3. Mago National Park, Ethiopia
This cultural and historical Best of Ethiopia Tour (lodge safari) visits the Omo Valley Tribes and Lake Tana, Gondor, Lalibela & Simien Mountains National Park
More on this 14 Day Budget Lodge Safari
Starting and ending in Addis Ababa, explore the diverse African cultures of the unique Omo Valley Tribes in Southern Ethiopia - a rare, thrilling and intriguing cultural experience!
More on this 11 Day Budget Lodge Safari
A budget-friendly Ethiopia Tour combining authentic cultural & wildlife highlights. Explore Ethiopia's national parks, visiting untouched wilderness areas where rare and endemic wildlife species roam. Meet the unusual tribes of Omo Valley, encountering ancient African traditions and unique customs. A unique and remarkable Ethiopian journey!
More on this 14 Day Budget Lodge Safari
A unique 4x4 Ethiopia Tour to Danakil Depression in the remote Afar Triangle. Explore the harsh beauty of Erta Ale volcano, Lake Afdera & Awash National Park
More on this 6 Day Budget Lodge Safari
A unique Ethiopia Tour flying from Addis Ababa to northern Ethiopia's cultural and historical sites: Lake Tana, Gondar & Lalibela, staying in comfortable lodges
More on this 6 Day Budget Lodge Safari
Our team has the destination knowledge to help you plan an unforgettable African adventure. We're based in Cape Town and ready to help.
We can also plan you an affordable private group or tailor-made tour. We built our business on turning luxury travel into affordable travel.
