Private Tour in Omo Valley

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Discovering Addis Ababa⌄

   Mercato is the largest open-air market in Africa, covering several square kilometres and employing around 13,000 people in 7,100 commercial entities divided into organised zones (agricultural products, incense, coffee, spices, jewellery, basketry, pottery, leather goods, metal products, etc.).

   The museum is divided into three sections. In the basement, the palaeontological exhibition contains many valuable local archaeological finds, such as the fossilised remains of the first hominids, the most famous of which is ‘Lucy’. The collection is ranked as one of the most important in sub-Saharan Africa. On the ground floor, artefacts from the Aksumite, Pre-Aksumite, Salomonic and Goderian periods are on display. On the first floor, there is a lively display of Ethiopian art ranging from early 14th-century scrolls to 20th-century oil-on-canvas paintings.

   Commissioned by Emperor Menelik II to commemorate his stunning 1896 defeat of the Italians in Adwa, and dedicated to St George (Ethiopia’s patron saint), whose icon was carried into the battle, this Piazza cathedral is one of Addis' most beautiful churches. The grey stone exterior is easily outdone by the interior’s flashes of colour and art. Sections of ceiling glow sky-blue and boast gilded stars, while the outer walls of the innermost shrine are covered in paintings and mosaics by the renowned Afewerk Tekle.

   Situated at an altitude of 3,200 metres, Entoto Nature Park was the site of the permanent camp and palace of the former emperor Minilik II. From the summit, there is a panoramic view of the capital and the surrounding countryside. The mountain is densely covered with eucalyptus trees imported from Australia during the reign of Menelik II and planted mainly during the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie. As a result, it is sometimes referred to as the ‘lung of Addis Ababa’.

   The Shiro Meda market (also spelt ‘Chiromeda’) sells Ethiopian textiles in all their forms, from Ethiopian wedding dresses to various types of clothing, sheets and fabrics.

   Located in the Piazza district, Tomoca is Ethiopia's oldest café (since 1953).

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Overnight in Addis Ababa

2. 2Addis Ababa to Awassa⌄

   National Park located in Oromo Valley where Great White Pelicans, Storks, neon pink Flamingos, Egrets and Herons are often found in the park. You will also see Ostrich in the forests en route to the lakes !

   In 1948, Emperor Haile Selassie offered 500 acres of land in Shashamane as a gift to the people of African descent, particularly the African Americans who had supported the Ethiopian cause during the Italian invasion of 1935-41. The first Rastafarian arrived in Ethiopia in 1964, but it wasn't until after the fall of Ethiopia's Derg regime in 1991 that Rastafarians began to arrive in Shashamane in significant numbers.

   Wildlife highlights along the shore of Lake Awassa include great white pelican, African pygmy goose, white-backed duck, hippo and African fish eagle, as well as common birds such as white-faced whistling-duck, spur-winged lapwing and hamerkop.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Overnight in Awassa

3. 3Awassa to Dorze Village⌄

   The Dorze tribe consists of about 28,000 individuals and is one of the smallest ethnic groups in Ethiopia. They primarily live in the southern parts of the country, though some have migrated to Addis Ababa and other regions. Many reside in villages near the cities of Chencha and Arba Minch. The elegant but somehow oddly elephant-shaped Dorze house remains a major draw, with two air-holes at the top to resemble eyes. They are constructed entirely from natural materials, such as strips of bamboo or leaves from the etete tree. Swinging in the trees a range of endemic monkeys can be found, such as the friendly Colobus monkey, although these are seldom spotted. Most of the wildlife at Abijatta-Shalla is of the bird variety!

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Overnight in Dorze Village

4. 4Dorze Village to Konso Village⌄

   Konso is an arid property of stone walled terraces and fortified settlements in the Konso highlands of Ethiopia. It constitutes a spectacular example of a living cultural tradition stretching back 21 generations (more than 400 years) adapted to its dry hostile environment.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Overnight in Konso Village

5. 5Konso Village to Turmi⌄

   En route to Turmi, visit the Benna and Ari people.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Overnight in Turmi

6. 6Turmi to Jinka⌄

   Drive to Jinka visiting various peoples such as the Gamo and Derashe. Stop at Key Afar's weekly market (if on a Thursday) and wander among the various tribes such as the Benna and Ari that have gathered to barter their goods. ​​

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Overnight in Jinka

7. 7Jinka to Arba Minch⌄

   Take a boat trip on Lake Chamo and view some of the largest crocodiles in the world sunning on the banks of the lake. Hippopotami and birdlife are also abundant.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Overnight in Arba Minch

8. 8Return to Addis Ababa⌄

   Flight back to Addis Ababa

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Overnight in Addis Ababa