13 DAYS OMO VALLEY, HARAR AND BALE MOUNTAINS
Day 1: Flight to Arbaminch
We shall depart Addis Ababa for Arbaminch which is about 550 Kilometers south of the Ethiopian Capital. We shall go by flight. The Name Arbaminch means ‘forty springs’. These springs surround the whole town. We shall take a boat trip on arrival to the town on the Lake Chamo to have acloser look on the large herds of Hippos, the numerous birdlife and the crocodiles on the shores of this lake.
Overnight Tourist Hotel.
Day 2: Drive to Turmi
We shall have breakfast and then drive toTurmi. In Turmi we shall interact with the Hamer people. This group of people is known for the act of scarring of their bodies. They use clay to shape their hair. They also have a very interesting practice of “bull-jumping”. During this practice, all young male adults have to successfully go through with the activity to be deemed fit for marriage. The area is also known for the Alduba market that happens every Tuesday and its the biggest in the area. The market is a chance to see the Hammar, Benna and the Tsemay people all in one place.
Overnight Emerald Lodge
Day 3: Excursion to Omorate and Karo
After our breakfast we shall head to Omorate to have an interation with the Dassanatch people. The villages of these people are located on the river banks of the Omo river. In the mid morning we shall drive back to Turmi for our lunch. In the afternoon we shall then had to the villages of Karo. Here we shall interact with the Kara people. The Kara people are known the body painting that are so elaborate. They are cattle keepers and that’s why they stay around the Omo river to ensure they have enough water for their animals. In the evening w shall drive back to Turmi for our dinner and overnight.
Overnight Emerald Lodge.
Day 4: Visit Mursi Village
We shall have an early morning breakfast and leave Turmi for the Jinka. The drive is its self an adventure as you will interact with the Mursi people whose women wear lip plates and adore this practice. They wear the geometrical lip plates on the lower lips. Our drive will end into the heart of the Mago National park.
Overnight NASA Hotel.
Day 5: Visit Konso Village
In the morning after our breakfast we shall drive to the Hills of Konso via the Tsemay lands. If you are travelling on a Thursday you will have a chance to see the Afar market that is very fascinating and colourful. The Ari people are the other thing to be looking forward to. They are known of their agricultural products. We shall visit the terraced hills of Konso on arrival here. We shall then go to the compound o the chief of this area and see the art pieces there. The area is well known for the way they terrace their lands and this will fascinate you.
Overnight Korebta Lodge.
Day 6: Drive to Dorze Village
Today morning after our breakfast we shall drive to the land of the Dorze. They are known for their Elephant shape like houses made of Bamboo. They have very fertile lands that facilitate the growth of false bananas. They are part of the Omotic tribes of south western Ethiopia. The mainly occupy the Guge mountains and occupy about 9 villages in this area. They have a lot art and crafts that you can buy and take as souvenirs. They have a very strong background in farming.
Overnight Tourist Hotel.
Day 7: Drive to Ziway
Today we have our breakfast and leave the Dorze lands and drive to the Ziway area. We shall go through the fertile lands of Wolaytasodo. When we arrive in Ziway, we shall go to the shores of the Ziway lake depending on the time we arrive to see the large flocks of great white Pelicans, the marabou storks and many other water birds.
Overnight Haile Resort.
Day 8: Drive to Awash National Park
We shall drive to Awash National park today. When we get there, we shall go to the Awash River where we shall be greeted by the magnificent waterfalls here. There is a lot of bird in this national park due to the thorny bushes here. The other animals you expect to see here include Colobus Monkey, BeisaOryx, Soemmering’s Gazelle, Black-backed Jackal, Warthog, Hamadriyas Baboon, the Anubis Baboon, Lesser Kudu and Salt’s Dikdik. We shallt hen drive to our lodge for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Doho Lodge.
Day 9. Drive to Harar
Today we drive to Harar after our breakfast and we shall make a stopover at Awodai which is the largest Khat Market in Ethiopia.In the afternoon we shall go visit the hyena feeding man. This practice has been there for ages to control the hyenas from hunting and probably eating domestic animals and harming humans. You will also have a chance to feed the hyenas as well.
Overnight: RasHotel.
Day 10. Harar City Tour Then Fly To Addis
Today we shall have a late breakfast and then head out to explore the city of Harar that is walled with 16th Century type of walls. The city is very important in the history of the Islamic religion in the country. There are museums and markets for you to explore here. There are Hararie local houses you can explore as well. Later in the afternoon we shall drive to Dire Dawa for our flight to Addis Ababa. Our representative will pick you up and drive you to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Overnight Hotel Lobelia.
Day 11. Flight to Bale Mountains
We shall then flight to Goba after our breakfast. When we arrive in Goba, one of our team members who will drive you to Dinsho which is the netry spot to the Bale Mountains. You will hike to the top of this mountain as you explore the scenery and wildlife of the area. Some of the animals you will not miss will include the warthog, mountain nyala, Menelik’s bushbuck, and Bohor reedbuck.
Overnight WabeShabale Hotel.
Day 12. Excursion to Sanneti Plateau and Harenna Forest
We shall have breakfast and then drive to the Sanetti Plateau. We shall have a chance to see the Ethiopian wolf on a lucky day as it comes out to hunt in the morning. This plateau area is the best spot in the country to see this endemic wolf. There are winding roads on top of the plateau that will give you the best vies of the area as you summit o the top. The plateau is a very good breeding spot for rodents and many other kinds of rats. On our hike, we shall make a brief stop at the Tulu Dimtu which is also referred to as the “Red Mountain”. This is the highest mountain around this area and it stands at 4,377 meters above sea level. There is a very tiny village at the base of this escarpment that you will explore as well. The whole round trip will last about 2 hours and will include a break for eats and refreshments. Keep alert and watch out for the black-and-white colobus monkey and the Bale monkey.
Overnight WabeShabale Hotel.
Day 13. Fly Back to Addis
We shall have breakfast and then drive to the Goba Airport for our flight back to Addis Ababa. We shall be welcomed by our guide and if time allows you can take a city tour mostly to the National museum, the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie and the remains of Lucy. We shall have a farewell dinner with a special Ethiopian Cuisine. You will have a chance to be entertained by the local musicians before your final drive to the airport.
