The Tribes of Ethiopia and the Rift Valley

13 days from £3890 per person

Head shot of Hamar tribesman with painted face decoration and wearing colourful beads and feather headdress

Located at the southern reaches of the Rift Valley in Ethiopia, the Omo is an area renowned for the diversity of its peoples and the significant range of different cultures. This itinerary introduces the traveller to the people of this remote region, an ancient crossroads of trade routes which ultimately led to the migration, and subsequent settlement, of various ethnic groups. Starting in the capital Addis Ababa, the tour descends past the lakes of the lush Rift Valley to the Lower Omo Valley to meet the many different tribes.

Route: Addis Ababa – Arba Minch – Jinka – Turmi – Konso – Awassa – Goba – Bale National Park - Lake Langano - Addis Ababa

Itinerary Highlights

In the Ethiopian Highlands bordering on the Rift Valley, Addis Ababa is Ethiopia’s bustling capital. The National Museum features prehistoric fossils and arts and crafts.

Arba Minch (meaning Forty Springs) is the largest city in southern Ethiopia. Known for its fruits and fish farms, Arba Minch is the gateway to the tribal lands beyond.

Jinka is a market town in the hills of southern Ethiopia. It is the centre for many indigenous ethnic groups. The large market and modern local services attract local tribal visitors.

Itinerary: The Tribes of Ethiopia and the Rift Valley

Day 1 London to Addis Ababa

Fly to Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Airlines. (N)

Day 2 Addis Ababa

On arrival you will be met and transferred to your accommodation. After lunch, enjoy exploring Addis Ababa with your guide. Some highlights you may choose to see include St. George Cathedral, The Mercato, Africa’s largest open-air market and Mount Entoto which offers fabulous views over the city. The National Museum is also a must-see where you are able to view the accurate plaster cast of the remains of Lucy, a complete hominid skeleton dating back 3.5 million years. These remains were discovered in 1974, near a dried-up lake near Hadar, in the far northeast of Ethiopia. The original remains are preserved in the basement. (N)

Accommodation in Addis Ababa: Wassamar Hotel (or similar)

Day 3 Addis Ababa to Arba Minch

In the morning leave the city and drive south past the Rift Valley lakes of Abaya and Shalla, known for their prolific birdlife, to Arba Minch. Enjoy a stop at Tiya to explore the UNESCO-listed Stelae Fields which feature some 45 stones up to 2-3m in height. Arriving to Arba Minch in the late afternoon, enjoy the facilities of the hotel. (B)

Accommodation in Arba Minch: Haile Resort (or similar)

Day 4 Arba Minch

After breakfast visit the villages of the Dorze people, famous for their intricately woven bamboo huts and weaving of traditional clothes. Enjoy the fantastic scenery from the Guge Mountains that overlook lush green hills and rolling valleys and be inspired by the panoramic views of Lake Abaya and Chamo. In the afternoon take a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Chamo in search for Africa’s biggest crocodiles – measuring up to 6m long, hippos and a large variety of bird life. (B)

Accommodation in Arba Minch: Haile Resort (or similar)

Day 5 Arba Minch to Jinka

In the morning depart Arba Minch and drive to Konso, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site. Visit the village compound and the chief’s compound where you can usually see the family graveyard and house mummies. From Konso continue the journey to the colourful market of Key Afer frequented by several tribes of the Omo Valley. Reach Jinka late afternoon where you can relax and enjoy the facilities at the lodge. (B)

Accommodation in Jinka: Eco-Omo Lodge (or similar)

Day 6 Jinka to Turmi

After breakfast drive through Mago National Park Drive to visit the famous Mursi people, one of the most renowned tribes of the Omo Valley, the Mursi pierce their lower lip to put in circular or square clay shapes to make themselves more beautiful. After a local lunch, continue to Turmi which will serve as the base to explore the southern tribes of the Omo Valley for the next two days. (B)

Accommodation in Turmi: Paradise Lodge (or similar)

Day 7 Turmi

Today meet the fascinating Hamer tribe and on some occasions, you will be lucky enough to participate in a Hamer marriage ceremony or even a bull jumping ceremony. In the afternoon visit a nearby Hamer village and encounter the tribe's daily life with the hope of witnessing the fascinating moonshine dance. Enjoy relaxing at the lodge in the evening. (B)

Accommodation in Turmi: Paradise Lodge (or similar)

Day 8 Turmi to Konso

This morning visit the Dassanech ethnic group who are famous for their nomadic lifestyle and the very interesting decoration and scarification on their bodies. Also enjoy a crossing over the Omo River by dugout canoe where you will experience excellent views of the surrounding countryside. In the afternoon continue to Konso and spend the rest of the day at the well-kept lodge. (B)

Accommodation in Konso: Kanta Lodge (or similar)

Day 9 Konso to Awassa

After breakfast drive to Hawassa, nicknamed the ‘Town of Endless Love’ which is situated on the eastern edge of Lake Awassa. Here stay in a luxury hotel where you can enjoy the facilities after a long day of travel. Watch the beautiful sunset over the lake before dinner. (B)

Accommodation in Awassa: Haile Resort (or similar)

Day 10 Awassa to Goba

Today drive to the Bale Mountains National Park headquarters in Dinsho where you will take part in a gentle hike where you will encounter a variety of animals and birds in their natural habitat, particularly a large number of endemic antelopes, the spiral-horned nyala. Continue to Goba where you will stay for the night. (B)

Accommodation in Goba: Wabeshebele Hotel (or similar)

Day 11 Goba to Bale National Park

This morning continue to Bale National Park which is home to stunning landscapes and rich flora and fauna. Travel to the Senetti Plateau where you will encounter the endemic Ethiopian wolf, and its favourite pray, the giant mole rat. Also explore the Harena rainforest and enjoy a spot of birdwatching keeping your eyes peeled for species such as the Abyssinian catbird and woodpecker, yellow-crowned canary, olive pigeon and mountain buzzard. Later that day check into your lodge where you will spend the evening. (B)

Accommodation in Bale National Park: Bale Mountains Lodge (or similar)

Day 12 Bale National Park to Lake Langano

After breakfast depart Bale National Park and drive to Lake Langano in the heart of the Great Rift Valley. Choose to visit Lake Abyata Shalla National Park which encompasses great views over the Rift Valley or maybe relax at the lake-side beach at the resort. (B)

Accommodation in Lake Langano: Sabana Lodge (or similar)

Day 13 Lake Langano to Addis Ababa / Addis Ababa to the UK

Return to Addis Ababa through Debre Zeyt and arrive back to the capital in the late afternoon. Depending on the time of your flight home, enjoy a traditional Ethiopian dinner and dance show before heading to the airport to check in to your international flight back to the UK. (B)

**KEY: N = No meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

What's included

International flights from the UK
Private car and driver
Sightseeing with local English speaking guides
Hotel accommodation and taxes

What's not included

Cost of visas
Travel Insurance
Expenses of a personal nature

Guide to Price

The above price is based on two people travelling together and sharing accommodation in low season. The price is only a guide and can vary according to selected airlines, hotels and date of travel. If you wish to travel with your family, friends or on your own we will be very happy to assist you with your arrangements.

Ethiopia Travel Guide

Getting there

Ethiopian Airlines fly direct from London Heathrow to Addis Ababa and is one of the best and largest airlines in Africa. Emirates, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines all offer connecting flights via their respective hubs.

Visa requirements

British Citizens require a visa to visit Ethiopia and these are issued on arrival in Addis Ababa. You will need to show proof of a return air ticket and further details on the visa requirements will be sent at the time of booking.

Do’s and Don’ts

Ethiopians are very proud of their culture, country and identity so avoid criticising their lifestyle or religion.

Avoid eating with your left hand. Food in Ethiopia is generally eaten without the use of cutlery, and eating with your left hand is considered a sign of disrespect.

For men, avoiding eye-contact with a woman is considered a sign of respect.

If you are a foreign woman in public with a man, do not be surprised if Ethiopian men speak only to your partner – this isn’t meant to upset, but is a sign of respect for you. Equally, if you are a man, maintaining a respectful distance from women will be considered good manners.

Money

The currency of Ethiopia is the Birr (ETB) and it is issued in notes and coins of varying denominations. Foreign currency can be exchanged at any commercial bank, including branches located at larger hotels and at the airports. Exchange of Birr back to foreign currency is only allowed for visitors holding an onward ticket from Ethiopia. It is hard to exchange any Birr outside of Ethiopia. There are ATMs in Addis Ababa – there are few reliable ATMs in rural areas and smaller towns – and outside of the capital credit cards are accepted on a limited basis.

Tipping

Tipping is not expected in Ethiopia but is considered polite if a tip is given in restaurants and bars. There is no fixed amount to leave, but you may find it appropriate to round up a bill for good service. A guideline for tipping your drivers and guides will be advised prior to travel.

Food and drink

Ethiopian food is certainly unique and the cuisine is different from both the food found in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. Traditional mealtimes are based around injera, a special bread which is pancake-thin and slightly sour. Food is placed on the injera in lieu of a plate and the bread is then also used in place of cutlery to eat. Wat, a spicy stew made from meat, chicken or vegetables is also a popular dish. Traditional Ethiopian food does not use pork because most Ethiopians are Muslim or Ethiopian Orthodox Christians. In most large towns you will also find restaurants offering Ethiopian versions of Italian food, and in Addis Ababa in particular there are many restaurants serving more international cuisine.

The Ethiopians drink plenty of coffee – the Ethiopian province of Kaffa is said to be the home of coffee and it is traditionally served thick and sweet. Locally produced Ethiopian beer and red and white wines are worth trying, or you could indulge in some Tej (a fermented honey drink), Talla (a barley beer) or even some Kaitaka (pure grain alcohol).

Time zone

Ethiopia is +3 hours ahead of GMT.

Flying times from UK

Direct flights to Addis Ababa take between 7 and 8 hours from the UK.

Holidays, festivals and celebrations

The Ethiopian calendar does not use the traditional Gregorian calendar and is eight years behind as there are 13 months to a year. Important holidays include Timket – the annual festival of Ethiopian epiphany on January 6th, Ethiopian Christmas which falls on January 7th, and Ethiopian New Year on September 11th. Dates for religious holidays tend to change as they are timed with the lunar calendar. It is also worth noting that every Wednesday and Friday (and during the 55 days of Orthodox Christian Lent), meat is not eaten by the majority of practising Orthodox Christians. Larger traditional restaurants in major towns and cities often have a 'fasting food' option seven days a week.

Shopping

Shopping in Ethiopia centres of the country’s numerous bustling marketplaces. Addis Ababa’s main market, the merkado, is one of the largest in Africa and an atmospheric place to explore. Most of the art and artefacts found in Addis Ababa reflect the country’s Christian Orthodox tradition with items such as silver crosses or icons commonly found. Aside from this, silver jewellery, basket work and carvings, woollen carpets, amber and coffee are available in most towns.

Health

Your doctor is the best person to advise you on staying healthy whilst abroad but current recommended vaccinations are Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Diphtheria. Yellow Fever is compulsory, but only if you have visited an affected Yellow Fever area within 5 days prior to your arrival. In some instances anti-malarial tablets may also be needed. For current information on health advice you may wish to visit the Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) Web Site on www.masta.org. The NHS ‘Fit for Travel’ website (www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk) is also a useful resource.

Travel advice

For current information on Ethiopia the best resource is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) which is a comprehensive resource and updated regularly. We would also recommend visiting the Safer Tourism Foundation website (https://safertourism.org.uk/) before you travel and will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.