Realm of the Original African Animal Safari
Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zanzibar and Mombasa
Wild, adventurous and wonderful. Immense concentrations of wildlife, amazing birdlife, rich and diverse cultures…places like no where else on earth: Mount Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro Crater, Masai Mara, Serengeti plains, Murchison Falls - source of the great River Nile, the long, timeless white-sand beaches of Zanzibar…East Africa, the home of safari.
Learn more in our 
East Africa Safari Planner.(3.1MB)
Review our Safari Price List.(2.9MB)
Prices effective:
01 January 2010 - 31 December 2010
Package: USD $2085.00 (Per Person - sharing)
Price Excludes:
- International & Domestic air ticket and embarkation fee
- Telephone, laundry, any payable alcohol drinks
- Permits to take picture or video
- Tips and any other personal interest which is not specified in the itinerary
Ethiopia - Omo Valley Cultural Route - 12 Days
Learn about the famous Konso villages and traditions, visit the Hammer and Borena peoples among others. Admire some of the longest crocodiles in Africa with lengths of 6 meters and above. See elephant, hippo, fish and aquatic bird species.
Day 1 - Arrival Addis Ababa
Arrive in Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. The name of the capital city of Ethiopia in Amharic (the national language of Ethiopia) means “New flower”. Addis, which was founded in 1886 by Menelik II, is located at 2,500 meters above sea level in one of the highest parts of Entoto mountain chain (3,000 meters above sea level). It enjoys an excellent climate all year round, with an average temperature of 25ºC. Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with side avenues of jacaranda trees, interesting museums and one of the largest open-air markets in Africa, known as the Merkato. It also has a good number of restaurants, hotels and discotheques. On arrival, guests are welcomed and transferred to the Ghion Hotel for overnight.
Day 2 - Addis Ababa – Langano
We will start the morning by driving to the crater lakes of Debrezeith and the three Rift Valley lakes of Shala, Abyata and Langano. These lakes are rich in birds, such as pelicans, flamingoes, storks and more, followed by a visit to the Sidamo peoples’ houses and culture. Lunch on the way, dinner and over night on Bekele Molla Hotel.
Day 3 - Langano – Arbaminch
Continue driving to Arbaminch, which in Amharic means “40 springs”. Admire very interesting views and the Wolayta people: their villages, culture, their cultivation of the false banana tree (from which roots they make their traditional bread, the Kotcho), and more. Afternoon drive to Chencha to visit the Dorze people, and their particular weaving works for which they are famous. Dinner and overnight in Swaynes or Bekele Molla Hotel with spectacular views over the Chamo and Abaya lakes and the Netch Sar park. There is also a natural path down to the springs, full of many species of birds, beautiful views and more.
Day 4 - Arbaminch
Morning visit to the Netch Sar Park with spectacular views over the lakes and different mammals such as the endemic Swaynes hartebeest, zebras, lesser kudu, and others. Back for lunch in Arbaminch. The afternoon includes a boat trip on the Chamo. Admire crocodiles and hippos (here crocodiles are some of the longest in Africa, with lengths of 6 meters and above). Dinner and over night in Swaynes or Bekele Molla Hotel.
Day 5 - Arbaminch – Jinka
Drive to Jinka, admiring on the way the interesting Konso, Derashe, Ari, Benna and Tsemay People, famous for their hairstyles and unique culture and traditions, which include displaying ornaments all over their bodies. The Konso people are famous for their terracing agricultural works and traditional villages. Overnight in Jinka Resort Hotel.
Day 6 - Jinka – Mago
Mago National Park of is located on the east bank of the river Omo and ranges in altitude from 450 to 2,528 meters above sea level. After about 2 hours of rough road, arrive at the camp where guests spend the night in a tent. The campsite is in a beautiful clearing near the river Neri among towering, shade-providing trees. We visit the Mursi village, whose women have the custom of expanding their lower lips using disks that gradually get larger and larger. These are people who farm the land and breed livestock; they live in almost complete isolation from the rest of the world. Return to the camp; there are not many animals visible during the day in the park, but by night the camp is surrounded by thousands of sounds, among which is the trumpeting of elephants. Dinner and overnight camping.
Day 7 - Mago - Turmi
We visit the Hammer peoples, one of the most beautiful and dignified people of the Omo basin. The women color their hair with red earth and butter, and wear elegant leather skirts festooned with tiny pearls. While visiting their villages guests will possibly see some dances and the unique marriage ceremonies, with bull jumping and more. If the day of arrival is Monday or Saturday you can admire the very colorful markets of the Hammer, Karo and Dassanech tribes at Turmi or Dimeka villages. Overnight in Turmi.
Day 8 - Turmi
Continue through the savannah along tracks that are barely visible, passing through a vast meadowland with shrubs and umbellifers (‘umbrella’ acacia trees). Pass through the village of Omorate on the Omo River. We encounter the Galeb people in the street; in the river people bathe and wash their clothes. Arrive at Turmi and camp in a square under mango trees. The Hammer people gather water from a nearby well and carry it off to their villages. Dinner and overnight camping.
Day 9 - Turmi – Erbore – Konso
Drive to Erbore to visit the local cultures and Lake Stephan (Chew Bahir). Continue to Konso. Visit the Konso famous villages and traditions. Overnight in Konso Alem or St Mary Hotel /Local Hotels.
Day 10 - Konso – Elsod- Yabello
Visit Konso village and the Borena peoples. Afternoon drive to Elsod crater, where the Borena men extract salt. Visit some of their villages. Overnight in Yabello Total Motel.
Day 11 - Yabello – Awassa
Drive to Awassa, seeing the Guji people and crossing picturesque landscapes along the way. The town is situated lakeside, which is famous for hippo, fish and aquatic bird species. En route, enjoy the beautiful scenery and the Sidama people’s village. Overnight at Pina or Wabi Shebelle Hotel.
Day 12 - Awassa – Addis Ababa
Morning visit to the fish market, and drive to Addis Ababa through the Great Rift Valley lakes, Langano, Abyata, Shalla and Zway for various species of birds. There will be a chance to visit one of the many museums or the interesting Merkato (market). Throughout the city there are shops that sell typical artisan wares, materials and antiques, Dinner at a traditional restaurant with folk dances from the different Ethiopian regions. Transfer to the airport for departure.