Africa Safaris & Holidays

Ethiopia: Arba Minch - Turmi - Karkerte Mountains - Omorate - Caro, Dus and Murci Tribes - Arba Minch - Awassa - Dinsho

Day 1 Addis Ababa to Arba Minch
It’s an early start as we leave Addis Ababa and begin the adventure of Omo Valley in 4x4 vehicles. We pass by the Rift Valley lakes before arriving into Arba Minch. This town is the largest in southern Ethiopia; it is situated among green hills that offer grand views over the Rift Valley Lakes of Abaya and Chamo. Tonight we have dinner in the Soma Restaurant, famous for its fresh fish dishes.
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 Arba Minch
In the morning we take a relaxing yet very rewarding boat trip on Lake Chamo, which although much smaller, is much bluer in colour , and populated by a substantial number of crocodiles and hippos. Abaya is the largest of the Rift Valley lakes +-1,070km2 and has a rusty appearance resulting from ferrous hydroxide suspended in the water.

Later in the afternoon we visit the Nechisar National Park, which is one of the most beautiful parks in Africa. Established in 1974 and set in the Rift Valley at an altitude of 1,100 – 1,650m, the park not only covers the easterly Nechisar(white grass) plains is named after, but also a large part of the two lakes and the mountainous “bridge of God” that lies between the two lakes. On the open Nechisar plains is the best viewing spot to see large game, most commonly of which is Burchell’s zebra which are regularly see in herds of 100 or more and Grant’s gazelle, although rare there are also ±100 Swayne’s hartebeest. Lion, cheetah and even African Wild dog are present, but you’d be extremely lucky to see them.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 3 Arba Minch to Turmi
The road continues into the savannah, running alongside the “Mountains of Men”, the road then rises up the Karkerte Mountains (providing splendid panoramic views) until it reaches the soft, terraced hills of Konso, here we visit a Konso village on the southern extensions of the highlands to meet the locals who are excellent farmers. The Konso are also noted for there unusual practice of sculpting eerie wooden statues to mark the graves of their dead. Should the Chief of Konso be in residence, we may be granted an audience with him. Then we continue our route through the savannah and on to Turmi where the tour will spend the night.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4 Turmi to Omorate
Today the tour drives through the savannah along tracks that are barely visible, passing through a vast meadowland with shrubs and umbel lifers ("umbrella" acacia trees). As we pass over the Omo River nothing in Ethiopia or modern Africa prepares you for South Omo. This area is filled with extraordinary cultural integrity, where the people weren’t even aware that such a thing as Ethiopia existed until 50yrs ago. Omorate lies on the eastern bank of the Omo River and is almost totally isolated from the rest of Ethiopia.

The main attraction is the Dasanech Villages on the out skirts of the town. The Dasanech are also known as Galeb or Reshiat they were forced out of there homeland in a region called Nyupe, to the west of Turkana, by the expansionist wars of Turkana in the 18th century. They now cover a large territory of the western banks of the Omo all the way south to Lake Turkana. Here we’ll encounter the Galeb people in the countryside, and go into the villages, after which we head back to Omorate to look at the local wild life on the banks of the river. The tour then returns to Turmi for the evening to rest before tomorrow’s adventure.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5 Turmi to Mago National Park
Today the tour continues northwest up towards Murulle, where we can visit the Karo tribes of Kolcho and Dus. We then continue to Mago National Park, from here on there is no real track to speak of any more. Instead we travel through the savannah in a typically African landscape. Here we’ll frequently be running into herds of Oryx and gazelle and surrounded by huge trees, this is the land of the Karo tribe and it is possible to meet with them along the river.

We continue the drive north to Mago National Park. Mago National Park was proclaimed in the 1960’s and is bisected by the Mago River, which flows into the Omo on the southern boundary. After about 2 hours of rough road we arrive at the camp site where we spend the night in tents.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 6 Mago National Park to Arba Minch
The tour leaves Mago National Park on the return journey towards to the northeast, passing though the Konso villages. We will have a very brief stop over in Jinka and then continue towards Key Afer, here we will visit the Ari and Bana tribes and you can have lunch in one of the local hotels or restaurants. Then it’s back on the road and towards in the evening we will arrive to Arba Minch.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7 Arba Minch to Awassa
This morning we return to the road that leads back up the Rift Valley. On route the tour cross through fertile lands that have been planted with bananas, cereals and tobacco. All kinds of fruit and weaved goods are sold along the roadside. On the way we’ll stop off in Chencha and visit a Dorze village. The Dorze people are renowned cotton weavers, and their tall beehive-shaped huts are the most distinctive in Africa, these remarkable huts can measure up to 6 meters tall, and are constructed entirely from organic material. These dome structures are extremely durable; one would last a lifetime.
In the afternoon the tour arrives at Awassa, this large city is located on the edge of Lake Awassa, at an altitude of 1,685m and about 275km south of Addis Ababa. The lake is the smallest of the Rift Valley lakes. Set in an ancient volcanic caldera, the lake has no outlets, yet remains fresh with an abundance of both fish and bird life. Lake Awassa is surrounded by stunning mountains and lush fringing vegetation. There is also a beautiful dyke that run’s along the lake close to town , built to prevent flooding when the lake rises, which is perfect for walk’s, to stretch those legs and go bird watching.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 8 Awassa to Dinsho
The tour now heads out east towards Dinsho, the route taken passes through immense fields of wheat, barley and high-altitude meadows. This is a particularly lush green landscape, especially in October and November. The local Ormo people, move from one village to the next on small horses, carrying various goods of grain and weaved cotton. We arrive in the evening, have dinner and camp the night.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 9 Dinsho
Dinsho is our gate way to the Bale Mountains National Park. the park encompasses the higher reaches of the Bale range, including Mt Tullo Deemtu, at 4,377m is the second highest peak in Ethiopia. The main attractions are the wild alpine scenery, especially the 4,000m-high Senetti Plateau as well as the Simien wolves. The road across the Senetti Plateau is reportedly the highest all weather road in Africa. We’ll spend the day exploring the park and meeting some of the locals
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 10 Dinsho to Addis Ababa
The tour heads back up north for the drive to Addis Ababa. Your tour ends here.
Meals: Breakfast

Safari Facts

Price 2012: EUR 1285 + EUR 415  (for the Activity Package, which includes all acitivites that are mentioned as included in the itinerary, except for the optional activities)
Start in Addis Ababa/Ethiopia
End in Addis Ababa/Ethiopia
Meals B x 9, D x 9
Tour in english
Accommodation: Participatory camping in twin share tents
Important notes: A single supplement is available on this trip @ EUR 65

Departure Dates 2012

The Cultural Ethiopia Tour does not have set departure dates. You can choose any date you like to go on this tour. Own transport required to get to Addis Ababa. We are able to assist you with flight bookings. Just This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it when you want to go! Minimum 2.