SAFARI AND CULTURAL TOUR, RIEFT VALLEY LAKES AND OMO VALLEY

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SAFARI AND CULTURAL TOUR, RIEFT VALLEY LAKES AND OMO VALLEY

TOUR CODE – GHET005
TRANSPORT - 4WD
NUMBER OF DAYS – 13 DAYS/12 NIGHTS
Omo “the unique wilderness”
The Lower Omo is home to a remarkable mix of small, contrasting ethnic groups not only the Bume and Konso, but also the Gelebe, the Bodi, the Mursi, the Surma, the Arbore, and the Hamer, to name but a few. Lifestyles are as varied as the tribes themselves. Lacking any material, culture and artifacts common to other cultures, these tribes find unique ways in which to express their artistic impulses. Both the Surma and the Karo, for example, are experts at body painting, using clays and locally available vegetable pigments to trace fantastic
patterns on each other's faces, chests, arms, and legs. These designs are created purely for fun and aesthetic effect, each artist vying to outdo his fellows.

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL

Mid December to mid March, and July-August – is the best season to travel as it is a dry season.
November - mid December, and June – visitors shall be flexible on the itinerary since one day of rain can render the roads temporarily impossible. September and October, and from mid March to May - not recommended due to high rain

THE HILIGHTS OF THE TOUR

- Explore the unique Rift valley, a remarkable region of volcanic lakes, with their famous collection of bird life, 4 major national parks, and small game.
- Explore the unique culture and the way of living at each tribal village, about five weekly and colorful local markets.
- It is the only place to explore the multi cultural differences of the four major African linguistic groups that include Semitic, Cushitic, Omotic and Nilo-Saharan.
- Enjoy seasonal and cultural events including traditional weeding, Bull Jumping in Hamer people, Donga Stick Fighting, as well as traditional dance.

The unique and 1500 years old terrace farming of Konso people and ancient social practices which are recognized by UNESCO as one of the world heritage in Ethiopia.
- A lifetime experience of wilderness by driving through the only geological feature that can be seen from the space. Driving through different altitude Great Ethiopian Rift Valley provides to visit the natural eco system and varieties of flora and fauna.

Trip special offer
- At the beginning of the trip, there will be a lecture about the history and culture of Ethiopia by the renowned Historian professor Richard Pankhurst or Professor Tekalegn Woldemariam.
- Traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony in a local house in Lalibela
- Grand Holidays Ethiopia complimentary fair well Ethiopian traditional dinner, local drinks, and tribal dance show in Addis Ababa.
- Grand Holidays’ surprise gift for all members.
- Participate in church processions and holly mass at the most famous churches.
- For interested group, there will be arrangements to experience the most memorable cultural interaction with the local community and at some places including fistula hospital, orphanage centers, and elementary schools.

Detailed daily itinerary

Day 01 Arrival in Addis Ababa

Up on arrival in Addis Ababa, trip members on the group flight are met at the airport and will transferred to the hotel. Overnight, Addis Ababa

Day 02 City Tour of Addis Ababa

In the Amharic language, Addis Ababa means “new flower” Founded by Emperor Menelik in 1887, Addis is the capital of modern Ethiopia and has a population of about four million. With the presence of the Organization of African Unity, is Africa’s diplomatic capital. This morning, we will visit the Ethnological Museum; this museum exhibits the culture and handicrafts of various Ethiopian ethnic groups. After lunch, we visit Ba’ata Church, also known as Menelik’s Mausoleum, one of the oldest of the churches in Addis (90 years old). It houses beautiful paintings and the royal tombs of past Emperors. We continue on to the National Museum, where cultural and archaeological relics, including “Lucy, “the 3.2 million-year-old hominid, are displayed. We also drive through the Mercato, the largest open-air market. Overnight, Addis Ababa.

Day 03 Addis Ababa – Arbaminch.

Drive to Arbaminch en route visiting the Rift valley Lakes of Ziway, Abiata Shalla and Langano, rich in bird life and local fish market at Lake Ziway. After lunch, we will continue driving to Arbaminch on the way visiting the Chencha village, the home of the Dorze people, the renowned weavers having unique bamboo woven houses having 8 to 12 meters height. Overnight, Arbaminch.

Day 04 Nech Sar National Park – Dorze Village-Arbaminch

In the cool morning, we will drive through the Nech Sar National Park which is inhabited by different mammals including the endemic antelope Swaynees Hartbeast, Gerenuk, Grants Gazelle, and Zebra. After lunch, we will make a boat trip over Lake Chamo to see the biggest African crocodiles, and Hippopotamus as well as beautiful aquatic birds including the lovely Kingfisher and Fish Eagle. Overnight, Arbaminch.

Day 05 Arbaminch - Konso – Jinka

In the morning we will drive to Jinka en route visiting different cultural people and their villages which includes, Gamo, Derashe, Konso people and undulating landscape of Konso and the surrounding area. The Konso are famous for their old and unique terracing, unusual engraved wooden statues of Konso grave markers. After having lunch on the way, we will have a brief stop to visit the Tsemay People around Waito River, Benna People at Key Afer, the Ari People at Kako village. Overnight, Jinka.

Day06 Jinka –Murci Village-Mago

Very early in the morning, drive through Mago National Park to the Murci People, whose men are renowned warriors, and whose women are famous for the lip plates which is highly concidred as sign of beauty. After a picnic lunch, we will drive through the dry savannas of 835 square- mile, in the Mago National Park there are around 56 recorded specious of mammals. Gazelles, giraffes, warthogs, and hartebeests are common here. Occasionally, Elephants are seen or heard as the move through the territory. Overnight, camping at Mago National Park.

Day 07 Mago- Murulle

We continue Driving through the Korecho and Dus Villages on the way visiting the Karo People. Overnight, Camping at Murulle.

Day 08 Murulle – Kangate – Omorate – Turmi

After breakfast, drive to Kangate and we will cross the famous Omo River by boat. After crossing the river, we will have visit and unrushed interactive cultural experience with the Bume People. Then, we will continue driving to Omorate where we will have a picnic lunch and visit the Geleb/Dasenech People, inhabitants of the lower Omo River Valley. After some rest, drive to Turmi where we spend two nights at Evangadi Lodge. Overnight, Evangadi Lodge.

Day 09 Turmi – Dimeka Market – Turmi

After breakfast, we driver to Dimeka market on the way visiting one of the beautiful Hammar villages. At the colorful weakly Dimeka Market, we will see more than four different tribes including Hammer, Benna, Ari in traditional marketing activities and displaying their local handicrafts. We have a good opportunity to bargain for varieties of handicrafts. After a picnic lunch, we will drive back to Turmi village to enjoy the seasonal cultural activities including Evangadi (Hammer Dancing), Bull Jumping and associated practices as well as Hammer weeding. Overnight, Evangadi Lodge.

Day 10 Turmi – Erbore – Arbaminch

Drive to Arbaminch on the way visiting the villages of Erbore People, and some local markets and villages, this actually depends on the time we have. Overnight, Arbaminch in a hotel.

Day 11 Arbaminch – Wondogenet

After breakfast, Drive to the forests at Wendo Genet, the summer residence
of the late emperor’s family. Swim and shower in the natural hot springs and adjacent cold mountain streams. O/N Wondogenet, Wabishebele Hotel.

Day 12 Wondogenet - Addis Ababa

After relaxed swimming in the Natural hot spring and breakfast, drive back to Addis Ababa On the way enjoying the Rift valley Lakes. Lunch will be at Mojo Town in a hotel and will continue driving to Addis. After check in and relaxing in your hotel we will head to Agelgil Tradtional Restaurant for traditional farewell traditional Ethiopian Night. This is Grand Holydays Ethiopia complimentary farewell dinner party, traditional buffet with local drinks. There will also be cultural dance show of the different ethnic group. We believe this is the best way to wind up the trip. O/N Addis Ababa.

Day 13 Departure
Transfer to the Airport for your international flight back home.

Note:
• Activities for the first and last days will depend on visitors’ times of arrivals and departures and airline used.
• Upon request the above tour program can be, modified, differently rearranged, combined with other programs, or extended to suit the clients’ interest, time, and budget.