Tribal Ethiopia Tours

Ethnic mosaic of the Omo Valley and Bale Mountains 

The Great Rift Valley, a vast fault line in the earth's surface, spans across Africa from Mozambique to the Red Sea. In Ethiopia, this remarkable region is rich in unique wildlife, stunning landscapes, and diverse cultures, stretching from the Alpine Bale Mountains to the Omo Valley, home to extraordinary and contrasting ethnic groups.

The "Ethnic Mosaic of the Omo Valley and Bale Mountains" trip invites you to experience Ethiopia's endemic mammals and the vibrant communities of the Omo Valley. This journey strikes a perfect balance between the rich cultural heritage of the various ethnic groups and the breathtaking natural beauty of the region.

Among the many communities in the Great Rift Valley are the Konso, Gelebe, Bodi, Mursi, Surma, Arbore, Hamer, and Nyanghatom, each offering insights into their ancestral traditions. These groups maintain their cultural identities and express their artistic creations in unique ways. For example, Mursi women are known for wearing lip plates, while bull jumping is a rite of passage for young men in the Hamer community.

Notably, the cultural landscapes of the Konso region are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, celebrated for their stunning stone terraces.

In the Bale Mountains, you can encounter the endangered Abyssinian wolf and the Nyala, thriving in a diverse ecosystem. The breathtaking landscapes feature high plateaus and towering mountains, with Tulu Dimtu being the highest point at 4,377 meters above sea level. Many bird species also find refuge here, and during winter, it is not unusual to see snow on the Sanetti plateau.

A visit to the Bale Mountains would not be complete without exploring the Harena Forest, a dense woodland covering approximately 4,000 km². Moss-covered tree trunks, adding to its enchanting atmosphere, characterize this mystical forest.

The main point

• A journey combining the ethnic groups of the south and the natural wonders of Bale
• Engaging meetings with the people of the Omo Valley
• Experience the bull-jumping ceremony among the Hamer
• Discover endemic species such as the Mountain Nyala and Ibex

Day 1 - Addis Ababa

Arrival at Addis Ababa Bole airport. Welcome by your French-speaking guide. Transfer to your hotel and installation.

Departure for a visit to the National Museum, which will be an opportunity to discuss the history of Ethiopia: from the famous Lucy (3.4 million year old humanoid fossil) to the powerful ancient kingdom of Aksum; from the medieval Gondorian kingdoms to the reigns of Emperors Menelik II and Haile Selassie.

Continuation of visits with the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, one of the largest Orthodox churches in the country, and the Mausoleum of Emperor Menelik II in the Bààta Church.

Hotel night

Day 2: Addis Ababa - Tiya - Langano

You will take the road to Langano. You will visit the field of Tiya steles: around fifty carefully crafted funerary steles dating from the 14th century. This site has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980.

If our schedule allows it, continue to the semi-monolithic church of Adadi Mariam, the southernmost in Ethiopia. The church was built between the 12th and 14th centuries in the Lalibela style, then abandoned in the 16th century and rediscovered under Menelik II.

Installation at your hotel on the shores of Lake Langano, where you can admire many species of birds, swim, or practice some water activities (optional).

Night in a lodge on the banks of Lake Langano

Day 3: Langano - Dorze - Arbaminch

You take the road again and will meet the Dorze on Chencha mountain. This ethnic group is famous for these unique weavings and houses in Ethiopia in the shape of a beehive or elephants, depending on your imagination.

The Dorze, an ethnic group from southern Ethiopia, cultivate enset, also called false banana, from which they make flour, widely used for making flatbreads.

You will continue to Arbaminch.

Night in lodge in Arbaminch

Starting from 1795, 00 € / person

Prices are per person based on 2 people travelling together. Price is guideline only. Price will depend on your final itinerary, group size, accommodation choices, and time of year.