Live the Journey » Ethiopia – Colourful cultures in the Omo Valley

Ethiopia – Colourful cultures in the Omo Valley

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Expert tour leader:
Famous travel writer and African expert, Mike Copeland will be the tour leader. Mike has published four travel guides – Cape to Cairo, Mozambique, Namibia and Botswana – and is the author of numerous magazine articles on his African travels. With a particular love for Ethiopia, its people and culture he has visited the country many times and can’t get enough of this undiscovered destination.

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Itinerary

Day 1: Tuesday, 05 Oct 2010 Depart for Addis

Make arrangements to arrive at OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg at 10:00
12:00 Check-in for Ethiopian Airlines flight to Addis Ababa
14:00 Depart for Addis Ababa
21:00 Arrive in Addis Ababa and transfer to hotel.
O/N Addis Ababa city hotel

Day 2: Wednesday, 06 Oct 2010 Lake Langano

Breakfast check out and depart for the Rift Valley lakes. The first of the lakes we drive past is Lake Ziway. Five islands dot the surface of Lake Ziway. It is the largest in the northern cluster of five Rift Valley lakes. From there we proceed to Lake Langano a watersports paradise. Lake Langano is one of two lakes in Ethiopia that is considered safe for swimming – bilharzia free. Upon arrival check-in at your accommodation, Wenney Lodge. The lodge is situated on the shore of Lake Langano and near the Munessa Forest Optional activities to enjoy are: horse riding, a boat cruise and cycling. Enjoy the fantastic sunset with a drink in your hand.
O/N Wenny Lodge (full board)
(www.wenneyecolodge.com)

Day 3: Thursday, 07 Oct 2010 Arba Minch

Breakfast and check out.
Our cultural exploration of the different tribal groups in Ethiopia starts today. In the next couple of days you will interact with some of the 80 different tribal groups in Ethiopia. The villages of the Wolayta people dot the rolling green hills. Our destination is Arba Minch … meaning “forty springs” … taking its name from bubbling streams in the area.
In the afternoon we visit Chencha. This village will give you a glance of ancient Ethiopia. It is also the home of the Dorze people with their unique culture, homes and traditions. The Dorze name is also synonymous with the best-woven cotton cloth.
Check-in at your hotel.
O/N Swaynes Hotel (full board)
(www.swayneshotel.com)

Day 4: Friday, 08 Oct 2010 Turmi

Breakfast and checkout.
The cultural experience continues as we drive to Turmi to learn more about the Konso, Derase, Tsemay and Hammer people. The Konso is a pagan society and they erect wooden totems over their graves. The Hammer women wear gleaming aluminium head-dresses and the Tsemay are very photogenic people. If we strike it lucky we will see a cultural dance, the Evangadi.
O/N Turmi Evangadi Lodge (full board)
(www.evangadilodge.com)

Day 5: Saturday, 09 Oct 2010 Turmi

Today we will visit the villages and get to know the Hamer, Karo and Dassanech people. If in any way possible we will participate in a wedding ceremony and a “jumping of the bull” ceremony.
Late afternoon return to the hotel.
O/N Turmi Evangadi Lodge (full board)
(www.evangadilodge.com)

Day 6: Sunday, 10 Oct 2010 Jinka

After breakfast we check out to visit a village of the Karo people. They are known for the very interesting decorations and scarification all over their body. These designs have no special significance but are created purely for fun and visual effect. The views of the Omo River from the Kortcho village are just spectacular. The Omo River is about a 1000 kms long, but it never reaches the sea. On the eastern bank of the river is the Mago National Park, with its endless, distant horizons. You will be entering a lost world, across which few vehicles have ever traveled. Enjoy the incredible spectacles of oryx, giraffe, zebra as well as lion, buffalo and elephant in the park.
Drive to Jinka for overnight.
O/N Jinka (full board)

Day 7: Monday, 11 Oct 2010 Jinka

The Omo area is home to a remarkable mix of small contrasting ethnic groups. Their lifestyles are as different as the tribes themselves. Today we visit the Mursi villages. The Mursi women split and stretch their lower lip to make room for lip plates. The women regards this as a sign of beauty … the larger the plate the more desirable the wearer.
Return to Jinka. This modern little town is the administrative center of the South Omo Region.
O/N Jinka Hotel (full board)

Day 8: Tuesday, 12 Oct 2010 Arba Minch

Breakfast and check-out. We proceed back to Arba Minch the main center for the Gofa region. Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Chamo in the afternoon and be on the look out for Africa’s biggest crocodiles.
O/N Swaynes Hotel, Arba Minch (full board)

Day 9: Wednesday, 13 Oct 2010 Bahar Dar

Today we leave the Omo Valley and drive back to Addis Ababa. This is a full day drive. Arrive late afternoon in Addis.
Check-in at hotel.
Enjoy dinner with traditional dances.
O/N Addis city Hotel (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 10: Thursday, 14 Oct 2010 Depart

Early breakfast. Check-out and transfer to hotel.
Check-in for return flight to SA.

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Services include

* Vehicles: Toyota Land Cruisers 4WD for south, capacity up to 5 people including driver. Minibus or bus for Addis Ababa

* 3* hotel in Addis Ababa on BB (bed and breakfast)

* 2-3* hotels out of Addis Ababa in FB (full board) in double room occupancy

* 3 meals daily, including non-alcoholic drinks, out of Addis Ababa

* One traditional dinner in Addis Ababa with folkloristic dances

* Entrances fees in parks

* English speaking guide for duration of tour.

* Cook where necessary

* Boat on Lake Chamo for 1-2 hrs

* Gratuities for: airport porters, hotel porters, drivers.

* Government taxes

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Tour Details

Tour cost:

Land arrangements in Ethiopia based on 6 people sharing: US$2450.00 per person
Single supplement : US$ 210.00 per person
Flight from Johannesburg / Addis / Johannesburg (approximately): R6 000.00 pp