Rested and refreshed by your night in Addis, you will be collected by an Alluring Africa representative for your road transfer to the airport for your scheduled flight to Arba Minch, the largest town in southern Ethiopia. Set among lush green hills near Lakes Abaya and Chamo. Arba Minch is named for the numerous local springs that produce a groundwater forest.

In Amharic, Arbaminch means “forty springs.” The town itself is divided into two distinct settlements. Buses and taxis connect Shecha, on higher ground, with downtown Sikela.  Just two and a half miles away, Sikela, home to the commercial, industrial, and downtown residential areas. On the eastern side of Sikela lies the gate to Nechisar National Park, which covers the isthmus between Lake Abaya to the north and Lake Chamo to the south.

Upon arrival in Arbaminch, you will continue to Chencha Village, home of the Dorze people, renowned for their cotton weaving, called Shammas, and their distinctive homes – towering, beehive-shaped structures made from woven thatch.  Arrive at Haile Resort where you will stay for one night.

Enjoy a one-hour boat ride on Lake Chamo to Azo Gebeya, the so-called “crocodile market”, which is not a market at all, but a gathering place for crocodiles, hippo and pelican. Afterwards, depart for Jinka with a strop en route to visit the Konso region, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site for its rich culture. The Konso people live in a land of low terraced hills. They are reputed to be one of hardest working groups in the country. Their elaborately terraced hillside grows some of the county’s best coffee. They have an articulate tradition and erect peculiar totems on the graves of their deceased.

Continue to Jinka where you will stay at Eco Omo Lodge for one night.

After breakfast, depart to Mago National Park to visit the Mursi village. The Mursi are one of the most original ethnic groups. They live in very low huts made of straw leaves. The women like to wear terra cotta on their enormously stretched lower lips and ear lobes. The men are famous for their hairstyles.  The tribe is famed for their fierce warrior disposition and wildly decorative appearance, with large circular clay labrets that the women wear in the lower lip. The larger the lip plate, the greater the woman’s value when she is married. She removes her plate for eating and sleeping. We may see some women, especially elder women, without their lip plates. They are easily distinguished by how their long, distended lips hang down from their mouths.

Continue to Turmi where you will stay at Buska Lodge for two nights.

After breakfast, take an excursion to Omoratte, where you will have a cultural experience with the Geleb/ Dassenech people inhabitants of lower Omo River Valley.  

Afterwards, head to Murulle to visit the Karo people, who reside along the banks of the Lower Omo River. The Karo incorporate rich cultural symbolism into their rituals and use ornate body art, intricate headdress, and body scarification to emphasize beauty and status within their community this small but lively tribe numbers under 1,000, but they are the main non-nomadic agriculturalist group in the Lower Omo Valley. The Karo are differentiated from neighboring tribes by placing higher emphasis on body and face painting. They paint themselves daily with colored ochre, white chalk, yellow mineral rock, charcoal, and pulverized iron ore – all resources found in this area. Karo body painting is a deep aspect of their culture; they are communicating as well as decorating. The experience of visiting the people of this incredibly rich, proud, yet adapting culture gives amazing insight into Ethiopia’s indigenous peoples. 

Return to your lodge to relax at the outdoor bar or treat yourself to a massage before dinner. 

After breakfast you will visit the Hammer peoples, one of the most beautiful and dignified people in the Omo basin. The women wear elegant leather skirts festooned with tiny pearls. Personal appearance is important to the Hammer, and they are striking indeed. Their features and adornments include high cheekbones, elaborate beads and leather, elaborate hairstyles and thick copper necklaces.

Afterwards, drive back to Jinka for your scheduled flight to Addis Ababa.  Upon arrival, you will be collected by an Alluring Africa representative for your road transfer to Radisson Blu, where you will stay for one night.

At a time to be advised:  You will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport in time for your departure flight.

Return home, taking with you the sights, sounds, and memories of an incredible African adventure!