Omo Valley is certainly one of the most unique places on earth it is located in Africa’s Great Rift Valley and this region is known for its culture and diversity. The tribes that live in the lower Omo Valley are believed to be among the most fascinating on the continent of Africa and around the world.
Tour Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival – Sightseeing Addis
Welcome to Ethiopia You will be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel. Refresh and begin your sightseeing of Addis with a drive up to mount Entoto for a panoramic view of Addis. Descend down and drive to the National Museum where you will have a chance to spot the oldest hominids of the ‘Lucy’ fossil. Visit and proceed to the Holy Trinity built during WWII. Then proceed to the Ethnographic museum, which use to be the palace of Emperor Hailesellase. To wrap up you drive to Mercato, the biggest market in East Africa.
Day 02: Addis Ababa-Jimma
This day After having your early breakfast we will be heading southwest out of Addis Ababa to Jimma on the way you will have a chance of visiting the amazing landscapes with the coffee growing area and you will have time for stopping at the beautiful Gurage Villages to see the typical house style and their compounds. Later after having your lunch, you will be stopping at the landscapes of Gibe river then we will continue our driving to Jimma.
Day 03: Jimma-Keffa-Mizan
Early In the morning, drive to Mizan on the way you will see the green area of the Keffa province with its biospheres and the houses of Keficho tribal villages.
Day 04: Mizan-Kibish
After having your breakfast, We will be driven to Kibish on the way you will have a photo stop at the tribes of Yem and Misinger then with enjoying the stunning view of the Benchi Maji peoples villages we will continue our drive to an overnight stay in Kibish.
Day 05: Kibish-Surma
This day you will have a Full day to visit the Surma or Surui Tribe and their villages. The Surma are found on the west bank of the Omo. Like their cousins on the other bank of the Omo River, they do body painting and the women wear lip plates.
Day 06: Kibish-Omo National Park-Nyangatom
After breakfast and arranging all our staff we will be driving to Omo National Park on the way we will see some animals like buffalo, elephants, and ostrich and at the headquarters of the park we will be stopping for bush lunch then we will continue our drive to Nyangatom tribe’s villages.
Day 07: Nyangatom-Karo-Turmi
On this day you will have a chance of meeting another Omo Valley Tribes known as Nyangatom then after visiting the villages of those tribes we will be embarking on the Karo Tribes which is lying on the riverside Omo later we will be driving to the town of Turmi for overnight.
Day 08: Turmi-Omrate-Turkana Lakes
After having an early breakfast we will be driving to the Omorate to see the tribes of Dasenach then after staying in the villages of Dasenach then after we process our migration fee to cross the Turkana lakes, We will meet the tribes of Turkana and we will stay the night at the lakes side of Turkana lakes.
Day 09: Turkana-Turmi
This day after breakfast you will have a chance of seeing sunrise at lake Turkana then we will be back to Turmi for lunch then later we will be beheading to the villages of Hammer to see the beautiful tribes of Hammer then you will have a chance of seeing sun seat in the villages and you will see also the Bull Jumping ceremony if we are lucky and if this ceremony will be arranged.
Day 10: Turmi-Key Afer-Jinka
If the dates are Thursday we will be directly driving to the Key After markets to see the amazing markets of the three tribes that meet for these markets and you will have a chance of seeing Benna, Tsemay, and Ari tribes and later we will be driving to the villages of Tsemay then we will continue our drive to Jinka for overnight stay.
Day 11: Jinka-Mago National Park-Jinka
After breakfast we will be driving to you Mago National Park to see the tribes of Mursi then later we will be back to the town of Jinka and you will see the villages of Ari tribes and you will have a chance of seeing weaving and pottery.
Day 12: Jinka- Arbore-Konso
After an early breakfast, we will be driving to the villages of Arbore Tribes Arbore tribe is a small tribe that lives in the southwest region of the Omo Valley. They have ancestral and cultural links to the Konso people and perform many ritual dances while singing on the way you will see the Benna tribes near to the Weyto town then after you had a nice time at Arbore we will continue our drive to Konso for staying the night.
Day 13: Drive Konso – Yabello-Borena Tribes
This day you will drive to Yabello on the way we will stop at lake Elsode and then drive and Visit the Borena people. Overnight in Yabello.
Day 14: Drive Yabello – Yirgalem
This day you will drive to Yirgalem passing through the coffee plantation. Overnight in Yirgalem.
Day 15: Drive Yirgalem – Addis – Departure
After breakfast, drive to the town of Awassa. En-route visit the fish market around Lake Awassa. Around the lake, you could encounter different birds. Visit and drive back to Addis sightseeing en route.
In the evening attend a folkloric dinner where you will have a chance to taste several national dishes and watch dances of the various ethnic groups of Ethiopia. The traditional coffee ceremony will also be served. Later you will be transferred to the airport for your departure.
Baby Jinka accompanied me to Omo region during my cultural excursion and was very helpful. He’s very knowledgeable and aware of the region very well. He also helped me converse... read more with many tribes and his friends were very helpful too. I definitely recommend him if you’re visiting Karo/Mursi/Dassanech/Suri people in Omo region or just visiting there to explore...
Samarpak
I’ve wanted to visit the Suri Tribe for quite some time, was unsure about it due to the distance needed to travel to get there.. a friend referred me to... read more baby Jinka. Once we started talking and he laid out an itinerary I was much more confident about pulling the trigger and making it happen. It was such a smooth process, from him picking me up at the airport, to having all the supplies and provisions needed ready to go. His knowledgeable of the route and valley made the trip there a breeze. He is your guide and you realize that immediately, he makes sure you’re comfortable, have everything you need and is very attentive to “my client” as he would say. It was an amazing adventure, he’s does all the leg work, you just sit back and enjoy the views and take in the experience, he was able to answer any question I had. Baby is very good with people, especially the locals, if I had a request he always made it happen. I’ve traveled all over the world and this is one of the best experiences traveling I’ve had. Anyone hesitant about visiting Suri for any reason just touch base with Baby and you’ll understand what I’m talking about. Not only was he my guide but now he’s a good friend, I plan on going back again with Baby. Baby has repeat clients for a reason. The trip was a 10/10, if you’re considering making the trip get in touch with Baby Jinka, you won’t regret it.
Brianb2187
Excellent - We went with Baby 3 days. At the beginning he was our guide but in the end a good friend. We saw a lot of tribes and kesrn things about... read more it. Thank you Baby hope everything goes nice with you.
Amazing experience - We had a strong experience in the omo valley's tribes. Baby Jinka was very polite and helpful and he had a very experienced driver with him. His driver has experience... read more on birdwatching, for the birdlovers.
Biby jinka - I highly recommend Bibi Jinka, we made the trip to Umo with him and it was wonderful. Bibi Jinka always makes sure that everything is in the best And he... read more constantly takes care of his travelers
I did Mursi tribe with Baby , he tried his best for me to enjoy this amazing experience, as a local guide he can show you daily life of the... read more tribe and his own in town .
I felt it nice to support local people who are trying to start his own business and this is one of these cases.
Baby Jinka tours - Baby Jinka is a knowledgeable tour guide for the Omo Valley. We did a five day trip with him in September 2019 and it was great! He was helpful taking... read more us to great areas and very fun to be with. We highly recommend his services.
Phone: +251961415829
E-mail: info@babyjinka.com
Address: Jinka, Ethiopia