On arrival at Bole International Airport, you'll be met and taken to your hotel for check-in. In the evening, you'll be taken to a traditional cultural restaurant where you can dine on Ethiopian cuisine, and see singers and dancers from all parts of the country perform.
After breakfast, you'll be picked up and start the drive to Hawassa (about five hours). You can stop at interesting places along the way, and see whatever you choose.
In the afternoon, you'll arrive at Hawassa, and will check into your resort on the shores of Lake Awassa. Hawassa is the Capital of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' Region.
After breakfast, continue the drive to Bale Mountain National Park (about four hours to the park entrance). At the park entrance, you'll complete the park formalities, and continue your drive across the park to the lodge.
Bale Mountains are known for their population of Ethiopian wolves, and you will hopefully spot some as you drive across the park.
Full day in the Bale Mountains. You can choose to do some hikes around the lodge, or drive to the highest peak, or explore the area in your car. Highlights of the park include the peaks, the plateaus, and some lovely walking trails.
The Bale Mountains have one of the highest incidences of animal endemism of any terrestrial habitat on earth; the park itself holds 26% of Ethiopia’s endemic species. In addition to a wealth of endemic, unique and endangered mammals, Bale Mountains is home to a wide range of bird species. Rated by the African Bird Club as the number four birding spot in Africa, the Bale Mountains are home to over 300 species of birds – six of which are endemic to Ethiopia and 11 to Ethiopia and neighboring Eritrea.
Full day in the Bale Mountains. Activities as before.
When you're ready, depart from the Bale Mountains, and drive to Lake Langano, stopping on the way at Sheshemani, home of Ethiopia's Rastafarian community.
On arrival at Lake Langano, you can spend the evening enjoying the views of the lake and bird-watching.
Full day in Langano. You can spend the day enjoying the views, taking a boat trip, doing some bird watching, kayaking on the lake, and any of the other activities on offer.
In the morning, drive to Addis Ababa, and check in at Bole International Airport in time for your flight to Jinka.
Flight times:
- depart Addis at 12.20pm
- arrive in Jinka at 1.35pm
Please note that this flight only operates on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.
On Monday and Wednesday the flight leaves Addis at 8.15am, arriving in Jinka at 9.30, so you would need to spend the night in Addis and depart the following morning. On Saturdays and Tuesdays there is no flight from Addis to Jinka.
On arrival in Jinka, visit the South Omo Museum and Research Centre where you'll find lots of information about the tribes of the Omo Valley.
Start early for the drive into Mago National Park to visit the Mursi tribe. These people are known for their women wearing lip plates, and for other body decorations.
Return to Jinka for lunch, then drive to Turmi, where you'll check into your hotel.
Spend the day in the Omo Valley, visiting some of the tribal villages in the surrounding area. Tribes here include the Hamar, Dassenach, Banna, Karo and more. You can also stop off at the tribal markets, which take place on specific days of the week. Should there be any tribal ceremonies while you're here, you'll also have the opportunity to participate in these.
Full day in the Omo Valley. Highlights as before.
Drive back to Jinka, and check in in time for your flight to Addis Ababa.
Flight times:
Monday and Wednesday
- Depart Jinka at 10am
- Arrive in Addis at 11.20am
Thursday, Friday and Sunday
- Depart Jinka at 2.05pm
- Arrive in Addis at 3.25pm
Please note that there are no flights from Jinka to Addis on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
On arrival in Addis Ababa, check in for your international departure.
