South West Ethiopia’s Surma, Omo National Park and South Omo Valley Tribes
South West Ethiopia’s Surma, Omo National Park and South Omo Valley Tribes
Tour Duration: 12nights and 13days
Tour Include: Jimma, Mizan Teferi, the very remote and isolated Surma/ Suri tribe know for authentic tradition of Lip plate for women, Omo national park, Nyagatom, Kara, Hamar, Dassanech, Bana, Mursi, Ari, Konso
Day 1: Addis Ababa to Jimma
After breakfast, head southwest to Jimma enroute visiting the coffee growing area of Ethiopia and the Gurage villages. Overnight: Hotel in Jimma
Day 2: Jimma to Mizan
In the morning, we drive to Mizan enroute visiting different tribal villages like the Yem and Keficho tribal villages. Overnight: Hotel in Mizan
Day 3: Mizan, Tulgit or Kibish, Surma Village
After breakfast, we drive to Kibish enroute enjoying the stunning view that unfolds in front of us every minute of our drive. On our drive from Mizan to Tulgit or Kibish, we will stop at different tribal villages including the Diz and Minit. Overnight: Camping in Kibish
Day 4: Kibish or Tulgit, Surma
This day you will have a full day visit the Surma tribe and their villages. The Surma are found on the west bank of the Omo. Like their cousins (Mursi) on the other bank of the Omo River, they do body painting and the women wear lip plates. Overnight: Camping in Kibish
Day 5: From Tulgit or Kibish, Omo National Park
Today, we are driving descending all way on very awesome landscape on the way you may interested visit the tribes Dizi and Minit at village or on the way. and they drive through the sugar plantation to Omo National Park and have late afternoon game drive in the national park. Here you will have an opportunity to see unspoiled wilderness of the Omo National Park Overnight: Camping in Omo
Day 6: Optional Full Day in the Omo National Park
Early in the morning game drive to spot Animals back to the camp have your breakfast then continue drive to Nyagatom village to visit different tribes such Nyagatom, Murle, Tapoza and Kwego tribes. Overnight at Nyagatom village or local hotel
Day 7: Drive to Karo Village and then to Turmi
Day drive to Karo village Koricho, Karo known for body paint and decorate their face. They use white (chalk), black (charcoal), yellow, ochre, and red earth for decoration. Karo women scarify their chests to beautify themselves. The scarification of a man’s chest shows that he has killed an enemy or a dangerous animal. The scars are done with a knife or razor blade and ash is rubbed in to. Overnight Turmi at Lodge
Day 8: to Turmi Hamar drive to Hamar village
Drive to Hamar village, the homeland to the hospitable Hamar tribe. Attending to this market will allow you to compare the dressing patterns, ornamentation techniques etc. of the various tribes in the area. Proceed to Turmi check in to the lodge. Late afternoon drive to Hamar village near to the town to meet Hamar people at their village, to learn and admire their way of life.
Remark: during your stay in and around Turmi the guide will assist you searching Bull jumping ceremony
*What is Bull jumping ceremony? It is the rite of passage and social obligatory ritual for Hamer boy coming of age must be done before a man is permitted to marry. The Boy-to-be must “jump the cattle” four times to be successful and only castrated male cattle and cows may be used to jump over. This test is performed while naked (except for a few cords bound across the chest) as a symbol of the childhood he is about to leave behind him. On completion of this test, the young man joins the ranks of the maze – other men who have recently passed the same test and who spend the next few months of their lives supervising these events in villages throughout the Hamar territory. Overnight at Turmi or in the Hamar village
Day 9: Excursion from Turmi to Dassanech tribe
Morning Excursion to Omorate Dassanech tribe, arrive there and take canoe local boat curved from light wood to cross Omo River or drive on the river by newly built bridge, visit the nomadic village of Dassanech tribe and drive back to Turmi afternoon visit Hamar village around Turmi town. Overnight at paradise lodge Turmi
Day 10: Day drive to Jinka
Morning after breakfast drive Jinka. On the way visit Banna tribe. Admire they culture and way of life and the continue drive to Jinka for overnight. Overnight Eco- Omo lodge or Jinka Resort
Day 11: Excursion to Mursi village
Early Morning Excursion to Mursi village driving through Mago National Park visit the Mursi tribe whose Known for lip plate. Stay with admire their way of Life and take picture back to Jinka. Overnight at Jinka
Day 12: Drive to Arba Minch
Morning after breakfast drive to Arba Minch on the way Visit the well organized and densely populated village of Konso people and admire their way of life and then continue for Visit the market at Konso Town if the day falls in market day. Have your lunch at Konso and then proceed to Arba Minch. Overnight at Hotel
Day 13: Addis Ababa
Morning after breakfast
End of Tour