Tribes of the Omo & Addis Ababa

Explore Africa with the "Tribes of the Omo & Addis Ababa" Tour

4 Days

From transit to unforgettable detour—turn that layover into a 4-day Ethiopian encounter, meet the tribes of Omo!

Long layover in Addis Ababa? Don’t waste it watching the departure board. Ethiopia isn’t just a stopover — it’s a story waiting to be stepped into. Addis Ababa may be your transit hub, but with the right guide, it becomes your launchpad into a bold, beautiful mini-adventure. Why wait at the gate when you could explore a gateway to Africa’s soul?

This immersive adventure combines the vibrant culture of Ethiopia’s capital with an unforgettable journey through the breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cultures of the South Omo Valley. This tour offers unique opportunities to capture stunning images of traditional tribes of OOmo nd striking natural beauty. Experience the rich culture of the Hamer, Karo, and Dasenech people, and witness their unique customs, clothing, and rituals.

Addis Ababa is the world’s third-highest capital. Altitude may tire you at 2,400 meters above sea level in the Entoto mountain chain. First,, we take a 9am hotel-departing full-day city trip to go city-sightseeing. We’ll visit the National Museum (home of “Lucy”) and the Addis Ababa University Ethnological Museum (housed in the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie).

Explore the tribes of the Omo and vibrant Addis Ababa – Ethiopia is more than a stopover, it’s a story worth living.

Best time to go

Trip Highlights

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Day 1:

Welcome to Ethiopia!

Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you will be welcomed and assisted by your tour guide and driver for the transfer to the hotel. There will be a short drive to your hotel. The morning is at leisure to acclimatise and recover from the jetlag. For lunch we will drive to Makush Art Gallery; you will have your lunch while enjoying a collection of different works from different artists in Ethiopia.

After lunch, you will have a guided tour of Ethiopia's National Museum and Ethnographic Museum. The national museum is one of the best museums in quality and diversity of the exhibits. Archaeological exhibits include the 3.5 million-year-old fossil of Lucy (or 'Dinkinesh'—'thou art wonderful'—in the native language), a hominoid woman of the species Australopithecus afarensis. The discovery of Lucy's fossil in 1974 forced a complete rethink of human genealogy, proving that our ancestors were walking 2.5 million years earlier than had been supposed. The National Museum also contains many wonderful artefacts dating back to pre-Axumite civilisation.

The Ethnographic Museum is found in the old palace of the former Emperor Haile Selassie, which he later gave to Addis Ababa University. This museum exhibit is a varied array of artefacts and daily objects related to most ethnic groups in Ethiopia. After visiting the ethnographic museum, which is found in Addis Ababa University, we can make time to visit the university and meet the professors there. Today we will also visit Selassie Cathedral, one of the oldest and most beautiful cathedrals in Addis Ababa. This is also the last resting place of many famous kings and queens, including Emperor Haile Selassie.

Addis Ababa – Fly to Jinka / drive to Turmi

Day 2

You will depart/fly to Jinka and drive to Turmi, a journey of approximately 3 to 4 hours. As you travel through the picturesque Omo Valley, you will witness breathtaking landscapes that provide a perfect setting for photography.

Upon arrival in Turmi, you will visit the Hamer villages, where you can immerse yourself in their vibrant culture. Here, you will have the chance to capture the daily life of the Hamer people, known for their striking clothing and unique customs, and if you are lucky, you will attend the famous bull jumping ceremony, which is a rite of passage among the Hamer.

Note:

The flight from Addis Ababa (ADD) to Jinka (BCO) typically takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes (direct). It's a convenient and time-efficient way to reach the Omo Valley region for tribal and cultural tours.

Excursion to Karo and Dasenech

Day 3

The third day begins with a drive to the Karo villages along the banks of the Omo River, a journey that will take about an hour. The Karo people are renowned for their intricate body paintings, which you will have the opportunity to photograph as you engage with their daily lives. You will be taken to less-visited villages to experience the authentic lifestyle of the Karo and immerse yourself in their authentic cultures and traditions.

You will return to Turmi for lunch or enjoy a picnic lunch in their village. In the afternoon, you will continue your journey to visit the Dasenech tribe, known for their strong connection to the Omo River and their traditional fishing and farming practices. This day will be rich with cultural interactions and stunning photographic opportunities. After a fulfilling day, you will return to Turmi for dinner and another overnight stay.

Turmi – Jinka / fly back to Addis

Day 4

On the final day of your tour, you will depart Turmi for Jinka, enjoying the scenic drive one last time as you soak in the beauty of the Omo Valley. This journey will take approximately 3 to 4 hours, providing you with a final opportunity to capture any last images along the way. Upon arrival in Jinka, you will board your flight back to Addis Ababa (ADD).

In the evening there will be a farewell dinner with live music and Ethiopian dishes. After the farewell dinner, transfer to Addis Ababa airport for the flight back.