jIMMA & SURMA CULTURAL 12 DAYS 11NIGHTS

In the morning start driving to Jimma, in route you will visit the interesting Gurage people village, and we will pass through beautiful landscapes as you drive through the Gibe River Valley. Afternoon if time allowed visit to the famous Aba Jifar II palace. Abba Jifar II was king of the Gibe Kingdom of Jimma (reigned 1878 – 1932). He was the son ofAbba Gomoland Queen Gumiti.

Lunch Weliso or welkite Dinner Dololo hotel

 Overnight stay in Dololo hotel.

After breakfast start driving to via Bonga to Mizan Teferim, This is the place where coffee is believed to have originated. In fact the name itself “Coffee” might have derived from the name of this old region called “Kaffa drive through to the largest and the oldest natural forest Ethiopia and also large tea and coffee farms

Overnight Hotel in Mizan Teferi Salayish hotel

In the morning Continue driving to Kibish the first part of this area is covered by dense pluvial rainy forest with different indigenous trees. The Anuak are a river people whose villages are scattered along the banks and rivers of southeastern Sudan and western Ethiopia, in the Gambela Region.

On the way you will visit Bebeka coffee plantation, the Ethiopia’s largest old coffee plantation.

Overnight Camping in Kibish

After breakfast start exploring Suri (surma) tribe’s villages; Suri’s live in a remote corner of south-western Ethiopia, virtually untouched by the modern world. According to Suri oral tradition, came to their present territory near Mount Naita about 200 years ago from the banks of the Nile River. The Surma have a sky god named Tuma. Penetrating and lip plates are a strong part of the Suri culture. Once the lip is pierced, it’s then stretched and a lip plate is then placed in the hole of the piercing.

Overnight Camping in Kibish

In the morning start our journey to the village Tulgit; Where to camp this day depends on where a possible stick-fighting which is called “DONGA” is available. Normally stick-fighting takes place between Kibish and Tulgit. A sport and ritual the Surma take extremely seriously isstick fighting. In most cases, stick fighting is done so young men can find wives. It is a way for young men to prove themselves to the young women.

To the Suri, the ideal time to stick fight is just after it rains. The fights are held between Suri villages, and the fights begin with 20 to 30 people on each side. Of these 20 to 30 people, all get a chance to fight one on one against someone from the other side. During these fights there are referees present to make sure all rules are being followed. Know a day this stick fighting is not allowed by the government Overnight Tulgit Camping

In the morning drive Omo Park Drive through a very dense tropical forest until Adika. Then drive other 65km until the head quarter of the Omo Park. Omo National Park is one of the National Parks of Ethiopia. Located in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region on the west bank of the Omo River, across the Omo is the Mago National Park. Although an airstrip was recently built near the park headquarters on the Mui River, this park is not easily reachable.

Overnight Camp in the Park

After breakfast, Start Game drive in the park to see its many animals and around 306 species of birds have been identified here, while large herds of Eland, some Buffalo, Elephants, Giraffe, Cheetah, Lion, Leopard, Burchell’s Zebra and others. And visit Mursi The Mursi tribe are one of the last remaining tribes in Africa to still wear traditional dress and accessories The Mursi women also wear clay or wooden plates in their lower lips or earlobes..

Overnight Eco omo lodge jinka

Morning after breakfast, we continue our trip to Turmi where we will meet the fascinating Hamer tribe. Turmi is our base to explore the Southern tribes of the Omo Valley. Afternoon we visit the villages in Turmi.

Overnight: paradise lodge turmi

Morning:-Drive to karo people although more people in southern practice body painting, the Karo are famous for elaborated decoration of their body.  Different types of painting are used for certain ceremonies.

Afternoon after lunch Turmi is well known for its traditional events and with some luck we will even participate in a Hamer marriage ceremony, with its bull jumping ceremony and more! In the late afternoon, we will also visit a nearby Hamer village and encounter the tribe in its daily life surroundings. With some luck, we may even witness a moonshine dance (Evangadi), a traditional dance of young Hamer men and women.

Overnight: paradise lodge turmi

Morning: Turmi – Omorate- Turmi (140 km):

The town of Omerate is only 30 km away from Kenya and South Sudan and functions as a border post. At only 375 meter above sea level it is the lowest place in the Omo Valley and often very hot and dusty. We take an excursion to visit the Dassanech Ethnic group (70 km, one way), famous for their nomad lifestyle and very interesting decoration and scarification on their bodies. There are also great views of the Omo River when crossing in a dugout canoe .Here you can cross the Omo River with local boat and inter to dassench village.

Afternoon after lunch drive to Turmi – Konso (180 km) Konso. We will reach the well-kept Kanta Lodge in the late afternoon.

Overnight: Kanta Lodge, Konso

Morning: – visit the cultural landscape of Konso is the youngest World Heritage Site of Ethiopia. The Konso are famous for their waga stelae or grave markers for an important carved wooden grave markers. A row of these stelae are erected on the grave of an important Konso man. One symbolizing the hero, the others his wives and his defeated enemies or killed dangerous animals.

Afternoon:-We drive from Konso to Arba Minch (1 h)

Overnight Haile Resort Arba Minch

Morning. A boat trip on Lake Chamo offers a variety of birds, most of the time hippo’s and a spectacular visit to the ‘crocodile market’ where dozens of crocodiles (among them the biggest of Africa) warming their bodies in sun.

Afternoon fly back to Addis Ababa with flight we will be picked up at Bole Airport and be transferred to your reserved hotel (day room). Flight time you will do some shopping for souvenirs. Finally you will be taken to a farewell dinner depending on your scheduled flight; you will be transferred out to Bole International Airport for return flight back home