Cultural · Wildlife · Historical
12-Day Omo Valley Culture, Bale Wildlife, Harar & Awash
Omo Valley peoples, Ethiopian wolves on the Sanetti Plateau, the hyenas of Harar and the wildlife of Awash.
- Duration
- 12 Days
- Season
- October to March
- Group Size
- Private or group
- Price
- Designed Around You
The Journey
11 nights, designed around the hours that matter
A private journey through indigenous cultures, wildlife, dramatic landscapes and historic cities. After Addis Ababa, Debre Libanos and the Gelada baboons at the Portuguese Bridge, fly to Jinka to meet the Bena, Mursi, Karo, Hamer and Dassanech communities of the Omo Valley. Continue via Konso and Arba Minch to the Bale Mountains, searching Dinsho and the Sanetti Plateau for Ethiopian wolves, Mountain Nyala and endemic birds, then on to historic Harar and its evening hyena feeding, Aledeghi Wildlife Reserve and Awash National Park, ending with a cultural dinner in Addis Ababa.
Day by Day
Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary
This itinerary is carefully planned, but minor adjustments may be made due to weather, local festivals, road conditions or your personal interests to ensure the best possible experience.
Day 1
Arrival in Addis Ababa – City Tour
You will arrive at Bole International Airport in the morning, where your private guide will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. After time to freshen up and relax, begin a gently paced city tour that includes highlights such as the National Museum, where you can see the fossil remains of Lucy, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Entoto Hill or Merkato, one of Africa’s largest open-air markets. You will also experience a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, an important part of Ethiopian culture and hospitality. Overnight: Lobelia Hotel, Addis Ababa.
Day 2
Debre Libanos – Portuguese Bridge – Gelada Baboons
After breakfast, drive north of Addis Ababa to Debre Libanos, an important Ethiopian Orthodox monastery surrounded by beautiful highland scenery. Continue to the Portuguese Bridge, a historic stone bridge spanning a dramatic gorge. The area is one of the best places near Addis Ababa to see the endemic Gelada baboons, and you will spend time walking and observing them in their natural habitat before returning to Addis Ababa. Overnight: Lobelia Hotel, Addis Ababa.
Day 3
Fly Addis Ababa – Jinka – Bena – Mursi – Turmi
After an early breakfast, fly from Addis Ababa to Jinka and begin the journey toward Turmi. On the way, meet the Bena boys, who walk on traditional stilts, and, depending on local conditions and timing, visit the Mursi community around Key Afer, one of the best-known peoples of the Omo Valley. Arrive in Turmi in the afternoon and, in the late afternoon, visit a traditional Hamer village to learn about their daily life, livestock, houses, clothing and ceremonies. Depending on the local schedule, you may witness a bull-jumping ceremony or an evening Hamer Evangadi dance; ceremonies depend on community events and are not guaranteed. Photography and interaction with local communities always take place respectfully and with your guide’s assistance. Overnight: Paradise Lodge, Turmi.
Day 4
Turmi – Karo – Dassanech – Turmi
After breakfast, drive to the Karo villages along the Omo River and learn about their traditional lifestyle, body painting and relationship with the river. Return toward Turmi for lunch. In the afternoon, continue to the Dassanech community in the southern Omo Valley, near the Omo River and the Lake Turkana region, and experience their culture and village life before returning to Turmi. Overnight: Paradise Lodge, Turmi.
Day 5
Turmi – Konso – Arba Minch
Total driving distance: approximately 350 km (6 to 7 hours). After breakfast, drive from Turmi to Arba Minch through some of the most spectacular landscapes of southern Ethiopia, passing rural communities and changing ecosystems. On the way, visit the Konso community and learn about their traditional lifestyle, culture and daily activities. Continue to Arba Minch and, depending on your arrival time, enjoy a relaxed evening overlooking the lakes and countryside. Overnight: Saro Hotel, Arba Minch.
Day 6
Arba Minch – Bale Mountains – Dinsho
Total driving distance: approximately 400 km (8 to 9 hours). After breakfast, drive from Arba Minch through the Ethiopian highlands to the Bale Mountains and continue to Dinsho, the headquarters and gateway of Bale Mountains National Park. Enjoy an afternoon wildlife walk around Dinsho, an excellent place to look for Mountain Nyala, Menelik’s bushbuck, Bale monkeys, Anubis baboons, warthogs, giant mole-rats and endemic highland birds. Ethiopian wolves are possible, though sightings are more likely on the Sanetti Plateau. Overnight: Nurobe Hotel, Goba.
Day 7
Bale Mountains National Park – Sanetti Plateau
After breakfast, drive into Bale Mountains National Park and up to the Sanetti Plateau, which rises above 4,000 metres and includes some of the highest landscapes in Ethiopia. The main objective today is the endemic Ethiopian wolf, one of Africa’s rarest carnivores and one of the most important reasons to visit Bale. You will also look for giant mole-rats, Mountain Nyala, Menelik’s bushbuck, Bale monkeys, Gelada baboons and endemic birds. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park before continuing your wildlife exploration and returning to your hotel. Overnight: Nurobe Hotel, Goba.
Day 8
Bale Mountains – Harar
Total driving distance: approximately 450 to 500 km (9 to 11 hours). After an early breakfast, begin the long drive from the Bale Mountains to Harar in eastern Ethiopia, passing changing landscapes, rural villages and farmland. Arrive in Harar in the late afternoon or evening and, if time permits, take a short evening walk around the old city. Overnight: Ferej Hotel, Harar.
Day 9
Harar City Tour – Hyena Feeding
After breakfast, explore the historic walled city of Harar Jugol. Walk through the narrow streets of the old town, explore its neighbourhoods and traditional Harari houses, and visit important cultural and historical sites and local markets, learning about the city’s history as a crossroads between Africa and the Middle East. In the evening, after sunset, experience the famous hyena feeding, when the traditional hyena men feed wild spotted hyenas that gather outside the city walls. Overnight: Ferej Hotel, Harar.
Day 10
Harar – Aledeghi Wildlife Reserve – Awash
Total driving distance: approximately 400 km (9 hours). After breakfast, depart Harar and drive from the highlands toward the drier lowlands of eastern Ethiopia. Continue to Aledeghi Wildlife Reserve in search of Grevy’s zebra, oryx, gazelles, Somali ostrich and other wildlife adapted to the dry landscape, then drive on to Awash National Park and relax after the day’s journey. Overnight: Genet Hotel, Awash.
Day 11
Awash National Park Wildlife Experience
After breakfast, spend the full day exploring Awash National Park by 4x4, with its wildlife, volcanic landscapes, savannah, riverine scenery and spectacular gorges. Look for oryx, greater kudu, gazelles, baboons, warthogs and a rich variety of birds. Depending on local conditions and park access, visit the Awash River, the Awash Gorge and viewpoints around the waterfalls, with a picnic or lunch during the day. Overnight: Genet Hotel, Awash.
Day 12
Awash – Addis Ababa – Departure
Wake up early for a final morning wildlife drive in Awash, when temperatures are cooler and animals are more active. Return to the hotel for breakfast and check-out, then drive back to Addis Ababa as the Afar lowlands give way to the Ethiopian highlands. In the evening, attend a traditional cultural dinner with live music, traditional dancing, Ethiopian food and drinks, before your transfer to Bole International Airport for your international flight.
What Is Included
- Meet-and-assist at Bole International Airport and all transfers
- Domestic flights as shown in the itinerary
- Private 4x4 vehicle with an experienced driver
- Licensed English-speaking guide (other languages on request)
- 11 nights of accommodation: 3 to 4 Star Hotels & Lodges
- Full board: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Entrance fees to all sites and churches in the itinerary
- Farewell dinner with traditional music and dance
Not Included
- International flights and Ethiopian visa
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Photography fees in Omo Valley villages (paid locally)
- Drinks, tips and personal expenses
Before You Book
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Guest reviews
What our guests say
Rated 5.0 on Tripadvisor and Google, and 4.9 on SafariBookings.
“My tour operator was very communicative even before the trip began and very responsive on WhatsApp. He booked all my domestic flights and arranged all my airport pick-ups and drop-offs. He had professional guides in all the regions I visited, the itinerary was clear, and he was flexible with any changes. There were no extra costs. He is reliable, communicative and well experienced. I will be back with the same company.”
Sarah · Kenya · August 2026
Read more reviews on SafariBookings“Excellent services provided by Maereg and his team. The local guides and the drivers – Geta (my fave) – were all great. They were patient, professional, knowledgeable and took great care of us. Everything was seamlessly coordinated and they were always on time for pickups and made sure we were briefed in advance of the itinerary and any changes. One of my top travel destinations in Africa, with some of the kindest and warmest people. Maereg went above and beyond! First-class service, always with a smile!”
D Thomas · Google review · May 2026
Read more reviews on GoogleEnquire
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Runs October to March · Private or group · A quote made for your journey
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