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Ethiopia:
Omo River Valley
The Omo River Valley in south western Ethiopia is still a mostly unspoiled area, where many different tribes live as they have done for centuries. These tribes, who for a long time lived in complete isolation, include the Karo, Geleb, Hammer, Bume, Mursi and many others, each having their own distinctive and unique features.
The Mursi and Surma tribes have become particularly famous for the large lip plates worn by the women and the fierce stick fighting that the men partake in. The Karo and Hammer tribes are well known for their amazing body paintings and the Konso tribe for their attractive terracing systems. The southern part of this region is home to the Dorze people, and in the old Dorze village of Chencha you will still find their beehive shaped houses made from bamboo and the leaves of enset, false banana trees. Many of the tribes have opened their villages to tourists. As tourist attractions, these villages may have lost some of their appeal and charm, but the tribes do nevertheless continue to live in these villages much the same way as they always have, and they can provide a brilliant, and genuine, insight into local culture.
The Omo River Valley is also home to several National Parks with suitable camp sites and prolific wild life where you can still find buffalo, cheetah, leopard, giraffe, Bruchell’s Zebras, hartebeest, topi, Oryx and lion.
In and around the Omo River Valley
It is recommended that you visit a couple of the tribes living in this region as their traditions and general appearance vary greatly. It is also worth visiting one of the weekly markets at one of the local villages - this is when the villages are most active, and you can also purchase local crafts.
quicklinks > request itinerary : other regions in Ethiopia
Other regions in Ethiopia
Axum is a city in northern Ethiopia named after the long lived Kingdom of Aksum, a naval and trading power that ruled from 400 BC into the 10th century - nearly 1,500 years.
Bahir Dar is situated on the southern shore of Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile.
The Bale Mountains National Park, which protects over 2,400 square kilometres of pristine plains, woodlands and bush land, is home to a multitude of unique flora and fauna species, as well as several endemic species of mammal.
The Ethiopian Rift Valley lakes are the northernmost of the African Rift Valley lakes.
Gondar, which used to be the royal capital city of Ethiopia from 1666 to 1864, was founded by Emperor Fasiladas in 1635.
Harar is considered a Muslim holy city, and within its walls are no less then 90 mosques.
Lalibela, formerly known as Roha, is one of Ethiopia's holiest cities
The Omo River Valley in south western Ethiopia is home to a number of tribes, living life much like they have for centuries.
The Simiens, which includes Ras Deshen is Ethiopia's highest mountain, are in the north-western corner of the country.
