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ITINERARY

 

Day 1, Monday 8th February: Addis Ababa 

 

ARRIVE in Addis Ababa. Group members gather in the lobby of the Capital Hotel and Spa. Tour overview, briefing and Q&A session at 5:30/6pm followed by a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay at the Capital Hotel 

 

Day 2 – Tuesday 9th February: Addis Ababa – Yabello (Flight ET171 8:05-09:10) 

 

Visit the Borana people https://www.101lasttribes.com/tribes/borana.html The Borana Oromo people, also called the Boran, are a sub-ethnic section of the Oromo people who live in southern Ethiopia (Oromia) and northern Kenya. Stay overnight at the Yabello Pension (Basic accommodation) 

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Day 3 – Wednesday 10th February Yabello - Konso 

 

We visit a Konso village approximately 1000 years old with its fortified walls and terraces. This area is a UNESCO world heritage site. We immerse ourselves in the walled compounds of an ancient village with the Konso people. Overnight at Kanta Lodge in Konso 

 

Day 4 – Thursday 11th February 

 

We drive from Konso to Turmi, visiting the Key Afar Market en route. We drive to Turmi, where we are based at Paradise Lodge for three nights. An opportunity to recharge batteries and relish being in a small simple lodge. Here we will have an evening photographing the Hamar tribe. The Hamar are a very resilient and culturally proud tribe. Like most of the tribes, the men often have more than one wife; the first wife is always recognisable by the type of necklace she wears, and the second and third wives wear thinner neckbands and can be readily distinguished from the first. The Hamar women have high cheekbones, wear thick copper/metal necklaces, elaborate beads, and goat-skins and their hair is often coloured with red ochre and butter. The men often use coloured clay on their hair and take real pride in their appearance and culture. Like all the tribes, they are very photogenic and culturally resilient. If we are lucky we may get a chance to see a bull jumping event where a young Hamar man comes of age. As roads encroach and telecommunications advance it is inevitable that their culture will change and the seeds of homogenisation are already sown. Tourism is perhaps a way in which the Hamar, and the other Omo tribes, can retain their cultural integrity. Tourism is perhaps leading to a reinvention of their tribal traits and traditions. The tribes must be the change they want to see in themselves. Self-determination is integral to a sustainable future. Can they do this, or will the external forces of change homogenise and result in their demise? Overnight at Paradise Lodge 

 

Day 5 – Friday 12th February 

 

A very early start from Turmi to visit the Kara/Karo people in Dus, the second of three village settlements of the Kara tribe. Sited on the banks of the Omo River, the Kara are known for their creative and decorative body chalk painting. Many of the Kara women have pierced lips and insert nails, flowers and pins. In addition to various photographic opportunities in the village and on the banks of the Omo River, we may be able to photograph the ceremonial, communal dances performed by the people of Dus or early morning goat-herding. This is dusty and very atmospheric – photo opportunities abound. In the afternoon we visit a Hamar village (Bull jumping its always a possibility). Overnight at Paradise lodge 

 

Day 6 – Saturday 13th February 

 

An early start to visit the Daasanach tribe who live in the fertile Omo River delta, close to Kenya and Lake Turkana where they hunt crocodiles. They are pastoralists, living in one of the more arid areas of the valley. We stop in Omorate to get permits to visit and for this we need our passports! The Daasanach/Dassenech move their villages regularly often in response to grazing needs but also it response to climate change which has exacerbated the flood hazard. In the afternoon we go to Dimeka market and see the Hamar socializing and buying food. The Hamar women have high cheekbones, wear thick copper/metal necklaces, elaborate beads, and goat-skins and their hair is often coloured with red ochre and butter. The men often use coloured clay on their hair and take real pride in their appearance and culture. Like all the tribes, they are very photogenic. Overnight in Paradise Lodge 

 

Day 7 – Sunday 14th February 

 

Another very early start to visit the Arbore tribe. We drive approximately two hours to Chew Bahir (Lake Stefanie) to visit an Arbore village and photograph daily life. They are one of the most beautiful tribes. After our visit to the Arbore, we drive onwards to Jinka to visit the Ari and the Jinka Museum, which is great for insight into the lives of the tribes. Jinka is home to the Ari people. They are quite westernised but there may be opportunities to participate in a coffee ceremony, watch them making injera (a flatbread made from Tef) and possibly a visit to a flour mill. Overnight at Eco Omo lodge 

 

Day 8 – Monday 15th February 

 

A visit to Mago National Park and the Mursi tribe. The order in which we visit the tribes may change depending on the possibility of celebrations such as the Hamar Bull Jumping. Overnight at Eco Omo lodge. 

 

Day 9 – Tuesday 16th February 

 

Today we move to a completely different part of Ethiopia - Afar in the North East. Flights (ET270 10:15-11:35 and ET164 15:55-17:15) Jinka to Semera via Addis Ababa. Overnight at Afar Yangudi Hotel 

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Day 10 – Wednesday 17th February 

 

We visit Alele Sulula and search for the Afar people https://www.101lasttribes.com/tribes/afar.html who are amongst some of the most resilient on Earth due to the fact that they live in the hottest place on Earth. They are renowned for being fierce and are not always easy to photograph! The Afar, also known as the Danakil, Adali and Odali are a Cushitic speaking ethnic group inhabiting the Horn of Africa. They primarily live in the Afar region of Ethiopia and in northern Djibouti. As well as the southern coast of Eritrea. Afars are the only inhabitants of the Horn of Africa whose traditional territories border both the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Overnight Camping 

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Day 11 - Thursday 18th February  

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We spend the day with the Afar people visiting their villages and seeing how they bring their cattle to wells dug in the river beds. Overnight Camping. 

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Day 12 - Friday 19th February 

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We return to Semera. Overnight at Afar Yangudi Hotel 

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Day 13 – Saturday 20th February 

 

Today we fly to Tigray. Flight (ET111 10:00-11:10 and ET104 11:55-13:30) Semera to Mekele via Addis Ababa. Drive Mekele to Hawzien. Overnight at Gheralta Lodge 

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Day 14 – Sunday 21th February 

 

We spend the day in the Gheralta area visiting ancient Orthodox churches. .We seek light coming from windows and doors as flash is not permitted but the atmosphere is unforgettable. A good opportunity to experiment with auto-ISO. There are many of these ancient churches, some with old frescoes and the priests are always will to be photographed for a small fee of course! Some of the churches are in spectacular locations in the Gheralta mountains. Overnight at Gheralta Lodge. 

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Day 15 – Monday 22nd February 

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We drive from Hawzien to Mekele again stopping at some of the churches en route. We fly from Mekele to Addis Ababa and have Capital Hotel day-use if needed. Flight ET261 16.10 - 17.45 and connecting international flight. It may be sensible to pay for an extra night in the Hotel if you feel there isn’t enough time.