Grand South – Omo Valley, Bale Mountains and Harar

One border, two countries: Southern Ethiopia. On your arrival in Addis, we provide a courtesy room near the airport while waiting for your next flight (ET 171, 11:45 > 12:45). Jinka is the capital of the Omo Valley and the gateway to the tribes. The museum is particularly worth a visit and will be an excellent introduction to this distinctive region. Breakfast not included. Lunch (in town) and dinner (at the hotel) included.

Cultural encounters in the Omo Valley. After this acclimatization day, we rise very early to take the road to Mago National Park. The Mursi are the best-known tribe in the region, whose symbol is the lip plate, worn only by women. It is a voluntary sign of beauty, and is said to bring fertility and loyalty to their husband. Mursi men are renowned for saginé, a stick-fighting duel. The Key Afer market (every Thursday) brings together several tribes from the region. The Ari tribe is the largest in the region and counts among the most peaceful. Breakfast (at the hotel), lunch (picnic) and dinner (at the hotel) included.

Magnificent hairstyles among the Hamer. Turmi is a small village at the crossroads of many tribes, and one of the strongholds of the Hamer tribe, whose 'cattle jumping' (at an additional fee payable on site) you may be lucky enough to witness, an initiation ceremony for men into adulthood and marriage. Their painted masks are among the most elaborate. Dimeka being a Hamer stronghold, you will see many of them at the market (Saturday). Breakfast (at the hotel), lunch (in town) and dinner (at the hotel) included.

Scarification: a way of life. The Dassanetch are nomads, who are beginning to settle thanks to fishing and agriculture, and whose environment resembles the deserts of the Sahara or the Kalahari. The Karo are a small tribe of barely 1,500 individuals, related to the more numerous Hamer. Like them, scarification (scars on the body) plays an important role in their customs, as do the very distinctive women's hairstyles. Breakfast (at the hotel), lunch (in town) and dinner (at the hotel) included.

Konso culture and terraced landscapes. The Konso are a distinctive people, who have managed to make fertile one of the most inhospitable lands in the country. Their villages are particularly aesthetic, and this is a tribe that tends to gather together, unlike their neighbors, who are more dispersed and nomadic. Each village comprises a number of sub-communities, in a highly complex social stratum that your local Konso guide will explain perfectly, in addition to your French-speaking guide. Breakfast (at the hotel), lunch (picnic) and dinner (at the hotel) included.

Discovery of the incredible roofs of the Dorze. It is then time to leave the tribal region to reach Arba Minch, from where we will briefly visit the Dorze village and their very distinctive house roofs. Arba Minch is the gateway to the Omo Valley, a superb city located on the shores of Lake Chamo. A short cruise is planned, during which you will undoubtedly see some crocodiles and hippopotamuses, as well as many species of birds. Lake Chamo being located on the Rift Valley, a magnificent landscape awaits you. Breakfast (at the hotel), lunch (in town) and dinner (at the hotel) included.

Scenic route from the South-West to the South-East. Along a magnificent road that begins in the Rift Valley and ends at the gateway to the National Park, we change region while remaining in the deep South of Ethiopia. Breakfast (at the hotel), lunch (in town) and dinner (at the hotel) included.

Afro-alpine fauna and flora take center stage. After quick formalities, we head straight into Bale National Park, known to be the habitat of many endemic species. The local guide will point out, among others, the Abyssinian Wolf, the Nyala and many more. This day is dedicated to the Harenna Forest, the second largest forest in Ethiopia. Here, you will rather encounter amphibians and other reptiles, as well as perhaps black-maned lions. Breakfast (at the hotel), lunch (picnic) and dinner (at the hotel) included.

The expedition continues with your guides. The Sanetti Plateau is the largest expanse of afro-alpine forest (altitude above 3,500m) in the world. In addition to the animals, you will contemplate a vast diversity of birds and birds of prey. Instead of camping, you might prefer accommodation at the renowned Bale Mountain Lodge. Breakfast (at the hotel), lunch (picnic) and dinner (at the hotel) included.

A gentle change of region. After all these mountainous discoveries, we take the road again today towards milder lands. Our itinerary takes us through the famous Arsi plateau, where many generations of famous marathon runners were born and still train today: Haile Gebresalassie, Derartu Tulu, Kenenisa Bekele… a few among the great champions that this land has seen born. Breakfast (at the hotel), lunch (in town) and dinner (at the hotel) included.

From the high plateaus to the savannas. The road will be a little easier today, and we return to more fertile and more populated lands. We indeed plunge back into the Rift Valley, via the Awash depression. Awash National Park was established in 1966 and covers some 756 km². It has a semi-arid climate and is dotted with a few forest groves. The palm sites often hide hot springs in whose shade it is pleasant to bathe. As is often the case in Ethiopia, the large mammals will make themselves scarce, and it is rather an incredible variety of bird species that you will be able to admire. Breakfast (at the hotel), lunch (in town) and dinner (at the hotel) included.

From the high plateaus to the savannas. The song of the birds wakes us, and accompanies us at breakfast taken in the heart of nature. A short game drive will offer you the opportunity to discover some of the park's endemic birds and animals. After lunch, we take to the road again, ever further East. Overnight stop in the charming city of Dire Dawa. Breakfast (at the hotel), lunch (in town) and dinner (at the hotel) included.

A scent of the colonial era. The Station and the Alliance Française will give you a glimpse of French railway craftsmanship. In the afternoon, two archaeological sites will along the way give you a glimpse of the Ethiopian countryside. In the late afternoon we head toward the mythical city of Harar; along the way, the colorful market of Dire Dawa is renowned for being at the crossroads between several ethnic groups. Hyena feeding scene beneath the ramparts. Breakfast (at the hotel), lunch (restaurant) and dinner (hotel) included.

The city that made the Christian kingdom of the high plateaus tremble. Rimbaud was certainly a writer, but also, among other things, an arms dealer. During his eventful life, he chose to take up residence in Harar, one of the oldest cities in the country, with characteristic architecture. From this day on we begin to explore its little alleys and its underlying history. There is so much to contemplate in Harar Jugol ('the old town') that a fine day is needed to visit, among other things, the House of Rimbaud, and to continue our gastronomic discoveries. In the late afternoon, we return to Dire Dawa from where our plane will take off the next day. Breakfast (at the hotel), lunch (restaurant) and dinner (hotel) included.

Discovery of Addis Ababa, the heavenly capital. This morning we favor a return flight to the capital (ET 207, 8:30 > 9:30). Addis Ababa was founded at the end of the 19th century, when Queen Taitu, wife of King Menelik, caught sight of a green valley from her palace at the top of Entoto hill; Addis Ababa means "New Flower" in Ethiopia's official language, Amharic. On landing, if you wish, we will begin a brief tour of Addis Ababa: a choice of visits between the National Museum (where Lucy is housed), the Ethnographic Museum in the former palace of the Negus Haile Selassie (now located in the heart of the university), or a drive up to the viewpoint on Entoto hill overlooking Addis, where King Menelik's Palace stands. This indicative program remains subject to change: depending on your wishes and how tired you are, we can arrange a souvenir-shopping session, and/or take you to a day-use room so you can freshen up and reorganize your luggage. A colorful farewell dinner with your French-speaking guide and a member of the Monpays Tours office will be a magnificent farewell to the Horn of Africa, where we hope to see you again very soon. Breakfast (at the hotel), lunch (in town) and farewell dinner show included.