Duration
10-Day
Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
10-Day Safari in South Omo Valley and Bale Mountain
Overview
This is an extraordinary opportunity to travel through Southern Ethiopia. The Bale Mountains are home to 26 percent of Ethiopian endemics animals, birds, and plants, notably the Ethiopian wolf, Mountain Nyala, and Bale monkey. Whilst in this fascinating region we will learn about the varied ethnic groups who inhabit the region - from the Mursi, renowned for their lip-plates, the Konso famous for their terraced farming to the Hamer famous for their bull-jumping coming of age ceremony.
Plan snapshot
Quick Facts
Route
Addis Ababa to Addis Ababa
Via Arba Minch (City), Jinka (Lower Omo Valley), Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)
Country & park
Ethiopia / Bale Mountains National Park
Style
Mid-range shared safari
Group size
1-12 travelers
Starts
Any day if available
Minimum age
18 years
Activities
game drives & boat trip
Accommodation
Monarch Parkview Hotel - Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – All Meals Included
Meals
All Meals Included; Meals at Own Expense
Pickup
Airport transfer included
Booking
Request quote
Currency
EUR
Solo travelers
Can join this group tour
Rates
Rates Per Person
EUR
Start datesSingle2+ people
Jan 1, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026
€2.162 EUR
€1.815 EUR
Jan 1, 2027 - Dec 31, 2027
€2.162 EUR
€1.815 EUR
Jan 1, 2028 - Dec 31, 2028
€2.162 EUR
€1.815 EUR
Before booking
Important To Know
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
This tour is offered in Euros (EUR).
This tour is unavailable for children.
Quote flow
Request Guidance
We advise requesting quotes from 3 operators ()
Requests are sent directly to the tour operator
If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly
Route
country
Ethiopia
Start
Addis Ababa (Day 1)
Day 2
Arba Minch (City)
Day 3
Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)
Day 4-5
Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)
Day 6
Konso (Cultural Village)
Day 7
Yirga Alem (Town)
Day 8-9
Bale Mountains NP
End
Addis Ababa (Day 10)
Tour Features
Mid-range tour
This mid-range tour uses lodges and hotels.
Shared tour
On this shared tour, you will join a group of other travelers. Max 24 people per vehicle.
Can start any day
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Cannot be customized
The accommodations and destinations of this tour cannot be changed.
Suitable for single travelers
Single travelers can join this group tour.
18
Minimum age of 18 years
The minimum age for this tour is 18 years.
Activities & Transportation
Activities: game drives & boat trip
Game drives: normal 4x4 vehicle
Getting around: boat & normal 4x4 vehicle
This operator can book your international flights
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Accommodation & Meals
Day 1
Monarch Parkview Hotel
Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 2
Paradise Lodge
Mid-range lodge in Arba Minch (City) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 3
Eco Omo Lodge
Mid-range lodge in Jinka (Lower Omo Valley) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 4-5
Emerald Lodge Turmi Mid-range lodge in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) – All Meals Included +11 Photos +10 Photos
Mid-range lodge in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 6
Kanta Lodge Mid-range lodge in Konso (Cultural Village) – All Meals Included
Mid-range lodge in Konso (Cultural Village) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 7
Aregash Lodge
Mid-range lodge in Yirga Alem (Town) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 8
Wabe Shebelle Hotel Goba Budget hotel less than 1hr drive from Bale Mountains NP – All Meals Included
Budget hotel less than 1hr drive from Bale Mountains NP – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 9
Wabe Shebelle Hotel Addis Ababa Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – All Meals Included +2 Photos
Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 10
End of tour
(No accommodation)
Meals at Own Expense
Day By Day
Tour step
Arrival
You'll be collected from the airport. Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
Day 1
Arriva to Addis Ababa and Make City Tour
Upon your arrival at Bole International Airport and you will clear immigration and pass through the arrivals hall where you will be met by an FTE representative, who will assist you with your transfer to your hotel. After a break, you will enjoy a half-day guided tour of the Ethnological Museum, with its artifacts and displays of the cultures and handicrafts of Ethiopia’s many ethnic groups. At the famous National Museum, with its cultural and archaeological relics, you will visit the famous “Lucy,” a 3.2 million-year-old female hominid who was discovered in Ethiopia’s Awash Valley in 1974. Time permitting; you may visit the biggest open-air market of Addis Ababa, the Mercato, is the largest on the continent, and you will take a drive through it. You may also visit Ba'ath Church, also known as Menelik’s Mausoleum, one of the oldest of the churches in Addis, built-in 1911. It houses beautiful paintings and the royal tombs of past emperors, including Emperor Haile Selassie. Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Addis Ababa (City) Stay: Monarch Parkview Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 2
Drive Addis Ababa to Ariba Minch
The morning after breakfast, start driving down to the south, drive southward to the rift valley regions. On the way to visit, Adadi Mariam is a subterranean rock-hewn church similar to those of Lalibela. This church is unique as it is the southern-most church of its type, and stands alone – no other rock-hewn churches are in the area. While it dates to around the same time as the Tiya stelae and is only 30km north of them, Adadi Mariam provides a strong contrast to the pagan-like aura at Tiya. Before arrival, you will drive 40kms northwest of Arba Minch to Guge Mountains to visit the Dorze and Chencha villages. Once warriors, the Dorze have now turned to farming and weaving to earn a living. The “elephant huts” of the Dorze are unique and worth seeing. Also, the Dorze beehive-shaped houses are constructed entirely of organic material and have their own small garden surrounded. Some of Ethiopia’s best-woven cotton comes from Chencha, which is located 8 km northwest of Dorze Village. Mid-range lodge located in Arba Minch (City) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Arba Minch (City) Stay: Paradise Lodge Mid-range lodge located in Arba Minch (City) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 3
Drive to Jinka via Konso and Key Afer
After breakfast, you will have a boat trip on the blue waters of Lake Chamo to see the crocodiles, hippos & aquatic birdlife. The northern shores of Lake Chamo are famous for their large crocodiles, which can be seen in great numbers lounging in the heat. Then you will drive to Konso where colorfully costumed dress, impressive terracing of the Land and unusually engraved wooden statues used as grave markers can be seen. Differing from their neighbors, the Konso are pure agriculturists, famed for their use of the stone terraces that they utilize to such good effect in this dry and barren region of basalt hills. Keep driving to Key Afer for the colorful Thursday market the Ari, Bena, Hamer, and Tsemay people. The Bena and Hamer women usually favor red clay braids in their hair. The long beaded skirts of the Tsemay have a stick incorporated in the back to denote a married woman and the men have elaborately plaited hairstyles decorated with feathers. After visiting, we drive on to Jinka. Mid-range lodge located in Jinka (Lower Omo Valley) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Jinka (Lower Omo Valley) Stay: Eco Omo Lodge Mid-range lodge located in Jinka (Lower Omo Valley) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 4
Visit the Mursi tribes in Mago National Park drive Turmi
Early morning drive to Mago National Park, from here, visit the Mursi highlands where the most illustrious of Ethiopia’s unique tribes live. The Mursi are known all over the world, for their decorative lip plates that adorn the lower lips of the Mursi women. The plates stretch the lower lip beyond imagination and the women’s beauty, pride, and desirability is determined in direct proportion to the size of the plate. The Mursi men and women may appear gracious but the Mursi warriors are not to be sneezed at. On their arms are deep crescent incisions that represent each enemy they have killed in battle. The men are also famous for their hairstyle. The various cultural aspects of the tribe will be explained and you will be able to take their photographs but not for free. Back to Jinka for your lunch and afternoon go to the Ari Village nearby the town of Jinka for experiencing and learning the culture of the Ari tribe. In the afternoon we continue our driving to Turmi via Dimeka. Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) Stay: Emerald Lodge Turmi Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 5
Visit Karo and the Hamer Tribes
Early in the morning after breakfast, we start to drive to Karo. We arrive at Korcho village with beautiful views over the Omo River to see the Karo ethnic group, experts in body painting, using clay and locally available vegetable pigments to paint fantastic patterns on each other’s faces, chests, arms, and legs. After lunch, you will visit the Hammer Tribe near Turmi. The Hamer tribe is one of the largest groups in the Valley. The Hamer cultivate millet, vegetables, tobacco, and cotton as well as raising cattle and goats. They are known for the fine pottery they produce as well as their remarkable hairstyling. Most dramatic of all are the clay hair buns with ostrich feathers that the men don when they have killed a fierce animal. The Hamer women are simply stunning. The women wear beaded necklaces and iron coils around their arms and decorate their skin with cowry shells. These decorations indicate the wealth and prestige of a woman’s husband. Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) Stay: Emerald Lodge Turmi Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 6
Excursion to Omorate and Drive to Konso
This morning we start driving south to Omorate to visit another tribe, the Dasenech (formerly known as Geleb), and one of their villages. These people inhabit the areas bordering Kenya, north of Lake Turkana, and they live on the east and west bank of the Omo River. They are agro-pastoralists and herd cattle and practice flood retreat cultivation on both sides of the river. The Celeb Covering a large territory, the Geleb live along the western banks of the Omo River, having been forced out of the Turkana region by conflict in the 18th century. Originally nomadic pastoralists, the more fertile surroundings of the Omo River have caused them to put down more permanent roots based around fishing and agriculture. The Celeb live in small huts that befit their nomadic origins, as they could be easily and quickly dismantled. Women wear pleated cowskin skirts with necklaces and bracelets. Men wear a checkered cloth around their waist only. After lunch, we drive to Konso overnight. Mid-range lodge located in Konso (Cultural Village) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Konso (Cultural Village) Stay: Kanta Lodge Mid-range lodge located in Konso (Cultural Village) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 7
Drive to Yirgalem
Today we drive to Yiregalem over the beautiful Sidamo mountains and coffee plantation. On the way, we stop at Wenago to visit the Tutu Fella stelae field – an unusual collection of carved stones. Little is known about the origin of these stelae or the reason for their erection, though it is thought that they date from the 9th century. This is a driving day to make it to our traditional Sidamo-style lodge. We can take a short walk in the late afternoon through the lovely natural ecosystem and admire the Sidama Coffee farm. Mid-range lodge located in Yirga Alem (Town) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Yirgalem (Town) Stay: Aregash Lodge Mid-range lodge located in Yirga Alem (Town) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 8
Drive to Bale Mountain National Park
This morning, we will go to experience local's life at the daily fish market on the lakeshore. It is also a great place to spot a great number of water birds, especially the African marabou storks. Later, we will drive 6 hours to the headquarter of Bale Mountains National Park. Many wild animals around the headquarter like Mountain Nyala and Minilik Bushbuck have gotten quite used to humans. So it is one of the few regions in this park where you could walk among animals. Next, we will go on driving to the lodge located 100 km (62 mi) away and check-in before nightfall. Budget hotel located less than 1hr drive from Bale Mountains NP All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Bale Mountains National Park Stay: Wabe Shebelle Hotel Goba Budget hotel located less than 1hr drive from Bale Mountains NP Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 9
Full day Safari in Bale Mountain National Park
Today we will tour around the Bale Mountains National Park! The national park covering an area of 2,200 square kilometers (1,370 square miles) comprises grasslands, woodlands, meadows, and swamps, and moorlands inhabited by a great variety of rare endemic animals like Ethiopia wolves, Bale monkey, giant forest hogs, and some of Rift Valley's most threatened bird species. In the morning, we will go on safari at the region of Hrenna Forest, where you could see plenty of Ethiopian endemic birds, mammals, and amphibious. Then we will move to Sanetti Plateau and have a picnic lunch there. In the afternoon, hike along the top of the peak over the plateau in search of the endangered Ethiopian wolves and get close to other African animals. Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Bale Mountains National Park Stay: Wabe Shebelle Hotel Addis Ababa Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 10
Drive Back to Addis Ababa and Departure
Today you will return to Addis Ababa. On the way, visit the Abijatta-Shala National Park. Lake Shala is a very deep crater lake (over 260 meters deep!) and Lake Abijatta is a soda lake, which attracts thousands of flamingos. After the visit, continue driving back to Addis Ababa. In the evening, farewell party dinner invitation by FTE with cultural dinner and traditional special buffet and local drinks to experience Ethiopia’s cultural meals and drinks. Here you will enjoy and experience several tribal dances. After the farewell dinner party, we transfer you to Bole International Airport for international departure. NOTE: The tour program can modify differently, rearranged, combined with other itineraries, and shorten or extended to suit your interest, time, and budget. Upon request, FTE can arrange various tour programs based on your interest. Meals at own expense Drinks not included
Destination: No major destination visited Stay: No accommodation (End of tour) Meals: Meals at own expense Drinks not included
Tour step
End of tour
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. You'll be dropped off at the airport.
Included
Park fees (For non-residents)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Excluded
International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Getting There
This tour starts and ends in Addis Ababa
This operator can book your international flights
Fly to/from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD - Check price)
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
Offered by
Finot Tour Ethiopia
4.9 operator rating
12 reviews
Finot Tour Ethiopia is your option for a responsible and nature friendly tour in Ethiopia. We are always available to serve you the tour experience of your dreams. Our tour programs are flexible; you can feel free to make your own ideal tour package and then contact us for any information. If you are interested in History, Culture, Nature, Bird watching, Trekking, Adventure, Documentary Films, Rafting, Biking, Volcano and sightseeing, you will contact us for further information.
Office In
Ethiopia
Size
20-50 employees (Founded in 2011)
Tour Types
Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
Destinations
Djibouti, Ethiopia
Traveler feedback
Reviews
Overall
5.0/5Communication
5.0/5Accuracy
5.0/5Value
5.0/5Safety clarity
5.0/5Cultural value
5.0/5Very reliable, experienced, friendly, customerorientated - excellent tourguide to explore Ethiopia.
Our tour preferences were very well combined, we received a very detailed tour description for the 4 weeks in advance, which then also took place as planned, with a fair value of money . The communication was perfect. Flights, hotels, visits to attractions, entrances, and transportation were very well organized and coordinated. Our tour guide Haile was very friendly, absolutely reliable, and trustworthy. On-site, he has a good network, the local guides, and drivers were also always very good. Our safety was Haile's top priority. We can wholeheartedly recommend Finot Tours Ethiopia.
Michaela · Germany
One of the best experiences in Africa ever
Great experience! My wife and me did a 13-day long tour of Harar, Bale mountain an Omo valley and considering the very high quality of both the guides and the tour itself we felt we got our money's worth. Hailemeskel of Finot Tour Ethiopia has specially for us developed great tour itinerary! We have a good 4WD car and accommodation in nice hotels and lodges. Our main guide and driver Lmuel, was fantastic. He's very knowledgeable and has a very nice attitude towards guests! We discussed various aspects of life and nature in Ethiopia and we began to feel him as a friend. Both gentlemen were very kind and nice and they made our experience so wonderful. So it really feels like we made friends and it made us feel as if we weren't just tourists. All in all this was an amazing experience. We highly recommend Finot Tour Ethiopia. Thank you very much Haile and Lmuel!
Stanislav Moynov · Bulgaria
Great services
Traveling with Finot is a great, real adventure. A great guide with good contacts in the places you visit. Thanks to this, we were able to see more interesting things than others. Trip to the tribes of the Omo Valley.
Piotr Banasik · Poland
Reliable and helpful
My six day trip to the Lower Omo Valley was very interesting and well organized. A good guide (Danny), a comfortable car and nice lodges/hotels made the trip most enjoyable. Danny's knowledge about culture and nature was great. He also knew the names of all the birds we saw which I appreciated. Since I was a solo guest we also had a flexible schedule. From time to time we also met friendly Haile who travelled with another group. Since all costs were included I did not have to think about paying local guides etc. But they all appreciate a small tip. I can highly recommend Finot Tour.
Rolf · Sweden
Practical answers
Tour FAQs
Are rates charged per person?
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
Which currency is this tour priced in?
This tour is offered in Euros (EUR).
Can children join this tour?
This tour is unavailable for children.
Can this tour start on my preferred date?
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Can the itinerary be customized?
The accommodations and destinations of this tour cannot be changed.
Where do travelers stay during this tour?
Monarch Parkview Hotel - Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – All Meals Included. Meals: All Meals Included
Where does this tour start and end?
This tour starts and ends in Addis Ababa
Are airport transfers included?
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Operator policy
Terms and Conditions
Disclaimer
This tour is offered by Finot Tour Ethiopia, not SafariBookings.
This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
This tour is subject to the terms & conditions of Finot Tour Ethiopia.
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