Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

13-Day Best of Ethiopia Cultural & Natural Tour

5.0 / 5 · 80 reviews Offered by Essence Ethiopia Tours 13-Day

Overview

You'll visit the South Omo Museum and meet the Ari people. Optional visit to Omo National Park. The Mursi tribe is known for lip plates. You'll visit the Key Afar market. You'll visit the Dasenech people & experience Hamar customs in Dimeka, including body decorations and bull-jumping. Konso village, known for Waga sculptures and terracing. You'll have a boat trip on Lake Chamo for wildlife viewing and visit the Dorze tribe. You'll explore the fish market and visit Senkele Game Sanctuary.

Plan snapshot

Quick Facts

Tour details

Duration

13-Day

Route

Addis Ababa to Addis Ababa

Via Jinka (Lower Omo Valley), Turmi (Lower Omo Valley), Arba Minch (City)

Country & park

Ethiopia / Bale Mountains National Park

Style

Safari

Group size

1-12 travelers

Starts

Any day if available

Minimum age

8 years

Activities

game drives

Accommodation

Caravan Hotel - Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – Breakfast Included

Meals

Breakfast Included; All Meals Included

Pickup

Airport transfer included

Booking

Request quote

Currency

EUR

Rates

Rates Per Person

EUR

Start datesSingle2+ people

Jan 1, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026 €3.190 EUR €2.970 EUR

Jan 1, 2027 - Dec 31, 2027 €3.190 EUR €2.970 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 accepts children who are 8 years and older. Children under 9 are free.

Rates include a fixed budget for flights during this tour. Flights may cost more, depending on travel dates. If so, your quote will reflect this.

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

Request a Quote

Route

country Ethiopia

Start Addis Ababa (Day 1)

Day 2 Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)

Day 3-6 Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Day 7 Arba Minch (City)

Day 8 Awasa (City)

Day 9-10 Bale Mountains NP

Day 11-12 Lake Langano

End Addis Ababa (Day 13)

Tour Features

Budget tour

This budget tour includes camping and lodges.

Private tour

This tour will be organized exclusively for you and won't be shared with others.

Can start any day

If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.

Can be customized

You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.

Suitable for solo travelers

Solo travelers can book this private tour.

Minimum age of 8 years

The minimum age for this tour is 8 years.

Activities & Transportation

Activities: game drives

Game drives: normal 4x4 vehicle

Getting around: normal 4x4 vehicle & air transfer

Book your own international flights when using this operator

A transfer from and back to the airport is included

Accommodation & Meals

Day 1

Caravan Hotel

Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – Breakfast Included

Breakfast Included

Day 2

Jinka Resort Budget hotel in Jinka (Lower Omo Valley) – Breakfast Included

Budget hotel in Jinka (Lower Omo Valley) – Breakfast Included

Breakfast Included

Day 3-5

Emerald Lodge Turmi Mid-range lodge in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) – Breakfast Included +11 Photos +10 Photos

Mid-range lodge in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) – Breakfast Included

Breakfast Included

Day 6-7

Mora Heights Hotel Budget hotel in Arba Minch (City) – Breakfast Included +7 Photos +6 Photos

Budget hotel in Arba Minch (City) – Breakfast Included

Breakfast Included

Day 8

Haile Resort Hawassa

Mid-range resort in Awasa (City) – Breakfast Included

Breakfast Included

Day 9-10

Budget camping Inside Bale Mountains NP – All Meals Included

Inside Bale Mountains NP – All Meals Included

All Meals Included

Day 11

Hara Langano Eco Lodge

Mid-range lodge at Lake Langano – Breakfast Included

Breakfast Included

Day 12

Africa Vacation Club Ethiopia

Mid-range hotel at Lake Langano – Breakfast Included

Breakfast Included

Day 13

End of tour

No accommodation

(No accommodation)

Breakfast Included

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

Addis Ababa

On arrival at Bole Int Airport, the Aman Ethiopia Tours team will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Later, you'll start exploring Addis Ababa. You'll visit the various museums, including the National Museum, where you’ll discover ‘Lucy’, the fossilized skeleton of an ancient human ancestor dating back 3.2 million years, who changed our understanding of human evolution. You'll head to the Mercato market, the largest open-air market in Africa, and experience a traditional coffee ceremony. You'll discover what Haile Selassie and Sylvia Pankhurst have in common at the copper-domed Holy Trinity Cathedral. You'll see why the European Council on Tourism and Trade named Ethiopia its number-one place to visit in 2015. Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Destination: Addis Ababa (City) Stay: Caravan Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 2

Fly Addis Ababa To Jinka

After having breakfast, you will take your flight to Jinka in the Omo Valley. Jinka is a small market zone town that houses the South Omo Research Centre Museum. From here, there is an optional expedition to the Omo National Park, a lesser-visited national park in Ethiopia, and home to incredible vistas. The park has a rugged, off-the-beaten-track appeal. Later in the afternoon, you will meet the Ari people. Budget hotel located in Jinka (Lower Omo Valley) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Destination: Jinka (Lower Omo Valley) Stay: Jinka Resort Budget hotel located in Jinka (Lower Omo Valley) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 3

Jinka-Turmi

After breakfast, you'll visit the Mago National Park and the Mursi people. You'll drive (2.5 hrs) from Jinka to Turmi. En route, you'll visit the Key Afar market. The Mursi are famous for the lower lip plates worn as decoration by the women, along with their traditional dress and ornate headdresses. The Mursi people are one of the few tribes that continue to wear traditional clothing and accessories. Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Destination: Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) Stay: Emerald Lodge Turmi Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 4

Turmi Excurshion To Karo Tribe

On this day, after breakfast, you will be driving to the Korcho. You will get to see the Karo tribe in Korcho. Later, after lunch, you will visit the small town of Kangate. You will visit the Nyangatom tribe in Kangatan. Overnight stay: Emerald Lodge. Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 5

Turmi - Dasenach Peoples

After breakfast, you will be driving to the small town of Omorate to see the Dasanech tribe in Omorate. In the afternoon, you'll visit the Dimeka market and the Hamar people. The Hamar people are agro-pastoralists who adorn traditional body decorations and colorful beads. The women use ochre and resin to deftly style their hair, which is known as ‘goscha’. When the men come of age, they have to partake in a bull-jumping ceremony. These friendly people will welcome you into their community, offer you wild coffee and barbecued goat, and introduce you to their customs and traditions. Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 6

Turmi-Konso- Arba Minch

After breakfast, you will be driving from Turmi to Arba Minch. En route, you'll visit the Arbore and Konso people. Today, you’ll be exploring Konso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Named after the Konso people, this isolated village is located in hilly terrain at the edge of the Rift Valley. The Konso settlement is over 400 years old, with fortified stone walls surrounding the terraced village. Beekeeping, cotton weaving, and agriculture are the main local industries. It is most famous for its Waga Sculptures. These anthropomorphic wooden carvings memorialize and commemorate people from the community. You'll spend the day with these incredible people and experience their rich culture. Your guide will be there at all times to help you navigate the interactions. Budget hotel located in Arba Minch (City) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Destination: Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) Stay: Mora Heights Hotel Budget hotel located in Arba Minch (City) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 7

Arba Minch

In the morning, you'll take a boat trip on Lake Chamo, part of Nechisar National Park. As you head out onto the expansive lake, you’ll see crocodiles, hippos and flamingos bathing in the Ethiopian sun. You'll explore Nechisar National Park, or discover the incredible bee-hive huts of the Dorze tribe, who are famous for their structures, weaving, and singing. In the afternoon, you'll visit the Dorze people and the market. Budget hotel located in Arba Minch (City) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Destination: Arba Minch (City) Stay: Mora Heights Hotel Budget hotel located in Arba Minch (City) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 8

Arba Minch - Awasa

Both Arba Minch and Hawassa are rich in lakes and natural attractions. You will enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Ethiopia. On this day, after breakfast, you will be driving from Arba Minch to Awassa. En route, you'll visit Senkele Game Sanctuary. Overnight stay: Haile Resort Awasa. Mid-range resort located in Awasa (City) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Destination: Awasa (City) Stay: Haile Resort Hawassa Mid-range resort located in Awasa (City) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 9

Bale Mountains National Parks

On this day, after breakfast, you'll visit the fish market in Awassa. The Hawassa fish market is famous, and the stalls around the market offer some of the best fish soup you’ll ever have. Next, you'll drive 5.5 hours from Hawassa to the Bale Mountains National Park via Dinsho, the headquarters of the park, where you’ll meet your guide. Your guide will talk you through the itinerary for your hike over the next few days. Inside Bale Mountains NP All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Destination: Bale Mountains National Park Stay: Budget camping Inside Bale Mountains NP Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 10

Bale Mountains National Park

Today is a full day exploring Bale Mountains National Park. You'll awake to the sounds of the Harenna Forest and the smell of freshly brewed ‘wild’ coffee, which is harvested just south of the lodge. In the morning, you’ll explore the forest some more, spotting much of the wildlife. Remember your binoculars and a camera! In the afternoon, you’ll head to the lunar landscape of the Sanetti Plateau, where you’ll try and spot the Ethiopian Wolf, Africa’s rarest carnivore. Although only a few hundred Ethiopian wolves exist in the world today, over half the global population resides in the Bale Mountains. You might also spot the giant mole rat, another endemic species, and the primary food source for the wolves. Inside Bale Mountains NP All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Destination: Bale Mountains National Park Stay: Budget camping Inside Bale Mountains NP Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 11

Lake Langano

Today, you will drive from Bale Mountains to Lake Langano. You'll spend the afternoon relaxing around the lodge and lake. Lake Langano lies in an irregularly shaped basin with a perimeter of 62 kilometers, an area of 305 square kilometers, and a depth of 30 meters in some parts. Langano Lake water is soft brown in color, but pure enough for swimming, which makes it an ideal spot for water sports. Overnight stay: Hara Langano Lodge. Mid-range lodge located at Lake Langano Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Destination: Lake Langano Stay: Hara Langano Eco Lodge Mid-range lodge located at Lake Langano Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 12

Lake Langano

After breakfast, you'll start exploring Lake Langano and the surrounding area, including Abijatta-Shalla National Park. Today, you’ll head to Abijatta-Shalla National Park, approximately a 40-minute drive, and home to Lakes Abijatta and Shalla. These lakes host an impressive number of flamingos and also several hot springs. The steam rising from the pools casts an ethereal haze over the surrounding area. After this, a 4×4 will take you around the park in search of warthogs, antelopes, and ostriches. In the afternoon, you'll go for a dip in Lake Langano. You'll retreat to the lakeside lodge and enjoy dinner surrounded by the expansive views and the tranquil atmosphere of this remote region. Overnight stay: African Vacation Lodge. Mid-range hotel located at Lake Langano Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Destination: Lake Langano Stay: Africa Vacation Club Ethiopia Mid-range hotel located at Lake Langano Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 13

Return to Addis-Departure

After breakfast, you will be driving to Addis Ababa via Lake Ziway. Situated between four lakes in the Ethiopian Rift Valley, this town is the perfect base from which to explore the lakes over the next few days. You’ll see the diversity of animals and birdlife that Ethiopia is famous for. A boat trip on Lake Ziway takes you to Great White Pelicans, Marabous, Hammerkop, Sacred Ibis, Yellow Billed Storks, and Flamingos. Of course, hippos are a famous resident of the lake. You’ll be able to see them bathing in the sun from the safety of your boat. Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Destination: No major destination visited Stay: No accommodation (End of tour) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other 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)

Camping equipment

A professional driver/guide

All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)

All flights during the tour

All Taxes/VAT

Roundtrip airport transfer

Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)

Drinking water (On all days)

Sleeping bag

Bath towels

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

Book your own international flights when using this operator

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

Essence Ethiopia Tours

5.0 operator rating 80 reviews

We always offer you an itinerary that is personally tailored to your needs at competitive prices. We are passionate about creating exciting and unique trips with our customers at the heart. Our specially crafted itineraries include historic routes, cultural tours, short holiday stays, business trips, one-day excursions, trekking and wildlife expeditions – according to your needs and budget.

Office In

Ethiopia

Size

10-20 employees (Founded in 2018)

Tour Types

Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day

Destinations

Ethiopia

View operator profile

Traveler feedback

Reviews

5.00 average

Overall

5.0/5

Communication

5.0/5

Accuracy

5.0/5

Value

5.0/5

Safety clarity

5.0/5

Cultural value

5.0/5

Verified

He is very helpful

Overall, my trip with this company was excellent. All the activities and sites listed were fully covered during the journey, and most importantly, they were very flexible with the traveler’s wishes—whether you want to change something or cancel an activity. They have excellent tour guides who speak fluent English, and the prices are suitable for all budgets. In the end, I highly recommend this company. Thank you.

Abdelaziz · United Arab Emirates

Verified

Exceptional

This is a great tour company! Tsahaynew knows so much and shares it easily with his guests. He is extremely friendly and accommodating. You won't regret using him for your tour!

Don · United States

Verified

Tension Free Travel

Essence Ethiopia and Mr Tsechay referred by one of my friend ,But from the first WhatsApp Message to End other tour he did a greate coordination and Tension free travel. He was really concerned about the small things that could be missed from our side. Even reminder of early flights and time lines.i Strongly recommend this team if any of you planning to Visit Ethiopia. All the best Essence Ethiopia

Sanu Sivashankar · Qatar

Verified

Well-organized tour

The tour was well organized. Big pros: When any issues arose, the organizer immediately intervened and rectified the situation. Points: 3-star hotels. All were clean, with showers, breakfast included. Transfers: I was met and seen off everywhere, and they helped with our luggage. There was a slight hitch when we arrived in Ethiopia at the airport. I expected to be met at the arrivals exit (this is usually the case). It turned out I had to exit the airport and walk to the parking lot, which I should have mentioned in advance. Transportation: I had private tours around Addis Ababa. The vehicle was clean and good. Around the salt lake, we traveled in a large Land Cruiser, with a driver and three tourists. No problems at all. Guides: Guides with good English. Both the guides and drivers were friendly, helpful, informative, and answered questions. No tips were required. Everything was fine. Additionally: In the area of the volcano and salt lake, you have to sleep outside. I even liked it – the view of the star is stunning. Cons: no shower or proper toilet.

Evgeny · Russia

Practical answers

Tour FAQs

8 answers

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 accepts children who are 8 years and older. Children under 9 are free.

Can this tour start on my preferred date?

If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.

Can the itinerary be customized?

You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.

Where do travelers stay during this tour?

Caravan Hotel - Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – Breakfast Included. Meals: Breakfast 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

Booking terms

Disclaimer

This tour is offered by Essence Ethiopia Tours, not SafariBookings.

This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.

If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.

Rates include a fixed budget for flights during this tour. If flights cost more, your quote will reflect this.

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 Essence Ethiopia Tours.

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