Nothing on this planet is quite as spectacular as the Ethiopian Danakil Depression tour and Omo Valley safari. The Danakil depression is 100 meters below sea level and the hottest, therefore most inhospitable, but one of the most alluring place on earth. Its bubbling volcanoes light up the night sky and sulphurous mounds of yellow contort into monstrous shapes while the mirages of camels cross lakes of salt.  It is breathtaking experience to watch live volcano.

On the other hand, the lower Omo valley is one of the most remote destinations in Africa. It is home to many of the most well-preserved tribal groups in Africa with over 45 languages spoken by different ethnic origins, as a result, exhibiting a fascinating range of cultural practices. One notable cultural practice of these different groups of people is the way they build their houses. Dorze, Sidama and Gurage in particular are known for their domed or beehive-like constructions using bamboo tree. In conclusion, this tour offers the best opportunity to visit fascinating landmarks of Ethiopia.

Tour Trip Notes:

  • Tour Country: Ethiopia
  • Tour Style: Private Safari
  • Tour starts and ends: Addis Ababa.
  • Tour Departs: Any day throughout the year
  • Tour Suitability: Suitable for everyone (Solo Traveler, Groups or Family)
  • Children: There is no age restriction but children under 6 may not participate in all activities. Children sharing room with adults pay 50% of the adult fee
  • Comfort Level: Mid Range lodges and hotels but can be upgraded to Luxury (5 star) accommodation at an extra cost.
  • Additional Accommodation Before & After Safari: Arranged at an extra cost
  • Airport and Hotel Transfers: Included
  • Game Drives and Transportation: Done using a 4×4 safari vehicle.

 

Ethiopian Custom & Tailored Safari

The Ethiopian Danakil depression tour is fully customizable. Contact us for an African bespoke tour of Ethiopia. Our African safari experts are waiting to help you tailor-make an itinerary that suits your personal interests and requirements.

 

Help me plan My African Safari
1

Arrival in Addis Ababa

Our representative will welcome you upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. You will then be transferred to your hotel. If time allows, you will spend the rest of the day will be spent visiting historical sites in Addis Ababa starting from the National Museum. You will also visit Ethnological Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral and many others before returning back to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

2

Addis Ababa to Awassa

After an early breakfast, drive to Awassa. En-route, visit Abijata Shalla National Park. Shalla is the deepest lake in Ethiopian rift at 270 meters in depth. The park is an important birding site. We have to drive through the Ostrich farms on the west of the main road to proceed to Abijata lake, where thousands of both lesser and greater Flamingo’s congregate along the shores. African Pochard, Avocet, Gull-billed Tern, Pintail, little Stint, Ruff and a variety of ducks are among dweller species of this area. Dinner and overnight.
3

Awassa to Arbaminch

After breakfast you will visit Hawassa fish market which is very active during this time of the day. After visiting the fish market, we will drive to Arbaminch via Dorze. 37kilometers from Arbaminch city on Guge Mountain is Chencha village where the Dorze people lives. We will witness the way of the life of these most admired weavers. The dorze craft includes pottery, basketry and leather works. Dinner and overnight.
4

Arbaminch to Jinka

After early breakfast, board local boats for a morning of wildlife viewing on Lake Chamo. Get close to Nile crocodile, hippopotamus, fish and various bird species (greater and lesser flamingos, along with white-necked cormorants several species of herons, storks, spoonbills, African ducks, gulls and Sterns) Afternoon drive to Jinka, admiring on the way the interesting Konso people, very famous for their terracing agricultural works and villages. Konso village is a registered UNESCO world heritage site for its cultural significance. Dinner and overnight.
5

Jinka to Mago National Park -Turmi

Morning visit to mursi tribes in their village inside Mago national park. We arrive to visit the Mursi tribes whose women have the custom of expanding their lower lips using disks that gradually get larger and larger. These are people who farm the land and breed livestock; they live in almost complete isolation from the rest of the world. Return to Jinka in good time for lunch. Next drive to Turmi where you can visit another fascinating tribe in Turmi, the Hammar.

The Hammer women are famous for twisting their hair in to red tresses using red mud and butter. They wear leather skirts dotted with cowry shell, beaded necklace and copper bracelets. Men who killed large game or an enemy wear their hair in buns. The most important event of the Hamer male is the Bull jumping ceremony which is a rite of passage and precondition for marriage. A row of 8 to 10 bulls is formed for the naked initiate to leap over from one animal to the next four times. If he succeed and night the moon dance (evangadi) will be arranged. During the dance his male relatives flog the backs of his female relatives who see this as valor. Dinner and overnight.

6

Karo - Dasanech

This morning we begin with a memorable excursion to the Karo village whose tribes are very famous for their artistic body painting. The Karo people use clays and locally available vegetable pigments to trace fantastic patterns on each other’s faces, chests, arms, and legs. Karo men are also famous for their unique hairstyle. Afternoon drive to Omorateto and visit the crocodile hunters Dasanech tribes. Dinner and overnight.
7

Fly to Addis

Drive to Jinka and fly to Addis. In Addis you will have a free afternoon as you enjoy the facilities in your hotel. Dinner and overnight.
8

Fly to Semera to Ertale

Today your Danakil expedition starts by driving 180 kilometers drive to Afdera and onto Dodom the base of Ertale. The drive will take you through rugged moon-landscapes, characterized by volcanic rifts and faults and young black lava flows. In Afdera we will collect our local guide, camels and policemen and driving 90 kilometers to Dodmo the base of Ertale to set camp at the base of the volcano. After dinner we will climb the volcano. Camels will carry our luggage and camping equipment’s to set our camp on the rim of the caldera. We will enjoy the breathtaking site of bubbling volcano overnight.
9

Hamadela

Morning, enjoy the sun rise and camel caravan and drive to the salt mining site where you can watch from a far people make bars of salt from the salt plains. The Danakil depression is known for being inhospitable yet alluring places on earth with beautiful landscapes. Afterwards, drive to Dallol. With a plummeting depth, Dallol, the lowest point on earth is one of the top attractions of Danakil. After Dallol, drive back to Hamadela where you can enjoy a beautiful sunset. Dinner and overnight.
10

Semera

In the morning drive to Afdera. The beautiful emerald- hued Lake Afdera lies at 103meters below sea level. You can see salt beds here and there where salt is produced by evaporating the water. You will have time to swim at the fresh water hot springs before driving back to Semera. Dinner and overnight.
11

Fly back to Addis

Upon arrival to Addis Ababa, you’ll be transferred to the airport to catch your flight to your next destination. This marks the end of this amazing safari in Ethiopia with Kikwetu Cultural Adventures.

RATES PER PERSON (USD)

Start Date (Season) Solo

1 Room

2 People

1 Room

3 People

2 Rooms

4 People

2 Rooms

5 People

3 Rooms

6 People

3 Rooms

7+ People
January 05 to March 31 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Get Quote
April 01 to June 30 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Get Quote
July 01 to October 31 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Get Quote
November 01 to December 22 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Get Quote
December 23 to January 04 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Get Quote

 

Children Rate (Below 12 Years)

  • 2 years and below stays free
  • 3 to 11 years sharing a room with adults pays half (50%) of adult’s rate.
  • 3 to 11 years sharing their own room pay 75% of the adult’s rate.

What is Included & Excluded

This African safari tour of Serengeti national park has been seamlessly packaged from start to finish to allow you have fun and enjoy the real African experience with our professional African safari guides. Below find what is included and excluded in the rates.

INCLUDED
Transportation
All accommodation as indicated in the itinerary
All meals as per the itinerary
All applicable park entrance fees
All activities as per the itinerary unless labeled optional
Professional driver/guide
Roundtrip airport transfers
All government taxes
Unlimited bottled drinking water during the safari
NOT INCLUDED
International flights from your home and back
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips and gratuity
Personal items
Government imposed increase of taxes including park fees
From those who have travelled to Africa with us


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Danakil depression tour in Ethiopia