Testimonials Testimonials
Staying with local tribes in South Omo Valley, Ethiopia
Several travel companies organise tours of the South Omo Valley. I went with the local outfit Omo Valley Tours which offers stays with tribes. Ph +2519 1260 8430. See www.omovalleytours.com Other companies touring the area include Peregrine, Intrepid and World Expeditions.
Among cows and Kalashnikovs in tribal Ethiopia
Our team consisted of Lema, a delightful driver who made the journey come alive by pointing to all the fauna and little things along the way, and my guide, Fitsum Ashebir, who runs Omo Valley Tours and has intimate knowledge of the various tribes we were visiting. With innate sensitivity, Fitsum navigated us through their villages, markets and celebrations. He's superbly connected, and each time there was an ukuli bula, a bull jumping ceremony, or an evengadi moon dance, or a donga stick fight, he'd get wind of it, and before I knew it, we were thundering straight to the frontline.
Engaging Tour of Omo Valley
We were looking for a guide to take us to tribes in the Omo valley and are so glad that we found Omo valley tours. We spent 7 days going to 8 different tribes and had such an engaging and unique experience learning about the diversity and culture of each tribe. Fitsum was a great communicating with us about what we wanted to see and scheduled a wonderful itinerary for us. We were even able to see the bull jumping ceremony and he was able to get us to see the ceremony of the dassanech tribe. Shigo and Kalu were amazing guide/driver.
The Premier Tour Guide and Travel Company!
I recently did a tour of the Omo Valley with Fitsum and Omo Valley Tours. Although I have been to over 60 countries, this was my first trip to Africa by myself and I was nervous travelling alone. I started talking to Fitsum and his responsiveness, attention to detail, and local knowledge was readily apparent, to the point that I was comfortable booking a solo trip with him. Booking with Fitsum was the best travel decision I ever made. He was waiting for me at the airport with a sign and from the first moment we met I had a new best friend! He took care of every detail and once I was with him I didn't even feel like I was travelling alone. He really understood my expectations and did everything in his power to make the trip such a memorable one. I wouldn't hesitate to book with him again, and am already talking to him about coming back when my schedule allows. I read online about how visiting the tribes is difficult and every photo comes with a price tag. Due to Fitsum's relationship with the tribes my experience was the exact opposite. He cares about the tribes and they in kind will make you feel welcome. The experience was something I will forever cherish. He taught me how to respect the tribes while still being able to capture the photos I wanted - he also helped me find good compositions and made sure I got photos I was happy with. Fitsum is super honest and trustworthy. I had a flight cancellation which required me to drive an extra 8 hours to Arba Minch. Fitsum took me there without hesitation even though it wasn't what we had booked and he didn't want to charge me extra for the additional travel time or transportation costs. I was literally speechless when I realized he wasn't planning on charging me for the hotel in Konso when he had already paid for my lodging in Turmi on the very same night!
Simply the Best
After a lot of research, I chose Omo Valley Tours to organise a twelve day photographic tour of the Omo Valley & its various tribes. And it was an extremely good choice. I had undertaken a similar tour some five years ago, but this trip was more specific in its concentration on photographic opportunities. Whilst Fitsum - the dynamic owner of the Tour Company - prepared an draft itinerary before I arrived in Ethiopia, he adapted this almost on a day to day basis as various ceremonial opportunities arose with the different tribes. He has an extensive network of local guides for each of the tribes who he keeps in touch with in order to identify these events, & those guides are present at the actual ceremony to assist. Arranging access & permission to take photographs is a delicate operation, but Fitsum & his team were excellent. He arranged accommodation as needed, sometimes camping in the villages, sometimes at lodges, depending on the circumstances.