This exciting extension will take us to one of the wildest and most ethnically diverse places on Earth – the Omo Valley. This is primarily a cultural experience during which we will interact with several tribal communities who still live almost exactly as they did hundreds of years ago. This harsh and inhospitable place has over 10 distinctly different tribes existing within a 60 km radius; each with its own unique language, clothing, hairstyles and bodily ornamentation. Our tour will take us through the very heart of this vast and varied cultural melting pot, and promises to make an exciting and memorable addition to our Ethiopia birding experience!
Dusky Babbler; Wattled Ibis; Yellow throated & Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse; Blue-spotted Wood Dove; Bruce’s Green Pigeon; Orange-bellied Parrot; White-cheeked Turaco; Abyssinian Ground Hornbill; Abyssinian Scimitarbill; Blue-naped Mousebird; Abyssinian Roller; Three-streaked Tchagra; Taita Fiscal; Mouse-coloured Penduline Tit; Magpie & Shelley’s Starlings; chances Nubian Woodpecker; Black-billed & Double-toothed Barbets; White-breasted Cuckooshrike; Mosque Swallow; Red-faced Crombec; Yellow-bellied Eremomela; Chestnut Weaver.
Da Brazza’s Monkey
dry Acacia savanna
hot and dry, no rain expected
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader
undemanding
comfortable hotels
not challenging
ancient Omo Valley tribes, traditional markets
excellent
Greg de Klerk did a very good job managing the tour, was personable and was highly effective at bird spotting & identification.
Julian was a wonderful leader, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and attentive to our needs. The local guide, Bereket, was also excellent and worked particularly hard when we had to find accommodation at short notice. The cultural guide Frui was very knowledgeable and shared both his knowledge and his experience of Orthodox Christianity with us in a very helpful manner. We saw a lot of birds and a good variety of mammals. In addition the food was very interesting and the coffee outstanding.
Greg de Klerk is an excellent leader. What I admired most about Greg was his willingness and patience to take the time and "teach" the group shorebird and wading bird identification. Throughout the tour, he would take the time and repeat the details to anyone who asked, or seemed to be unclear on the details.
Heinz Ortmann did an excellent job of leading a group with diverse interests. He was particularly patient in showing the birds to the non-birders, and I believe he increased the level of interest in all of them with his enthusiasm. (Graham is already talking about a possible trip to Uganda!). He also did his best with my "wish-list" and I don't think we missed much. I have some stunning pictures of Stresemann's Bushcrow and Vulturine Guineafowl as evidence. It was necessary to make a couple of changes to the itinerary and accommodation, and Heinz managed all of this without any stress to the group.
The guide, Greg de Klerk, did a good job. He was well informed regarding the participants and tried hard to accommodate everyone's needs. He made a good effort to inform us daily as to what birds we might see, which was very helpful.
12 Feb 2025 - 19 Feb 2025 (8 days)
USD3,095 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Julian Parsons
Tour price (Per person): USD3,095 * GBP2,478 * EUR2,894 * AUD4,737
Single Supplement: USD250 * GBP200 * EUR234 * AUD383
Flight costs: USD190 * GBP152 * EUR178 * AUD291
Can be linked with: Ethiopia - Central Birds & Wildlife (Relaxed) 2025
Ethiopia - Lalibela Historical Extension I 2024 - January 2024
Ethiopia - Endemics Birding I 2024 - January 2024
Ethiopia - Endemics Birding II 2023 - November 2023
Ethiopia - Summer Endemics 2023 - June 2023
Ethiopia - Endemics Birding (Small Group) 2023 - February 2023
Ethiopia - Brewer 2023 - January 2023
Ethiopia - Endemics Birding III 2022 - November 2022
Ethiopia - Endemics Birding (Small Group) 2022 - February 2022
Ethiopia - Budget Birding 2019 - November 2019
Ethiopia - Endemics Birding II 2019 - November 2019
Ethiopia - Summer Endemics 2019 - May 2019
Ethiopia - Endemics Birding I 2019 - January 2019
Ethiopia - Budget Birding 2018 - November 2018
Ethiopia - Mega Birding 2018 - January 2018
Ethiopia - Endemics Birding I 2018 - January 2018
Ethiopia - Endemics Birding III 2017 - November 2017
Ethiopia - Glendinning & Welman 2017 - February 2017
Ethiopia - Endemics Birding II 2017 - January 2017