phone-icon 1-888-990-5552 email-icon info@rockjumper.com
user-icon
Log in / Register

Ethiopia - Omo Valley: Birding & Tribal Cultures

© Mursi people near Mago National Park by Adam Riley
Ethiopia - Omo Valley: Birding & Tribal Cultures 2027

19 Jan 2027 - 26 Jan 2027 (8 days)

USD3,200 - Spaces Available

Book Now

client-img

Tour Leader: James Wade Lee

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated, and dates may change*

Tour price (Per person): USD3,200 * GBP2,456 * EUR2,820 * AUD5,019

Ethiopia - Omo Valley: Birding & Tribal Cultures 2028

29 Feb 2028 - 07 Mar 2028 (8 days)

USD3,300 - Spaces Available

Book Now

client-img

Tour Leader: Jan Pienaar

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated, and dates may change*

Tour price (Per person): USD3,300 * GBP2,532 * EUR2,909 * AUD5,176

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!

Top Birds

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.

Top Mammals

Da Brazza’s Monkey

Habitats Covered

dry Acacia savanna

Expected Climate

hot and dry, no rain expected

Max Group Size

10 with 1 Rockjumper leader

Tour Pace & Walking

MODERATE TO CHALLENGING: This tour requires a good level of fitness, stamina, and overall health. It’s best suited for experienced birders who are comfortable with a more active itinerary. Please note that it may not be ideal for avid photographers, new birders, or those with mobility or health concerns.

Undemanding but some long travel days, low food diversity.

Accommodation

Comfortable

Ease of Birding

One of the most enjoyable & prolific birding destinations in Africa. Many species are approachable & provide good visuals in open conditions.

Other Attractions

ancient Omo Valley tribes, traditional markets

Photographic Opportunities

Good to excellent. No dedicated hides. Many species are approachable, habitat & lighting are often conducive. See notes on People Photography

What our clients say about us

Gregory de Klerk
LF, Ethiopia 2018

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.

Gregory de Klerk
EL, Ethiopia 2019

Greg de Klerk was an excellent guide and his lively manner and humour did much to make the trip enjoyable.

Julian Parsons
RL - Ethiopia 2024

Julian was a wonderful leader, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and attentive to our needs. The local guide, was also excellent and worked particularly hard when we had to change accommodation at short notice. The cultural guide 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.

Stephan Lorenz
SW, Ethiopia 2023

Another very good Rockjumper Tour despite some itinerary changes due to seasonally wet weather and the last 2 days being re-organised due to potential security concerns North of Addis. Stephan and our local leader were on top of all aspects of the trip working hard to ensure we saw as many of the endemics as possible. A memorable evening where we we able to connect with Star-spotted Nightjar will live long in the mind. All the drivers were excellent and kept the vehicles clean and comfortable.

Gregory de Klerk
SC, Ethiopia 2018

This tour was our first one with Greg de Klerk. I would certainly go with him again. He is an extremely good birder, quick to locate birds and get all of the tour group on them. He worked hard to get those difficult endemics. His sense of humour added greatly to the group experience. What I most appreciated about Greg was his method of helping us to see the necessary field marks to identify a bird and to explain the difference between a bird and one that looked similar. I was therefore sure of the identity of every bird we had.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

  • Your details

  • This field is hidden when viewing the form

  • Contact permission

    We would love to send you Newsletters (twice yearly).via Type a message, Promotions/Discounts (weekly), Blog Articles/Image of the Month (monthly) and other content that we think you would find interesting. If you are happy with this then please select your preferences below. If you would like to unsubscribe from previous subscriptions, or leave our mailing list entirely, then please do so by visiting the Preference Centre link at the bottom of these emails.

Route Map

Tour Route Map

map-direction-img
Download Tour Itinerary