South Omo Valley

Southern Circuit

Introduction to the South Omo Valley

Located in Southwest Ethiopia, the Lower Omo Valley is regarded as Africa’s ‘last great wilderness’ and one of one of the continent’s final frontiers.

The Omo Valley is most famous for its fascinating cultural landscape. More than a dozen tribes live here, their ancient lifestyles largely untouched by the influences of the modern world. Each of the Omo Valley tribes has its own unique cultural dress, traditions and rituals, passed down from generation to generation. Some of the best-known tribes are the Mursi, Hamer, Karo, Konso and Dassenech.

The Omo Valley is rich in historical value. Recognized for its paleontological discoveries, the Lower Omo Valley was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.

Southern Ethiopia differs vastly from Northern Ethiopia – in topography, climate and character. The remote, lowland landscapes are more reminiscent of sub-Saharan Africa, and characterized by vast savannas and acacia woodlands. An expansive fertile green belt, carved by the Omo River, extends nearly 1,000 kilometers to Lake Turkana, on the Kenyan border. The Omo River is the largest Ethiopian river outside the Nile Basin.

The East African Rift Valley runs through low-lying southern Ethiopia, creating a concentration of magnificent rift valley lakes that teem with aquatic birds and other wildlife. Volcanic outcrops and interesting rock formations add to the beauty of the scenery.

Ethiopia’s greatest concentration of wildlife can be found in these parts. Although the wildlife population is not comparable to countries like neighboring Kenya, southern Ethiopia’s drawcard is its biodiversity and impressive list of endemic species. A number of beautiful national parks are located in southern Ethiopia, each with its own unique attractions.

Travel Tip

Recommended length of stay: 3 – 6 nights

Elevation: 1,599 meters (5,246 feet) above sea level

The Omo Valley is a photographer’s paradise. See our “Travel Tips” page for photo etiquette.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

More info

When in Axum

Key Attractions

Stelae Park

The biblical monarch, the legendary Queen of Sheba, was believed to have ruled from Axum over the kingdom of Sheba, also referred to as Saba in Arabia. During that time, King Solomon was reigning as King of Israel, in Jerusalem. The Queen of Sheba made an epic journey to meet the divine king and bestow on him the wealth and gifts of her own monarchy. The fascinating tale is documented in the Bible in I Kings 10:1-13 and II Chronicles.
When visiting Axum you can walk among the ruins of what was once a massive palace with finely-mortared stone walls, deep foundations and its own impressive drainage system. It is believed to be the oldest building in Axum.

St. Mary of Zion Church

According to Ethiopian Orthodox tradition the Ark of the Covenant was removed from Jerusalem by Menelik, understood to be the son of the Biblical King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. It is believed that he transported the Ark to Tana Cherkos, a monastery located on one of Lake Tana’s islands, where it remained in safekeeping for 800 years. The sacred Ark was then transferred to the Tsion Maryam Church in Axum, where it is believed to remain to this day. These claims are supported by ancient records preserved in the Ethiopian Royal Chronicles. A chosen priest – the Ark’s sole guardian, tends to the affairs of the church in relation to the Ark, but he is forbidden to ever look directly at it. Tourists may enter the compound, but may not approach the chapel.

Queen of Sheba Palace

Ethnographic Museum

The Fetewrari Belay Ethnographic Museum is a private museum that was established in the 1980’s. The museum, which was once the house of an Axumite leader Fetewrari Belay during the time of Emperor Haile Selassie 1’s reign, includes collections that date back to the period of Atse Yohannes IV. The museum and its collections are owned by the family of Fetewrari Belay. The family’s ethnographic antiquities give visitors to this museum valuable insight into the more modern history of the town.

Archeological Museum

Located in the Northern Stelae Field, this well-organized museum contains fascinating collections including objects found in the tombs, Axumite coins and Ge’ez inscriptions dating back over 2,500 years.

Yeha Temple

Situated a little over an hour’s drive from Axum, in the village of Yeha, stands the ancient Temple of the Moon. The Sabaean-style temple, which is preserved to a height of 14 meters, dates back to the 7th or 8th century BC. It was built during the time of the D’mt Kingdom, which preceded the Aksumite Kingdom. Originally a place of worship dedicated to the moon god, Almaqah, the building was converted to a Christian church by Abba Afse, one of the Nine Saints who came to Aksum from the Roman Empire in the 5th century. During the early Christian period many old temples of pagan times were transformed to churches. During recent archaeological excavations Christian religious artifacts of great antiquity, including bells and crosses, were found in the eastern corner of the temple.

Tombs of Kings Ezana & Bazen

The underground tombs are another fascinating site to visit in Axum. It is believe that two of these tombs hold the remains of two ancient kings – Kaleb and Bazen, the latter believed to have been one of the three wise men of the Bible.

Travel Tip

Archeologists found a jawbone of an Australopithecus man, estimated at some 2.5 million years old in the area.
The Omo Valley is best visited between June and March with January and February being particularly hot and humid.

The Omo Delta, only accessible by boat, is an extremely remote area of islands.

Where to say

Accommodations

Lale‘s Camp

Accessible only by boat, Lale’s Camp is both remote and purely exclusive. This stylish tented camp sprawls beneath the shade of beautiful ficus trees, on the eastern bank of the Omo River; and offers the ideal base when exploring the Omo Valley. The scenery is wild and beautiful, with a riverine forest hugging the river and providing a habitat for a host of plants, animals, and birds. The spacious tented bedrooms all have verandas and are tastefully furnished. Each tent has a private shower tent, which is equipped with a bucket shower, basin, and flush toilet. Breakfast and dinner can be enjoyed in the lovely mess tent. Packed lunches are prepared as you head out to visit the fascinating tribes of the Omo Valley.