Omo River Expedition
Remote River Expeditions are the Omo River Specialists for over 20 years!
We are pleased to confirm that we will be running the full Omo Expedition from Gibe Farm to Mui River Junction. We hope you'll be able to join us this September for what may be our final full expedition on the Omo River
Note on the Itinerary:
Construction of the Gibe III dam on the Omo is moving ahead quickly and when completed the dam will be the second largest dam in sub-Saharan Africa. 240 meters high, the tallest of its type anywhere in the world with a reservoir over 150 kilometres long!
In September 2008 we saw first-hand the Gibe III dam project. We camped one night just below the dam site with a view of the construction. After floating this stretch of the Omo for over 20 years it was a truly surrealistic experience.
It’s hard to imagine but once all the proposed hydro projects are in place the majority of the river from Gibe Farm past Bele Bridge will be lake!
If you wanted to design the ‘perfect’ river expedition you might just come up with the Omo.
Long known as one of the world's best rafting trips, Ethiopia’s Omo River has it all: exciting rapids; great campsites; beautiful scenery; hot springs; good birding; abundant wildlife; and some of the most unique and unvisited people in Africa.
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Details |
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Price Includes |
(WR-437) |
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Expert leadership & excellent naturalist guides |
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Airport transfers |
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All hotels and meals (except as noted) |
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Camp and cook staff, camping and commissary equipment, |
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Room occupancy taxes |
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All ground transportation. |
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Price Excludes |
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International flights, visas, airport taxes, insurance of any kind, tips, sleeping bag; excess baggage, cost of immunizations, and items of a personal nature (laundry, sodas, alcoholic drinks, etc).
Small Group Surcharge: Please note that a small group surcharge may apply for groups of less than 6 traveling. |
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Rivers |
Omo |
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Suitability / Level |
Class III (Beginner) |
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Minimum Age |
12 |
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Theme |
Small Group Travel
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Itinerary
& Highlights |
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A journey back in time and into the seldom travelled world of south-west Ethiopia!
There has been little change in the Omo Valley over the years. The river snakes between wild cliffs and green/brown hillsides from Gibe Farm south-east of Addis Ababa, to the scorched bushland near the Sudan border.
The Omo has it all: challenging whitewater, abundant wildlife, excellent birds, superb scenery, and some of the most unique unvisited people in Africa. The trip is for the adventurous in spirit, for the lover of the wild; the river expedition that in 15 years has not become a 'tour'.
With many years of experience in Ethiopia, we know this country intimately, have excellent contacts, and are in a position to organize any sort of trip. Our specialities are rafting and trekking. Along with our scheduled Omo River Expedition, we're happy to custom design special safaris for small groups and individuals.
NOTE: Even the most remote corners of Ethiopia will eventually see roads, bridges and tourists lodges. A strong reason to take the chance to experience this piece of a "disappearing world".
Among the Many Attractions:
- Whitewater: From the first hour of the trip, a series of lively and challenging rapids spice the descent. While we do not encounter very large rapids found on rivers such as the Zambezi, Bio Bio, or Coruh, the Omo has some exciting whitewater. The first half has more rapids than the second half, but two of the most challenging rapids Potomus Plunge and B-Team are on the second haf.
- Scenery: Sheer inner gorges, columnar basalt amphitheaters, distant peaks, innumerable side creeks and waterfalls, lower Omo sunsets.
- Wildlife: Hippos surfacing near the boats for a suspicious inspection, crocodiles basking in the sun, bushbuck silently taking an afternoon drink, mesmerized waterbuck staring as we float by, colobus monkeys flying through the trees, baboons barking from their cliffs.... Sometimes even lions, leopards, and wild dogs.
- Vegetation: Giant euphorbias, fragrant jasmine, rare orchids, the desert rose, classic acacias.
- Birdlife: A full complement of African water birds, plus forest and bush species. Fish eagles, Goliath herons, kingfishers, bee eaters, storks, kites, vultures.... In the background, the soft lament of the emerald spotted wood dove, the bubbly purr of the white browed coucal and the raucous cawing of silvery cheeked hornbills.
- Activities: Hiking up the sidestreams to fantastic waterfalls, highland villages and markets. Swimming in clear pools, showering under falls, soaking in hotsprings. Fishing the Omo catfish which can exceed 5 feet and 50 pounds.
Exotic Tribes: We'll meet among the most remote and least visited people anywhere. Our interaction with those spectacularly decorated and friendly groups is something very special.
Comforts: Pleasant climate, great campsites, excellent cuisine featuring fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products, bread, pies and cakes baked in a well embered Dutch oven. Thermarest sleeping pads and Eureka Timberline tents are provided.
- Crew: An elite corps of international river guides who know and love the African bush along with English and Amharic speaking local guides and camp staff. |
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Accommodation
& Centre Details |
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Hotels, Lodges & Remote Wilderness Camping |
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