Summary

Omo River Valley - 1st Half of November

Prices From	USD$ $2,450.00
1st Departure	01.01.0001
Provider	Global Descents
Destination	Ethiopia
Duration	11 days
Challenge	Moderate
Avg Rating	Not Rated

Omo River Expedition

The Omo River Canyon remains one of the wildest, one of the most remote, and one of the most scenic places on Earth.  Having been explored by only few western visitors, the Omo offers the greatest in all aspects of adventure: challenging terrain, exotic wildlife, extraordinary  culture, and breathtaking scenery.  Trickling off remote portions of the Shewan highlands in northern Ethiopia, the Omo gains momentum from five major tributaries over its course, dropping more than six thousand feet in just under five hundred miles.  Streaming through deep, forested gorges over the most desolate course in the world, tribal members said to have descended directly from the earliest homo sapiens to walk the planet - and still virtually unknown to the modern world - subsist off the river’s abundance of flora and fauna.  Beasts of all proportions lurk within the corridor‘s shadows and pools, and some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet remain hidden within the gorge.  The river drains into Lake Turkana near the Sudan border.  The mystical Omo awaits those who yearn for an adventure of epic proportion!   
 

                            Omo Brief River Itinerary

Day 1:  Arrive in Addis Ababa and met by your expedition leader at the airport.  Transfer to deluxe accommodations.

Day 2:  Drive short distance to Wolisso Hot Springs Hotel for night.

Day 3:  Drive to river, rig rafts, and begin river journey.

Day 4-10:  Rafting upper half of the Omo River expedition.

Day 11:  Arrive at Bele Bridge for resupply.  Those only participating in the upper half will depart for Addis Ababa from here.  For those only participating in the lower half,  this will be the point where you will join the trip.   

* Please note that this trip is through a very wild and remote part of the world.  This itinerary is subject to change due to various potential circumstances.

Itinerary

Day 1

You arrive in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a city of 3 million and the commercial and political heart of Ethiopia.  Immediately after clearing customs, you meet your expedition leader outside of the airport/customs area.  We transfer to our deluxe  accommodations in Addis Ababa and get settled after the long journey.  Today is reserved for rest and for exploration of the city.  Numerous interesting sites await us in Addis Ababa such as the National Museum where you will find, among other archeological artifacts, the 3.5 million year old skeleton of ‘Lucy,’ the oldest human remains ever discovered.

Day 2

After breakfast, we drive 65 miles to the village of Wolisso where we spend the night at the very comfortable Wolisso Hot Springs Hotel.  Tonight we’ll enjoy a soak and go over the specifics of the river portion of the expedition.

Day 3

This morning we drive 50 miles to our put-in location at the Gibe Bridge.  We’ll spend time rigging the rafts and going over the specifics of river safety and raft dynamics.  Not long after putting on the water, we encounter the first of the many Class III rapids so abundant on the upper section of the river.

Day 4-10

We spend these days rafting the Upper Omo River Canyon!  This section, which reaches depths of nearly 5000 feet, is filled with abundant wildlife and fantastic Class III and III+ whitewater.  Curious hippos will greet us in the deep pools between the rapids; crocodiles bask in the sun on the river shores; troops of Colombus monkeys dance the treetops; and baboons bark from the cliffs.  Large, sandy beaches at the confluences of tributaries make for spectacular camps.  We’ll have plenty of time for swimming and hiking; and will reserve at least one layover day to visit a tribal village on the rim of the canyon!

Day 11

Day 11: Today we will raft to the Bele Bridge where we will stop and re-supply for the second half of the expedition. Those only participating in the upper half of the expedition will overnight at their deluxe accommodation en route to Addis Ababa.

Gear List

What To Bring

-Chaco sandals or equivelent
-Lightweight, packable sleeping bag
-water bottle with small carabiner to attach to raft.
-headlamp/torch w/ extra batteries
-brimmed hat for sun protection
-sunglasses with retainers
-waterproof camera for raft
-2 pairs lightweight cotton or synthetic pants and long sleeved shirts (light colored, khaki or white is preferred as it will be the least desirable to the tsetse flies).
-swimsuit/swim shorts
-short sleeved shirt and shorts
-raingear
-fleece jacket
-lightweight hiking shoes
-toiletries
-book/journal for those relaxing afternoons at camp
-insect repellent and anti-itch cream
-sarong, kanga or some kind of lightweight wrap or piece of cloth for camp or bathing

Optional:

-video or still camera for off river
-binoculars
-small day backpack (small Camelback packs work great)
-Personal first aid kit (should include a broad spectrum antibiotic, band aids, antihistamine, antibiotic cream,  pain reliever).
-musical instruments

Global Descents provides:

-All meals upon arrival in Addis Ababa
-All transportation during your trip with Global Descents
-All necessary rafting equipment
-Quality expedition tents
-Comfortable Thermarest sleeping pads
-World-class guide team
-Good Clean Fun!

Travel Information

Activity Location Omo River, Ethiopia Omo River, Ethiopia

Destination Location Travel Tips Visas:  It is possible to obtain an Ethiopian tourist visa upon arrival in Addis Ababa.  However, you also may obtain your Ethiopian tourist visa prior to arrival by contacting the Ethiopian Consulate.  This should be done at least 45 days prior to travel and be sure that your passport will not expire less than 6 months prior to your scheduled return date.  Please call the Global Descents Travel Desk at 1-800-775-6976 for more information. Health Precautions:  Ethiopia requires all traveler to carry a yellow fever vaccination record.  Global Descents recommends that you vaccinate for Typhoid, Hepatitis A and B, Meningitis type A, Tetanus, and Polio.  Also, please be aware that this is a malaria risk zone and it is imperative that you protect yourself by taking the proper malaria prophylaxis before, during and after your planned travel dates.  These requirements and recommendations change regularly so please contact the Center for Disease Control, www.cdc.gov, or Global Descents at 1-800-775-6976 for more information.  Money:  The national currency of Ethiopia is the Birr.  Although these rates fluctuate regularly, at the time of this writing the exchange rate is 8.8 Birr-1 USD.  While traveler’s checks are accepted, a lower exchange rate will be offered.  Only major hotels and the airport accepts credit cards.  We suggest bringing a sum of cash and perhaps a few traveler’s checks.  Tipping for services is not practiced.