Imagine visiting traditional tribes in the south of Ethiopia, guided by a local Banna man, and experiencing unique culture like you've never seen. 

And the best part? It's affordable. 

The Omo Valley is one of Earth's last frontiers where you can visit and experience traditional tribal life. At Secrets of Travel, we believe in being a traveller with a positive impact, not just a tourist who takes photos. If that interests you, then you've found the right travel guide. 

After meeting Bemnet of Bemnet Tours in the Omo Valley, we've decided to do this page a little differently. We believe that the best way to visit Omo Valley is to ensure that every dollar you spend goes directly into the local economy, rather than into the pockets of tour agencies from Addis Ababa or even international companies. Bemnet Tours is run by Bemnet, a local Banna man himself with access and understanding of the Omo Valley tribes in a way that no other tour provider can offer. 

Types of Packages

Bemnet from Bemnet Tours ONLY does private tours - his priority is to ensure that you leave the Omo Valley with a deeper understanding of his peoples, culture, and traditions. Because each tour is private (just you and your travel companions), they are all fully customisable - if you would like to visit particular villages, have a specific accommodation, travel vehicle, or specific experience, he will discuss this with you to make it happen. 

Sample Itineraries

Here are some sample itineraries for what a 4, 7, and 10 day tour may look like. You have many options, including departing from Jinka or from Arba Minch. Please keep in mind - these itineraries are a sample, they are fully customisable to you and your interests!

Why Travel Bemnet Tours is the BEST Tour Company in the Omo Valley

• Ensure your money goes DIRECTLY to the local communities and tribes

Almost everyone who travels to the Omo Valley organises it through large tour countries, generally based out of Addis Ababa or even international companies. These groups pay local guides a small fee, but a significant amount of the profit goes back to the companies in Addis or abroad rather than to the indigenous communities. Bemnet Tours is offers personalised, private tours at a cheaper rate than any major competitor, with all the money you spend going directly into the local communities. 

• Travelling with Bemnet is actually cheaper than going completely solo

If you try driving yourself from Jinka, you will pay up to four times the local price for any service, hotel, meal, etc., if you are not accompanied by someone who speaks Amharic (language of Ethiopia), or any of the tribes' languages. There are local rates and foreigners rates, and rates are not fixed - they may fluctuate on any day. If you are travelling without a local guide, you may be charge several times higher than the current rate by the Associations, and you will struggle to barter a fair price for any service. As Bemnet is fluent in several local dialects and well connected across the valley, you can trust that he will ensure the best rates for you - always. 

• Foreigners can't/shouldn't do a fully solo tour to Omo Valley

The Associations (local tour guide associations) require a representative to be present for all visits to any tribe to ensure that the tribes are safe, protected, and that foreigners are being respectful of traditional customs and practices. All Assocition guides speak English, and the rates are fixed for each tribe. Whilst you can travel Omo Valley by yourself and get different guides from the Associations, changing guide for every village means that you'll get inconsistent, repeated, or impartial information. Also, some guides from the Association are not great - some may over charge you, some may undercharge, some may not be interested in giving information, and some may just be having a bad day. It's also rude to arrive at a tribe with no warning and expect that they are ready to accomodate guests. Maybe the village is out. Maybe someone has died. Maybe there is illness in the village and they need to isolate. Bemnet speaks three languages from the Omo Valley and has friends in many tribes and across multiple associations, and can ensure that you get the best value for money, and can communicate with the villages ahead of time to make sure that you - and the villagers - get the best experience possible from your visit. 

• Travel with a local Banna man who is FLUENT in the local languages

Bemnet is not only fluent in English, but he is also a Banna man, having grown up in a traditional village. He can speak Banna, Hammer, and Ari, meaning that you will actually be able to communicate with the people in the tribes you have - this changes the experience drastically from just "visiting" tribes to actually immersing with them. If you visit other tribes whose language he doesn't speak, he will arrange for another local translator to accompany you. This is an incredible advantage and something that will really change your adventure to the Omo Valley. 

• Unique Village Stay Experience

If you are comfortable camping, then you can discuss with Bemnet about staying in his village. This is something very special that very few foreigners get to experience. You will be camping in a tent, with the villagers sleeping in the fields surrounding you. You will be staying with his family and those he loves, so it is important to respect and honour this space. He will translate for you, introduce you to people, and show you his way of life. If you want to truly immerse in the traditional Banna culture, then you've found the right place. Do be warned though, this is not glamourous. There's no toilets, no running water, no showers, but here you will find community and authentic traditional life practice like no where else on earth.