Ethiopian guide
My husband, Bob, and I planned a 15-day trip to Ethiopia, March 21-April 4, 2008, through an agency based in Addis Ababa. The arrangements included a driver and an experienced professional tour guide who traveled with us the entire time.
Once we arrived in Ethiopia we learned, to our delight, that our guide had a rare and unique background: he grew up among the Hamer tribe in Ethiopia’s lower Omo Valley. He also spoke perfect English, having been schooled in Addis Ababa.
To take advantage of our guide’s background, we promptly rearranged the second half of our Ethiopian trip to take us to the South Omo Valley as far as Turmi, where we were able to visit the villages of different tribes and experience a Hamer market day.
Our original trip cost $5,400 for two people. This price excluded international airfare and four hotel nights and all meals in Addis Ababa (we made our own arrangements) as well as tips. The price did include all domestic flights, our primary guide, all local guides, cars and drivers, entrance fees, all meals and accommodations outside Addis Ababa.
We spent 10 nights on the more highly traveled northern historical circuit. Two of these were at the Simien Park Lodge in the Simien Mountains.
Originally, we were going to spend the following five nights in Arba Minch, only visiting villages within driving distance. After meeting Wondefraw, however, we geared this time toward the south and the Omo Valley.
This added costs for fuel; two nights in hotels not previously planned, and tips to locals who helped us remove our car stuck in the mud for three hours. These expenses added about $350.
Wondefraw was conversant in the languages of many of the tribes we met along the way, giving us wonderful insights into their cultures.
For those interested in an “inside view” of Ethiopia, and in particular the peoples of Ethiopia’s Omo Valley, contact Wondefraw Girma (phone 251 911 11 51 63 or e-mail gwondefrawa@yahoo.com or evengade21@yahoo.com).
If you wish to ask us questions about our trip, e-mail us c/o ITN.
DEBORAH LEVINE
Los Angeles, CA