21 Day Rift Valley		From $ 1 800.00 pps

This is definitely an adventure holiday and you must be aware that we will take you through regions with very poor infrastructure and very few western facilities. Roads can be apsolutely appalling and you should be prepared to forgo your home comforts. But the rewards of this kind of overland travel are immense. We will travel into one of the most unchanged tribal regions in Africa and meet peoples who lifestyles have changed very little in the last two hundred years. At Konzo we will explore the Konzo tribal culture and villages before heading deep into tribal southern Ethiopia towards the Omo Valley. This is a very remote, seldom visited region, which is home to the Hamer, Banna and Arbore people. The bull jumping of the Hama people have become renown in the outside world due to the great BBC series, Tribes featuring Bruce Parry. Unfortunately, unlike Parry, who spent months living with many of these tribes we can only spend four nights in the region, but this is what adventure travel tours should be all about. Travelling Overland allows us to explore regions like this. Tour Details • Tour Type: Cultural Overland • Region(s): Ethiopia, Kenya 21 29-10-2008 Budget • Price: From $ 1 800.00 pps $ 1 800.00 $ 330 - $ 350 18 - 35 10 Required No 20 23 North Rift Valley, Lake Abiyata, Rastafarian community & educational project, Hammer, Banna & Dascench tribes, Ethiopia & Kenya, Samburu NP & Lake Nakuru NP, Born Free foundation at Lake Naivasha Nights 1-6: Ethiopia: Addis and the northern Rift Valley, Lake Langano Visit to Lake Abiyata home to flamingos near Shashemene 3 nights in the wilds of Bale Mountains NP for hiking or mule/horse trekking Visit the surreal Rastafarian community and educational project at Shashemene Nights 7-8: Ethiopian Rift Valley: Overland through Ethiopia's Rift Valley along the shores of Lake Abaya 2 night stay at Arba Minch to explore the market or near by Lake Chamo & crocodiles Nights 9-13: Southern Ethiopia: 4 night visit to tribal region near Omo River, seeing Hammer, Banna and Dascench tribes and markets Overnight in Konzo, centre of the Konso people Nights 14-18: Southern Ethiopia & Northern Kenya: Visit to Samburu tribal community and cultural project with local Samburu tribespeople Remote overland journey through the wilds and deserts of southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya Wildlife safari in Samburu NP, elephants, lions, grevy zebra, excellent wildlife Nights 19-21: Kenyan Rift Valley: Safari in Lake Nakuru NP, excellent for rhino Visit to Elsamere Born Free foundation at Lake Naivasha

Tour Map of 21 Day Tribes of The Rift Valley Abore People of Ethiopia , The Abore people only number about 25000 today and are on of the main tribes of Ethiopia The Hamer people are pastoralists and number about 30,000, they are known for their practice of body adornment Samburu National Reserve is located on the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro river in Kenya & is a world renowned Big 5 destination Lake Nakuru was created a National Park in 1961, there are stunning flocks of lesser flamingo, which literally turn its shores pink

• 14 January 2009, Addis Ababa

Please contact us for flights and bookings

• Campsites
• Some Wildcamps
• Small Hostel/Hotel
• 65% Camping 35% Hotels

• Hilton Addis Ababa
  Hilton Addis Ababa is located on a 15-acre site in the city center, half a mile from the cathedral, and approximately five miles from Bole International Airport. This location is also half a mile from the Post Office Museum and Ethnological and Archaeological Museum, one mile from the National Museum of Ethiopia, two miles from Martyrs' Monument and the African Union Headquarters, and three miles from Merkato (biggest open-air market in Africa).
  Hotel amenities include the heated outdoor pool, tennis court, sauna, steam bath, aerobics class, gym, massage treatments, spa, beauty salon, florist, gift shop, and newsagent. Dining is available at Kaffa House (American-style coffee shop), Jacaranda Restaurant (international and seafood dishes), the Pizzeria, and Gazebo Bar & Restaurant. The hotel also offers room service, concierge assistance, a business center, laundry facilities, currency exchange, free parking, and 24-hour front desk service.
  Hilton Addis Ababa From: $221 USD pp  
• Addis Ababa Hilton
  Cool off in the thermal swimming pool surrounded by thatched huts at the central Hilton Addis Ababa hotel. Play friends on one of 4 tennis courts and relax with a massage at the health club. Try the specialty lobster at the romantic Jacaranda Restaurant and browse the hotel's shopping mall. Enjoy Addis Ababa attractions like the golf course and the Ethnological Museum, or let the hotel arrange a trip to the Rift Valley. Come back to a workout or an aerobics class in the health club, before relaxing in the Jacuzzi. Enjoy sizzling fajitas at the poolside Gazebo Bar and cocktails at the Hilton Addis Ababa hotel's Sheba Lounge. Opposite the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Hilton Addis Ababa hotel has 4 meeting rooms and a ballroom for 6-1200, and an Executive Lounge with wireless internet access. From Hilton Guest Rooms to Suites, all Hilton Addis Ababa hotel rooms have balconies with good views. Executive Rooms offer Executive Lounge access.
  From: $79 USD pp  
• Sheraton Addis
  Set in mountainous countryside, 7,800 feet above sea level, the Sheraton Addis in Ethiopia is the first African hotel to join The Luxury Collection. Our hotel stands opposite the National Palace and only seven kilometers from Bole International Airport of Ethiopia. Our ideal location provides easy access to the city's commercial districts, the UNECA Headquarters, the United Nations Conference Center, the AU Headquarters, as well as to most business establishments and Non-Governmental Organizations. We are also only a short distance from many of Ethiopia's most renowned attractions. Our hotel provides one of the largest and most prestigious banquet and conference facilities in Ethiopia, providing over 1,500 square meters of meeting space. Elegant guest rooms, exceptional recreational and meeting facilities and an extraordinary selection of fine restaurants make the Sheraton Addis the ideal African luxury destination. Special Condition From August 7 to August 25, 2006, the Aqua Club swimming pool and spa facilities will be closed for maintenance. Please contact the hotel for further information.
  From : $86.0 USD pp 

All overland vehicles have been custom-built for overlanding.

Africa Overland Truck Equipment
All trucks have long distance fuel tanks, water tanks and contain all equipment needed for an overland tour, such as: tents, camp stools, tables, kitchen equipment and much more. There is also a safe available for all of your valuables, a stereo for fun times and internal and external lighting. The overland trucks carry an extensive array of spare parts which, combined with the crew’s mechanical knowledge, should be enough to get you on the road again in the event of a breakdown.

Travelling days are part of the many excitements of adventure safaris.  You are crossing Africa, reaching for your next destination, not sitting on an interstate or motorway with nothing but traffic ahead.  You will pass through amazing scenery, see wildlife of every description and enjoy breathtaking views.  You will see more of Africa this way than any other. Being in your own vehicle means you have the freedom to stop anywhere you wish. If you want to take photos, sample the roadside markets and curios, or just sit back and take in everything you can see, this is all part and parcel of the journey.

Rest days are exactly that.  You may take part in included activities such as game drives and walks, or enjoy free time on your own - exploring markets, meeting local people, pursuing optional activities or just looking at Africa.

• Travel documents ie passport, proof of vaccinations (if required)
• T-shirts / sarong / shorts / khikhoi
• Sun cream, lip balm, sun hat / cap Anorak / sweater / pants / 
• Camera film  Tracksuit, Strops
• Towel Sunglasses with string & cork
• Small sewing kit
• Pocket calculator (useful when exchanging money)
• Writing materials & notebook/diary
• Multi purpose knife (Swiss army type)

Please check with your Embassy about visas for the following countries:

• Ethiopia 
• Kenya 

Health Requirements:

Reccommended vaccinations and other health protection measures vary according to country and recent bulletins issued by health authorities. They vary frequently. Costs vary according to the route and where you have your vaccinations. The information below is intended for quick reference only and you should obtain the latest advice nearer the departure date.

• Diptheria Recommended
• Malaria Recommended
• Meningitis Recommended
• Poliomyelitis Recommended
• Rabies Recommended
• Typhoid Recommended
• Yellow Fever Compulsory

• We regret to advise that this tour is not suitable for children

• Khartoum to Nairobi
  via Addis (6.5 Weeks)
• Addis Ababa to Victoria Falls
  via Nairobi (8.5 Weeks)
• Cairo to Nairobi
  via Khartoum & Addis (10.5 Weeks)
• Khartoum to Victoria Falls
  via Addis & Nairobi (12 Weeks)
• Addis Ababa to Cape Town
  via Nairobi & Vic Falls (13.5 Weeks)
• Istanbul to Nairobi
  via Cairo, Khartoum & Addis (14.5 Weeks)
• Tunis to Nairobi
  via Cairo, Khartoum & Addis (14.5 Weeks)

Please click here to view our Terms & Conditions

Because of the nature of this tour, the itinerary may well vary from that published. This trip will involve crossing remote areas and there will be an element of discomfort. This is a tough but very rewarding trip. Kitty does not cover food while staying in hotels and hostels.

The Kitty:
The Kitty is a group fund. It's an amount that each passenger puts into a central fund and is monitored by you and the Overland crew. It funds accommodation, camp meals and activities that the group take part in as a whole. We cannot guarantee that extra contributions will not be necessary.
By including campsite fees, hotels, national parks and gamepark entrances and other group expenses in the kitty, it allows greater flexibility and gives the group greater control.
The kitty in the brochure is an estimate at the time of printing. Local inflation and costs vary during the year and so we review kitties on a monthly basis. We do send you through a Trip Update a few weeks before departure with latest kitties at that point, but we urge you to contact us just before you join the trip as this is likely to be more accurate. Your tour leader will inform you of the most up-to-date amount on day 1 of the trip.

Personal Spending:
Based on the range that previous travellers have spent on this trip, we recommend you allow between a minimum of US$5 and a maximum of US$15 per day.The minimum is the basic amount a budget traveller would spend on limited drinks and meals when not camping, postcards, laundry, site and museum entrances, etc. The maximum would allow a much more “comfortable” lifestyle as well as covering the cost of optional extras up to US$50.

Luggage + Equipment:
In addition to the list in the Advance Information Dossier, we also recommend you do not take any irreplaceable valuables on your trip.
In winter months nights can get cold in the hills (see the climate chart in the brochure for more details). Bear this in mind when packing clothes and considering what sleeping bag to take.

Visas + Documents:
On the Trip Update (sent to you about 8 weeks before the start date) you will be told which visas you will require and given a rough estimate of necessary visa costs.

Connecting Flights:
When arranging your connecting flights, please take into account the trip's schedule. Under normal circumstances:
We realise that it may not always be possible, but we do strongly urge you to arrange flights so that you arrive in time for the meeting.
Also bear in mind that you might want to spend some time in the start and finish places and you should arrange your flights accordingly.
The trip should depart Addis Ababa at approx 08:00 on the day after the start date.
The trip should arrive in Nairobi at approx 20:00 on the end date.
There will be an initial trip meeting at 10.00 on the start date.