Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Jinka's famous Saturday market, the largest in the region, sits 300m northwest of the
roundabout. It attracts a variety of ethnic groups including Ari, Banna, Mursi and some-
times Bashada. Though smaller and significantly less colourful the rest of the week, when
it's mostly just the local Ari people trading, it's still worth a long wander.
South-Omo Museum & Research Centre
( 0467-750332;
www.southomoresearch.org
; admission Birr50; 8am-6pm)
Perched
on a hill northeast of town (look for the green roof), the museum is good but also disap-
pointing. There are several interesting exhibitions, particularly the Q&A with women
from across the region, but there's really very little background information on the groups,
and not all are represented. There's also a collection of ethnographic DVDs to view.
MUSEUM
Tours
The two rival guide associations -
New Vision Local Guide Association
(
0916-712096; localtour.organizer@gmail.com; 8am-7.30pm)
and
Pioneers Local
Guide Association
( 0467-751728; 6.30am-6.30pm)
- work alternate days of the
week and you have no choice of which to use to hire the mandatory guide for day visits to
Mursi villages. For longer trips, like multiday treks between Ari or Mursi villages, you
can contract with the group of your choice. Both have some good guides, but also some
who are completely unqualified and many tourists complain about their guide's lack of
knowledge or lack of English. Their offices are next to the airstrip at the roundabout.
Sleeping
Even in the rainy season, Jinka can run out of water.
Goh Hotel $
( 0467-750033; d without bathroom Birr81, d/tw Birr287/310; )
The Goh is cheaper
than its inferior neighbour, Orit Hotel, and attracts a wide cross-section of travellers. The
rooms are slightly aged and worn but relatively bright and clean while the bathroom-less
ones out the back aren't quite as good as those at Tesfa Pension. The quality restaurant is a
good incentive to stay.
HOTEL
Eco-Omo $$$
( 0959-200706;
www.eco-omo.com
; camping per tent US$16.50, s/d incl breakfast
US$58/92;
LODGE
)
Jinka's fanciest (though least friendly) address is 4km out of town on
