Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Nyangatom, whose women wear massive stacks of beaded necklaces, only inhabit
lands west of the Omo River and many villages lie within a few kilometres' walk from the
regional town of Kangaten. Park at the secure compound across the river called 'The
Store'. Here you'll lighten your wallet of a Birr100 parking fee, Birr150 per group subdis-
trict fee, Birr50 per person village fee, Birr200 per group guide fee and Birr60 per person
round-trip boat fare.
Only a few kilometres northeast of Kangaten, but an hour by car, the clifftop village of
Kolcho is the smallest of three Karo villages. And with its lofty views over a U-bend in
the Omo River, it's one of the most beautifully set in all of Ethiopia. The village remains
very traditional, and Hamer women routinely come daily to trade milk for sorghum or
cheka
(local beer). Guides charge Birr100 per group and Birr350 per vehicle. Dance
demonstrations (at least Birr1500 per group) can be arranged.
Sleeping & Eating
Kolcho has no lodging, but
camping
(Birr50)
on the clifftop is magical. A small kitchen
is available, but bring food and water, or trudge down to the river like the villagers do. A
small shop sells drinks.
Mahailet Hotel
(d Birr50)
is marginally the pick of Kangaten's two rough hotels, both
of which are attached to busy bars.
Getting There & Away
Each of the villages is about 65km from Turmi and can be reached in less than two hours,
unless there's heavy rain. A high-clearance vehicle is a must. You'll need to come with
someone who knows the way since there are no signs and the roads to these villages pass
through something of a no-man's land so there's no chance to ask directions. Also note
that heavy rains in the highlands can fill the normally dry Kizo River, temporary blocking
access.
A bus runs from Jinka to Kangaten (Birr80, six hours) on Monday and Saturday (leav-
ing around lunchtime) and departs Kangaten on Sunday and Tuesday as early as 10am.
Truck traffic is so scarce that hitching to either village is simply not a realistic option.
OMORATE
The region's hottest and dustiest town hugs the eastern bank of the Omo River, 72km
southwest of Turmi. Omorate is visited almost exclusively as a morning trip out of Turmi.
For now the only attraction is the
Daasanach villages
(village fee per person Birr100,
guide per group Birr100)
, but the
Omorate Local Guide Association
is planning to be-
