It’s not just the Omo Valley tribes in Ethiopia that are amazing, but the families in the village compounds throughout the country!
A surprised “why?” is the most common response when I tell people about my past or next Africa photo tour to Ethiopia. It is certainly not a common tourist destination for Aussies.
Once I explain how unique Ethiopia is and tell them some interesting facts and show some photos of the amazing people I’ve had the honour to meet I find they are quite intrigued. Often wanting to know more about my travel stories and people I’ve met along the way!
“I”ve never felt so connected to people in my life” was a quote from my last private tour. The Ethiopian people are so welcoming, so friendly and so generous. You get invited to share food or coffee even although some families have very little. They greet you with friendly handshakes and make you feel welcome. They are some of the happiest and friendliest people I have ever met. It’s obvious when you get out of the normal tourist areas why people feel so connected in Ethiopia.
While walking along a road near the jungle this family welcomed us into their home to share some coffee.
They were equally as delighted as we were to have us in their home and share their company.
After our morning visiting a new Gesha coffee plantation in the mountains on a day trip from Mizen Teferi we walked past a few family huts on our way to our car. As we were walking along the road a man appeared with a big smile on his face. Our helpful guide explained that he was inviting us into his home for a coffee.
As people saw us walking towards them more family members joined us in their family hut - all with big welcoming smiles. We shared coffee and smiles… and laughter at the reactions of the small children when looking at us “farenji’s” (white/foreigners). Some children had big smiles and some took a while to realise we weren’t scary (even though we must look like it to them - an area that would hardly get any tourists visit!).
One baby was scared of me - but not this one!
Our brilliant driver and chef arrived and had prepared our lunch which we gladly shared with this beautiful family.
Living in a remote area near a wild jungle they definitely weren’t used to seeing tourists walk past their family compound.
They enthusiastically welcomed us into their home as do other families that i’ve met on my trips to Ethiopia. That’s why I love itineraries with flexible itineraries and the benefit of not travelling in a group. You can make the most of unplanned opportunities. You can connect with people you meet and share coffees, cuddles and friendly smiles and laughter. These unplanned stops have been some of my highlights from my trips.
Watching the wonder and surprise on the childrens faces when they saw their photos on our phone/camera.
Most of the Omo Valley tribes are used to seeing their photos as they get lots of tourists visit. Here in this remote wilderness this family don’t live anywhere near a tourist destination.
As with the beautiful welcoming of Ethiopians we are always offered to share some coffee from their home grown coffee plants.
I had a quick cuddle of one of their gorgeous babies before giving them a super soft baby blanket I had brought with me. They were so amazingly grateful and so thankful. Their smiles beamed and they were so happy it really was beautiful. They were not expecting anything in return and so it was an absolute delight to see their joy and gratitude. I just wished I had another baby blanket for the other little baby in their family.
The family as we were leaving outside their hut we just had coffee in.
We also gave some pens, textas and colouring books to the other children and the joy on all their faces was beyond words. The adults also took delight in looking at their gifts and enjoying the pictures in the colouring books! I love that the adults and children both love looking at drawings in the colouring books. I’m mindful of the ones I take with me on my travels and that the pictures are suitable (not food or highly marketable brands etc).
Such a happy mum with the new baby blanket!
Such a beautiful and grateful family. My client and I often talk about about this family and how wonderful it was to meet them. Whilst it is in such a remote location it would be absolutely incredible to go back and spend more time with them.
There is so much we can learn from others on our travels.
Like always you wish you could do more for this beautiful family. It was obvious how hard their daily lives were and how little they had, but they had each other and were very happy. We were all so grateful for the experience of that unplanned visit - all leaving and saying goodbye with big smiles. Whilst this is just one family and one unplanned stop on our Upper Omo Valley photo tour a similar experience has happened at other locations with other families.
Having time and flexibility on your travels allows you to say “yes” to opportunities. Also not being in a big group tour helps too as logistically it is easier! Often when we have some time on the driving days we will stop and go for a small walk and it won’t be long until we are welcomed into a home and sharing coffee. When people ask if it is safe to travel to Ethiopia I always say it is if you have the right ground team. Knowing the roads, the areas and having connections means that you will have a wonderful time in this wonderfully unique country.
