Lale’s Camp
Ethiopia
Location & access
Located on a sinuous bend of the lower Omo River in southern Ethiopia, Lale’s Camp is set in deep riverine shade on the edge of the river, tamarind trees providing shelter from the baking sun. The nearby Kara village of Dus (one of just three villages belonging to the Kara people) is only a few minutes’ walk away, with some isolated Hamar settlements further afield.
The camp is extremely remote, and access is possible only by river after first driving or flying to the southern Omo using the little known Murule Airstrip(less than 2 hours flight from Addis Ababa in a private charter). This remoteness is key to enabling exclusive access to authentic tribal cultures of the lower Omo such as the Kara, Hamar, Mursi and Nyangatom.
Why here?
- The most authentic low impact way to experience the tribal cultures of the lower Omo Valley (Kara, Hamer, Mursi)
- Integrated into, and benefitting, the local Kara community
- The opportunity to encounter unusual wildlife species as well as traditional cultures in a truly remote and disconnected region.
Facilities
A comfortable dining and lounge tent, or mess, is the central point of Lale’s Camp. Meals are taken here or outdoors around the fire.
Carefully spaced along the high banks of the Omo River on either side of the main area are seven large, spacious Meru tents. En suite, with flush toilets and traditional safari showers, each tent is carefully positioned in the deepest shade of this special patch of riverine forest. Gauze panels serve as ‘windows’, maximising the through draft and ensuring our guests are immersed in nature and can hear all the sounds of the night.
rivet Monkeys, Guereza Colobus and Gambian Sun Squirrels are residents in camp with the nearby Kara village of Dus only a few minutes’ walk away.
Experiences
The raison d'être of Lale’s Camp is centred around the appreciation of the tribal cultures of the lower Omo region and the Omo River itself. Aside from boating and limited use of vehicles, we spend a lot of time on foot, either with the local people or in exploring this vast environment.
customs are a key focus for our guests. Meeting with the Mursi people requires a stay at an overnight fly camp far upriver at a site where the Mursi women collect clay to fashion their lip plates.
A Kara village (one of only three settlements of this tiny ethnic group which consists of less than 1500 people in its entirety) is within walking distance of Lale’s Camp, while inland from the river lie small, isolated Hamar settlements. Interactions with these fascinating people and learning about their culture and
The Omo River itself is part of the adventure, with boating providing fantastic viewing of some unusual primates (like De Brazza’s Monkey) and some special bird species (Egyptian Plover; Pel’s Fishing Owl), while marvelling at the large crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks.
Rates
Our rates are fully inclusive (accommodation, meals, drinks and activities) and quoted in US Dollars on a per person per night sharing basis. We do charge a single supplement.
Explore with us
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Instead, we work with a wide network of specialist tour operators all around the world in order that our guests can liaise with someone in their own jurisdiction, time zone, culture and language to craft the perfect African expedition for them.
Contact us - We’d be happy to help design a trip and recommend a tour operator that is right for you.
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