An idyllic and ultra-remote encampment of seven comfortable en-suite Meru tents under the cooling shade of tamarind trees on the banks of the Omo River, Lale’s Camp was co-founded more than two decades ago by the legendary guide Lale Birwa. Quite simply, there is nothing else like it in Ethiopia.
An ethnic Kara from the neighboring village of Dus, Lale is fluent in many of the tribal languages of the Lower Omo and, from this comfortable base in Ethiopia’s cultural melting pot, excursions are made to isolated villages of Kara, Hamer and Mursi people (visiting the Nyangatom and other cultural groups is possible but requires longer stays). Remote from the main tourist circuit, guests at Lale’s are the only foreigners who visit the area, making Lale’s Camp a unique place and experience.
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.
Lale's Camp - standard tent
(7 ROOMS)
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’, maximizing the through-draft and ensuring our guests are immersed in nature and can hear all the sounds of the night. Grivet Monkeys, Guereza Colobus and Gambian Sun Squirrels are residents in camp with the nearby Kara village of Dus only a few minutes’ walk away.
Tribal cultural interaction - Kara
The Kara people are limited to just three villages along the banks of the Omo River, one of which is within walking distance of camp and with which Lale's Camp is partnered. This community allow guests of Lale's Camp access to their day to day life and celebratory dances.
Tribal cultural interaction - Hamar
The Hamar people ar pastoralists who live inland from the Omo River where they can graze their cattle and goats. Lale's Camp has an excellent relationship with a cluster of Hamar homesteads that welcome our guests into their homes and day to day lives.
Tribal cultural interaction - Mursi
The Mursi - best known for the lip-plate wearing women and for scarification - are a remote tribe that we reach only by traveling far upstream from Lale's Camp to overnight with in a fly camp. Here we are able to participate in whatever seasonal activity is occupying their time, whether this be cultivation, fishing, cattle herding or anything else.
Fly camping
In order to reach the remote Mursi tribe we set up temporary fly camps where we can overnight with these traditional people, staying either in dome tents or simple stretchers covered with mosquito nets.
Omo River boating and wildlife
The Omo River is a lifeline in an otherwise quite arid land and its lush rivernine forests and exposed sand banks are great habitat for some interesting species. Pel's fishing owl, Egyptian plover and northern carmine bee-eater are among the birding delights, while unusual primates like de Brazza's monkey and Bourtourlini's monkey are a mammalian treat.
For more information on Lale's Camp, click HERE