Southern Omo River
West Bank & Lower Omo Valley

In SW Ethiopia, bordering Sudan, this UNESCO Cultural  World Heritage Area is recognized as such because of the 16 distinct tribes, two major African language families (Nilo-Saharan and Afro-Asiatic), and at least 24 local dialects. The amazing, globally unique cultural diversity reflects the isolated nature of the different communities as they evolved over thousands of years and then linguistically diversified (dramatically) in the last several centuries. The Omo National Park is on the western side of the Omo River, and is the largest, most remote and least-visited protected area in the country, spanning over 4000 sq km. It supports relatively thriving populations of 73 mammals, 300 distinct bird species and more. It is an essential ecological refuge with minimal infrastructure, awesome nature, and (not-to-be-ignored) cross-border tensions with Sudan.

(Ethiopia is wonderful, intriguing and instructive for nature conservation and cultural integration. It also has specific yet changing challenges of local and regional tensions. For superb knowledge, excellent protocols with local communities, and logistics  contact Graeme Lemon, anafricancanvas.com )