Background
A prehistoric site near Lake Turkana, the lower valley of the Omo is renowned the world over. UNESCO says the discovery of many fossils there, especially Homo gracilis, has been of fundamental importance in the study of human evolution.
Wikivoyage: more than 50,000 fossils have been identified from the lower Omo, including Australopithecus and Homo, with quartzite tools up to about 2.4 million years old; a French expedition made the first finds in 1901 and an international team worked here from 1967 to 1975. The valley is also home to the Mursi, Suri, Hamer and other peoples known for lip plates, body paint and beadwork. Wikipedia: the Omo is Ethiopia's largest river outside the Nile basin, 760 km long, ending in Lake Turkana.
- 2.4 million years agoThe oldest quartzite tools in the valley
- 1901A French expedition makes the first archaeological discoveries
- 1967–1975An international team finds a 2.5-million-year-old Australopithecus jawbone
- 1980Inscribed as World Heritage
Find Your Way Around
The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them
- 1The Fossil BedsDeposits that yielded more than 50,000 fossils of early humans and their world.
- 2The Omo River760 km from the Gibe confluence to Lake Turkana; rafted in September and October after the rains.
- 3Hamer Bull JumpingWikivoyage: a ceremony put on by the Hamer people.
- 4Mursi and Suri VillagesThe peoples known for lip plates; each village charges an entrance fee.
- 5JinkaThe usual base for day trips into the valley.
Know Before You Go
From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides
Into the Lower Omo
Not yet in a GoGo guide
- 07:00Drive from Jinka2 hrsSouth into the valley with a local guide.
- 09:30Villages of the Lower Omo5 hrsMursi or Hamer villages, entrance fee at each.
Best Time to Visit
Best months: May–Jul. Very hot (highs 34°C+) in Sep, Dec–Mar. Rainy season Apr.
Typical highs
Climate: NASA POWER
Pair It With
Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance
