Robel Hailu, Tour Guide Extraordinaire!
Had the trip of a lifetime, thanks to Robel. Sometimes, when you dream of a trip for so long, it runs the risk of being a let down. I did extensive research while planning this trip, and contacted several different tour guides. Robel gave me a great price right off the bat, without the hassle of negotiations, which was the case with many others. Just as importantly, he was quick to communicate and answer all questions, and was very friendly from the get go, which made me feel comfortable.
The trip to Omo Valley didn't just meet my expectations, it exceeded them. Omo Valley itself is a place like no other. The tribes are authentic and raw (not like the tribes in some other parts of Africa where you get the feeling they just dress up for the tourists). Robel is an absolute joy to be around. Always in a good mood, and a great sense of humor. He's got a relaxed personality, but at the same time also very well-organized, professional, and adaptable. He gave me a lot of options, not just ahead of time when booking the trip, but also along the way, always willing to be flexible. He and our driver, Neba, made me feel like we were all long time friends.
It's obvious he's very well-connected (and well-liked), and was in contact with locals along the way, including the tribal chiefs, to ensure we maximized our experience. Robel made sure I got more than just a quick photo-stop with the tribes. The experience was so enriching. Robel knows a lot about all the tribes, and Ethiopia as a whole. I learned so much just talking to him, like with a friend. We visited 6 tribes (plus two markets). Robel organized the trip very efficiently and effectively to make the best use of our time. I was able to spend significant in their communities, interact with the locals and members of the tribes, and even got to go inside a home of a member of the Hamer tribe to share a hot coffee-shell drink. These, and so many more, are experiences I'll never forget.
Robel is always on his A-game, and there's not a situation he's not able to handle. His vehicle is top-notch, and he travels with a spare tire. When my shoe broke in the middle of the trip, he fixed it. When a last minute rule change by Turkey (the country I would be transiting through for my connecting flight to go home to the US) meant a negative covid test was required to board the plane in Addis (even to transit), Robel jumped into action. Knowing I'd be coming back to Addis from Lalibela in a few days, with only a few hours to spare before my international flight to go back home, he went to the hospital in Addis the day before I was coming back to get a lay of the land. He spoke to the people there, told them my situation, and made sure they could guarantee I'd be able to take the test and get the results in time for my flight. He picked me up from the airport (with driver Yohannes, another amazingly friendly and helpful person), whisked me to the local hospital, ushered me in and talked to all the right people to make sure I got in and out quickly. As promised, my results were ready a few hours later, which he picked up for me prior to bringing me back to the airport. None of this was part of the original plan, and would have likely been much too complicated and too much effort for someone else to successfully deal with. But Robel handled it calmly and confidently.
I've been home for several days now, and I"m still reliving my trip to Ethiopia over and over in my mind. I still can't believe I got to have the experiences I did. It's an incredible place-- but also, I know that I maximized every ounce of wonder from it, thanks to having Robel as my guide.
Robel can be reached on WhatsApp: +251912707956 and email: Sol770084@yahoo.com
I can say with 100% confidence that you'll have no regrets if you choose Robel to lead you through the Omo Valley, and even all of Ethiopia! I'll remember this experience for as long as I live!
