Begin your photo safari in Addis Ababa, capturing vibrant street life and rich museum artifacts before heading to the Omo Valley.
Omo Valley Photography Tour: Tribes & Timeless Landscapes
Omo Valley Photography Tour: Tribes & Timeless Landscapes
Plunge into an Omo Valley photography tour that fuses arresting scenery with once-in-a-lifetime cultural access. From Addis Ababa’s buzzing markets to the Suri’s remote highland hamlets and the clay-plate Mursi of Mago, every stop invites bold portraits and sweeping environmental shots. Guided by tribal fixers and pro shooters, you’ll hone technique, trade stories and come home with a portfolio that breathes Ethiopia’s living history.
From the bustling streets of Addis Ababa to the remote villages of the Suri, Hamar, Karo, and Mursi tribes, each day is filled with opportunities to capture unforgettable moments.
Led by experienced guides and photographers, this tour offers a unique blend of discovery, cultural exchange, and artistic exploration. Get ready to unleash your creativity as you witness the vibrancy of Ethiopia's tribal heritage through your lens.
Destination Highlights
Highlighted Destinations
Venture into the remote Kibish Highlands, capturing the unique scarification art and daily life of the Suri people in stunning dusk portraits.
Immerse yourself in vibrant traditions near Turmi, photographing the famous bull-jumping ceremony and golden-hour dance circles.
Witness the incredible body-paint pageantry of the Karo people, composing portraits against the dramatic backdrop of the Omo River's bluffs.
Journey into Mago National Park to photograph the renowned Mursi people, capturing morning light portraits of their lip-plate matriarchs.
Itinerary at a Glance
Day by day Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa
- Today is set as an arrival day for our Ethiopian photo safari, where we will overnight in Addis Ababa.
Day 2: Fly From Addis Ababa to Jimma
- Our journey out of Addis Ababa commences as we fly to Jimma, the largest city in southwestern Ethiopia and where we will overnight.
Day 3: Drive Jimma to Mizan Teferi
- Today on our Omo Valley Photography Tour, we will be continuing our southwest routing as we make our way to Mizam Teferi. The 240km drive (approximately 7 hour drive time) is made up of a mosaic of forest and cultivated land dominated by coffee, tea, and various spices, and we will have ample opportunity to stop and take advantage of any photographic opportunities we may encounter.
Days 4 to 6: Kibish Area (Suri Tribe)
- After passing through the town of Tulgit, we will finally arrive in Kibish, where we will be camping for the next three nights. Much of our focus for the coming days will be photographing the fabulous Suri people, who due to their remoteness are one of the least visited of the Omo Valley's tribes.
Day 7: Drive Kibish To Jimma
- After a scrumptious breakfast prepared by our camp crew, we depart back to Jimma where we will overnight. Our drive today will take the best part of the day.
Day 8: Drive Jimma to Arba Minch
- Today depart Jimma for Arba Minch, the gateway to the eastern Omo Valley (the drive today will also take the best part of the day).
Day 9: Drive Arba Minch to Turmi (Hamar Tribe)
- This morning we have an early start as we depart Arba Minch shortly after breakfast for the town of Turmi. The Hamar is one of the most well-known tribes in Southern Ethiopia. They inhabit the territory east of the Omo River and have villages in both Turmi and Dimeka.
Day 10: Turmi Area (Karo and Hamar Tribe)
- Our tribe of interest today is the Karo, another tribe known for its elaborate body and facial paintings. In the afternoon we will head back to the nearby Hamar Village to continue photographing this fascinating tribe in all her glory!
Day 11: Drive Turmi to Jinka
- Further time will be spent visiting the Hamar today, where we will get more opportunities to capture these interesting people, before later continuing onward to Jinka, where we will be staying for the night.
Day 12: Fly Jinka to Addis and Depart (Mursi Tribe)
- We have an early morning start as we enter Mago National Park at 06:00 in order to reach the Mursi Tribe while the light is still soft. Most famous for the clay lip plates that the women insert in their lower lips, the Mursi are probably one of the last tribes in Africa amongst whom it is still the norm for women to wear these large pottery or wooden discs or plates.
- After a morning's photographic session with the Mursi, our incredible time in the lower Omo Valley comes to an end and we drive to the airport in Jinka in time for our flight back to Addis. Sadly, our time in Ethiopia has come to an end as you make your way home after an incredible adventure!
Begin Your Adventure with Sawla Tours
At Sawla Tours, we believe that every journey should be as unique as the traveler. Our expert team is dedicated to crafting personalized itineraries that reflect your interests and passions, ensuring an unforgettable Ethiopian experience.
Whether you're seeking cultural immersion, wildlife adventures, or breathtaking landscapes, we tailor each tour to your preferences. From the moment you reach out, our travel designers work closely with you to create a bespoke itinerary that captures the essence of Ethiopia.
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