Dreaming of Ethiopia’s Omo Valley
Ethiopia, a country located in the Horn of Africa, is bisected by the Great Rift Valley and to many, this may conjure images of caustic lakes, searing rock and desolate thornscrub, however these features belie the fact that this is country is home to highly fertile soils and abundant rainfall in the highlands that nurture abundant crops. As the home of coffee, and possessing a unique, delicious cuisine, this fast-developing nation fortunately retains much of its cultural distinctiveness. Our area of concern however, is focussed rather on Ethiopia’s cultural photographic opportunities in the south of the country.
Our Suri Tribe Photo Tour is designed to immerse you in the lives of the Suri people who live in a remote portion of the Omo that is seldom visited by tourists. Staying in a mobile tented camp set up in the African bush close to the Suri is a remarkable way to gain insight into their lives! Sometimes regarded as the most photogenic of all the Omo’s tribes, the Suri are worthy photographic subjects indeed with their delightful body painting and elaborate ornamentation. In a world overrun by instant gratification and an overflow of often meaningless stimuli, this photo tour is designed to focus in on the essence of the Suri – you will really be able to absorb the atmosphere of this unique piece of Africa and celebrate in the characteristic beauty of these people.
The Omo Valley is truly a cultural treasure trove! Home to such resplendently decorated tribes as the Mursi, Karo, Hamar and Suri, ORYX’s Vanishing Tribes of the Omo Valley Signature Photo Tour showcases the rich colours, intricate designs and eye-catching ornaments that characterise these amazing peoples and gives a fantastic overview of this enthralling region.
ORYX has significant experience in leading photo tours to the Omo Valley. Our photo tour leaders are at pains to exercise a high level of cultural sensitivity when interacting with the various tribes, and along with our fantastic ground team, have nurtured relationships in the valley over many years. The varied tribes of the Omo are facing increasing external influence, not all of it good. ORYX has taken time to get to know the people, and we value the friendships we have forged and choose to support these people as best we can. Our longstanding friendships stand us in good stead when it comes to our photographic endeavours, allowing us access to key areas and providing our guests with dream photographic opportunities.
Elder smoking a pipe, Suri Tribe
By Kirsten Frost
Shutter speed: 1/160sec | Aperture: f/2.8 | ISO: 100
Sunrise scenes, Karo Tribe
By Kirsten Frost
Shutter speed: 1/160sec | Aperture: f/2.8 | ISO: 100 | Off-camera Flash
Woman with a large lip plate, Suri Tribe
By Mike Dexter
Shutter speed: 1/125sec | f/5 | ISO: 5000
Guinea fowl arrangement, Suri Tribe
By Marius Coetzee
Shutter speed: 1/100 | Aperture: f/6.3 | ISO: 1600
Herding goats, Nyangatom Tribe
By Marius Coetzee
Shutter speed: 1/125 | Aperture: f/8 | ISO: 1600
Beauty in Smoke, Suri Tribe Portrait
By Kirsten Frost
Shutter speed: 1/20 sec | Aperture: f/2.8 | ISO: 5000
Monochrome portrait, Suri Tribe
By Marius Coetzee
Shutter speed: 1/125 | Aperture: f/8 | ISO: 1600
Into the Wild, Suri Tribe
By Kirsten Frost
Shutter speed: 1/5000 sec | Aperture: f/2.2 | ISO: 320
Cultural, Art & Nature, Suri Tribe
By Marius Coetzee
Shutter speed: 1/125 | Aperture: f/9 | ISO: 1250
Join ORYX in Ethiopia’s Omo Valley
If this has whet your appetite to embark on your own Ethiopia photography tour, then feel free to consider one of the following two options:
