Ethiopia – Vanishing Tribes of the Omo Valley Photo Tour I 2026

US$14,043 person sharing

Spaces Available

Please note that costs & dates for 2026 are subject to change as not all our partner properties and local airlines have released their rates. Should we need to revise costs, we will endeavour to keep fees & dates as close to the original.

18 Feb 2026 – 1 March 2026

ORYX’s “Vanishing Tribes of the Omo Valley Photo Tour” will explore one of the most ethnically diverse places on Earth – the Omo Valley. This is a cultural photo experience during which we will interact with several tribal communities who still live much as they did hundreds of years ago. This harsh and inhospitable place has over ten distinctly different tribes existing within a 38 mile / 60 km radius each with its own unique language, clothing, hairstyles and bodily ornamentation. Our photo tour focuses on four of these tribes: the Suri, Mursi, Karo and Hamar. Sadly, development and the ravages of modernization are threatening these unique peoples of the Omo Valley and as such it is a “see it while you can” destination.

Why this Photo Tour is for You

Destination Allure

Capture four distinctive tribes found in the Omo Valley and photograph some of the most colourful and bizarrely-adorned tribes on this planet. We focus on the Suri, Karo, Hamar and Mursi tribes, affording visitors the rare opportunity to photograph and interact with people that have, until recently, escaped the onslaught of modernity before it’s too late. Most tribes in the Omo Valley are having their cultural identity, and indeed very way of life, placed under increasing pressure from the outside world, very much making it a “see it while you can” destination.

Accommodation

We make use of each area’s most suitable and best available accommodation and enjoy the exclusive experience of staying at our comfortable ORYX Mobile Camp in the Surma area.

Before it’s too late

The tribes in Omo Valley’s cultural identity, and indeed very way of life, is being placed under increasing pressure from the outside world, and it really is a case of “explore and photograph the Omo Valley while you can.”

Small Group Departures

Travel to this remote location in group no bigger than 4 participants with fellow like-minded individuals for a cultural experience like no other!

Guided experience

ORYX has been operating in Ethiopia for more than a decade, and our hard-won experience coupled with a strong relationship with the ground team ensure the ultimate photography tour experience.

ORYX LEADER
Mike Dexter

12 Days

4 Guests + 1 ORYX Leader

Classic

Culture

Destination

Ethiopia
Departure
Addis Ababa
person sharing
US$14,043
Single Supplement
US$607
Photographic Highlights
Suri, Karo, Hamar and Mursi tribes
Guide

Mike Dexter

From our gallery

Best of the Omo Valley

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, 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 a day.

Day 8: Drive Jimma to Arba Minch

Today depart Jimma for Arba Minch, gateway to the eastern Omo Valley (the drive today will also take the best part of a 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 end as you make your way home after an incredible adventure!

Cultural Ethiopia Omo Valley Photography Tours

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