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Ultimate Ethiopia – Omo Valley Photo Tour 2026

US$8,795 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.

19 Jan 2026 – 26 Jan 2026

ORYX’s “Ultimate Ethiopia 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 6 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.

mike dexter

ORYX LEADER
Mike Dexter

8 Days
6 Guests + 1 ORYX Leader
Classic
Culture
  • Destination
    Ethiopia
  • Departure
    Addis Ababa
  • person sharing
    US$8,795
  • Single Supplement
    US$534
  • Photographic Highlights
    Suri, Karo, Hamar and Mursi tribes
  • Guide
    Mike Dexter

From our gallery

Best of the Omo Valley

Omo Valley Photo Tours
Omo Valley Photography Tours
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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.
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Day 2: Chartered flight to Mizan Teferi, drive to Kibish (Suri Tribe)

Our journey out of Addis Ababa commences with a chartered flight to Mizan Teferi, and drive approximately 4-5 hours to Kibish., in southwestern Ethiopia.  

En-route we pass through Bebeka coffee plantation (located about 30km outside Mizan), which is the largest and oldest coffee plantation in Ethiopia. Passing through the town of Tulgit, will finally arrive in Kibish, where we will be camping for the next three nights.

 
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Day 3 & 4: Kibish area (Suri Tribe)

After passing through the town of Tulgit, will finally arrive in Kibish, where we will be camping for the next two 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.
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Day 5: Drive to Mizan Teferi, chartered flight to Omorate, visit the Dassanech people, drive to Turmi (Hamer Tribe)

After a scrumptious breakfast prepared by our camp crew, we depart for Mizan Teferi, which will be a 4-5 hour drive and catch a charter flight to Omorate.

On arrival, we will visit with the Dassanech people , who are a semi-nomadic population who mainly live near the Delta of the Omo River, near Lake Turkana, on the border with Kenya. This is a semi-arid area where temperatures are among the highest in the entire African continent. They are dedicated to sheep-farming and agriculture and from time to time, they are forced to move in search of more productive land and new pastures.

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Day 6: Drive Turmi to Murulle (Karo Tribe) & afternoon visit to Turmi (Hamer Tribe)

Here, our tribe of interest is the Karo, another tribe known for its elaborate body and facial paintings. These people live along the east bank of the Omo River and practice flood retreat cultivation, their main crops being maize, sorghum and beans.

 
Unlike the other tribes, they keep only a small number of cattle due to the prevalence of tsetse flies. Like many of the tribes in the Omo, they paint their bodies and faces with white chalk to prepare for any ceremonies. The chalk is mixed with yellow rock, red iron ore and charcoal to make its requisite colour. Facemasks are worn at times and they have clay hair buns adorned with feathers. 
Scarification is also an important part in the Karo people’s lives. This includes the complete scarification of a man’s chest with which to indicate that he has killed an enemy or dangerous animal
 
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Day 7: Turmi (Hamer Tribe), drive 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 one night.

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Day 8, 26th January: Visit Mago NP (Mursi Tribe), fly to Addis Ababa

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!
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