Omo Valley Photography Tour (15 Days)

Omo Valley is certainly one of the most unique places on earth it is located in Africa’s Great Rift Valley and this region is known for its culture and diversity. The tribes that live in the lower Omo Valley are believed to be among the most fascinating on the continent of Africa and around the world.

• Dorze Tribes(People)
• Knso Tribes(People)
• Benna Tribes
• Arbore Tribes
• Tsemay Tribes
• Hamar Tribes
• Dasenach(Geleb) Tribes
• Kara(Karo) Tribes
• Mursi Tribes
• Ari Tribes
• Sur(Surma) Tribes
• Dizi And Menit Tribes
• Messenger Tribes

Tour Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival – Sightseeing Addis 

Welcome to Ethiopia You will be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel. Refresh and begin your sightseeing of Addis with a drive up to mount Entoto for a panoramic view of Addis. Descend down and drive to the National Museum where you will have a chance to spot the oldest hominids of the ‘Lucy’ fossil. Visit and proceed to the Holy Trinity built during WWII. Then proceed to the Ethnographic museum, which use to be the palace of Emperor Hailesellase. To wrap up you drive to Mercato, the biggest market in East Africa.

Day 02: Addis Ababa-Jimma

This day After having your early breakfast we will be heading southwest out of Addis Ababa to Jimma on the way you will have a chance of visiting the amazing landscapes with the coffee growing area and you will have time for stopping at the beautiful  Gurage Villages to see the typical house style and their compounds. Later after having your lunch, you will be stopping at the landscapes of Gibe river then we will continue our driving to Jimma.

Day 03: Jimma-Keffa-Mizan

Early In the morning, drive to Mizan on the way you will see the green area of the Keffa province with its biospheres and the houses of Keficho tribal villages.

Day 04: Mizan-Kibish

After having your breakfast, We will be driven to Kibish on the way you will have a photo stop at the tribes of Yem and Misinger then with enjoying the stunning view of the Benchi Maji peoples villages we will continue our drive to an overnight stay in Kibish.

Day 05: Kibish-Surma

This day you will have a Full day to visit the Surma or Surui Tribe and their villages. The Surma are found on the west bank of the Omo. Like their cousins on the other bank of the Omo River, they do body painting and the women wear lip plates.

Day 06: Kibish-Omo National Park-Nyangatom

After breakfast and arranging all our staff we will be driving to Omo National Park on the way we will see some animals like buffalo, elephants, and ostrich and at the headquarters of the park we will be stopping for bush lunch then we will continue our drive to Nyangatom tribe’s villages.

Day 07: Nyangatom-Karo-Turmi

On this day you will have a chance of meeting another Omo Valley Tribes known as Nyangatom then after visiting the villages of those tribes we will be embarking on the Karo Tribes which is lying on the riverside Omo later we will be driving to the town of Turmi for overnight.

Day 08: Turmi-Omrate-Turkana Lakes

After having an early breakfast we will be driving to the Omorate to see the tribes of Dasenach then after staying in the villages of Dasenach then after we process our migration fee to cross the Turkana lakes, We will meet the tribes of Turkana and we will stay the night at the lakes side of Turkana lakes.

Day 09: Turkana-Turmi

This day after breakfast you will have a chance of seeing sunrise at lake Turkana then we will be back to Turmi for lunch then later we will be beheading to the villages of Hammer to see the beautiful tribes of Hammer then you will have a chance of seeing sun seat in the villages and you will see also the Bull Jumping ceremony if we are lucky and if this ceremony will be arranged.

Day 10: Turmi-Key Afer-Jinka

If the dates are Thursday we will be directly driving to the Key After markets to see the amazing markets of the three tribes that meet for these markets and you will have a chance of seeing Benna, Tsemay, and Ari tribes and later we will be driving to the villages of Tsemay then we will continue our drive to Jinka for overnight stay.

Day 11: Jinka-Mago National Park-Jinka

After breakfast we will be driving to you Mago National Park to see the tribes of Mursi then later we will be back to the town of Jinka and you will see the villages of Ari tribes and you will have a chance of seeing weaving and pottery.

Day 12: Jinka- Arbore-Konso

After an early breakfast, we will be driving to the villages of Arbore Tribes Arbore tribe is a small tribe that lives in the southwest region of the Omo Valley. They have ancestral and cultural links to the Konso people and perform many ritual dances while singing on the way you will see the Benna tribes near to the Weyto town then after you had a nice time at Arbore we will continue our drive to Konso for staying the night.

Day 13: Drive Konso – Yabello-Borena Tribes

This day you will drive to Yabello on the way we will stop at lake Elsode and then drive and Visit the Borena people. Overnight in Yabello.

Day 14: Drive Yabello – Yirgalem

This day you will drive to Yirgalem passing through the coffee plantation. Overnight in Yirgalem.

Day 15: Drive Yirgalem – Addis – Departure

After breakfast, drive to the town of Awassa. En-route visit the fish market around Lake Awassa. Around the lake, you could encounter different birds. Visit and drive back to Addis sightseeing en route.

In the evening attend a folkloric dinner where you will have a chance to taste several national dishes and watch dances of the various ethnic groups of Ethiopia. The traditional coffee ceremony will also be served. Later you will be transferred to the airport for your departure.

Pricing:

• Mid-Range / Small Group Expeditions: $4,500 USD per person. These often cover a “Grand Ethiopia” circuit—combining the Omo Valley with the Danakil Depression and the Northern Historical Route. These packages generally include domestic air travel, 4×4 transport, mid-range hotels/lodges, and all entrance fees.

• Premium / Boutique Photography Expeditions: $9,300+ USD per person. These are specifically tailored for photographers, prioritizing access to remote tribal areas (like the Suri or Mursi) for extended periods, dedicated photography guides, and high-end boutique accommodations. At this price point, itineraries are often fully immersive, focusing on “shooting days” with minimal travel fatigue, and sometimes include private charter logistics for remote locations.

Factors Influencing the Cost of a 15-Day Tour:

• Remote Access: Moving deeper into the Omo Valley (e.g., towards the border of South Sudan for the Suri people) requires specialized permits, more robust 4×4 support, and often camping setups, which increases the operational cost compared to a standard 5-day route.

• Inclusion of Other Regions: Many 15-day packages are not just Omo Valley trips. If your itinerary includes the Northern Historical Route (Lalibela/Axum) or the Danakil Depression, the price reflects the additional flights and specialized logistics for those unique environments.

• Full Board vs. Bed & Breakfast: Ensure you verify if the quote includes all meals. On long-duration photography tours, “full board” is standard because you will often be in remote areas where restaurant options are nonexistent.

• Professional Guidance: Photography tours of this length typically include an expert photography lead or a highly experienced cultural fixer who manages local village relationships, which is a significant value-add compared to a standard tour guide.

Recommendation: If you are comparing quotes, always ask if the 15-day price includes the “camera/video fees” for the villages you plan to visit, as these can add up significantly over two weeks of daily shooting.