8-Day Suri & Omo Valley Photography Tour

Tour highlights

• Suri community photography around Kibish
• Remote southwestern Ethiopian landscapes
• Belete Gera Forest
• Bonga and Kafa landscapes
• Nyangatom community opportunities around Kangaten
• Karo/Korcho
• Turmi and Hamar cultural opportunities
• Dassanech community
• Arbore Village
• Cattle-camp photography
• Sunrise and golden-hour photography

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1: Day 1.

   Addis Ababa – Jimma – Bonga – Wush Wush – Mizan Teferi Fly from Addis Ababa to Jimma Airport (JIM) and begin the overland journey toward Mizan Teferi. The road passes through the Belete Gera Forest, where roadside opportunities may include black-and-white Colobus monkeys and forest landscapes. Continue toward Bonga, the heart of Kafa Zone and an area associated with the birthplace of wild Arabica coffee. Lunch is planned in Bonga, approximately 125 km from Jimma. After lunch, continue toward the Wush Wush Tea Plantation, west of Bonga. The tea-growing landscape provides excellent opportunities for landscape, abstract and environmental photography. Continue toward Mizan Teferi. Depending on weather, road conditions and arrival time, there may be opportunities for golden-hour roadside photography as the landscape changes toward the southwestern lowlands. Overnight: Salayish Hotel, Mizan Teferi

2. 2

   Day 2: Day 2.

   Mizan Teferi – Bebeka – Dima – Tulgit – Kibish After breakfast, leave Mizan Teferi and begin the journey toward Kibish. The route passes through the Bebeka Coffee Plantation, approximately 30 km outside Mizan Teferi on the old route. If conditions and timing permit, the plantation provides opportunities to photograph coffee landscapes, shade trees and the surrounding environment. Continue through Dima and Tulgit toward Kibish. Travel time to Kibish is approximately 4–6 hours, depending on weather, checkpoints and road conditions. On arrival in Kibish, meet the local Suri guide and armed local scout who will accompany the expedition. If time and local circumstances permit, begin photography around the Kibish River and surrounding area. Kibish has no international-standard hotel accommodation. The expedition is self-sufficient with tents, sleeping mats, water, camp cooking equipment and a camp cook. Travelers should bring their own sleeping bag and pillow. Overnight: Camping at Kibish

3. 3

   Day 3: Day 3.

   Full-Day Suri Community Photography Today is dedicated entirely to Suri photography. Begin at sunrise when the soft early light is particularly suitable for environmental portraits and atmospheric village photography. Travel along rugged dirt tracks with the local Suri guide and armed scout to a traditional Suri settlement. On arrival, meet the village elders and pay respects before beginning photography. The photography agreement should be finalized before camera equipment is unpacked. Allow time for the community to become comfortable with the presence of photographers. Photography opportunities may include: Suri body painting Traditional scarification Elaborate headpieces Environmental portraits Traditional dome-shaped homes Acacia trees and village landscapes Cattle camps Traditional daily life Portraits of Suri men, women and children when permission is given Around midday, return to camp for lunch and a rest period. This is also a useful time to download photographs, clean lenses, check equipment and stay hydrated. In the late afternoon, return toward the cattle camps. As long-horned Zebu cattle return, the combination of dust, warm evening light, cattle and young Suri warriors can create strong opportunities for documentary and environmental photography. After dark, photographers may have an opportunity to photograph the night sky and Milky Way, depending on weather, visibility and local circumstances. All photography remains subject to local permission and the guidance of the Suri guide and armed scout. Overnight: Camping at Kibish

4. 4

   Day 4: Day 4.

   Kibish – Maji – Omo Kuraz – Kangaten Leave Kibish and begin the demanding journey toward Maji and Kangaten. The Kibish–Maji section is approximately 40–50 km and can take around 2–2.5 hours, depending on road conditions. This is a slow, steep and rocky unpaved mountain track requiring a high-clearance 4WD. On reaching Maji, allow approximately 45–60 minutes for the National Park Administration office, mandatory cash fees and assignment of the required armed park scout. Continue from Maji toward Kangaten. The Maji–Kangaten section is approximately 100–110 km and generally takes around 3–4 hours, depending on conditions. The route uses wide but unpaved roads associated with the Omo Kuraz Sugar Factory and agricultural area. Expect dust, industrial and agricultural machinery and changing road conditions as the route descends toward the lower Omo basin. Photography around the industrial area must be handled carefully. Do not photograph the Omo Kuraz bridge, factory security gates or military checkpoints. The area is strategically sensitive, and photography in restricted locations may result in equipment being temporarily confiscated by local authorities. The journey ends around the Kangaten bridge, where Kangaten serves as an important Nyangatom area. Depending on local circumstances, there may be opportunities to photograph Nyangatom people, including women wearing large, colorful glass-bead chokers. Overnight: Camping at Nyangatom Village, Kangaten

5. 5

   Day 5: Day 5.

   Kangaten – Karo/Korcho – Turmi After breakfast, continue from Kangaten toward the Karo community at Korcho. The Karo are known for distinctive body painting and scarification traditions, creating opportunities for environmental and cultural portrait photography when permission is given. Spend time with the community and photograph the surrounding Omo Valley landscape. Continue toward Turmi, one of the principal centers of the Hamar area. Depending on the day and local circumstances, there may be opportunities to visit a Hamar market, village or cultural gathering. Hamar women are particularly recognizable for their leather clothing decorated with cowrie shells and their fine braids coated with a bright mixture of ochre and animal fat. If a Hamar Bull Jumping Ceremony (Ukuli Bula) is taking place during the visit and timing and local circumstances permit, the ceremony may provide a major photography opportunity. Bull jumping is a genuine family rite of passage rather than a staged daily performance. Timing is fluid, and although the broader ceremony may take place from approximately 3:30 PM toward sunset, the actual jumping can occur very late in the afternoon, sometimes during the final minutes of daylight. Market visits, village visits and ceremonies are opportunities rather than guarantees. Overnight: Buska Lodge, Turmi

6. 6

   Day 6: Day 6.

   Kangaten – Karo/Korcho – Turmi After breakfast, continue from Kangaten toward the Karo community at Korcho. The Karo are known for distinctive body painting and scarification traditions, creating opportunities for environmental and cultural portrait photography when permission is given. Spend time with the community and photograph the surrounding Omo Valley landscape. Continue toward Turmi, one of the principal centers of the Hamar area. Depending on the day and local circumstances, there may be opportunities to visit a Hamar market, village or cultural gathering. Hamar women are particularly recognizable for their leather clothing decorated with cowrie shells and their fine braids coated with a bright mixture of ochre and animal fat. If a Hamar Bull Jumping Ceremony (Ukuli Bula) is taking place during the visit and timing and local circumstances permit, the ceremony may provide a major photography opportunity. Bull jumping is a genuine family rite of passage rather than a staged daily performance. Timing is fluid, and although the broader ceremony may take place from approximately 3:30 PM toward sunset, the actual jumping can occur very late in the afternoon, sometimes during the final minutes of daylight. Market visits, village visits and ceremonies are opportunities rather than guarantees. Overnight: Buska Lodge, Turmi

7. 7

   Day 7: Day 7.

   Turmi – Arbore Village After breakfast, leave Turmi and travel toward Arbore Village. The Arbore community provides another cultural environment for photography, with opportunities to observe traditional clothing, village life, landscapes and community activities. Spend time in the village with your local guide and follow local guidance regarding photography and interaction. Allow time for environmental portraits and documentary photography rather than rushing through the community. The afternoon can be used for additional village photography and surrounding landscapes, depending on local circumstances and available light. This evening is a return to expedition-style travel. Set up camp in Arbore Village and enjoy the quieter atmosphere of the southern Omo Valley after the day’s photography. Overnight: Camping at Arbore Village

8. 8

   Day 8: Day 8.

   Arbore Village – Jinka – Jinka Airport – Addis Ababa After breakfast, leave Arbore Village and travel toward Jinka. The journey continues through the southern Omo Valley landscape toward Jinka. On arrival in Jinka, transfer to Jinka Airport for your return flight to Addis Ababa. The exact return flight depends on the operating schedule and the travel date. The tour officially ends at Jinka Airport. End of the 8-Day Suri and Omo Valley Photography Tour

What is included

Where this tour goes