5 OMO VALLEY TRIBES MAPS!
Map of Omo Valley tribe areas and regional zones in Ethiopia
Map of Southern Ethiopia Tribe areas Omo Valley, West Omo Zone, South Omo Zone and Ilemi Triangle
Detailed Omo Valley Tribes map showing where the Tribes are in Southern Ethiopia
Map of how to get to the Omo Valley Tribes - Jinka, Arbaminch and Jimma airports
Best Omo Valley Tours map with itinerary routes and how to visit these unique African tribes in Southern Ethiopia
1) MAP OF OMO VALLEY TRIBE AREAS AND REGIONAL ZONES IN ETHIOPIA
Ethiopia is sub divided into regional states that are governed by regional councils. The coloured sections of the map below include Addis Ababa (in green) and two regions of Ethiopia that are on many itineraries on an Omo Valley photography tribe tour. Most visitors to the Omo Valley spend their time in the SNNPR (orange section on map). The Suri Tribe and Bench Tribe are in the SWEPR (pink section on map).
Omo Valley Map With Regional Zones
Ethiopian tribe map showing Addis Ababa and the regions of South West Ethiopia including the Omo Valley that are often on Ethiopian tribal photography tour itineraries.
GREEN: Addis Ababa
ORANGE: Southern Nations and Nationalities Peoples’ Region (SNNPR)
PINK: South West Ethiopia Peoples’ Region (SWEPR)
WHERE IS THE OMO VALLEY?
The Omo Valley is in the South Omo Zone of the SNNPR, ethiopia which is on the map below
The Omo River runs down some of the border with the West Omo and South Omo and then flows in the South Omo to the Omo Delta. The water from the Omo River then flows into Lake Turkana which is the worlds largest permanent desert lake.
The Suri Tribe (part of the Surma tribe group) live in the West Omo on the border with South Sudan. Often this area is referred to as the Upper Omo Valley or Northern Omo Valley, with the South Omo tribes in SNNPR referred to as the Lower Omo Valley. These references to the Omo Valley tribe areas are mostly used by people in the tour industry.
2) Map of Southern Ethiopia Tribe areas; Omo Valley, West Omo Zone, South Omo Zone and Ilemi Triangle
Map showing South Omo and West Omo Regional Zones in south west Ethiopia and Ilemi Triangle
ORANGE: Southern Nations and Nationalities Peoples’ Region (SNNPR) with SOUTH OMO ZONE
PINK: South West Ethiopia Peoples’ Region (SWEPR) with WEST OMO ZONE
There are many zones within some Ethiopian regions. Initially there were 56 ethnic groups in the Southern Nations and Nationalities Peoples’ Region, however the zones and boundaries do change. The latest change was on November 23, 2021 where the West Omo Zone was created and making SNNPR smaller. Not long before the West Omo was official in the South West Ethiopia People's’ Region Sidama broke away from the SNNPR into its own region. There seems to be another rezoning soon to be taking place with the new name being Southern Ethiopia Region. I’ll have to update these maps again soon after the new boundaries and names are official (At the time of posting these maps and information in mid 2023 all information is current).
3) Detailed Omo Valley Tribes map. THIS IS WHERE the Tribes are in Southern Ethiopia
There are so many unique ethnic groups in Ethiopia, but detailed on the map below are the tribes you will most often see on Omo Valley Photography Tour itineraries.
To view portraits of the 14 Southern Ethiopia tribes on the map below (plus the Silte Tribe) CLICK HERE
Map showing where the Omo Valley tribes live in Southern Ethiopia
HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE IN THE OMO VALLEY TRIBES?
More than 750,000 people live in the South Omo Zone of the SNNPR. The individual tribe populations vary considerably in sizes as well as in traditions, culture, fashions and lifestyles. More than 200,000 people are thought to live in traditional villages in the Omo Valley in the South Omo Zone.
4) Map showing how to get to the Omo Valley Tribes; Jinka, Arbaminch and Jimma airports
HOW DO YOU VISIT THE OMO VALLEY TRIBES?
To visit the tribes in the Omo Valley you can drive from/to the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa or fly to one of the three airports in the map below. Arbaminch and Jimma have quite a lot of flights, however Jinka is a small country airport that does not have flights everyday. Also keep in mind that flights to/from Jinka can be weather dependant. These short flights are inexpensive if you are an Ethiopian citizen or if you have an international flight with Ethiopian Airlines as then they are heavily discounted. A short flight can save lots of time and driving days on your Omo Valley tribe tour.
Map showing the airports you can use to visit the Omo Valley Tribes or you can drive from Addis Ababa
5) THE Best Omo Valley PHOTOGRAPHY Tours map with itinerary routes
The map below gives a detailed view of how to get to the Omo Valley Tribes and how they all link together by driving 4x4 routes. Keep in mind while the Suri Tribe and Mursi Tribe are part of the Surma Tribe collective group, that access to the Suri tribe is more challenging and requires more days and time. When I visit the Suri Tribe we camp with the Suri and have our own chef. It is bush camping as being immersed amongst the Suri Tribe on your incredible days here are truly the best experience and adventure with the most AMAZING photography opportunities.
Map of Omo Valley Tours driving routes and how to get to these Ethiopian tribes with 4x4 vehicle
Your time, budget and Omo Valley tour service provider can make a big difference to your Omo Valley tribe itinerary. The Omo Valley driving map I created above is to give a better idea of how some of the tribal villages are connected when visiting in a 4x4 vehicle and where they live.