OMO VALLEY PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR STARTING FROM ADDIS Ababa
We were waiting to meet Suzie outside Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa when she arrived in Ethiopia. For Suzies first night in Addis she experienced Ethiopian cultures including dancing, singing, traditional Ethiopian food and local honey wine at the best cultural restaurant in Addis! The next morning we started our drive to the Suri Tribe stopping at the Bench Tribe enroute.
Suri Tribe Selfie
Mule, Suzie and myself (from left to right) had incredible days staying with the Suri Tribe in South West Ethiopia.
Highlights of Suzie’s 3 week Ethiopian omo valley photography tour including the Suri Tribe…
Surma Donga Stick Fighting Ceremony
Omo Valley Tribal Connection Ceremony
Camping with Suri Tribe and two tribes in the Lower Omo Valley
Evening campfires with three different tribes
Key Afer Market
Turmi Market
Omo National Park wildlife safari
Suri Tribe
Mursi Tribe
Banna Tribe
Bench Tribe
Tsemai Tribe
Hamer Tribe
Kara Tribe
Aari Tribe
Dassanech Tribe
Dorze Tribe
Konso Tribe and UNESCO site
Cultural Restaurant experience in Addis Ababa
Sorting and editing Lightroom session
and much more…..WATCH SUZIES OMO VALLEY PHOTO TOUR HIGHLIGHT VIDEO BELOW!
SURMA TRIBE DONGA STICK FIGHTING CEREMONY
After the rains is when the Donga Ceremonies are usually held. Suzie experienced the absolute chaos of the Donga Stick Fighting. It’s an intense and dynamic situation so being aware of your surroundings while having the camera in hand is crucial.
OMO VALLEY TRIBAL CONNECTION CEREMONY
When we were camping in one of the tribal villages the men and elders from two tribes had gathered for an unbelievable 3 day tribal ceremony. A remarkable occasion were the wisdom of the elders was passed down to the younger generations and peace between the two tribes was re-enforced. A tribal ceremony that is very rare and that no one I have spoken to other than the men in these two tribes has been to.
I felt extremely honoured, grateful and in awe that myself and Suzie could not only witness this ceremony but also take part. We were welcomed and we respected the opportunity of being there and therefore didn’t take our cameras..just used our phones. It is moments like these that you desperately want to use your camera and create amazing imagery, but I felt it of upmost importance to remain respectful and be discreet with our presence…always having respectful photography tours.
I have chosen not to disclose the location or tribe ceremony name at this time to protect it and its privacy. I’ll be sharing a video and unbelievable ceremony stories in the future. No words can describe the intensity and feeling of watching the jaw-dropping ceremony proceedings.
Camping with Suri Tribe and two tribes in the Lower Omo Valley
Suzie had the time to have a mix of camping and lodge based accomodation on her Omo Valley photography tour. We always camp when visiting the Suri Tribe, but the personalised itinerary I created for Suzie also included wonderful days camping in Hamer and Kara tribe villages as well as one night in Omo National National Park. We take a chef with us on tour when we have camping as part of an Ethiopian itinerary.
The Ultimate Omo Valley itinerary which includes the Suri Tribe has camping in one location. However, Suzie wanted an extended private tour with more camping in the villages.
EVENING CAMPFIRES WITH THREE DIFFERENT OMO VALLEY TRIBES
Camping in three different tribal villages on this private Omo Valley Photography tour created such a range of experiences and connections for Suzie on her Ethiopian tribe tour. Spending quality time within the villages creates incredible photography opportunities due to the immersive, relaxing environment. Playing games, singing around the campfire and exchanging life stories are unforgettable moments in these African villages.
OMO VALLEY TRIBAL MARKETS
Suzie went to the Key Afer market and the Turmi market. Full of color and activity the tribes for these markets include the Hamer, Banna, Tsemai and Aari. Walking around the towns and experiencing wonderful moments with the locals and capturing happy memories with our phones whilst also taking wonderful tribe portraits with our cameras. When creating Omo Valley itineraries I always try to work around dates of the local tribal markets!
The Key Afer Market is on Thursdays and the Turmi Market is on Mondays. There are other Omo Valley tribe markets (like the Dimeka Market) so depending on dates and days of an Omo Valley itinerary will determine which Ethiopian Tribe markets can be experienced.
OMO NATIONAL PARK SAFARI DRIVE
After we packed up camp at the Suri Tribe village we started our drive towards the Lower Omo Valley, spending a night at Omo National Park. Suzie got a great surprise as I hadn’t mentioned we would be spotting wildlife on her itinerary until we arrived. Omo National Park wildlife viewing can vary depending on recent rains and weather. However, Suzie was really lucky with many sightings and being woken up the next morning to the sounds of elephants nearby!
Omo National Park is more than 4000km2 and along with its wildlife and birdlife is a beautiful, scenic park. I have never seen another tourist vehicle when I’ve been there.
Omo National Park
The largest Buffalo herd I have seen in Omo National Park, Ethiopia!
OMO VALLEY TRIBES PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR PORTRAITS
Suri Tribe Portrait
Spending time with the Suri Tribe on a photography tour is an absolute dream!
THESE TRIBES WERE ALL ON SUZIES 3 WEEK OMO VALLEY PHOTO TOUR ITINERARY STARTING FROM ADDIS ABABA
SURMA TRIBES
MURSI TRIBE
SURI TRIBE
BANNA TRIBE (BENA TRIBE)
HAMER TRIBE
BENCH TRIBE
TSEMAI TRIBE
KARA TRIBE (KARO TRIBE)
AARI TRIBE (ARI TRIBE)
DASSANECH TRIBE
KONSO TRIBE
DORZE TRIBE
ETHIOPIAN PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR WITH A BALANCE
On these Omo Valley Photography Tours we have time with cameras in hand and also time to enjoy and immerse ourselves in the surroundings without taking photos. A great balance of both to create connections and make the most of every second. Suzie was so kind to everyone we met and everyone loved her and her sense of humour.
Seeing the joy and absolute delight on Suzie’s face throughout her Ethiopian photography tour was wonderful. Two incredible tribe ceremonies, tribal markets, camping in tribal villages, following elephant footprints in a National Park and enjoying time with the locals are just some of the experiences for Suzie on her private Omo Valley Photography Tour! So many unforgettable (some hilarious!) memories.
THE BEST 3 WEEK OMO VALLEY PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR WITH SUZIE WEISS!
CLICK THE VIDEO TO WATCH PART 1
Part 1 Highlight video of Suzies 3 week Omo Valley Photography Tour with photographer JAYNE MCLEAN
CLICK THE VIDEO TO WATCH PART 2
CONNECT WITH SUZIE WEISS ON INSTAGRAM
You can follow and connect with Suzie on Instagram CLICK HERE
One of Suzie’s Ethiopian tribal portraits from this photo tour was selected to be featured in the Paris 2023 Atlas of Humanity exhibition and she was welcomed back to feature in 2024!
SUZIE TRAVELLED WITH ME AGAIN ON A NORTHERN KENYA CULTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR
Suzies private Omo Valley Photography Tour was a few years ago, but after her Ethiopian photo tour she travelled with me on her private Northern Kenya Cultural Tour. Lots of driving, impassable roads due to recent rains…but incredible tribes and photography opportunities. It was great to be back on a Northern Kenya photo tour and to introduce Suzie to the Kenyan tribes.
Northern Kenya
It was great to show Suzie the Kenyan tribes on her more recent African cultural photo tour.
WHAT IS THE BEST OMO VALLEY PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR?
Suzie Weiss’ Omo Valley Photography Tour was THE BEST! Although I do honestly believe that all the Ethiopian Photo Tours I travel on and organise are THE BEST!
Always incredible experiences and adventures
Always incredible photographs captured
Always authentic and genuine moments with the locals
Always grateful to share unforgettable travel moments and memories!
If you would like to see more photographs I’ve taken of the Suri Tribe, please view my previous blog post with 75 SURI TRIBE PHOTOS CLICK HERE
For an introduction on 6 of the Northern Kenya Tribes CLICK HERE
For an introduction on the Ethiopian Tribes you may see on a photography tour CLICK HERE
To see custom maps and read more about Omo Valley Photography Tour itineraries and tribes CLICK HERE
