ONLY 7 GUEST
Some of the most beautiful tribes on the African continent live deep in southern Ethiopia. Inspired by their environment of wild trees, exotic flowers, and lush vegetation, these tribes use the clay soil to paint each other’s bodies in bright yellows, startling whites, and rich earth reds. They make bold decisions about their outfits, hand-crafted from animal skins and decorated with beads, feathers, and shells.
Revered by anthropologists as living museums, these tribes transform into a walking canvas of art and captivate photographers with their visually stunning presence. Yet, beyond the captivating photographs lies an epic journey of discovery, as this place stands out uniquely from any other in the world. Coexisting harmoniously, each tribe upholds its own traditions and distinctive appearance, contributing to the Omo Valley’s status as one of the World’s most ethnically diverse regions.
Throughout this life-enriching journey, you will gain in-depth insight into the tribe’s lifestyle, beliefs, and ancient traditions, deepening your understanding of their world and embracing the true spirit of the people. While visiting the villages, you will not only have the opportunity to document their daily lives photographically, capture stunning portraits, and possibly witness some of their timeless ceremonies, but you will also have the opportunity to spend time with them in their huts, join them in a cup of coffee, or try the local drink; an authentic experience of a lifetime.
HIGHEST LEVEL OF COMFORT
Nestled in the forest on the Omo River in the heart of the Kara, it is the only permanent safari camp. The large tents are made from robust canvas and are tastefully decorated in simple African decor. East tent as a veranda and a private on-site washroom with a sink, flush toilet, and shower. Our meals are taken under the large canvas cabana along the river with a lovely table setting.
SAFARI STYLE
The ultimate comfort in the Omo!
We also send a special team to set up the highest-level mobile tent camps. Each guest will have their own large safari tent with a private en-suite shower and toilet, a real bed, mattress, linens, a table for your gear, and charging in your tents. Our meals will be a wonderful blend of Western European cuisine and some favorite local dishes, and served under a large, comfortable dining cabana. Even better, we will have two empty tents to use as portrait studios so that you can do portraits all day!!!
3 CHARTER FLIGHTS – While most itineraries involve extensive road journeys to and around the Omo region, our approach is different. We opt for private charters, landing as close to our camps as possible. This strategy enables us to optimize time spent with the tribes, eliminating the need for prolonged, tiresome drives that can leave you drained. By avoiding extended road trips, we ensure you remain energized and in a creative mindset to deliver high-quality work during our interactions with the tribes.
3 CHARTER FLIGHTS
MORE TIME WITH THE TRIBES!
Unique to the itinerary is the chance to boat down the river to visit the remote Mursi tribe in an area inaccessible to others. We will stay in a comfortable fly camp for one night. The tents are tall enough to walk into and stand up in, and each will have a simple camp cot bed with a mattress and linens. This will also allow us to spend more time with them in a more intimate way.
This trip is limited to ONLY 7 GUEST to ensure that the photographers joining this expedition will have a higher quality experience with the best group dynamics.
Itinerary
ITINERARY
Day 1, October 4, 2027
Upon your arrival at the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, you will be met by our representative after clearing immigration and escorted through customs. You will then be transported by private vehicle to the Radisson Blu. Hotel Check-in begins at 14:00. After your long flight/s, you will enjoy a relaxing evening in a modern, upper-market hotel, which is the perfect way to rest up for the fantastic journey ahead.
Accommodation: Radisson Blu
Day 2-4, October 5 -7, 2027
You will rise early in the morning to the smell of Ethiopia’s famous Coffee and meet the group for breakfast and a briefing. Piper will also share her philosophy on creating stunning, intimate images of the tribes. The group will then depart to the airport for a private charter flight directly into the Omo Valley.
You will be greeted by our incredible team and driven to our permanent safari camp in the shade of the forest, on the banks of the Omo River, and in the heart of the land of the Kara. This camp is like a Kenya-style Ernest Hemingway traditional bush camp! The only one in the Omo Valley.
While at this camp, we will also take a boat excursion to a remote Mursi village, where we will overnight.
Accommodation: Exclusive private permanent tented camp B,L, D and all beverages
Day 5&6, October 8 & 9, 2027
After a morning shoot and breakfast, we will change locations to visit the Hammar and Abore tribes.
Accommodation: Buska Lodge BLD
Day 7 & 8, October 10 & 11, 2027
After breakfast, we will continue our journey south to the territory of the Dasanach. Our mobile tent camp is under large shade trees on the shore of the Omo River, almost to the border of Kenya.
Accommodation: Private mobile tented camp BLD and beverages
Day 9 – 11, October 12 -14, 2025
After a morning shoot and breakfast, we will drive a short distance to the airstrip for our private charter, which will take us far to the other side of the river to the closest airstrip to the remote and exotic Suri tribe.
We will spend our days visiting villages, cattle camps, and creating stunning portaits
Accommodation: Private Mobile Safari Camp BLD
Day 12 October 8, 2025
We will have one last sunrise with the Suri. After breakfast, we will depart to the airstrip for our charter flight to Addis. Dayrooms have been booked so you may clean up, organize, and have a meal before transferring to the international airport for your late flights home. If you prefer to stay overnight in Addis to rest up from your incredible expedition, we will happily make these arrangements. Flights should be booked after 10:00 PM.Most international flights depart after 10:00 PM.
Accommodations: Day rooms at the Radisson Blu BL
Important Details
The Price
The cost of this incredible photographic adventure is $16,995.00 per person based on shared accommodations.
We would be happy to arrange a private room for you. The supplement for a private room is $1695.00. Single rooms are limited at our first camp!
If you are a solo guest who wishes to share accommodations, we will do our best to match you with another guest of the same gender. If we cannot match you with another solo guest of the same gender, then you will be in a single room, and the supplement will be charged.
*** The cost of this safari is based on a minimum of 7 participants. If there are fewer than 7 participants, a supplement fee of $995.00 will apply.
A USD $5,000 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration to secure your spot. Due to the high cost and logistical complexity of this tour, as well as the limited number of spots, the deposit is nonrefundable. Please highly consider purchasing travel insurance that will refund your deposit if you cancel your trip.
Payment Terms
- USD $5,000.00 non-refundable deposit to confirm your place on this trip
- 2nd payment of USD $6,000.00 (+ any single supplement) is due November 1, 2026
- Final payment/balance is due June 1, 2027
- We highly recommend proper trip and trip cancellation insurance to protect your investment.
Included in the trip
- All in-country travel in 4X4 Land Cruiser vehicles
- 3 charter flights
- All accommodations are as stated in the itinerary.
- All meals as listed on the itinerary. B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, beginning with Breakfast on October 15, 2027, through Lunch on October 15, 2027
- Gratuities for local guides, porters, and camps.
- Drinks – coffee, soda, beer, wine, and bottled water are included in the tented and mobile camp.
- Laundry services are included in the mobile camp and are available at the lodges for an extra fee.
- All activities, entrance, and photo fees at the villages and village activities as listed on the itinerary
- Airport facilitation, meet & greet, private transfers upon arrival and departure dates.
- VAT and local government taxes.
- One primary English-speaking guide and several local English guides in each location
What’s NOT Included
- International airfare between your home and Addis Ababa
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Personal purchases (including shopping, spirits, laundry, telephone calls etc.)
- Gratuities for our primary guide and drivers
- Optional extra activities not included in the itinerary
- Pre- and Post- expedition tours
- Meals or accommodations before or after the expedition (except as noted in the detailed itinerary)
- Meals and beverages on the day of arrival, this is considered a travel day.
REGISTRATION AND DEPOSIT
If you are excited to join this expedition, now is the time to secure your spot. Use the buttons below to fill out your online e-registration form and to make your deposit. We must receive your completed registration form and deposit/s to confirm your spot.
Registration form –
Please complete all the required fields. At the end of the form, you will be asked to confirm your email address, which will complete the registration. A copy of your registration will be emailed to you and Piper Mackay Photo Safaris.
Deposit–
Click the deposit button under the registration button to make your deposit. You do not need a PayPal account to use this payment service. You may make more than one deposit at a time by changing the quantity on the purchase details that will come up once you click the deposit button.
