Omo Valley Expedition: 16 Days of Culture, Wildlife & Photography

Welcome to Ethiopia! Upon arrival at Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport, meet your professional guide and begin the scenic drive south through the Great Rift Valley. Stop for a countryside brunch en route and visit Lake Ziway, home to pelicans, storks, and kingfishers. Continue to Awassa, a tranquil lakeside town perfect for an evening stroll along the waterfront.
Overnight: Haile Resort, Awassa | Meals: Full Board

Experience the vibrant Lake Awassa Fish Market, where fishermen, traders, and birds coexist in a lively morning spectacle. Continue to Arba Minch, stopping at the Dorze village, renowned for their towering bamboo huts and intricate weaving traditions. Engage with locals and learn about their craftsmanship and daily life.
Overnight: Paradise Lodge | Meals: Full Board

Enjoy a boat safari on Lake Chamo, one of Ethiopia’s most biodiverse lakes. Spot hippos, crocodiles, pelicans, and African Fish Eagles. In the afternoon, return to the Dorze village for a deeper cultural experience, exploring weaving workshops and traditional cooking.
Overnight: Paradise Lodge | Meals: Full Board

Journey south to Konso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its ingenious terraced agriculture. Meet local elders and visit the remarkable “New York” rock formations. Continue to Jinka, visiting the Ari people, known for their colorful homes and artistry.
Overnight:  Eco Omo Lodge | Meals: Full Board

Explore Mago National Park, home to the iconic Mursi people, famed for their lip plates and ceremonial stick fighting. Learn about their symbolic adornments and traditions, then visit the Ari village for vibrant wall art and handicrafts.
Overnight: Eco Omo Lodge | Meals: Full Board

Visit Key Afer Market, a major cultural crossroads where Bena, Tsemay, and Ari communities gather to trade livestock, crafts, and jewelry. Later, continue to Turmi, home of the Hamer tribe.
Overnight: Buska Lodge | Meals: Full Board

Cross the Omo River by canoe to reach the Dassenech people, whose livelihood depends on fishing and farming. Return to Turmi for immersive encounters with the Hamer, attending local dances or village gatherings.
Overnight: Buska Lodge | Meals: Full Board

Visit the Erbore tribe, known for their expressive body painting and distinctive hairstyles. Later, explore Dimeka Market, a lively meeting point for the Hamer. If lucky, witness the Bull Jumping Ceremony or the Evangadi dance, both central to Hamer culture.
Overnight: Buska Lodge | Meals: Full Board

Head to the Karo people, famous for their artistic body painting inspired by nature. Continue to Kangaten, home of the Nyangatom tribe, offering powerful portrait and landscape photography opportunities.
Overnight: Camping | Meals: Full Board

Morning photography in Nyangatom village followed by a drive into Omo National Park, Ethiopia’s largest and most remote wildlife reserve. Look for antelope, buffalo, and diverse birdlife across untouched savannah landscapes.
Overnight: Camping | Meals: Full Board

Drive deep into Kibish, home to the Suri tribe, one of Ethiopia’s most isolated and visually striking communities. Spend three days immersed in Suri life — photographing their distinctive lip plates, intricate scarification, and Donga stick-fighting ceremonies. Witness the early-morning cow-blood ritual, a symbolic test of endurance and tradition.
Overnight: Camping | Meals: Full Board

Travel north through lush forests to Bonga, the birthplace of wild Arabica coffee. Stop at Bebeka Coffee Plantation, one of the largest in Ethiopia, to learn about traditional cultivation and roasting techniques.
Overnight: Bonga Lodge | Meals: Full Board

Drive to Jimma for a short flight back to Addis Ababa. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant featuring live music, dance, and Ethiopia’s famous coffee ceremony. Transfer to the airport for your international departure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner