Omo Valley & Lalibela

Starting off at 8:00AM, we will go on a two hour boat trip on Chamo Lake one of the seven Rift Valley lakes in the region where we will be able to see hippos, nile crocodiles, pelicans and a variety of birdlife. Men in dugout canoes fish with spears and nets.  Keep driving to Konso, UNESCO-registered World Heritage sites in Ethiopia. Here, you will be able to photograph their terraced farm fields, the symbolic Waka totem poles and have a general insight into their nine-clan community structure with photo shoot opportunities enroute as well as within the villages we will be visiting. We will wander the paths through this very rural village. The people are excellent terrace agriculturalists.  O/N. Lodge/Resort

Drive to Turmi. On the way, you’ll visit the village of Erbore tribes. The Arbore women are absolutely stunning; they have extremely dark skin and strong features. Prior to marriage the women have their hair shaved. They wear dark robes, colorful beads and their huts are fabricated from tree branches. We will work on our portraiture skills in this village. Turmi is the home for Hamer people who are friendly and photogenic tribes. O/N. Lodge

During the day, our photography group will meet two different tribes-Karo tribes and Hamer tribes. Early in the morning, we head, towards Korcho, one of the three villages of the Kara tribe. Settled on the banks of the Omo River, this tribe is known for their creative and decorative body chalk painting. Many of the Kara women have pierced lips and insert nails and pins. Our first stop will be in Korcho village. Photographing on the bank of the Omo River can yield iconic images.  After picnic lunch break and returning back, we will be visiting local Hamer villages in close proximity to the main road. The Hamer women have high cheek bones, wear thick copper necklaces and elaborate custom beads. The Hamer People are very outgoing and easily engaged. Many of the men wear feathers in their hair and dress in dark green blankets.

Head to Jinka located at an elevation of 1490 meters above sea level, the town has a moderate temperature and serves as a capital of the South Omo region. The Ari people dominantly live in and around Jinka and they are the most populated in the whole Omo region. They have adapted the western clothing and their traditional huts are now replacing by the iron roof housing. Out of Jinka is where you find the world’s most fascinating tribes. O/N. Resort

The distinctive cultural identities of the Omo Valley make it an extraordinary place to photograph. This is the home of tribes such as the Kara, the Hamer, and the Mursi, who decorate themselves with beads, feathers, and elaborate body paint and pride themselves on ancient traditions. From everyday village scenes to portraits of women with lip plates to intriguing initiation rites, our photographic opportunities abound. Today we meet the Mursi, a pastoralist society that inhabits Mago National Park and is especially known for the lip plates worn by the women. The men are draped in blankets. Photographing this tribe is a challenge to any portrait photographer (and a sense of humour is required!) The group can wander freely and our experienced local guide will be assisting you at all times to be the witness for their daily life and learn about their intriguing culture. O/N. Resort

Take your morning flivht to Lalibela-home for the 11 rock churches dated back to the 11th and 12th century, and took 23 years to rewn them from the base rock.  Visit thw frost group of thw churches mainly Bete MedhaniAlem, Bete Mariam, Bete Denagel, amd from thw second group including, Bete Gebriel-Raphael, Bete Merkorios and Bete Emanuel. Lastly, you will visit the last church-the sign.of all the rock churches of Lalibela called Bete Giorgis. Thiis church is cross-shapes amd free-anding church, very known by its unique design.   Enjoy your time in Lalibela. O/N. Hotel