Oct 3 -13, 2015
This is a true photographic adventure into the remote region of southern Ethiopia’s Omo Valley; one of the most culturally rich tribal regions on the African continent. Inspired by their environment of wild trees, exotic flowers and lush vegetation these tribes use the clay soil of bright yellows, startling whites and rich earth-reds to paint each other’s bodies and make bold decisions about their outfits. In essence they become a walking body of art; know as a living museum to anthropologist. For generations these tribes have been shielded from the modern world in a place that is still raw, natural, and timeless. However, change is happening drastically in this region, which is impacting their traditional clothing, body painting and way of life. This is not a trip to put off.
You will visit the villages of the Mursi, Arbore, Kara, Hamar, Dassenech, and Bena. This is an opportunity to photographically document their daily lives, capture stunning portraits, and experience some of their timeless ceremonies. The precise time spent in each village will depend on what activities are taking place and the goals of the group. It is likely we will also meet several other tribes in route. In true expedition style I have left the program flexible to ensure there is enough time to take advantage of any photographic opportunities that may arise. This will truly be an experience of a lifetime!
This photographic tour is limited to only 7 participants for a more intimate experience and better group dynamics. Compelling images are created when you are able to deeply connect with your subjects. This can be much more challenging in larger groups.
Click here to view Pipers 8-page article on the tribes of the Omo in the National Geographic Traveller, September 2014, Poland issue.
Kara woman along the Omo River
ITINERARY
Day1 Oct 03, 2015
Arrive at Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. You are met by our ground operator and transferred to the Radisson Blu by private vehicle. Enjoy a relaxing evening in a modern, luxury, hotel after your long flight.
Overnight at the Radisson Blu
Day 2, Oct 04, 2015
You will rise early in the morning to the smell of Ethiopia’s famous Coffee. Enjoy a wonderful breakfast before meeting in a private conference room for our briefing. During the meeting Piper will present an inspirational slide show of her work on the tribes and share ideas on how to create stunning images of extraordinary subjects. To maximize our time and avoid a very long drive, we will fly to Abra Minch; situated in the Great Rift Valley.
Our drivers will meet our flight and drive us directly to the Dorze people. Well known for their cotton woven cloths and beehive-elephant faced huts, the Dorze tribe were once warriors along side the other tribes. This is a great cultural experience and the perfect way to slowly decompress from modern life, sink into the ambiance and rhythm of this magical place. On the way to our lodge, as the sun begins to descend, we will drive through the streets of Arba Minch, hoping to run into the herds of livestock being brought in from the fields.
Overnight at Paradise Lodge -BLD
Day 3, Oct 05, 2015
This morning we head to the Omo Valley arriving in Turmi, home of the Hamar tribe. The Hamar women are striking; wearing beautiful colorful beaded skins, ornate necklaces, and metal bangles around their wrist and ankles. Famous for their hairstyle — a crown of long dread-lock braids covered in ocher — the Hamer women are the most decorated of the Omo people. We will arrive in time for a late lunch, get settled in and then have an afternoon visit at a Hamar village. This will be our home base for the next three nights, which will increase our chances to be invited to a bull jumping ceremony or something else special. Spending three nights in Turmi allows us to be flexible and capitalize on all the photographic opportunities in the area, including a visit to the Abore and Dassenech tribes.
Overnight at Buska Lodge- BLD
Day 4, Oct 06, 2015
Today we will rise early and drive to the Arbore tribe. Each tribe of the Omo valley has a specific way of dressing and decorating themselves as a way to visually associate themselves with their unique customs and values. Arbore women are well known for their long headdresses. The girls shave their heads to indicate virginity, and only start growing hair after marriage.
Afternoon – we will hope for word of a bull jumping rehearsal or ceremony- if not we will visit with the Hamar tribe.
Overnight at Buska Lodge – BLD
Day 5, Oct 07, 2015
This morning we will rise early and drive to the edge of the Omo River. We will cross the river by canoe to the villages of the Daasanech tribes (a motor boat or a ferry maybe available but is not guaranteed). The Daasanech are a semi-nomadic tribe numbering approximately 50,000. Their clans stretch across Sudan, Kenya and Southern Ethiopia. They are known for their very unique and ornate hair buns.
Afternoon – we will hope for word of a bull jumping rehearsal or ceremony- if not we will visit a Hamar village and try to arrange something special.
Overnight at Buska Lodge – BLD
Day 6 Oct 08, 2015
This morning we will have our last visit with the Hamar at sunrise and shoot in the soft morning light. We will head back to the lodge for a late breakfast and to check out. We then head to Kara territory where we will settle into our lodge on the banks of the Omo River.
The Kara excel in face and body painting that is practiced daily in preparation of their dances and ceremonies. They pulverize locally found white chalk, yellow mineral rock, red iron ore and black charcoal to decorate their bodies often mimicking the spotted plumage of a guinea fowl. The men create highly decorated clay hair buns, which can take up to three days to complete. Their ornate body scaring where a cut is made with a knife and ash is rubbed into the wound to produce a raised welt is also a known characteristic of the Kara. This afternoon will be our first visit with the Kara
Overnight at Murulle Lodge -BLD
Day 7-8 Oct 09 -10, 2015
I find the Kara to be one of the friendliest tribes along the Omo. I have sent a lot of time with this tribe building lifetime friendships and love spending time with them.
We have two full days to photograph this amazing tribe. We will be able to photograph them in their villages, along the river, set up individual and group portraits, see how the men make their elaborate hair-buns, experience tribal dancing, visit the main village in Dus, and just immerse ourselves into their culture. I find the Kara to be one of the friendliest tribes along the Omo. I have sent a lot of time with this tribe building lifetime friendships. Visiting the Kara is one of the highlights of the trip.
Overnight at Murulle Lodge -BLD
Day 9 Oct 11, 2015
This morning we will have one last sunrise photo shoot with this tribe before heading to Jinka. If time allows we will have an afternoon visit to the Benna or Ari tribe.
Overnight at Eco Lodge -BLD
Day 10 Oct 12, 2015
Today we visit two different Mursi Tribe Villages, one in early morning light and one in evening light. The Mursi is a fascinating tribe known for their lip plates, face painting, and fancy leather, headpieces. The women first started using the lip plates as a way to disfigure themselves so the slave traders would be appalled by the way they look and not take them into slavery… later it became a sign of beauty used to get a husband.
Overnight at Eco Lodge -BLD
Day 11 Oct 13, 2015
After breakfast we will depart for Arba Minch to catch our flight back to Addis Ababa.
We will be met at the airport and driven, by private transport, to the Radisson BLu for dayrooms. This will allow you to freshen up, relax and have a meal before being transferred to Bole International Airport for your late evening flight home. Flight should be booked after 9:00PM on Oct 13th. BL
Is this trip for you?
This adventurous photographic tour was created for experienced photographers who want to visit some of the most beautiful tribes on the African continent. This photographic tour is focused on producing high quality images of extraordinary subjects. Therefore, we will be rising very early in the morning for the best light; a few mornings we rise well before sunrise. These tribes are remote and there will be driving on dirt roads, but in comfortable 4X4 utility vehicles. If we get lucky, we will be invited to a special event that may require some walking, however a guide can be hired to assist you with your gear. When the tarmac roads begin to take you directly to these tribes, the mass tourism will have begun to change their appearance and traditions forever. We will push hard to maximize every photographic opportunity, but you should go at your own pace.
This photographic tour was created for experienced photographers with a good working knowledge of the basics of photography, composition, and equipment. Depending on your vision, some experience working with flash is recommended. Having previous experience photographing indigenous cultures is recommend. This can be a more challenging experience photographically, but it will provide you with some of the most extraordinary photographic opportunities of a lifetime. Although, this is NOT a workshop, there will be a lot of informal instruction. Piper is always available for any question you may have.
The tribes live in a remote location. There is no fancy lodging in the Omo Valley, but we will stay at the best accommodations available. It is important to be flexible, have a good sense of humor, have an open mind, and embrace this incredible experience! In some locations the electricity is not on 24 hrs a day, but it will be on for several hours every morning and evening, giving us plenty of time to charge up all our batteries and electronic equipment.
Kara Tribe
The Price
The price of this unique photographic adventure is $6,750.00. This price is based on double occupancy.
Single supplement is $950.00 ” if available”. Single accommodations are limited. If you wish to have single accommodation, sign up immediately.
Due to the limited number of spaces available, if a solo guest is willing to share and we can match with another guest of the same gender, we will do so. If a solo guest is unwilling to share, then a single supplement will be charged. If we are unable to match a solo guest with another guest of the same gender, then the single supplement will be charged
What’s Included
- Accommodations as listed on the itinerary
- Round trip airfare Addis-Arba Minch-Addis
- Meals as stated on the itinerary B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
- Bottled water, soda, coffee, tea, and beer (except on arrival day)
- Tourist standard 4X4 utility vehicle with air-conditioning
- Entry scout fees, village entrance fees, and road fees
- National English speaking escort guide and local tribal guides
- Gratuities for local tribal guides
- Gratuities for Camp and Lodge staff (outside of Addis)
- Photography fee’s
What’s NOT Included
- International airfare and/or between your home and Addis Abba
- Visas
- Travel Insurance (REQUIRED to participate on this trip)
- Personal purchases (including shopping, spirits, laundry, telephone calls, etc )
- Gratuities for our main guide and drivers
- Optional extra activities not included on the itinerary
- Extra photo fees
- Pre- and Post- expeditions tours
- Meals or accommodations before or after the tour (except as noted in the detailed itinerary)
- Meals and beverages on the day of arrival, this is considered a travel day
Please Understand
Traveling in remote locations can present challenges that may require slight changes to the itinerary. I put my heart into each and every itinerary and will always try to run the tour as written in the initial itinerary. In the event of situations beyond my control, such as political unrest, natural disasters, overbookings by the lodge, where a change is required, I will do my best to keep us close to the original shooting location. It is my intention for you to have the best possible experience. I will try to notify you of any changes as soon as I am made aware of them. If, however these changes cause an increase to the price, the increase will be passed onto the participant.
Interested in Joining us?
The group size for this extraordinary photo tour is limited to just 7 participants. Due to the size of this group and the popularity of the location, this trip could fill quickly. To secure your spot, please complete the on-line registration form and make the $1,500 non-refundable deposit. Both a completed reservation form and deposit must be done to confirm a spot.
