8-Day Surma Tribe Photography Tour

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arrival in Addis Ababa & Briefing

Arrive at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, where our representative will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. Take time to settle in and rest after your international flight. In the evening, join your professional guide and fellow photographers for a welcome dinner and detailed briefing about the remote Omo Valley expedition ahead, preparing you for the incredible cultural encounters and photographic opportunities awaiting you in the Surma territory.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Activities:

Game drives (Normal 4x4 vehicle)

Accommodation:

Caravan Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City)

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
• Drinks not included

Addis Ababa to Jimma & Coffee Country Drive

Depart Addis Ababa in the morning and head southwest toward the historic city of Jimma. Enjoy a scenic overland drive through Ethiopia's lush green highlands, passing through the legendary Kafa region—the birthplace of wild Arabica coffee. Stop along the way to capture striking landscapes, vibrant roadside markets, and local village life. Continue toward Mizan Teferi as you transition deeper into southwestern Ethiopia, setting the stage for the remote tribal lands ahead.

Main Destination:

Mizan Teferi (Town)

Activities:

Game drives (Normal 4x4 vehicle)

Accommodation:

Salayish The Grand Hotel and Spa

• Mid-range hotel located in Mizan Teferi (Town)

+12 Photos

+11 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Mizan Teferi to Kibish (Surma Territory)

Leave Mizan Teferi behind as you embark on a rugged, adventurous drive deeper into the remote southwest to reach Kibish, the heartland of the Surma (Suri) people. The journey takes you across dramatic landscapes and unpaved tracks, bringing you directly into contact with this fascinating indigenous community. Upon arrival, meet local villagers and begin your first afternoon of immersive photography, capturing authentic portraits and daily life against the stunning backdrop of the remote wilderness.

Main Destination:

Kibish (Lower Omo Valley)

Activities:

Game drives (Normal 4x4 vehicle)

Accommodation:

Mid-range camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Surma Village Photography & Cultural Immersion

Spend a full day immersed in the vibrant culture and striking aesthetics of the Surma people. Set out with your guide to explore nearby traditional villages, focusing entirely on photography. Capture incredible portraits featuring intricate body and facial paint, heavy clay lip plates, and elaborate stick-fighting customs (Donga). Engage respectfully with locals to understand their daily routines, pastoral lifestyle, and unique social structures, offering you unmatched opportunities for authentic documentary and portrait photography.

Main Destination:

Kibish (Lower Omo Valley)

Activities:

Game drives (Normal 4x4 vehicle)

Accommodation:

Mid-range camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Surma Donga Stick Fighting & River Culture

Witness and photograph one of the most iconic cultural events of the Surma people: the traditional Donga stick-fighting ceremony. This fierce and ceremonial martial art serves as a rite of passage for young men, showcasing bravery, strength, and community pride. Spend the rest of the day along the local riverbanks or visiting nearby homesteads to capture candid portraits, vibrant interactions, and daily activities against the rugged backdrop of southwestern Ethiopia.

Main Destination:

Kibish (Lower Omo Valley)

Activities:

Game drives (Normal 4x4 vehicle)

Accommodation:

Mid-range camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Kibish to Mizan Teferi Return Drive

Bid farewell to the remote homelands of the Surma people as you begin your return journey from Kibish toward Mizan Teferi. Traverse the rugged tracks and scenic landscapes of southwestern Ethiopia once more, reflecting on the profound cultural interactions and exceptional photography captured over the past few days. Arrive back in Mizan Teferi by late afternoon, enjoying a comfortable evening to relax, review your photos, and unwind after the expedition into the deep Omo Valley.

Main Destination:

Mizan Teferi (Town)

Activities:

Game drives (Normal 4x4 vehicle)

Accommodation:

Salayish The Grand Hotel and Spa

• Mid-range hotel located in Mizan Teferi (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Mizan Teferi to Addis Ababa Return

After breakfast in Mizan Teferi, begin your final overland journey heading back toward Addis Ababa. Enjoy the changing highland scenery as you transition from the lush southwest back to the capital. Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, enjoy a farewell dinner celebrating the successful conclusion of your remote Omo Valley expedition. Afterward, our team will transfer you to Bole International Airport for your international departure flight, marking the end of your extraordinary photography adventure.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Activities:

Game drives (Normal 4x4 vehicle)

Accommodation:

Caravan Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Addis Ababa City Tour & Departure

Spend your final day exploring Ethiopia’s vibrant capital, Addis Ababa. Depending on your flight schedule, visit cultural highlights such as the National Museum—home to the famous hominid fossil "Lucy"—or browse the bustling Mercato, one of Africa's largest open-air markets, for last-minute souvenirs. In the evening, enjoy a special farewell dinner featuring traditional Ethiopian cuisine, live music, and dance. Afterward, transfer to Bole International Airport for your international flight home.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Activities:

Game drives (Normal 4x4 vehicle)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.