BEST OF THE OMO
11 - 22 OCTOBER 2027
Deep in southern Ethiopia live some of the continent’s most beautiful tribes. 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. Known as a living museum to anthropologists, they become a walking body of art; to photographers, they are visually breathtaking.
At the heart of every compelling photograph is light. It shapes mood, reveals texture, and defines form long before the subject is fully understood. It drifts, shifts, and fades, subtly transforming the emotional weight of a scene in ways that are often felt before they are seen. This expedition will not be about rushing into a village and snapping portraits. It will be built around the use of light, natural, and strobe, understanding how to sculpt it, soften it, and direct it with intention.
This trip for a travelling photographer will give you the best experience to learn, evolve and fully understand light and how to use it. The village sessions will allow you to use natural light to its fullest advantage through the festivities and rituals we will experience, but this trip is about shaping how you see and use light. If you have an interest in learning, or expanding your skills with off-camera flash, this trip will have you working alongside Ben as he shares his years of experience in showing you what is possible in situations you may not have thought of through light could be used.
The mobile camps offer a new dimension to what is possible in the Omo Valley. To create a more intimate experience and better photographic opportunities with the tribes, we send a special team to assemble a simple, mobile tented camp at 3 of 4 locations. The camp has traditional walk-in canvas safari tents, each with a camp bed, mattress, linens, a small table, and light. You will not need to worry about keeping your batteries charged because each camp will have a generator! – to say nothing of the delicious meals and cold beverages served under a canvas dining cabana! Staying extremely close to villages and far from the tourist lodges will allow you to fully immerse yourself with the tribes and photograph them in the most beautiful light of sunrise and sunset.
One-on-one guidance in camp will allow you to take stunning portraits, to talk about how light works, what shapes inspire you, and how to create some lit images so you get the most out of your time with some of Africa’s most beautifully decorated tribes.
2 CHARTER FLIGHTS/1 SCHEDULED – While many itineraries require long overland drives from Addis Ababa into the depths of the Omo, spending days on the road between remote locations, we charter directly from Addis into the heart of the Omo Valley, across the river, and fly you back out at the conclusion of this remarkable journey. By eliminating unnecessary transit time, we maximize what truly matters: meaningful, unrushed time with some of the continent’s most visually and culturally extraordinary tribes.
In true expedition style, this itinerary offers some flexibility to ensure you can take advantage of any photographic opportunities that arise. The precise time spent in each village will depend on the activities taking place and the group’s goals. It is likely you will also meet several other tribes en route.
This trip is limited to ONLY 7 GUESTS & to ensure that the photographers joining this expedition will have a higher quality experience with the best group dynamics.
Rarely offered in other trips is the intimate experience with the Kara, Daasanach, and Suri. We are sending special teams ahead to assemble proper mobile-tented camps – traditional walk-in canvas safari tents, each with a camp bed, mattress, linens, small table and light. You will not need to worry about keeping your batteries charge because there will be a generator in each camp! – to say nothing of the delicious meals and cold beverages! Staying near each of these villages and far from the tourist lodges will allow you to fully immerse yourself with the tribes and photograph them in the most beautiful light of sunrise and sunset.
Throughout this life-enriching journey, you will be given in-depth insight to the tribe’s lifestyle, beliefs, and ancient traditions to gain a deeper understanding of their world and embrace 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 embrace the experience by spending time with them in their huts, join them in a cup of coffee, or try the local drink.
ITINERARY
Day 1, Oct 11, 2027
Upon your arrival at the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, you are met by a member of our ground team and transferred to the Radisson Blu by private vehicle. After your long flight (s), you will enjoy a relaxing evening at a modern, upper-market hotel, the perfect way to rest up for the amazing journey that lies ahead.
Air travel delays can happen, so we recommend arriving a day early if possible. This helps ensure you don’t miss any part of the experience and allows time to rest before the adventure begins. Our team would be happy to assist with any pre-tour extensions for a seamless trip.
Accommodation: Radisson Blu
Day 2, October 12, 2027
Fly to Jinka
Drive to Dus
Afternoon village visit with Kara
Accommodation: Private Mobile Safari Camp on the Omo River sBLD
Day 3, October 13, 2027
Sunrise Kara Village
Portraits in Camp
Afternoon Kara Village
Accommodation: Private Mobile Safari Camp on the Omo River BLD
Day 4, October 14, 2027
Sunrise Kara Village
Drive to Turmi
Afternoon Hamar Village/bull jumping possibility
Accommodation: Buska Lodge BLD
Day 5, October 15, 2027
Sunrise Arbore Village
Afternoon Hamar Village/ bull jumping possibility
Accommodation: Buska Lodge BLD
Day 6, October 16, 2027
Sunrise Hamar Village
Drive to Omorate
Afternoon Daasanach village
Accommodation: Private mobile tent camp on the Omo River BLD
Day 7, October 17, 2027
Sunrise Daasanach village/Possible Dimi Ceremony
Portraits in camp
Photography along the deltas
Accommodation: Private mobile tent camp on the Omo River BLD
Day 8, October 18, 2027
Sunrise Daasanach village
Charter flight to Mizon/Drive to Kibish
Afternoon Suri village
Day 9, 10, 11 October 19,20,21, 2027
3 full days with the Suri tribe
Accommodation: Private mobile tent camp on the Kibish River BLD
Day 13 October 22, 2027
Sunrise Suri village
Drive to Mizon/Private charter to Addis
Transfer to hotel for dayrooms
Accommodation: Raddison Blu Dayrooms BL
Flights should be booked after 10:00 PM. Most international flights depart after 10:00 PM. Our team is happy to assist with any post-trip extensions for a seamless trip.
Is this adventurous trip for you?
This adventurous photographic experience was created for passionate photographers who want to visit and experience some of the most beautiful tribes on the African continent. The itinerary was designed to bring the best opportunities to produce high-quality images from your own perspective. Therefore, we will rise early in the morning for the best light; a few mornings we be up well before sunrise. We will push hard to maximize every photographic opportunity, which means some long days, but you should go at your own pace. These tribes live in remote areas; there will be driving on dirt roads, but in comfortable air-conditioned 4X4 utility vehicles. If we get lucky, we will be invited to a special event that may require walking; however, a guide can be hired to assist you with your gear. However, to best enjoy this adventure you must be in good physical contention and be able to carry your own gear.
This photographic expedition was created for experienced photographers with a good working knowledge of their equipment who fully understand the basics of photography, shutter speed, aperture, iso, exposure and how they relate to each other. Having previous experience photographing indigenous cultures will be beneficial, as this can be a more challenging experience. THIS IS NOT A WORKSHOP to teach you techniques, but here will be a lot of discussions on photography and informal instruction throughout the trip. This trip was designed to give photographers intimate access to the tribes, which will allow them the creative freedom to capture their own unique experience. Your leader is always available to assist you with your vision and for any question you may have.
While our trip is designed around producing high-quality images, we believe our visit should be sensitive, respectful, and beneficial to the communities we visit. We build time into our itinerary to interact with the local people that will lead to a richer experience, rather than just racing from location to location and charging in with camera in hand. It is a privilege to visit these unique tribal areas, and we want to make sure it is a positive experience for them. We also believe in empowering the local communities to look after themselves, and we feel the best way to do this is economically. We work with a small successful, fully licensed local operator, and we hire local guides in every area we visit. Our local partners are key to what we do, and these relationships have been built up over many years, many becoming personal friends. Our visit will generate income in the local areas we visit.
IMPORTANT DETAILS
The Price
The cost of shared accommodation is $12,995.00 per person.
The cost of private accommodations is 14,395.00 per person
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, the private room rate will be charged.
This trip is being organised by Piper Mackay and Mackay Africa, Ben McRae is the sole leader, so registration and deposits are handled via her website, see the link buttons below.
A non-refundable deposit of USD $3,500 is due at the time of registration to secure your spot.
You can purchase travel insurance that will refund your deposit if you need to cancel your trip.
***The cost of this safari is based on a minimum of 7 participants. If there are fewer than 7 participants, a small supplement fee of $895.00 will apply. A minimum of 5 guests is required to run the trip.
Payment Terms
USD $3,500.00 non-refundable deposit to confirm your place on this trip
2nd payment of USD $5,000.00 + single supplement fee is due January 30, 2027
Final payment/balance is due July 15, 2027
We highly recommend proper trip cancellation insurance to protect your investment.
Included in the trip
All in-country travel in 4X4 Land Cruiser vehicles
All accommodation is as specified on the itinerary.
Two In-country private charter flights and one domestic flight, as stated in the itinerary. and local taxes.
All meals as listed on the itinerary. B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, beginning with Breakfast on October 12, 2027, through Lunch on October 22, 2027
Gratuities for porters, lodges, and camps.
Personal assistant when photographing in the field
Drinks- coffee, soda, beer, wine (if sold by the glass), and bottled water are included with lunch and dinner.
Limited laundry services are included in the private mobile tent camps and are available at the lodges for an extra fee.
All entrance fees to villages and village activities as listed on the itinerary and in the included activities.
Basic photo fees and a personal local guide assistant
Airport facilitation, meeting & greeting, private transfers upon arrival and departure.
All activities listed in the itinerary are included.
One main English-speaking guide
One photographic tour leader
What’s NOT Included
International airfare and/or between your home and Addis Ababa
Visas
Travel Insurance
Personal purchases (including shopping, spirits, laundry, telephone calls, etc.)
Gratuities for your main guide and drivers
Optional extra activities not included in the itinerary
Extra photo fees
Pre- and post-expeditions tours
Meals or accommodations before or after the expedition (except as noted in the detailed itinerary)
Meals and beverages on the day of arrival, which is considered a travel day.
REGISTRATION AND DEPOSIT
If you are excited to join this safari 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. You will be directed to Piper Mackay’s Photographic website.
We must receive both your completed registration form and your 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 to Piper Mackay Photo Safaris who are handling the logistics and bookings of this experience
Deposit–
Click the deposit button, under the registration button, to make your deposit. You do not need to have 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.
