‘Tribal traits and traditions tour’ – Upper + Lower Omo Valley, South West Ethiopia and the Danakil desert (Ahmedila and Dallol) Duration : 13 Days 28 January – 10 February 2021
The Omo valley of Ethiopia is part of the Southern Nations and Nationalities Peoples Region (SNNPR) and is a relatively isolated area of the country, renowned for its indigenous people or tribes. There are approximately 40 tribes in the region, many of who are living as they have existed for millennia. It is these tribes that we have come to photograph – in their villages, the bush, roadside and local markets.
The Danakil desert (accessed from Mekele) is the hottest place on Earth and we intend to visit Ahmedila for its ancient trade in salt using camel caravans and the Dallol volcano which manifests itself through geothermal activity at the surface creating bizarre solfataras, small geysers and bright yellow and green sulphuric acid pools on the surface. At dawn and dusk, when it is cooler, this is a photographers paradise.
I first travelled to the Omo valley in 2000 and lived in Ethiopia from 2006-2010, hence I know the country well and love it. In the last few years, since living there, I have been back once every 12-18 months to capture those inimitable moments in the Omo and elsewhere.
Services included
Meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner for the time of the tour. Meals may occasionally be local depending on location but for the most part the food is unsophisticated western fayre. Meals will also include water and soft drinks.
Entrance fees/permits for villages. Transfer to and from Bole airport to the hotel. Accommodation as stated but the nature of the destinations that we operate in
may sometimes mean that we need to change hotels, but we’ll always endeavour to keep the same standards. Please be aware that in countries where tourism is in its infancy, hotel standards may not be the same as you’re used to elsewhere.
Photo tour leaders and local guides. Travel by Toyota land cruisers (4×4) or similar.
The cost of the tour is US$6980. To reserve a place there is a deposit of US$1000
The single supplement is US$250 and there is a surcharge of US$180 for domestic flights when flying to and from Ethiopia with Ethiopian Airlines ( it is highly recommended to fly with ET as ET discount internal flights substantially when flying long haul with them. With other airlines there is an additional cost which will be added). Payment is possible by Bank Transfer and also by PayPal, in this case an additional 5% will be added to cover the transaction fees (PayPal). The final balance is due three months prior to departure.
Services not included / additional costs.
Alcohol and paying for photographs if there is a special ceremony – eg Bull Jumping or Stick fight. We will try, where negotiable, to pay a lump sum to the village but sometimes this is not possible. I recommend approximately $200 per person for ‘photo fees’. This needs to be converted to small notes (Birr) on arrival in Addis Ababa (I will try to do this in advance so that you can get the momeny directly from me in new notes). Some photographers take thousands of photos!!! The local guide/s will handle payments. You will also need some extra money for tips for drivers, cooks, guides etc. Approximately US$20 per driver/guide/cook per day. This shared between all participants.
I will send out medical forms, gear lists, additional information on the tribes, travel liability forms at a later stage.
If you have any questions please contact me by email or telephone trevcole1@me.com +353872825851
