Join internationally acclaimed photographer Andy Marty on an extraordinary photography adventure through Ethiopia. This workshop will take you deep into the cultural heart of Africa, from the remote Surma and Hamar tribes to the dramatic landscapes of the Omo Valley. Perfect for photographers looking to refine their skills in portrait and travel photography, this journey offers an unparalleled opportunity to capture the essence of Ethiopia’s indigenous communities.
Day 1: December 3 (Wednesday) – Arrival in Addis Ababa
Your Ethiopian adventure begins as you arrive in Addis Ababa, the vibrant capital. Upon arrival, you’ll check in at Casopia Hotel, where you can rest and prepare for the journey ahead. It is just arrival day so you can choose any flight and hotel transfer is provided. You will meet Andy for dinner together and first briefing as well.
Day 2: December 4 – Flight to Jimma & Drive to Mizan
After an early checkout and transfer to the airport, we’ll take a morning flight to Jimma, a city known for its rich coffee culture. Upon arrival, we embark on a scenic drive to Mizan, passing through lush highlands and traditional Ethiopian villages. We’ll arrive in Mizan by evening, where we’ll settle in for the night in preparation for our journey deeper into tribal Ethiopia. The flight is included in the tour package.
Day 3: December 5 (Friday) – Journey to Surma Tribe
Today, we drive toward Surma (Suri) territory, stopping for lunch along the way. The Surma people are known for their elaborate body painting, intricate scarification, and the striking lip plates worn by women. Upon arrival, we’ll spend the afternoon photographing the Surma tribe, immersing ourselves in their unique customs and way of life.
Day 4: December 6 – Full Day with the Surma Tribe
We’ll spend the entire day in a remote Surma village, allowing for an in-depth photographic exploration. You’ll have the opportunity to capture daily life, rituals, and traditional ceremonies, as well as intimate portraits of Surma individuals adorned with intricate body art and handmade jewelry.
Day 5: December 7 – Extended Time with the Surma Tribe
Another full day dedicated to photography with the Surma people. In the morning, you’ll have the option to embark on a photo walk through Surma Town, offering a different perspective on local life. Later, we return to the village for a final photo session, perfecting our compositions and capturing the beauty of Ethiopia’s most remote tribe.
Day 6: December 8 – Drive to Turmi & Post-Processing Masterclass
Leaving the Surma region, we embark on a full-day drive to Turmi, the heartland of the Hamar people. Along the way, we stop for lunch en route, taking in the breathtaking scenery of the Omo Valley. Upon arrival, we check in at Turmi Lodge. In the evening, Andy will lead a photo processing masterclass, helping you refine your images from the trip and learn professional editing techniques.
Day 7: December 9 – Exploring the Hamar Tribe
After an early breakfast, we drive to the Hamar tribe, known for their bull-jumping ceremonies, ochre-braided hair, and vibrant jewelry. You’ll spend the entire day photographing the Hamar people, capturing both intimate portraits and dynamic cultural scenes. We’ll have breakfast and lunch in the village, fully immersing ourselves in their traditions.
Day 8: December 10 – Hamar & Nyangatom Tribes
The morning begins with another photography session in a Hamar village, allowing you to experiment with different lighting conditions and interactions. After breakfast, we return to the lodge for lunch before heading toward the Nyangatom tribe. This nomadic group is known for their elaborate beaded jewelry and distinctive body modifications. We’ll photograph the Nyangatom people during sunset, when the golden light enhances their striking features of their amazing onion shape houses. In the evening, we return to the lodge.
Day 9: December 11 – Kara Tribe Photography
We journey to the Kara tribe, a small ethnic group renowned for their intricate body painting and artistic expressions. We’ll enjoy breakfast in the village before spending the entire day photographing Kara life along the Omo River. Lunch will be served in the village, allowing us to stay immersed in the community. Kara tribe is famous for iconic views of Omo river bend.
In the evening, we return to Turmi for dinner at the lodge.
Day 10: December 12 –Return to Addis
On our final day, we check out and drive to Jinka, where we take a flight back to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival in Addis, the tour officially ends. We take the flight at 2 PM departing from jinka.
For those with late-night flights or an extended stay, an optional overnight at Casopia Hotel is available.
Pricing: 7900 USD
Difficulty: easy
Single supplement for rooms in the lodge, at Addis hotel and single tent: +1200 USD
What’s Included in the Package?
Accommodation
- 3 Nights Camping in Suri (Includes large communal tent for dining and a separate studio tent) in a large tents
- 4 Nights at Paradise Lodge, Turmi
- 1 Night at Salayesh Hotel, Mizan
- 1 Night at Hotel Casopia, Addis Ababa (Includes shuttle to/from the airport)
- Portable toilet camp in Suri
Transportation & Logistics
- 4×4 Toyota Land Cruisers (Air-conditioned, offroad pro-equipped)
- Generator & Freezer for 4 days
- All fuel expenses
- Domestic Flights (Addis to Jimma & Jinka to Addis)
Guides & Local Support
- Professional Guides: Andualem & Aron – logistics, translation, Andy – photography, local tribal guides
- Local guides & park rangers (as required)
- All village entrance fees & elder payments
- Gifts for tribes
- Photography & Videography permits
- Special arrangements for many “models” with masks, beautiful decorations, jewellery etc
Meals & Refreshments
- All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- Soft drinks, bottled water, and coffee/tea
Photo Services
- Black background,
- Light equipment Godox flash and tube (you must take only the Godox trigger for your camera), spare batteries,
- generator in Suri camp
What’s Not Included?
- International flights to Addis
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal expenses (internet, souvenirs, fax, etc.)
- Ceremonial fees (e.g., Hamar Bull Jumping event)
- Any services not explicitly mentioned above
This all-inclusive photography workshop ensures a seamless and immersive experience, allowing you to focus entirely on capturing the beauty and culture of Ethiopia
What to bring
Gear:
– camera with tripod and remote shutter release
– portrait lens like 50 mm or 85 mm, or 135 mm – fast 1.8 or 2.8 max is recommended
– Godox trigger for light – will be recommended to the group
– A wide angle lens. For example, Nikkor 14-24 or Canon 17-40. Best lens for use in wide-angle scenes
– A middle-zoom lens such as a 24-70 mm
– A telephoto zoom lens, such as a 70-200 mm. Be sure to have additional tripod mount to this lens.
– Set of filters for seascape photography: ND 3, 6, 10 stop and CPL filters
Cancellation and Refund Policy
We strongly recommend you get a trip cancellation & travel insurance after booking your trip. If you cancel and the Workshop is otherwise filled, we will refund you the full amount you have paid towards the tuition, minus a $300 service charge. If you cancel and the Workshop does not fill, then you will be refunded according to the following schedule, based on the full fee of the Workshop:
Greater than 90 days from the start date of the Workshop: full refund minus $300 service fee.
75 days or more: 75% refund
60 days or more: 50% refund
Less than 60 days: no refund
Refunds will be paid by the same method that the original payment was made.
Tour leaders
Andy Marty
Born in Australia, I moved to the United Arab Emirates in 2009 and now call the cosmopolitan city of Dubai home.
My passion for photography started from an obsession with travel – providing a vehicle to inspire others to venture far and wide. Photography allows me to draw on a destination’s culture and represent it visually – whether that is the bazars of India, landscapes of Iceland or the iconic New York City skyline.
Over the years, my photography has developed to include as many styles as possible – from cityscapes to wildlife and time-lapse to portraiture. This approach has allowed me to create content for international brands like Audi, Fairmont Group, One&Only, Visit Rwanda and flydubai. Photography is all about visual story-telling, creating an opportunity to take people to some amazing destinations around the world, via my lens. Whilst many images these days are destined only for social media, I still firmly believe that the best place for a great photo is printed and hung on the wall. I take pride in trying to capture images that are suited for framing and to be enjoyed everyday.
I am passionate about sharing my knowledge of photography through workshops and photo tours. I currently guide private photography sessions, workshops for Nikon and tours for Iceland Photo Tours, Daniel Kordan Photography and PhotoPills.
At home in Dubai, I am creating professional content for brands in the travel and tourism industry – from high quality images, social media reels, right the way through to tailor-made Virtual Reality experiences. My company, The Travel Hub, is a dedicated content & strategy agency for travel brands. We pride ourselves on taking audiences on a journey and inspiring travel through visual media.
I am a brand ambassador for Nikon Middle East and Manfrotto.
In a world where we are taking more photographs than ever before, I still love the challenge of getting that perfect shot.
