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Kuno Modelhart
Maybe safari is not the main motive for an Ethiopian trip.
Ethiopia is a country with millennia-old culture. A highlight are the 11 monolithic churches in Lalibela. At the same time, it is still one of the most original countries in Africa. But the roads are excellent, the hotel business is good and overall it is a country where you can feel comfortable. Those who travel along the Rift Valley can observe many birds, there are also smaller national parks with antelopes, ostriches, hippos and crocodiles. In the west of the country there are large national parks with all the impressive animals of East Africa. A hike to the Geladas in the Simien Mountains (Simien National Park) is highly recommended. The weather in November 2018 was mostly dry, but often cloudy due to the end of the rainy season. The temperatures are very pleasant, as Ethiopia is partly very high. The local food consists of flat bread (baked from the teff = dwarf millet) and various sauces, mostly made from legumes. Occasionally there is also pasta, lasagne, beef or mutton.
A tale of two halves - serious birding on long dusty roads followed by stunning scenery and Geladas
Four weeks without illness or issue, not even a flat tyre, and just one mosquito bite. Oh, and it rained for 30 minutes one night. For accommodation lower your expectations - hotels are safe and clean but basic; electricity not always reliable. Clean linen, flush toilets and warm showers, even in the remotest towns. But it was a tough and tiring trip in the south where few venture except serious birders. Here the roads were in poor condition and crowded with wandering domestic animals. My first surprise was how the lack of persecution of birds has resulted in birds being unconcerned by people; resulting
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in superb views everywhere - a real pleasure that is so rare in much of the world today. My second surprise was the availability of free wifi in even the remotest hotels.Bale Mountains were stunning until I ventured north and the real highlight of the trip - the 'Simeon' Mountains (as throughout Ethiopia various spellings exist!). Here you can sleep at 3300M asl after hiking during the day at 4300M asl. I even had a beer at apparently Africa's highest bar. Whilst the purpose of my trip was an organised bird watching tour (successfully!) focusing on seeing all of the 17 endemic species and most of the 42 Horn of Africa specialties, the final surprise was the huge mammal list we ended up with. I just had not appreciated how good Ethiopia is for mammals. Incredible and multiple views of hunting Ethiopian Wolves on the Bale Mountain plateau, Black-and-White Colobus monkeys, two species of Zebra, handsome Hartebeest, gorgeous Gerunuk, timid Oribi, stately Oryx, Gazelles galore, skulking Menelik and the magnificent Mountain Nyala all easy to see and un-perturbed by people. The latter being the last large African mammal discovered by modern man.
Saving the best to last, they talk about seeing Gorillas in Africa but right up there in terms of a one-on-one almost life changing experience is surely the Gelada Baboons of the Simeon Mountains. These extraordinary, peaceful, grass eating beauties allow you to sit within 1M of them and become one of their tribe. There are no time limits and no exorbitant fees. And there were hundreds of them going about their daily routines. Time flies invisibly when you are staring out at some of the world's most stunning escarpment scenery whilst pretending you are not a Gelada.
Finally do try the injera just to say you did so, but for me that "once" was enough.
Tittle: The trip of a lifetime Tour description Ibrahim from Luitours and Safaris has planned an
Tittle:
The trip of a lifetime
Tour description
Ibrahim from Luitours and Safaris has planned an unforgettable trip to Tanzania for us. We had only 4 days to visit Mikumi National Park and Udzungwa mountains but Ibrahim has it perfectly thought out and we got the maximum one can get. We didn't lose a minute and yet we enjoyed a relaxing journey! Communication with the Guide was very easy and punctual, complete and clear answer to every question. We are definitely going to book our next trip to Tanzania again with Luitours and Safaris.
A self-guided historical tour of Addis Ababa, Lalibela and Gondar.
The Zeist Lodge, a garden oasis of beautiful art and delicious food, was a wonderful choice for our first day in Ethiopia.
We had less than a week to spend, so the next day we were off to Gondar. This historical city has been called the "Camelot of Africa". Our guide described past glories of Kings and Queens and showed us the the European influences on the castles and local architecture.
Debre Berhan Selassie Church is Ethiopia's version of the Sistine Chapel, where painted wide-eyed angels hover on the ceiling and the walls are painted with scenes from the life of Christ, Mary, the saints and martyrs. Afterwards we stopped at a nearby cafe for some Ethiopian coffee, deliciously roasted in the open air.
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In the evening we walked from our centrally located hotel (Lodge du Chateau) to the Four Sisters Restaurant, where we enjoyed a delicious buffet with Rift Valley Merlot (a local wine) and, of course, Ethiopian coffee.
The next morning our driver brought his niece and nephews along to drop them off at school. They were 5, 6 and 7 years old, and they got a chance to practice their English with us. Their English was so much better than my Amarhic.
Next it was off to Lalibela, a center of pilgrimage for Ethiopian Orthodox Christians. The town is famous for its rock-cut monolithic churches. We toured Bet Madhane Alemm and the cross-shaped Church of St. George (Bete Giyorgis) where many white-veiled pilgrims generously shared their holy space with us.
At our room at the Top Twelve Hotel, we enjoyed the spectacular view of the valley below. Lalibela is 2,500 meters (8,200 ft) above sea level. As a sailplane pilot, I guessed that the area would be great for ridge soaring.
That evening we dined at the Ben Abeba restaurant, a Scottish-Ethiopian place whose unique, open air construction on a cliff's edge offered yet another mind bendingly spectacular view.
On our last night in Ethiopia, (in Addis Ababa) we visited Yod Abyssinia, where we had some traditional Ethiopian food (meat and vegetarian platters) and enjoyed a show that showed local history via dance. Visitors were invited to dance too, which the kids in the audience really loved.
One week was definitely not enough. On our next visit, I'd like to get to Axum to learn more about Ethiopia's history and visit the Bale Mountains National Park. But this was a great introduction.
A country like no other
I have been in Ethiopia as a touriste but also to see my family. This country is rich in wildlife but also in culture. You can go from north to the south and from east to west, the landscape is very diversified. The rift valley, the semen and bale mountains, and the green south of Ethiopia are worth seeing. You can find endemic wildlife in those areas and differents cultural activities "near" them. I remember my trip in 2008 in the bale park where I have done hiking on a horse in the middle of the wild animals. Concerning the weather, it depends on your trip, though you will have a hot summer or a rainy season not a cold winter. the nights can be a bit cold neverthless. For the accomadation part, you don't have to expect a very confortable stay on a budget, but there are a few tourist agency and hotels that are trying to make a better destination regarding transportation and hotelery. If you want to live an experience where you want to feel out of the place, Ethiopia is your destination.
robelmazd3
ET
Visited:
November 2019
Reviewed: Dec 21, 2019
Email robelmazd3 | under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Not really a safari destination
There are a lot of cool endemic animals and the scenery is just mind blowing.the weather is great all year round but the accommodation is not good even for an African country.the food is not a typical African food it's truly different and a vegans heaven.transportation and tour guide is ok.and Ethiopia has its own unique calendar with 13 month and clock system were the daytime cycle begins at dawn 12:00 (6:00:00 AM EAT)
Jay Nagiri
NL
Visited:
August 2024
Reviewed: Dec 6, 2025
Email Jay Nagiri | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible
I really enjoyed the visit to Ethiopia it was just amazing
Shrinidhi
IN
Visited:
May 2019
Reviewed: Sep 27, 2019
Email Shrinidhi | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Lalibela, Aksum, Harar - must see architectural and religious centers in Ethiopia
My trip was mostly to see religious and cultural places in Ethiopia. Lalibela Aksum & Harar are most recommended places to see the ancient architecture and kingdoms of Ethiopia. Range of professionally managed accommodations are available at all destinations. The locals are the best mannered and most places are safe to travel alone. Ethiopia is a unique place in Africa, so take the plunge...
a beautiful and astounding environment for all
it was very beautiful, combining centuries old ruins with lust forests. the culture of the people in fascinating and i would encourage tourists to delve deeper into the local environment. A fascinating people for sure.
Ethiopia is an amazing and very diverse country with a rich cultural background.
Ethiopia is a wonderful country. I visited only the north, where the wildlife is not as spectacular as in the south (or other countries I've visited, such as Namibia). That said, the Simien Mountains is the only place where I've watched fauna without feeling like an intruder. As we walked among the monkeys, they slowly began to accept us. We had the impression of belonging to their community! Also, the scenery is very diverse, and great for hiking. I loved being able to combine physical activity with animal watching. In most natural reserves, we never got out of the bus. I strongly recommend combining the mountain hiking with a visit to Lalibela, a very beautiful place.