| Trekking in Ethiopia |
The Ethiopian landscape is dominated by the volcanically formed Ethiopian highlands. The central plateau isolated on three sides by low lying semi desert or desert has an average altitude of above 2000m and includes 20 peaks of 4000m or higher. The highlands are bisected by the rift valley which starts at the Red Sea, then continues through the Danakil Depression and through southern Ethiopia to Mozambique in southern Africa. The most extensive mountain ranges on the highlands are the Siemens in the North and Bale Mountains in the south. You can examine our sample trekking itineraries as options for you which you may or may not take it as your final program. Because choice of itinerary is subjective depending on interest, time and financial budget. In designing the sample itineraries we have tried to include sites that can be explored as per the plan and feel that the client will make wise use of his time. However, we are flexible and highly encourage your initiative and interest to work out your actual itinerary based on your proposal and interest. We have knowledgeable and experienced staff: Guides, cooks and drivers who not only are ready to serve you devotedly but also who always enjoy being with you, learn your experience and initiative. The Semeins and Bale mountain national parks are more famous as trekking destinations.  Simien Mountains: Situated about 100kms north of Gondar the Semeins Mountains is one of Africa’s largest ranges studded with at least a dozen peaks topping 4000m mark and hence Ethiopia is also called the “Roof of Africa”. This includes Ras Dashen (Dejen) the highest peak in Ethiopia and the fourth highest in Africa. The western side of the range excluding Ras Dashen was designated as the Simien mountain National park in 1969 and the entire range was listed as a UNESCO World heritage site in 1979. The mountain range's impressive scenery, its series of dramatic cliffs and escarpments, the beautiful alpine meadows and rugged wilderness of the high peak areas make the semen a remarkable area for trekking. According to Homer the Simien Mountains were the play grounds of the Greek gods who came here to play chess. The unique geological feature of simien is also described by Rosita Forbes, who traveled there in 1925 as “The most marvelous of all Abyssinian landscape….” The simien mountain national park is established for its spectacular mountain scenery, best place for trekking. Habitats include Afro Alpine and three of Ethiopia’s endemic large mammals: Walia Ibex, Gelada Baboons and Ethiopian wolf are resident in the simiens. It is also known for varieties of bird species including lammergeyer (bone breaker). See more about simien mount. National park Trekking route:  only part of the park can be reached by vehicle. A more satisfactory way to explore the park is on foot or by mule following extensive networks of tracks used by local communities for centuries to travel between the villages on the lower slopes or to reach the high pastures. These tracks are ideal walking routes and, combined with the ranges impressive scenery, make the simiens an excellent area for trekking. The most popular trekking routes are along the western side of the massif these take in the most impressive sections of the famous escarpment. Treks begin and end in Debark the obvious place to organize a hike. The park camps of Sanka bar, Chenek and Geech make convenient spot at which to overnight. See the options under trekking in the simiens  As you ascend into the mountains you will experience changes in the vegetation with altitude, from Juniper to heather moorlands and alpine meadows, which at various times of year exhibit an abundance of colorful wildflowers. Bale Mountains National Park is the largest area of Afro-Alpine habitat in the whole of the continent. It gives you opportunities for unsurpassed mountain walking, horse trekking, scenic driving and easy opportunities of exploring of Ethiopia's endemic mammals, birds and plantsPart of the park can be explored by driving. A more satisfactory way to explore the park is again by foot or mule organized from Dinsho Park Head Quarter. The parks main attractions include wild alpine scenery, various species of Fauna and flora. The relative ease with which one can explore many endemic species of birds and big mammals such as Ethiopian wolves and mountain Nyala makes Bale one of our popular destinations for hikers and trekkers.
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