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What We Offer
Ethiopia as a country has one of the best hiking destination places in the whole world due to the diverse landscape that it has to offer. The country is filled with many mountains where you can go for a hike, ridges and valleys and many more other places where hiking takes place and all you will need are the hiking equipment that we can provide for you and your energy. There are various destinations where you can go for hiking and these are located in almost every corner of the country.
Hiking
Simien Mountains National Park
The Simiens National Park is one of the UNESCO heritage sites in Ethiopia and with the presence of the Simiens Mountains, it is the perfect place for one to go for hiking in Ethiopia. There are several hike routes that you can use when you visit the Park and the Mountain but you will need an experienced tour guide who will guide you through the hike trails. On your hike in the Simiens National Park you will be able to see different wild animals, birds and you also get to enjoy the beautiful scenery that is provided by the many trees that are found in the park. The best time to go for a hike in the Simiens National Park is during the dry season because then the trek rails will be easy to access and it is also much easier to hike without rain beating down on you.
Omo National Park
A hike through the Omo National park is not the only thing that you will enjoy but the beautiful scenery and history that is connected with the Omo valley is also something that you will get to enjoy. The park is filled with many wild life animals and birds some of which include elephants, Buffalos, leopards, lions, hyenas, warthogs, gazelles and the African spurred tortoise and all these can be seen as you trek through the clearly marked routes that are used for hiking with a trained tour guide. You will also get to meet the different tribes that live near the Park in the Omo. All these tribes have their unique cultural practices that they carry out and you would not want to miss them as you hike through the valley.
Wondo Genet
The Wondo Genet might not have any Mountain in the area but the elevated landscape is enough for you to take your hike through the Wondo Genet. The hike through the Wondo Genet will take you through the Dabash Lake, the waterfalls and the Wosha River and while on your trek through the area you will also be able to see a few endemic bird species.
Lalibela
Hiking through the Lalibela region is also another adventure that you do not want to miss due to the many things that you will see when you get to the region. The rock hewn churches that are found in Lalibela are worth your hike up the rocky hills and some of the churches that you will see include the church of the Holy cross, the church of Saint Mary, the church of Golgotha, the church of the savior of the world and many more others. The churches in Lalibela are separated into two parts that is the southern and Northern Parts and a trek through the churches gives you a chance to see all of them and get to know more about the religious sector in Ethiopia. You will need the guidance of tour guide on your hike through the Lalibela for easy communication.
Guassa Natural conservation
The Guassa Natural reserve is also filled with a good landscape that you get to explore while on your hiking expeditions in Ethiopia. It is the best place for one to get to see the endangered species of the Ethiopian wolf and the best thing about this hike is that the conservation is not far away from the capital city of Ethiopia Addis Ababa.
Gondar city
A hike through the Gondar city where the famous emperor Fasilides first settled and led to the construction of the city. Your hike will take you through the stone town where you will get to enjoy meeting with the locals especially on a one on one basis and also enjoy the Fasilides bath and palace.
Danakil Depression
The Danakil Depression which is considered to be the warmest place on earth and a hike through this place will be the hardest thing that you will ever do but it will be worth it. It is a bit hard to hike on foot and that is why you will need a few camels and experienced tour guides to take you through the heat and you will also get a close up look at the famous Erta Ale volcano and if you are up to the hike, you need to pack appropriately.
Mount Abuna Yosef plateau
The Mount Abuna is about 4260 meters high and it gives tourists a chance to test their adrenaline. You can join the hike up at the Abuna Yosef with the hike to the Lalibela Mountain and enjoy climbing up the Mountains. The hike up the Mount Abuna Yosef in most cases takes up to three days and you will also be able to visit a few villages and meet the locals on your hike to the Mountain. Therefore you need to prepare properly for the wonderful and exciting experience.
Bales National Park
The Bales National Park is located in the south eastern part of Ethiopia and is right next to the Bales Mountain and hiking can be done within the park, around the government and the famous Harenna forest. The Harenna forest is located in the Eastern part of the Bales Mountain in the south eastern part of the country. With the many forests that are located in the country, Harenna is one of the few remaining natural forests in Ethiopia. There are mark routes that can be found in the Harenna forest and while on your trek there are a lot of things that you will be able to explore for example the stream within the forest where you get to rest as you enjoy watching the many birds habitate, the numerous tree species which are a field trip for all botanists and some of the wild life that lives in the forest. The bales mountain its self is a good destination for all those that want to do hiking. The mountain might not have the best trails when it comes to hiking but it is still an adventure for all those that are adrenaline high. The different trek routes that are found in the Park cannot be accessed if you are alone. You will need a trained a licensed tour guide with a gun with you in order to be allowed to trek through the Park and around the Mountain. Below is how you can hike around the Bales region.
Harenna and waterfall trail
This trek trail normally begins from the headquarters of the Bale Park or the bales lodge. The trek that begins from the bales lodge normally takes 5 to 6 hours before it is completed and the trail that starts from the headquarters takes about two hours to end. Both trails provide tourists with the best scenery from the forest and it is up to you to choose which one you want to use. When on this trail you will be able to see different animals but most especially monkeys jumping from one tree to the next and birds before resting near the waterfall.
Tigray churches
The Tigray churches are located I the North eastern part of the country and they were declared a UNESCO heritage site not many years ago. These are churches that were built form the rocks and stones and they are believed to have al l been built with hands and no modern tools. Some churches were constructed normally whereas others were constructed in form of caves.
The terrain that surrounds the churches is it an easy one to take on due to the many rocks that are found in the area but with the help of a tour guide you will be able to lead you through the best tracks you will have fun on your hike in the Tigray churches. There are generally three Tigray churches that is the Abuna Yemata, the Daniel Korkor and the Maryam Korkor and all these are located on hills which makes the hike more fun. After hiking up the churches and exploring whatever they have to offer, you can hike to the villages in the area, enjoy the market day and also explore the museums which will give you more details on how the Tigray churches were constructed.
Ethiopia Photo Tours
Blessed with good and beautiful landscapes, rare animals and many things that you cannot see anywhere else in the world besides Ethiopia, the country has become a top destination for many photographers. Photo tours can be done at any time of the day in Ethiopia but you will need good lighting and good equipment in order for you to capture some of the best moments while on your trip. As you prepare for your photo tour to Ethiopia the different equipment that you will need for the trip includes:
A telephoto zoom lens
A mirrorless camera for light.
A bean bag that help in bracing the cameras especially during the wet season.
Photo tours as earlier on said can be done at any time of the day but there are seasons that it can be carried out without going through too much trouble. The best and worst time to carry out a phot tour to Ethiopia has been written down below so that you can get to know when to visit and when to avoid Ethiopia for all photography lovers. And for as long as you have all the necessary equipment, you will enjoy your photo trip to Ethiopia as long you start planning early.
The dry season
The dry season is the best time for one to visit Ethiopia for a photo safari especially after the rainy season. during this time most of the photography destinations can easily be accessed, there is no disturbance with rain and the landscapes are all filled with green vegetation which adds on the beautiful scenery that is found in the country.
The wet season
The wet season is not the best time for one to visit the country as most of the tourist destinations will be cut off due to the heavy rains which cause flooding and the some roads also become inaccessible because of the mud.
A photo tour to safari can be arranged to the different destinations that one go to and enjoy perfect photo sessions but this does not mean that only those who can take photos are allowed. Even if you do not know how to handle most of the camera equipment, we have a professional photographer at hand who will help you with the major basics on how to take good photos before heading out for the tour.
There are numerous destinations in Ethiopia where one can go for a photo tour and we have listed a few of them down so that you are able to plan accordingly before you even set foot in Ethiopia.
A photo safari to Lalibela
Lalibela is commonly known for its rock hewn churches that were built uniquely many centuries ago. The churches in Lalibela are separated into three that is the southern churches and the Northern churches and not forgetting the saint George church which is a standalone church. These were constructed from stone and are one of the best top destinations for a photo safari.
The Southern churches
The southern churches that are found in the Lalibela region include the church of Libanos, the Gabriel-Rufael church, the Church of Emmanuel and the church of Merkorios.
The Northern churches
The northern churches include the church of the savior of the world, the church of virgins, the church of Mount Sinai- Saint Michael and many more others.
All the above churches and the St George church are worth your trip to Lalibela as you will get to see both the inside and outside part of the churches through the lens and also visit the villages and take some photos.
A photo safari to the national parks
Ethiopia has many National parks where photo tours can take place and the best time to visit these parks is during the dry season. Some of the National Parks that you can visit include the Mago National Park, the Simiens National Park, the Bale Mountain National park and many more others. These have a variety of wild life that can be seen and these include lions, monkeys, elephants, buffalos and baboons.
Some of the bird species that you will find include black headed siskin, the Abyssinian ground thrush, the chestnut naped francolin, the crane pallid Harrier, the Abyssinian wood pecker and the best time to go for a birding photo safari in all the National Parks in Ethiopia is in the morning because of the good lighting during that time.
A photo trip to Axum city
Axum is the old city of the Axumites and it is where most of the emperors that have ever ruled Ethiopia lived. The landscapes that are found in the area, the church of the Ark of the Covenant, Queen Sheba’s palace, the Queen Sheba birth and the culture that is practiced by the locals through festivals are some of the few things that will make your photo trip to the historical place worthwhile.
A photo tour to the Harar city
The Harar city is the fourth largest holy city in the world having the largest Islamic population in Ethiopia. The city is mostly famous for its stone walls and gates that are believed to have been constructed in the 16th century. You will need a tour guide who will take you through the Harar city as there are many streets and you might end up being confused and lost and the tour guide will also help with translation because many people in the city do not speak English. Some of the places and activities that you can capture through the lens include:
The feeding of the hyenas in the Harar city which is done at night.
A photo of the huge old gates that guard the old city and its stone walls.
A photo of the Jamia mosque which is the largest mosque in the city and a photo of the St Mary’s Catholic Church which were all constructed uniquely.
Photos of the numerous birds especially the kite that can be seen at the bird feeding area known as the Girdir Magala.
Photos of the different locals in their respective villages although you need to first ask for permission before you take photos of the people.
A photo trip to the Lake Tana monasteries
The Lake Tana which can also be found in the neighboring country of Kenya is one of the top photo destinations in the country. The Lake Tana is a home to many bird species but the most common one is the pink lesser flamingo which can mostly be seen during the wet season and other aqua animals in the area. The Lake has many islands that are attached to it and these are homes to the many stone built monasteries in the country. A photo safari to the monasteries that amount to a recorded number of 11 will not only leave you with basic knowledge of how they were constructed and their history which is both cultural and religious.
But before you head out to visit the monasteries you should be aware that some women are not allowed to enter some of the monasteries because of the old Jewish law where women were supposed to pray in separate rooms from the men. Therefore you will need to first find out which ones are okay for both sexes to enter and which ones are forbidden.
A photo safari to the Omo valley
The Omo valley is known for the numerous and indigenous tribes that live in the valley. Since Ethiopia was not colonized, the Omo valley has some of the best indigenous and ancient tribes in the country. After getting permission from the locals themselves, you can easily take photos of the festivals that they keep on organizing, their cultures, the food and the daily activities that they carry out. Some of the tribes that can be seen in the Omo valley include the Harmer tribe, the Dorze tribe, the Konso tribe, the Daasanach tribe and the Mursi people.
You can also extend your photo trip from the locals to the Langano lake where you will be able to see the different bird species which have made the Lake their habitat, explore and take photos in the Jinka market where you will find fresh food straight from the gardens being sold cheaply and not forgetting other products like clothes and all you will need is a tour guide who will help you with bargaining and translation while in the market.
A photo trip to the Tigray churches
The Tigray churches were made UNESCO heritage sites due to their uniqueness and have now become one of the best top photo tour destinations in the country. The two main churches are the Maryam and Daniel Korkor church and the Abuna Yemata all which need a lot of trekking before you can get access to them. And as you trek to the churches, you can spare a few moments and take photos of the good scenery that is provided by the rocky nature in the region.
Ethiopia Birding Tours
Ornithology (birding)
In Ethiopia a heaven for Ornithology are approximately 835 birds species of recognized to exist in Ethiopia, Twenty three are found specifically inside the boundaries of the country . The majority of these Twenty three endemic birds are broadly distributed, mainly on the southern as well as western highland plateau. Most of the semi-endemic birds of Ethiopia- such as White Collared Pigeon, Thick-Billed Raven, Wattled Ibis and the Black Winged Love bird – are particularly common over wide-ranging regions of the plateau, and, since they’re big easily identified and even not shy, they’re for that reason very visible.
Even within the highland forests that support relatively few endemic birds species, the endemics are even so noticeable and widespread. The song of “one- the Abyssinian cat bird” – is regarded as among the most gorgeous of all bird within Africa, 3 Ethiopian Endemics are restricted to the southern fringe of Ethiopian plateau: these are the Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco, Streetman’s Bush-Crow and The white Tailed Swallow .
An additional endemic bird in Ethiopia is The Blue- Winged Goose, is an extremely isolated species: their closest relative is the Goose that is found in South America. It’s astonishing that the biology of noticeable and widespread endemic birds in Ethiopia remains insufficiently known, Scientist, provide a multitude of fascinating problems of investigation; regarding the tourist, they offer a very pleasurable chance of seeing new and unique things: regarding the bird watchers, they provide the experience of watching Twenty three birds found in no other place else on the planet.
Cycling Tours in Ethiopia
There is no better way to experience what a country has to offer other than by going to the different places that a car cannot get to and that can only be one by using a to wheel in form of a bicycle. Cycling through Ethiopia can be done in different parts of the country and the cycling tours can be arranged in any part of the country but the best time to carry out cycling should at least be in the dry season because there is no way you can ride through the heavy rains that Ethiopia experiences. And as you head out for cycling in the different parts of the country you will need a trained tour guide who will make sure that you get to your destination with ease and help with servicing the bicycles.
We help with arranging all the things that you will need from the needed equipment, accommodation and a map to the destinations below.
Cycling around the Tana Lake
The Lake Tana region is a big one where cycling can be done right from the shores of the Lake into the depths of the region where the Lake Tana monasteries are found. There are no clear marked routs for cycling in Tana but you will find many of them that you can try to use and although it might not be the best of travels you get to see the Lake Tana and the monasteries from a different point of view and get a close look at the monasteries. Below is how the cycling will be carried out in the region of Tana:
The cycling will take you from the shores of the Lake Tana where you will see different bird species, animals both aqua and land before resting at the shores of the Lake. And from the Lake shores you will cycle from the Dega Estefanos where you will have a chance to see five of the mummified emperors of Ethiopia, watch the painting of the Madonna with the guidance of the many monks that are found in the monastery before continuing to the Tekla Haimanot monastery where you will also get to see some good stuff placed in the monasteries.
You can then join the Azuwa Maryam monastery, the Kebran Gabriel monastery, the Tana Cherkos monastery, the Ura Kidane Meret and the Bete Selassie as you cycle through the Tana monasteries. Note that you cannot cycle through all these in one day but you can take your time as you cycle through slowly as you take your time and visit the different monasteries and get to know more about them and what they really stand for.
After visiting the monasteries you can cycle your way through the villages and get to know more about the locals who live in the area and you might also get a chance to go fishing on the Lake.
Cycling through the Simiens National Park
Cycling through the Simiens is another adventure of its own as there are many tracks that you can use when it comes to cycling. The beauty about cycling in the Simiens national Park is that you get to join both the treks in the National Park and the treks leading to the Mountain Simiens.
The cycling trails in the Simiens is mostly steep although you will find some descents which will be a very good exercise for all those that take part in it but besides the exercise you get to see the Mountain up close, the different animals in the park and get a close feel of the locals in the area. If you want to enjoy your cycling in the Simiens region, you will need to do it either in the morning because the afternoons come with a lot of sun and dust and make the ground a bit hard for one to ride through.
Cycling tour around the Blue Nile River and waterfall
The Blue Nile River has one of the best cycling routes that you will ever see in Ethiopia. You will have to first go the start of the cycle route with a car before getting all your bikes out for a ride. The roads here are mainly dusty but they will provide you with the best scenery that is provided by the large landscapes that you will bypass while cycling, the forests, the animals especially monkeys that can be seen moving up and down in the trees, meet the locals and get to interact with them amicably and also there is a route that leads to the famous Blue water falls where you can rest after a long day cycling. You also get to enjoy a coffee or two with the locals and get to enjoy a picnic of the local Ethiopian food before heading back to the hotel to prepare for cycling in the next cycling destination.
Cycling to the Axum city
The Axum city is an old city that was built mostly for the royals of Ethiopia. Many Emperors that have rule Ethiopia are believed to have originated from the Axum city and not forgetting Queen Sheba whose palace still stands in the city. There are several things and places that you get to visit while cycling through the Axum city and some of these include the Queen Sheba place, the Queen Sheba bath, the Ark of the covenant church where the ark is kept till date and it is said that Menelik I who is the son of Queen Sheba and king Solomon went to visit his father and came back with it. You also get to see the twin tombs of king Kaleb and Meskel, a few museums where many antics are kept and not forgetting the locals who are always more welcoming. You will have a tour guide who will show you the best cycling routes to use while in the Axum city and they will also help out with the translations because most people here do not speak or understand English.
Cycling tour through Gondar city
Gondar city was formed after the Emperor who was chased down by a raging buffalo stopped at the pool in Gondar and a seer told him that this was the best place where he should build his palace and that is how the city came about. The cycling routes through the Gondar city will leave you with good memories of your trip where you get to see the various tourist attractions as you zoom past them and maybe also get a chance to explore them for example you can cycle your way past the Simiens Mountains and National Park which are located on the route that leads to the Gondar city, explore the Woleka village where you get to meet the different locals and learn more about their culture by interacting with them and buying some souvenirs from their shops, explore the old churches that are found in the area especially the Debre Birhan Selassie church, cycle past the Mentewab’s castle and visit the Fasilides Bath where the emperor Fasilides first rested and enjoy the beautiful scenery that the city has to provide.
Cycling through the Lalibela region
The Lalibela region is also known for the eleven rock hewn churches that are found in the area and instead of visiting these with a van, it is better to explore Lalibela while cycling. You can still rest when you get tired and we provide a van along the way so that all those who get tired can easily rest. You will see a lot of churches that were built out of rock many centuries ago and admire their unique architecture and all the beautiful antics that are kept in the churches. And as you cycle through the Lalibela you will be able to meet the locals, get to taste their good local food and also enjoy the rocky scenery that the churches give off even form a distance although you have to be careful with the trails as some of them are hard to ride through.
Cycling through the Adwa Mountain
The Adwa Mountain are located in the Axumite region and it is one of the most visited mountains in the country. There are trail routes that have been marked that you can use while cycling and these can be found at the foot note of the mountain. On your cycling expedition you here you get to see various animals that live around the Mountain, different bird species and meet the locals. You can rest from the many restaurants that are nearby as you get a taste of the local food.
Cycling in Ethiopia is a new venture and you get to cycle for all the kilometers that you want for as long as they are in the restricted areas of cycling. All you need on this journey are the cycling gears that include bicycles, kneecaps, helmets and lots of water before you head out to the different cycling destinations.
Ethiopia Walking Safaris
Walking safaris in Ethiopia are not that common but they are one of the few ways that one can see the country through a different angle. During the walking safaris one can easily get a close up to all the things that they want to see and it gives tourists a chance to visit all the area that you cannot get to when you are driving and these include:
A Walking safari to the Lalibela
Lalibela is filled with different rock churches that were constructed in the 11th Century although that is just an estimate date as few people can tell their exact age. A walking safari through safari will take you through the three divided sections of the churches that is the Northern churches, the southern churches and the St George church which is separated from the rest of the churches. This is an adventure that you would not want to miss and you will be escorted by a trained and licensed tour guide who will have a rifle to protect you and your group. The walking safaris in Lalibela are done in groups of four to six and the time taken depends on the speed you use while walking but note that some places in Lalibela are off limits to the women and only men are allowed to walk through.
Walking safari to the southern churches of Lalibela
Walking safari to the southern churches of Lalibela will take you through the church of Merkorios, the Gabriel-Rufael, the church of Emmanuel, the church of Libanos and all these have a lot to offer from their structures, paintings inside the churches and the history of Ethiopia through the eyes of the church.
Walking safari through Saint George
A walking safari through Saint George is as fascinating as other Lalibela churches as it is considered to be the most beautiful church in Ethiopia. You will be able to gaze at the unique architect designs that, enjoy the sunrise and sunset as you walk through the narrow streets.
Walking safari through the southern churches
A walking safari through the southern churches will take you through the church of Virgins, the church od Golgotha, the church of the Holy cross, the church of the savior of the world and many more others. All the churches have a history that will make your trip worth it especially form the locals and tour guides.
Gondar
Gondar city is the African Camelot due to the way the structures that are found in the area dating back to the 16th century. As you head out to Gondar city, there are walking safari destinations some of which include:
The Simiens national Park
The Simiens national park is located near the Simiens Mountain and they are both found on the route that leads to the Gondar city. There are several clearly marked walk routes through the park which will be shown to you by the tour guides. The best time to go for a walking safari through the National park is the dry season because during this time, the routes to be used are passable as they are not flooded or muddy.
Gorgora city
Walk through the Gorgora city, the markets that are found in the Gondar city and the woleka village. Here you will be able to meet the locals and interact with them, get to know more about their cultures, buy some souvenirs and enjoy the evenings around a bone fire after a long day walking.
A walking safari to the Axum
Axum or Aksum is known to be the most historical city in the country and it provides enough opportunities for one to have a walking safari. Your walking safari through Axum will take you to different destinations all which will blow your mind away and these are the Ark of the Covenant Chapel where it is believed that the Ark of the covenant was taken by king Solomon’s son, walk to the Queen Sheba bath and palace, take a walk through the Field Stelae, take a walk to the tombs of King Caleb and king Gebre Meskel, walk to the Mary of Zion Church and end your walk safari to the archeological Museum. Throughout your walk in Axum, you will be able to learn more about the ancient kingdom of Aksum, the former Emperors of the country, Christianity in Ethiopia and the country as a whole.
A walking Safari to the Harar city
The Harar city is located in one of Ethiopia’s remote places but this does not mean that you cannot enjoy the beautiful scenery as you walk through. You will need a tour van to get to the city but after that, explore it on foot as this will be one of the many ways though which you will learn more about the stone city. You can start your walk by visiting the stone gates that have been standing for more than a century, go and explore the coffee farms where the famous Harar coffee is planted, harvested and processed, go to the different markets in Harar where you get to buy different Ethiopian made products, walk to the numerous Orthodox churches that are found in the city and visit the numerous villages where you meet the locals and learn more about their culture. Since most people in the Harar city do not speak English, you will need to go with a tour guide who will help you with the translations.
A walking safari to the Blue Nile waterfalls
This is a beautiful safari that everyone should take once they visit Ethiopia. These are located in a conducive place in Bahir Dar and getting to it has been made easy due to the clear routes that lead to the falls. They have a good scenery and you can refresh form the falls after a long day while trekking and it also provides a good back drop for all those who love taking photos and as you walk to the Falls you also get to meet the different locals and interact with them, do some birding and sight a few animals that live in the area.
Walking safari through Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia and a home to many important and unique destinations to visit. You must be thinking that is crowded for a walking safari but there are places within the city that you can go to and enjoy your walking experiences and these include walk through the red terror museum which was constructed in remembrance of the people who lost their lives during the Marxist war, walk to the Entoto Mountain where you will be able to see the different animals and birds and also get a get view of the city, take a walk through the different monuments that are found in the city like the Derg monument and the Lion of Judah monument, visit the Medhane cathedral which is considered to be the largest orthodox church in Africa and many more other places in Ethiopia. A guide will be there to make sure that you enjoy your safari.
A walking safari through Lake Tana Monasteries
The Lake Tana region has numerous monasteries that will take up your time once you visit and these are believed to have been built during the 12th century. The Monasteries are divided into two those that can be visited by both female and male and those that are not open to the female sex. You can easily walk from one monastery to another and experience the serenity that is given off by these buildings that are extremely old. Some of the monasteries that you will see on your walking safari include the Tekla Haimanot, the Dega Estefanos, the Tana Cherkos monastery, the Azuwa Maryam Monastery, Ura Kidane Meret and many more others. After walking through them, you can join the locals and rest while you enjoy the local food that is prepared in the different restaurants.
A walking safari through the Tigray region
The Tigray region is located in the North Eastern highlands of Ethiopia and it has some of the oldest churches in the country. These have been declared a UNESCO heritage and walking through the different churches will give you an insight of how Ancient Ethiopia looked like and its religious background. You’re walking safari though the Tigray will take you through the villages where you will meet the different locals, walk through the Daniel Korkor and Maryam Korkor where monks go for their prayers and the Abuna Yemata church. Walking safaris in the Gheralta Mountain, the Gheralta Mountain is located north of the Simiens Mountains National Park and is little known to most tourists but offers some of the best walking trails in the country. The Gheralta lies in the Tigray region in one of the remote villages making it hard for one to get there. Exploring the Tigray region on foot gives you more chance to understand what exactly you are looking at and you get the company of a well-trained tour guide who helps with the translation and explanations.
Cycling in Ethiopia is a new venture and you get to cycle for all the kilometers that you want for as long as they are in the restricted areas of cycling. All you need on this journey are the cycling gears that include bicycles, kneecaps, helmets and lots of water before you head out to the different cycling destinations.
Ethiopia Festival Tours
Ethiopia as a country is located at the horn of the African continent and it is filled with a lot of things that will make your tour memorable. The country is filled with mostly Orthodox people and they carry out most of the festivals that you get to enjoy while in the country. And since the calendar that is used in Ethiopia is like eight years behind the Gregorian calendar that is used by most countries, their festivals always fall on different days like New Years, Christmas and Easter.
There are a lot festivals that you can carry out once you visit the country and therefore you should be prepared for a field trip filled with all the fun activities that are carried out in the different tourist attractions in the country and these activities are going to be discusses according to the months of the year and help you decide as to when you really want to visit the country.
January
January is a dry season in Ethiopia and it is a good time for one to visit the country. You will experience some rainfall but it will not be as heavy as some months. January marks the baptism month of Jesus in the River Jordan and during this celebration that lasts for three days, you will be able to see priests dressing up in gold as they head to the Tabot Jan meda which looks like the ancient Noah’s Ark in Addis Ababa. After the long match, the priests pray over water which they then sprinkle on the people as an act of cleansing their souls.
This is also the same time when the Ethiopians also celebrate their Christmas and during this holiday many games are played while enjoying music including the Yegena Chewata but remember to pack light clothes due to the warm weather during this month and all these celebrations are carried out in white because the locals believe that white is a color of purity.
February
February is a dry month and the best time for anyone who wants to go mountain climbing and trekking through the different parks in the country. This is also the best time to go and watch the great migration of antelopes which also includes Kobs and these can be seen migrating from mostly East Africa as they move around in search of pasture and water and then they head back to the other countries after almost two months.
March
When the colonists came to Ethiopia they were fought off by the Adwa and this made it the only country in Africa that was not colonized. The battle that was won by the Adwa is always remembered in this month. Many people gather around to remember the fallen heroes who fought for their freedom. This is also the same month when the bull fighting takes place and this ceremony is done in order to initiate the young boys into adulthood.
The young boys are made to pass through a corridor which has ten bulls of which they are supposed to ride on without falling down. And just in case they do not fall off, they receive the title Maza and of which they are allowed to marry any man woman that they would want to marry.
April
April is a sunny time when it comes to Ethiopia and this is the time when the Pascal celebrations take place. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, the calendar that is used in Ethiopia is quite different and that makes the pascal celebration to fall on a different date than other countries.
The celebrations are carried out after two months of non-stop fasting and during the fasting period, there is zero consumption of meat and that is why mist people anticipate the celebrations because on this day, it is when you get to taste all kinds of meat in the country.
May
May is the start of the rainy season although it is still the dry season. During this month the Ethiopians celebrate all the veterans that have lost their lives so that they live in harmony and this takes place in the capital city of Addis Ababa. If you want to know more abrupt the battle between the Italians and the Ethiopians, this is the place to be as you will get to listen to the different stories that are told by those that were there and those that just heard about them. It’s a time to get to know Ethiopian’s history.
June
June is a rainy season in Ethiopia and it is a very good time for one to visit the country especially if you are interested in birding. During the rainy season, it is extremely easy for one to see the different bird species as this is when they come and move around the water bodies in search of food and water. The lush green trees and vegetation in the area also gets you to have some alone time with your family as few tourists can be seen in the country this time of the month.
Carry some heavy clothes because the weather can change drastically and become a bit cold and be careful with the roads because they become too muddy and impassable sometimes.
July
July according to the calendar in Ethiopia is when the Sidama people celebrate their New Year. It is a rainy season although there will be days where you will get to see the sun without rain and this makes it perfect for the celebrations. The New Year celebration which is also known as the Fiche chamballala and it takes place on the shores of the Lake Hawassa.
August
August is the last month of the rainy season in Ethiopia and it is always celebrated in style. When it comes to celebrations, young girls and women gather around and they move door to door singing while beating their drums. When the girls come to your door step you are supposed to give them something either food or money as a sign of appreciation. The festival takes place as a commemoration of the feast of the death of the Virgin Mary and her Incarnation.
And as the girls are carrying out their festivals, the boys also commemorate the Buhe festival where they remember joseph of Tabor. They also move from one place to another singing while also beating drums and it is only tradition that they are appreciated with gifts or money.
When it comes to evening, bonfires are lit everywhere but beware of the rain as it sometimes ruin the celebrations.
September
September marks the end of the rainy season in Ethiopia and it marks the beginning of a new year in the country. Ethiopians celebrate their New Year on 11th and it is the only time when you get to see the yellow daisies that happen to grow only once a year. During the New Year celebrations, everyone is invited to join the celebrations which normally take place in the capital city of Addis Ababa and you can also join the celebrations where you get to put on the Ethiopian cultural wear, taste their food and get to mingle with the various locals that join the celebrations.
October
October is dry season when it comes to Ethiopia and it is perfect for people to come and visit. The locals mostly take on the Thanksgiving Day in October and it is widely celebrated in the whole country. The ceremony which is locally known as the Irrecha is celebrated by the Orombo group at the Hora Lake. You can join the Orombo in the celebrations and have fun while in the country.
November
November is also known to be a dry and sunny season in Ethiopia and this makes it one of the best times to visit the country. During this month most Ethiopians gather around in the same place to celebrate the day of the Ten Commandments. This is celebrated on 30th November by numerous orthodox and Christians and you get to enjoy jogging alongside some of the country’s top runners and it is done during the day
December
During December, the heat in the country is on the minimal and this is the best time to visit the country’s hottest place which is also considered to be the hottest place on earth the Danakil Depression where the oldest volcanic mountain is located. The bubbling lava makes it hard to go to the place but even if it still remains hot, the only time it is a bit cool to visit in December. It is also known to receive little or no rainfall at all and this makes it the best time for all those who love trekking and game viewing.
Ethiopian festivals are mostly connected to the different cultures that are practiced in the country and this makes it fun because you get to learn more about the country’s culture and the reason as to why the various festivals are carried out.