Northern Ethiopia
A high plateau of sheer escarpments, gelada baboons and long-distance trails.
Overview
The Simien Mountains National Park is a World Heritage Site of deep valleys and cliffs that drop away for hundreds of metres. Ras Dashen, Ethiopia’s highest peak, lies within it.
It is one of the best places to see gelada baboons, which graze in large troops on the open grass, and the Walia ibex, found almost nowhere else. Walking is the way to see it, with a guide and an armed park scout.
Highlights
Plan your visit
October to March, when skies are clearest; nights are cold all year
Fly to Gondar, then drive about two hours to Debark, where park permits, guides and scouts are arranged.
On foot, with mules carrying camping gear on longer treks. Some roads inside the park are open to vehicles for shorter visits.
Gallery
Photos: Unsplash
Journeys
Length 05 days
Simien Mountains
Walk the edge of the Simien escarpment among grazing gelada, then watch for walia ibex below Ethiopia’s highest peak.
Length 12 days
Simien Mountains
Axum, Lalibela and Gondar in the order history built them, then three nights in the Simien Mountains among gelada monkeys and walia ibex.
Keep exploring
Plan with us
Tell us when you want to travel and what you love. A local specialist will reply with a suggested plan and a clear price.
