Simien Mountain Trekking

Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Sankober

Departing in the early from Gondar (leaving 7 am at the very latest)we drive in the direction of Sankober.
Stopping along the way for quick breaks, at Debark we disembark and sort out all the relevant park fees and permits.
Dropping everyone off near the town of Buyit Ras, a 3 to 4-hour hike to Sankober waits - With spectacular views we pass close to the escarpment edge before nearing Sankober.
It is at Sankober where one is presented with beautiful views on both sides of the escarpment ridge (It is here that one is likely to see the endemic Gelada baboons).
Overnight camping in Sankober.

Day 2: Jinbar River Waterfalls

Departing Sankober we head off in a rather large valley, through which the Wazla River runs (although the river is often dry).
Scaling the opposite side of the valley we are offered views of the Jinbar River waterfalls falling into the Geech Abyss.
Continuing from here we cross the Jinbar River and ascend into the village of Geech.
Total trekking time: 4-5 hours.

Day 3: Chenek

Early morning breakfast and we are off again.
This time we head in the direction of the peak of Imet Gogo at 3926m above sea level.
From Imet Gogo one is presented with some of the most spectacular views over the Ethiopian Lowlands (without question, one of the highlights of this safari).
We continue onto Chenek passing the Korbete Metia (a solid rock wall that opens up exposing beautiful views over the lowlands and the escarpment).
It is here at Korbete Metia that is our best chance of spotting lammergeyers.
Overnight camping in Chenek.
Total trekking time: 7 – 9 hours.

Day 4: Safari Ends

From Chenek, we travel in an easterly direction through a valley and onto Bwahit Peak (overlooking the camp from where you just came).
After the visit, return to camp and depart for Gondar overnight (hotel).

Palace Of Haile Selassie

Haile Selassie, King of Kings, Lion of Judah, by the grace of God, Emperor of Ethiopia. Quite a mouthful of a title for a single man or, as the Rastafarians would have it, the son of God. So awe-inspiring are the adjectives that you would have expected him to live in a magnificent palace made of the finest Carrara marble or a granite stone castle in the tradition of Gondar.
Palace Of Haile Selassie
Visiting The Lalibela Rock Churches

Your correspondent has been travelling in Africa for over three decades. I feel that I know sub-Saharan Africa; its smells, its peoples, its geography and its wildlife. Ethiopia is different, as different as snow is to sand. So different that you could get a very sharp knife and detach it somewhere in the Red Sea because it is not similar to any of its Arab world neighbours either.
Visiting The Lalibela Rock Churches
Where To Travel In Ethiopia

New on Uyaphi.com is our Travel in Ethiopia portfolio featuring safaris and tours to this somewhat new African safari destination; we are very excited about Ethiopia and all that she has to offer. Think of Ethiopia as a more cultural safari destination than what one is used to in Africa.
Where To Travel In Ethiopia