Adventure Alternative

Ethiopia - Simien Plateau

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An exciting trek exploring one of Africa’s largest and remarkable mountain ranges. At least twelve of the Simien peaks rise above 4,000m, including Ras Dashen the highest point in Ethiopia, and the fifth highest peak on the continent. The Simien region was designated a national park in 1969 and the entire range was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

ETHIOPIA

Ethiopia lies in the horn of Africa, between 4 and 18 degrees north latitude, and 33 and 48 East longitude. It measures some 1,400 km from North to South, and its total area being 1,274,737 sq kms, making it the 10th largest country on the African continent.

Traveling in Ethiopia gives the illusion of through different centuries. It has an independence of spirit which made it the only country to remain uncolonised during the 19th century scramble for Africa. It is true to say it is where the ancient world and Africa meet.

The country is a true revelation. It is welcoming, enjoyable, and uplifting, and one of the most rewarding and attractive countries in Africa.

The Trek

We will trek through the Simien Mountains, following an extensive network of trails which are used by the local people to travel between villages, and to take their animals to graze on the high pastures. The fantastic scenery surrounding these trails, with its unique flora and richly diverse wildlife and birdlife, makes it much more than a mere trek. The region is a paradise for Natural History enthusiasts as well as for trekkers.

Initially our route will take us through small villages and terraced fields in the lower valleys, before reaching a series of dramatic cliffs and escarpments. Beyond these we reach beautiful alpine meadows and the rugged wilderness of the peaks above. There will be an opportunity to ascend many of the 4,000m peaks, including Ras Dashen, before descending into the lowland valleys. We will trek out by a completely different route, giving us the chance to view the escarpments and peaks from a different perspective

A Day on the Trek

After a substantial breakfast, we depart on the day’s trek. Each person carries only a day sack, containing a packed lunch, water, camera, and maybe a light rain jacket and warm top. All other personal equipment and belongings, and all camping equipment is carried by mules to the next camp. When you arrive in camp each afternoon, your tents will have been erected, and refreshments will have been prepared, leaving you to relax and refresh yourselves before dinner and socializing around the campfire. Each day’s walking will take between four and eight hours. You will need to be reasonably fit, but as we will be following paths and tracks most of the time, the conditions underfoot will not be too difficult.

Altitude

High altitudes and their effects on the human body should not be underestimated. Although severe altitude-related illness is rare in the Simien Mountains, rushing at the higher elevations will make you short of breath and might give you a slight headache. You might also experience a loss of appetite and general lethargy. However, we will take great care that you acclimatize properly by making a slow steady ascent and spending an extra night at one of the high camps. This will ensure that we have a safe, enjoyable and fulfilling trek.

Itinerary

Day 1.             Fly to Addis Ababa, altitude 2400m. Overnight in hotel

Day 2.             Fly to Gondor. Drive to Debark, 2800m, a small village on the edge of the Simien Mountain National Park, and overnight at Sankober Camp, 3250m.

Day 3.             Trek to Gich Camp, 3600m.

Day 4.             Acclimatization trek, returning to Gich Camp to sleep.

Day 5.             Trek to Chennek Camp 3620m.

Day 6.             Trek to Ambiko village 3200m.

Day 7.             Trek to the summit of Ras Dashan 4533m, descend to Mentabar Camp 3000m.

Day 8.             Ascend three 4000m peaks, then descend to Arquazee Camp 3500m.

Day 9.             Trek through local villages to Truata, 3200m.

Day 10. Trek to Antda Camp 3200m.

Day 11.  Trek to Aykotiba Camp.

Day 12. Trek to Adiarmaz Camp.

Day 13. Trek to Kerneja Camp

Day 14. Trek to the small town of Dibbahir, transport to lodge in Gondor.

Day 15. Fly to Addis Ababa, tour the city and visit local markets, farewell dinner.

Day 16. Fly home.

People

The people of the Simien Mountains are Amharas, and their language is Ethiopia’s official tongue; Amharic. When Ethiopia was invaded by Muslim armies in the sixteenth-century, several Muslim settlements were established in the Simien. The Muslims settlements are now intermingled with the Christian majority, but remain culturally distinct.With very few exceptions, the people of the Simien are subsistence farmers. Poverty has caused them to move to these high altitudes where the land is ill-suited to cultivation. Yet despite the hardships, they retain their pride and independence. They are extremely hospitable, going to great pains to look after their guests. 

Climate

Although the Simien Mountains are not far from the Equator, temperatures there often fall below freezing at night and it sometimes hails or snows on the highest peaks.  During the day however, temperatures are high. You will need a good sun-block to protect your skin, especially given the rarified atmosphere at that altitude which does little to filter out the UV rays.The trek takes place in October, as the skies clear after the June-September rainy season. This is the ideal time of year for camping, with warm temperatures, little rain and an abundance of flora and fauna. Maximum temperatures during the day are about 17˚C (64˚F), and drop to about 3-5˚C (35-40˚F) at night.

Wildlife

Like the plants of the Simiens, the large mammals to be found in this region originated in other areas of Africa. However they have since adapted to the isolated mountain environment, evolving into highly specialized and unique species. 

The most common of these mammals, with an estimated population of at least seven thousand, is the Gelada Baboon. On our trek we will often see grazing herds of anything up to four hundred baboons.

 

Another animal unique to the Simiens is the Walia Ibex; a type of wild goat which, in the 1960s, was poached almost to extinction. Happily the Ibex population is now on the increase. We should be able to spot them on the high escarpments, where they live on narrow ledges and near vertical cliffs faces.

 

We would be very fortunate to sight a Simien Fox. Otherwise known as the Abyssinian Wolf, this animal is in fact a member of the dog family. It is extremely rare, with no more than fifty individuals living in the high alpine meadows. Other mammals that we might see or find traces of include Klipspringers, Bushbucks, Hyenas, and Jackals.

 

The great variety of Simien bird-life typifies the region’s biodiversity. Over 180 different species of bird have been identified there, including an unusually large number of predators and scavengers. One of the most impressive of these is the Lammergeier or Bearded Vulture, which has a wingspan of over three metres. Other common species are the Auger Buzzard, Egyptian Vulture, Wattled Ibis, Large-Billed Raven and the White-Collared Pigeon.

Botany

The Simien Mountains are graced with an abundance of flowers and plants, some of which are particularly rare. You will see Olive’s Cedar, Abyssinian Rose, Junipers, Giant Heather, Giant Lobelia, Erica and many of other species of flowers and shrubs.

On our trek we will pass through various different botanical regions. At the lowest altitude, up to about 3,000m, the land has been cultivated and is grazed by cattle, sheep and goats. These areas were once covered by forest, but little is left of this indigenous vegetation. In ancient times a forest of Giant Heather covered the higher regions, up to about 3,600m. Today this area has also been deforested, but remnants of the original vegetation can still be seen.

Above 3,600m the mountain grassland begins. It is here that you can find the most spectacular plant of the Simien region; the Giant Lobelia, which has a flower stalk up to eight meters high. Around the summits of the highest peaks there are only mosses and lichens; little other vegetation is able to grow at these altitudes. On the trek out we will pass through the lowland valleys, whose forests boast over twenty different species of tree.

Each of the landscapes you see during the trek will have a lasting impression on you; they are completely unlike anything to be seen in the UK, both strange and very beautiful.

Health and Safety

Ethiopia boasts an impressive array of tropical diseases, but with sensible precautions the chances of catching anything serious is very slim. We would strongly advise you to be immunized against Typhoid, Polio, Diphtheria, Tetanus and Yellow Fever. Hepatitis A is also recommended. Some areas of Ethiopia are malarial, but the Simian region is very low risk, especially as we will be traveling and trekking always above 2000m. Please consult your local doctor for further advice.

Kit List

Sleeping bag rated to 5˚Cc (40˚F)

Sleeping bag liner, cotton or fleece

Fleece hat and gloves

Base layer top and bottom

Lightweight rain jacket and waterproof trousers

Medium weight fleece top and bottom

Lightweight down or synthetic jacket (for wearing in camp in the evenings)

Day sack (35-40litres)

Duffel bag to go on mules

2 x 1litre water bottle

Small binoculars (optional)

Sunscreen, lip salve

Sunglasses

Sunhat or baseball cap

Camera and spare battery

Medium towel

Toiletries including wet wipes

Pee bottle. (leak proof and clearly marked; saves coming out of the tent at night)

Small personal first aid kit; including personal medication, plasters, paracetamol

Trekking clothes, lightweight material, t-shirt, shorts or long pants

Lightweight trekking boots

Sandals or flip-flops for camp

Spare socks, underwear, t-shirts

Trekking poles (optional)

Diary and pen

Headtorch

Reading book

Ethiopia is a very poor country. You may like to give some of your clothes away at the end of your expedition, or bring extra ones to give as gifts. They would be much appreciated.