WALK THE MIGHT MOUNTAINS in the footstep of Ethiopia’s highest peak, Ras Dashen. Or go one better and tackle it! The scenery and wildlife are worth every step. With guides and cooks ready to work, making arrangements couldn’t be easier.
Hiking in the Simien Mountains is one of the highlights of Ethiopia.
The rare and endangered Wali ibex is the most southermost ibex specie. Most of the remaining 500 animals are found in the Simiens.
On the last night of our hike, we had eaten all our food. In the nearby village, we bought a simple home cooked meal, which was delicous.
A village on the lower stretches of the trek.
Youngsters on the trail.
Guides, cooks, escorts, mules can all be easily arranged in the departure town of Debark, by visiting the park office.
Hiking often takes place at over 3000m. The views rarely disappoint.
Truck travel remains common in many parts of Ethiopia. When thereis nothing else, you don't care how crowded it is.
We hired the mandatory escort and a muleman. We carried tent, sleeping bags, cooking gear, warm clothes. They had a blanket and a bag full of bread.
Village on the hiking route.
Somewhere in the high 3000 metres.
A village girl near on of the hiking route camps.
A young lad with a fancy hat. On his way home from school perhaps?
At a view point at around 4000m. Blankets and for the lucky, plastic sandals their protection from the elements.
One of many dramatic valleys on our hike.
The wet season was breaking. It had absolutely bucketed down in Gondar two days before our hike. We were extremely fortunate.
Never take running water for granted. It is an amazing thing.
Green plastic bathroom sandals, an imatation AK, and a blanket. For four days in the mountains. Our escort.
Typical baboon behaviour.
There would have been a hundred if there was one.
Gelada baoons are not known to attack humans, unless attacked first.
Some of the altitude and one or two of the descents were hard going, but mostly the hike was cold but pleasant.
Besides baboons and ibex, we also some the Ethiopian fox, one of the rarer dog species, as well as a variety of birds, large and small.
As we camped on our final night, cold and hungry, a party of students from Gondar University arrived, with a goat. It was delicious.
Barefoot mountain kids.