$363 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateThis Tour Is Offered By
SimienEcoTours
- Office In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2014)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
-
ET
We organise individual & group tours through whole Ethiopia in an ecologically & socially responsible & sustainable way. The founders of SimienEcoTours are manager Marco from Italy, who currently lives in Addis Ababa, Franziska from Germany, who lived in Ethiopia for more than 7 years, and Birhan, Tadele, Yirga and Solomon, four experienced Ethiopian tour guides. What brought us together is our social and ecological commitment in Ethiopia as well as our love for this country.
Reviews46
IT
A trip organized by solid professionals
We traveled for over two weeks from north to south of Ethiopia, coinciding with the Easter rites and visiting sites of major historical, religious, and ethnic significance. Our overall assessment is largely positive.
Excellent organization, well-timed, interesting stops, and appropriate rest stops.
The entire staff, from trip preparation to communication, from the welcome to the intermediate, final, and post-trip phases, demonstrated extreme professionalism and preparation. Everyone proved to be excellent professionals, and even all the drivers were very friendly!
And yet, throughout the trip, we felt supported at all times by a superb guide, to whom we can only pay tribute and applaud for his preparation, his never dull conversations, and his wide-ranging expertise, which demands knowledge and passion for this work and for the country that hosted us. The country's richness of nuances would otherwise be difficult to grasp without such a solid and attentive partner, attentive to our desires and requests. Such well-organized trips make you want to return soon!
DE
A perfectly organized trip! Everything was tailored to our specific needs, and we felt well taken ca
We’ve just returned from a four-week trip to Ethiopia and are absolutely amazed! We spent the first two weeks in the north, immersing ourselves in the fascinating history of the ancient kingdoms, followed by nearly two weeks in the south visiting various tribes.
The trip was perfectly organized and tailored exactly to our wishes — from the selection of sights to the accommodations. It was especially great that the same guide accompanied us the entire time. We were able to work together really well, and his knowledge of history and nature was extremely impressive. All in all, a fantastic trip — thanks for the great organization!
CL
100% recommended company
Everything about this tour and company was great, from the planning process (they always reply fast and they will adjust everything to your needs) to the tour itself. My guide, Enisha, was really really nice and professional, I always felt comfortable and happy with her. I was travelling on my own on an unknown country, but she and all drivers always made me feel safe and confident. All hotels were good and clean (obviously some are better than other because of the remoteness), they all had good food, the cars were comfortable, and all the sights were great. I would definetly recommend SimienEcoTours.
DE
Three fascinating weeks of nature and culture
Back from a three-week solo trip through Ethiopia, filled with fantastic memories...
Although planned relatively last minute (just under three weeks from the initial idea to departure), Franziska from Simien Eco Tours managed to perfectly blend nature, culture, and my main requirement of "no stress" into the tour plan. She even accommodated a slight change of plans because the hippos weren't where they were supposed to be...
So, after arriving in Addis Ababa early in the morning, I didn't immediately catch the next flight – even though Addis isn't exactly the place for relaxing. I took a stroll, lazed around a bit, and then, refreshed, traveled to Lalibela the next day. The unforgettable experience of Orthodox Easter, including participating in the age-old ceremonies, wrapped in a white robe, among thousands of worshippers, was probably my most memorable moment.
So, after arriving in Addis Ababa early in the morning, I didn't immediately catch the next flight – even though Addis isn't exactly known for its tranquility. On the journey to the Simien Mountains, the air became noticeably thin (lodge at 3300m) and cool. A morning hike led to a close encounter with a large troop of baboons (my guide: "No problem, you can go slowly closer" - why was the local guide armed again? Oh yes, potential leopards...) and a fantastic view of the mountains.
We continued by car to Lake Tana - an extensive boat trip, just the right prelude for me, a native of Lake Constance, to an impressive visit to one of the many monasteries on the islands.
The strenuous drive to Tis Abaye was more than compensated for by the hike to the Blue Nile Falls. Here, too, it became clear that the common practice in Ethiopia of hiring a local guide at every location makes for interesting stories. Here, too, the guide seemed to know everyone we met and always had a friendly word for us.
The drive through the Great Rift Valley to Hawassa and a hike along the rift rim to the hot springs really brought home just how ancient this land is...
Arba Minch then became my "no-stress" base for several days of interesting excursions on Lake Abaya and to the Dorze and Konso villages. Thanks to the local guides, the experience was relaxed, fun, and full of warmth – and in the afternoons, I enjoyed a few laps in the decadent tourist pool ;) ...
Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed the trip, never felt unsafe, and always felt well taken care of. Throughout the entire journey, I had an exceptionally attentive ("you have to drink more!!"), knowledgeable, and friendly guide. Even the significant impact of the Iranian crisis was handled well thanks to the perfect organization by Simien Eco Tours. Even bringing binoculars (think carefully about whether you really want them) was made possible through the patient efforts of Marco at customs and my guide on every single domestic flight.
Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed the trip, never felt unsafe, and always felt well looked after. My sincere thanks to the whole team and here's the sixth star "*", because I could only give five.
(automatic translation from German)
Excellent Organization for my mountain bike tour through Ethiopians Southern Mountains
I, Thomas (70, German speaking
from Namibia) did the
“MTB CYCLE TOUR THROUGH THE SOUTHERN MOUNTAINS OF ETHIOPIA - 12 DAYS”
with
SimienEco Tours Organization in Feb.26
We have been only 4 participants and I was the only rider with an E-MTB Scott Strike fully mountain bike, which I rented from the companies fleet of brand new Scott, hard tail & e-bikes.
Chewy, our local guide, was absolutely amazing, his knowledge about his home country Ethiopia, the culture, social structures, political history, all our questions have been answered in a very comprehensive way. His knowledge of the routing, pointing out the difficulty grade of the various descents and uphills.
The 2 local drivers, fully english speaking too, have been an excellent support for us.
Not only driving the two comfortable Land Cruiser vehicles- helping loading and off-loading the bikes and handling the luggage.
All accomodation, 3 meals a la cart and bottled water has been included in the tour price.
Accomodation was ranking within from 2-5 star grading.
Coming from an African country, I was very surprised of the kindness of the people of Ethiopian - alway a smile on their faces, I will never forget.
Many mountains had to be climbed, followed by rewarding downhills.
In the Bale Mountain National Park, we have been lucky to watch the Ethiopian Wolf on a very close distance.
After climbing the 2nd highest point in Ethiopia, the summit of the 4400m high Mount Tullu Dimtu, a spectacular downhill of 2200mh/40km was waiting for us.
It was the highlight at the end of our fantastic Cycling Ethiopia Tour.
380km & 4000hm have been done!
I can recommend these tour for any age group, our eldest participant 83 years of age, managed the tour with a normal “bio fuel bike”!
A healthy & physical good condition is necessary. There are no special skills required. No jumps, no single tracks!
I’m looking forward to return to Ethiopia soon!
Other Safaris & Tours17 – Offered by SimienEcoTours
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4-Day Simien Mountains Fixed Departure Group Trek
$690 pp (USD)
Scheduled Start DatesEthiopia: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)BudgetCamping
You Visit: Gondar (Start), Simien Mountains NP, Gondar (End)
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10-Day Short Classic Tour to Ethiopia's Highlights
$2,305 pp (USD)
Scheduled Start DatesEthiopia: Shared tour (max 12 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Lodge & ResortYou Visit: Addis Ababa (Start), Bahir Dar (City), Gondar (City), Lalibela (Town), Lake Langano, Addis Ababa (End)
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4-Day Hiking the Lasta Mountains Around Lalibela
$605 pp (USD)
Ethiopia: Private tourBudgetLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Lalibela
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13-Day Discover Ethiopia's Endemic Birds
$3,850 pp (USD)
Scheduled Start DatesEthiopia: Shared tour (max 4 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Lodge & ResortYou Visit: Addis Ababa (Start), Debre Libanos Monastery (Highlight), Debre Birhan (City), Bishoftu (City), Lake Langano, Awasa (City), Bale Mountains NP, Awash NP, Addis Ababa (End)
-
8-Day Through the Afar Desert and into the Danakil
$3,663 pp (USD)
Ethiopia: Private tourBudgetCamping & Lodge
You Visit: Addis Ababa (Start), Awash NP, Semera (Town), Danakil Depression (Highlight), Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression), Addis Ababa (End)
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11-Day Ethiopia Holiday to the Historical Highlights
$3,190 pp (USD)
Ethiopia: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & HotelYou Visit: Addis Ababa (Start), Bahir Dar (City), Gondar (City), Simien Mountains NP, Lalibela (Town), Addis Ababa (End)