Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Bradt guidebooks to African destinations, including the guide to Ethiopia.
Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Bradt guidebook to Ethiopia.
Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Ethiopia.
Imagine being surrounded by a few hundred gelada monkeys feeding, grooming and squabbling in the dramatic mountain setting of Simien Mountains National Park, referred to as the Roof of Africa. To experience this thrilling primate encounter, you can drive along an all-weather road through the heart of this scenic park, or opt for a multiday trek to 4,533m (14,872 ft) Ras Dashen, Ethiopia’s highest peak.
The acrobatic Walia ibex is restricted to the Simien Mountains, and watching a small herd run up and down the vertical cliffs is likely to give you goose bumps. Gelada monkeys, on the other hand, are most often found feeding on the grassy plateau in herds of up to 1,000 individuals. Spending a couple of hours following a community is an incredible experience.
The Simien Mountains comprise a vast plateau of ancient volcanic rock incised with sheer, rugged ravines, and towered over by more than a dozen individual peaks topping 4,000m/13,123ft. The Afro-alpine moorland is characterized by striking vegetation, such as giant lobelia plants and everlasting flowers. On a clear day, you’ll be able to see Ethiopia’s highest point and Africa’s fifth-highest mountain, Ras Dashen.
Weather & Climate
In Simien Mountains NP temperatures are remarkably uniform throughout the year. There is, however, a big variation between daytime and nighttime (sometimes described as ‘summer every day and winter every night’). Daytime temperatures average at 18°C/64°F and nighttime temperatures at 6°C/43°F. There is a distinct Dry season (October to April) and Wet season (May to September), which peaks in July and August.
Simien Mountains NP is great to visit throughout the year, except in July and August, which see more than half the year’s rainfall. Wildlife can be spotted at any time, but the scenery is at its best from September through to December, just after the rains. September is particularly lovely as it is when wildflowers bloom. Hiking conditions are excellent throughout the Dry season from October to April.
Ariadne is a renowned African wildlife photographer whose work is featured in many well-known guidebooks and magazines.
The Simien Mountains – a haven for Ethiopian endemics
3/5
Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protects some of Africa’s most dramatic scenery. A single rutted road brings you close to Ras Dashen, which is Ethiopia’s highest peak at 4,550m/14,928ft. The easy summit is...
Considering I had excellent weather, it was an absolutely fantastic trek!
4/5
The trek I completed began about 7 or 8 km west of Sankabar and took a total of 6 days, my furthest point from the start being the summit of Ras Dashen, the highest point in Ethiopia. My trek took place in December and for all 6 days, the...