Highlights: Simien Mountains, Northern Region of Ethiopia
Simien Mountains
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Worth Noting:
Type:
- National parks
- Game drives
- Bird watching
- Trekking
- Mountain climbing
- Geographical sites
Difficulty:
- Physically challenging
Park Fees:
- Under 50 USD
About Simien Mountains
Formed before the formation of the Rift Valley, the Simian Mountains were created by an outpouring of lava after a volcanic eruption between 40 and 25 million years ago, while the dramatic escarpment was created by an extended up-thrust that could have happened as much as 75 million years ago. The mountains are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The highest peak, Ras Dashen, stands at around 4,500m, and several of the surrounding peaks are over 4,000m, making this the highest mountain range in Ethiopia. The stunning scenery that includes summits, cliffs, waterfalls and rivers has several jaw-dropping viewpoints.
The Simien Mountains National Park, a large section of the mountains stretching across their western side and encompassing the majority of the peaks, has a wealth of different habitats and is home to a number of endemic species. Gelada Baboons, actually not baboons but a genus of their own, are found only in the Ethiopian Highlands, especially the Simien Mountains. The Walia Ibex, also found here, is a critically endangered species of Ibex that lives in small groups and prefers steep rocky terrain. The Ethiopian Wolf, sometimes erroneously referred to as fox or jackal, is Africa’s most endangered carnivore, and is found in the Simien Mountains and, in larger numbers, further south in the Bale Mountains. Around 180 species of birds have been recorded here, including the huge lammergeier that soars over the escarpments and is the only vulture to live entirely on a diet of bones.
The headquarters of the national park is at Debark, around 100km from Gondar. The most popular activities in the mountains are trekking, climbing, game spotting, bird watching and camping.
Other Highlights In The Northern Region
The most famous site in Ethiopia, and the one that arguably no visitor should miss, is Lalibela. Sometimes called the Eighth Wonder of the World, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is one of Ethiopia’s holiest cities, visited as a pilgrimage site by many Ethiopian Orthodox Christians. ...
The jutting rocks and cliffs of Tigrey region are striking formations in themselves, made even more remarkable by the churches cut into many of their peaks. Some of these churches are dated to even earlier than those of Lalibela, possibly from the 4th century AD. The region, once known for ...
Once the capital of the Axumite Empire, Axum, also known as Aksum, was once a major trading centre with ties to Persia, Arabia, India and Rome. The Empire’s heyday was from the 1st to the 7th centuries AD, during which time the kingdom became known as Ethiopia. In ...
Formed before the formation of the Rift Valley, the Simian Mountains were created by an outpouring of lava after a volcanic eruption between 40 and 25 million years ago, while the dramatic escarpment was created by an extended up-thrust that could have happened as much as 75 million years ago. The mountains are ...
Established as the capital by Emperor Fasiladas in 1636, Gondar was the Royal Capital of Ethiopia until the 1860s. The castles and palaces built during these years have led Gondar to be referred to as the Camelot of Africa, and to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since the demise ...
On the southern shore of Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake and the source of the Blue Nile, Bahir Dar is an attractive palm-lined town. Lake Tana is dotted with islands, some of which have monasteries containing the remains of ancient Ethiopian emperors and treasures of the Ethiopian church. ...
Accommodations Near Simien Mountains
In the spectacular Simien Mountains, Limalimo Lodge aims to promote sustainable tourism and support conservation in a unique and sustainable environment. The owners, Shiferaw Asrat and Meles Yemata, promote sustainable and community focused tourism in the Simien Mountains National Park. The 12 en-suite rooms are dotted around the forested grounds. They ...
Styling itself the highest hotel in Africa, at 3,260m, Simien Lodge sits on the edge of the escarpment with views that have to be seen to be believed. The 26 en-suite rooms and 2 family rooms are divided between the tukuls – traditional Ethiopian circular buildings – and the main building. All rooms have ...
Sona Hotel is in Debark, near the park entrance and headquarters of the Simien Mountains. This affordable hotel is in a convenient location for visitors wishing to walk, trek and camp in the Simien Mountains. The 32 en-suite rooms are made up of single, double, twin, triple and family rooms. All ...