General Information

Climate

The climate in Ethiopia varies enormously due to the extreme altitudes. Much of the northern part of the country is above 2000m, so has moderate/hot days and cool nights. The south, and especially the Danakil Depression experience much higher temperatures.

There are two main seasons, the dry season which starts in late September until June, and then the rainy season from July to September. There are some short rains in May-June, and it can rain at any time of the year, so especially if you are going trekking, you should bring waterproof layers.

The best time of year to visit Ethiopia is from October-March

Getting around

Ethiopia is a large country with few good roads. The quickets and safest way to get around the country is by plane, Ethiopian airlines serves all major cities, which covers most of the tourist sites. Regional airports include Lalibela, Gondar, Axum, Bahir Dar, Dire Dawa (for Haraar), Mekele (for Tigrai churches and Danakil), and Arba Minch.

Trekking the Simien Mountains 

Most treks involve walking 6 to 8 hours per day, sometimes more. It's hard physical work due to the altitude. To enjoy your holiday it is essential to be in shape before you arrive. It is not wise to see the trek as a means of getting into shape or losing weight. You should therefore start a sports programme well before departure. Please ensure that your insurance policy covers you at high altitudes.

Altitude sickness: In the Simien Mountains, as you will be above 3000m most of the time,  there is a risk of developing altitude sickness. Most people do not experience any symptoms beyond a headache, nausea, dizziness, breathlessness and difficulty sleeping. To avoid altitude sickness it is essential to make a slow ascent giving your body time to adapt to there being less oxygen in the air. People suffering from medical conditions such as lunch or heart conditions, asthma , anaemia or high blood pressure should get medical advice before going on a trek.

Equipment: Mules will carry almost all the equipment, food and most personal gear. So don’t bring anything you don’t use on the trek. You will need good footwear, preferably a pair of sturdy walking boots that provide ankle support. Trainers or sandals are useful to wear around the campsites.

You should bring many layers as the temperature can fluctuate around 20 degrees each day. A warm jacket, thick jumper, hat, scarf, and gloves are recommended for the evenings and a four season sleeping bag is essential to stay warm at night when temperatures dip below freezing.

Although the rainy season is July-September, it can rain in the mountains at any time of the year, so you will need to bring waterproof layers

For any other question, please contact me.

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