with its undulating plateau and deep valleys is often referred as the Grand Canyon of Africa. The park is located in the North Gonder Zone of the Amhara National Regional State. It is about 870km from Addis Ababa by road, in the mountain massif to the north of the famous Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia. Simien is home to Ras Dejen, the highest mountain The mountainous nature of the park and the chained mountains with the surrounding high peaks more than an altitude of 4000 masl gave rise to the saying the “ROOF OF AFRICA” This ecotourism destination is popular and loved by wildlife watchers including bird watchers, researchers and cultural enthusiasts.

In 1978 Simien Mountains National Park was inscripted as one of the worlds’ first UNESCO natural World Heritage Sites. The park features remarkable vistas and landscapes where erosion over millions of years has created jagged mountain peaks, valleys and sharp precipices dropping some 1,500m. The park also showcases the giant Erica forest. Simien Mountains

National Park is of global significance for biodiversity conservation because it is home to globally threatened species, including the iconic Walia ibex, a rare wild mountain goat, the gelada and the Ethiopian wolf. One to 12 days treks through the stunning national park will leave you speechless. Trekking through the park gives you a chance to see both incredible

wildlife and scenery but to also experience the local culture while trekking through remote villages Birdwatchers will rejoice with over 180 species recorded in the Simien Mountains National Park. Of these, five are endemic to Ethiopia and a further 12 to Ethiopia and Eritrea.

The highland campsites are situated at an altitude between 3,250 and 3,600m, while the lowland campsites are between 1,990 and 1,655m. Each camp is located between 15 and 25km from each other and can be reached between 5-8 hours. This allows you to spend every night

in a different campsite. If you do not have time for all campsites, the following itinerary will help you to select the ones you prefer. It is also possible to reach some of the campsites by car.

The most common way to start the trek is to drive into the national park 100 km from Gondar to Debark ( a small town where the headquarter of the park is situated ) after getting a permit from the headquarter, drive further 1.5 hours. on the main road from Debark to

the escarpment near Michibiny (3,203m) where you will start the trek. From there it is

a 2-3 hour trek to the first camp Sankaber. Such short trekking is designed to help you prepare for the upcoming days and will also assist you with acclimatization. It is also possible to drive straight to the Sankaber campsite