Jaw-dropping plateaus, ridges, gorges and gullies characterize this UNESCO World Heritage Site. With some of the world's best trekking routes, endemic wildlife and luxurious lodges perched in hills, the Simien Mountains are Ethiopia's most popular destination, and for good reason. The Simien Mountains are one of Ethiopia’s most popular destinations. Sitting just north of Gondar, it’s easily accessible along the northern circuit of Ethiopia. Comprising 220 square kilometres of peaks, plateaus, vistas and valleys, the park offers stunning viewpoints and some of the best trekking routes in Africa. The entire Simien range is characterized by exceptional scenery. As you advance further into the park, the altitude increases and the viewpoints become increasingly spectacular. The first major viewpoint you’ll encounter is Imet Gogo, sitting at 3,926m between the Gich and Chennek campsites. As you continue your journey, you’ll find Mount Bwahit at 4,430m, and for the adventurous, Ras Dashen towers just east of Mount Bwahit at a staggering 4,550m, making it Ethiopia’s highest peak and the tenth highest peak in Africa.
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Simien Mountains National Park
Wildlife Experience
The altitudinal range, topography and remoteness of the Simien Mountains supports fascinating range of natural habitats, and the park is home to an impressive number of endemic species and plant life. The major endemics found in the park are the Walia Ibex, Gelada Monkeys, and the Ethiopian Wolf. Gelada Monkeys roam in large troops in the Simien Mountains, and these monkeys are quite used to humans so you can sit amongst them as they shout and play in the fields.
Walia Ibex are best found near the Chennek campsite - if you are staying in a lodge you can drive to this part of the park thanks to a road that runs through as far as Chennek. The Ethiopian Wolf is seldom spotted in the Simiens, so you have to be quite lucky to spot one here. If spotting an Ethiopian Wolf is high on your Ethiopian adventure bucket list, head to the Bale Mountains where they are found in larger numbers.
Locate the Simien Mountains National Park
Getting There & Best time to visit
The Simien Mountains National Park is situated on the northwestern side of the Simien mountains massif in the Amhara region of northern Ethiopia, roughly 900km north of Addis Ababa. The region overlooks the lowlands of the Tekeze River. The park itself lies in the woredas (districts) of Debark, Adi Arkay and Janamora. Situated in the centre of a triangle formed by Gondar, Lalibela and Axum, the Simien Mountains is a highlight stop along the Historic North Circuit. The nearest major city to the Simiens is Gondar, which is easily accessed via Ethiopia's domestic flight network. From here, it's a short drive to the town of Debark, the HQ of the Simien Mountains. From Debark, it's a 14km drive to the park entrance gate at Buyit Ras.
The highlands of northern Ethiopia experience heavy rain from June to August that sometimes extend to mid-September. Trekking routes become blocked during this time, and muddy tracks makes driving through the park difficult. It is still possible to explore the Simiens during the rainy season, but you should expect intermittent heavy showers in the afternoons and cloudier skies throughout the day. Campsites are closed during the rainy season so you'll be exploring the mountains from one of the two lodges in the region. The best time to visit the Simiens is from October - May when skies are clear and all trekking routes and roads are accessible.
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