Ethiopia is increasingly becoming recognised as a premier venue for a range of outdoor activities. White-water rafting, trekking, caving and paragliding are all on the increase for the young – and not so young – along with the more gentle and traditional pursuits of fishing and bird watching.
White-water rafting is a highly popular activity enjoyed on all continents. Ethiopia’s rivers have played an important role in the internationalisation of this blend of sport, ecotourism and adventure.
The Omo River, which tumbles for some 350 kilometres through steep, inaccessible valleys, was first explored by an intrepid group in 1973. Inspired by their success, a number of commercial operators have set up rafting holidays on the river. The best season for Omo trips is September to October, when the water is still high from the June – September rains and the weather is starting to dry out.
Spirited rapids, innumerable side creeks and waterfalls, sheer canyons, hot springs, abundant wildlife, and exotic local people combine to make the Omo River one of the world’s classic river adventures. River trips have also been organised on the Awash River with short, but equally demanding rafting conditions, and other expeditions have been held on the Blue Nile.
Mountain Climbing
Blessed with a temperate climate, grand mountain scenery and a tradition of generous hospitality, the Ethiopian highlands offer superb opportunities for trekking and mountain climbing. The sport is still developing but mountain climbing is now organised on the Simien and Bale mountains.
Trails of Adventure
Trekking in Ethiopia does not involve being super-fit. Horses, mules and donkeys are universal means of transport, so horse trekking has been a natural development. The terrain is usually steep for only short periods, when walking rather than riding may be necessary. In Bale Park, trips can be tailored to meet all individuals’ needs, whether they be day trips around Dinsho or ten day hikes around the whole park. The principal, well-established areas for trekking are the Simien and Bale Mountains National Parks.
Lesser known trekking areas are in the remote south-west highlands, east and west of the Omo Valley where strong and colourful cultures complement the appeal of scenery, flora and fauna. Other beautiful areas include Mount Chilalo and the Arba Gugu area in Arsi, and the Chercher Mountains in Harerge. Trekking parties are normally accompanied by park rangers who help with the mules and are generally sharp-eyed and knowledgeable about flora, fauna and terrain.
Caving
The Sof Omar cave system. 120 kilometres east of Gaba in Bale region, is one of the most spectacular and extensive underground caverns in the world. Formed by the Weyb River as it changed course in the distant past and carved a new channel through limestone foothills, the 16 kilometres cave system is an extraordinary natural phenomenon of breathtaking beauty. The dry, cool caves contain many marvels of natural architecture, including soaring pillars of stone 20 metres high, flying buttresses, fluted archways and tall airy vaults. Finally the river itself is reached, flowing through a deep gorge. You can explore the caves on foot, without special climbing equipment, but proper precautions have to be taken. Torches or other lighting are needed and another must is a map. The most direct route through the first part of the caves takes about an hour. The large central hall of Sof Omar, the “Chamber of Columns” – son named after the colossal limestone pillars that are it’s dominant feature – is one of the highlights of the cave system.
Fishing
Conditions for sport fishing could hardly be better than in Ethiopia. Rivers and lakes are full of a wide variety of fish, some of extraordinary size. Ethiopia boasts more than 200 species of freshwater fish, including Nile perch, immense catfish, tigerfish, and brown and rainbow trout. Very few Ethiopians are anglers so visitors will find many unspoiled areas where they can fish in peace. A typical day’s fishing may also include the bonus of seeing families of hippo, giant crocodiles, or pink clouds of flamingos.
Bird Watching
Ethiopia’s Rift Valley lakes, highland massifs, lowlands and semi-deserts provide the varied terrain to support and amazing variety of birds. The country’s position and terrain has enabled the evolution of many birds of the region into unique forms and species. Ethiopia boasts 857 bird species, of which 16 are endemic. Whether in the highland forests or plateaux, on the lakes, or in the lowlands, Ethiopia is an ornithological paradise for bird watchers.
Paragliding
Paragliding looks set to become the latest feature of Ethiopia’s burgeoning adventure tourism. Ethiopia has the ideal terrain and a number of tour companies are adding this sport to their activities.
Camping
Camping in Ethiopia is almost the only way to visit the most beautiful, undeveloped, and unspoilt areas of the country. Some recognised campsites are provided in National parks and other popular tourist areas, but finding somewhere to camps is seldom a problem. One word of caution: vervet monkeys and baboons are fond of picnics and will enter any open car or tent in a flash! In the national parks and most highland areas, campers may pitch a tent, climb in, and enjoy a good night’s sleep, untroubled by worries of unwelcome night visitors. Country people are for the most part, pacific, hospitable, and cooperative.
