The Simien Mountains

The Simien Mountains are northern Ethiopia's high range, with Ras Dashen, the country's highest peak at over 4,500 metres. The national park was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1978 for its dramatic escarpments and deep gorges.

It is ideal for hiking and adventure, and home to rare animals such as the gelada, which lives in large troops on the meadows, and the rare walia ibex and Ethiopian wolf.

Trips start from the town of Debark and range from day walks along the escarpment to multi-day treks with camps and mountain lodges.

The Simien Mountains lie in the Amhara region, to which official travel advice currently says not to travel; we arrange visits only when that advice changes.