Outdoor and Adventure
Ethiopia is already renowned as one of Africa’s top high-altitude hiking and trekking destinations, but a range of other outdoor activities is on offer, from climbing the spectacular Erta Ale volcano to ballooning above the Great Rift Valley.
Well-organized hiking and trekking routes run through the Simien and Bale Mountains National Parks, Ethiopia’s two largest and most scenic mountain ranges, as well as several less-known sites. Ideally suited to photographic tours, Ethiopia will be as inspiring to landscape photographers as it is to those seeking more intimate portraits of wildlife and local people. Overland Expeditions along Ethiopia’s extensive and rapidly improving network of surfaced and all-weather roads allows one to experience the rich mosaic of ever-changing landscapes that connect the country’s main tourist attractions.
Ethiopia, renowned for producing a succession of world-beating long-distance running champions, including the legendary Haile Gebrselassie, now also hosts several annual high-altitude running events, such as Addis Ababa’s 10km Great Ethiopian Run. Tourists can also explore areas around the Rift Valley lakes of Hawassa and Langano, as well as other locations, via commercial ballooning trips. For those interested in caving, the sacred Sof Omar Caves, a 15km network of limestone caverns, offer an ideal experience.
The Danakil Depression in northeast Ethiopia offers some spectacular opportunities for volcano climbing, notably to Erta Ale, whose 613m-high caldera contains the world’s oldest active lava lake. Rock climbing enthusiasts, especially experienced practitioners, will find excellent opportunities at the Gheralta Escarpment and the gorges of Simien Mountains National Park. Cycling tours offer another great way to experience Ethiopia's stunning countryside at a relaxed pace. With suitable equipment, white water rafting is also possible on the Blue Nile, Omo, and Awash rivers.
Ethiopia is already renowned as one of Africa’s top high-altitude hiking and trekking destinations, but a range of other outdoor activities is on offer, from climbing the spectacular Erta Ale volcano to ballooning above the Great Rift Valley.
Well-organized hiking and trekking routes run through the Simien and Bale Mountains National Parks, Ethiopia’s two largest and most scenic mountain ranges, as well as several less-known sites. Ideally suited to photographic tours, Ethiopia will be as inspiring to landscape photographers as it is to those seeking more intimate portraits of wildlife and local people. Overland Expeditions along Ethiopia’s extensive and rapidly improving network of surfaced and all-weather roads allows one to experience the rich mosaic of ever-changing landscapes that connect the country’s main tourist attractions.
Ethiopia, renowned for producing a succession of world-beating long-distance running champions, including the legendary Haile Gebrselassie, now also hosts several annual high-altitude running events, such as Addis Ababa’s 10km Great Ethiopian Run. Tourists can also explore areas around the Rift Valley lakes of Hawassa and Langano, as well as other locations, via commercial ballooning trips. For those interested in caving, the sacred Sof Omar Caves, a 15km network of limestone caverns, offer an ideal experience.
The Danakil Depression in northeast Ethiopia offers some spectacular opportunities for volcano climbing, notably to Erta Ale, whose 613m-high caldera contains the world’s oldest active lava lake. Rock climbing enthusiasts, especially experienced practitioners, will find excellent opportunities at the Gheralta Escarpment and the gorges of Simien Mountains National Park. Cycling tours offer another great way to experience Ethiopia's stunning countryside at a relaxed pace. With suitable equipment, white water rafting is also possible on the Blue Nile, Omo, and Awash rivers.
