Ethiopia riding safaris | Wild and Exotic

Off Season

Low Season

Mid Season

High Season

When to Travel:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Ride Summary
Highland and Monta...
Camp based ride wi...
Fact Sheet
Photos
Ethiopia

Type of Ride: Expedition

Daily rate per person: < £200

Set departure rate: Campbased ride with Lalibela available from £1130 per person.

Departure Dates:

Our mobile Ethiopian rides will be run for a minimum of 6 participants on request

Camp based ride with Lalibela, 2010:
11th to 18th October
15th to 22nd November
27th December to 3rd January 2011

The high plateaus of Ethiopia provide a near perfect terrain for riding and you will find a warm welcome from friendly locals whose own lives are closely intertwined with the horse. During this ride we will explore a beautiful pastoral landscape on hardy Abyssinian ponies that are descendants from Emperor Haile Selassie's stock.

During the Rift Valley ride you will ride across the stunning Ethiopian highlands to the mythical Rift valley, you will explore a beautiful pastoral landscape on hardy Abyssinian ponies descended from Emperor Haile Selassie's stock. The high plateaus of Ethiopia provide a near perfect terrain for riding, and a warm welcome awaits from local people whose lives are closely intertwined with their horses.

Wild and Exotic fact sheet for riding safaris in Ethiopia

Accommodation: Dome tents are provided for sleeping and walk in traditional Abyssinian ‘Aderash' tents for dinner in the evening. Mattresses, ‘gabis' (Ethiopian blankets) and hot water bottles are supplied in the evenings. Hurricane lamps are placed outside each tent after dark. A tented loo and two showers are provided at camp.

Children: We will accept children on riding safaris but they must be competent riders. There are no discounts for children.

Drinks: Sodas and mineral water are complimentary. Beers, wines, and spirits to be covered at cost - there is an "honesty book" for guests to complete. At the end of the ride guests may settle their bar bill in either US$ or Ethiopian Birr. Guests are encouraged to purchase a bottle of their favourite spirits in duty free.

How to Get There: There are several weekly flights from the UK to Addis Ababa. Wild and Exotic can book suitable hotels and transfers in Addis Ababa for evening flight arrivals. As ATOL license holders (# 6445) Wild and Exotic can book discounted return fares with all major airlines.

Insurance: Adequate travel insurance providing cover for, but not limited to, personal injury, curtailment or cancellation of your holiday, is compulsory for all Wild and Exotic itineraries. The details of our recommended insurers are listed on all booking forms.

Length of Rides: Up to 8 hours + a day in the saddle. Picnic lunches are carried in saddlebags on moving days, with lunch breaks of up to two hours. Some walking on foot is necessary over rough terrain - in certain areas this may mean walking and leading your horse for periods of up to an hour, but rarely for longer.

Meals: Delicious full breakfasts comprising fruit, porridge, eggs, tomatoes and fresh bread are served every morning. On moving days we carry simple saddlebag picnics, otherwise lunches may be served at campsite or by barbeque over an open fire. Dinner is fresh ingredients and some traditional Ethiopian food, but also catering to foreign tastes. A campfire is lit before dinner, which is normally taken inside the mess tent. We carry dry ice and cubes, and are self sufficient for a week. Fresh bread is baked daily and our chefs are good and versatile.

Medical and safety: A medical kit is on hand in camp and in the saddle. We are never more than three hours from a hospital and two hours from telephone back up. As we are on the high plateaus, malaria is not prevalent.

Money: We suggest guests bring out approx US$200 in small denominations, as well as Ethiopian Birr 1,000 (approx £60) , which can be obtained at the airport on arrival or in the city of Addis Ababa if sufficient time. Money in either currency is useful for tipping and settling your bar bill at the end of the ride, as well as to purchase local items during the ride and for shopping in Addis Ababa on the final day. Banks will require your passport before changing money. There are no opportunities to change money once you have left Addis Ababa.

Non-Riders: We will take non-riders but this should be discussed with Wild and Exotic first. The full set departure trips are not recommended for non-riders.

Power supplies: The camps do not have power sockets in the tents. Guests may be able to use the camp generator to charge their cameras. Hairdryers cannot be used in the camps.

Riding Ability: You should be comfortable at all paces, and fit enough to ride up to 8 hours + a day.

Single Supplement: is only charged for those who are not able to share accommodation.

Size of the Rides: Maximum of 8 guests.

Tack: There is a various choice of saddles for you to choose from: English, Mcclellan, and Australian stock. The McClellan was the saddle used by the US army up until the Second World War. Mainly snaffle bridles are used.

Terrain: Most of the rides on the high plateau are across vast open spaces with short grasses ideal for riding. Care must be taken to watch out for badger and jackal holes, but we can canter and gallop across open spaces. We also ascend and descend some steep and rocky slopes where it may be necessary to dismount and lead your horse.

Tipping: The recommended tip is US$10 per person per day.

Type of Horses: Horses are Abyssinian ponies between 14 and 15 hands high. These hardy ponies are well suited to the terrain.

Types of Safari: Our rides are supported by vehicles transporting guest's luggage, tents, supplies and provisions, together with and a full complement of trained and attentive staff. The vehicles are driven to campsite ahead of the ride head using a different route taken by the horses, and guests will find their tents and new campsite fully prepared on arrival at the end of each day's ride.

Visas: Visas can be purchased for US$25 on arrival in Addis Ababa. Alternatively they can be arranged prior to departure by visiting the Ethiopian embassy website at http://www.ethioembassy.org.uk/ for details on how to apply and please note that you may be required to produce return airline tickets in order to obtain your visa. Yves Stranger is our travel partner in Ethiopia and his contact details which you may find useful when applying for you visa are as follows:

Yves Stranger
House number 1302
Lafto Kifle Ketema
Kebele 04
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Weather: There is no winter or summer, as we are so close to the Equator. There are two rainy seasons, a short one in April and a long one from mid- June to mid- September. The most suitable riding months are from October - March. We ride at an average of 2500 m, which makes for a cool climate, with very few mosquitoes or other biting insects.

Weight Limit: Maximum weight is 85 kilos / 188lbs / 13.5st.

Wild and Exotic sample itinerary for the Highland and Montane Forest ride in Ethiopia

This ride starts close to Addis Ababa at our bases in Solulta, and crosses the verdant Ethiopian highlands during a 6 day long ride in a northerly direction to the rim of a gigantic gorge that is in some places over a kilometre deep and 15 kilometres wide. The high plateaus of Ethiopia provide a near perfect terrain for riding hardy Abyssinian ponies, and during this 6 day adventure you will encounter a warm welcome from the local highland people who raise cattle and goats on the rolling pastures as well as growing cereal crops that are harvested by hand. These rides are lead by the Anglo French guide, Yves Stranger, who is supported by a superb team of camp staff and grooms.

Lunch break Galloping on the plains

Day 1: On arrival into Addis Ababa you will be met and transferred to the hotel. After a rest and a cup of Ethiopian coffe, you will have lunch before visiting the Ethnological museum, which gives a thorough overview of the different cultures and people of Ethiopia.

Day 2: Today you will ride off in the direction of Chancho. Whilst riding this route you will become acquainted with the highland plains, peppered by small homesteads and Orthodox churches that form much of the central heart of Ethiopia. Overnight in camp.

Washing off at the end of the day Highland landscape

Day 3: Switiching towards the west today, you will ride down over the plateau parallel to the Muger River gorge. Today you will have long canters and views over the river systems running down into the Blue Nile Gorge. Overnight in camp.

Day 4: Today you will ride up into the hills and over the ridge looking across at Wouchacha mountain (3700 meters). You will see very different landscapes today and the riding will be at a slower pace. Overnight in camp.

Day 5: Today you will ride out towards Menagesha Suba Montane Forest, a forest rich in endemics (yellow fronted parrot, Melik Bushbuck) and many other species. You will also see great 300 year old junipers. Overnight in park headquarters / camp.

Village at dusk Fresh brewed coffee

Day 6: This morning for those who wish there is an early walk into the forest to see any birds or animals. Afterwards, you will have an easy ride through the forest and down onto the plains of Menagesha. If times allows there will be a chance to visit the Maryam church. Overnight in camp.

Day 7: Today you will ride back onto the open plains, depending on the time of year there will be a chance of a lunchtime visit to a horse market, where you will see over 200 hundred horses. You will have a fast finish across the plains to the base in Solulta. After a freshen up you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

Yves Stranger (guide) & helpers Blue Nile gorge

Notes:

The price of this itinerary is based on two people sharing accommodation. A single supplement may apply if you do not wish to share accommodation. The price is inclusive of all activities described, together with full board and lodging throughout the itinerary.

The price does not include international flights, items of a personal nature, gratuities and visa fees.

Booking forms and further information are available from Wild and Exotic Ltd, telephone 01439 748401 or email info@wildandexotic.co.uk

Neither Wild and Exotic nor the operators or suppliers can accept any responsibility for changes to itineraries or dates that may arise due to weather or unforeseen circumstances such as changes, disruptions or delays to airline flights for whatever reason. This holiday is subject to Wild and Exotic's terms and conditions, a copy of which is enclosed with your booking form.

Wild and Exotic Ethiopian camp based ride with Lalibela.

Day 1: On arrival into Addis Ababa international airport, you will be met and transferred to a hotel in Addis Ababa to meet the rest of our group. After a rest we will have lunch before visiting the ethnological museum, which gives a thorough overview of the different cultures and people of Ethiopia. After a look around town we will drive out to our permanent camp, established just over the Entoto Hills, with traditional Royal Abyssinian tents for relaxation and mess tents -and a small Ethiopian ‘library'- in an apple orchard. Overnight night in permanent camp with evening of traditional dance and music.

Day 2: Today we will ride off in the direction of Chancho. Riding this route we will become acquainted with the highland plains, peppered by small homesteads and Orthodox churches that form much of the central heart of Ethiopia. We will be invited into a homestead to drink coffee and witness the local way of life. Overnight in permanent camp, tasting local beverages arakei and tej -mead.

Day 3: There will be an early morning bird tour for amateurs. A long ride in the Entoto Hills' forest today will enable us to see: the original capital of Emperor Menelik (where we will visit the museum, the church and the restored original palace) and the Ethiopian Heritage Trust's indigenous forest. We will ride back over the plains. Overnight in permanent camp with the possibility of taking part in Ethiopian cooking.

Day 4: Today we ride first up into the hills and over the ridge looking down onto Addis Ababa to reach Yeka Michael, an old rock hewn church (15^th century). Overnight in permanent camp with a traditional Abyssinian banquet (mead, music and raw meat).

Day 5: Today there will be a morning ride out to witness ‘Gugs,' an Ethiopian equestrian sport in which riders, to train for warfare, gallop widely after each attempting to strike their opponent with a blunted wand. We will return to camp early afternoon for bag packing and relaxation. Overnight Addis Ababa.

Day 6: Today we will fly to Lalibela early in the morning and visit first group of the amazing 11 rock-hewn churches. Over night Yemereha http://www.yemerehahotel.com/

Day 7: This morning we will visit one of the churches out of the town: Asheten Mariam by mule. This afternoon we will visit the remaining churches in Lalibela. Overnight Yemereha http://www.yemerehahotel.com/

Day 8: This morning we will visit the Naktuleab cave church (if time permits). Then transfer to the airport to fly back to Addis Ababa in time for our evening departure.

Notes:

This itinerary will be run on the following dates in 2010:

7th to 14th June
11th to 18th October
15th to 22nd November
27th December to 3rd January 2011

The price of this itinerary is £1130 per person based on two people sharing accommodation and subject to the airfares changing.

The price is inclusive of all activities described, together with full board and lodging throughout the itinerary.

The price does not include international flights, items of a personal nature, gratuities and visa fees.

Please note that it is the responsibility of the client to ensure they obtain the correct visa prior to travel. A valid visa is required for this holiday, and information regarding visa applications to Ethiopia can be obtained by visiting the following website http://www.ethiopia.embassyhomepage.com/

Booking forms and further information are available from Wild and Exotic Ltd, telephone 01439 748401 or email info@wildandexotic.co.uk

Exclusive Emerald Coast ride in Uruguay

Ethiopia riding safaris , Ethiopia

When to Travel: