Super User 07 August 2023

Best Travel Guide To Simien Mountains National Park Wildlife in Ethiopia

Ethiopia’s Simien Mountains National Park is one of the most spectacular mountain ranges in all of Africa. The landscape is incredibly diverse, with soaring highland ridges, deep valleys, and vast plateaus.

With its incredible scenery, endemic wildlife, and luxury lodges, it’s easy to see why the Simien Mountains are Ethiopia’s most popular trekking destination and one of the most popular destinations along the northern circuit.

Imagine being surrounded by a few hundred gelada monkeys feeding, grooming, and squabbling in the dramatic mountain setting of Simien Mountains National Park, referred to as the Roof of Africa. To experience this thrilling primate encounter, you can drive along an all-weather road through the heart of this scenic park, or opt for a multiday trek to 4,533m (14,872 ft.) Ras Dashen, Ethiopia’s highest peak.

About Simien Mountains National Park:

The Simien Mountains are located in northern Ethiopia, northeast of Gondar in the Amhara region, and are part of the Ethiopian Highlands. They are a World Heritage Site, and also part of the Simien Mountains National Park. The mountains consist of plateaus separated by valleys. The highest Ethiopian mountain is Ras Dejen at 4,550 meters with the second highest peak of Kidis Yared at 4,453 meters; other notable peaks include Mount Biuat at 4,437 meters.

The Simien Mountains are remarkable as being one of the few spots in tropical Africa where snow regularly falls and the mountains look unique due to their geological origin. With only South Africa's Drakensberg range having been formed in the same manner and thus appearing similar. Notable animals in the mountains include the Walia ibex, gelada, and caracal. There are a few Ethiopian wolves as well.

Simien Mountains National Park Size:

When first established in 1966, the Simien Mountains National Park encompassed an area of just 136 km2 and 412 km2. Re-demarcation of the park boundary was carried out in 2003 when the Amhara Government and communities agreed to exclude villages along the park boundary and some areas under cultivation. However, they also agreed to extend the boundary to include the Mesarerya and Lemalimo Wildlife Reserves. A further extension was agreed in 2007, and the park was extended to include the peaks of Silki, Kidus Yared, and also Ras Dejen, the highest mountain in Ethiopia (4,533m). Currently, the total park area is 412 km2. The park ranges from 1,900 to

Location of Simiens National Park in Ethiopia:

Simien Mountains National Park is in northern Ethiopia. Its rugged terrain includes escarpments, deep valleys, and a high plateau, home to rare Walia ibex and Gelada baboons. Tall peaks include the towering Ras Dashen Mountain. Trails wind through the park to camps at Sankaber, Geech, and Chenek. The central Gidir Got and Imet Gogo summit lookouts have panoramic views of sheer cliffs and the lowlands below.

The main attraction of the Simien Mountains National Park is its biosphere: the cliffs and the cool climate at the altitude of the Erica tree line (3600 to 4000 m ash) have created conditions that are appropriate for the survival of an ibex species endemic to the Simien Mountains. Despite the severe restriction of their habitat over the last centuries, several hundred animals have survived up to the present. Apart from the Walia ibex, many other animal species are found in the Park, for example, the endemic Simien fox or Ethiopian wolf.

Several birds of prey, the endemic Gelada baboon, the Klipspringer, and the bushbuck are also present in the Park. The rareness of these species formed the backbone of the concept for conservation of the area, which led to the establishment of the Simien Mountains National Park in 1969, and its listing as a World Heritage Site in 1918.

The human population living in the area adds to the distinctiveness of this special natural environment. The traditional lifestyle of the rural population and their survival in a rather harsh climate and with scarce natural resources make for the most striking impressions a visitor will have when trekking in the Park and its surrounding rural area.

Wildlife in Simien Mountains National Park:

The combination of altitudinal variation and isolation of the Simien Mountains has given rise to several rare and endemic species and a high level of diversity. This high endemicity and diversity justify the inclusion of SMNP in Conservation International’s Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot. The remoteness and isolation of the area that determine this endemism have also rendered these isolated populations of species such as the Ethiopian wolf, Walia ibex, or gelada, more vulnerable to local extirpation or extinction from many threats.

Tourist Activities in Simien Mountains National Park:

Trekking and hiking tours:

Trekking is one of the most sought-after activities to do in Simien Mountains National Park. The following are guidelines to help plan your trekking experience:

Tours start at Debark where the Simien Mountains National Park Headquarters is located (3,000m). Here you will need to register, pay your entrance fees, and meet your trekking guide from the Walia Local Guides Association.

Birding safaris:

Over 863 species of birds have been registered in Ethiopia, representing approximately 9.5 percent of the world’s birds and 39 percent of the birds in Africa. Eighteen of these birds are endemic to Ethiopia, while a further 14 are endemic to Ethiopia and neighboring Eritrea.

Cultural encounters:

Walks to see the nearby communities neighboring the park and you can spend a day with them and experience the incredible community experience

Nature walks:

With the montane rainforest, the park is one of the best places for nature walks and you can see rare wildlife and birds during the walk

Best Time to Visit Simien Mountains, National Park:

The best time to visit the Simien Mountains is between October and March, with the clearest skies and warmest weather.

December, January, and February are the peak travel season. During these months, you have the best weather conditions, but the campsites could be busy and the lodges will be booked well in advance.

The rainy season in the Simien Mountains is between June and August, with rains often creeping into the first half of September. During these months, rainfall increases significantly, temperatures drop, and skies are more likely to be overcast. Whilst it is still possible to do treks, we recommend visiting at a different time of year if possible.

The shoulder season runs from April to the start of the rainy season in June. You won’t have any issues trekking in the Simien’s during these months but be prepared for cloudier skies and intermittent showers.

Where to Stay in Simien Mountains National Park:

There are two great places to stay and camping facilities available in the Simien Mountains for travelers to stay while exploring the unique national park for spectacular Ethiopia safaris.

Limalimo Lodge:

Limalimo is not only the best accommodation available in the Simien Mountains, but it’s arguably the best lodge in the whole of Ethiopia. The lodge is situated just outside the park, so exploring the Simiens from here requires sorties into the park via 4x4s.

Overnights at Limalimo don’t come cheap, but it’s the perfect choice if you want to explore the mountains in comfort and style.

Simien lodge:

The lodge has an aura of luxury, which begins with its minimalist design and extends to the exceptional service by the management team and local staff. Sitting at over 3200 meters, the Simien Lodge is the highest altitude lodge anywhere in Africa. Sporting the traditional stonewalls and thatched roofing; the Simien Lodge comprises many tukuls with many boasting great views of the Simien range.

The lodge offers a great alternative to camping and works out slightly cheaper than the more luxurious Limalimo Lodge. It is also more centrally located which means there are great viewpoints and self-treks around the lodge, and Gelada Monkeys are known to play on the lodge grounds.

How to get to Simien Mountains National Park:

The best way to get to the Simien Mountains National Park is via a domestic flight into the nearby town of Gondar, followed by a 2-hour drive into the park through scenic highland landscapes. Most visitors will spend a night or two in Gondar to explore the town before heading into the Simiens.

If traveling from Addis Ababa, Ethiopian Airlines offers direct flights, which take less than an hour. Note that if you have an international flight with Ethiopian Airlines (either in to, or out of, Addis Ababa) you will qualify for a significant discount (~60%) on all domestic flights you take in the country. The Gondar airport is around 20km from the center of the town.

Direct flights are available from the city of Axum too, if traveling from there.

If coming from Bahir Dar, you can reach Gondar via a ~3-hour drive across scenic landscapes.

If you are on a tight schedule, an alternative is to base yourself in the town of Debark, the entrance town to the Simien Mountains. There are far fewer accommodation options here, but it is cheaper than staying in Gondar and its proximity to the Simiens means you can get the most out of your first day in the park.

All visitors must first stop in Debark to collect permits and arrange for the guide and scout services.

Arrange with Ultimate Wild Safaris;

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