Ethiopia
As Ethiopia is an increasingly requested destination, offering unique experiences in history, culture and wildlife, we have been committed to finding the right partner to work with UK operators.
So we are delighted to introduce DINKNESH TOURS - one of Ethiopia’s premier operators.
In Ethiopia, there are several ancient monasteries and Rock-Hewn churches (the most famous being Lalibela, shown here. The country hosts c.80 tribal groups, each with their own unique traditions and ceremonies, including the Konso, the Mursi, the Hamer and the Karo. It also has some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world, and is home to rare species such as the Gelada baboon and the Simien Wolf.
The word “Dinknesh” actually is the Ethiopian name for “Lucy” (directly translated to “you are special”), or scientifically called Australopithecus Afarensis the first known hominine. This is the most spectacular discovery of the Awash Valley in Ethiopia’s Afar region, which came in 1974, when 52 fragments of a skeleton enabled the famous “Lucy” to be reconstructed.
The weather in Ethiopia is pleasant year round, with temperatures in most parts of the country averaging around 20°C (68°F) no matter what season it is. The rainy season is from mid-June to the end of September.
Wildlife
Simien NP is one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world, with jagged mountain peaks, deep valleys and sharp precipices dropping some 1,500 m. The park is home to some extremely rare animals such as the Gelada baboon, the Simien fox and the Walia ibex. The Rift Valley system is another wondrous region where many other attractions are sited.
Specific Resources
Photobook (coming soon)
Image Bank
Fam trip
www.dinkneshethiopiatour.com
Itineraries
Best of Ethiopia (18 days)
Hiking in Simien Mtns (8 days)
Classic Historic Route (9 days)
Historic Route Explorer (15 days)
Historic Route Highlights (7 days)
Grand Tribal Cultures (16 days)
Omo Valley Cultures (11 days)
Expedition to Danakil & Tigray (10d)
Culture
With close to 70 million people, Ethiopia hosts c80 different tribal groups, all of which speak different languages and have their own cultural codes. The Omo Valley is where about 50% of Ethiopia's ethnic groups live: the Konso with their terraced agriculture and rituals; the Mursi with their clay lip plates and barbarian life style; the Hamer with their bull-jumping ceremony and the Karo with their body painting and adornment.
History
There are several ancient monasteries and Rock-Hewn churches (the most famous at Lalibela, which is also considered to be the “Eighth Wonder of the World”) as well as eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
