Here’s the latest SimienEcoTours news from Ethiopia

Brief update from Tigray

As we all know the Russia-Ukraine war is taking by far the biggest share of the international headlines, so that the conflict in Ethiopia doesn’t get as much attention as before March. Actually in these weeks there is not a lot to report about the Tigray conflict, which can be seen as positive news. In fact, hostilities in and around the Tigray region have calmed down since several months. There are still a few unresolved issues, but on the other hand negotiations between the parties have begun and peace talks could be the solution to the conflict. Let’s all hope for this.

New modified itineraries coming soon

Considering the above improvement of the situation we have just decided which tours and which destinations we will be offering next season: this is basically all Ethiopia except the Tigray Region, which we believe can’t be visited for the coming 2 years more or less. Besides this the Danakil needs to be reached via a longer route from the South, via Semera instead of Mekele. The good news is that the volcano Erta Ale is active again, some of our guides like Elyas have been there just recently.

"Ride the Rift" is growing bigger

From March 4 to 6 we staged with our partners of "Ride the Rift" the second edition of the charity event in Ankober, again collecting funds to support tourism professionals like guides and cooks with their families with no income since more than 2 years. Besides this charity event we offered different other outdoor trips, just recently a bigger one with almost 100 clients done in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and the Oromia Tourism Commission. Destination was Bekoji, at 2,800m altitude on the Arsi highlands, the undisputed country’s capital of distance running, being home of world-class athletes like Derartu Tulu, the Bekele brothers or Dibaba sisters. The Great Ethiopian Run office organized the 7km running race, while we as Ride the Rift added a 15km bike race, hiking and biking day trips in the Arsi Mountains, and all other needed logistics like transportation, accommodation, managing a big campsite and catering for about 100 people. The aim of us organizers is to establish the Great Bekoji Run as an annual event. Please find below some photos and here a short video clip.

New Italian Youtube channel of Lorenzo

Our charismatic staff member Lorenzo Mazzoni just started a new Youtube channel called “Rasta School” about Rastafarianism and other Ethiopia related topics. So far the 6 video clips include episodes about the origins of Rastafarianism, important speeches of emperor Haile Selassie, stories about the Italian-Ethiopian wars, athlete Abebe Bikila & a Bob Marley concert. In the single episodes of average 30 minutes duration he talks about the historical background but also personal view of the above topics and recites stories from the different books that he wrote about Ethiopia. The clips are in Italian language, but with subtitles in Italian, English and other languages. Please enjoy listening to Lorenzo’s stories, he is looking forward to have some more subscribers to his channel.