SimienEcoTours

This 12-day tour opens with several days of demanding off-road mountain biking through Bale Mountains National Park, starting with a fast downhill from the Sanetti Plateau (4,100m) into the evergreen Harenna Forest. Riders continue through remote trails in Ethiopian wolf territory around the Moraro Valley, visiting the coffee-growing village of Manyette, with mules carrying luggage between wilderness camps.

After the biking stage, the tour shifts pace: several relaxed days in the Sidama coffee region include village walks and a traditional coffee ceremony, before finishing at Lake Langano with a boat cruise to spot hippos and fish eagles, and a visit to Abijata-Shalla National Park's Lesser Flamingo colonies.

Described by the operator as "nothing for the faint-hearted," it's an adventurous, remote biking expedition with a comfortable finish.

Highlights:

• Trail bike through Bale Mountains National Park's Harenna Forest and Sanetti Plateau (4,100m)
• Cycle remote trails in Ethiopian wolf territory around the Moraro Valley
• Visit the coffee-growing village of Manyette and meet Sidama coffee farmers
• Boat cruise on Lake Langano to spot hippos and fish eagles
• Visit Abijata-Shalla National Park's Lesser Flamingo colonies
• Multi-night wilderness camping with mule-carried luggage support

Surface and terrain:
Off-road trails, gravel roads and singletrack across Bale Mountains National Park, including a long downhill from Sanetti Plateau (4,100m). High-altitude, remote and technical, with mule-supported wilderness camping over several days.

Likely weather:
Altitude reaches 4,200m (Mt Wassama), with frosty overnight camps around 3,900m.

Suitable for:
Experienced, adventurous cyclists comfortable with high altitude, remote camping and technical off-road trails ("nothing for the faint-hearted," per the operator). Later relaxation days suit a slower pace after the biking stage.

This 14-day tour combines Ethiopia's northern highlights with the greener country southwest of Addis Ababa. After a city tour of Addis Ababa, riders fly to Lalibela to visit its rock-hewn churches and cycle to the cliffside Asheten Maryam monastery, before flying on to Gondar.

From Gondar, several days of high-altitude riding cross Simien Mountains National Park (up to 3,620m), home to Gelada baboons, Ethiopian wolves and lammergeiers, before a smoother tarmac ride to Lake Tana at Gorgora for some downtime and kayaking.

A domestic flight returns the group to Addis Ababa for the final stage: biking the Wenchi volcano crater rim, the green Gurage highlands, and a fast descent into the Great Rift Valley finishing near Bishoftu's crater lakes.

Highlights:

• Explore Lalibela's rock-hewn churches and cycle around the village
• Ride to the cliffside Asheten Maryam mountain monastery
• Cross Simien Mountains National Park among Gelada baboons, with a chance to spot Ethiopian wolves and lammergeiers
• Cycle the Wenchi volcano crater rim and the green Gurage highlands
• Relax and kayak on Lake Tana at Gorgora
• Finish with a fast descent from Gurage into the Great Rift Valley

Surface and terrain:
Wide-ranging: rough, high-altitude tracks in Simien National Park (up to 3,620m), volcanic ash trails at Wenchi, partly sealed Gurage roads and a Rift Valley descent, plus smoother tarmac to Lake Tana. Several days rated "difficult" with sustained climbs and off-road sections.

Likely weather: Altitude ranges widely, from Rift Valley lowlands up to 3,620m in the Simien Mountains, so conditions vary significantly.

Suitable for:
Experienced cyclists wanting a demanding, high-altitude, multi-region adventure with several domestic flights. Several days rated "difficult," so good fitness is needed; optional harder/easier variations offered on some days.

This one-day escape from Addis Ababa starts with a short transfer to the Entoto Hills on the city's outskirts. From there, riders cover 35+ km of mainly flat and downhill trails through eucalyptus forest, villages and farmland, with viewpoints over both the Ethiopian Highlands and the capital.

The ride finishes at the Welege Reservoir near the village of Dire, a good spot for a rest and lunchbox before transferring back to Addis Ababa (or continuing to cycle back on request). A stand-by service vehicle travels with the group throughout.

The tour can be extended into multi-day cycling to Lake Wenchi or the Gurage region on request.

Highlights:

• Ride through the lush Entoto eucalyptus forests
• Views over the Ethiopian Highlands and Addis Ababa from the trail
• Pass through countryside villages and farmlands
• Rest stop and lunchbox at the Welege Reservoir
• No riding on crowded roads, with a stand-by service vehicle throughout
• Family-friendly, with option to extend the ride on the day

Surface and terrain:
Forest and farmland trails, mainly flat with a net downhill (↑200m, ↓400m). Difficulty rated easy/moderate; can be extended for a harder ride on request.

Suitable for:
A family-friendly day trip suiting most fitness levels, with a support vehicle available throughout. Riders wanting more challenge can extend the route with their guide.

This 5-day tour explores Bale Mountains National Park, a lesser-known highland park south of Addis Ababa. After a long drive to Dinsho, three days of mountain biking climb from 2,900m through the Web Valley to the Sanetti Plateau at 4,100m, Africa's highest moorland, with chances to spot the rare Ethiopian wolf.

A spectacular downhill run from Sanetti to Goba through moorland, giant heather forest and gorges rewards three days of climbing, before the drive back to Addis Ababa.

The tour requires good fitness given the altitude and off-road terrain, and is run as a fully supported camping trip with cook, scouts and pack mules.

Highlights:

• Bike from 2,900m to 4,100m through Bale Mountains National Park
• Cross the Sanetti Plateau, Africa's highest moorland
• Chance to spot the rare Ethiopian wolf and birds of prey
• Rest at the "Grey Lake" (Gebre Guracha) below Mt Woronga
• Spectacular downhill from Sanetti to Goba through moorland and giant heather forest
• Fully supported camping with cook, scouts and pack mules

Surface and terrain:
Gravel roads giving way to small tracks and off-road riding, at altitudes of 2,900-4,100m. Terrain is relatively flat and grassy in places but often technical; difficulty ranges from moderate to difficult, with sustained climbing over Days 2-3.

Likely weather:
Night temperatures can drop below 0°C; daytime temperatures likely won't exceed 15°C. Warm, professional sleeping gear is needed.

Suitable for:
Riders with good fitness, given the high altitude and off-road, technical riding. High-quality mountain bikes needed (rental available).

This 8-day guided tour, suited to riders on their own bike or a rental hardtail/e-bike, explores the green region southwest of Addis Ababa. The route takes in the volcanic Wenchi Crater rim, the Gurage highlands (with visits to local village homes), and a fast descent from 3,350m to 2,050m into the Great Rift Valley.

Riders then continue past lakeside resorts at Ziway/Batu, before a final ride around Bishoftu's crater lakes. Two-night stays at two destinations keep transfers to a minimum, and hotels/resorts allow e-bikes and other electronics to be recharged nightly.

The tour is pitched as a good option for beginner mountain bikers, with a support vehicle running throughout.

Highlights:

• Ride the Wenchi Crater rim on volcanic ash trails
• Explore the green Gurage highlands and visit local village homes
• Descend from Gurage's highest ridge (3,350m) into the Great Rift Valley
• Ride past Bishoftu's crater lakes on the final day
• Relax at lakeside resorts in Ziway/Batu and Bishoftu
• Choice of own bike, hardtail or full-suspension e-bike hire

Surface and terrain:
Mostly sealed asphalt roads with some volcanic ash trail sections (Wenchi crater rim). Hilly, with significant climbs and descents, including a drop from 3,350m to 2,050m. No sustained off-road/singletrack. Support vehicle available throughout.

Likely weather:
Riders descend from highland altitude into the warmer Rift Valley, so temperatures rise noticeably over the tour.

Suitable for:
A "perfect beginners mountain bike tour." Suits riders comfortable with hilly terrain and daily distances of 43-79km, on own bike or rental hardtail/e-bike.

Starting in Gondar, this tour climbs steadily to the Kossoye highlands before entering Simien Mountains National Park for two days of riding among blood-breasted baboons, klipspringer antelope and rare Walia ibex, taking in the Jinbar Waterfall and the dramatic Chennek escarpment.

The highlight is a 40km gravel descent down the old Italian road at the Limalimo escarpment, dropping almost 2,000m through centuries-old forest and villages, before continuing to Axum. Riders can instead return to Gondar on the final day if they prefer.

Given the 2,800-4,000m altitude range, an escort vehicle travels with the group throughout, so riders can choose to skip climbs by car and focus on the descents.

Highlights:

• Cycle from Gondar to the Kossoye highlands with sweeping ridge views
• Two days riding deep into Simien Mountains National Park
• Spot blood-breasted baboons, klipspringer antelope and rare Walia ibex
• Visit Jinbar Waterfall and the dramatic Chennek escarpment
• Descend the spectacular Limalimo escarpment, dropping almost 2,000m over 40km
• Finish in historic Axum, or return via Gondar's castles

Surface and terrain:
Asphalt on Day 1, then dirt roads/tracks inside Simien Mountains National Park (2,800-4,000m), finishing with a 40km gravel descent at the Limalimo escarpment. Escort vehicle available throughout so climbs can be skipped.

Likely weather:
Altitude of 2,800-4,000m suggests cool, mountain conditions throughout.

Suitable for:
Riders comfortable with high altitude and mixed terrain (asphalt, dirt, gravel) and long descents. The escort vehicle makes this accessible to a range of fitness levels.

A short drive from Addis Ababa, this trip rides the rim of the volcanic Wenchi Crater Lake on smooth volcanic ash trails, with an exhilarating downhill stretch through Oromo villages to the neighbouring Dendi double crater lake. The loop returns to Wenchi on gravel through farmland and villages, before an overnight stay at Negash Resort, a former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie with gardens and a warm mineral spring pool.

Day 2 is flexible: relax at the lodge and pool, or ride quiet back roads part-way towards Addis Ababa before a transfer for the remaining distance. The trip can also be extended with additional days in the Gurage region or at Lake Langano.

Highlights:

• Ride the Wenchi Crater rim on volcanic ash singletrack
• Descend through Oromo villages to Dendi's double crater lake
• Return to Wenchi on farmland and village gravel trails
• Overnight at Negash Resort, a former royal palace with a warm mineral spring pool
• Optional Day 2: relax at the lodge or ride back towards Addis Ababa
• Extendable with extra days in Gurage or at Lake Langano

Surface and terrain:
Volcanic ash singletrack along the Wenchi crater rim, plus gravel roads through farmland and villages. Includes an exhilarating downhill section. Moderate difficulty, with the guide able to extend or shorten the ride on the day.

Suitable for:
Riders wanting a short, scenic mountain bike taster near Addis Ababa. Moderate difficulty suits most fitness levels; Day 2 riding is optional, so also suits those wanting a relaxed second day.

This 12-day guided MTB and e-bike tour explores Southern Ethiopia, starting in Addis Ababa and heading west into the volcanic Wenchi Crater and the green Gurage highlands, where riders visit local village homes. A fast descent from 3,350m to 2,050m drops the group into the Great Rift Valley.

The route continues through Sidama's coffee-growing enset plantations to the Bale Mountains National Park, crossing the Sanetti Plateau above 4,000m in search of the Ethiopian wolf and other wildlife, with the option to climb Tullu Dimtu (4,377m).

The tour finishes with time to relax on the lakes at Hawassa and Langano before returning to Addis Ababa. A support vehicle runs throughout, so riders can shorten or skip sections as needed.

Highlights:

• Ride the volcanic Wenchi Crater rim, with optional visit to nearby hot springs
• Explore the green Gurage highlands and visit local village homes
• Descend from the highlands into the Great Rift Valley
• Cross the Sanetti Plateau in Bale Mountains National Park (4,000m+), home to the Ethiopian wolf
• Ride through Sidama's coffee-growing enset plantations
• Relax by the lakes at Hawassa and Langano

Surface and terrain:
Mix of sealed roads, dirt roads and singletrack across highland and Rift Valley terrain. Significant daily climbing/descending, including a 2,000m+ descent from Sanetti Plateau. Difficulty varies by day (easy to difficult). Support vehicle available throughout.

Likely weather:
Altitude ranges from Rift Valley lowlands to over 4,000m on the Sanetti Plateau, so conditions will vary from cool highland mornings to warmer valley days.

Suitable for:
Riders comfortable with high-altitude cycling and mixed terrain (sealed, dirt, singletrack), with daily climbs/descents up to 1,000m+. Support vehicle adds flexibility for less experienced riders; e-bike hire available.