Wildlife and Wilderness of Ethiopia

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 18 reviews.

Colin Wotherspoon

WILDLIFE & WILDERNESS OF ETHIOPIA

Written December 2011
Although some of the hotels were a bit basic, you certainly don't need to be "intrepid" to go on this holiday (as Exodus describes it). An interesting and varied trip which challenged our preconception of what Ethiopia is like.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The trip to the Bale mountains was spectacular! As far as the eye can see, you are surrounded by a massive garden of alpine flowers. The Ethiopian wolf sightings were very memorable and unique. The lodge at Awash was charming - wish we could have spent longer there!
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader Mehrit, was amazingly knowledgable and enthusiastic about birds, almost to the exclusion of the other points of interest for us in such a holiday vis culture, schooling, lifestyle, health, politics etc. We felt we really learned very little about Ethiopia generally. This was a real shame, as the contact we did have with Ethiopians showed them to be a charming, friendly people.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't waste time on your last day going to bank in the city to change currency - it only takes a few minutes at the airport.
Definitely take a fleece as it is cold in Addis evenings, and Bale mountains.
Pamela Mynott

WILDLIFE & WILDERNESS OF ETHIOPIA

Written December 2011
The trip was amazing with wonderful scenery & wildlife sightings. The hotels were better than I expected - the only thing they lacked was comfortable beds.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The trip to the Sanetti plateau high in the Bale mountains was the high spot in more ways than one. We had six sightings of Ethiopian wolves. One was carrying a Giant Mole Rat which it buried presumably to eat later. The wolves are endangered with about only 500 remaining in the wild. There were amazing views from the plateau & strange flowers growing too, especially the Giant Lobelias.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our leader was most knowlegeable about birds and animals & always able to answer our questions. It would have been useful if he always told us where we were during our long journeys as we sometimes departed a little from the itinerary. We sometimes had difficulty in hearing what he said as there was no microphone on the bus and he was quietly spoken.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
We found that some hotels were prepared to depart from the standard European menus and to cook us traditional Ethiopian food which I enjoyed. In Goba instead of ordering a packed luch from the hotel we bought food from a local bread & pastry shop. It was much nicer and cheaper than hotel packed lunches.
In the Awash Falls Lodge be careful not to leave any food in your room that baboons can get at or they will find it. They can even open zips!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I thought the trip was amazing value & very much enjoyed the company of the rest of the group.
Albert Gadsby

WILDLIFE & WILDERNESS OF ETHIOPIA

Written November 2011
A great adventure.We saw a good cross section of the countryside from forest to productive farmland.Much greener than I expected.People friendly and most spoke English.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing two Ethiopian Wolves at a reasonable photographic distance.Finding a group of Guereza Colobus Monkeys
that came down to the ground.The very large troop of Hamadryas Baboons that walked right past us.
What did you think of your group leader?
He was excellent in every way.I used to lead overseas tours for one of Londons major tour operators and our guide on this trip could not have been better.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared for lots of dust while travelling.There is a great deal of building going on,including new roads,and it makes for slow and dusty progress.
LYNN REYNOLDS

WILDLIFE & WILDERNESS OF ETHIOPIA

Written November 2011
Not knowing quite what to expect this turned out to be one of our best "adventures". Were alll a little worried about the food and the obvious poverty and famine problems as seen on TV. The areas we went to had plenty of water, they seemed to be surrounded by lakes and the food was better than expected. Try the local food as well.!!!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Obviously seeing one of the worlds rarest mammals, the Ethiopian wolf, flamingoes, giant mole rats, the birding was fantastic and even bumping into a group of hippos. The scenery is magical.
What did you think of your group leader?
Gabriel was great. His knowledge and understanding of his country was amazing and his willingness to share it all with us, taking us to some of his favourite spots. His knowledge of the wildlife and where to find them was second to none. His willingness to listen to the groups needs and tweek the tour if necessary. Exodus is lucky to have him guiding this tour, he certainly made it for us. Thanks you we had a great time.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you want home comforts this is not the trip for you.. The accomodation was OK, but certainly not 5 star accomodation. You are only basically using the hotels for somewhere to sleep. There are some long driving days with some very good wildlife spots. We have certainly stayed in far worse accomodation, I dont think any of the accomodation we would say we wouldnt stay in again and Awash was a fantastic location, only wish we had had longer there to investigate the camp. Take a woolly or fleece for the trip up the Bale mountains, but you will only need it when you get of the bus. You wont need hundreds of pounds to spend as everything is relatively cheap and even at the markets we didnt bother too barter as the staring price was always more than acceptable. There are few places to buy "souvenirs" and I would say that tourism hasnt spoiled the country yet. This trip is certainly worth the minor discomforts if you are more worried about what you see and do than where you are going to sleep.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The tour is just about the right length of time. Our bird list was 297 not bad for 11 days and we have yet to count our mammal species. If we had stayed any longer I dont think we would have seen much more in the way of wildlife except a few more LBJ's. Go out and investigae the towns and markets, they are real eye openers, go and try the local brew tej in the local bars, immerse yourself in the culture and way of life. The locals will welcome you into their homes to show you how they live, make food,etc. We are not usually ones for too much culture bu had a fantastic time meeting the people and wildlife of Ethiopia. Thanks Exodus you got this tour just right.