Discover 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 32 reviews.

Clive Hodson

DISCOVER ETHIOPIA

Written November 2009
A very busy but absolutely inspiring trip full of often unexpected but wonderful moments. Ethiopia has a lot to give but on Its terms. Accept that and you will have a fantastic experiance.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
1. Riding the Mules to the top of the world at 3200m
2. Simean mountain walk with the Baboons
3. Meeting the 'real' people in the market and villages and seeing how they live and work
What did you think of your group leader?
Gebri was extremly knowledgable about all things Ethiopian but also went beyond to ensure we were well cared for and also added many extra opportunities to increase our experiance of his country.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go with an open mind. Read the itinery. Do not expect luxuries like hot water which sometimes was not available Get covered in dust from the long journeys on dirt roads but its all part of the experiance.
We felt it best not to give money or pens to individual children on the street but to take a box of pens or even a sum of money and ask to visit a school during the trip and donate it directly to the schools which we saw were very under resourced. English text books were also needed plus posters, maps, atlases or any educational equipment.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We all talked about if it would be possible to spend one night camping in the Simian mountains rather than the hotel. This would have added a great experiance to that part of the trip.
Michael Giles

DISCOVER ETHIOPIA

Written October 2009
Bob Geldof and Band Aid’s commendable efforts in the 1980s focused our attention upon one ill-fated aspect only of a country otherwise rich in history, culture and religion. With mountains, lakes, quirky churches set in stunning situations, and an abundance of fauna and flora too, a tour of Ethiopia ticks all the right boxes as an exploration holiday.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Many would choose between the fascination of the rock-hewn churches at Lalibela and the breathtaking scenery in the Simien Mountains. However our highlight was to set an alarm for 4.30am and slip into the pre-dawn darkness of Axum. There to witness thousands of white-clad chanting worshippers parading a Tabot (or was it the Ark?) on the streets encircling the church of St Mary of Zion, prior to the highly colourful festival of Meskel which otherwise filled the morning.
What did you think of your group leader?
Native to the country and with an excellent command of English, Gebre was able to relate to locals and the group alike guiding us through, and allowing us a close insight to his country and culture.
An excellent naturalist too.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Read at least a couple of books from the recommended list before you go. Hancock and Marsden make very different reading but each will enhance your visit. Then grab your Fedora and go on a quest of your own.
Da de da dah… Da de Daah!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Eat your heart out – Indy!
Roger Collins

DISCOVER ETHIOPIA

Written April 2009
A great trip covering the highlights of Ethiopia. I never realised Ethiopia had so much to offer from European like castles to rockhewn churches and rolling African plains.    Goodat being in Axsum for the Orthodox Palm Sunday.   The bird life in Ethiopia is very good. The down side was the two overnight flights and two changes of hotel only one of which was notified to us.   Im glad there was recognition that the second change was not good.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Rolling plains of Africa, and the Rock Hewn Churches.
What did you think of your group leader?
Gabre was a competent tour leader, totally unflapperable.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
To be conscious that the infra structure is very basic, and some of the walks were quite demanding
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Confusion over maleria.   The NHS truth for Scotland publishes a map showing the entire route is very low risk.
Ethiopian airways can take a long time to unload the plane at Heathrow
Zoe Hale

DISCOVER ETHIOPIA

Written April 2009
Good overview of the classic sights in Ethiopia.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing the Palm Sunday pilgrims bedding down for the night around the church at Axum.
What did you think of your group leader?
Gebre was fantastic - knowledgeable, friendly and organised.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
It is really slippery on the walk to the monastery from Lalibela - I ended up borrowing a walking stick off a guide but if you have your own walking poles bring them as suggested in the Trip Notes.

I'd also agree that it feels hotter than you might anticipate from reading the Trip Notes.

Changing money at the airport was a problem on the way home - so it was difficult getting rid of any excess birr. This might be as we caught the midnight flight by which time most of the banks were either closed, closing or just saying no! Not all of the duty free shops in the airport will accept birr either so you can't get rid of any excess cash this way. (In fact the rule seemed to be the less enticing the shop and its stock the more likely it was to be one of the few that took birr!) So think about how much money you change at the start of the trip...
It's a busy tour - you will have to get up early most mornings either as you are trying to do something before it gets too hot or travelling on to your next destination.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Wondo Genet is nice - and it is interesting to see the contrast between high and lowland Ethiopia on the way. However I think spending more time in the Simien Mountains would be better. Maybe a day walk so there is still a contrast with the trips that offer more rigorous trekking...?
Stephen Morris

DISCOVER ETHIOPIA

Written March 2009
The tour offers a good combination of activities giving one a taste of the culture, the people and the natural environment.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The walks to the Blue Nile waterfall and in the Simien mountains were the most memorable experiences.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our tour leader, Gabre, was a very helpful and knowledgeable guide. Our group was large but he coped very well.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Aside from spreading a little money around the local economy you could leave the buying of souvenirs to the afternoon you return to Addis and simply go the Haile Selassie Emporium near the Ghion hotel. Good prices and a wide selection of products. For land only travellers the Ghion hotel offers a free shuttle to the airport
I opted to walk up to Ashetan Maryam rather than ride the mule. I was not comfortable with the treatment of the mules. Good shoes and a walking stick are useful especially for the downward part as the ground was quite loose and slippery. Vegetarians be prepared for a very limited choice of food during the day. I tried to avoid eggs at breakfast so as to have that option either at lunch or dinner.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
To Exodus: Look at the return from the Blue Nile walk by bus and think about substituting a boat along the Nile to Lake Tana. It might be a more interesting way to wrap up the activity.
Wendo Genet is a nice area but is it worth the long road journey both ways? I don't think so especially if you are in a large group in a cramped coach.
Lesley Galvanoni

DISCOVER ETHIOPIA

Written November 2008
The trip was well planned with highlights everyday. This holiday offered a great variety - wildlife, history and wonderful scenery. Food and hotels a good standard. The holiday attracted alot of elderly people - some of these couldn't manage to full schedule of events - to get the most out of the holiday you need to be mobile.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Some children dancing and singing for us along the roadside at Wendo Genet.
What did you think of your group leader?
One of the best.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Ethiopia is great, don't have any reservations about the country.
christine gadsdon

DISCOVER ETHIOPIA

Written October 2008
A good and enjoyable trip, tour leader friendly and knowledgeable. Conclusion: As I have been to countries Sub-Saharan Africa and to rural areas in India, I feel that I have seen much the same, really no difference in these destinations for most of the population. Therefore, I did find that this trip lacked excitment and was not different enough from other destinations that I have visited.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Going to a school and speaking with the students. I also met with one other member of the group a 14 year old girl in Axum who spoke perfect English and who wanted to be an Astronaut. Her younger sister wanted to be a doctor and their younger brother was also clever being top of his class.
What did you think of your group leader?
Very knowledgeable and friendly.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Just enjoy everything with an open mind.

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Our Clients’ Reviews

DISCOVER ETHIOPIA

DISCOVER ETHIOPIA

DISCOVER ETHIOPIA

DISCOVER ETHIOPIA

DISCOVER ETHIOPIA

DISCOVER ETHIOPIA

DISCOVER ETHIOPIA