Ethiopia Adventure Journey Strategies

In November 2010 my husband and I travelled all over Ethiopia for three months by general public bus with a private guideline. Vacation (particularly bus journey) is a serious experience and not for the faint hearted as there is very long travel times (even longer if the bus breaks down) on inadequately maintained roadways. But it is an fantastic way to get up near and particular and knowledge the everyday living and society of the locals.

Addis Ababa
We arrived at the airport at 3.30am. We had not booked any lodging owing to our early arrival so we stayed at the airport till about 7am. A taxi agreed to acquire us into the town for USD$10. We went to the Ras Hotel wherever we experienced to wait until 9am to see if they had a place.
Journey Idea: We stayed at the Ras Lodge 3 times owing to its central spot. The rate features breakfast which is terrible but lunch and evening meal are excellent.

Bahir Dar
We stayed at the Ghion Resort on Lake Tana and did a boat cruise to the islands to see the painted churches. The Blue Nile Falls location is very but not worth the long bumpy ride to get there. Considering that damming the river, the waterfalls are absolutely nothing at all like the posters demonstrate.
Travel Idea: Look at if a information is bundled with your Lake Tana boat cruise. There was 9 of us on our boat. No information accompanied us on the boat besides for our non-public manual Samson. The initially island we visited Samson acted as intrepreter usually we would have not comprehended what we had been on the lookout at. The second island we frequented the church guide spoke English.

Gonder
The abandoned castles are pretty appealing and it is really worth choosing the guides within the gate.
Travel Idea: We stayed at the Belgez Pension which was inexpensive, cleanse and silent but the rooms have been quite small and cramped. They do your washing for a pretty smaller price – give to the cleaners in the early morning.

Simien Mountains
We did a just one day 4WD working day journey with an additional traveller and our manual Samson.
Journey Tip: We would have liked to have stayed overnight even even though we are not trekkers, as the landscapes is amazing.

Lalibela
We used 2 nights in Lalibela discovering the wonderful rock churches.
Journey Suggestion: Retain your entrance ticket helpful as they will be checked at every single church entrance.

Arba Minch
Arba Minch is a right away bus stop among Addis Ababa and Jinka.
Journey Tip: Invest an additional night on one particular of the stopovers and do the lake tour.

Jinka
We employed a 4WD locally to tour the primary 3 tribes in the spot (Mersi, Hamer and Karo tribes). We shared this charge with 3 other travellers who have been on the bus and stayed at the identical accommodation as us.
Vacation Idea: Buy your bus ticket to Addis Ababa early (at least 1 day in advance) so you can get a far better seat number in any other case you will discover you caught at the back of the bus on the 2 day journey. Get very good ear plugs so that you can block out the sounds of the loud new music movies enjoying.

Transportation
We applied a range of transportation that incorporated: public bus, minivan, 4WD and boat.
Travel Idea: If you find that pretty a few of you are heading in the exact same path, it will be more affordable and comfortable to lease a minivan and driver like we did from Bahar Dar to Gondar (7 people).

Tour Tutorial
We utilised the products and services of a private guideline. This was the first time we have hired a guidebook for the complete journey via a new country. The manual proved priceless in keeping the touts away (truly worth the money by yourself), working with area tour operators and obtaining resorts.
Journey Idea: Use a private guide’s substantial information and knowledge to delight in Ethiopia through the eyes of a regional.