How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Sue was fantastic and became a real inspiration to me throughout the tour, particularly because of her close bond with the local Ethiopians and her infectious love for the country. Teaching us all basic Amharic allowed a much richer interaction with the people we met, and I felt a less intrusive tourist as a result.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Take warm clothes for the Simiens, it really does get chilly. Also, don't expect western standards....this is Africa (in all its wonderful glory), and you should accept that, rather than moan about cold showers or lack of water or food not being what you're used to. Treat these western "hardships"  as part of the great thrill and adventure of the trip, and you'll have an amazing experience.

Do you have anything else to add?

If you love ethiopian food like I do, always ask for the local menu! They'll assume as a foreigner that you won't want their food, and you'll automatically be given the bland "faranji" menu instead. Enjoy their slight surprise when you order an Ethiopian dish!

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Sue was a great embassador for Ethiopia. She obviously loves the country and the people there - many of whome she can call personal friends. She very willingly shared her knowledge with the group and was happy to talk about a wide range of issues associated with the country. She was practical and careful about the day-to-day duties and I felt completely safe and looked after throughout the trip. Her desire to help the people along the way I think rubbed off on all of us to a greater or lesser extent!

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Be prepared to have your stereotypes and prejudices about Ethiopia blown out of the water. It is a vibrant, progressive, stimulating country. The people really are beautiful and the sites, from ancient Axum to hustling Harare, all have suprises to offer. Come with an open mind and an open heart and you will fall in love with east Africa.

Do you have anything else to add?

There is a lot of travelling in this trip - several internal flights and some long drives, but the travelling itself helps you get a feel of the expansive geography and it's worth the effort to get around all the major sites - they are all worth seeing and experiencing.

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Sue was brilliant, the best leader I've had with Explore or with other tour companies. Very knowledgeable, helpful and forthcoming. She does wonders for the local people and does much charity/aid work. She tirelessly changed money for the group everyday, organised single bills for everyone after every meal, gave a free group photo, free drinks and helped get excess baggage home.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Take a scarf to keep dust out of your face. Warm clothes for evenings. Take a Polaroid camera to give kids' their own photos. At the end of the trip it is possible to donate any unwanted clothes to needy street children so take as much as you can! One kid has my Christmas jumper with three Santas on it and a Santa hat.

Do you have anything else to add?

Brilliant trip. Amazing Four internal flights is a bit arduous but there is no other way to see so much of the country in two weeks. I'd challenge anyone to attempt this trip solo / interdependently and see as much as we did and without organisational headaches.

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Sue Guthrie - was a fountain of knowledge and taught us basic Amharic in our first week...she really is "one of a kind"

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Go with an open mind - there is so much beauty in Ethiopia - just open your eyes to the people and THEIR way of life

Do you have anything else to add?

not really a "holiday" but a travel adventure...wading through mud in Harar as do the locals and visiting the 24/7 "chat" market in the torrential rain

This was the trip of all trip to waver ALL preconceptions of Ethopia; no drought, no starving children but a well established and efficient method of traditional farming techniques, trade and bustling markets like nowhere else on earth! Addis Ababa is also a newly thriving industrial country. We had the most welcoming, knowlegable and enthusiastic British tour guide Sue, who had live in Ethopia for over 9 years. Don't be put off by the three internal flights, see them as short hops to see the most of this exquisite counrty. Susie has a nack of queue hopping at the airports - its not what you know but who!! There were highlights ever day so it's hard to pinpoint just a few; feeding the wild hyenas in Harar and watching them parade down the high street, sunset in Awash Nationl Park, the sunrise boat trip on Lake Tana, the Castles at Gondar, a breathtaking walk along a ridge in The Simien Mountains following the Gelada baboons, the assume grave stone-like stelae at Axum, the relaxing mule trek through the hill farms and the least, the inspirational rock cut, sunk churches of Lalibela, an UNESCO world heritage site. Not to mention the chat markets and the Queen of Sheba' s shower and all of the beautiful children who never stop smiling. The local music, singing and cuisine a must, trust me on this one! The road are empty as most Ethopians walk everywhere, from dawn 'till dusk. Go now before tourism changes an often Biblical way of life. How can I upload a selection of photos. - they are stunning?!

We went on this wonderful tour in January so that we were in Axum during  the Timkat Festival.  .We found the whole experience a delight, mixing with the local people, seeing their traditions and enjoying the atmosphere.  We moved on to the Simien mountains, the scenery was stunning.  People have said how baboons can be aggressive, but the Gelada Baboons were very calm and we were very close to them, without any worries.  Then we went to Lalibela and saw the incredible rock churches -  just amazing.  We walked through the passageway ‘hell to heaven’.  Try it, it is worth it.  Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, is wonderful and early morning it really is ice blue in colour, even though the hippotamus are bathing in it!  We had an excellent Tour Guide who obviously loved the country herself and shared this love with us.  The only regret we have is that we didn’t take clothes with us which we would have been  happy to leave behind or give away during the tour. (ET - 18th January 2011)

Fascinating culture and friendly people.  Enjoyed the mule trek up to Ashata Maryam church.  Bear in mind hot water is not always readily available for showers. (ET - 31st October 2010)

Ethiopia must be the hidden gem of Africa.  Stunning, diverse scenery, incredible culture and history and wonderful people.  For an insight to a different Africa, you have to experience Ethiopia.    Lake Tana is serene. Tississat Falls are majestic. The castles of Gondar gives a real insight to the history of the country.  The Simien mountains are stunning - beautiful beyond words.  Then there's the Rock Churches at Axum - you've seen the pictures of St Georges church - impressive, incredible, and only one of several to see !    

One of the best organised trips we've taken with Explore, brilliantly led by our Tour Leader, excellent itinerary.  A sensational trip, getting the balance absolutely right.    Not physically demanding, but a tiring trip.  But worth every ounce of effort.  Immerse yourself in it - it's an incredible experience and a wonderful trip. (ET -10th October 2010)

It had rained heavily the night before so it was a relief to see clear blue skies above Debark, our base for a daywalk in the nearby Simien Mountains. After less than an hour's drive up a winding mountain track, we got out and began hiking along the escarpment of the Simien Mountains. The fine weather ensured spectacular views, but would we get to see any Gelada Baboons I wondered? Before long, we spotted a large troop of them on the next hillside and unlike so many other species of wildlife, they seemed unbothered by our presence. I sat myself down in front of the general direction that the Baboons were slowly moving- shuffling along on their backsides and picking at the grass. One very impressive male with his bright red chest and flowing golden mane, inched within about 2 metres of me before noticing me- he briefly glanced in my direction, simply made his way slowly around me and carried on grazing. An amazing and unexpected wildlife encounter to rival anything I've ever seen elsewhere in Africa. (ET- 28th March 2010)