Ethiopia: Simyen Mountains
The Simyen Mountains National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and presents some of the most dramatic scenery in Africa. Great volcanic plugs, formed 40 million years ago, have been eroded into fantastic crags, pinnacles and flat topped mountains. These 'chess pieces of the gods' tower over precipitous gorges, river valleys and vast plains. There are many peaks over 4000 metres. Ras Dashen, at 4620m, is the highest and the fourth highest in Africa.
The Simyens contain the endemic Gelada or 'bleeding heart' baboon, Klipspringer, Rock hyrax, Wahlia ibex and endemic birds like Thick-billed Raven, Black-headed Siskin, White-collared Pigeon, Wattled Ibis, White-billed Starling, Spot-breasted lapwing and White-backed Black tit. Lammergeyers, Ruppell's griffons and Egyptian vultures are seen soaring overhead. This park is also famous for its Afro-Alpine flora, with meadows and grasslands punctuated by Giant Lobelia and flowering Red-hot Pokers.
Mules, muleteers, park permits, guides and provisions for expeditions are arranged in the access town of Debrak, about 100 km from Gondar.
Photograph courtesy of: Mr & Mrs Maskell Rainbow Tours' clients