Classic Ethiopia History Tour

Dear Derek,

We recently returned from our holiday in Ethiopia.

We had a wonderful time, and I would like to express my thanks for the excellent organisation that you laid on for us.  Our guide Gita, was simply brilliant.  Not only was he an excellent guide but he went out of his way to make our trip really enjoyable, way beyond the call of duty.

I would love to return one day and would have no hesitation in coming back to book with you, and would most certainly recommend Rainbow to friends.    We had a great time.

So thank you again

Kind regards

Judy 

Dear Derek,

I just wanted you to know that we had a wonderful trip in Ethiopia and I think we've all fallen in love with the country and its people. Thank you for the perfect organisation, both in the route chosen, interesting hotels and above all in our outstanding guide, Get a, such an intelligent and charming man who went to the greatest trouble in looking after us. It was as near to a perfect holiday as possible, thanks to your planning.

I will certainly think of using Rainbow again.

Kind regards,

Melany.

Golden Tulip, Addis Ababa: excellent in all respects

Avanti Blue Nile, Bahir Dar: Good service and location. Average comfort, meals and facilities. 

Mayleko Lodge, Gondar: excellent service, location and meals. Good in terms of comfort and facilities. 

Simien Lodge: excellent in all respects. 

Maribela Hotel, Lalibela: excellent service and location. Average comfort and meals. Facilities good 

'Hi Derek,

Quite honestly, we have done most of the world but let me tell you that we are never going to forget Ethiopia !!

A very poor country it may be, but it is rich in its history & culture & it is also particularly unique. Quite simply it was an amazing experience for both of us.

We were extremely well taken care of especially our assigned Guide - Teddy Teudrow who was simply brilliant! All the attractions bar none, exceeded our expectations but Lalibela was something else!

You had warned & also from reading, we gathered not to expect too much from the accommodations. Here too we were pleasantly surprised & very satisfied. All in all, an unforgettable experience in an unforgettable country!

Let us take this opportunity to thank you in particular & the Rainbow team for your advice, expertise & care for putting up this great holiday for us.

Thanking you & best wishes

Farouk & Hutoxi'

'Hi Derek

 We had a great time - a really beautiful country, and very warm and friendly people.  The highlights for me were the Church of Saint George in Lalibela, the Simien Mountain baboons, and chilling out at the 'Highest Bar In Africa'.  Challenges for me were the internet facilities (it was barely usable outside Addis Ababa),  the lack of Diet Coke (I'm an addict, and it was only available in Addis Ababa)..  At one point early on I remember feeling that it was all a bit too exhausting and maybe we should've gone somewhere easier, but then I got adjusted to it, and wished at the end that we'd had more time to see a few other places too, such as Axum and the Danakil.        

 The guides were great, and the hotels were pretty good too, especially the Maribela which was a really chilled-out place with a fantastic view.  Thanks for organising it all for us - I've been telling everyone here what a fascinating place Ethiopia is, and it will always hold a special place in my heart for having been my 100th country!

 Phil'

'Ethiopia (the Historical Route) was very very good indeed.  The itinerary was very good indeed, we could not fault it; very good time-management. It was busy, it was intensive but very different. Lovely people., very warm, very kind, very friendly.

The guide is fundamental to a holiday’s success: Henok was outstanding!. We have done a lot of tailor-made tours and have never had such a good guide anywhere in the world. He made all the difference – he was very kind, very helpful, very personable and really, really good.

The attractions were all better than what we were expecting after having read books such as the Bradt Guide. Lalibela in particular, was remarkable. The highlight. The local guide there was very good too. I would recommend - especially if visitors go in the rainy season - to take walking poles and footwear with a strong grip for the stairs at Lalibela's churches.

Simien Lodge is lovely. It is an experience. But we did feel the altitude there. The viewpoint we went to was lovely. It is a remarkable place. 

Accommodation was all good except the Avanti Blue Nile at Bahir Dar which doesn’t have character or charm – it is a business-peoples’ hotel.  

Food was lovely at Habasha-2000 on our way out of the country and it works very well to have the farewell dinner there before the flight back to the UK.

We are very impressed with Rainbow Tours, thank you for going to so much trouble to arrange everything; we plan to contact you soon again to arrange travel to Africa and Latin America’.

'Overall holiday satisfaction: excellent.

Jupiter Interntional Hotel: god in all respects; service excellet.

Panoramic View, Lalibela: excellent service and location; meals, facilitie and comfort: good.

Sabean Hotel, Axum: excellent location. Good in terms of comfort, service and meals. Facilities average.

Avanti Blue Nile, Bahir Dar: excellent in all respects. Facilities good.

Mayleko Lodge, Gondar: Good in all respects. Service excellent. Issues with lack of water due to power cut.

Simien Lodge: Excellent service, location and meals. Good facilities. Comfort: good.

Like many other Africa countries it is their attention t detal that lets them down. Electrical outlets not fixed to walls properly. The service and the local people were great; very courteous and extremely helpful. That is a massive plus f the country's tourism '