TrekkingJune 17, 20265 min read
Simien Mountains trekking guide 2026: the Roof of Africa
Routes, seasons, wildlife, difficulty and what to pack for trekking in Ethiopia’s most dramatic national park.
UNESCO National Park · Nature & Wildlife
Simien Mountains
Jagged basalt pinnacles, escarpments that fall away into cloud, and endemic wildlife found nowhere else: walia ibex, gelada and the Ethiopian wolf.
- Best Time
- September to June
- Suggested Stay
- 1 to 5 days
- Altitude
- 3,200 to 4,550 m
- Region
- Nature & Wildlife
Why We Go
The Roof of Africa, where gelada monkeys graze above a thousand-metre drop.
Created to protect the endangered walia ibex, the Simien Mountains National Park was one of the first sites anywhere to be inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, in 1978. It lies on the northwestern side of the Simien massif, between Gondar, Axum and Lalibela on the historic northern route.
The Simien are less a mountain range than a broken plateau, split by erosion into towers, gorges and sheer escarpments. Endemic mammals include the gelada, walia ibex and Ethiopian wolf, while lammergeiers and thick-billed ravens ride the thermals. Giant lobelias dot the Afro-alpine grassland and ancient tree heathers line the trails.
You can visit on a day trip from Gondar or walk the escarpment for several days, camping at Sankaber, Gich and Chenek with a scout, cook and mules. The single rainy season runs from June to mid-September; the rest of the year the park is open and spectacular.
Highlights
- Walking among habituated gelada troops near Sankaber and Gich
- Walia ibex on the cliffs around Chenek
- Sunrise from Imet Gogo, ridge after ridge above the clouds
- Jinbar waterfall plunging off the escarpment
- Optional ascent of Ras Dashen, Ethiopia’s highest peak
Journeys Including Simien Mountains
Routes that pass through here
Plan This Destination
Build Simien Mountains into your journey
Nothing here is fixed. Tell us how long you have and what else you want to see, and our team will plan the route, including the flights, the guides and the hours that matter.
Let’s Plan Your Ethiopian Adventure
Tell us a little about your travel plans. We’ll help you create a journey that suits your interests.
Discover Ethiopia. Experience the Extraordinary!
Speak to someone who has been there this season
Our guides travel these routes all year. Ask about road conditions, festival dates or the best time to visit. You will get a straight answer.
Or call us directly on +251 912 039405