Nobu / Ethiopia
Simien Mountains.
Where the highlands fall away to the sky, and the cliff edge belongs to the gelada.
The Nobu perspective
Simien Mountains,
at your pace.
The Simien Mountains form Ethiopia's great northern escarpment, where pinnacles, deep gorges and Afroalpine plateau create the country's finest trekking country. Walkers share the cliffs with gelada, while rare walia ibex, lammergeier and Ethiopian wolf reward patient watching.
Trails follow the escarpment rim between immense viewpoints, highland villages and camps beneath a wide, thin-aired sky. Gelada troops graze close to the cliff edge, while walia ibex occupy the steeper, quieter reaches.
Half-day walks, scenic drives and demanding multi-day routes make the range adaptable, though Ras Dashen requires fitness and acclimatisation. The UNESCO-listed landscape suits travellers who want to move through wilderness rather than watch it from a vehicle.
SIMIEN MOUNTAINS
What to experience
Things to do here
When to go
Best time to visit
Start with the season that suits the journey you want, then confirm conditions for your exact route.
A closer look at Simien Mountains
Jul / Individual planning
Your dates, your route
Start with your preferred month. Your designer will help match the season, chosen stays and connections to your route, interests and preferred pace.
October to March
The drier season
October to March is the principal trekking season, with clear skies, firm trails and long views across the escarpment. October and November follow the main rains, when fresh green moorland and wildflowers add colour to the high plateau.
June to September
The main rains
June to September brings the main rains, making trails slippery and often closing views with cloud. Trekking becomes harder, while high-altitude nights stay cold throughout the year and may fall below freezing during the dry months.
2 places to stay
Where to stay
Compare the selection by style.
2 stays · All stays
Simien Mountains / Ethiopia
Limalimo Lodge
lodge · escarpment
From USD 200per person per night · indicative
Discover the staySimien Mountains / Ethiopia
Simien Lodge
lodge · highland plateau
From USD 150per person per night · indicative
Discover the stay
Good to know
Know before you go
Getting there
Road and air connections depend on the wider route and current operations. Nobu confirms the suitable connection for your dates before approval.
Read moreFees and permissions
Park, conservancy, community, activity or permit rules may apply. Nobu confirms the operative permissions and current fees in the approved quote.
Read moreTime and pace
The right stay depends on season, interests and onward routing. Nobu will recommend a pace for the individual journey rather than promise a fixed transfer or duration.
Read moreSimien Mountains National Park fees and entry rules
Good questions. Straight answers.
When is the best time to trek the Simien Mountains?
The dry season, roughly October to March, with October–November the greenest after the rains; avoid the main rains of June to September, when trails are slick and the peaks often clouded.
What wildlife can you see in the Simien Mountains?
Endemic species above all: large troops of gelada along the escarpment, the rare walia ibex on the cliffs, the occasional Ethiopian wolf on the high moorland, and lammergeier overhead — not Big-Five game.
How many days do you need in the Simien Mountains?
Two to four nights suits most travellers, enough for the key viewpoints and good time with the gelada; allow longer for a Ras Dashen summit trek.
Do you need to be very fit to trek the Simiens?
Altitude affects people differently. Allowing more time can support acclimatisation, but seek current advice from an appropriate medical professional and discuss the route before approval.
How do you get to the Simien Mountains?
Transfer time depends on the selected route, traffic, road conditions and current operations. Nobu will confirm the appropriate connection for the approved itinerary.
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Add another chapter.
Give your time in Simien Mountains another dimension. We’ll help you consider the connections and the time each place deserves.
