Simien Mountains National Park | Ethiopia Safaris & Trekking

Overview

Simien Mountains National Park is one of Africa’s most dramatic highland landscapes, known for its jagged peaks, deep valleys, and sheer escarpments. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park sits at altitudes above 3,000 meters, offering cool mountain air, expansive vistas, and rare wildlife found nowhere else. Travelers come for its unique combination of trekking, culture, and wildlife—especially the iconic Gelada baboons and the endangered Walia ibex. The park’s rugged beauty, remote villages, and striking viewpoints such as Geech and Imet Gogo make it one of Africa’s most rewarding hiking destinations. With guided treks, scenic campsites, and unforgettable sunrise and sunset views, Simien Mountains offers an adventure that blends wilderness, nature, and authentic Ethiopian culture.

High Season

October to February

Best Time to Go

October to April (clear weather and best trekking conditions)

Pros & Cons

Home to rare endemic wildlife found nowhere else
Spectacular high-altitude scenery with dramatic cliffs
Safe and rewarding multi-day trekking routes
Excellent year-round gelada sightings
Cool temperatures ideal for hiking
Combination of culture + nature experiences

Weather can be unpredictable at high altitude
Nights are extremely cold
Some trails require good physical fitness
Visibility decreases during the wet season

Map in Ethiopia

Want to Visit Simien Mountains National Park?

Wildlife & Animals

The Simien Mountains host some of Africa’s most unique and endangered highland species. Wildlife is adapted to cold, rugged terrain, making sightings especially rewarding. Large troops of gelada baboons graze openly on the plateaus, while the elusive Walia ibex navigates the steep cliffs. Ethiopian wolves roam the moorlands in search of rodents, and high-altitude birds thrive in the crisp mountain air. The park’s biodiversity is tightly linked to its dramatic elevations, offering visitors rare animal encounters found nowhere else on Earth.

Wildlife Highlights

The biggest highlight is witnessing massive gelada baboon groups—sometimes over 300 strong—grazing peacefully on the highland grasslands. Cliffside sightings of Walia ibex offer unforgettable photographic opportunities, and lucky visitors may spot the rare Ethiopian wolf hunting across the Afro-alpine moors. The sweeping landscapes themselves form a wildlife theatre, with panoramic cliffs and open plateaus making animal sightings easier and spectacular.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

October to April is the best period for wildlife viewing, as clear skies and dry conditions improve visibility. Animals spend more time in open areas during the dry months, making sightings frequent along trekking routes.

Want to Visit Simien Mountains National Park?

Birds

Simien Mountains National Park is a haven for high-altitude birdlife, with over 180 species thriving across its cliffs, valleys, and alpine meadows. The varied landscapes support birds of prey, ground-dwelling species, and colourful highland endemics. The dramatic escarpments provide ideal nesting cliffs for large raptors, while the moorlands host species found only in Ethiopia’s highlands.

Best Time for Birding

Want to Visit Simien Mountains National Park?

Best Time to Visit – Simien Mountains National Park

High Season

October to February

Low Season

Seasonal rains can affect access in some areas

Best Weather

Typically during dry months; check local patterns

Worst Weather

Peak of Wet season; very hot months vary by region

May to October (Dry Season)

Less vegetation and animals concentrate around water, making them easier to spot
The skies are clear, rain is rare, and there are fewer mosquitoes
Even though most tourists visit during the Dry season, the parks still feel uncrowded, except for the bustling Chobe riverfront area