Community Hike through the Wof Washa Forest
The highlands around Ankober and Debre Birhan are known for some unique endemic birds. And in the green forests you can find also a variety of plants and animals. Beside this, consider that you're on the edge of the Great African Rift Valley, so you'll have wonderful views into the lowlands - and all so close to Addis Ababa!
You will be accompanied by one of our experienced guides (English speaking, but other languages are available as well) and depart for a three days trip to the Wof Washa Forest which lies betweek Debre Birhan and Ankober, high above the Great African Rift Valley. The perfect short escape for a minimum of two nights with overnights in simple but clean community guesthouses.
You wander along shepherds' trails along the escarpment with amazing views into Afar Triangle far below your feet. The escarpment offers not only great views but also walking and hiking opportunities on trails of different levels. You'll waalk by local farmers' villages and can stop for a bit for some kollo, the roasted grain, or a glass of kosso araki, the local liquor.
Trips can be easily extended by a few days, in this case you'll stay in other community guesthouses. Or you can add a night at Ankober Palace Lodge or exytend your trip to Awash National Park. Just get in touch with us and we'll assist you planning the trip.
Tour code: CU48
Operator: SimienEcoTours
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ITINERARY & IN/EXCLUSIONS
Day 1
Drive east of Addis and first exploration of the forestDeparture from your hotel or airport will be at about 9:00am. In about 2 to 2 and a half hours driving north-east you reach Debre Birhan where you'll have an early lunch, then head to the trailhead with a drive of about 40 minutes more. Set off in good time walking down the valley, you are heading down the escarpment towards Mescha with a 4 hours walk. Overnight at the Mescha community guesthouse.
Meals: -/L/D
Accommodation: Mescha community guesthouse
Day 2
A long and picturesque forest walk with great viewsAfter breakfast walk around the edge of the forest to the settlement of Mescha. Pop in and visit the school. They have a Thursday market here, so the place will be a bit quiet on a Saturday. It's a really lovely walk - more or less following the contours around the lower edge of the forest with farm land around you. Depending on the season you pass fields of barley, broad beans and other pulses. A couple of hours from Mescha the path goes up to a pass. The views from the pass are completely worth the effort to climb up. Carry on down trough the thick olive (Olea Africanus) forest and emerge at the edge of the forest just up from the Lik Marefiya guesthouse. There you will enjoy dinner in the ‘great hall’. The walk is approximately 6-7 hours.
Meals: B/L/D
Accommodation: Lik Marefiya guesthouse
Day 3
The last day of the hike and return to Addis AbabaAfter breakfast in the guesthouse, there is a 2 hours walk to Tamkay to meet with a car. The last part will be uphill. The car will bring you back to Addis Abeba. Before this, you will have again lunch in Debre Birhan.
Meals: B/L/-
Accommodation: -
Included
Our services include:- all accommodations in twin/double rooms (upon request) with private toilet/shower;
- transfers from Addis Ababa to Wof Washa and back in your private car;
- experienced SimienEcoTours tour guide (fluent in English & Amharic speaking);
- meals as per itinerary (1 drink per meal included, alcoholic drinks excluded);
- guided nature walk;
- all (mandatory) entrance fees and local guide fees;
- all taxes and administrative fees;
- 24/7 emergency assistance.
Excluded
Our services do not include:- travel insurance;
- visa for Ethiopia (currently US$ 82);
- alcoholic beverages;
- tips;
- photo and video fees (if applicable);
- all extras and personal expenses.
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