The main take-away
Ethiopia is extraordinary, totally different in so many respects from its neighbors. It’s beautiful, fascinating, surprising and so much more. If you are interested in geology, history, wildlife, local cultures, geo-politics or a combination, there is so much for you to enjoy.
Life in Ethiopia is unpredictable, delightfully chaotic and a day often doesn’t run to plan (for everyone, not just tourists). Deviations from expectations can be both the best, and worst, parts of a trip in Africa.
So, without removing the essence of what makes travelling in an emerging destination surprising and memorable, it is important to set expectations. This will enable you to judge whether Ethiopia is the right destination for you and – if it is – enjoy the excitement of the journey all the more.
Ethiopia is much less developed from a tourism perspective than the classic safari destinations elsewhere in East Africa. For many people, this is exactly what makes it so exciting. For others, it can be an unwelcome surprise when they are wheels-down in Addis. Setting the right expectations for travellers with vastly different travel backgrounds is one of our core challenges.
We work hard to build the best itineraries tailored to you, using the most suitable local partners, checking carefully that all the necessary arrangements are in place prior to your arrival – as you would rightly expect.
However, despite our best efforts, it is likely that things will – if not go wrong – deviate from the arranged plan when you travel. When this occurs, you have to be prepared to take it in your stride. If you prefer to travel according to an exact schedule with very little room for deviations, you should re-consider whether Ethiopia is right for you.
Don’t worry – you are still in safe hands. This is just Ethiopia.