Ethiopia - Simien Mountains - Logistics

Debark is the access town for trekking or hiking in the park, now with fair choice of accommodation, as well as market and local shops for preparations.
A dirt road branches from Debark into the park, serving the local villages and visitors.
The Simien Mountains National Park headquarters are located in Debark.

The park has strict terms and regulations for visit:

Musts

• You must bring your own vehicle if you want to use the park road, and must not use the villagers’ local transportation (which is based on Isuzu trucks). Not too environment friendly, but with the relatively low number of visitors, it is still applicable, and of course – supports the local tourism industry.

• You must pay daily visit fee (in park headquarters)
• You must take a "scout” with you (through the park headquarters). The armed scout will accompany you throughout the visit, taking care of your safety.

Optional services the park provides

• Hiring a guide (Scouts are familiar with the route, but rarely speak English)
• Hiring mules and mulemen to carry your luggage (Highly recommended. Can be arranged in Debark as well as in each of the camps)
• Hiring a cook
• Hiring basic equipment: Tent, Sleeping bag, Stove

Transportation issues

The dirt road that branches from Debark may help you get to/from some of the camps along the trekking route, and is useful especially for those who are short in time (See the following map and itineraries).

Up until Sankaber, minivans can climb the road in the dry season. From Sankaber onwards, the road gets rough and is only suitable for 4×4 high vehicles.

It is still not easy to get good bargains for transportation in Debark, so it is better to arrange that through drivers / agents in Gonder. Note that if you finish the trek in Chenek, you have to arrange the car in advance, so it will pick you up in the designated time.

Equipment and Preparations

• Since the nights are spent in outdoor camps, and temperatures may drop to freezing levels at night, it is essential to be well equipped. Good tent, camping mattress and a warm sleeping bag are essential, as well as warm clothes.

• Cooking gear, food supplies, cutlery and plates. You can buy fire wood on the camps for cooking, but better bring a stove.
• Water: can be filled in local water sources. It’s recommended to treat them.

Arranging the whole package through travel agents

In order to save all the trouble of park headquarters logistics, hiring mules and mulemen, buying supplies, cooking, etc.,
you can pay a little more and get a full organized package from one of the travel agents in Gonder or Addis Ababa.