June Addison review 31 Jan 2012
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
It was all memorable but - not toooo exciting!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Follow the instructions for what to take from the tour operator and how to prepare - the instructions were clear and helped a lot.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
I hope so.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Absolutely fantabulous. I am seriously considering the OMO area for the end of 2012 or early 2013. It is very disappointing to read the news about the Danikil terrorist attack. In some respects it is perhaps 'a good thing' that the UK newspapers did not give it to much coverage; that way, the embryonic Ethiopian tourist industry will hopefully not be too badly affected. I cannot see the point in killing tourists - to what end? Publicity? Certainly they got very little in British newspapers - thank goodness.
Anne Cooper review 26 Jan 2011
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Celebrating the Timcat festival in a small village where we were welcomed and looked after by the whole village community. A fabulous experience of colour pagentry and humanity.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Make sure you are able to walk on uneven ground in altitude. Easy for most people but must be a consideration for older travellers in particular.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Without a doubt. The TESFA organisation and holiday operator worked together to ensure this is tourism at its best for both the travellers and the communities.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
This was a wonderful way to see the beauty of Ethiopia, its warm friendly people and to experience one of it's best known festivals in an idyllic rural community setting. The guide was outstanding in her knowledge of the country and was proactive throughout to make sure everything was the best it could be for the group. A travelling group holiday cannot get better than this.
Matthew Thomas review 7 Apr 2008
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The trek in the Simien Mountains was truly memorable. It felt like we had the whole Mountain range, a world heritage site, to ourselves. Ethiopia is a beautiful mountainous country with historical sites to rival some of the best in the world, but with a tourist industry just getting off the ground the sense of exploration and privilege of seeing it now is palpable.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Do it now, the main tourist sites in Ethiopia is changing rapidly, they will not look the same in 10 years time.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
An influx of foreign currency into the country must be a good thing. Tourism provides this but also, inevitably, tourists impact the environment and the people they go to meet. For example, on the northern historical route you are met by many Ethiopians asking for stuff, water bottles, sweets, or money for their photo. You get used to it but it does detract from your enjoyment as a visitor. I believe the Ethiopians have a responsibility to make the tourist as comfortable as possible, in exchange more will come and their economy will benefit in turn.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A fantastic experience and the coffee is superb.
