Menagesha Suba Forest Route 2011-2012
Day 1 (Sunday):
You will be met and transferred to our joining hotel to meet the rest of the group. After a rest, you will have lunch before visiting the ethnological museum, which gives a thorough overview of the different cultures and peoples of Ethiopia. After a look around town, you will have lunch at a local restaurant tasting traditional food and atmosphere. (Overnight in Addis Ababa hotel)
Day 2 (Monday):
This morning you will set off for the meeting point with the horses, about an hour away from the hotel. After becoming acquainted with your mounts, you will begin your ride out into the stunning Ethiopian Highlands. You will take a picnic lunch en route and in the evening, you will camp near Rob Gebeya (Overnight in mobile camp)
Day 3 (Tuesday):
Today you will ride off over the high plains towards Senyo Gebiya and the Muger River Gorge. We will get our first feel for the plains of Shoa, which have long been the breeding grounds for Ethiopia’s horses and mules (which we will witness first hand later in the Saturday market). The night is spent camping by a traditional homestead. (Overnight in mobile camp)
Day 4 (Wednesday):
We will cross countless small brooks on the way, amongst herds of cattle and fertile lands very far from typical images of Ethiopia. Whilst riding this route you will become acquainted with the great highland plains, peppered by small homesteads and Orthodox churches that form much of the central heart of Ethiopia. Lots of nice grassy grounds will make for a lot of cantering and a quite fast paced day. (Overnight mobile camp)
Day 5 (Thursday):
Leaving the plains we ride down towards Mount Wechecha, a medieval stronghold of the imperial court. In the afternoon we reach the endemic forest of Suba, whose first trees were planted by the 15th century emperor Zara Jacob. (Overnight in park headquarters)
Day 6 (Friday):
Today you will ride through the forest which is inhabited by the endemic Menelik Bushbuck, yellow fronted parrot, African Forest Hog and leopard and where you will have lunch before returning to the park headquarters. This is slow day with a lot of walking and forest observation. (Overnight in park headquarters)
Day 7 (Saturday):
Striking out for our last day across the plains, we set off for the Equus stables in Solulta. Skirting the hills of Entoto with their eucalyptus forests, we will reach the stables in the late afternoon, with some nice cantering ground along the way. Time and weather permitting we will visit a horse market en route where you can buy incense from the Land of Punt and plastic sandals from Southern China... and a good 'Sennar' mule if it fits in your luggage! (Overnight Addis Ababa hotel for further travelling parties or flight to Europe)