Long Treks

These routes will take us over hill, along river, and across plains where everybody goes on foot or horseback to this day. This has to be some of the most perfect riding country in the world, with the depth, vastness and ever changing light of a land close to the heavens. Great plains of grass, full of herds of cattle, will be the atypical – for a western eye- Ethiopian landscape to which we’ll set our hoof beat. We’ll pitch our tents under the Abyssinian skies and set off at dawn for the ever expanding horizons.

Sunset

The horses, a hardy mix of Abyssinian Pony, are well accustomed to the altitude –close to 3 000 meters high- and are energetic and brave with good hearts. On the way, we’ll see orthodox churches, and experience the rhythms and mores of the true Ethiopian countryside with its inhabitant’s simple life. The horse, here the most normal form of transport, is the ideal vehicle to slowly penetrate the aged beauty of a millennia old lifestyle.

Highland and Montane Forest Trek

Camp Coffee

Taking us from our base in Solulta near Addis Ababa this ride encompasses the Montane Forest of Menagesha-Suba, the high plateau of Shoa and the Muger River Gorge. We get to see the typical Abyssinian lifestyle and camp every night together with farming communities and witness their lives first hand. Lots of cantering and diverse landscapes. The kingdom of Shoa long occupied a central place in Ethiopian history – and not just geographically. This was the seat of power from which Ras Tafari, later better known as Emperor Haile Selassie, was to rule the country. But even stretching far back into the Middle Ages Shoa was a pivotal region, a one where trade routes crossed and bountiful herds of cattle were raised. The Montane forest of Menagesha Suba exemplifies this with a written record in the chronicle of Emperor Zara Yacob in the 15th century proclaiming its protected status. (See itinerary).

Space available for 2011 and 2012. Contact us for more details.

Long trek dates as follows:

  • Feb 12 to 18 2012
  • Mar 4 to 10 2012
  • May 13 to 19 2012
  • May 27 to Jun 2 2012
  • Oct 14 to Oct 20 2012
  • Oct 28 to Nov 3 2012
  • Nov 11 to Nov 17 2012
  • Dec 9 to dec 15 2012

AVAILABILITY:

Please Contact us by email or phone for dates, itineraries and prices.

RIDING LEVEL:

You should be comfortable walking, trotting and galloping and be able to remain in control of your horse at all times.