Short Treks
Two day treks
Our two day treks start from our base in Solulta – where we will be spending the night next to our stables, in a pristine and well kept apple orchard. Quintessential Ethiopia from the heartlands: we set off on our first day over the Entoto hills. We can see Addis Ababa down below and also Mount Yerer –there are some medieval ruins there too- and Mount Zuquala if it’s a clear day – it has a lake inside it with a monastery and this mountain is on the famous Fra Mauro map from Europe in the 14th century! These are the sights emperor Menelik could see from his mountain redoubt of Entoto.
This is quite a slow day, with mountain paths and forest. In Entoto, it is quite common to see Menelik Bushbuck and baboon. Much rarer but present as well is leopard and bush pig; like the hyena, these animals are mostly nocturnal and very shy. Good birding too. We spend the night camping with a bonfire in the park next to our stables. Should expect to hear hyenas as the area is famous for them.
On our second day, after cutting the Gojjam Road, we go out over the plains and cover typical highland landscapes. This is a faster paced day with lots of opportunities for cantering. Grasslands and small agricultural settlement make up these lands, the old heart of Shoa. Making a long arc over these soft lands, we arrive back at our stables around 4 pm.
Three day treks
Our three day treks also start from our beautiful base in Solulta. This three day trek provides a faster and more intense riding experience with a couple of long days over the highland plains with long trots and canters and up to seven hours in the saddle.
On the first day, we ride out of our base in Solulta on mostly plateaux type terrain to reach the forest of Menagesha Suba in the Evening. This forest, protected since the middle ages and the reign of the Emperor Zere Yacob, is justly famous for its centennial Junipers and endemic flora and fauna. Menelik Bushbuck, Yellow Fronted Parrot, Baboon, Hyena and Leopard, together with a rich avian life, can all be spotted here. After spending the night in the rustic park headquarters, we will ride out for a day in the forest.
The ‘emperor’s resting place’ –an old shooting lodge, probably in reality from the time of Mengistu, who is said to have liked to wine and dine his Russian guests here- will be our goal at the top of the forest. Old railway tracks and century old sawmill machines are another interesting relic from the past and make this forest, with its unique natural riches, such an interesting place.
After another night by the side of the fire in the park headquarters, we ride back over the typical highland plains towards our base in Solulta. This is another good long riding day with swift speeds.
NB: Both of these long days (to and from the forest) can be shortened by previous arrangement or on the day itself, as the back up vehicle is only a short telephone call away).
AVAILABILITY:
Available on demand or by program. Please Contact us by email or phone.
RIDING LEVEL:
You should be reasonably fit and have some knowledge of horses but we do take beginners for these rides and are happy to organize a quick lesson to cover basics.
© 2012 Equus Ethiopia