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Simien National Park

National park in Ethiopia

Photo: User: (WT-shared) Amsalo at wts wikivoyage, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Simien National Park, also known as Simien Mountains National Park], is in the Amhara region in northern Ethiopia. It was one of the first sites added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978. It features spectacular scenery viewed from its peaks and escarpments and fascinating gelada monkeys and other wildlife. The park headquarters are outside the park in Debark, the nearest town, on the main road between Gondar (to the south) and Shire and Axum (to the north).

Getting there and around

Getting there

Buses travelling between Gondar and Shire/Axum pass through Debark, which is the main starting point for the national park. Debark is about 3 hours from Gondar on a paved road.

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Getting around

A road runs from Debark through the park and accesses some of the campsites and villages.

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Airports and nearby hotels

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Gondar Airport

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Full travel guide

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Get inBuses travelling between Gondar and Shire/Axum pass through Debark, which is the main starting point for the national park. Debark is about 3 hours from Gondar on a paved road.

Fees and permitsGo to the park office in the south end of Debark – if coming from Gondar, this is on the left just after reaching the town. They will arrange permits and the mandatory scout, and take fees.

Get aroundA road runs from Debark through the park and accesses some of the campsites and villages.

SeeThe park contains Ethiopia's biggest and most spectacular mountain range, the Simien Mountains.

DoNearly all visitors to the Simien National Park come to hike through the spectacular mountain scenery.

BuyThe essentials are usually bought in Debark. A woven gabi, a thick shawl, is useful for the cold mountain nights and can be purchased at the market (around 300-500 birr, depending on quality).

EatIn Debark, the Simien Park Hotel on the main road offers reliable Ethiopian food. A few shops sell tinned food and bread.

DrinkBoth hotels mentioned serve St. George beer and delicious Ethiopian coffee, even if you are not staying.

SleepThe main hotel in Debark is the Simien Park Hotel on the main road south of the bus station. There are a few other decent places nearby if the Simien Park Hotel is full.

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Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Simien National Park" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Simien Mountains National Park", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Amsalo at wts wikivoyage, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

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