National park · Ethiopia
Simien National ParkSimien Mountains National Park
Enter Simien National Park for a day hike to the escarpment (≈3 h, $5 entry) or a multi‑day trek to Ras Dashen (≈9 days, $150 pp per day). Go October–March for dry trails, avoid July–August monsoon.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
220 km² (85 sq mi)85 sq mi (220 km²)
approximate
Established
1969
Best months
Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 12Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Ethiopia ↗Apply for the Ethiopian e-visa only on the official portal before you fly; visas on arrival have been suspended for most foreign visitors (check the current status for your passport).
- Ethiopia ↗Check your government's advice zone by zone before booking any domestic flight; in 2026 the UK and US advise against all travel to Amhara and Tigray, and the US also to Afar.
- Ethiopia ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention below about 2,000 m, altitude, and yellow fever — Ethiopia is itself a yellow fever risk country, so your next destination may ask for the certificate.
- Ethiopia ↗Confirm times in writing: local 'Ethiopian time' counts hours from about 6 am, so 2 o'clock local can mean 8 am.
- Northern Ethiopia ↗UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand all advise against travel to parts of the north; check your own government's page before booking anything.
- Northern Ethiopia ↗Former conflict areas in Tigray and along the Eritrean border were mined; do not walk off marked routes or roads.
- Northern Ethiopia ↗Flights to Lalibela were suspended on 24 September 2026; confirm any domestic leg with the airline before paying.
At a glance
- Country
- Ethiopia
- Area
- 220 km² (85 sq mi)85 sq mi (220 km²)
- Approximate; park covers the high mountain zone and adjacent valleys.
- Established
- 1969
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Simien National Park protects Ethiopia’s high mountain ecosystem, offering dramatic cliffs, the 4,553 m Ras Dashen summit, gelada baboon troops and the rare walia ibex; visitors can choose a short escarpment walk or multi‑day guided treks, with entry fees of 5,000–8,000 ETB and guide rates around $150 per day.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1978
Size and age
220 km² (85 sq mi)85 sq mi (220 km²) · national park since 1969
Approximate; park covers the high mountain zone and adjacent valleys.
Why go
- Spectacular high‑altitude scenery with cliffs, plateaus and the 4,553 m Ras Dashen.
- Gelada baboon troops and rare walia ibex on the trails.
- Cultural villages and community lodges inside the park.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JunStart of rains
- JulHeavy monsoon, landslides
- AugHeavy monsoon
- SepRainy, trails muddy
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gelada baboon troopsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Walia ibexMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Ethiopian wolf (rare)Oct–Feb · Very rare; sightings unlikely. | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Debark headquarters | Gate, visitor centre, maps, entry point for short hikes. | Open with ticket. |
| Sankaber Camp area | First community lodge, trailhead to Geech. | Accessible on foot or 4×4 with guide. |
| Geech & Chenek camps | Higher altitude lodges, access to Imet Gogo and Ras Dashen. | Guided trek only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates centred on the Debark headquarters; other points approximated from park maps.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (Debark gate) | ETB 5,000–8,000 | person | 2026 estimate; check at gate |
| Guided trek (per day) | US$150–200 | person | Standard rates for organized tours |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Multi‑day trek permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ETB 5,000–8,000
- US$150–200
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Wikidata – Simien Mountains before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any trek beyond the Debark area or lasting more than one day.
- Camping
- Only allowed in designated community lodges or camps; no open‑air camping.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use camp stoves only.
- Pets
- Dogs not allowed in the park.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; bins are scarce.
Where to stay
Near the park
Debark hotels
Simien Park Hotel and budget guesthouses, 5–10 min from gate.
In the park
Community lodges
Sankaber, Geech, Chenek camps with basic rooms and meals.
Safety
Altitude sickness medium
Steep, rocky trails high
Rain‑induced landslides medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Debark headquarters reachable by car; short, paved paths.
- Higher altitude trails are steep and not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Support community‑run lodges that reinvest earnings locally.
- Avoid buying souvenirs that involve wildlife parts.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Simien National Park?
Entry is 5,000–8,000 ETB per adult (≈ $5–$8). Guides for day hikes are optional; multi‑day treks require a licensed guide (≈ $150 pp per day).
What are the best hikes in Simien National Park?
Short: Escarpment viewpoint (2–3 h) from Debark. Mid‑range: Sankaber → Geech → Chenek loop (3–4 days). Long: Debark → Sankaber → Geech → Chenek → Ras Dashen and back (9 days).
When is the best time to visit Simien National Park?
Dry season October to March offers clear trails and views; April–May are still good. July–August are rainy and can close high‑altitude routes.
Do I need a guide for a day hike?
No, the short escarpment walk from Debark can be done independently with a map. Guides are mandatory for any trek beyond the headquarters area.
Where can I stay inside the park?
Community lodges at Sankaber, Geech and Chenek provide basic rooms and meals. The Simien Lodge near Buyit Ras offers higher‑end accommodation.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go