Ethiopia: The Simien Mountains

The Simien Mountains, located in the northern Ethiopian Highlands, have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978. Due to their high altitude, these plateaus enjoy a cooler and wetter climate than the surrounding lowlands. This environment supports the local population, mostly small-scale farmers, who are even able to cultivate coffee beans in this unique landscape.

The massif is a vital sanctuary for several endemic species. The most iconic inhabitants are the Gelada baboons and the Ethiopian Wolf. The latter is one of the world’s rarest canids, with only about 500 individuals remaining in the wild.

Simien overview

Gelada Baboon (Theropithecus gelada)

Amhara Orthodox Christian

Coffee ceremony

Heading home

Geladas in the Simien National Park

Gelada baby

Lobelias — 3650 meters above sea level

Lobelias field in the Simien

Kids — 3900 metres above sea level

Ethiopian Wolf (Canis simensis simensis)

A young shepherd looking for his goats

Riders

Village — 1800 metres above sea level

Simien Traffic

Wood chore

Amhara woman

Inside an Amhara house