Horseback Riding Vacations in Ethiopia

Why tour Ethiopia on horseback?

Equestrian Tourism in Ethiopia is for adventurous riders who do not mind adjusting themselves to a limited tourist infrastructure, a real Paradise.

In exchange, they will discover the True History and the enormous cultural importance of Abyssinia, the ancient Ethiopian Empire.

Ethiopia’s history is very rich, about people that love their horses. For centuries, horses in Ethiopia haven been considered the National pride and one of the most precious legacies from its people to future generations.

Discovering the true Ethiopia on horseback is the best options.

Some interesting facts about Ethiopia

Ethiopia was home to the oldest kingdom of Africa, one of the first monarchies in the world. It has many legends to discover and a captivating history.

Is the only African country whose alphabet is over 2,000 years old, the Coptic Orthodox, and it’s the only country on the continent that has remained independent of the European colonies.

Geography

Located in the Horn of Africa, the Ethiopian territory is mainly mountainous and the Ethiopian Massif takes up most of the country.

The Great Rift Valley has its origin here, a great geological fracture with a total extension of 4,830 kilometres from north to south.

The Blue Nile Falls is a major waterfall located on the course of the Blue Nile River in Ethiopia, and it’s considered one of the most important in Africa.

Monuments of Ethiopia

It is the African country with the largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and the second oldest nation in the world to have embraced Christianity.

Visit Ethiopia and discover the origin of humankind, the wonders of early Christianity and the still wild highlands, and its people, the semi-nomadic Oromo whose origin is from time immemorial.

Lalibela is a monastic city in northern Ethiopia, the country's second holy city, after Aksum, which is an important centre of pilgrimage.

Other must-visit sites are the walled city of Hangar and its chaotic markets, and the palaces in the medieval town of Gondar.

Famous for its rock-hewn churches in Lalibela in the north, Ethiopia also has unique wildlife and beautiful national parks. All large African animals can be found in this territory.

Their people

In general, in Ethiopia, the scenery is splendid, the people are welcoming and its history is palpable.

Coffee is the quintessential national drink in Ethiopia. It’s not for nothing that it is considered one of the best in the world. The coffee ceremony is a leisurely, artisanal and above all aromatic ritual that Ethiopian women perform up to five times a day.

Horse riding holiday proposals in Ethiopia

Overland Ethiopia Tours and Beka Ferda Ranch are two companies that offer several routes and we recommend taking a look at them.

Overland Ethiopia Tours

Well-experienced travel and tour operator of Ethiopia’s cultural, historical, natural and wildlife attractions from Ethiopia

They offer tailor-made holidays holidays to suit your interests, budget and riding level, and you will ride through the highlands of ancient Abyssinia.

You will ride in traditional as well as luxurious style on local horses through various ecosystems and dramatic scenery and National Parks, which is inhabited, by many rare endemic species of wildlife.

Their horses are a mix of the famed Abyssinian Ponies, renowned to this day for their polo playing abilities, and of the descendants of Emperor Haile Selassie’s stable of Lipizzaner, Arabs and racehorses.

You will go to the high plateaus of the country, some of the best riding grounds in the world.

Their trails will whisk you over the plains, from Orthodox monastery to rural settlements, from picturesque mountains to deep gorges . . . and more.

Horse riding adventures overland across the high plateau of the Horn of Africa

This program explores and overland above spectacular countryside and the culturally diversity of the Abyssinian highlands.

• Route of 7 days ( 4–7 daily hours).
• Riding Conditions: Some mountainous terrain, moderate elevation (2000 – 3000m).
• Accommodations: in camp, using first class mobile tents, camping gears and hotels according to the availability.
• Riding Ability intermediate, it is recommended having ability to walk, trot and canter.
• Starting And Ending Point: Addis Ababa - Ethiopia.

Discover them via their web site: overlandethiopiatours.com.

Beka Ferda Ranch

The Beka Ferda Ranch has 5 hectares of land nestled in the Sululta Hills, 4 km from Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.

Beka Ferda Ranch will offer you a relaxing experience in Ethiopia backcountry, where guests can get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and feel the landscapes and life of a little rural village.

The Ranch puts safety as its first priority to ensure that all our guests have an enjoyable and safe experience.

Their equestrian experiences will surely meet riders’ expectations.

They offer ranch-based full day rides, they start and end at the ranch where you also spend the night.

A local guide will accompany riders and each ride will be tailored to the interests of guests.

Guests will get a chance to experience more of the rustic scenery in a ride that lasts for 4 hours. The first two hours will lead the riders through farm country and eucalyptus forests.

After a short break, riders will continue their journey through diverse environments back to the Ranch. There you can organize the next riding journey.

Visit their web site for more information: bekaferdaranch.com.

Ethiopia's landscapes provide a perfect setting for equestrian tourism, mountains at 3,000 meters, deserts, dizzying canyons, savannah, lakes and high plateaus. Horseback riding in this country is a pleasure that you cannot miss.

Do you also love the idea of exploring Africa on horseback?

Download our free eBook on equestrian tourism in Africa and discover the most beautiful and exhilarating horseback treks on the African continent. In this eBook, you can find the equestrian programs of some trusted riding holiday operators from 10 African countries.