Tours and guides

For trips beyond Addis, a licensed tour operator handles the vehicle, driver, permits and local guides, and keeps track of security on the road. These are long-running operators that are members of the Ethiopian Tour Operators Association and are well rated by travellers. Nobody pays to be listed.

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  Travel Ethiopiasince 1994

  Historic route, Danakil, Simien, Omo, Harar and Bale; Addis layover tours.

  4.9(34 reviews, Tripadvisor) ETOA memberWebsite
• 

  GishAbay Ethiopia Tours

  Historic north, Simien, Danakil, Omo, festivals and layover tours.

  5.0(about 200 reviews, Tripadvisor) ETOA memberWebsite
• EQ

  Ethiopian Quadrantssince 2006

  Specialist tours: birding, botany, geology and culture.

  4.7(27 reviews, Tripadvisor) ETOA memberWebsite
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  SimienEcoTourssince 2014

  Simien Mountains trekking and the northern route.

  5.0(47 reviews, SafariBookings) ETOA memberWebsite
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  Ethio Wildlife Tours

  Wildlife, birding and national parks.

  4.8(26 reviews, Tripadvisor) ETOA memberWebsite

• Ask the operator for its Ministry of Tourism licence (competence certificate), and ask your guide to show their guide ID or licence. A real operator or guide won't mind.
• Check the operator is in the ETOA member directory.
• Only book operators you can find on their own website and with good, recent reviews on Tripadvisor or Google Maps. Read the newest reviews, not just the score.
• Get the itinerary, what's included (vehicle, fuel, park fees, scouts, meals) and the price in writing before you pay.
• At churches, parks and historic sites, hire the official guides who work at the entrance rather than someone who approaches you in the street.