Feedback from Deborah Kutenplon United States,

I am finally having a chance to sit down and write to you about what a fantastic time we had in Ethiopia.  As you know, it is 7 ½ years since we adopted the boys and they left Ethiopia, and this is the first time we have been able to return since then.  I was a little worried that it might be a difficult trip for the boys, especially for Anteneh, as his sense of loss (of his family and homeland and language) might interfere with his being able to appreciate all the special sites of northern Ethiopia.  Instead, both he and Abel (as well as all of us) had such a special time, thanks to your careful selection of fascinating places to visit of religious and historic significance and natural beauty.  Kibru’s wonderful, warm presence made the boys feel so welcome home, and smoothed over any potential discomfort with Anteneh not remembering Amharic. 

We were especially so grateful that Kibru helped us with interpreting with Anteneh’s father and family in such a sensitive and accepting way.  The time Anteneh spent with his family will affect the way he thinks about his father and himself, now that he sees (as an older boy) how much his father cares about him and how hard it was for him to put him in the orphanage and allow him to be adopted.

For Abel, also, the opportunity to see Mekele, where he was born, was very powerful.  He has been talking about it, and about wanting to go back to Ethiopia when he is older to study the stele and the Axumite empire.  And as Kibru learned, when Abel becomes interested in something, there is no stopping him!  He has been drawing pictures of the stele and the stone churches and studying the books about them ever since we returned to Lesotho.
We selected your tour company from the internet, without really knowing much about it, but we feel we were so fortunate to find you!  Every detail of the tour was taken care of, and we didn’t have to worry about anything other than enjoying the sites and the food.  And we couldn’t have asked for a better tour guide.  Kibru took charge of everything.  He was relaxed and friendly, with a great sense of humor (which you definitely need in spending time with our children!)  He was a fabulous Ethiopian “big brother” role model for the boys, and made the trip just wonderful for all of us.

So we want to thank you both with all our hearts.  The boys now have such positive feelings about their homeland, and Alexis feels like she knows about a part of the world that few Americans her age have ever visited.  It is a trip we will always remember, and which will have a positive impact on our family’s life for many years to come. 
When we return to the U.S., we will let other families who’ve adopted Ethiopian children know about our wonderful trip, and encourage them to create a tour with you if they decide to go.  And please feel free to give our names and email contacts to anyone looking for a reference for your tours.  We have only good things to say about you!
All the best,
Deborah Kutenplon
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COMMENT FROM GERMANY

The trip was highly interesting and very well organized. Both our guide Kibru and Milyon, the driver (I hope I spell it correctly) were very kind and tried their best to make our journey pleasant and interesting. Kibru and also Milyon were well informed, Kibru explained things very well and served as a good interpreter when we visited people in their houses. Kibru and Milyion made a true effort to take us to several villages, with different ethnic groups, that were not originally planned in our tour. They were also quite open minded to change plans according to our requests. These visits were really a big advantage of taking the guided tours as you would not do so when you travel on your own, and provided interesting glimpses into the daily life of different ethnic groups – something we enjoyed very much. However, sometimes we felt a bit as intruders.

Kibru also cared much about our personal safety when we visited the Surma and Mursi, where some situations seemed at the border of becoming a bit dangerous. Both Kibru and Milyon also speak English well, and Milyon is a very good mechanics (as far as I can judge). At least, he solved quickly minor problems with the car, problems we encountered only twice or three times during the trip. The car was in a good shape.
Sancho, the cook who joined us in Jimma, was excellent and provided us with varied and tasty food. Having tables and chairs even during the trekking was a luxury we did not expect. The camping equipment was very good in general, your staff very quickly put up tents to make everything very comfortable for us. Maybe extra blankets or warm sleeping bags would be needed when camping in Maji. When compared to some of the hotels, camping often seemed the better option.

The biggest disadvantage for us was something you probably cannot do much about: the quality of some of the hotels and in particular the toilets. In our opinion, when good hotel facilities are not available, would be preferable to sleep in the tents. It is really a pity that e.g. the bathrooms of the otherwise very atmospheric guesthouse at the Coffee Plantation were run-down – it could be so nice if some money and effort would be invested. The same holds true for the hotel in Gambela. The rooms in the hotel in Jimma would need a total refurbishment.
A slight disadvantage of being so carefully attended was that we sometimes felt a bit too passive and would have preferred to be a bit more time on our own. Maybe it’s a good idea to ask clients in the future at the beginning of the trip whether they would like to be left alone sometimes. It might also be a good idea to discuss with the clients the plan for the following day, asking them whether they would like to put emphasis on other aspects or modify the exact itinerary a bit.

Dear Abebe, I would like to reiterate that we liked the tour very much, and had wonderful and highly interesting impressions that we will never forget. I hope that you do not mind that we listed also some negative points - we thought that it would be best to let you know because you then could improve your tours even further. There is no doubt that we can strongly recommend your company, as I have done when I was contacted by an American prospective client you referred to me.
All the best,
Thomas, Germany
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COMMENT FROM LUC FAZIO CANADA

Five Canadians had the pleasure of taking a Nature Tour through Ethiopia organized very successfully by Abebe Haregewion of African Adventure Tours. Our success in seeing most of the endemic birds and mammals of Ethiopia was due mostly to the leadership of our guide provided by African Adventure Tours and the well thought out itinerary that optimized our chances. The drivers were excellent and patient with our demanding requests.The people, culture, history and scenery of Ethiopia are quite amazing. The memories from this trip will linger with us fo a long while. Personally, I shall try to return to Ethiopia with another group in the future with African Adventure Tours. And, I would recommend African Adventure Tours to anyone that wants to see Ethiopia's fascinating Nature or Culture. Thank you Abebe.


Luc Fazio, From Canada

Be at Peace with Nature
Become friendlier go for a Nature walk
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COMMENT FROM AUSTRALIA, MELBOURNE

We arrived home safe and sound, but found ourselves missing Ethiopia too much.  I want to thank you so very much for making our dream holiday a reality, in more ways than we ever thought possible.  We left Addis in your car with a guide and a professional chief, and by the time we had spent 12 wonderful days on our tour, we came back with two extra people in our family.  Birhanu our guide was wonderful.  He was at every time looking after us.  We felt completely safe and comfortable with him and where he took us all the time.  Meskeram also looked after us and the children 100%.  She catered for my dietary needs at every meal, and we were spoilt by her wonderful cooking.  The children enjoyed her company and her delicious food.  We felt there was nothing missing from our adventure, we did and saw things I would never have believed possible.  Birhanu explained everything to us as we drove through different villages and cultures.  This is our 2nd trip to Ethiopia, the first was to pick up my daughters adopted son in 2001, so this was a very special trip for all of us, but especially for my grandson, as he was a baby when he left Ethiopia.  Right from the start Abebe, you were so efficient and friendly, you too are another in our family.  I can’t thank you enough.
Love
Robyn
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COMMENT FROM AUSTRALIA, MELBOURNE

Great to hear from you and all the very best to you and your wonderful staff for your coming Christmas season. We still have not returned home, as we visited my first son in the US and then our two children in Barbados, West Indies. We will spend a traditional Christmas here and then the Western New Year, and head home after a fabulous trip on January 5th. Ethiopia is dear to our hearts and we hope to visit again some day. The success of our stay, however, was largely due to you and your well-informed guides and excellent drivers. My research has allowed me to enrich my manuscript and I am grateful to Friew, Mulu and Israel for their valuable insights. We will spread the word when we get back to our new connections with Ethiopia in Melbourne 
Prue and Greg
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COMMENT FROM UNITED STATES

Just wanted to let you know what an excellent job Mr. Abebe and his team did for our recent tour of Ethiopia.  They made our vacation the very best it could have been, and their service and attention to detail were well beyond the norm.  It was truly our pleasure to be in their hands.
Sincerely,
Charles and Lori Hatz from United States
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COMMENT FROM UNITED STATES

“After we have heard about the colorful culture and ancient history of the country, we have decided to travel to Ethiopia for our two weeks holiday. We were very much interested to visit the major historical towns of Bahir Dar, Gondar, Lalibela, Axum, Harer and explore the cultural and historical attractions of Ethiopia.

We first discovered African Adventure Tours through the internet and from the first emails to the completion of the trip; we were extremely pleased with the service that African Adventure Tours has provided us.

Abebe Haregewion, the Tour Operator and Guide of the Company, was most welcoming and went out of his way to ensure that our trip went smoothly.  He was more than just a ‘Tour Operator,’ becoming instead a good friend.  Abebe, (and all of the tour guides) displayed an intimate and passionate knowledge of the history and cultures of Ethiopia and were more than willing to accommodate our personal needs throughout the trip.

The entire trip went very smoothly and we felt safe and comfortable at all times. Given the opportunity, we will definitely be back to Ethiopia for another Cultural tour to the Omo Valley and would certainly engage African Adventure Tours, Abebe and his staff again.”   

Simon Artz and Krista Robinson
March 2008
Australia, Melbourne

"We traveled with Abebe last summer and it was a really good experience. All things were as we expected and very well organized: flights, hotels, restaurants...On the other hand, Abebe is an excellent guide not only for their knowledge about his country and its culture, but also for his efficiency, and his warm and friendly personality.

We think he is the best guide we have ever had. You must bear in mind that hotels in Ethiopia are very modest but all of them were clean. On the other hand, in Addis Ababa we were in Ghion Hotel and we didn't like it very much. If you can spend 'a little bit more', we recommend you Hilton Hotel.

We hope you enjoy your trip,
Best wishes, Pep Martinez from Spain csarsa@menta.net 

I traveled with African adventure tours for my trekking trip in Simien Mountains.
I had great time through out my trip. All the services given by the company were excellent. I was very much happy getting the top of Ras Dashen. And I also enjoyed spending time with many friendly people.
I definitely will visit Ethiopia again.
Thank you for all your help in arranging such a wonderful trip.
Kazuyuki Okita- Your Japanese friend

Thank you again for the nice service during our Ethiopia Trip, I personally enjoyed very much not only the travel but also the simplest things, like the lunches together with the Injera in the small restaurants. I do not like to much the high luxury restaurants.

My next wish will be of course to visit the Omo valley; I do not think that next year will be the right one. But I am sure I will do it in two years. 
I am working also hard; this is unfortunately often the life style. I remember we already discuss with you about the sense of all this running and running, however, this is the play and we have to play.

Luca Bertamini- From Italy
AQUAFIL S.P.A.
Via Linfano 9, 38062 Arco (TN), Italy
Tel. 0039.3485209468

COMMENT FROM AUSTRALIA: BY TONY HOGG

Abebe Haregewion was my guide on my first trip to Ethiopia in 2004 and was also closely involved with the arrangement of my second visit to this dramatic and fascinating country in 2006. His enthusiasm, and pride in his country are infectious. His knowledge of its long history and his cultural understanding added much to our visit. Most importantly, his professionalism and very competent organization of all arrangements inspired all of us with confidence. And the warmth of his personality and interest in people, his ability to address the frustrating little individual concerns we all have in an organized tour, these are lasting memories. Ethiopia is almost addictive – there is just so much. I am now planning a third visit in 2008 and am looking forward to working with Abebe in his company, African Adventure Tours.

Ethiopia is a spectacular country in so many ways. The dramatic landscapes of the Rift Valley and the Simien Mountains, bathed in dusty sunset or swathed in early morning mists; Bahir Dar and the walk to the source of the Blue Nile, the early, misty, morning departure across Lake Tana to some of the island Christian Orthodox monasteries; fascinating Lalibela and its churches hewn into the rock, its Timkat, Epiphany and Christmas celebrations with their almost medieval atmosphere of brilliant robes and umbrellas, throbbing drums and the blare of horns, the ululating and swaying, dancing bodies; the long, dusty drives though Ethiopian history to places like Aksum where many believe the Ark of the Covenant lies; the tribes of the Omo Valley and the fascinating Turmi tribal markets, the rituals, including the bull-jumping and whipping initiation ceremonies of the Hamer tribe; the Mursi tribe, famous for the practice of inserting clay plates into the lower lips of the girls and women; the wildlife in the national parks and the close-up exposures to hippopotamuses and crocodiles from the safety of an outboard motor boat on Lake Chamo.

Tourist infrastructure is still developing in some areas of Ethiopia but the excellent organization, competent and very friendly and helpful guides and drivers, the use of comfortable four-wheel drive vehicles made for two wonderful trips. There is so much in Ethiopia so that I am hastening to visit Ethiopia for the third time in 2008. Not the least of the enticements was the wonderful cooks who created such mouth-watering miracles for us when we were camping in the Omo Valley.

But my lasting impression of Ethiopia is of its people and their wonderful, heart-warming smiles of welcome - and one of those will be Abebe Haregewion when you arrive.

Tony Hogg