COMMENT FROM AUSTRALIA:  MELBOURNE.

“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