Ride the Rift - Ethiopian Outdoor Adventures

RIDE THE RIFT is a collaborative effort by four Ethiopian tour operators to re-energise Ethiopia’s tourism sector. Our aim is to introduce new destinations to travellers in Ethiopia and offer opportunities to experience the beauty of these places while participating in cycling, running and hiking activities.

Five individuals from four companies have pioneered Ride the Rift: Mark Chapman of Tesfa Tours; Marco Degasper and Christian Sefrin of SimienEcoTours; Bogale Abey of Dynasty Ethiopia Tours; and Richard Nerurkar of Ethio Cycling Holidays.

Between us we have many decades of experience of working in Ethiopia, organising trekking, cycling and running tours and events, and developing community tourism where relationships from village to local government level are carefully managed.

In staging Ride the Rift tours we have brought together the full range of our skills and are committed to opening up more hidden places of Ethiopia to our growing client base.

We all share a passion for Ethiopia and want to pass this on to those of you who come on our tours.

On our Outdoor Adventure Weekend in Hawassa and the surrounding rural and untouched part of the Sidama Region we take you cycling along the Rift Valley escarpment in breath-taking mountain scenery. This ends with the charity bike ride (or hike) raising money for local guides and cooks who have had no income due to the impact of COVID19 and the Tigray conflict.

For this fourth staging of the charity event, in a new, but tested and safe location, Ride The Rift is hoping to attract participation of around 50 individuals and their families and will look to raise money for charity. While most will participate in mountain biking, some will be hiking and a few running.

We are proud and excited to invite our friends and supporters to visit Tigray as we did last month. On our visit 24 to 29 April 2023, we, a team of 8 people from the Ride the Rift staff, found beautiful and hospitable people desperate to see visitors again. It's true, the people of Tigray have been through a terrible time in the last few years, but they want to put this behind them and embrace a return to some kind of normal. We also can tell that everything is safe and we didn't feel threatened any single moment.

This trip of one week for a very attractive price includes overnight in the same 3 community guesthouses that we used, hiking through these beautiful mountains and visiting the rock churches (some involve a climb) in the Agame and Gheralta mountains. After the community trekking and 2 nights in Gheralta you will end the trip in Axum visiting one of the holiest places in Ethiopia and then fly back to Addis Ababa from Shire airport. You will be blown away by the beautiful landscapes, generous people and serenity of these mountains and valleys.

Lake Langano is well known as a destination for a weekend recreation out of the noisy capital Addis Ababa. However, normally people go to enjoy and relax at the lodges and resorts close to the main road in the Western shore. We have done already one trip on the Eastern shore of Lake Langano exploiting the plenty of opportunities for biking and hiking. On the Northern Shore you can enjoy a quiet place to hang out and swim in the lake. Before the start of the rain season we invite you to join us on this 3 days 2 nights weekend trip with lots of activities for everyone. On one night you'll have the option to upgrade to the Hara Langano Eco-Lodge. Spectacular campsites, exciting trails, amazing wildlife, different activities, good fellowship, and much more await you there! We encourage early booking as places are limited and we expect a lot of interest for this last trip before the rain season.

Itinerary in brief:

Friday: Departure in the morning from Addis – 8:30am from Kebena. We'll reach Ziway/Batu at about 12 noon for lunch. At 2pm drop off just outside of Bulbula and cycle/run (14km) or walk to Langano Basuma site. Relax, swim, explore at the lake before having dinner there.

Saturday: For those looking for a longer ride we will cycle round the submerged volcanic crater and down the eastern shore (34km) a great mix of surfaces and scenery arriving at the Hara or Bishangari Ecolodge for snacks and dinner. Strong hikers & runners will get the option to do the 15km hike from the 'ravine' S.E. of Tuffa to Hara Langano, seeing this remote eastern shore of the lake and those cyclists looking to do a shorter distance. Those looking for a more moderate walk or families with young kids will be transferred to Hara Langano in the morning and spend the afternoon exploring the forest and falls.

Sunday: In the morning various possibilities to cycle or hike around the lodge, for example for birdwatching. In the late morning we will head to Ziway/Batu for lunch before joining the expressway back to Addis.

This Ride the Rift experience brings you to the lush green highlands of the Gurage region, another of Ethiopia’s hidden gems within a three-hour drive from Addis. This specially-designed tour allows you to enjoy some exhilarating cycling, running hiking and rafting in landscapes that in any other country would be considered as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The beauty of the scenery is matched by the warmth and hospitality of the local people. This tour gives you the chance to visit the homes of these people whose only complaint when we visited was “Why didn’t you tell us in advance so that we could prepare a ceremony for you?!”

Ride or hike through juniper and eucalyptus forests. Saunter through local villages. Fly down grassy strips to the sound of nearby streams and waterfalls. We reckon outdoor activity in Ethiopia doesn’t come much better than this!

This Outdoor Adventure Weekend allows you to enjoy some spectacular activities in the awe-inspiring Jamma Gorge. The widespread gorge system is a land of canyons. You will be astounded by the sheer cliffs and waterfalls of this mighty river gorge. Home to large troops of Gelada baboons and numerous raptors you will also have a chance to enjoy some superb wildlife as you ride.

Whether you ride, run or walk, or just sit and goggle at the views, you will be blown away by the scenery and the feeling that you have stepped back in time. On each day of the tour a range of experiences and activities are on offer. You will come up close with traditional Amhara highland culture and with people whose lives are based around their churches and their farming life.

Itinerary in brief:

Day 1: ADDIS ABABA - SEMERA - HAMMED ELA: Flight from Addis Ababa to Semera 7:00-8:20, after breakfast drive from Semera to Hammed Ela, visit camel caravans and salt lake, see sunset and stay overnight in Hammed Ela

Day 2: HAMMED ELA - ERTA ALE: Drive to Dallol onthe salt lake, visit sulphur formations, salt towers, salty & oily lake and extracting of salt bars, then drive to Erta Ale, visit volcano at night, overnight on the top of the volcano

Day 3: ERTA ALE - SEMERA: See Erta Ale in the morning (if done very early), then head down and drive back to Semera, domestic flight back to Addis Ababa 17:15-18:35.

The 21 km Hawassa Half Marathon, organized by our partner, the Great Ethiopian Run team, takes place in Hawassa on Sunday 19th February 2023. This is the 11th staging of the event which comprises a Half Marathon, a 8 km run, and children's races.

Hawassa, a beautiful lakeside town on the shores of Lake Hawassa, is situated 275km south of Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa at an altitude of 1700m above sea level. Participants will run on a new scenic course which starts near to the city airport and runs along the shores of Lake Hawassa.

But we'll offer more than the race only. You can enjoy 2 nights and a full day of activity in the green forest of Wondo Genet where already several decades ago emperor Haile Selassie enjoyed the shade of the big trees and the natural hot water springs.

While Friday is travel and arrival day, on Saturday we will have a full day in Wondo Genet doing activities like hiking and swimming, before heading to Hawassa for the 21 km run (or shorter option) on Sunday.

On our Outdoor Adventure Weekend in Ankober we take you cycling along the Rift Valley escarpment in breathtaking mountain scenery. This ends with the charity bike ride raising money for local guides and cooks who have had no income due to the impact of COVID19 and the Tigray conflict.

For this third staging of the charity event, (in the same location but a more forgiving route) Ride The Rift is hoping to attract participation of around 50 individuals and their families and will look to raise money for charity. While most will participate in mountain biking, some will be hiking and a few running. We are also offering a few tandem paragliding opportunities with an experienced European paraglider.

Ride or hike through juniper and eucalyptus forests. Saunter through local villages. Fly down grassy strips to the sound of nearby streams and waterfalls. Ride the rapids of the Omo river with a rafting boat. We reckon outdoor activity in Ethiopia doesn’t come much better than this!

This trip will take us from Addis Ababa to Lalibela for the special Mikael Day celebrations. Senay Mikael is second only to the celebration at Ethiopian Christmas for Lalibela. Pilgrims arrive, tabots come out of the churches, chanting can be heard and deacons seen dancing.

This year the celebration takes place on Sunday 19 June, ideal to plan a whole weekend in the holy town of Lalibela. On the Saturday there will be a special market in the town, too. The trip will include cycling to other churches outside of Lalibela as well and a ride down from Abuna Yoseph, and for those feeling very tough it could be cycling up as well. The road reaches 4,200 meters at the peak! For more photos, details, prices and registration click on the lightboxes.

There is no other place in Ethiopia in which you can feel the running culture stronger than in Bekoji. World-class runners like Derartu Tulu, the Bekele brothers or Dibaba sisters have all grown up and trained in this small town south of Addis Ababa at 2,800m altitude, and hundreds of youngsters are still trying to step into their footprints. On Saturday we enjoyed by foot or bike the surrounding highlands of the Arsi mountains, and trained with the boys and girls from the local athletics club which will be the future Ethiopian running stars. For Sunday morning our partners of the Great Ethiopian Run organized the 7km run with elite runners, but we could also decide to bike a 15km route; T-Shirts and medals are given to everyone. Finally we also got a taste of the local Arsi culture and food while joining this part of the program in our fully equipped campsite.

Itinerary in brief:

Friday 13 May: Departure in Addis Ababa at 4pm after work to reach Asella, hometown of Haile Gebreselassie.

Saturday 14 May: After breakfast leave at about 8am, and after 1 hour of driving we reach Bekoji and can choose among a variety of activities: hiking in the afro-alpine Arsi National Park, biking around the impressive landscape of Bekoji or opt for a running related program with a training session with the local runners, visiting a NGO supporting female runners, and meeting the legendary coach of the world famous runners above mentioned. Return to the campsite in the afternoon with different cultural activities going on there.

Sunday 15 May: Leave to the stadium before 8am and get ready for the 7km run or the 15km bike race organized by the Great Ethiopian Run office. After the loop in the surroundings of Bekoji and final lap in the stadium you'll get your finisher t-shirt and a medal, before heading back to the campsite for more celebrations, some cultural activities and a relaxed lunch. Departure from Bekoji will be at about 2pm with arrival in Addis Ababa at 6pm.

Lake Langano is well known as a destination for a weekend recreation out of the noisy capital Addis Ababa. However, normally people go to enjoy and relax at the lodges and resorts close to the main road in the Western shore. We recently explored the Eastern shore of Lake Langano as well as some hidden spots around the other two lakes Abjatta and Shalla, and found plenty of opportunities for biking and hiking. On the Northern Shore you can enjoy a quiet place to hang out and swim in the lake. At the beginning of May we invite you to join us on this 4 days 3 nights camping trip with lots of activities for everyone. On one night you'll have the option to upgrade to the newly reopened Bishangari Lodge. Spectacular campsites, exciting trails, amazing wildlife, different activities, good fellowship, and much more await you there!

Itinerary in brief:

Saturday 30 April: Departure in the morning from Addis – 9am from Kebena and from Laphto Mall. We'll reach Ziway/Batu at about 12 noon for lunch. At 2pm drop off just outside of Bulbula and cycle/run (14km) or walk to Langano Basuma site. Relax, swim, explore at the lake before having dinner there.

Sunday 1 May: For those looking for a longer ride we will cycle round the submerged volcanic crater and down the eastern shore (34km) a great mix of surfaces and scenery arriving at the Bishangari Ecolodge for snacks and dinner. Strong hikers & runners will get the option to do the 15km hike from the 'ravine' S.E. of Tuffa to Bishangari, seeing this remote eastern shore of the lake and those cyclists looking to do a shorter distance. Those looking for a more moderate walk or families with young kids will be transferred to Bishangari in the morning and spend the afternoon exploring the forest and falls.

Monday 2 May: Transfer to the edge of Abijata-Shala park and ride down to the eastern shore of the lake where there are hot springs. A picnic lunch here before riding around the lake and up onto the isthmus that separates the two lakes Shala & Abijata and to our stunning campsite overlooking the lakes. Hikers will explore the shore of Lake Shala by the hot springs, enjoying the picnic there, and hike up and round to the campsite. We will cater for varied abilities, with different start points.

Tuesday 3 May: Early morning walk up the hill behind the camp site for the stunning views. After this we will cycle, run or walk down to Abijata lake have a splash at the shore. Those that want to load up bikes there can do so there- others can cycle on to the park HQ. From here we will head to Ziway/Batu for lunch before joining the expressway back to Addis.