The trip in Ethiopia was an incredible eye opener and a definite highlight of my East Africa journey going north to Cairo. Having only 30 days to burn in Ethiopia, our band of merry travellers, the Afrilanders from South Africa experienced the intense nature of all that is Ethiopia. This included frantic discussions with an excitable Frenchman at the Ethiopia Kenya border in Farole. He was sure there was an ebola virus outbreak. It was an ominous greeting to a land we knew less than nothing about. Our mission was simply to dispel the myths of overland travel through Africa. We believed in conducting ourselves with dignity and respect while being worthy ambassadors to SA. Ethiopia shatterred all sorts of myths let alone dispel. I digress. We found Ethiopia very green just after the rain season, many areas waterlogged. The trip included the historical route, the orthodox churches, rusting road side tanks and faranji screaming villagers. 50 odd million inhabitants in this country and I am sure we saw all of them. no stretch of road is clear for any length of time. Travel tip: if you stop for a road-side brew, make sure you display your long rubber snake - it keeps the very inquisitive locals at bay. Needless to say, after the incessant presence of the locals, the Simian Mountains offer an unbelievable vista of tranquility. Good old country side peace thrown in with the alleviation of the pandemonium. The Simian mountains just after the rainy season is a mystical place with earths rare creatures hidden within her deep valleys and mountainous peaks. Creatures such as the Walia Ibex, the Simian Fox (incredibly rare) and a very strange baboon species are indigenous to this area. The overland trip skirting these monstrous valleys is a memory in itself, slowly leading you up to significant heights. In fact on our way out, we encountered a Spanish couple kitted out in alpine gear, trekking poles and guides. We stopped our vehicle and accompanied them up to the Ras Dashen peak, 4th highest in Africa. Our naivite of our altitude meant we summited this peak as an afterthought in shorts, windbreakers and flip flops. It was a sight!

Do Ethiopia and do not miss the Simian Mountains National park - see if you can spot the fox...