Ethio Travel And Tours — Attraction in Addis Ababa

Avoid Them Because Your Life Depends on It

Note. My wife is from Ethiopia. I have been here before. I love Ethiopia and Ethiopians. This is not a review from some unknowledgeable intolerant American. They promise certain things, do not provide any of them, unless necessary or free. I would rather save someone’s life than get my money back. We booked a trip from July 3 to 5 to the Dankil Depression .

We paid good money, more than booking online, and we paid in cash in American dollars to help them out. I did not care that much. The price and what was promised seemed reasonable, and I know the Ethiopian tourist industry is in rough shape right now.

The Afar border region with Eretria is potentially dangerous. The US Department of State tells you not to travel there under any circumstance, and you are on your own if anything happens. ETT advertises a police escort and armed guides wherever you go. None.

We landed in Makelele airport before 8:00 a.m. We had to get up around 4:30 a.m. to make our 6:15 flight from Addis Ababa to Makelele. Our itinerary included a busy afternoon in the depression, after breakfast and the four hour drive out there. After constantly haranguing the lead guide for over three hours, we finally left around 11:30 a.m.

The first stretch of road was scary. Lots of people walking around on the road with semi-automatic AK-47 type guns. Most in uniform, but some without. We stopped at a restaurant in that madness. We were not interested in stopping anywhere only a half hour after "breakfast" (being dumped in a hotel), let alone there.

They advertise lunch on the way prepared by their camp cook. The food they served everyone at the eatery was rice and cabbage. That dish in that area would cost about a penny in U.S. dollars.

The guides did not park the vehicle so we could see it. The townspeople saw who left that truck and where we went, while the vehicle was left unattended down the block. We felt like ETT painted a bullseye on our backs while they disappeared. We had to diligently get up and watch the truck while constantly calling the guide and getting ignored.

The place was mostly open air, flies swarming around. This was no "cultural" experience. ETT prays on western tolerance and our desire not to appear bigoted. Do not fall for that.

The reason for dumping us at the hotel and then going to that bizarre eatery was to stall. There was a camel caravan on the itinerary, but the lead guide made some stupid excuse.

They had nothing for us to do except watch the sunset. They did not want us baking with nothing to do in this open-air campground (more on that later) for hours. So they dumped us and disappeared.

The only thing we saw on July 3 was a sunset at the salt flats. It was novel, but we were in a very foul mood by that time.

We then went to the campground. The stars look the same anywhere, but the temperature was105 degrees Fahrenheit at night.

I saw another recent review that claimed the people who were posting 1* reviews were expecting a posh "glamping" experience. No! We wanted to be safe.

There was no lighting in our campground, and we were completely out in the open and exposed if any of the Afar nomads wanted to cause trouble. The guides had no weapons, and no promised security.

Tourists have been killed in that area. We could not sleep. We spent the night finding flights, and we woke up the guides around 3:00 a.m. and demanded that they get us out of there.

The only thing to do on that trip, after all amenities were cut, would be to walk around and look at pretty rocks in 120 degree heat and sleep, dangerously, outside.

ETT is a fraudulent operation which, I believe, is circling the drain, based on their behavior. They want to provide nothing on their itinerary that costs anything (other than flights and tour guides) to make excess profits until they close. Please help me expedite that process before anyone...

I recently had the trip of a lifetime with Ethio Travel and Tours (ETT), and I can't recommend them highly enough. From the scorching otherworldly landscapes of the Danakil Depression to the lush wildlife haven of Chebera Chuchura National Park, and the breathtaking rock-hewn churches of Tigray like Abune Yemata Guh, ETT made every moment seamless, safe, and truly magical. If you're dreaming of exploring Ethiopia's hidden gems, book directly with ETT – they're the experts! Our itinerary was perfectly customized: We kicked off with a thrilling 3-day Danakil tour, hiking through Dallol's colorful salt flats and witnessing the mesmerizing glow of Erta Ale volcano at night. The guides were incredibly knowledgeable about the geology and local Afar culture, and the logistics (from airport transfers to Semera to comfortable camping) were spot-on. No heat exhaustion here – they had hydration, meals, and even emergency kits ready. Next, we ventured south to Chebera Chuchura National Park, a true biodiversity hotspot I hadn't heard much about before. Spotting herds of wild elephants, buffalos, hippos, and vibrant birds along the Zigna River was pure magic. The park's waterfalls, hot springs, and dense forests felt like stepping into a forgotten Eden. ETT's local scouts ensured we hiked safely while sharing stories of the area's conservation efforts – it's home to over 400 elephants, and their eco-friendly approach shines through. The highlight? A heart-pounding climb to Abune Yemata Guh in Tigray, one of the world's most inaccessible churches perched 2,580 meters up a sheer cliff. The 5th-century paintings inside were stunning, and the panoramic views over the Gheralta mountains were worth every adrenaline-fueled step. ETT's Tigray specialists made it accessible even for someone like me who's not a pro climber – with ropes, patient guidance, and cultural insights into the Nine Saints legend. What sets ETT apart is their local roots: They're the only operator based in both Mekele (for Tigray) and Semera (for Danakil), so they have unmatched on-the-ground support, from fluent guides to quick issue resolution. Even if you initially book with another tour company, you'll likely get transferred to ETT anyway – so why not go straight to the source? Their team handled everything with warmth, efficiency, and a genuine passion for Ethiopia. Flights, vehicles, permits, and even SIM cards were sorted effortlessly. If you're hesitant about Ethiopia's remote spots, trust me – ETT turns challenges into triumphs. This wasn't just a tour; it was transformative. Book with them for your...

3 Day Danakil Depression Tour First things first: There is no more lava lake in the Danakil, but the trip is still a 10/10. Dalol and the nearby volcanoes you will see at Ertal Ale for the fact that the lava lake in Erta Ale is gone. The Danakil is truly one of the most bizarre places in the world. On you way there, you drive through hours of desert. During this drive, you will drive through at least 50km of perfectly preserved lava flows. While I don't have any pictures, you are constantly surrounded on both sides by incredibly detailed and intricate lava flows that seem to have never experienced any erosion. The details are fiber than an inch, though you wouldnt normally stop to admire them. Next, you encounter many dried up lakes. This includes the hexagonal dirt and salt flats in the pics. Additionally, the perfect reflection caused by thin water over salt flats happens every day here. I come from California, where the salts flats of Death Valley have this happen only once to a few times per year. Afterwards, you move to Dalol, the hottest inhabited place in the world. Depite the heat here, the wind will keep you cool. Dalol is the real highlight of the trip. You are surrounded by alien landscape: deep rock dirt fields, electric green and yellow water that'll chemically burn your skin off, spikes with eggshell formation that can suspend you above the acidic liquid, and little geysers of sulfur, salt and iron. There are also the popcorn-like "rocks" that are red on the outside (irone) but yellow (sulfur?) on the inside. The inside is mushy. You will also see yellow and white crystal. 10/10 bizarre landscape that doesn't exist anywhere else. Afterwards, there is a short stop at an area with salt-dusted "mountains". This rugged landscape is breathtaking and filled with sharp rocks. These rocks are fine as long as you don't hoist yourself up on them with your bare hands. Lastly, you head to Erta Ale. There, you will see fresh lava erupting and constant fire plumes coming from one of the volcanoes. Note: this area can change in as little as days or as long as years; hence, the absence of...