The migration and gorilla trekking are natural go-to’s when selling wildlife experiences. But as one of the largest bio-diversity zones on earth and home to four endemic species, Ethiopia shouldn’t be overlooked.

Ethiopia has a rich and diverse wilderness offering thanks to its location along the Great Rift Valley and its substantial variation in altitude - ranging from 116 metres below sea level to 4 550 metres above sea level. The country’s varied landscapes include highland plateaus, deep gorges and deserts, 20 national parks and a further five protected areas.

The Simien Mountains will be at the top of the list for travellers hoping to spot rare and endemic species. The mountains are in the northern part of the country, in the Simien Mountains National Park – a Unesco World Heritage Site. The highest peak, Ras Dashen, reaches a height of 4 550 metres above sea level and is one of Africa’s highest mountains.

Species found in the park include the Ethiopian wolf, also called the Simien Wolf; the Gelada baboon, or ‘bleeding-heart monkey’ which is distinguished by the bright red patch of skin on the chests of males (it is less pronounced on females); and the Walia ibex, an endangered antelope-like creature unique for the large horns found on the males that curve backwards and can reach lengths of around one metre.

Lance Zackey of Rove Africa suggests packaging the Simien Mountains as a two- to three-night add-on for clients wanting to see the endemic wildlife as well as the over 180 species of birds in the area. Travellers can choose between day trips, hikes and overnight trekking into the Simien Mountains.

A must-see on Zackey’s list is the Danakil Depression. Gordon Triegaardt, Owner of Traveltroll Africa, also recommends this as one of the most amazing landscapes, both desert- and lunar-like. It is the lowest lying land point in Africa, at over 100 metres below sea level and it is also an active volcano. “It is desert and it is dry and it’s yellow and it’s orange and it looks as if you are on the moon.”

Triegaardt also recommends the Bale Mountains in the south of the country. Bale Mountains National Park is home to species including the Ethiopian wolf, spotted hyena, African wild dog, lion and leopard and plains game, including the Mountain nyala, klipspringer, and Bohor reedbuck.

In the east of the country, lies the walled city of Harar. Triegaardt suggests that Harar can be packaged with the Bale Mountains for clients who want an eco and nature experience. There are two hyena packs that live just outside the walls of the city, although they enter the city at night through various small doorways along the walls. The relationship between the hyenas and the people of Harar is unique in that the people are not afraid of the hyenas and welcome them in their city, even feeding the animals.

There are two sites where tourists can watch the locals feed the hyenas. At one of these, Abbas Yusuf, also known as Hyena Man, feeds the hyenas directly from his mouth. He has been feeding the animals for over a decade, carrying on the tradition from his father, who is said to have done the same for over four decades. Yusuf has named several of the hyenas that frequently visit him for these feeds and says no one has ever been attacked by a hyena in Harar since his father started feeding them.

Join the Great Ethiopian Run

In 1960, Ethiopian long distance runner Abebe Bikila won the marathon at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, running barefoot and setting a world record. Since then, Ethiopia’s long distance runners have continued to rack up a fair share of medals at the Olympic Games.

Travellers wanting to experience the high-altitude running that helps set Ethiopia’s athletes apart can join the annual Great Ethiopian Run in November. The 10km race attracts up to 40 000 runners every year and is described as Africa’s biggest race and one of the world’s biggest street parties.

Starting at Meskal Square in Addis Ababa, the race takes a 10km loop around the city. The loop is speckled with DJs and bands, with spectators and runners alike dancing alongside the track. Runners of all levels can participate and five hundred race numbers are available for competing athletes.

Tadele Travel, a specialist Ethiopia operator, can arrange race registration. The entry fee is £50 (R926), which includes a pre-race ‘pasta party’.

Did you know

Addis Ababa is a five-hour flight from Johannesburg. Ethiopian Airlines has three daily departures out of Johannesburg and a daily flight out of Cape Town. The airline’s domestic carrier, Ethiopian Express, connects the capital to more than 20 other cities and tourism centres in the country.