By observing our code you can help protect the environment, reduce pollution and preserve cultural and social heritages for future generations.
Wild life and vegetation
Destruction and removal of trees; disturbing wildlife or doing anything that can disturb or destroy their natural habitat (like catching, chasing away, noise, and specific sporting activities) is to be discouraged and forbidden.
We advise travelers to please collect all relevant information from parks offices’ and to obey the rules and regulations.
- It is not allowed to enter the parks without Park Scouts.
- It is highly recommended to have local trained and experienced guide/s; licensed by the relevant offices.
- Entering parks with domestic animals is not allowed.
- Pay entrance fee (proof of payment is required at the park gates).
Camping and Fire
- Use established camp sites if you stay overnight in the parks.
- It is strictly forbidden to light fires outside the camp sites.
- Cutting of firewood is strictly forbidden; it may be available from campsites, or you can bring your camp stove. Note that the purchase and use of some trees like Erica wood is unlawful.
- Be sensitive to wild life. Campfires can be a big harm or disturbance to animals and nesting birds it could also cause rapid deforestation.
- Cook on a light weight kerosene, alcohol or shellite (white gas) stove and avoid those powered by disposable butane gas canisters.
- If you are trekking with a guide and porters, share the stoves with the whole team.
- Fires may be accepted below the tree line in more remote areas, use an existing fireplace rather than creating a new one.
- Don’t surround fires with rocks as this creates a visual scar.
- Use only dead, fallen wood.
- Use minimal wood, just what you need for cooking.
- In alpine areas, ensure that all members have enough clothing so that fires are not necessity for warmth.
- Ensure that you fully extinguish a fire after use. Spread the embers and douse them with water. A fire is only truly safe to leave when you can comfortably place your hand in it.
Water
- Try not to waste water in hotels by letting taps and showers run unnecessarily as it is a scarce resource in most parts of Ethiopia.
- Contamination of water by human faeces can lead to transmission of hepatitis, typhoid and intestinal parasites such as giardia, amoebas and roundworms. It can cause severe health risks not only to members of your party but also to local residents and wildlife.
- Where there is no toilet dig a small hole at least 15cm deep and a minimum of 100m from any watercourse; bury your waste and cover it with soil and a rock.
- Don’t use detergents or toothpaste in or near watercourses, even if they are biodegradable.
- For personal washing, use biodegradable soap and a water container at least 50m away from the watercourse. Disperse the waste water widely to allow the soil to filter it fully before it finally makes it back to the watercourse.
- Wash cooking utensils at least 50m from the watercourses using a scourer or sand instead of detergent.
Waste disposal
- Wash cooking utensils at least 50m from the watercourses using a scourer or sand instead of detergent.
- Do not bury litter in the soil as it may be dug by animals. Burning of it is also illegal.
- You must carry out or use reusable containers or sacks to minimize possible waste. Also be aware of the danger of plastic bags to the environment and do not leave them on the ground.
- Always carry out your rubbish, even cigarette stubs, orange peel and particularly those tiny pieces of silver foil.
- Never bury your rubbish; digging disturbs soil and ground-cover and encourages erosion. Buried rubbish will more than likely be dug up by animals, which may be injured or poisoned by it. It may also take years to decompose, especially at high altitudes.
Interacting with People
- Be considerate of other cultures, respect local customs, traditions, beliefs, language and ceremonies.
- Always ask permissions before photographing and visiting villages.
- Avoid interactions and dealings with people, particularly with children, by the road sides, it may cause car accidents.
- Trade with sensitivity; do not feel obliged to give gifts to local residents. It may result in dependency culture in the long run. Instead, pay them for handicrafts and services obtained.
- Try not to encourage begging by giving money. Encourage youngsters and mothers who beg on the street to join the work force.
- If you want to give gifts, make your contributions to existing social or community projects.
Religious and Cultural Sacred Sites
- Encourage the promotion and recognition of indigenous knowledge and respect the local community and their indigenous knowledge.
- Identify natural and cultural sacred sites and support the community for further preservation.
- Always remove shoes before entering church.
- While entering a church, try to wear clothing that covers all parts of the body particularly women.
- Never try to enter the inner holy of holies, which is reserved strictly for the priests.
- Do not smoke, eat, or drink in a church or talk or laugh loudly.
- Be sensitive when talking photos.
- Do not photograph old manuscripts in sun light, even if the priests offer to move the manuscripts into the sun for you as sun light can cause great damage also resist the temptation to buy any genuinely old artifacts, such as manuscripts, scroll and bibles, sold in shops and by hawkers around the country.
- During prayer time, try not to stray into the areas reserved for the opposite sex.
- A contribution for the church is greately appreciated after a visit.
Please Report Your Complaints to Us
We provide our services in good faith and act responsibly for ensuring the holiday supplied as described in our brochure and to a reasonable standard.
If you have any problem or complaints during your holiday, you will be advised to inform the relevant supplier and our office as soon as possible.
If your problem cannot be resolved by the relevant supplier, you will be advised to obtain proof of your complaint and inform us in writing within 48 hours of your return so that we may investigate and look for solutions.
We accept responsibility for some circumstances caused by the negligent acts and/or emissions of our employees or servants and facilities like vehicles whilst acting within the scope of, or in the course of their employment in the provision of your holiday.
Accordingly, we will take immediate action to resolve the problem.