Located in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia is one of the oldest countries in the world—it’s been around since the 10th century BCE. Not only that, but this African country has a variety of stunning scenery, including a tropical lowland rainforest in the southwest, arid and semi-arid woodlands in the east, and Afro-alpine forests in the north and southeast. This landscape makes Ethiopia the perfect place to go on a horseback riding adventure.
History and Culture
Ethiopia boasts the status of the place where early modern humans originated. As such, the country has a long and complex history, and it’s filled with strong and diverse cultures. The local population—a combination of Semitic, Cushitic, and Nilo-Saharan speaking people—has greatly influenced the culture that thrives today.
As with many other countries, horses have been important to Ethiopia’s history and culture. There are about 2.8 million horses in Ethiopia, which is more than half the number of horses in Africa. Horses—along with mules and donkeys—are essential and extensively used for transport, traction, and agricultural work like plowing. However, some breeds are used primarily for riding.
Ethiopian Horses
Ethiopia—formerly known as Abyssinia—has 8 distinct horse breeds: Abyssinian, Bale, Borana, Horro, Kafa, Kundudo, Ogaden, and Selale. Several of these breeds, including the Abyssinian, Bale, and Horro, are poorly conformed, meaning they don’t always have structural correctness, proper balance and mass, or desirable breed characteristics; however, the other breeds generally have good conformation.
The Abyssinian is the most common breed, found in the northern part of the country, especially in the Semien Mountains. In contrast, the Kundudo is a heavily endangered population of feral horses found in the Kundudo plateau area near the city of Harar.
On your equestrian trip, you’ll be able to see and ride breeds like these unique Ethiopian horses.
Your Horse Riding Holiday in Ethiopia
Discover all that Ethiopia has to offer, from the bustling capital of Addis Ababa to the quiet meadows of the Afro-alpine forests to the gorgeous views of the Bale Mountains. No matter your riding level, you’ll be able to travel through Africa and enjoy this unique vacation.
The Bale Mountain Range in the southeast is a popular place to ride. This range is home to Tullu Demtu, the second-highest mountain in the country. The Bale Mountains hold the Weyib River, which is a tributary of the Jubba River. They also house Bale Mountains National Park, which covers about 850 square miles (2,200 square kilometers).
On your equestrian tour, you can expect to see many wild animals. You may come in contact with the Ethiopian wolf, the mountain nyala, or the bushbuck. You’ll likely see various birds, including the blue-winged goose, the spot-breasted lapwing, the Abyssinian longclaw, and the wattled ibis.
During your equestrian tourism, you have the chance to visit places like the quaint village of Dinsho, which has a population of about 3,600 people. Or you can see stunning waterfalls such as the Fincha-Habera Waterfall, a refreshing cascade of water you can ride your horse right up to.
No matter what you see or do on your trip, you’ll have a fantastic time in Ethiopia, experiencing the great outdoors and the rich culture of this country. Horse Tours Club offers worldwide horse riding tours, ensuring quality and safety for its customers. Book your horseback riding tour of Ethiopia through Horse Tours Club today!
