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Address
Phone: +251 988 111 222
Need help or have a question?
Contact us at: info@driveethiopia.com
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Sustainable & responsible travel
Travel that gives back to Ethiopia
Drive Ethiopia is Ethiopian-owned and run from Addis Ababa. We plan every trip so that more of what you spend stays with the guides, drivers, families and communities you meet, and so the places you visit stay as remarkable as you found them.
- Ethiopian-owned & locally run
- Local guides, drivers & scouts
- Locally owned stays where possible
- Private trips at an unhurried pace
What we do
Six commitments behind every trip
Sustainable travel isn’t a label we add at the end. It shapes who we hire, where you stay, how we plan your route and how you meet people along the way.
Local people lead every journey
Your driver and guide are Ethiopian, and at places like Lalibela, Konso and the Omo Valley we also work with community guides from the area. They know the stories best, and the income stays local.
Your money stays in Ethiopia
We choose locally owned hotels, lodges, guesthouses and family restaurants wherever we can, and we take you to buy crafts directly from the people who make them.
Culture on its own terms
We avoid rushed “photo-stop” village visits. We brief you before you arrive, agree photography fees openly and fairly, and leave time for markets, coffee ceremonies and real conversation.
Protecting wildlife and wild places
Park fees help fund Ethiopia’s protected areas. On Simien and Bale treks we work with local scouts, cooks and mule handlers, stay on the trails and give wildlife plenty of space.
Fewer kilometres, better driving
Our vehicles are well maintained, and we plan routes that avoid backtracking and needless kilometres. Slower itineraries mean less time on the road and more time in each place.
Less plastic, less waste
We encourage refillable bottles over single-use plastic, carry rubbish out from trekking camps, and ask our partner hotels about their own waste practices.
Why it matters
Ethiopia is irreplaceable
Tourism can help protect Ethiopia’s wildlife, culture and heritage, or it can slowly wear them down. The difference comes from many small choices: who guides you, where you sleep, what you buy and how you behave when you arrive. We make those choices carefully, and we help you make them too.
- Wildlife found nowhere else. The gelada, the walia ibex and the Ethiopian wolf live only in Ethiopia’s highlands.
- Living heritage. Rock-hewn churches, ancient stelae and walled villages are still places of worship and daily life, not museums.
- Tourism as income. For many rural communities, visitors are an important source of income. Spending it in the right places makes a real difference.
Before you go
How to travel responsibly in Ethiopia
A few simple habits make a big difference to the people you meet. Here’s the advice we give every traveller.
Dress for sacred places
Cover shoulders and knees at churches and mosques, take your shoes off when asked and follow your guide’s lead. A few monasteries, such as Debre Damo, admit men only.
Ask before you photograph
Always ask first. In the Omo Valley a small fee per photo is normal, and your guide will help you agree it fairly before you raise the camera.
Don’t give to children directly
Sweets, pens or money handed out on the roadside encourage begging and can keep children out of school. Ask us about supporting a local school or project instead.
Buy from the maker
Cotton scarves from Dorze weavers, baskets from Harar, coffee from farmers’ cooperatives. Avoid old crosses, manuscripts and icons, because genuine antiques need an export permit and belong in Ethiopia.
Respect fasting and festivals
Orthodox Christians fast on most Wednesdays and Fridays and during Lent, when many restaurants serve excellent vegan “fasting food”. At Timkat or Meskel, join in quietly and follow local cues.
Say yes to coffee
A coffee ceremony is a sign of welcome and takes time. Sit down, talk and stay for the rounds. It’s one of the best ways to meet people.
Carry a refillable bottle
Bring a bottle with a filter or purifier to cut down on plastic waste, especially on long drives and treks.
Keep wildlife wild
Stay on trails, never feed animals and keep your distance from geladas and other wildlife, however relaxed they seem.
Tip the people who look after you
Tipping guides, drivers, scouts and hotel staff is customary and an important part of their income. Ask us for current guidance before you travel.
Experiences with impact
Trips that support local communities
Some of our favourite experiences are also the ones that do the most good. Build any of these into your trip.
Dorze & Chencha
See the tall bamboo houses of the Gamo highlands and buy handwoven cotton straight from the weavers.
Explore →
Konso
Walk stone-walled villages and centuries-old farming terraces with a local Konso guide.
Explore →
Omo Valley markets
Visit weekly markets with a guide from the area, where trade, not tourism, sets the pace.
Explore →
Festivals
Celebrate Timkat, Meskel or Fasika alongside local communities, respectfully and with time to take it in.
Explore →
FAQ
Responsible travel questions
What does sustainable travel in Ethiopia mean to Drive Ethiopia?
It means travelling in a way that benefits the people and places you visit. In practice, we work with Ethiopian guides, drivers and community guides, choose locally owned places to stay and eat, plan unhurried routes, respect local customs and support the protection of Ethiopia’s parks and heritage sites.
How can I visit the Omo Valley respectfully?
Travel with a guide from the area, spend more than a single day in the region and plan your visits around weekly markets rather than quick village stops. Always ask before taking photos, agree any photo fee in advance, and avoid handing out gifts to children.
Do I need a scout to trek in the Simien Mountains?
Yes. Trekkers in Simien Mountains National Park must be accompanied by a park scout. When you trek with us we arrange your scout, guide, cooks and mules, hiring from local communities around the park.
Is it better to travel slowly in Ethiopia?
Usually, yes. Distances are long and roads can be slow, so trying to see everything means long days in the car. Choosing fewer places and staying longer is more relaxing, means less driving, and puts more of your spending into each community you visit.
Can you design a low-impact private trip for me?
Yes. Tell us your dates, interests and travel style, and we’ll suggest an itinerary built around local guides, locally owned stays and a comfortable pace.
Plan a trip that makes a difference
Tell us where you’d like to go and how you like to travel. We reply to every enquiry within 2 hours and send a detailed itinerary with a quote within 24 hours.