About
About Ras Dejen Ethiopia Trekking (RDET)
Ras Dejen Ethiopia Trekking, also known as RDET, is a locally owned and professionally operated Ethiopian tour company specializing in Simien Mountains trekking, Northern Ethiopia historical tours, and tailor-made travel experiences throughout the country.
Our company originally operated as Sammy Ethiopia Tours and earned a strong reputation among international travelers. After organizing tours across Ethiopia, we decided to focus on the destinations where our experience, local connections, and destination knowledge could provide the greatest value to our guests.
Today, we specialize in Ethiopia’s Northern Historical Circuit, including Bahir Dar, Gondar, Lalibela, the Simien Mountains, Addis Ababa, Danakil Depression, Axum, and the ancient rock-hewn churches of Tigray.
Experience Ethiopia with a Trusted Local Partner
Trust, safety, and accountability are essential when choosing a tour operator. Ras Dejen Ethiopia Trekking is committed to providing professional services while operating in accordance with Ethiopia’s tourism and commercial regulations. Our official business license is available to view using this link -> Official Business License
Meet Our Founder
Ras Dejen Ethiopia Trekking was founded and is managed by Samuel Kassaw, known to many travelers as Sammy. He brings more than 17 years of experience organizing trekking expeditions, historical journeys, cultural tours, and tailor-made holidays throughout Ethiopia.
Samuel was born and raised near Gondar, close to the spectacular Simien Mountains National Park, where he continues to live today. His connection to the region gives him an exceptional understanding of its landscapes, trekking routes, communities, wildlife, weather conditions, and local traditions.
Throughout his career, Samuel has guided and supported travelers from many parts of the world. His deep knowledge of Ethiopia’s history, culture, geography, religions, and natural heritage enables him to design journeys that are both enjoyable and meaningful.
His approach is based on personal service, careful preparation, honest communication, and responsible tourism. Samuel and his team pay close attention to every stage of the journey, from itinerary planning and accommodation arrangements to transportation, trekking logistics, and local support.
His goal is not simply to show visitors Ethiopia’s famous attractions, but to help them understand and appreciate the country through authentic experiences and genuine local connections.
Simien Mountains Trekking Specialists
The Simien Mountains are at the heart of our company. We offer a wide selection of Simien Mountains tour packages, ranging from one-day excursions and short camping trips to challenging ten-day trekking expeditions.
Our itineraries can include some of the park’s most remarkable destinations, such as Sankaber, Jinbar Waterfall, Gich, Imet Gogo, Chennek, Mount Bwahit, Ambiko, and Ras Dejen, also known as Ras Dashen.
We organize both private and group trekking tours for solo travelers, couples, families, groups, photographers, birdwatchers, and experienced hikers.
Fixed-Departure and Group Tours
We organize weekly fixed-departure tours to Simien Mountains National Park and scheduled monthly departures along Ethiopia’s Northern Historical Route.
These group departures are ideal for solo travelers and budget-conscious visitors who would like to share transportation, guiding, camping, and logistical expenses with compatible travel companions.
When possible, we help individual travelers join suitable trekking groups, allowing them to experience the Simien Mountains at a more affordable cost without compromising safety or service quality.
Tailor-Made Ethiopia Tours
Every traveler has different interests, abilities, schedules, and expectations. That is why we customize our itineraries according to your preferred travel dates, fitness level, accommodation style, budget, and areas of interest.
Our tours may focus on:
- Trekking and outdoor adventure
- Ethiopian history and archaeology
- Cultural encounters and traditional communities
- Wildlife and birdwatching
- Photography and landscapes
- Religious festivals and pilgrimage sites
- Private family and small-group travel
From your first inquiry until the end of your journey, our team works closely with you to create an itinerary that suits your needs.
Why Travel with Ras Dejen Ethiopia Trekking
Licensed and Legally Registered
We are a legally registered Ethiopian tourism business operating with a valid commercial license and Tax Identification Number. Our operations follow the requirements of the relevant Ethiopian trade and tourism authorities.
Qualified Local Expertise
Our team has the practical experience and local knowledge required to organize trekking expeditions, historical tours, cultural journeys, and national park visits throughout Ethiopia.
We work with experienced guides, drivers, cooks, scouts, mule handlers, and local service providers according to the requirements of each destination.
Safety and Accountability
We carefully plan transportation, accommodation, trekking logistics, food, equipment, local permits, and support services. Our professional operating structure helps ensure accountability and dependable assistance from the booking stage through the completion of your tour.
Responsible Tourism
We believe tourism should benefit both visitors and local communities. Whenever possible, we work with local guides, family-run accommodations, community service providers, cooks, mule handlers, and other residents of the destinations we visit.
We encourage respectful interaction with local cultures, responsible wildlife viewing, environmental protection, and fair treatment of everyone involved in our tours.
Some of the testimonials from our recent clients
Sean Prior – January 2020
In December 2019, my wife and I went on a four day hike into the SImien Mountains with Sammy. It was a spectacular experience, and I couldn”t recommend him highly enough. We would like to highlight the following: (i) Sammy’s organisation is highly professional. Everything worked liked clockwork, everything which was promised was delivered, and nothing unexpected or unheralded happened. The equipment is also top-notch. Good tents and sleeping bags are absolutely vital, as the temperature drops to close to freezing at night. Sammy’s is excellent – probably the best I’ve seen while hiking, and in many cases noticeable better than others we saw in camp. Sammy also has a knack for finding the best corner of the campsites and arranging, for example, a meal inside the cooking hut on a bitterly cold Christmas Eve, when the other groups ate outside. (ii) Sammy is an extremely nice, warm and engaging person. Being with him is like hiking the mountains with a highly professional friend. In particular, he is using his company to properly promote a sustainable tourism culture which involves and promotes the locals. He sees his company as providing an organised, developing set of opportunities for a large number of Ethiopians, and is articulate in describing this vision. He currently employs more than 25 people and is looking to get this up to 50. (iii) His support team was friendly, professional and absolutely efficient at everything they did. Sammy was extremely clear that he was not in the business of pushing a tipping culture and left it up to us to tip as we felt appropriately (although I strongly recommend leaving good tips – they make a huge difference to the support staff). (iv) He dealt with our group’s altitude issues, a fall I took while crossing some rocks and various other minor issues we threw at him with a relaxed professionalism which was very encouraging. He also is clearly well known and trusted in the community (he comes from Debark, the gateway to the mountains(. Finally, he was great in recommending (and guiding us to) some great spots in Gondar. His speciality may be the Simiens, but he is clearly a good guy to know for other areas in Ethiopia as well. His tours were absolutely value for money, and his communication was first rate. I would very strongly recommend both him and his organisation. Enjoy! Sean
Jacques, Olivier and Xavier – February 2020
We were fully satisfied with the 4-day trek in the Simien Mountains led by Sammy. His knowledge of the place allowed us to discover a remarkable site and landscapes.
On the material level, the two tents were spacious, the mattress sufficiently comfortable and the sleeping bags made it possible to face the negative temperatures of the nights of January.
Thank you to the cooks for the good meals after a day of walking.
We highly recommend Sammy for such an experience.
Daan, Mart and Johan – November 2019
We did a two day, one night trekking in Simien Mountains National Park. We left early in the morning from Gondar en drove via Debark to the entrance of the park where we started the hike to the Jinjabar Camp Site where we slept in a pre-pitched tent. The next day we drove to Chenek where we entered a completely different world. The views and flora and fauna are amazing! After a walk around we drove back to Gondar, What made this trip even better was the very professional and friendly guide we had. His name is Samuel Kasaw and he arranged the transportation, tent and meal perfectly and joined us on the hike. He is truly a good and knowledgeable guide who understands what Western travellers find important (like punctiualty, good food and good material). Greetings, Mart, Daan and Johan
Oscar Gonzalez – December 2019
We went with Sammy Kasaw to the Simien Mountains for a 3 days 3 nights trip and everything was perfect. I was traveling with my 68 years old mother and we really enjoyed our time at the national park. Sammy was ontime when our flight arrive to the airport. I think is really important to see someone with your name on a sign waiting for you so you dont have to worry about contacting people.
We drove directly to the park and dinner was waiting for us that night.
I must said the food was always good. Our chef prepared each meal with love and local spices (always check first with Sammy if you have food restrictions).
Our tent was bigger than the rest of the tents, we could see it was almost brand new. One night we had heavy rain and we were safe dry.
The walks and trails are personalized to your needs. If you are fit or not, Sammy can adapt the walks accordingly. You could have one big walk in the AM and another in the PM. Or only one. Just let him know how you feel and he will adapt. And anyways there is always a van to drive some parts if you dont feel to walk.
The only inconvenient (out of Sammys or any travel agency control) are the out houses and toilets facilities which require definitely more care, most of them are below any regular hygiene standards. Sanitation at the National Park should be a priority.
Besides that, the trip was fabulous. Sammy will make sure you enjoy every moment of your trip. We definitely recommend Sammy Kasaw for your future trip to the Simiens.
Fully Customized Tour Packages
We prepare and organize custom itineraries based on your preferences.