Adimasu
This is not a website enticing you to spend a holiday in Ethiopia. There are other very good sources for that. This page is for those who have already decided on an individually arranged trip to Ethiopia and are searching for the perfect partner.Adimasu Tours is named after Adimasu Cabayo. After studying at an English language mission school, this young Ethiopian from the South Omo region discovered a passion for showing visitors to his homeland an insider's perspective. Up to now, he has been booked up exclusively as a freelance tour guide for large travel organisations.
Adimasu has now realised his dream of not only travelling with holidaymakers, but also arranging trips as an independent tour operator. For these trips, he always gets assistance from a driver for his own robust Toyota 4x4.
Development Aid
In December 2009 while on our individual Ethiopia trip, we happened to meet Adimasu in the streets of Awassa accidentally.Without being pushy, Adimasu convinced us that we wouldn't have the great time we'd hoped for in the South Omo Valley. He had excellent arguments that sounded reasonable to us - and we've now spent 20 years travelling in similar areas.
We agreed that Adimasu would be our tour guide. It was a decision that we don't regret for a second.
What made our experience with Adimasu so wonderful?
- He is not a tour guide formally trained in theory from Addis Ababa. He has lived his entire life in the countryside and therefore knows how people live in remote areas, to which he travels with tourists (of course with an official license from the tourism board).
- He speaks eight "Ethiopian" languages. The importance of this cannot be stressed enough in a country in which over 80 languages are common and by no means does every resident speaks the official language, Amharic.
- He has an amazing number of personal contacts throughout the country, to the benefit of both himself and his guests.
- He is very good at placing himself within the cultural parameters of his guests, because he knows our expectations and needs.
- He is thoughtful, not only with regard to the well-being of his guests, but also with regard to the locals marveled at.
- He's an expert on his country - so much so that other tour guides often call on his mobile phone (yes, mobile phones are also common in Ethiopia) to ask for advice.
- Finally, he is humorous and has a lust for life. He spreads good cheer and his smile is contagious.
So why am I writing all of this?
Because I was so impressed by Adimasu's skills, enthusiasm, and motivation. I see myself as a (small) active development aid in supporting him in realising his dream of becoming a valued, independent Ethiopian tour guide.Carsten Gruener
Flexibility for your trip with SPECIAL SERVICE
Perhaps you already know which part of the country you'd like to visit and how long the trip should last. If not, then Adimasu can provide you with suggestions. In each case, he will offer to plan the tour together with you. In contrast to some of the large travel organizers, there are no rigid (time) constraints due to contractual partners who all want their share of the pie - regardless whether or not it fits in the desired tour. For this reason, tours with Adimasu are completely flexible, both during planning and underway.Special Service: If you are interested Adimasu will initiate contact with other people interested in travelling with him. So you might share the costs.
The following feedback speaks for itself:
Filming for the documentary "Devenir un homme chez les Borana" (Becoming a Man among the Boranas) took place from 18 November - 20 December 2008 under really difficult conditions. Adimasu Cabayo was a valuable travel guide for our whole team. He diligently performed his tasks and fulfilled all of the director's requests. He simplified cooperation between the team and the authorities as well as with local villagers and nomads. His support was even more appreciated because Adimasu is a young man who is always in a good mood. Should be shoot films again in Southern Ethiopia, we will definitely seek his assistance again.Bernard MATHIEU
Screenplay writer and Director's assistant
You can find the original text here.
Update Christmas 2010
A good six months have passed since Adimasu started his own small company. He was been rewarded with success for his efforts. His philosophy and enthusiasm is well received by his guests. Many positive comments on Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree confirm this fact.
The good news is that the demand has now exceeded the capacity of Adimasu's one-man company. In order to continue offering individual tours with personalised itineraries to visitors in Ethiopia, Adimasu has hand-selected a few young colleagues from amongst his many contacts to help out.
Regardless whether your trip is to North or East Ethiopia, South Omo, the Simien Mountains, the Bale Mountains, the Danakil Depression, Adimasu's colleagues almost all come from the destination region of your tour. Therefore, they know the language, traditions, and customs of the area and are accepted and supported by the locals in the tribal areas.
Adimasu is determined that every individual be as committed as himself. You can rest assured that every member of Adimasu's team lives out his philosophy for and with their fellow travellers.
Get started!
You can reach Adimasu at Adimasu.Should you also need or like my help, please contact me at Carsten Grüner.