Tesfa Tours was set up in 2010 to take on the mantle of promoting the community tourism that has been developed in Ethiopia under Mark Chapman's guidance since 1999.
We are passionate about community tourism, trekking & sustainability. We believe community tourism means holidays that support local communities, and that are sustainable, but we also believe that holidays must give our guests a wonderful time. We love to develop itineraries to fit the interests of our clients and to promote the incredible diversity that exists in Ethiopia.
We work closely with the communities, the guides and other stakeholders to ensure the success of this special ‘project’, which now involves over 20 communities serving food and hosting guests in both the Wollo (Lalibela), Wof Washa forest, The Simiens , Tigray and Gurage areas.
Our holidays, where we can, include a key element of this community tourism. We design tours across the whole of Ethiopia, keeping in mind sustainable approaches, but want to share our knowledge and expertise of this remarkable country.
We believe that true community tourism is a sustainable partnership between philanthropic businesses and community run enterprises. This partnership should enable local communities to generate sustainable improvements in their livelihood through the development of their own tourism related enterprises, while also contributing to the protection of their physical and cultural environments.
"Let us develop a personal itinerary with you so that you can see the best of this wonderful country."
Mark Chapman, Founder
Each hosting community is based around sub groups of a local parish church.
They are registered as cooperatives and are run for the benefit of all their members.
There may be as many at 300 households in one such community, probably around 1,500 people.
So the income a community makes from hosting you really does go to the community level!
I have just taken a small group of pupils (aged 17) from a London inner city school for a 3 day 2 night trek in Tigray with Tesfa Tours and I can honestly say it was an incredible experience for them and up there in the best 3 things I have ever done. The organisation of the tour was flawless, the guide exceptional and the scenery was nothing short of spectacular!
The UK FCDO travel advice has just been changed to show all the core areas of Tigray (away from disputed territories and boundaries) as green. At Tesfa Tours we have been sending clients there to trek at community-owned guesthouses and see the wonders of the ancient city of Axum and there hidden rock churches of […]
As the rainy season – the Kremt – begins to recede, Ethiopians prepare to celebrate their new year – saying goodbye to 2016 and hello to 2017. If you want to know about the why’s and wherefores of the Ethiopia’s unique calendar please check this earlier blog article. The New Year holiday falls on […]
