The Longest Journey of Me, Adimasu Gebeyehu

The Longest Journey of Me

My Name is Adimasu Gebeyehu. I was born and grow up in Southern Ethiopia Banna Village in Omo Valley. My overlanding journey started when I was taking care of my goats and cows at 7 years old with my other friends.

One day, I was take our cows to Omo River to fetch water for them and for our self. On that day I saw for the first time a car passing through off-road. It was rain, wind and cold day. There was a lot of mud, the car couldn’t move it was in strong mud.

We saw him, we were not sure if he was an animal or a human painted white? We paint our bodies to protect from mosquito’s and scare animals. And dress up to show our beauty to others. (Suri Trib) We have never seen a white person before.

He asks me and my friends to pull the car out. We helped him and finally he got way out from strong mud. We could not communicate with him. But knew he was very hungry. We bring him to our home to give him food. For the first time I ride on Landcruiser 2h 1988 model.

That is when I meet Mr. Chris from France, who sponsored me to finish my school. Once I have done school, I went on university and finally graduated in tourism. Been working as tour guide in different companies for 10 years now. I started my own expedition company over East Africa, been doing a lots off-roading by myself and taking some people with me on adventures.

One Day I have got email from in 2016. Mr. Kingsley Holgate, a well-known Land Rover adventure organization to Africa with Kingsley Holgate Foundation-Hope Crosses Many Terrain together with Land Rover. https://kingsleyholgate.com/

He wants to do expedition in Southern Ethiopia to Chew Bahir-Hamer Tribe. They are most friendly tribe. Where a boy to become man, he jump of the bulls. Before jump of bulls, he must be naked and hair shaved. Rubbed body with sand rid any bad luck, rubbed with cow poop to give strength. He must jump over bulls four times show his bravery, strength and agility to get called Maza. Means

he is a man and to marry woman picked by his father. The woman dress and line up to watch for father to pick for wife.

And Mursi Tribe plating with lip also horns in hair.

I was so happy to get this email from Kinsley, because it was always my dream to meet with experienced expectation leaders. So finally, I meet them in Addis Ababa to start the trip to Southern Ethiopia. I took Kingsley Holgate, his son Ross Holgate and the expedition team. I was so happy to drive well equipped Land Rover and had lots of new experience with Kingsley. Because he has traveled all Africa every year with new Land Rover.

Getting Kingsley advice for my feature. He teach a lot about off-road and Bush camping. I was born in rural village no electric, no mobile phones at that time. So, I told thanks for your advice I will manage the camping. Please just teach me more about how work on off-road vehicle. So, he was very kind to share with me about Zulu Land driver with Land Rover. While his driving sometimes has to cross big muddy roads and rivers. So, he teach me more how to drive on muddy roads and rivers.

Very kind enough to give me his Land Rover so that I can do test on Lake Chalbi and Omo Valley. This expedition was some very unique to my life. I had wonderful experience with Kingsley. Today this experience made me different from all other tour operators. Kingsley also told me; expedition is something you can’t go out from it. And it is true, now I can’t go out from it. It’s my passion, who I want to be in life! I would like to say many thanks to Kingsley Holgate my off-road experience partner!

Finally, the trip ended in Kenya. I managed to comeback by on another expedition. I have rework on my old land cruiser garage maintenance by myself. I start taking some photographers around Omo-Valley. Finally, I have managed to save to get brand new 2019 model Toyota Landcruiser v8 engine. I have been dreaming for this 4wd drive every day of my life since I was 7.

During my expeditions in Ethiopia. I do take travelers from all over the world who really love to be on adventure experience our culture, people and nature. This is what I am doing for living at this time. From what I earn I use some to support education in southern Ethiopia. Where there are kids can’t afford to buy books, pens and pencils. In some areas help them also with health care. People who can’t afford to go to hospitals I pay from what I got. Thanks to my friend Beth Ebnet, she’s supported our project during new year. Feeding homeless in Ethiopia.

Living on adventures is something you never take out from myself. Some people think I am crazy, they often told me to do other jobs. Which I can get more money, but it’s no interest for me. I only love being who I am on my expedition driving bring people to my culture from all over the World. Expedition is something I will always live on and work.

Finally, now I enjoy every moment while I am driving my Landcruiser! Doing expedition all over Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti and Kenya. Meet different tribes every day. I drive over Simen Mountains, Bale mountains and Dannakil desert often. Each time I am on the road, I remember when I was kid. I always wanted to live in the nature as much I can. So finally, now I am here.

With Kingsley I have to him, to my people tribes of Omo-Valley, Dorze Village, Konsso Village, Banna Village, Arbore Village Hamer Village, Karo Village and Nechsar National Park and chew Bahir or Lake Stephanie close to north of Kenya. Many thanks and Blessings!

Adimasu Gebeyehu

ADIMASU TRAVEL AND TOURS Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

www.adimasutravel.com