Attractions

Discover beautiful places or visit the cultural treasures. Ethiopia, with its cosmopolitan cities and quaint villages, is one of the world’s most fascinating destinations.

Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela

Near the small town of Lalibela, there are eleven medieval churches, which are all carved out of massive slabs of volcanic rock.

The churches were created in the 12th-century under the direction of King Lalibela. He had a vision of a “New Jerusalem” for Christians who were prevented from making the pilgrimage to the Holy Land because of Muslim conquests across the region. Today it is still a popular pilgrimage site for Coptic Christians.

The most fascinating of the ancient churches is the House of Saint George, or Biete Ghiorgis. The 12th century “New Jerusalem” is often called the 8th wonder of the world heritages. Lalibela has been a world heritage site since 1978.

Simien Mountains

The Simien Mountains National Park is an exotic setting with unique wildlife and breath-taking views on a landscape shaped by nature and traditional agriculture.

Gentle grass covered highland ridges, isolated trees and the bizarre Giant Lobelia (Lobelia rhynchopetalum) are found on the high plateau that ends abruptly at 1000 – 2000 metre deep escarpments.

The margins of this high plateau consist of precipitous cliffs and deep, canyon-style gorges. The spectacular Jinbar waterfall drops 500m, and is easily viewed from a lookout just a 15 minute walk from the road.

Apart from the Walya ibex, many other animal species are found in the Park, including the endemic Simien fox or Ethiopian wolf, several birds of prey, the endemic Gelada baboon, the Klippspringer, and the bush buck .

Jinka

Although Jinka is the administrative capital of the South Omo zone it exists in almost total isolation from the rest of the country, and has a relaxed, rural feel.

Set at an altitude of 1490m it is quite temperate and its Saturday market attracts traders from all over the area.

Gondar

Nestled in the highlands of Northern Ethiopia, you’ll find the fabled city of Gondar. Once you have reached Ras Dashen, the highest peak in the spectacular Simien Mountains, you will be able to marvel at Gondar, the “Camelot of Africa”.

The castle was the medieval home to Ethiopian Emperors and Princesses who led the country for nearly 1000 years. Once you have reached the main site, check out the Royal Enclosure which is home to the main attractions in the city.

Another site not to miss is Fasiladas’ Bath. This is where the annual Timkat celebration takes place. The water is blessed by the bishop and splashed on the crowd of pilgrims that come to renew their faith and to take part in the ceremony that replicates Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River.

Whilst here don’t forget to visit Debre Berhan Selassie, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful churches in all of Ethiopia.

Arba Minch

On the shores of Abaya Lake in Southern Ethiopia, Arba Minch is full of natural wonder and beauty. Arba Minch in Amharic means “forty springs,” and the area is rich in many tiny springs that bubble up from the ground.

You can see many of them as you hike through Nechisar National Park. The most incredible sight in Arba Minch is the cliff top holy spot of Abuna Yemata Church. This rock-hewn church is found only after a mildly challenging climb up the sheer cliff wall. It requires a bit of nerve and a lack of vertigo, but your effort will be greatly rewarded.

Views from the church are remarkable and inside this ancient holy church, you will find beautiful and well-preserved frescoes that adorn two cupolas.

Blue Nile Falls

Close to the city of Bahir Dar you will find the incredible Blue Nile Falls. The locals call it Tis- Isat Falls (translated as “Smoke of Fire”) and it is the most impressive sight on either the Blue or White Nile.

The falls stretch a quarter-mile wide during the flood season and drop into a gorge of more than 150 feet deep. You can see how the falls got their name because they throw up a never-ending mist that drenches sightseers from half a mile away.

The rainbows produced are awe-inspiring and creates an Eden-like perennial rainforest of lush verdant foliage. You will not be alone in this paradise; the forest is home to a wide variety of monkeys and exotically colored birds.

Danakil Depression

If you are up to a really hot time, then make your way to Ethiopia’s Danakil Depression. The Depression overlaps the borders of Eritrea and Djibouti and is part of the great East African Rift Valley.

The Afar people call this northeastern part of Ethiopia home and against all odds, have not only existed for centuries but still have a thriving community.

But beware, the climate is unforgiving and widely considered the hottest (average temp of 94°F/34.4°C), driest (4 – 8 inches/100 – 200 mls of rain) and lowest spot (400 feet below sea level/122 metres) on the planet. Having said all that, this unearthly landscape is an incredible place to visit.

The lava lake at Erta Ale is one of only six lava lakes on Earth and will leave you in awe. The multi-colored hydrothermal bubbling lakes and great salt pans will amaze you and have you question if you are still on Planet Earth. The site is also rich in fossils of ancient hominid. The famed fossil of “Lucy” was found in this area in 1974.

Nechisar National Park

This is one of the most beautiful game reserves in Africa. The park protects the white grass plains and also parts of Lakes Chamo and Abaya.

The park and lakes support a large number of different species of wildlife including hippo, crocodile, Burchell’s zebra, waterbuck, Grant’s gazelle and as usual a wide variety of birds. The terrain is varied too from savannah plains to groundwater forest where it is common to see vervet monkeys and baboons.

Bale Mountains National Park

The Bale Mountains National Park is a protected area of approximately 2,200 km2 and is located around 400 km southeast of Addis Ababa. Its high mountains, sweeping valleys, dramatic escarpment and wide expanses of forests provide visitors with a diversity of vistas unique to the Ethiopian highlands. 

UNESCO has estimated that more mammal species would become extinct were the habitats of the Bale Mountains to decline than if any other area of equivalent size on the globe were to disappear.

When this is combined with rare amphibian species, endemic birds and spectacular flora, it is easy to see why the park is designated as a Biodiversity Hotspot by Conservation International.

Axum

Head to Axum and you will see more ancient history that you can imagine. Axum is one of the oldest cities in all of Africa and is rich in legend and mystery.

It is believed to be the home of the Queen of Sheba and the final resting place of the legendary Ark of the Covenant. Unfortunately, visitors are not allowed into the church where the Ark is said to be, but you can still check out the ancient Aksumite obelisks found in the Northern Stelae Field.

The largest obelisk was recently returned to Ethiopia by the Italian government where it sat for decades after it was taken to Italy during WWII. Its ruins and ancient legends will fascinate any lover of history.

In addition to legends of Sheba and the Ark, locals believe that the roughly hewn tomb of solid rock of King Bazen was actually Balthazar, and the magi carried news of Christ’s birth to Ethiopia.

Turmi

This traditional town, not far from the Kenyan border, lies right down in the heart of the south Omo region and is an important transport hub, located at a three-way road intersection.

It is the main town of the Hamer people and is known throughout the Omo Valley for its colorful Monday market, one of the most important in Hamer country.

Mago National Park

Located about 782 kilometers south of Addis Ababa and on east bank of Omo River, the 2,162 square kilometers of this park are divided by the Mago River, a tributary of the Omo, into two parts. To the west is the Tama Wildlife Reserve, with the Tama River defining the boundary between the two.

To the south is the Murle Controlled Hunting Area, distinguished by Lake Dipa which stretches along the left side of the lower Omo. The park office is 115 kilometers north of Omorate and 26 kilometers southwest of Jinka. The park has about 200km internal roads, which lead to the different attractions sites of the park. All roads to and from the park are unpaved.

The major environments in and around the Mago Park are the rivers and reverting forest, the wetlands along the lower Mago and around Lake Dipa, the various grasslands on the more level areas, and scrub on the sides of the hills. Open grassland comprises about 9% of the park’s area. The largest trees are found in the reverting forest beside the Omo, Mago and Neri.

Areas along the lower Omo (within the park) are populated with a rich diversity of ethnic groups, including the Aari, Banna, Bongoso, Hamer, Karo, Kwegu, Male and Mursi peoples. The park’s perhaps best known attraction are the Mursi, known for piercing their lips and inserting disks made of clay.

The Holy City of Harar

Harar is a city in Northeast Ethiopia near the border with Somalia and a great seat of Islamic culture. Its walled city dubbed “Africa’s Mecca,” is home to more than 100 mosques and is also considered the “fourth holy city of Islam”.

Harar was built in the 16th century to protect the region against religious invaders. As you stroll down the city’s cobbled and narrow alleys, you will be greeted by friendly Harari women dressed in brightly colored dresses.

It won’t take long to be told about the legendary “hyena man of Harar”. At the Fallana Gate the “hyena man’ will call out to the hyenas by name in Harari. They come up, one-by-one and take a piece of meat from a stick he has placed in his mouth. If you have the nerve, you can also take a turn hand-feeding these wildly beautiful, but dangerous African predators.

Awash National Park

This scenic national park is situated in the dry acacia savanna of the Rift Valley some 200km from Addis Ababa.

A magnificent 150m-deep gorge, carved by the Awash River, forms the southern boundary of the park, including a substantial waterfall. To the north, you’ll see the ragged edges of Mount Fantelle, a dormant volcano whose crater towers above the surrounding bush. 

Other highlights include the Filwoha Hot Springs, which feed a series of beautiful translucent blue pools and Lake Beseka. Although 80 mammal species have been recorded in Awash, the game viewing is less of an attraction than the scenery and birdlife.

Awash National Park is regarded as one Ethiopia’s top birding destinations, with over 450 species. Including the endemic yellow-throated serin and the Ethiopian cliff swallow.

Addis Ababa

Ethiopia’s capital is located more or less in the dead centre of the country and is the world’s third-highest capital at 2,400 m. Its name means ‘New Flower’ and it is a relatively modern city, founded in 1887 by Emperor Menelik II.

Addis Ababa is the fourth largest city in Africa and is the diplomatic home to the African Union. This vibrant city sits atop the Entoto Mountains and has both an African and international feel. Addis has a mystical aura that seems to act like a portal to the past. It’s a place where you can explore the beautiful orthodox churches and museums.

Make sure to check out the National Museum where you will find the 2.3 million-year-old fossilized hominid “Lucy”. Also visit the Merkato, which is the largest open-air market in Africa. Here you’ll have your senses awakened with the smell of pungent spices and roasting coffee.

At night, the city comes alive with a vibrant nightlife with restaurants serving exotic Ethiopian cuisine. Day trips from Addis should include the Entoto Mountains, the crater lakes at Debre Zeyit and the hot springs at Awash National Park. Pamper yourself by staying at the Sheraton Addis where you will be treated like royalty in one of Africa’s few 5-star resorts.

The People of the Lower Omo Valley

If you want a cultural experience that you will never forget, then plan a trip to the Lower Omo Valley. Here you can connect with one of more than a dozen indigenous peoples that live in the region.

The valley is dependent on the Omo River to live as it feeds the dry savannah that supports the local communities. Each of the villages has their own customs and language and have lived basically the same lifestyle for centuries. The Mursi and Hamar are proud people who adorn themselves in unusual body art and jewellery, and cattle are vital to their existence.

They are also very territorial and will fiercely defend their land and way of life. Even though the region is remote, many tour companies operate treks to the Lower Omo Valley and several of its villages. Just be prepared for a pricey and challenging trip–both logistically and physically.