Ethiopia
Ethiopia is a fabulous place to visit all year round with its temperate climate and numerous colorful religious and historical celebrations. With documented history dating back to the time of King Solomon and Queen Sheba you will literally find yourself walking in foot steps of Kings and a fascinating and ancient history! The original Ark of the Covenant is allegedly in Axum and while you can visit the outside of the Church, you may not enter to observe the Ark of the Covenant for yourself. The Priests that safeguard this ancient religious relic have no inclination or interest in proving whether they have it or not; they know with certainty that they do which is enough for them! Religious or Mystical by nature, this only makes the visitor to Ethiopia even more inquisitive! Discover Lalibela which is world renowned for being home to eleven incredible rock hewn medieval monolithic churches, each one carved and excavated entirely out of stone below ground level! Lalibela is considered one the most sacred religious tourism sites of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site; considered the 8th Wonder of the World.
The wonder of Ethiopia is that there are so many diverse regions to discover – from the historical and religious North, the South for example is home to a variety of indigenous Omo River tribes with their unique rituals and ceremonies.
Ethiopia has a range of fascinating locations to visit which are steeped in history as well as diverse cultural attractions that are a visual feast for the eyes!
- Northern Historical sites like Lalibela, Gondar, Axum. Bahir Dar,Gheralta in Tigray
- Home of different Mammals and Endemic birds.
- Rift Valley Lakes: Langano, Lake Chamo, ArbaMinch
- Danakil depression: Dallol, Erta Ale
Ethiopia is a country located in the Horn of Africa, bordered by Eritrea to the north, Djibouti and Somalia to the east, Sudan and South Sudan to the west, and Kenya to the south. Here are some key points about Ethiopia:
1. Capital: The capital city of Ethiopia is Addis Ababa, which also serves as the political and cultural center of the country.
2. Population: Ethiopia is the second-most populous country in Africa, with a population of over 115 million people. It is a multi-ethnic nation with more than 80 different ethnic groups.
3. Language: Amharic is the official language of Ethiopia. There are also many other languages spoken throughout the country, reflecting its diverse ethnic makeup.
4. History: Ethiopia has a rich history and is one of the oldest countries in the world, with a history dating back thousands of years. It is the only African country that was never colonized by a European power.
5. Culture: Ethiopia has a unique cultural heritage that includes ancient traditions, music, dance, art, and cuisine. The country is famous for its distinctive cuisine, which includes injera (a sourdough flatbread) and various spicy stews.
6. Religion: Ethiopia has a long history of Christianity, with the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church being the dominant religion. There is also a significant Muslim population in the country.
7. Economy: Agriculture is the mainstay of the Ethiopian economy, with coffee being a major export crop. The country has been experiencing economic growth in recent years, but poverty and underdevelopment remain significant challenges.
8. Landmarks: Ethiopia is home to many historical and cultural landmarks, including the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, the ancient city of Axum, and the Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its stunning landscapes and unique wildlife.
9. Recent Developments: Ethiopia has also been experiencing economic growth and infrastructure development.
LALIBELA
Founded in the late 12th Century,the town of Lalibela (UNESCO World Heritage site and considered the 8th Wonder of the World) is literally carved out of the hills nestled within a rugged landscape.
AXUM
The Holy city of Axum is located in Northern Ethiopia. Axum was once the center of a great empire and ancient civilization and is a historical city with over 3000 years of history; it is home to the original Ark of the Covenant.
BARHIR DAR
Bahir Dar means “By the Sea” and is located on the southern shores of beautiful Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake and reservoir for the famous Blue Nile River.
GONDAR
Often described as the Camelot of Africa, Gondar was once the capital of Ethiopia from 1626 until the mid-19th century. The main architectural centerpiece is the Royal Enclosure known as Fasil Ghebbi (UNESCO World Heritage Site) containing six fortified stone castles.
HARAR
The ancient walled city of Harar; the Holy City of Ethiopia’s Muslim Community (reputed to be the fourth holiest city after Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem) contains approximately 85 Mosques three of which date back to the 10th century and 102 shrines.
ERT ALE/DANAKIL
Dallol in the Danakil Desert is one of the lowest places on earth at 116 meter below sea level, where lakes of acid form colorful sulfur formations in the hottest and deepest part of the Danakil depression where salt is excavated.
SIMIEN MOUNTAINS
This breath taking site offers incredible trekking and stunning scenery. The Simien Mountains National Park was awarded as a Natural World Heritage Site in 1979; UNESCO proclaimed it as“one of the world’s most spectacular landscapes, with jagged mountain peaks,deep valleys and sharp precipices dropping some 1,500 m”.
RIFT VALLEY LAKES
The Great Rift Valley is the single largest geographical feature on the African continent, and was the only such feature visible to the first astronauts to reach the moon!
Ethiopia is in the tropical zone laying between the Equator and the tropic of Cancer. It has four main seasons. You need to pack clothes according to the season mentioned below.
- Belg (Autumn) - September, October and November are the spring season sometime known as the harvest season.
- Bega (Winter) - December,January and February are the dry season with frost in morning specially in January.
- Tseday(Spring) - March, April and May are the autumn season with occasional showers.
You can visit Ethiopia all year round. There are four main seasons:
- Kiremt or Meher (Summer) - June, July and August
- Belg (Autumn) - September, October and November are the spring season sometime known as the harvest season.
- Bega (Winter) - December,January and February are the dry season with frost in morning specially in January.
- Tseday(Spring) - March, April and May are the autumn season with occasional showers.