Located in the highlands fringing the Great Rift Valley, Addis Ababa serves as the political, cultural and commercial centre of Ethiopia. This sprawling city rests in the foothills of the Entoto Mountains and features a mix of traditional homes, elegant villas, and tall office buildings. Visitors can look forward to a selection of wonderful activities including: visiting the National Museum, displaying local art, traditional crafts and prehistoric fossils; exploring the copper-domed Holy Trinity Cathedral, a Neo-Baroque architectural landmark; and sampling rich Ethiopian coffee as well as the memorable cuisine featuring spicy stews and Ethiopia’s signature Injera bread.
Situated on the southern shores of Lake Tana in northern Ethiopia, Bahir Dar serves as the capital city of the Amhara region. The city features palm-lined avenues and was awarded the 'UNESCO Cities for Peace Prize' in 2002, for addressing the challenges of rapid urbanisation. Bahir Dar is a popular tourist destination in Ethiopia, offering a wonderful selection of attractions in the surrounding area. Visit some of the world’s oldest medieval monasteries and churches on the islands scattered within Lake Tana, and discover the spectacular Blue Nile Falls, featuring a 45-metre drop, an impressive 400-metre width, and an array of misty rainbows.
Located on the banks of the Demaza River in the highlands of Ethiopia’s Amhara region, fringing the provincial town of Gondar, Azezo is a small town surrounded by mountains with a little river running through it. Azezo serves as a convenient base from which to explore the magnificent surrounding natural landscapes. Explore stunning Lake Tana, dotted with multiple islands and secluded Orthodox Monasteries in the south; and visit the many castle and temple complexes at the nearby town of Gondar, the capital of the ancient Ethiopian Empire.
Situated in northern Ethiopia the town of Debarq is set at the foot of Simien National Park, located between Aksoum and Gondar. It serves as a convenient base from which to explore the scenic surrounds and as a gateway to the magnificent Simien National Park. Many hikers stopover here before embarking on their adventures, on their way to climbing expeditions and camping excursions in the incredible surrounding mountainous landscapes.
As previously described
Situated in northern Ethiopia, Axum, also Aksum, is the ancient capital of the old Kingdom of Axum, one of the most important historical sites in sub-Saharan Africa. The town of Axum is the centre of a myriad of religious mysteries. It is said to be the home of the biblical Ark of the Covenant, the previous home of the Queen of Sheba and it is believed to be the resting place of one of the wise men. Axum's historical archaeological sites have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The undeniable highlight of this ancient city and its most renowned surviving monuments is a group of memorial monolithic obelisks, or stelae, built between the third and fourth centuries A.D.
Situated in northern Ethiopia, the town of Lalibela is named after King Lalibela of the Zagwe Dynasty. The town is considered Ethiopia’s cultural capital and one of Ethiopia’s holiest cities, it serves as a centre of pilgrimage. The undeniable highlight of this ancient capital is dubbed the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’ and includes eleven rock-hewn churches dating back to the 13th century. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is carved out of solid rock and includes subterranean monoliths, a network of interconnected tunnels, and chambers featuring magnificent frescoes. Lalibela also plays host to some of the most famous church festivals in Ethiopia.
Situated in the foreground of the mighty Arsi Mountains, in the region of Oromia, Lake Langano is one of the few bilharzia-free lakes in Ethiopia. Stretching over 200 square kilometres, Lake Langano is one of Ethiopia's most visited lakes and is a popular spot for swimming, watersports and hippo viewing. It is the perfect stopover point on a road trip down the Rift Valley. The area surrounding the lake is home to baboons, warthogs, hippos and a variety of birds that makes for good bird watching. More wildlife can be found in East Langano Nature Reserve on the lake's eastern shore. Here, visitors can spot Colobus monkeys and more than 300 bird species living in the beautiful lakeside forest. Other popular activities include: camping, mountain climbing, biking, fishing and photography.
Situated in southern Ethiopia at the base of the western side of the Great Rift Valley, the city of Arba Minch is the largest city in the Gamo Gofa Zone. Surrounded by forested mountains and home to two of Ethiopia’s largest Rift Valley Lakes, Arba Minch is named after the abundant springs found in the area. This resort town rests on the edge of Lake Chamo where it has a stunning view of the aptly named ‘Bridge of God’, an isthmus that separates Lake Chamo from the neighbouring Lake Abaya. This stretch of land is home to zebras, gazelle, kudus and other wildlife. The Dorze village is also a popular attraction in Arba Minch – here, tourists can visit the famous beehive huts built by the Dorze tribe.
Resting alongside the Sagan River in southwestern Ethiopia, Konso (also known as Karati) is famous for its incredible display of human adaptation to challenging geographical conditions. The landscape here is arid, dry and hilly, but the people created a unique system of living: stone-walled terraces and fortified settlements up the hillsides, which stop soil erosion, collect the maximum amount of water, and create terraced fields for agricultural use. The community has succeeded in growing millet, corn, and many other grains using this system, and also raising cattle, sheep and goats. The system was put in place more than 400 years ago, and many other wonderful ancient cultural traditions remain. Groups of anthropomorphic wooden statues pay homage to respected community members and heroic events, while a complex decorative stone system marks the passing of generations of leaders.
This small market town in southwestern Ethiopia functions as a central transport hub as well as an important meeting point for the area’s weekly Monday market. The local Hamer inhabitants of the surrounding villages flock here to buy and sell local produce and handicrafts. Visitors to the area can enjoy culturally fascinating guided tours of the surrounding villages. Popular cultural attractions include traditional Hamer dance performances and exhilarating ‘Jumping of the Bulls’ ceremonies which form the culmination of a three-day long rite of passage for any young man within the Hamer tribe.Turmi is a great choice of destination for travellers in search of a unique and authentic African experience in one of the most remote places on the continent.
Located in southwestern Ethiopia, near the borders of Sudan and Kenya, Jinka is the largest town in the Debub Omo Zone. It serves as an excellent base from which to explore the surrounding area. This remote market town is home to the Mursi people, who are well known for their elaborate lip plates made of clay. At the South Omo Research Center and Museum, visitors can learn more about the Mursi, as well as other groups in the region, through a series of exhibits detailing the cultures and customs of local tribes. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy the nearby Mago National Park, where abundant wildlife finds shelter in the dense acacia woodland.
As previously described
