Ethiopia is a fascinating country where you can witness ancient cultures, historical monuments, stunning mountain scenery and great African wildlife all in one. It is also a very affordable travel destination. The numerous historic sites in Ethiopia, the traditional Orthodox ceremonies, the big city bustle in Addis Ababa, and national parks with good opportunities for wildlife viewing are all good reasons for visiting Ethiopia.
A highland country located in Eastern Africa, Ethiopia shares borders with Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya and Sudan. With over 3000 years of culture, it is both the home of the earliest findings of the human race, the oldest independent country in Africa, and the second country in the world to adopt Christianity. The diversity of cultures, landscapes and nature in Ethiopia are all very impressive. While not yet one of the most popular travel destinations in Africa, Ethiopia attracts some 200.000 foreign visitors annually.
City & safari destinations. The capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa is a vibrant large and safe city with colorful big city life added with great museums and bargain shopping. The mountains in the highlands of Ethiopia offer great possibilities for trekking, rafting and birdwatching, whereas the well-maintained national parks and wildlife preserves in Ethiopia offer savanna and jungle landscapes with unique wildlife that rivals other more famous East African countries.
Traveling to Ethiopia is easiest by air – there are good connections to Addis Ababa from many African cities as well as from Europe and Asia. The public transport in Ethiopia is mainly offered by buses, although the country also has one railway line. Buses are a cheap but slow way to move around, as roads in Ethiopia are generally in poor condition.
A highland country located in Eastern Africa, Ethiopia shares borders with Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya and Sudan. With over 3000 years of culture, it is both the home of the earliest findings of the human race, the oldest independent country in Africa, and the second country in the world to adopt Christianity. The diversity of cultures, landscapes and nature in Ethiopia are all very impressive. While not yet one of the most popular travel destinations in Africa, Ethiopia attracts some 200.000 foreign visitors annually.
Tourist attractions in Ethiopia: historical sites, markets, wildlife and mountain trekking
Ethiopia has a long history extending to the known beginnings of humankind, and has more archaeological and historic sites than any other country in Sub-Saharan Africa. Remains of some of the great civilizations of the past can be found in towns like Gondar, Axum or Harar. The incredible medieval churches of Lalibela that have been carved straight into rock are masterpieces of early Ethiopian architecture and are still being used in the ceremonies of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.City & safari destinations. The capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa is a vibrant large and safe city with colorful big city life added with great museums and bargain shopping. The mountains in the highlands of Ethiopia offer great possibilities for trekking, rafting and birdwatching, whereas the well-maintained national parks and wildlife preserves in Ethiopia offer savanna and jungle landscapes with unique wildlife that rivals other more famous East African countries.
Ethiopia travel information and practical tips
Ethiopia has a tropical monsoon climate with a lot of variation caused by the mountainous terrain. In the highlands of Ethiopia the weather can be chilly, whereas the lowlands in the North and South of the country are very warm year-round. There is a rainy season in Ethiopia approximately from June to September, during which traveling in rural areas of Ethiopia gets quite difficult.Traveling to Ethiopia is easiest by air – there are good connections to Addis Ababa from many African cities as well as from Europe and Asia. The public transport in Ethiopia is mainly offered by buses, although the country also has one railway line. Buses are a cheap but slow way to move around, as roads in Ethiopia are generally in poor condition.
Photo: babasteve, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
There are also many domestic airports with regular flights from Addis Ababa. A good way to get to know Ethiopia is joining an overland tour group or renting a car with a local driver.
Services & safety. There are a good number of hotels in Ethiopia, as well as restaurants and a few nightlife options. There are five-star hotels available in Ethiopia as well as very cheap guesthouses. Most young people in the Ethiopian cities speak some English, but in the rural areas this is still rare. Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in the world, but in general, crime is not common there. The restless border regions towards Eritrea, Sudan, and Somalia are not safe to travel into. Travel to the northeast region of Afar should especially be avoided.
