Holidays in Ethiopia Tailored by the Experts!
Previously known as Abyssinia, Ethiopia is a remarkable land, one of diversity, history, a rich culture and wealth of antiquities, stunning scenery and wildlife. The people in Ethiopia live as they have done for centuries – with ancient traditions and festivals and little has changed over time through much of the country. Ethiopians maintain their religious beliefs and their famous rock hewn churches are both World Heritage sites and livings museums – very much used on a day to day basis.
Apart from Addis Ababa the capital, the main form of transport for most of the population is still donkey, mule, horse or on foot. Ethiopia is home to about 82 million, making it the second-most populous nation in Africa. The name Ethiopia appears in the Iliad and Old Testament.
Ethiopia is for the more curious and intrepid traveller; those with a sense of adventure and wanting to explore Africa in the raw, an Africa where in many aspects little has changed for centuries, an Africa which is both uplifting and down to earth. A sense of humour is required as the infrastructure is poor in many places, although slowly developing, but it is the land whose history captures our attention with stories of the Queen of Sheba, King Lalibela and the apparent resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. The topography of the country is what astonishes most first time visitors – the eastern part of the country falls into the Horn of Africa and is therefore dry and flat and dusty. This contrasts to the magnificent Rift Valley that dominates the centre of the country with its vast highland plateaus and mountain ranges and line of rift valley lakes down the centre. The Bale and Simien Mountain ranges are spectacular and home to some of the world’s rarest animals – Walia ibex, gelada baboons and the ultimate Ethiopian Wolf. In the south is the dry Omo Valley – home to some of Africans most intriguing tribes – totally different to those of East and Southern Africa. Ecologically there are tropical secondary rainforests and afro-montane belts over the mountains and in the north east, officially the world’s hottest place – the Danakil Desert Depression with its active volcanoes and sulphur and acid lakes. This again contrasts with the cool and verdant central highlands that create and start many rivers – indeed 85% of the Nile’s water originates from Ethiopia. There are more UNESCO World Heritage sites in Ethiopia than any other African country and uniquely for Africa it also operates on its own optic calendar which is eight years behind the Gregorian calendar, its own alphabet called Ge’ez or Ethiopic, and their own time system.
Ethiopia’s history is one of the oldest on record and the country was a monarchy- its dynasty traceable back to the 2nd century BC. It is also the origin of the coffee bean and coffee ceremonies are very much part of daily traditions!
Explore one of the most beautiful and diverse countries imaginable!
Highlights of Ethiopia can be divided as:
Nature:
* Bale Mountains – home of the last remaining Ethiopian wolves, and it also is one of the best birding areas in the country. On the southern side of the National Park there is the completely contrasting secondary rainforest where the newly discovered Bale Monkey has been found.
*Simien Mountains – Good for birding, there are also some Ethiopian wolves remaining though rarely seen, home to Walia ibex and gelada baboons, Starck’s hare, dramatic and simply stunning scenery – high plains, deep valleys, craggy pinnacles, waterfalls and remote areas to trek.
* Lalibela – Known as the eighth wonder of the world, Lalibela should always be on everyones list to visit. This isolated town sits at an altitude of 2,630 m amongst magnificent mountains and valleys and the small town is remote but accessible by air and one major road. This monastic settlement is home to extraordinary carved stone churches that are still actively used every day and they represent a way of life and people that barely seem to have changed for centauries.
*Gondor – Founded in 1635 by Emperor Fasilidas, Gondor is one of the main attractions in the north and is noted for its 17th century castles in the Fasil Ghebbi (Royal Enclosure) and the decorated Debre Birhan Selassie church with its ornate painted ceiling of faces, and the Empress Mentewab pool with its fig tree roots cascading down the walls and gardens filled with birdsong.
* Bahir Dar - on the edge of Lake Tana the largest lake in the country, this is a super place to relax and enjoy the lake, visit the island monasteries and also visit the Blue Nile falls.
*Axum - Regarded as the last resting place of the Ark of the Covenant, Axum (or Aksum) is also the home of the largest Stelae. This is also the original seat of Christianity in the country and indeed Axum has existed here at least since 3BC. The area (Tigray) is also different from the above with its sandstone rocks.
*Gheralta and Mekele in the Tigray area of northern Ethiopia, is an area with rock hewn churches and again good scenery. The area has around 123 churches located in almost inaccessible cliff faces, so one may pass by and not even know that they are there. This is certainly one area where fewer tourist visit yet those that make the effort are awarded an experience and almost exclusivity.
*Omo Valley peoples and cultures – low lying plains in the south, this is home to some of the oldest cultures in Africa and is an extraordinary cultural experience. Cultural visits to see the many different tribes that occur from Arba Minch southwards. These include the Erbore, the ornamented Mersi (the women wear a round clay plate in their bottom lip); the Karo with their body scarification; the ochre and butter clad hammer peoples, whose men are noted for their bull jumping, the Konso ladies with their double frilly and colourful skirts and the Dorze who live high in the mountains in Elephant head shaped beehive huts and depend on the false banana tree for food and shelter. The bird watching is also different in this area and there is also game viewing in Mago National Park on the edges of Jinka. The great Omo River gathers momentum in the south before it pours into Lake Turkana. Travel to these parts can be challenging and difficult but the experiences are worth the effort.
Special Interest:
*Botanical tours – the variety of landscapes from Afro montane to secondary rain forests, highlands and desert and open savannah – means that there is a rich variety of vegetational biomes to explore.
*Birding tours – with approximately 845 species of birds found in this one country and 24 are endemic, Ethiopia is certainly one of the best birding countries in Africa.
*Expeditions to the Danakil depression and Erta’ale – not for the delicate traveller yet an exploration here is unlike any other. Pass the camel salt caravans, visit officially the hottest place on earth, the depression lies below sea level and is an area of stark yet extraordinary scenery – lunar landscapes, active volcanoes and rainbow coloured sulphur hot springs add to the remoteness of this area.
*Trekking – possible in the Simien and Bale Mountains – one can hike for one to 10 days through beautiful landscapes. One can also trek and go camping in the Lalibela are and indeed in the south.
*Ankober, is also a highlight and worth visiting. Located near Dibre Birhan northeast of Addis, Ethiopia, this is home of Menelik ll’s ruined palace, which sits atop a juniper covered hillock. One can do a guided walking tour, visit the local market and also for the birders take a walk to the Melka Jebdu River where the yellow throated sterin can be seen.
Cultural:
*Lake Langano and East Langano Nature Reserve and the Rift Valley Lakes Abiyata and Shala and noteable areas for bird watchers. The forests nearby are full of birds (including seven endemic species) as well as black and white colobus monkeys. There is plenty to see and do in the lakes region – fishing, birding, swimming in lake Langano (reportedly no bilharzia), and horse riding.
*Yirga Alem is recommended as worthy of an overnight stop on the way south to Yebello or to use as a base to explore the surrounding Rift Valley Lakes – Abaya Hayk and Chamo Hayk. There is also Necler National Park and Lake Awash too
UNESCO World Heritage sites:
Cultural Aksum, Fasil Ghebbi, Harar Jugol, Konso Cultural Landscape, Lower Valley of the Awash, Lower Valley of the Omo, Rock churches in Lalibela, Tiya, Simien National Park. On the tentative list is Bale Mountains
