When you mention Ethiopia, the majority of people immediately picture violence, civil conflicts, droughts and starvation. Ethiopia is quietly undergoing a tourism transformation and is becoming a destination that more travellers want to visit. Millions of people visited the nation in the previous year. Ethiopia is a rapidly developing location with a great deal to offer; it is undoubtedly one that is well worth seeing before the masses learn about it.
A rocky, landlocked nation divided by the Rift Valley, Ethiopia is located on the African continent. This is a region of ancient civilization, with artefacts going back over millions of years, a distinctive calendar behind the rest of the globe, with 13 months each year, a historical language, and a distinctive numeral system. A favourite place of many tourists is Ethiopia. You can hike through the Simien and Bale Mountains, immerse yourself in the region’s amazing heritage and architecture, and encounter a culture that is unmatched on the continent. If you have booked your Ethiopian flight ticket and made all the arrangements, below are the 8 best things to see and do in Ethiopia.
- Addis Ababa is where you start
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For the majority of visitors visiting Ethiopia, their first destination is the energetic capital city of Addis Ababa, which serves as a fantastic introduction to the nation. Addis Ababa is the rawest, most unorganised, crowded, fast-growing, and expanding metropolis in Africa. There are many churches and museums that are well worth seeing, such as the National Museum and the Museum of Ethnology. The Holy Trinity, Bale Medhane Alem, and St. George’s are a few well-known churches that are all stunning.
- Go To The Lalibela Medieval Churches
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The eleven mediaeval cathedrals of Lalibela, which were carved into the craggy rocks of northern Ethiopia, have long been considered among the most breathtaking views on earth. These buildings, which are all more than 800 years old and were all manually carved out of solid rock with the assistance of angels, according to legend, are some of the outstanding examples of the Orthodox Christian church of Ethiopia, which is one of the ancient Christian faiths in the world.
- Astonishing Relics Of Axum
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Axum is regarded by millions of Ethiopians as being the most sacred city in the Orthodox Church of Ethiopia. It is said that Ethiopia’s most priceless holy artefact, the Ark of the Covenant, rests in peace at the Our Lady Mary of Zion chapel in Axum. Axum’s spectacular stone obelisks from the 6th and 7th century A.D. are among the city’s other top attractions. These enormous, finely carved pillars serve as magnificent tombstones.
- Explore Lake Tana, Bahir Dar, and the Blue Nile Waterfalls
One of Ethiopia’s largest towns, Bahir Dar, serves as the entry point to Lake Tana and the magnificent Blue Nile Falls. The Blue Nile Falls are situated approximately 18 miles to the south of Bahir Dar and are one of the two origins of the River Nile. The river itself begins its trip in Lake Tana, the biggest lake in Ethiopia, and eventually flows to the Mediterranean.
- Discover Gondar
The ruins in Gondar are much more breathtaking than the cathedrals and monasteries of Lake Tana. Gondar, the former capital of Ethiopia, is tucked away in the Simien Mountains’ foothills and is home to an abundance of mediaeval buildings. In reality, Gondar Castle is part of a larger complex of buildings. Gondar is an excellent starting place for exploring Simien Mountains National Park.
- National Park Trekking in the Simien Mountains
Ras Dashen, Africa’s fourth-highest peak at 14,900 feet, is situated in the Simien Mountains National Park, which is also the habitat of several very rare species including the Gelada baboon, Simien fox, and Walia ibex. The Lammergeyer, an endangered vulture with a huge wingspan and a diet centred on bone marrow, hovers above.
- Go camping in the Bale Mountains
Southeast Ethiopia’s Bale Mountains are a volcanically sculpted and glacially carved environment that is nearly constantly blanketed in clouds, fog, rain, or snow. The undulating plateau, which has several glacial lakes and bogs, is defended by enormous lobelia plants.
- Visit The Danakil Depression To Explore The Desert
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The hottest spot on Earth is located in northern Ethiopia, where daytime highs can reach a scorching 122 degrees Fahrenheit. It has been one of the lowest locations on Earth, making the Danakil Depression the hottest site on Earth in terms of average annual temperatures.