Ethiopia is old beyond all imaginations. A land of Discovery, Culture and Beauty! Cradle of mankind! Source of the Nile!
Amazingly, we know so little of Ethiopia which is after all the second most populated country in Africa, the 27th largest country in the World and reputedly the Birthplace of Homo Sapiens. Rich in history, wildlife and cultural and religious traditions, Ethiopia deserves the aura and fame of Egypt, yet it has relatively few tourists. Historically it is immense, and is littered with rock-hewn churches, mighty castles, obelisks and deserted monasteries. It is the source of the Blue Nile, there are massive mountains, rushing rivers cascading down from the plateaux. It is the start of the Great Rift Valley. It also has some of the lowest places below sea level on Earth and the largest cave in Africa. In the far north, Dallol has the World’s highest average daily temperature of 34degrees Celsius.
Ethiopia has the largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa.
There is unique wildlife with several species of endemic animals and birds, including the World’s rarest canine, the Ethiopian Wolf.
Ethiopia is also famous as the place where the coffee bean originated and it is now the largest producer of coffee in Africa. Also let us not forget all those Olympic gold medallists.
Although most African nations are, in their modern form, les than a century old, Ethiopia has been an independent nation since ancient times with a monarchy going back to the second century BC. It is also one of the oldest sites of human existence. It is one of the oldest Christian civilisations in the World and Ethiopians are convinced the country is the resting place of the Ark of Covenant; the land is at peace.
Ethiopia is the spiritual home of the Rastafarian movement where the former emperor Haile Selassie (Ras Tafari) is considered as God.
Travel here can be tough but also hugely satisfying, and you will not have to contend with hordes of tourists………..yet!
Ethiopia
What To See & Do
Visit some of the colourful markets in the Omo Valley and mongle with the local tribespeople.
The Simien Mountains National Park to view perhaps the most dramatic scenery in Africa and spot a colony of the endangered Gelada Baboon.
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Lalibela, Axum and Gondar, and wonder at the ancient orthodox Christian churches, hewn from the rocks.
Go birding in this "twitcher's paradise", home to over 900 species of birds, with 23 species not seen anywhere else on Earth.
The Simien Mountains National Park to view perhaps the most dramatic scenery in Africa and spot a colony of the endangered Gelada Baboon.
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Lalibela, Axum and Gondar, and wonder at the ancient orthodox Christian churches, hewn from the rocks.
Go birding in this "twitcher's paradise", home to over 900 species of birds, with 23 species not seen anywhere else on Earth.
When To Go
The best time to go for most areas is from October to February which has been the traditionally dry season, with the main rains from June to September and the light rains from March to May.
However the Omo Valley has a different rainy season from the north with the main rains being from mid March to mid June and shorter rains around November.
Addis Ababa is at an altitude of 2,400m (7,874ft) with daily temperatures averaging 20-25 degrees Celsius (68-77F) and it can get cool in the evening. This would be similar for the places visited on the Historical Route.
There are on average 7 hours sunshine a day, meaning it is sunny for 60% of the available time
However the Omo Valley has a different rainy season from the north with the main rains being from mid March to mid June and shorter rains around November.
Addis Ababa is at an altitude of 2,400m (7,874ft) with daily temperatures averaging 20-25 degrees Celsius (68-77F) and it can get cool in the evening. This would be similar for the places visited on the Historical Route.
There are on average 7 hours sunshine a day, meaning it is sunny for 60% of the available time