A visit to Ethiopia is a transformative experience. Everything you know about this nation will change after you witness its outstanding history, culture, and sights. The Ethiopian experience is one that you are not likely to forget, whether it’s witnessing a bull jumping ceremony, joining pilgrims in a 2000-year-old church, or sharing delicious food on a giant piece of sponge flat bread. To simply put it, Ethiopia will change you! Here are reasons why your next trip to Africa should be in Ethiopia.
THE PEOPLE
From the Orthodox Christians in the North, extremely tall tribes of the West, Muslim Somali descent in the East, and Lip disk adorned tribes in the south; Ethiopia’s population is a diverse mix of cultures. Last names and appearances define what region you come from, and the cultural differences amongst the people. Ethiopia’s fascinating mix of people shows its true colors in its melting pot capital city, Addis Ababa.
Travel past the capital and each region is like a new country with language, culture, and even religion completely changing! Addis Ababa is a wonderful place to get to know Ethiopia’s people. In the markets, you will see all cultures of Ethiopia mixing together, and working together as one. Regardless of which part of the country you are from, Ethiopians all agree to be Ethiopian. The people of Ethiopia will always greet you with a smile, and love to share their culture with you. Traveling here you will soon realize that Ethiopian hospitality is infectious. Do not be surprised if you get invited in for a coffee ceremony!
CHANGING LANDSCAPES
Most people imagine Ethiopia to be a dry arid desert, but this is undoubtedly, not the case. Just as diverse as the people are, Ethiopia’s landscape alters just as drastically. From the world’s lowest and hottest desert on earth to chilly highland mountains, Ethiopia’s’ scenery will blow you away. The Danakil Depression is one of the hottest and most inhospitable places on earth. Here you will see salt flats, sulphuric bubbling lakes, and roaring volcanoes spitting lava.
Visiting the Danakil can be an arduous journey, but well worth it.In the north are the Simien Mountains. These green high altitude mountains hide lush valleys and towering waterfalls. You can also find plenty of forests here, something most don’t imagine in Ethiopia.Whatever adventure you choose in Ethiopia, be sure to take a few bus journeys and watch the landscape change slowly as you cross this diverse region of Africa.
ANCIENT HISTORY
Visiting this ancient country is the equivalent of stepping back into time. In the ancient city of Axum, tour guides can take you through the stone obelisks and ancient palaces. And get this – Ethiopia has nine UNESCO World Heritage sites – the most on the entire continent. A few of them include the ancient city of the Kingdom of Aksum, the stone churches of Lalibela, and the Fasil Ghebbi medieval fortress in Gondar.
TRIBAL LANDS
Ethiopia is one of the last destinations on earth where you can interact with authentic tribes who still live a primarily nomadic lifestyle. The tribes in Ethiopia are amongst some of the most interesting, and most well-known. A visit to one of the communities in Ethiopia’s Lower Omo Valley can take you to Hamer bull jumping ceremonies, the lip disked tribes of the Mursi, and sacred sites protected by wooden effigies from the Konso tribe.
Visiting the tribes is not an easy, it takes a very well organized tour, and some luck, because the region prefers to keep the tourist numbers low prevent these cultures from being affected. Therefore, it is essential that you visit these tribes with a guide, and be conscious about doing your part in preserving these beautiful cultures.
LALIBELA’S ROCK-HEWN CHURCHES
High in the mountains, north of the capital Addis Ababa is a small town which is home to one of the world’s most amazing religious sites: the rock-hewn Orthodox churches of Lalibela. The11th century monoliths, interconnected by passages, collectively form what is referred to as ‘New Jerusalem’. Each of the 11 churches is said to have been dug down into the solid rock by hand during a 24-year period; a monumental feat considering the deepest, Bet Medhane Alem, stands 10 metres high and 33 metres long, with ornate chisel-worked facades.
The star of this pilgrimage site is the cross-shaped Bet Giyorgis, devoted to Saint George.Awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1978, no visit to Ethiopia would be complete without taking in a visit to this ancient holy site. In addition to these remarkable rock churches, In Ethiopia’s north, you will find many ancient rock churches around Axum and Gheralta Mountains. Here the churches take nerves of steel to reach. Many of them are only reachable by free climbing up solid rock faces or using a leather rope to pull yourself up a mountain side. Whether you are an adrenaline junkie, or just a traveler the churches here are sure to amazing even the most jaded traveller.
LUCY
One day during the Pliocene Epoch, a young adult ape died in the Awash Valley of East Africa. She was soon forgotten, and wouldn’t be seen again for 3.2 million years. During that time, her species went extinct, new apes appeared across Africa and some evolved huge brains, helping them basically conquer the planet. Then, 3.2 million years after that fateful day, two of these brainy apes finally stumbled across her skeleton in what’s now Ethiopia.
Realizing they’d found something historic, they began to carefully dig her out of the desert. First, however, they gave their long-lost relative a name: “Lucy.” This discovery came in 1974, catapulting Lucy from forgotten fossil to worldwide celebrity. Scientists only found about 40 percent of her skeleton, but it was enough to tell a game-changing story about human evolution. And that story is not a quick read: Even today, 42 years after Lucy re-emerged from the Awash Valley, scientists are still making headlines with secrets they learn from her bones.
COFFEE & THE CEREMONY
Visiting Ethiopia means you’ll be in the heart of the country that first discovered coffee. In the 11th century, the coffee plant was first boiled in water to create the hot beverage that was initially used for medicinal purposes.
Today, the coffee ceremony still takes place. It occurs in the morning, again at noon, and in the late evening in each community as a social event.
THE FESTIVALS
No matter when you plan to visit, you’ll most likely be able to experience one of the country’s many festivals. All year long, colorful gatherings to pay homage to their culture and history fill the streets of Addis Ababa. Music, dancing, food, and art are always on hand. There’s also the yearly Ethiopian Film and Music Festival that celebrates the artistic musical talents of the country’s natives.
THE FOOD
You can’t visit Ethiopia without enjoying some of the country’s delicious cuisine. The most popular dishes are shirowat and Injera. Ethiopian food is unlike any other cuisine you have ever had before. Each region’s cuisine is unique, but wherever you are in Ethiopia you are guaranteed Injera. Injera is sour sponge flat bread that is used to pick food off the plate, and is the plate all the food is served on.Typically, Ethiopians all share from the same dinner plate size Injera. Multiple types of meats and vegetables that resemble curry dishes are plopped on top of the Injera.
The Meat and Vegetable dishes in Ethiopia rely heavy on flavor combining butter, spices, and chilis. Beware some of Ethiopia’s regions foods can be incredibly spicy.Ethiopia’s cuisine will keep you interested long after you have left its borders.Even if you don’t love what some say is the best food in Africa, you can always wash it down with a Tej (honey wine), which is definitely an acquired taste.
LOCATION
It’s quite easy to board a flight from any part of the world and fly directly into Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. If you want to explore other regions in Africa during your stay, Kenya and Tanzania are also just a short flight away.