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With several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Ethiopia, one of Africa’s prehistoric countries, is renowned for its rich history, diverse landscapes, distinctive cultural heritage, awe-inspiring scenery, and incredible biodiversity. Bordering Djibouti, Sudan, Kenya, and Somalia, Ethiopia lies in the eastern part of Africa.
Visiting Ethiopia is very worthwhile as it is an intriguing mix of many things, including scenic landscapes, food, festivals, and wildlife. You can plan your trip to this exciting destination in Africa for a week or a few days. Ethiopia Airline flights can help you with cheap air tickets and connectivity to 127 destinations across the world.
There are flights connecting Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah, Kuwait, Muscat, Dammam, Doha, and Delhi with Addis Ababa, Assosa, Arba Minch, Bale Robe, Dire Dawa, Gambella, Jijiga, Lalibela, Shilavo, and Mekelle. Ethiopia promises a lot of incredible experiences including the below:
1. Addis Ababa, Its Lively Capital
Addis Ababa is famously called Africa’s political capital. It is also the African Union’s headquarters, with the United Nations population being the third largest. You can find the foreign embassies of most countries in the world there. Addis Ababa is located 2,665 meters above sea level and is the world’s third-highest capital city.
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The official language of Ethiopia is Amharic, which is widely used throughout the nation and is most prevalent in Addis Ababa. Though English is the most common foreign language, you can also find Italian, French, and Arabic spoken by several people.
You can find several museums like the National Museum of Ethiopia, which has the famous skeleton of a hominid ancestor, Australopithecus. The other attractions include Meskel Square, Addis Merkato – the large market, and Jazz Village.
2. Simien Mountains Trekking
You can find incredible trekking paths in Ethiopia. The most desired trekking location is Simien Mountains National Park. It is one of the most thrilling mountain ranges, because it offers a combination of breathtaking vistas, endemic wildlife, opulent lodges, and challenging hiking trails.
The Simien Mountains offer trekking opportunities for up to two weeks. The campsites and lodges nearby help you reach most of the mountains. You will probably get dropped off in Buit Ras if Simiens is your camping point. Jinbar Falls and Chennek are popular landmarks with seasonal waterfalls, stunning views, and chances to spot wildlife.
3. Rare Wildlife Exploration
Ethiopia is known for unusual and unfamiliar animal species like the Ethiopian wolf, mountain nyala, Walia ibex, and Gelada baboon. The African nation attracts birdwatchers with more than 850 different species of birds, in which several of which are unique to Ethiopia.
You can spot some of the endangered species at Mago National Park, Awash National Park, Bale Mountains National Park, Abijatta Shalla Lakes National Park, Omo National Park, Simien National Park, Nechisar National Park, and Yangudi National Park, as well as the lakes in the Rift Valley.
4. Taking a Trip Around Lake Tana
A boat tour on Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia, will help you explore its UNESCO-listed ecosystem. There are more reasons to visit the rich cultural heritage and unique wildlife of Lake Tana than just its beauty. You can visit 20 monastery churches, many of which date back to the 14th century, traveling by boat from the lake.
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The Ura Kidane Mihret Monastery is one of the most well-known, for its magnificent embellishments are mesmerizing and memorable. Hiking through forests and coffee plantations, you can see birds and hippopotamuses.
5. Gondor’s Enchanting Medieval Castles
One of the major aspects of the historic Gondar is the magnificent castles built by the 17th and 18th century Gonderine Kings. You can find as many as six marvelous fortresses in the royal palace complex. Emperor Fassiledes established the custom, and his successors continued it.
The castle, which occupies an area of around 70,000 square meters, was constructed using local stone, including red volcanic lava, and hard, dark-brown basalt using lime mortar. The palace has 12 gates that serve as symbolic entrances. Fasil Ghebbi is the fortress of the emperors of Ethiopia.
6. Explore the Churches of Lalibela
Medieval monolithic churches of about 11 were cut out of rock in a mountainous area in the center of Ethiopia, around 645 kilometers from Addis Ababa. King Lalibela constructed them in the 12th century. The churches were hewn from monolithic pieces of living rock rather than being built conventionally.
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These blocks were subsequently chiseled out to create multiple floors, roofs, doors, windows, columns, and other features. With its five aisles, Biete Medhani Alem is regarded as the world’s largest monolithic church, while Biete Ghiorgis is known for its amazing cruciform layout.
7. Danakil Depression
The Danakil Depression is located in northern Ethiopia’s Afar region. Ethiopia is principally home to volcanoes, salt lakes, and geological formations with the depression stretching into Djibouti and Eritrea.
Dallol is one of the most visually arresting and geologically fascinating places on Earth, with an average temperature of 95°F (35°C). Brilliant, multicolor springs, geysers, and fissures are its defining features. The two hypersaline lakes in the Danakil Depression are Lake Karum and Lake Afrera.
8. Lava Lake
Ethiopia’s most active volcano, Erta Ale (literally “Smoking Mountain”) in the Danakil Depression, is home to one of only six active lava lakes on the planet. It stands at a height of 2,011 feet or 613 meters, with a few active lava lakes at the summit.
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9. Delicious Ethiopian Food and Coffee
One of the most intriguing cuisines in the world is Ethiopian. Injera is the most famous dish, a sizable, spongy bread that resembles a pancake and is eaten with vegetables and spicy meat. Other than injera, Shiro is the most favored dish, made using broad bean flour and chickpea and eaten with onions and garlic.
You can never miss coffee in Ethiopia, for it is where coffee was discovered first. Being here, you can participate in the coffee ceremony, a part of Ethiopian culture.
10. Vibrant Cultures & Festivals
You can take part in a festival in Ethiopia at any time. They provide Ethiopian culture and heritage with a lot of color and depth. The greatest cultural and sporting events take place in Addis Ababa and are held throughout the year.
Daily flights by Ethiopia Airlines connect the ancient cities of Ethiopia with other major cities in the Middle East and other parts of the world. There are also domestic connecting important cities with regular flights.
