Ethiopia Travel Tips

From the cultural icon region of Omo Valley & its Tribes in the south to the natural beautify of Siemen Mountains in the north, Ethiopia is one of the most diverse yet treasured, antique, unrecognizable country that waits to be explored. One moment you find yourself deep below sea level in the Danakil Depression, and on the next, you could be 4,550 M on the highest point in the Siemen mountain ranges. Ancient & Medieval Ethiopians; Carved mountain rocks to build churches and Palaces. In Harar, they walled their city surrounding for protections while they let in the Hyena to come & roam around peacefully. You can Enjoy Exotic cuisines and Coffee ceremonies from its birthplace. Ethiopia is more than a country to visit, it’s an experience not to miss.

Have you decided to travel to Ethiopia?  Great! We have compiled the basic information you need to know when you travel there!

Five interesting facts about Ethiopia.

1 Ethiopia is one of the oldest nations in the world.
2 Coffee originally comes from Ethiopia from a region called Kaffa.
3 Ethiopia (ኢትዮጵያ) is the only sub-Saharan Africa nation has its own writing Script called Geeze.
4 Ethiopia follows a different Calendar it is 2012 now In Ethiopia 8 years behind European Calendar. (2020)
5 Ethiopia is the only African nation that has never been colonized.

Best time to visit Ethiopia

In General the Best time to travel in Ethiopia is tide up with the weather and activities you take, As well as other factors, such as traditional holidays and celebrations.

The best time to visit Ethiopia is between the ends of October to February; the temperature is cooler during this period and further to March, April, and May with occasional showers. The end of June to September is not the recommended time to visit the northern part of the country due to heavy rains. You can combine your visit to Ethiopia with colorful celebrations.

1. Meskel / the fining of the true cross on September 27 & 28 on leap year Timket /
2. Epiphany  Jan 18 & 19 / January 20 on Leap year
3. Ethiopian Christmas / Gena Jan 7 / Jan 8 best place Lalibela

Read More https://myethiopiatours.com/ethiopia-best-time-to-visit/

Top Experiences in Ethiopia

1. Go hiking through the Simien Mountain

The Simien Mountains (4,550 m) is a spectacular Scenic landscape to hike for several days. It is home to globally threatened species including the iconic Walia ibex, Gelada Baboon; Ethiopian wolves and many plant species. UNESCO recorded it as a World Heritage Site.

2. Danakil Depression and Ertale active Volcano

2. Danakil Depression and Ertale active Volcano

Found 125 M below sea level, Danakil or Dallol is the most geologically active, hottest and inhospitable place on earth. The landscape seems from another planet dotted with Active Volcanoes like the Ertale Volcano Lake, sulfur springs, acidic pools, and vast salt plains, colorful mineral, and salt rocks. Danakil depression one of the best places in the world to travel.

3 Hyena Feeding In Walled city of Harar

Harar the ancient walled city has been a center of Islamic culture since the 7th century. It is nestled with over 99 mosques, narrow alleys and protected by a 4-meter high wall around the city. The highlight of a visit to Harar is feeding a piece of meat to a wild hyena. By holding meat on tips of a small stick by your mouth, when the hyena man makes a call by their name. The hyena whose name is called will come to grab the meat slowly while dozens of his friends waiting for their turn :))

4 Rock hewn church of Lalibela.

Lalibela is a unique place in the world & one of the holiest places to Ethiopian pilgrimages. It is constructed in the 12th century by St. & King Lalibela. The breathtaking rock-hewn churches chiseled out of volcanic rocks.  No brick, blocks, joints or mortar used to construct it. All the 11 churches are different. The most spectacular of Labella’s church is the Iconic cross shape Bet Giyorgis (St George). Visiting Lalibela is the high light of any trip to Ethiopia.

5 Gheralta Mountains

By layer after layer of rocks, the mountain of Gehralta is set on a dry plain with steep outcrops of cliffs. It is one of the most stunning scenic landscapes in Ethiopia. The Gehralta mountain range hides some of the oldest rock-hewn churches in Ethiopia. Most of the churches have elaborated colorful paintings. Some of these churches can be accessed easily but the most stunning one needs long trek and Adventures climbing on sheer rock walls and cliff edges. Visiting Abune Yemata Guh Church on the mountain is highlight of a trip to Ethiopia.

6 Omo Valley Tribes Cultural Experience & Stay with Omo Valley tribes.

They are one of the most fascinating and culturally isolated tribes in the world for centuries. Dozens of tribal Villages scattered along the Omo river banks and in the valley. Among them is the Mursi who are famous for their women’s lip plates, the Karo famous for their body paintings and the Hammer as the most welcoming and known for Rite of passage Bull Jumping ceremony & women’s Hair locks.

Travel Itineraries Suggestion for Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a big country equal to the size of France and Spain combined. It takes time to move from places to place. Your itinerary plan should depend on how much time you may have, Road conditions, availability of flight and weather, which might affect trips.

Suggested Travel itinerary

1. Addis Ababa City Tour
2. Simien Mountains Trekking-3 days 
3. Danakil depression 3 day’s tour  
4. Omo Valley tribes 8 days tour  
5. Bale Mountain Wildlife tour (3 days) 
6. North and Omo valley  Tour (14 Days)  
7. Harar Tour – 2 Days trip