Ethiopia is the only country in Africa that was never colonized. This means its culture is pure and ancient. It follows its own calendar and has its own alphabet. When you travel here you feel like you have stepped into a different world. It is a place of mountains, legends, and history that goes back to the beginning of time.
This is not a typical safari destination. You do not come here just to see animals. You come here to see the roots of humanity. From the fossils of our ancestors in the Rift Valley to the rock churches of the north, Ethiopia tells the story of us all.
Lalibela and the Rock Churches
Lalibela is often called the Eighth Wonder of the World. In the 12th century King Lalibela ordered the construction of eleven churches. They were not built up from the ground. They were carved down into the solid rock.
The most famous is the Church of Saint George which is shaped like a cross. You can walk through the tunnels that connect them and see the priests in their white robes chanting from ancient books. It is a living site of worship that has not changed for 900 years. Being there during a religious festival like Genna or Timkat is an experience that will move you deeply.
The Simien Mountains
The roof of Africa lies here. The Simien Mountains are a dramatic range of peaks and valleys that look like a fortress. The scenery is breathtaking with cliffs that drop thousands of metres straight down.
This is the home of the Gelada baboon. They are known as the bleeding heart monkeys because of the red patch on their chest. They are peaceable grass eaters and you can sit right in the middle of a troop of hundreds of them. Watching them groom each other while the eagles circle overhead is one of the best wildlife encounters in Africa. You might also spot the rare Ethiopian wolf or the Walia ibex on the high ridges.
The Omo Valley
In the far south lies the Omo Valley. This remote region is home to some of the most traditional tribes on the continent. The Hamer, Mursi, and Karo people still live much as they have for centuries.
Visiting the Omo Valley requires sensitivity and respect. It is a chance to see a way of life that is disappearing elsewhere. You can visit the markets where different tribes come to trade goods and see their intricate body painting and beadwork. It is a raw and intense cultural experience that challenges your view of the modern world.
Danakil Depression
For the adventurous traveler the Danakil Depression is a must. It is one of the hottest and lowest places on Earth. The landscape is alien with pools of neon green acid, yellow sulfur flats, and salt lakes.
Here you can climb the Erta Ale volcano to stare into a permanent lava lake. Seeing the molten rock bubbling and boiling just a few metres away is a reminder of the power of the planet. You can also watch the camel caravans carrying salt slabs across the desert just as they have done for thousands of years.
Gondar and Axum
In the north you find the Camelot of Africa. Gondar is filled with medieval castles built by emperors in the 17th century. It feels more like Europe than Africa until you see the monkeys playing on the walls.
Further north is Axum which was once the center of a mighty empire. Huge granite obelisks stand in the fields as markers of royal tombs. Legend says that the Ark of the Covenant is kept in a small chapel here guarded by a single monk who never leaves.
Coffee Ceremony
Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee. The ceremony is a central part of hospitality. You sit on grass strewn floors while the beans are roasted over charcoal. You smell the smoke as the host grinds the beans and brews the coffee in a clay pot called a jebena. It is served in small cups with popcorn. It is a time to slow down and talk.
