For adventure travel, Ethiopia is a great tourist destination. Are you prepared for rough roads, harsh conditions and cold nights camping? Then get ready to have the time of your life visiting Ethiopia!
When many people think of Ethiopia, it is probably because of another famine disaster that hit the region. They visualize the images that are shown on television, of skinny children with big bellies and flies all over their faces. Sad, but this is not the only aspect of this country in the Horn of Africa.
Ethiopia is not a rich country, and the threat of famine always lingers here, especially in the dry regions of the southeast. Visitors will be confronted by poor people, dressed in worn clothes and asking for money if they are familiar with tourists.
In fact, Ethiopia has many interesting places and is a fantastic destination for adventure travel.
Flying to Addis Ababa, get ready for your first surprise: you can clearly see how the capital of Ethiopia is located on a high plateau, surrounded by a landscape of canyons and mountains. At 2,000 meters, the weather is not as warm as you might expect.
Addis is just another big African city, but as you move away from the city you will be surrounded by great scenery and highland views.
Blue Nile Falls
Further north, in these highlands, is the source of the Nile, often sought after by Livingstone and other explorers. The stretch of the Nile in Ethiopia is called the Blue Nile, and in its path are the beautiful Blue Nile Gorge, the magnificent Blue Nile Falls and Bahir Dar on Lake Tana, an ideal place to relax in a camp.
On the islands of Lake Tana, you will find the first signs of Ethiopia’s rich Coptic Christian heritage. Churches with typical Ethiopian Coptic art and relics are hidden in the forests of the islands. And if you think these are interesting, move north to the real religious historical treasures of Ethiopia.
Visit the historic city of Aksum, with its stelae and famous obelisk returned by Italy in 2005. Also worth seeing are the castle ruins in the former royal city of Gondar. But marvel especially at the rock-cut churches of Lalibela.
lalibela
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lalibela boasts 11 monolithic churches, carved into the rocks more than 500 years ago. The massive structures are second only to the famous structures at Jordan’s Petra. But Lalibela remains a holy place, and the priests, ceremonies, and pilgrims here are just as interesting as the churches themselves.
Ancient African Tribes
Southwest of Addis Ababa is the descent from the highlands to the Omo Valley. This remote region is difficult to access, which is part of the reason why some of Africa’s oldest tribes still live their traditional lives here.
Jinka town is the hub from which to explore and visit the villages of the Dorse, Aari, Bana, Hamer and Mursi tribes. The primitive Mursi tribe is now familiar with tourists, for which they insert their famous lip plates. But the further you get from the city, the more chance you have of meeting people who may never have met white people before.
other Ethiopia Adventure Travel Highlights to enjoy are:
- the historic Muslim city of Harar in the east
- observe rare species of wildlife in the North Simien Mountains or in one of the other national parks, and
- the relaxing lakes of the Great Rift Valley in the South
So if you’re looking for a “out of the ordinary“adventure vacation, travel to Ethiopia!