Ethiopia is the birthplace of the Blue Nile. It is in the Horn of Africa. It shares a border with Eritrea to both the north and northeast. Kenya is south. Both Djibouti and Somalia are east, and Sudan and South Sudan are west.
Fun Fact: Ethhiopia is the world’s most populous landlocked country, with nearly 100 million inhabitants.
The tourist industry is not a major sector of the country’s economy so far. The regular droughts and political instability have significantly affected the development of tourism in the country.
There was a boom, however, in the construction of small and medium-sized hotels and restaurants. That said, the most fast-growing part of Ethiopian industry is ecotourism, which includes adventure travel, trekking, and walking safari.
Things To Do In Ethiopia
The country’s vast highlands boast historical treasures for travelers. The line between past and present blurs with thousand-year-old Christian ceremonies, ancient tombs, obelisks of Aksum and 17th-century castles.
Also if you think about it, “Ethiopia” the name itself sounds like Utopia. It is an African country which has struggled a lot. Recently it is coming out of a crisis. You can stay here safe and happy. There is less fear of being mugged.
Adventurous travelers can brave the abyss of its high plateaus with a mountain ranges split between the Great Rift Valley. It has both arid lowlands and lush river-fed valleys. The Danakil Depression is also here. It has one of the lowest and hottest points on the earth.
The major tourist destinations are a collection of national parks, for example, the Semien Mountains National Park.
Also, the historic sites, such as the cities of Axum, Lalibela, Gonder, Egash Mosque, Sof Umer Washa, and Harar Jugol, attract numerous visitors annually.
AXUM-The ancient history of Aksumite empire is to be respected. It is old in respect of culture as well as language. Imagine the Ark of Covenant! That is what Axum is. It is the location of the Ark of the covenant. You will find the ruins in Ethiopia.
The relics of the past are the center of attraction in Axum. There are a lot of historical sites you can visit. You can go for a shortened tour if you are not so interested in it.
ADDIS ABABA
This is a famous African city. It is the location where the meetings of the African Union take place. It is cheap in Africa. So you should not worry about the prices. The markets here are well known. So, have fun with your shopping.
It has architectural epics. Addis Ababa has lovely churches, and beautiful mosques to see. You cannot help but feel pumped when you see the active nightlife here. Like any city in Africa, it is safe and cheap here. So have a fun stay at Addis Ababa in Africa.
HARAR
It is the well- known tourist destination in Ethiopia. The place has so many alleyways that you can walk through it for a year. It’s Like something you will find in The Horn. There is something you ought to do when you are here.
Feeding the Hyenas is a thing which tourists will hesitate to do. But if you are adventurous enough, go for it. The place is not a big party destination. It is one of the holy cities for Muslims. You will find magnificent architecture in the mosques. It is in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites.
GONDAR
Gondar is a city which is full of history. The old castles seem to be a token of past. It has developed to be a modern town. The history is not the only thing in Gondar. The beauty of Ethiopia is in the Simien Mountains.
The mountain tops reflect the beauty of castles around it. This city has history and natural beauty. You will love the stunning scenery here. You can hike up the ranges too. There is a monastery at the end of the city is called Gorgora.
RIFT VALLEY LAKE
You can ride around the route of Addis to Harar. The 70 km road leads you to the south of Ethiopia. The tiny shade houses are impressive to watch. There are shops which have flowers and vegetables. The lake Ziway in the countryside is gorgeous to watch.
The multi-colored Oromo tombs seem like a dream around the lake. Enjoy your trip to Ethiopia. The history, cathedrals, tombs, scenic beauty will give you a peaceful break.
Climate
The predominant climate of Ethiopia is the tropical monsoon, although it depends highly on the region of the country. For example, most of the country are the Ethiopian Highlands, where the climate is cooler than in the other regions.
Language
Ethiopia is a multilingual country. There are around ninety native languages here. Also, among foreign languages, English, Arabic, and Italian are very popular. The predominant religion is Christianity, closely followed by Islam.
Currency & Money
The official currency is Ethiopian Birr. The approximate exchange rate is Br22.65 for US$1. US Dollar is the most convenient currency to exchange. MasterCard and Diners Club credit cards are acceptable, but not widely.
Taxi vs. Rent a Car
Taxis are available in Addis Ababa and other major towns. They don’t have meters, so you need to negotiate the price beforehand. Shared taxis are common, they usually drive on fixed routes and are inexpensive.
If you want to hire a self-driving car, you can only do it in Addis Ababa. Cars with a driver are easier to find. Prices are rather high, but they include insurance, fuel, unlimited mileage and driver’s wage.
However, if you plan to drive yourself, keep in mind that many roads still have potholes. Cars drive on the right side of the road here.
Electricity & Plug Type
In Ethiopia, they use electric sockets of types C and F, as in Europe. The standard voltage is 220V.
August 1, 2016 12:00 am 1 Comment
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