Ethiopia As a Tourism Country

Located in the heart of Africa, Ethiopia has a long history. Even so long that man is believed to be from Ethiopia.

Ethiopians are proud of their culture and do not swamp. There are 88 million Ethiopians. They warmly welcome the tourist, and present their country and history with great awareness and pride.

The heart of Africa

To the east of Africa, so-called Ethiopia, at the heart of Africa, is surrounded by Somalia, Kenya, Sudan and Eritrea according to countryaah. The country has no coastline, but there are a few lakes in Ethiopia. The largest of the lakes is Tana, located in the northern part of the country.

Instead of a beach holiday, Ethiopia is a cultural attraction. In Ethiopia, you can encounter both Coptic Christian monks, churches dug into the rock, and animals from deep Africa.

It rains in spring and summer

Ethiopia’s climate is affected by the country’s large elevation differences. The eastern side of the country is a plateau with, among other things, the capital Addis Ababa. The rainy season here is from July to September.

The western part of the country is the lowlands, some of which are even below sea level. The Omo River Valley is lush and home to most Ethiopian animals. The rains come in March-May. Traveling during the rainy season should be avoided, as it will be very difficult to travel on the roads then.

In general, the weather is very warm and the sun shines directly from above and often from a cloudless sky. To ensure sun protection, book a scarf, grease and linen clothes.

From drought to species abundance

Ethiopia’s nature is very divided and so are the country’s attractions. The highlands have dry and barren land.

There are natural attractions in the valley area. In the 1960s and 1970s, several nature reserves were built to see African animals. Elephants, lions and other animals familiar from nature documents live here. Abijatta Shalla Lakes National Park is one of the sure attractions.

There are many Ethiopian Orthodox Christian churches in the north. They are often made of stone or even carved into the rock. The churches are cruciform, and most were built in the Middle Ages. Of the towns, at least Gondar and Fasilides are worth a visit.

The price level is cheap in Finnish. Beer costs about one euro, a portion of food at a local cafe about five euros. Cash is the safest means of payment in Ethiopia, but credit cards are also accepted in larger cities. The country’s currency, the birches, must not be exported.

FLIGHTS ACCOMMODATION AND MOVEMENT IN ETHIOPIA

Flying through Europe

There are no direct flights from Finland to Ethiopia, but the plane has to be changed once or twice. Several airlines fly to Addis Ababa via major European cities. Flights cost 700-1000 euros. Ethiopian Airlines, the national airline of Ethiopia, has good connections within Africa and regular flights to Europe as well.

Short for ET by abbreviationfinder, Ethiopia requires a visa, which can be obtained from Addis Ababa Airport or the Ethiopian Embassy in Stockholm.

Hotels in Ethiopia

The capital, Addis Ababa, has many high-quality hotels as well as cheaper options for backpackers. Outside the big cities, however, services for tourists are quite underdeveloped. In smaller places, accommodation is provided by small inns.

The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs recommends booking accommodation before traveling to the country.

Movement

Ethiopian roads are in poor condition and driving is slow and unsafe. Vehicles do not use lights at night and you may have cattle.

Renting and driving a car cannot be recommended to a traveler. Instead, hiring a driver is the easiest way to move within the country. There are also buses in Ethiopia. Long distances should be taken into account when planning a bus trip.

TRAVEL DESTINATIONS IN ETHIOPIA

Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia

The capital of Ethiopia is located in the center of the country. The city of less than 3 million residents is the economic and social center of the country. The African Union and UN headquarters are located in Addis Ababa, which brings a lot of business travelers to the city.

The city has several museums showcasing Ethiopian culture. The Ethnological Museum showcases Ethiopia’s rich culture and is also one of the best museums in Africa. St. George’s Cathedral, Ethiopia’s most important saint, is an important place for locals and a popular place to visit.

You can shop around the Piazza and in the market area called Merkato. Bargaining is part of the trade. At Merkato, it is good to take care of your valuables, as pickpocketing is common in the area.

Lake Tana area

Located in northern Ethiopia, Lake Tana is the largest body of water in Ethiopia. That is where the Nile begins. The area is a popular place for bird watchers. The area is home to many local birds, but it is also a favorite stopover for migratory birds.

In some of the 37 islands of the lake there are monasteries, where the monks row their boats. Some of the monasteries are accessible, but most are closed. Also to note, most men are welcome in most.

Just north of Lake Tana lies the town of Gondar, once the capital of Ethiopia for over 200 years. The town has many medieval buildings worth visiting.

Nechisar National Park

There are many national parks in Ethiopia, one of which is the Nechisar Nature Reserve.

Located near the town of Arba Minch, the park is about 510 km from Addis Ababa. In addition to more than 180 bird species, the area is home to zebras, gazelles and spawners.