![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Discription of Some of the Attractions in Ethiopia. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Addis Abiba | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ADDIS ABABA: with a population of 4million, is the third highest capital in the world, at 2400meters / 8000ft /. The city was founded by Menelik II in 1887. the original city was built on top of nearby Mount Entoto ( 3000meters /10,000 ft ), but was relocated to a more convenient location chosen by Queen Taitu. The name means new flower, named by Queen Taitu for a flowering memos tree that inspired her. The city has a nice cool climate and the eucalyptus tree introduced by Menelik II give the city its nickname, Eucalptopolis the UN economic commission for Africa and the Africa Union have their headquarters in Addis Ababa. St. George's Cathedral was built to honor the Ethiopian triumph against the Italians in 1896. lion park honors Ethiopia's national symbol. There are nine museums in the city; exhibits include the ancient scrolls in the Menelik Mausoleum, the 3 million year old pre-human bones of 'Lucy' in the National Museum, and historic stamps in the postal Museum. The Mercato Market is the largest in Afric |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Awash | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AWASH NATIONAL PARK: Is the oldest park in the nation and is mostly savannah. The Awash River Valley is rich in Stone Age tools and fossilized animal bones. There is a tall waterfall along this river the largest river in the horn of Africa. Animals include most of those associated with east Africa (except rhinoceros) as well as Oryx giant tortoise and green monkey. Kudu are common in the valley and there are over 350 varieties of birds. Numerous hot springs are found on the north side of the park. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Axum | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AXUM: is one of the most important archaeological sites of Ethiopia. It is well known for its ruins of the palace of the legendary Queen of Sheba who reigned around 1000 BC. The greatest mystery of all, however, is that the son of the Queen of Sheba, Menelik I, first king of the Solomonic Dynasty, brought with him the Ark of the Covenant from the Temple of Jerusalem to Axum. The Ark of the Covenant is believed still to be kept in the Church of St. Mary of Zion erected on the original location of the oldest church of Ethiopia. The Axumite Kingdom's conversion to Christianity in the 4th century makes Ethiopia, after Armenia and Georgia, the third oldest Christian country. The site of the country's most ancient city, shields and shelters a great number of priceless relics. Other ancient sites are the 2,000 years old steal, (some are even much older), which are made from single blocks of granite carved to represent multistory houses. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bahir Dar | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BAHIR DAR: is located on the southern shores of Lake Tana from where excursions by boat can be made to the lake's islands and peninsulas and to the "Tissisat Falls", (the most spectacular waterfalls of the country). The fascinating Blue Nile Falls are situated 35 km southeast of Bahar-Dar. The Blue Nile draws its strength from the large reservoir, Lake Tana. Set at 1,830 in. above sea level. The lake includes more than 30 islands and peninsulas, most of which shield ancient monasteries, decorated with wonderful wall paintings from the 12th to the 20th century. Among its multitude of monasteries, some can only be visited by men. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bale Mountains | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BALE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK: Is on the southern plateau and is the second tallest Mountain range in Ethiopia several of the volcanic peak’s are over 4000m ( 13,000 ft ) high. The tallest being Mountain Tullu Deemtu at 4377 m ( 14,360ft ). The Harrena escarpment crosses this alpine area in Africa Jumper and heather moorland over the lower reaches. And woodlands grow at higher elevation. Number streams flow through the park wildlife includes and the endemic Semien fox ( Ethiopian wolf ) red fox, warthog, leopards. Baboon Colobus monkey 200 birds special ( 16 of the endemic ) bushbuck ( some endemic ) and trout. Plants include St John’s word, the giant lobelia, and an endemic thistle flower the Omar Caves contain an Islamic limestone shrine and is one of the most extensive cave systems in the world. The Bale Mountains are home to the Oromo people. The road through the park is the highest all weather road in Africa. Yabello sanctuary protect the Swayne’s Hartebeest and four endemic birds, including a swallow and an extremely rare Turacol other animals include zebra, giraffe and kudu. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Denakil Depression | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Denakil Depression, more than 114meters ( 380ft ) below sea level, is where the earth's crust is creating new land, and was once a branch of the Red Sea. The depression extends across Eritrea to the Red Sea. Temperatures in this desert often exceed 550 c ( 1310 F ). The Afar people have adapted to this harsh environment and have lived here for thousands of years. The desert was first traversed by Europeans in 1928, and Katherine Fannin, a journalist and British spy during the Italian occupation in the mid 1930s, was one of the first Europeans to cross the desert. Many of the lakes (often dry or shallow ) can be up to 5 km (3miles) deep in salt. There are fields of lava throughout this geologically active area. Unique zebra and wild ass have adapted to the harsh environment. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gondor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
GONDAR: surrounded by the lower hills of the Southern Semien Mountains, lies at 2,200 m. above sea level. "The City of the Castles" is one of Ethiopia's most fascinating cities, founded by Emperor Fasilidas in 1632. At this time, Gondar became the royal capital city of the country in subsequent years; several castles were built, each unique in size and architecture. Gondar is a city rich in fabulous history and ancient monuments. For many centuries it was the center of fine arts, music, science, religion, commerce and administration. The most interesting church of Gondar is "Debre Berehan Selassie". This Trinity-Church is built in a rectangular shape, its ceilings are decorated with beautiful winged angels, and its walls with impressive scenes depicting biblical events. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Harar | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Medieval "Walled City", with its 99 mosques and shrines, is considered the fourth most sacred center of the Islamic World. A strong stone and mud wall with five large gates surround the town of Harar. Harari women are famous for making beautiful baskets while the town's silversmiths are famous for their attractive jewelry. Places of interest to be visited in Harar are: the "Rimbaud House" which is named after the famous French poet who lived there in 1880,the rich and exciting market places, the house of Ras Mekonnen and the Hyena-man performance who, in the early evening feeds his wild friends, the hyenas, with meat and bones which he holds between his teeth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kaffa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Kaffa Region is home to the wild coffee plant. This fertile terraced land is the center of the coffee producing industry Jimma is the trading center in the region, and was once an important and wealth city for the Oromo monarchy. There is a place and a museum in the city, and 36 medieval Stella (Obelisks ) at Tiya which make it a world heritage site. Coffee , coffee originated in Ethiopia and first spread to Yemaen, where it was called Qaheh. For centuries after the discovery that it was being edible and stimulating it was eaten, not drunk; or it was crushed and mixed with batter, which is still done in remove areas. It was also made into wine coffee was first made into its liquid from in the 13th century, now popular around the world. The coffee ceremony ( Buna ) is and elaborate ritual after a meal which last at least a hour. A woman washer, roasts, crushes and boils the beans sugar is put in a cup and then coffee is poured over it. incense is burnt and popcorn is served. Having at least three cups is polite, and each round uses the same grounds. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lalibela | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LALIBELA: set at 2,600m. above sea level in the rugged mountains in the northern end of Wollo, is the most exciting attraction of the country. From here the Zagwe Dynasty ruled the country for several centuries. Formerly known as Roha, the town of Lalibela bears the name of its most famous king: "Lalibela" (1181-1221 AC). He was the one who gave orders to carve the churches out of solid rock. There are in total 11 amazing churches, some of which are monolithic, architecturally unique buildings, finely carved, some decorated with beautiful paintings. There is nothing that could be more attractive than the fascinating and impressive churches with their ancient architecture and carvings. The churches of Lalibela are considered to be the Eighth Wonder of the World. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mekale | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
MEKELE: is the capital of the Tigray region and was a capital of Ethiopia in the late 1800s. Sights include the market where the Afar people trade their salt, the place museum and over 200 Rock Hewan churches throughout vicinity |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Simien Mountans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Semien Mountain massif is a broad plateau cut off to the north and west by an enormous single crag over 60 kilometers long. To the south, the table land slopes gently down to 2,200meters divided by porgies 1,000meters deep which can take more than two days to cross Insufficient geological time has elapsed to smooth the contours of the crags and buttresses of hardened basalt. With in this spectacular splendor our live the Walia / Abyssinian / Ibex, Semien red fox and Gelada Baboon all endemic to Ethiopia as well as the Hamadryads baboon, klipspringer and bushbuck, Birds such as the lammergeyer, augur buzzard, Verreaux's Eagle, Kestrel and falcon also soar above this mountain fetreat. The Semien Mountain National Park covers 179sq.km. of highland area at average elevation of 3,300meters, Ras-Dashen at 4,620meters the highest peak in Ethiopia, stands adjacent to the park. The Semien escarpment which are often companied to Grand canyon and have been adopted by UNESCO as world heritages site. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Omo Valley | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Omo River Valley with Omo National Park is interspersed with grassland and acacia, which is the habitat for numerous wildlife, including Zebra, Giraffe, Elephant, big Cat and Parrots the Mursi and numerous other people live in this region. The area was on the fringes of Ethiopia through out history and we largely ignored only recently has an all-weather road been built river runners. The river has a 1500meter / 5000ft / deep canyon. 300 meter / 1000ft / waterfall and hot spring. The oldest discovered humanoid was found this river valley. Mago National Park, along The Omo River in the Mursi Mountains is home to Giraffe, Swaynes, hartebeest, Buffalo, Elephant, Zebra, Lion, & Leopard | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| To make an enquiry click here | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||