SOUL ENRICHING WONDERS Ethiopia’s history stretches back to before recorded time to an age when our first ancestors walked the earth. Here you can see fossils tracing the origin of humankind including our oldest forebears – the 3.2 million year old ‘Lucy’. This land abounds in mysteries - the Queen of Sheba, the resting place of the biblical Ark of the Covenant - and in the extraordinary achievements of ancient civilisations - Aksum, the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, the castles of Gondar, the colourful and holy Islamic city of Harar, all of them World Heritage Sites.
A LAND OF GREAT HEIGHTS AND DEEP PLACES Ethiopia boasts landscapes of stunning beauty and dramatic contrasts from the soaring pinnacles of the Simien
Ethiopia will give you a wealth of discovery to stimulate your senses and satisfy your curiosity
Mountains – the Roof of Africa – to the plummeting depths of the Danakil Depression, the lowest – and hottest – place on Earth.
Meet your ancient ancestor the hominoid skeleton ‘Lucy’ at the National Museum.
You will find cloud forests such as those in the Kafa Marvel at the mystical churches of Lalibela, hand-hewn from rock to
Biosphere Reserve - the sole home of many wild coffee
create the Jerusalem of Africa.
varieties - active volcanoes, hot springs, cool underground caverns, rugged gorges, spectacular waterfalls, rivers and
Find out where the biblical Ark of the Covenant is kept in Aksum and
shimmering lakes. The largest, Lake Tana, is the source of the
walk in the footsteps of the Queen of Sheba.
life-nurturing Blue Nile.
A CULTURAL MOSAIC Visit the castles of Gondar, unique in Africa, and go back to a time of powerful kings.
Ethiopia has a vibrant living culture. It is today a brilliantly diverse mosaic of peoples living together in harmony.
Discover the astonishing mix of ethnic groups in Southern Ethiopia
Some follow traditional ways of life. Others are dynamically
and learn about their ancestral ways of living.
embracing the new with art and craft, music and dance. Unique century-old religious festivals, colourful celebrations and charming customs like the coffee ceremony – coffee is Ethiopia’s gift to the world - offer you a chance to share the country’s heartbeat and to experience the warmest of welcomes.
UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURES AND WILDLIFE Trek the peaks and plateaus of the Simien Mountains and walk amongst gelada baboons or join expert guides to ascend the active Erta Ale volcano. Hike the Bale Mountains or enjoy a gentle horseback ride across rolling grassland. You can even follow in the footsteps of our legendary long distance runners. Ethiopia is the fourth largest bio-diversity zone on Earth and you can see plants and animals here which are found nowhere else. Or you can grab your binoculars and see how many of the 850 species of birds you can spot.
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Lake Afrera
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Gulf of Aden Weldiya
Lalibela
Bahir Dar
Blu
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Dessie
Lake Abbe
Kombolcha
Yangudi-Rassa National Park
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Arba Minch
Omorate
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Aw as
Somali Goba
Dodola
Bale Mountains National Park
Yirga Alem
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Lake Turkana
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SOUTH SUDAN
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and the fourth most holy city in Islam. Trek the Simien Mountains, the Roof of Africa, and enjoy endless
Adama Modjo
Abijatta-Shalla National Park Lake O Langano Hosanna Lake Shala Shashemene Lake Hawassa
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Wander in colourful Harar, the old walled city of a hundred mosques,
Bishoftu
Bedele
Gore
Mizan Tefari
Explore Ethiopia and you will find solace for the soul and inspiration for the senses
Debre Park Birhan
Ambo
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Awash National
ADDIS ABABA
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Gewane Debre Sina
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Debre Markos
Gimbi
Gambella National Park
100 miles
DJIBOUTI
Assaita
Bati
Borena Saynt National Park
Dembidolo
100 km
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vistas or hike to the centuries-old churches in Gheralta cut into the steep pink cliffs.
INDIAN OCEAN
Explore the out-of-this-world landscapes of the Danakil Depression, the lowest and hottest – place on Earth and ascend the active Erta Ale volcano. Tour the geological wonders of The Great Rift Valley dotted with lakes, hot springs and wildlife.
Make time to visit Ethiopia, and discover for yourself the origins of so much history and culture - still vibrantly alive
Relish the peaceful island monasteries of Lake Tana, the source of the
in a landscape of dramatic beauty. Come and you will witness how Ethiopia is original in many ways.
mighty Blue Nile.
www.ethiopia.travel
Š Ethiopian Tourism Organization
Photographs: David Kirkland, Aziz Ahmed, Antonio Fiorente