Menagesha Forest
To the west of Addis Abeba once you pass the town of Sebeta, you would see the oldest park in Africa with plantation areas, forest rich with flowers, smaller trees, birds and animals. For more on Menagesha forest please refer back the Trekking and Camping section of Adventure Tourism part of this book
Ankober
The city of Ankober, located 42 Km east of Debre Birhan had played an important role in the country’s history as being a strategic site in the struggle between highland and lowland emperors as early as the 13th century. The fact that the city controlled most trade routes from the lowlands and from the Red […]
Adadi Mariam and Melka Konturé
These two sites, the former a rock hewn church and the latter a prehistoric archeological site, are to be found within about 15 Km of each other on the south western Jimma road out of Addis Abeba some 50 Km away. The Melka Konturé site was intermittently habituated from the Early Stone Age up to […]
Tiya Stelae fields
At 80 Km south of Addis Abeba and only 30 Km from Adadi Mariam, the Tiya Stelae fields are one of the most remarkable sites to see on a day trip from Addis Abeba. These mysterious field of obelisks which has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1980 dates back to the […]
Mount Zuqualla
Towering at almost 3000 meters above sea level, this dormant volcano is crowned by a beautiful crater lake at its summit. There is a monastery by the lake, Zuqualla Mariam, which was reputedly founded in the 4th century by St. Gebre Menfes Kidus or Abo. Abo celebrations take place on the 15th of October and […]
Bishoftu (Debre Zeit)
Named Debre Zeit (Mount of Olives) by Emperor Haile Selassie in 1955, this scenic town reverted to its original Oromo name, Bishoftu, in 1990. The main attractions of Bishoftu, only a 40 Km drive from Addis, the small town of Debre Zeit is a great short drive away providing simple enjoyment. The town is built […]
Adama (Nazareth)
The busy city of Adama (known as Nazareth until the end of the 90’s) is the third largest in the country and serves as a popular getaway destination for multitudes who want an alternative weekend to Addis Abeba, which is a 100 Km east of Addis Abeba, at the edge of the rift valley. The […]
Amhara
Covering an area of 157,076 square Km, which is equivalent to 15% of the total landmass of Ethiopia, the Amhara Regional State is home to more than 17 million inhabitants (according to a 2010 census) a vast majority of whom (about 90%) are members of the Amhara ethnic group. Amhara Regional State has remained the […]
Bahir Dar
The picturesque capital of the Amhara region, Bahir Dar, has for too long lived in the shadow of its more renowned neighbor, Gondar, but it has now started to get the recognition and attention it deserves as the historic and vital city linking the Lake Tana region to the rest of the country. The 560 […]
Lake Tana
Lake Tana is the largest lake in Ethiopia and third largest in Africa, spanning an area of more than 3500 square Km. This highland lake set at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level was formed by a volcanic eruption and is the main source of the Blue Nile and hosts several species of […]
Blue Nile Falls (World Heritage Site)
One of the most captivating attractions of Bahir Dar is the Abay River which passes through the city from its source, Lake Tana towards the nearby Blue Nile Falls (Tis Abay), which are simply breathtaking. The falls are also the site for the Great Millennium Dam and Power Plant, currently under construction, which promises to […]
Royal Enclosure (Fasil Ghebbi)
In the center of Gondar city, the Royal Enclosure containing several medieval castles and churches lies surrounded by tall stone walls. This 70000 square meter compound contains a complex of buildings which includes Fasiladas’ castle, Iyasu’s palace, Dawit’s Hall, a banqueting hall, stables, Empress Mentewab’s castle, a chancery, library and three churches. The original castle, […]
Alatish National Park
Established in 2006, the general topography of the park is flat to undulating plains, with a general slope or inclination from the south to the north, interrupted by valleys, streams, scattered hills, and seasonal wetlands. Elevation ranges from 520m to 920m above sea level. You can see elephants and greater and lesser kudus. It is […]
Simien Mountains National Park
Simien Mountains National Park is located 130 Km north of Gondar close to the town of Debark which is only 32 Km away from the boundary of the park. Covering an area of more than 400 square Km, Simien Mountains National Park is one of the major parks in Ethiopia. The park, situated at an […]
Lalibela and its Rock Hewn Churches (World Heritage Site)
Situated at an altitude of about 2500 meters above sea level, the town of Lalibela is 700 Km north of Addis Abeba and 300 Km from Bahir Dar. The quiet town is one of the most historic towns in Ethiopia. Set amidst the Lasta Mountains, Lalibela was actually called by its ancient name of Roha […]
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