About Ethiopia

Ethiopia is an ancient country whose unique cultural heritage, rich history and remarkable biodiversity are reflected in a tally of nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites - more than any other country in Africa. Within its borders, you'll find the world's fourth-holiest Islamic city, along with as the oldest continuously-occupied town south of the Sahara. Compelling antiquities include the mediaeval rock-hewn churches of Lalibela and Gheralta, ruined palaces and temples dating back 3,000 years, the magnificent 17th century castles of Gondar, and the oldest human fossils unearthed anywhere on the planet. Add to this the beautiful Simien and Bale Mountains, the spectacular volcanic landscapes of the Danakil Depression, and a wealth of mammals and birds found nowhere else in the world, and it's little wonder that Ethiopia has become the most attractive and popular emergent tourist destination in Africa.

Hiking and Trekking

The best way to see the simien mountains is in foot for these with limited time ,it is possible to drive along to he all -weather road running east from Buyit Ras to Chennek and exit the car for short walks ,or to do the 3-4hour round hike from Ayna meda to Imet Gogo.several overnight hikes are available.the 3-day hike connecting Sankaber ,Gich ,Imet Gogo and Ayna meda is recommended to those whose main interest is endemic wildlife such as geladas and Walia ibex. For peak -baggers, the more easterly hike to summit Ras Dejen, the country's highest point ,could be undertaken as a 5days hike but a longer hike starting at Sankaber is recommended to acclimatise to the high altitudes it is possible to cover all hiking routes on mule back (no prior riding experience required ).A pack mule is strongly recommended to carry camping and other gear.

Did you know?

The Walia ibex was held sacred by pre-Aksumite culture of the northern Ethiopia and is depicted on several 2,500-plus year old artefacts unearthed at Yeah and other sites of similar vintage.

The gelada is something of a living fossil: the only surviving member of a once wide -ranging Africa genus of grazing monkeys ancestral both to baboons and to the drills of the Western rainforest. The lammergeyer is the only bird specialized in feeding on bone marrow,which comprise up to 90 percent of its diet, and is often obtained by dropping bones from great heights to break them open.The Jewish kingdom of Beta Israel thrived in the simien area for several centuries prior to it's conquest by Emperor Susenyos in 1627.

Geology and vegetation

The basaltic bedrock of the Simien Mountains comprise a vast done was uplifted as a result of tectonic activity, 75million years ago, to form a sheer escarpment rising above the plains to its north and east.Glacial activity and rain have since moulded the escarpment into a series of jagged pinnacles and buttresses overlooking countless massive canyons carved by rivers.most of the 412km2 area stands above 2000m and it includes more than a dozen peaks topping the 4000m mark.the afromontane vegetation includes more than 1200 plant species, of which three are endemic to the park. Above 3,700m, the dominant vegetation type is open grassland punctuated by spectacular giant lobelias that stand up to 10m high. Giant Heather trees and other ericaceous plants are the main vegetation type between the 3,000m and 3,700m contour.afromontane forest and juniper woodland naturally occur at lower altitude ,but this vegetation type has greatly reduced.

Endemic life

The Simien Mountains from the last remaining stronghold of the endemic Walia ibex, the only goat indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa. Associated with narrow cliff ledges, the ibex is absolutely unmistakable due to it's massive decurved horns.it came seriously close to extinction in the 1960s, when the population dropped below 200,but a ban on hunting has seen it climb back to 1,200 in recent years.the park supports 20 percent of the global population of 250,000 gelada baboons, an Ethiopia endemic rendered unmistakable by the male's flowing lion -lile mane and heart -shaped red chest patch.unique among living primates in that it needs predominantly on grass, the gelada has a complex harem-based social structure ,and groups if several hundred commonly seen by hikers. The Ethiopian wolf is less common here than it is a bale, but a population of around 50 individuals still makes the Simien Mountains the second-most important sanctuary for this endangered endemic.The wolf is occasionally seen east of Gich camp,but is rare further west. Other large mammal species includes Anubis baboon ,Hamadryas baboon, grivet monkey, Menelik's bushbuck ,Klipspringer ,common jackal,spotted hyena and leopard.

Bird life

Simien Mountains National Park is one of northern Ethiopia's key birding sites, with a checklist of 180 species that includes five Ethiopian endemics and another 12 shared only with Eritrea. Many of these endemics are woodland grassland -associated endemics such as Ankober serin, black -headed siskin and thick-billed raven, as well as the cliff -loving Ruppell's black chat and white-winged cliff chat. However, the simien's true avian star is not an orange throat and crest. The Simien Mountains are thought to support the world's largest population of this year -threatened species,which is also known as the bearded vulture,and there is no better place in the world for close -up sightings -whether it is soaring effortlessly above the cliffs or raiding tourist camps.

Trekking around Lalibela

The mountains around Lalibela offer some super high-altitude hiking and trekking opportunities.only 15km northeast of Lalibela, the 4284m Mount Abune Yoseph is Ethiopia's third highest mountain,after the Simiens and Bale.its upper slopes are protected in a recently -created community area of 70square kilometers of Afro-Alpine grassland and moorland studded with giant lobelia and Heather trees ,A simple lodge in the reserve, built at 4,000m provides the highest accommodation in Ethiopia ,and is also ideally placed for tracking wild life including the endemic Ethiopia wolf and gelada baboon, an isolated troop of Hamadryas baboon, the spectacular lammergeyer and other typical highland birds.Abune Yoseph can be ascended and descended as a two -night standalone trek,but four nights are better,and keen hikers might want to extend their hike by staying at some of the 11communiry -managed guesthouses I other remote villages.

Did you know?

it is said that King Lalibela received his name -which means 'the bees recognise his sovereignty ' -after his mother saw him lying in his cradle surrounded by a swarm of bees.this was a potential of the momentous life he would lead ,according to a belief that animals could foresee such things.some source estimate that it would have required around 40,000man -years to carve all the churches of Lalibela.

Bete Medhane Alem ,with it's five aisles ,is reputedly the world's largest monlitbic rock-hewn structure.a pool outside Better Maryam is believed to cure any infertile women who is dipped into the water three times on Ethiopian Christmas.

King Lalibela and Roha

Originally called Asefa, the town of Lalibela was founded circa the 8th century AD. It became capital of the Zagwe dynasty in the 12th century,when it was renamed Roha. The most venerated Zagwe rule was King Lalibela, whose 40 reign started circa 118. Following the capture of Jerusalem by Saladin in 1187,Lalibela received divine instruction to carve a 'new Jerusalem' into the rocks of Roha. Some legends state that the resultant complex of 11rock -hewn churches and 2 chapels was excavated overnight with angelic assistance.the last Zagwe ruler was overthrown by Yikuno Amlak ,who restored the solomonic dynasty,circa 1270,after which Roha was abandoned as capital. Despite this, King Lalibela was later recognized as saint by the Ethiopia orthodox,and the former Zagwe capital was then named after him.

Churches in Lalibela

The 11 rock-hewn churches and 2chapels of Lalibela are divided into two main clusters. The main ticket office located at the town center leads directly to the north cluster, where a massive subterranean courtyard enclose Better Medhane Allen -the world's largest rock-hewn monolith ,supported by 36 internal and 36 external pillars. From here, Rock-hewn passage leads to the atmospheric Better Maryam, with elaborately carved interior and lively painted ceiling.Here,too,stands Better Golgotha,reputed burial place of king Lalibela,and Selassie,Chapel,a sanctuary so holy it is closed to all visitors.in the southern church cluster, the fortress-like Bete Gebriel-Rafael, enclosed by a deep dry moat, and the superbly worked monolith Better Emanuel demonstrate stronger Aksumite architectural influences than their northern counterparts. The most spectacular rock-hewn church in Lalibela is Better Giyorgis,a 15 meter tall monolith surrounded by a gaging subterranean trench.legend has it that this symmetrically cruciform church so delighted saint George that he rode his horse right over the entrance,leaving behind hood prints that are still visible today.

Churches around Lalibela

A day trip to Churches around Lalibela, 30km north of Lalibela, provides an opportunity to visit four exquisite churches that attract fewer tourists than their counterparts in town. Three of these Lalibela Giyorgis, Churches around Lalibela Chirkos and Lalibela Arba'etu Insesa- are rock-hewn three-quarter monoliths said locally to date back 1,500 years to the reign of king Kaleb. However, the most intriguing of the churches around Lalibela is Yemrehanna Kristos, an ancient monastery whose modern outer wall hides a 900-year old building constructed in the late Also mite style with alternating layers of wood and gypsum -faced granite. A cavern behind the church houses the bones of more than 10,000christian pilgrims who travelled from afar to die at the monastery.

Danakil Depression

The Danakil Depression, in the northeastern corner of Ethiopia, has the distinction of being the hottest place on earth, with recorded temperatures of 125 degrees. It's sometimes called "the gateway to Hell." The lava lake in the Erta Ale volcano is one of only 4 living lava lakes in the world.Danakil Depression: The Danakil Depression is a geological depression, near theHorn of Africa and is also a part of the Great Rift Valley. Afar is well known as one of the cradles of hominids, and contains the site of Hadar, where Lucy, the fossilized specimen of Australopithecus afarensis was found. The depression includes the lowest point in Africa, Lake Asal at 155m below sea level. The Awash River flows into the Danakil depression where ends in a series of lakes is.

Gondar

Gondar, or Gonder, is a city in northern Ethiopia. It's known for the walled Fasil Ghebbi fortress and palace compound, once the seat of Ethiopian emperors. Dominating it is the immense 17th-century castle of Emperor Fasilides, which combines Portuguese, Indian and local architectural styles. Outside the complex is Debre Berhan Selassie church, with an interior of elaborate murals, including a ceiling of faces.On the city's outskirts, the mountainside Kuskuam Palace complex was built for Empress Mentewab in the 18th century. Nearby, the Bath of Fasilides is a rectangular pool overlooked by a 2-story building thought to have been a royal residence. North of the city is Woleka, a former Jewish village with craft stalls and a deserted synagogue. Farther northeast, hiking trails wind through Simien Mountains National Park, home to endangered Walia ibex goats, Gelada baboons and the Ras Dashen peak. Southwest of the city, birdwatchers are drawn to the town of Gorgora on the shores of vast Lake Tana.

Tigray Churches Ethiopia

An introduction to the rock churches of Tigray Ethiopia’s most northerly region, Tigray, is also among its least explored. The birthplace of the Axumite Empire, Ethiopia’s rich Christian tradition was formed in this region, whose oldest sites of worship predate even the famous monoliths of Lalibela (in some cases by several hundred years!) Tigray is a region of great natural beauty and rugged landscapes, but undoubtedly the region’s main attraction is its rock churches. There are thought to be as many as 200 of these unique sites, though only a handful are regularly visited. The Tigray churches differ greatly in design and structure, ranging from free-standing stone structures to hidden cave churches and striking monoliths carved directly from the earth. The oldest date back to at least the 6th or 7th centuries BC, pre dating the arrival of Christianity to Ethiopia, while the most recent were constructed in the last 200 years. Many of the churches are still active, and serve as vibrant places of worship that come alive during Ethiopia’s major religious festivals. Here we provide a brief overview of some of the most notable of Tigray’s churches.

Omo Valley Tribs

Tribes: The Lower Omo is home to a remarkable mix of small, contrasting ethnic groups not only the Ari and Konso, but also the Tsemai, the Darashi, the Mursi, the Bana, and the Hamer, to name but a few. Due to the various reality TV shows & the publication of art photography books, the representations of body painting amongst the tribes has been somewhat blown out of proportion. However body painting as a form of personal adornment, along with elaborate hairstyles, is a part of many of these people’s cultural practices both for wedding ceremonies and in their daily life.For example Hamer women wear mud and clarified butter and topped off with a headdress featuring oblongs of extravagant shapes, with special ochre caps' of hair usually containing several ostrich feathers. Jewellery tends to be simple but striking colourful necklaces, chunky metal wrestlers and armlets, shiny nails appended to skirts, multiple earrings, and soon. The insertion of wooden and terra-cotta discs into the ear lobes is a widespread custom, and Mursi women also progressively split and stretch their lower lips to make room for similar discs there too.