Ethiopia
Ethiopia is a country that defies expectations, possibly more than any other. From lush, tropical forests in the south to scorching, arid deserts in the east, this is a land of huge extremes.
The Ethiopian Highlands receive some of the highest levels of rainfall in Africa. Here you’ll find the source of the Blue Nile, Lake Tana, countless waterfalls and a pleasant, temperate climate. Yet, barely more than a day’s drive to the east, the Danakil Depression is the hottest place on the planet and one of the driest.
Or head to the Simien Mountains for some epic hiking surrounded by truly spectacular scenery.
Travelling to Ethiopia often feels like going back in time. The only country in Africa never to have been successfully colonised, its culture is both unique and ancient. A meeting place of East African and Arabian cultures, there’s nowhere quite like it.
The second most populous country in Africa also hosts the second largest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites on the continent.
At Lalibela, a series of churches cut out of (and into) the rock is a place of pilgrimage for Coptic Christians. The ancient city of Harar, in the east of the country, is one of the holiest in Islam. And the huge castle at Gondar wouldn’t look out of place in medieval Europe.
Last but certainly not least: the food. It’s rich, varied, utterly delicious and unlike anything you’ve tasted before.
Ethiopia really is a unique and special place.
Factsheet
| Approximate Area: | 1.1 million km2 |
| Approximate Population: | 110 million |
| Currency: | Birr |
| Official Language: | Amharic |
| International Dialling Code: | + 251 |
| Drives on the: | Right |
Where to go
Ethiopia Itinerary: An Epic Road Trip Like No Other
Ethiopia will blow your mind. There’s nowhere else quite like it. Forget the images you might recall from Live Aid. The following Ethiopia itinerary will give you a sense of just how varied and amazing this country is. It’s a vast