Spectacular scenery with easy access by air

Over 300,000 visitors travel to Ethiopia each year (according to the World Tourism Organisation). Though many visitors fly into the capital Addis Ababa, getting to other parts of the country is relatively easy.

Some of the Italian-built road system is in need of repair, but Ethiopia has a good air transport system, which includes many local airports throughout the country serviced by a well-established national carrier.

Ethiopian Airways (“The new Spirit of Africa”) is one of Africa’s longest-standing airlines. Founded in 1946, this state-owned company has operated for over 60 years. Passenger numbers have grown by 20 percent every year for the past decade and the airline flies to over 35 cities outside of Ethiopia.

For those prepared to travel around, Ethiopia offers truly spectacular scenery, from the one kilometre-deep Blue Nile Gorge northwest of the capital, to the cliffs and valleys of the Tigrai region and the beautiful lakes of the Rift Valley below the sheer faces of the Rift Escarpment.

Sites of early man and ancient civilisations

Ethiopia has a number of places of archeological interest listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Some go back to prehistoric times where evidence of our earliest ancestors has been found.

Close to Ethiopia’s northern border, the ruins of the ancient city of Aksum are a key World Heritage site. Askum was the heart of a powerful ancient kingdom, at its height from the first–eighth century. See History & Politics to learn more about the Aksumite Empire. Remains from this ancient city include tombs, the ruins of ancient castles and giant obelisks or stelae.

What is a stela (plural stelae)? These are standing stones (or sometimes wooden slabs) erected as memorials or for commemoration. The Aksumite stelae are made from huge blocks of granite, some over 20 or 30 metres high when standing. The stones are carved with designs or inscriptions.

Ethiopia’s Christian heritage

Ethiopia also has many ancient churches and monasteries, most located across the north and centre of the country. Some of the oldest churches are found in the northern Tigrai region near to Mekele and date back to the sixth or seventh centuries.

The 11 rock-hewn churches at Lalibela are perhaps the most famous churches in Ethiopia. These were carved out of the red volcanic rock in medieval times. Sitting below ground level, four are free-standing, while the others are semi-detached or have facades carved free from the rock. Many people are drawn to these amazing buildings, including pilgrims who come to the small town of Lalibela for acts of devotion or to celebrate Christian festivals.