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Ethiopia is a land of cultural diversity reflected in the, religious practice, ritual, costume, body decoration, housing and cuisine. If you want a cultural experience that you will never forget, then plan a trip to the Lower Omo Valley and connect with one of more than a dozen indigenous peoples of the region.
Being the land of one of the oldest Christian traditions on earth, Ethiopia boasts numerous ancient churches and monasteries. The monolithic rock churches of Lalibela are like none other in the world, the most popular is the cruciform Bete Gyorgis. For art lovers Ethiopia offers beautifully painted churches in the Tigray, Gondar and Lake Tana regions.
Ethiopian Orthodox Church’s religious festivals like Timqet (Baptism) and Mesqel (commemoration of the finding of the True Cross) attract thousands of believers and are very moving experiences for a visitor.
Ethiopia is one of the countries where Islam found a home in its early days. The walled city of Harar in eastern Ethiopia claims to be one of the earliest Muslim cities in the world.
Tours
Tours
This 13 day trip travels through the north of the country, taking in views of the Blue Nile, The 500-year-old monastery islands of Bahir Dar, the elegant castles of Gondar, the majestic Simien mountains (meeting red-chested Gelada baboons), the giant obelisks that rise out of Axum. You’ll be sure to taste the country’s famous coffee and vegan cuisine (culinary course included), and meet the genuine and friendly people along the way. This is an adventure like no other.
Trek Ethiopia (Simien Mountains)
Trek Ethiopia (Simien Mountains)
A trekking adventure across the dramatic landscapes and spectacular summits of Simien Mountain National Park. UNESCO World Heritage-listed for good reason, this is one of the most spectacular landscapes in Africa. witness how millions of years of erosion have created an elaborate series of platuaux with pinnacles separated by gorges and canyons. Take in jaw dropping beauty of the views of the summit of Ras Dashen – Ethiopia’s highest peak.
Wildlife to be found here include walia ibex, gelada baboon, caracal, lammergeiers, plus a handful of Ethiopian wolves. The park is best known for its population of geladas, with their thick golden mane and heart-shaped red chest. The area is home to traditional nomadic and rural populations, who survive in this harsh climate with few natural resources.
Ethiopia Untouched (south)
Ethiopia Untouched (south)
This is a 6 day extension to our other tours. Visiting Konso, Jinka, Turmi, Arba Minch.
We visit Ethiopia’s spectacular nature reserves and diverse tribal communities. Droping in to Hamer & Konso villages where local life remains insular. Go off the beaten track and visit remote tribes in the Omo Valley.
Contact us for details.
The above tours were organised in 2020 and had to be cancelled due to the conflict. We will resume the same tours in 2024.
We also create custom tours in Ethiopia. Contact us for details.
Travel with us
Travel with us
Food
Food
Ethiopian Food
Ethiopian Food
For people who want to try the local cuisine, the staple food in large parts of Ethiopia is known as enjera. This large pancake-like starch is usually made out of teff (a tiny seed mainly consumed in Ethiopia and Eritrea), although it can also be created from other grains such as barley, sorghum and rice. Enjera is so popular that it is even considered the national dish and is a part of almost every meal in Ethiopia. You will find enjera laid on a plate beneath the vegetables that comprise the rest of your lunch or dinner, with additional pieces served in much the same way as how bread is presented in Western restaurants. Enjera is then eaten by wrapping small pieces around your servings of vegetables (this is somewhat similar to how a tortilla or crepe is utilized to enfold other components of a meal). Enset is a plant that looks much like a banana tree but, ironically, produces no fruit (which gave rise to its English name, “false banana”). One eats the stem and root of the enset plant which are pounded into a tasty dish.
Vegetables
Vegetables
As a part of their religious practices, several times a year Ethiopians “fast” (which means they abstain from eating meat and poultry). As a consequence, vegetarian dishes are commonly available (simply say you are “fasting” and you can obtain delicious vegetable dishes). And even during non-fasting periods vegetable soups are often on the menu. In addition, most hotels and restaurants serve salads; these are safe to consume unless you have an extremely sensitive stomach, in which case you might want to avoid raw vegetables.
Wildlife
Wildlife
Ethiopia has 15 or more areas where wildlife is protected. It has an extraordinary variety of smaller and perhaps less dramatic wildlife with 242 listed mammal species, including 28 species that cannot be seen anywhere else on Earth. Set in a backdrop of varied and stunning landscapes. You can see gelada baboon, the Walia ibex, the Menelik’s bushbuck, the mountain nyala, Swayne’s hartebeest and the Simien fox.
The Simien fox is best spotted is the Bale National Park, rather than the Simien Mountains themselves. Sometimes called the Simien wolf or Abyssinian wolf, it is large by fox standards with long legs.
The Gelada baboon is found in mountainous. Recognised by its heart-shaped red skin on its chest and lion-like mane. It's numbers are falling.
The mountain nyala prefers the high moorlands. It is, more accurately, a kudu and is recognisable by its elegant lyre-shaped horns.
Birds
Birds
With well over 800 species, Ethiopia is one of the greatest countries in the world for seeing diverse and colourful bird life.
Safety
Safety
The two-year armed conflict in northern Ethiopia, which began in November 2020, continued to inflict a terrible toll on civilians. A truce was reached by the main warring parties in November.
With peace restored the country has returned to a relatively high safety rating compared to Kenya, South Africa and some other countries in Africa. Concerning robberies and other forms of violent crimes, they do not represent a major problem in the cities and towns.
Ethiopia is a socialised country which means that the basic necessities of life are provided by the state. Children have free education, housing, clothing, and food.
However, it is still highly advised not to venture to the eastern parts of the country beyond the city of Harar, as Somali separatist groups occasionally launch guerilla attacks there.
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