Home » Ethiopia Travels, Ethiopian Vacations, Ethiopia Tours, Ethiopia Trips
Ethiopia Travels, Ethiopian Vacations, Ethiopia Tours, Ethiopia Trips
Ethiopia travels provides you with amazing Ethiopian vacations (Ethiopia tours) to the best wildlife safari destinations. The best Ethiopia trips offer a beautiful opportunity to experience the amazing Ethiopian culture due to the culturally rich areas, religions, and archeology, in the African continent.
This fascinating country is also referred to as the cradle of civilization because it is Africa’s oldest independent country and also among the world’s oldest nations.
Embraced with one of the oldest worship sites, the highly religious country is also the second oldest Christian nation after Armenia, thus an inspiration for many Ethiopian expeditions. Much of the religious Ethiopia tours are at the 11 rock hewn churches of Lalibela that date back to the 12th and 13th centuries.
Ethiopia is a landlocked country positioned at the horn of Africa and with the various ranging climatic conditions, it also has extensive beautiful landscape views, especially the dramatic and beautiful Simien Mountains in the North of the country, Bale Mountains, the Danakil Depression, and many others.
A visit to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia will unveil an understanding of local history and culture through the National Museum, the Ethnological Museum, and various other top destinations.
Gondar also called the “Camelot of Africa” is the right region to experience a magical city and by visiting Debre Berhan Selassie Church, you will appreciate the skillfully painted interiors.
Most importantly, discover the life of one of the world’s oldest tribes in Omo Valley for an authentic traditional experience with the rural communities.
The nation is not famous for wildlife safaris but you will still admire various endemic animals and birds in national parks.
Ethiopia tours are thus a great way to majorly explore authentic traditions as you study the origin of mankind. Also, watching the sunrise over the Simien Mountains reveals an awe-inspiring natural beauty and art scenery to experience on your vacations to this amazing destination!
Below, you will find out the best travel package to use for your Ethiopian adventures.
Best Ethiopia Safari Packages (Ethiopia Vacation Packages) | Popular Ethiopia Tours
Read below to find the best Ethiopia vacation packages for your holidays.
a) 7 Days Ethiopia Tour – Omo Valley Tribes Adventure.
b) 7 Days Fly-in Tour to Historic Cities and Sites Adventure.
c) 5 Days Ethiopia Tour – Wildlife, Culture, History.
d) 4-Day Danakil Depression Tour and Volcano.
Ethiopia Tour Operators | Best Travel Safari Companies In Ethiopia
The tour operators below are experienced in organizing unmatched holidays with the best and most valuable experiences.
Read below to discover the best tour operators for your Ethiopia vacation package and book your trips today.
- Prime Safaris And Tours Ltd
- Africa Safaris Tours
Ethiopian Vacations/Vacations in Ethiopia/Ethiopia Vacation/Vacation to Ethiopia
Below, we discuss the major attractions and activities for your holidays.
Attractions In Ethiopia
Ethiopia is one of the rich top destinations with unique attractions and below, we look at the different attractions to encounter in this nation.
Cultures Of Ethiopia
This beautiful nation is a culturally rich area, and this is the major highlight of Ethiopia tours. With over 100 million people, the nation has 80 different tribes, speaking about 90 languages. Common tribes include the Mursi, Hamar, Karo, and Sumur, and common languages spoken are Amharic, Oromo, and Somali.
The ancient religions in this nation contribute to the culture as the country is rich in Christians, Muslims, and those that believe in traditional practices.
Even though most cultural tours occur in the Omo Valley, cities like Addis Ababa, Gondar, and Axum are also great for cultural experiences.
Addis Ababa City
Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia is a lively city, famous for ageless encounters like music, amazing scenes of natural beauty, and a rich National Museum with the remains of the earliest human ancestor to be discovered called Lucy.
Lucy is just one of the many other fossil collections to see on your trip to the museum in Addis Ababa.
The Holy Trinity Cathedral in Addis Ababa where Emperor Haile Selassie and his wife were buried was built as a commemoration of the Ethiopian victory over the Italians.
The nation also has busy markets and malls for shopping for perfect souvenirs to remember your adventure. Visit Merkato market and Edna Mall in Addis Ababa and Bahir Dah market in Bahir Dah for these amazing experiences. You can spend time at the cinema at Edna Mall or book one of the area’s spas for a lovely experience.
Visitors to Addis Ababa can stay at Hotel Lobelia which has one of the best area’s spas.
Gondar And Axum Cities
Apart from Addis Ababa, Gondar and Axum (the oldest city in the state) are two other historic cities to add to your vacation packages. Their beautiful architectural designs, old castles, and obelisks will take you back in time to when these old cities date back.
In the heart of Gondar is also the Debre Berhan Selassie Church, the most famous worship area in the nation. Gondar also has a fortress city called the Fasil Ghebbi Royal Enclosure that protects the remains of this place.
Timnak which has captivating religious festivals with dancing, and singing with colorful processions is also a place in this fortress city.
Axum on the other hand does not only have old buildings but also the Ark of the Covenant.
Bahir Dah Market in Bahir Dah
Buy amazing perfect souvenirs and do extensive shopping at Bahir Dah Market in Bahir Dah for your memorable Ethiopia safaris. Other than the Bahir Bah Market, you can also drop by other fascinating country areas providing amazing sites.
Simien Mountains National Park And Bale Mountains
Simien Mountains National Park portrays a dramatic art scene with diverse landscapes rising from the Danakil Depression to the Simien Mountains.
A nature trek through Simien Mountains National Park will reveal to you the beautiful Jinbar waterfalls.
Likewise, Simien Mountains National Park has endemic wildlife like the Ethiopian Wolf, thus making wildlife tours also popular in the park.
Unlike Simien Mountains National Park, the Bale Mountains are not well known, but it also has some great scenery for sightseers to awe at.
Other national parks to explore on your Ethiopian holidays include
a) Bale Mountains National Park
b) Omo National Park
c) Nechisar National Park
d) Mago National Park
e) Chebera Churchura National Park
f) Abidjatta-Shalla National Park
g) Yangudi Rassa National Park
h) Gambella National Park
i) Gibe Sheleko National Park
Omo Valley
Omo Valley is a culturally rich destination to see the oldest and most authentic tribes and communities of the Ethiopians.
On your trips to Omo Valley, you will be able to experience and learn about the different cultural life of these ancient people. Travelers will also have vacations to the villages in Omo Valley to learn about the people.
Blue Nile Falls
The Blue Nile Falls, also called the “great smoke” is one of the most attractive natural features to see on your Ethiopia vacations.
Blue Nile Falls, which drops at 45 meters separates Lake Tana from the River Nile.
The great views of the Nile are surely a great attraction on your trip to Ethiopia.
Rock Hewn Churches At Lalibela
The famous Lalibela is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with 11 rock hewn churches to see on your vacations.
Lalibela boasts these monolithic churches, decorated with ancient architectural designs of pink granite from the 12th century.
Holy Trinity Cathedral In Addis Ababa
By visiting Holy Trinity Cathedral, you get to learn a lot about the history of Addis Ababa. The Holy Trinity church and its art surely portray a rich culture and history, especially the Ethiopian victory over the Italian settlers.
You will find tombs inside the cathedral showing Holy Trinity Cathedral as the burial place for Emperor Haile Selassie and his wife.
These facts showing Holy Trinity Cathedral as one of the most important churches are one of the reasons why guests visit the region.
Activities In Ethiopia
Below are the various things that you can do for your vacations.
- Enjoy Injera, the delicious traditional Ethiopian cuisine while in Addis Ababa during your travels. Injera is a spongy flatbread to eat with stews and meat. During your food tour vacations in Addis Ababa, you can participate in preparing it and later join a boat trip on Lake Awasa to catch amazing views.
- Visit Omo Valley, the one region to experience a wide cultural diversity and discover the archeological knowledge of various hominid fossils that were discovered in it.
- Watch and wonder at Bete Giyorgis, an amazing underground church in Lalibela.
- Get to see the wildlife closely during your Ethiopia travel. Unlike other Southern nations like Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, animals are not a major thing in Ethiopia, but you can see some endemics like the Ethiopian wolf.
- Have a relaxing boat trip at Lake Chamo, Lake Tana, and Lake Awasa during your Ethiopia travel. On the Lake Chamo trip, you will be able to see four of the largest six crocodile species on earth.
- Celebrate the various festivals for example the Timnak Festival that occurs during the leap years from around the 19th or 20th of January. Enjoy dancing, singing, religious rituals, and colorful parades which are also done in Addis Ababa.
- Take walking trips on your vacation through the forests, mountains, deserts, and diverse landscapes.
Ethiopian Travels/Traveling in Ethiopia | What Is the Best Way to Travel Around Ethiopia?
Getting in and around this state can be done through different means of transport but majorly road and air transport.
The different common transport means that you can use for your holidays include airplanes, buses, and minibusses.
However, for visitors using a tour operator for their Ethiopia vacation package, their company will provide them with comfortable means of transport for their trips.
Ethiopia Flights
There are various airports in Ethiopia but the famous one is the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in Bole Sub City which organizes flights to and from 67 different destinations both within and outside the African continent.
Additionally, there are domestic flights that connect the major sites in the nation like Gondar, Axum, Bahir Dar, and Simien Mountains National Park.
Visitors flying to Bahir Dah can likewise visit the Blue Nile Falls, Lake Tana, and the island monasteries.
Book your flight through your tour operator for the best deal and a favorable Ethiopian vacation package during your holidays.
Ethiopian Hotels
Below are some of the best hotel accommodations in the state.
1. Ethiopia Skylight Hotel 2. Hotel Lobelia in Addis Ababa 3. Radisson Blu Hotel, Addis Ababa 4. Skylight In-Terminal Hotel 5. Harmony Hotel 6. Hilton Addis Ababa 7. Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa 8. Addissinia Hotel 9. Zobel Resort Hotel
| 10. Best Western Plus Addis Ababa 11. Haile Grand in Addis Ababa 12. Golden Tulip Addis Ababa Hotel 13. The Grand Palace Suites Hotel 14. Ramada by Wyndham Addis Ababa 15. Getfam Hotel 16. Blue Sky Hotel 17. Ghion Hotel |
What Are the Best Months to Travel to Ethiopia? | What Is the Best Month to Visit Ethiopia?
The Ethiopian nation is a country positioned in a region with many climatic conditions. Therefore, travelers ought to prepare adequately no matter the choice of their time to visit.
This will make them ready for the condition no matter where they go around the nation. For example, the North and Eastern parts of the nation are majorly desert, the Central part has temperate weather and the Southern part of the nation has a tropical climate as it connects to the Southern nations.
Nonetheless, the dry season from October to mid-April is the best time to visit since it is the high season for holidays in this destination.
There are festivals to celebrate almost every month of the dry season and it is also the right time for wildlife viewing. More so, September to October is the best time to visit to watch the blooming flowers. The dry months of January to February are the busiest thus guests need to plan for them early.
However, travelers can also visit Ethiopia in the rainy season of mid-April to September, especially in the North. April is great to watch the historical churches celebrate Easter merrily.
June to August have the heaviest rains in this rainy season, making the Southern part of the nation almost impossible to navigate through.
What Do I Need to Know Before Traveling to Ethiopia?
An Ethiopian vacation is more enjoyable for visitors who have prepared physically and mentally for a trip. Below, we discuss the various things that you should note and consider before and during your vacation.
- Since this countryside is majorly a cultural destination, take note to always pay attention to the cultures and life of the locals.
- For example, if someone invites you to their home, buy them raw coffee or “Bhuna” from the Kiosks.
- Bow a bit when greeting someone as a sign of respect.
- Unless you are in Addis Ababa which is the capital city, women should consider covering their knees and shoulders as appealing clothes may appear immoral to some locals.
- Ethiopia has different altitude ranges from high to low. Therefore, visiting the whole nation within a short time means traveling from very high to very low altitudes. While going to a new location, always go slow and easy on journeys to avoid altitude sickness.
- Likewise, the ranging altitudes in different regions will require you to pack clothes for both the hot and cold weather on your vacation to this nation. Likewise, carry insect repellant, sunscreen, and a hat to keep you safe from the sun’s rays.
- Carry a flashlight with you because sometimes, there are power usage restrictions in this territory.
- Endeavor to also pack your toilet paper and other toiletries because they are not always provided everywhere you go.
- The tipping custom is allowed so you can give a tip ranging from 2 to 5 Birr. This amount for the tipping customary is the expected range in the region no matter the cost of the services provided.
- Come financially ready for your Ethiopia travel because the ATMs in the nation will not respond to a foreign credit and debit card.
- Purchase travel insurance, especially if you are a frequent traveler. When you purchase travel insurance, you save money in case of emergencies like accidents which cost a lot.
- There is quite a low internet access in the nation, thus many people using cell phone service live in developed areas like cities. Hence, expect less about the internet access availability subject on your cell phone or other gadgets unless you are in a high-class accommodation facility.
- To enjoy moments, keep your cell phone away to spend time connecting truly with nature.
- Tap water is unhealthy, therefore stick to bottled water throughout your trip and avoid tap water.
What Is the Average Cost of Visiting Ethiopia? | How Much Money Do You Need for a Vacation in Ethiopia? | How Expensive Is Traveling in Ethiopia?
Various factors make up the average cost of an Ethiopian safari. Some of them include whether one uses a tour operator or not for their Ethiopia vacation package, the accommodation options that the traveler will use, the transportation means, activities done, and the days spent on vacations.
Using a tour operator: Various visitors attest to the fact that using a tour operator is quite more expensive than self-travels, but that’s because tour operators ensure that a lot of things go right with your vacation package. Thus, the extra money that you pay for using a tour operator brings back value since they will well handle your Ethiopia vacation package.
Accommodation: There are three classes of hotels that visitors to Ethiopia can use and these are budget, midrange, and luxury hotels. Choosing a luxury class means more expenditure on the tour.
Transportation: Travelers on a luxury tour may use domestic flights while linking to other destinations.
Activities: More activities done by a tourist will mean more costs than a tourist who explores a few destinations.
Days spent on the safari: The number of days that a tourist spends on their tour in the state also determines a lot about their safari.10-day midrange vacations will cost about USD 3,500 to the historical circuit and about USD 5000 per person for the trip to Danakil Depression.
Visiting Simien Mountains National Park and Bale Mountains will cost about USD 3000 per person.
Is Ethiopia Cheap or Expensive?
Based on the above factors, the Ethiopian state is an averagely priced destination to travel to. It can suit both budget and luxury travelers depending on the plan for their travels.
Budget travelers can hire cars which can also act as their accommodation or choose to use budget accommodation for their trips to save money.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ethiopian Holidays
Is Ethiopian Part of Africa?
Yes, the Ethiopian state is part of the African continent, located in the Eastern part of the African continent.
What Country Did Ethiopia Belong To? | Which Country Did Ethiopia Come From?
The Ethiopian nation has a long history since it is one of the oldest African countries. It was formerly called “Abyssinia” and the name “Ethiopia” referred to the current Sudan nation in the Southern part of Egypt.
How Is Ethiopia Different from the Rest of Africa?
Ethiopia is different from other African countries in a way that it is the oldest independent nation in the whole of the African continent.
What Is Ethiopia Known For?
The Ethiopian nation is known for its unique culture, especially in the Omo Valley and also the religion and local history revealed by some of the oldest churches and ancient buildings.
The nation is also known for its production of high-quality coffee and for keeping endemic wildlife like the endangered Ethiopian Wolf.
Is Ethiopia Good for Tourists? | Is Ethiopia Tourist Friendly?
Yes, Ethiopian holidays are good for tourists. There are various historical, cultural, and religious sites to see for your tour. Some include Bahir Dah, Omo Valley, Gondar, Axum, and Lalibela.
Also, guests can seek out the Simien Mountains National Park, Blue Nile Falls, Lake Tana, and the Island Monasteries for amazing views.
Also, the Danakil Valley, considered one of the hottest and low-lying places in the world will give guests amazing views of the Dallol hot springs and the Erta Ale active volcano.
How Many Days Do You Need to See Ethiopia? | How Many Days Should I Spend in Ethiopia?
At least one week is a good period to see and learn about the general view and knowledge of the nation. However, two weeks are generally okay for the
In this period, you will be able to learn about the cultures, religions, and also some animals that are endemic to the country for example the Ethiopian Wolf.
Is It Safe to Travel to Ethiopia Currently? | Is It Safe to Travel Ethiopia Now? | Is It Safe to Travel to Ethiopia Right Now?
Ethiopia trips are very safe, peaceful, and memorable. However, because the nation borders unstable countries like Sudan and South Sudan, Eritrea, and Somalia, the borders are sometimes unsafe.
It is rare for visitors, especially those using a tour operator to get any problems but solo travelers are likely to be exposed to petty crimes like theft.
To be safe, do not attract attention by showing off valuable property. More so, avoid walking alone, especially at night.
Are Americans Allowed to Visit Ethiopia?
Ethiopian eVisas allow American travelers to have their trips through Bole International Airport in Bole Sub City.
An Ethiopian tour is an unforgettable experience to have for your African adventures. Discover some of the oldest cultures, religions, and sites of the earth by stepping into this destination.
Book your Ethiopia vacation package tour today for a memorable experience!