Rock-hewn churches, high mountains and the birthplace of coffee.
Ethiopia has a history and culture unlike anywhere else in Africa. Lalibela's churches were carved from solid rock, Aksum has ancient stelae and Gondar has a walled royal enclosure of castles. The Simien Mountains are home to gelada monkeys and dramatic escarpments, the Danakil Depression has sulphur springs and salt flats, and the Omo Valley in the south is known for its diversity of peoples.
Food is a feast of injera with spicy wat stews, and the coffee ceremony is a daily ritual. Distances are large, so domestic flights save time on the northern historic route. Parts of the country are affected by conflict, so travellers should check their government's current travel advice before planning. October to March is the dry season and the best time to visit, with Timkat celebrations in January.
Best time to visit Ethiopia
January, February, October, November, December.
Places to visit in Ethiopia
Addis Ababa: Ethiopia's highland capital, home to the fossil Lucy, the Merkato market and the ceremony of Ethiopian coffee.
Lalibela: A pilgrimage town of eleven medieval churches hewn from solid rock, still in use for Ethiopian Orthodox worship.
Simien Mountains: A UNESCO-listed range of jagged peaks and sheer drops, home to gelada monkeys and the rare Walia ibex.
Gondar: A former royal capital known for its walled compound of 17th-century castles and the painted church of Debre Birhan Selassie.
Axum: The ancient capital of the Aksumite kingdom, with giant carved obelisks and a church said to hold the Ark of the Covenant.
Essentials
Currency: Ethiopian Birr (ETB)
Language: Amharic; Oromo and Tigrinya regionally; English in tourist areas
Plugs: Type C / E / F / L, 220 V
Driving: Right side
Time zone: UTC+3
Tipping: Around 10% in restaurants; tips for guides and drivers are customary
Getting around: Domestic flights link the historic sites; hired cars with drivers elsewhere
Entry: Check the official rules for your passport before booking