11 Places to Visit in Ethiopia for the Ultimate Adventure Travel Experience

Ethiopia, the “Land of Thirteen Months ”, is a magical country with ancient spiritual roots and rich in religious history that has a story to tell. Ethiopia is the best and most incredible place to visit because it is where legends of the Ark of the Covenant live side by side in harmony with ancient Islamic mosques.

The beauty of wild mountains and the awe-inspiring religious architecture draw visitors to this fantastic country. From thundering waterfalls to its vibrant and modern capital city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is a place you have to see to visit. Here are 11 of the best and most incredible places to visit in Ethiopia.

Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is the fourth largest city in Africa. This vibrant city is the diplomatic home to the African Union and sits atop the Entoto Mountains. Addis Ababa has a mystical aura that acts as a portal to the past.

Visit Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market, and let the aromas of spicy spices and?roasting coffee ?awaken your senses.

Simien Mountains

Nestled in the highlands of northern Ethiopia is Simien Mountain. This Ethiopian gem takes you back in time with its magnificent rock-hewn cathedrals and medieval castles.

Nature appears to have hand-shaped these gorgeous mountains, home to?a rich ?cultural heritage. Witness the jagged peaks and seemingly endless landscapes while learning about ancient holy sites.

The Simien Mountains also host a unique but endangered ecology that includes unusual animals like the Walia Ibex, Ethiopian Wolf, Gelada Baboon, Klipspringer, Bushbuck, and Klipspringer Bushbuck.

Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela

There are eleven medieval churches near the small town of Lalibela; all carved out of large slabs of volcanic rock! These Churches were built on King Lalibela’s orders in the 12th century as a “New Jerusalem” for Christians who could not make the pilgrimage to the Holy Land because of Muslim conquests. It is now a popular pilgrimage place.

Lalibela is still a living?cultural ?site, with 1,000 priests among its 10,000 citizens, and the churches serve as gathering places for celebrations, vigils, and processions.

The Holy City of Harar

Northeast Ethiopia is?Harar city,?a great seat of Islamic culture. Dubbed “Africa’s Mecca”, Harar is home to over 100 mosques. Harar was established in the 16th century to keep religious invaders out of the city.

Friendly Harari women dressed in coloured outfits will meet you as you travel through the city’s cobblestoned and tiny alleys.

It won’t be long before the legend of Harar’s “hyena man ” is told. The “hyena man of Harar” will call out to the hyenas by name near the Fallana Gate in Harari. The hyenas approach one by one, each taking a chunk of meat from a stick he has in his mouth. You can even hand-feed these wildly gorgeous but dangerous African predators if you have the courage.

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