When I first embarked on a trip to Ethiopia, I didn’t know what to expect. I was enthralled by the idea of visiting this historic and fascinating corner of the world, but concerned with how little I knew and how difficult it is to find information about Ethiopia. But in the end, all my questions were answered. Traveling here is always an exhilarating adventure.
Looking for an unforgettable travel experience? Boasting not just ancient historical sites but also breathtaking natural wonders, Ethiopia has literally something for everyone. There’s so much beauty to explore in Ethiopia, chances are you won’t be able to see it all. Don’t worry - you’ll definitely want to come back. I recommend spending at least 2 weeks in Ethiopia if you want to see most of its highlights. I’ve since returned a second time to Ethiopia and discovered even more of its incredible beauty.
Here are some must-see places and experiences that highlight the diverse entertainment options in Ethiopia:
1. Dallol: A Geological Wonderland
Standing on the edge of the world - in the hottest and lowest place on the planet, straddling the junction of three tectonic plates - lies Ethiopia’s beautiful, epic Danakil Depression. Trust me when I say nothing about this depression is depressing. Rather, the vibrant colors, some of which you can only see here, the sound of sulfur spitting from the core of the earth, the occasional steam bath hitting you like the hottest sauna you could ever imagine - it all feels like a Time Machine.
When the sulfur smell hits, it hits hard! And better not step in a puddle, lest it melt your shoe! And yet, there’s nothing like Dallol. Sinkholes, puddles, ponds of acid, geysers that make Yellowstone look like someone’s backyard, and more colors than the rainbow decorate the land as far as the eye can see. As the dried sulfuric salt crackles beneath you, you traverse a totally unrecognizable terrain. You have to make sure to tread carefully, watching where you step to avoid melting your shoes in acid. And the rest of your body too.
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The local guides share some fascinating information about this place. They tell us about the continental rift, and how this could all become the next Red Sea in a couple million years. Until then, you can enjoy the splendor of this seemingly forbidden place. Our guard enjoys the splendor of Dallol. Even as a regular, the sights (and smells) are nothing short of fantastic.
A remnant of the Tigray conflict, a guard stands by with an AK-47. He’s very friendly, and only wishes to take some selfies together. He’s been here before, and his internal map is quite useful.
2. Erta Ale: The Smoking Mountain
Exploring the Most Dangerous Place in Ethiopia
Erta Ale is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, often referred to as the “Smoking Mountain” and “the gateway to hell.” Located in the Afar Region, it has a continuously active lava lake, one of only a few in the world.
As evening set upon us, we snapped on our headlamps and made our way from base camp. After about 40 minutes of trodding through volcanic ash, feeling the temperatures begin to finally cool from their evening highs, we ended up at the viewpoint. This viewpoint also happens to double as the edge of the Erte Ale volcanic crater.
The hike up here is totally worth these incredible views. The totally surreal landscapes of Erta Ale as the morning sun begins to rise. The descent from the rim into Erte Ale is sort of magical. You truly feel like an ant would on an anthill the size of a great pyramid - absolutely tiny, surrounded by tens of millions of years of lava eruptions and flows and the subsequent cooling.
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Metaphorically, it feels a bit like staring through a wormhole into the past. As we made our way towards the center of the volcanic, the smell of sulfur grew, and the dancing red light in the distance became more and more vivid. It was an experience like no other, nothing so vividly displays our place on earth like this. Knowing that this is one place that Earth shares her inner workings with us, feeling the heat and ferocity of it all, it’s something you can never forget. This is a chance to look Earth directly in the eyes. An incredible sunrise we spent meditating on the incredible massive crater of Erta Ale, with its activate eruptions and unearthly landscapes.
3. Lalibela: The Rock-Hewn Churches
Lalibela is famous for its rock-hewn churches which were carved out of solid rock in the 12th century under the rule of King Lalibela. These churches were actually created as a New Jerusalem for Christians unable to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land due to Muslim conquests.
As we walk through hidden walkways carved in the rock, local churchgoers dressed in white greet us. They didn’t know a lick of English, but their eyes tell us stories that words simply can’t. ‘Mass’ is definitely the proper word here, as the passages, cathedrals, and surroundings all became a sea of beautiful white clothing. Beautiful hymns and chants fill the air, and we partake in rituals focused on coming together. There’s something that feels so natural about it.
Inside the cathedrals, perfectly preserved ancient frescas and paintings are on display, totally unique to this part of the world and unseen anywhere else (the angels have Afros here, and I love it). The confined spaces between the intricate art, beautiful doors, and carved ceilings grant a feeling of togetherness. In this place, we are all one, no matter where we come from. And that’s the beauty of it all. Initially, this sanctuary was designed as a place to hide and practice religion in peace from oppressors.
Did you know Ethiopia’s Christian beliefs date back over 1700 years? It’s one of the oldest branches of this religion! Standing on the edge of a 30 foot cliff isn’t something I normally like to do. But when that 30 foot cliff is a result of decades of hard work, and gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage hand carved cathedrals embedded in rock stand before you, you make an exception. A man dressed in a white gown bows his head to the Holy Bible during a Sunday Mass at the holy site of Lalibela. A gorgeous scene from Sunday mass at Lalibela as two women pay their respects to the church. Viewpoint on Bet Uraiel, one of the most beautiful and visible rock hewn churches at Lalibela - a truly one of a kind place on earth.
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4. Gondar: The Camelot of Africa
Gondar, often referred to as the “Camelot of Africa,” was the imperial capital of Ethiopia from the 17th to the 19th centuries. The city is renowned for its medieval castles and churches, particularly in the Fasil Ghebbi complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The castles, built by Emperor Fasilides and his successors, reflect a unique architectural style blending Ethiopian, Portuguese, and Indian influences.
When I sent pictures of the Fasilides castles in Gondar to my family and asked to guess where I was, they were stumped. This UNESCO World Heritage site looks nicer than many of the castles you find in Europe. The faces of the Fasilides castles stand several stories high, surrounded by moats, with incredible decorations. A balcony stands up top, and we’re told this was specially built by the kings for their wives. We’re invited to step inside and enjoy what royalty is like.
See, Emporor Fasilides had sons. And they had sons. Walking through this land of castles gave us that same feeling you get as a kid in a playground. The main Fasilides castle, with balconies galore. A beautiful sight in Gondar. Our guides told us some crazy things. For one, Dawit III didn’t want a big castle. His was actually smaller than the others. A humble emperor? Who knew that existed? In any case, walking through this ancient royal land, with libraries and halls and kitchens and incredible architecture, is a great remind of how Ethiopia is such an enchanting place. Some of the majestic castles you can find in Gondar, highlighting just how incredible and deep Ethiopia’s history is. Many empires have existed here, and Fasilides castle area is the prime example.
5. Omo Valley: Tribal Celebrations and Ancient Traditions
The Omo Valley, located in southwestern Ethiopia, is one of the most culturally diverse regions in the world. It is home to numerous indigenous tribes, including the Hamer, Mursi, and Karo, each with unique customs, languages, and traditions. The valley has been inhabited for millennia and is an important site for paleoanthropology, with many significant fossil discoveries shedding light on human evolution.
When Bre, our guide, told us we lucked out with our timing and had arrived perfectly in time to witness an ancient tribal celebration from the Hamer tribe, we were elated. But little did we know what we were getting ourselves into. As we approached camp, the sound of cowbells overcame us. Then, another mysterious sound. We curiously made our way down a ravine into where the celebration was starting. Women running around, ringing bells, taunting the men to whip them. Literally begging to be whipped. It was truly hard to watch, and we winced every time we heard the whips fly through the air.
I know it sounds weird, and perhaps a bit brutal, but these women aren’t just any women. They’re part of the future spouse’s family, and being whipped is a (perhaps extreme) form of showing support, love, and excitement in the Hamer community. The more you get whipped, they say, the more love you express. So the begging continues - and so does the whipping. You can see the result - older Hamer women bare the scars of many family marriages, displaying them as a badge of honor.
As we’re watching the ladies, old and young, getting whipped, something surprises us. It’s their reaction - or rather, lack thereof. While we were grimacing and wincing at the sounds and sight of this brutal act, the ladies barely reacted. Even as the edge of the whip goes supersonic, striking with ferocious force the breaks the skin to its core, the women hardly budge. And it was this day I realized that girls are a lot tougher than we give them credit for.
As the Hamer tribe sets this celebration and event up, the excitement becomes more and more palpable. Next, we walked from the ravine up a dirt path for about 15 minutes, following a group of women with horrible looking bloody wounds. Yet, not a sound, no flinching, nothing. We joined a group of wonderful cute kids in the shade and awaited the ceremony. The kids were fascinated by us, and the elders made us feel welcome. We communicated with just gestures and smiles.
Now - for the bull ceremony. First, the spouse-to-be strips naked, in front of the entire village. Then, a line up of cattle is set up, the cows standing all in parallel. The spouse’s task is to jump over all of the cows successively, naked, in front of everyone, and survive. But just to add some fuel to the fire, the crowd’s role isn’t just to spectate. We’re assigned to run around in a circle, chanting, skipping, egging the guy on. The excitement is palpable.
When the setup is finally ready, the crowds (us included) skipping and chanting, he goes for it. A sprint, ferocious, full of energy, as he launches towards the bulls. See, he has a lot of skin in the game (both physically and metaphorically). He’s not just getting married. And we got to be a part of this incredible ceremony. A woman stands bearing the deep scars of multiple bull jumping ceremonies - an honor for Hamer women.
6. Addis Ababa: A City of Culture and Cuisine
Addis Ababa is one of Africa’s most wonderful cities, deep in history, rich in culture, and filled with incredible diversity. My thoughts while eating were: Even if you do get a worm or two, what’s the problem? As we chewed on raw beef at Yilma, the premier get-together place for well-off residents, we remark on the day we just had exploring Addis Ababa. And yes, it was truly raw beef - but only of exceptional quality.
On our way, Bre takes us to a little store in the middle of nowhere, where we’re invited to a spectacular coffee ceremony. We get to roast the beans- old fashion style, then all take turns mashing the beans into a powder. The beans come from Ethiopia, and we learn that Ethiopia is actually the source of all coffee. As if you didn’t think it was important enough already. Coffee was invented here - on the hills of Kaldi, the place it got its name from. At least that’s the rumor they tell us about.
As a semi-vegetarian, I find enormous pleasure in the powerful, delicious, and sharp flavors of Ethiopian dishes. The traditional Beyaynetu, my favorite fish in Ethiopia. All on a massive injera (sort of a thin bread which is used to dip in the different foods, sauces, spices). Part of the tour Bre provides includes hopping around several of Ethiopia’s finest restaurants. And I can say in full honesty: I had some of the best food in my life. And of course, the raw beef!
Table: Ethiopian Cuisine Highlights
| Dish | Description |
|---|---|
| Injera | A spongy, slightly sour flatbread made from teff flour, used as a base for many dishes. |
| Beyaynetu | A colorful assortment of vegetarian stews and salads served on injera. |
| Kitfo | Raw ground beef marinated in mitmita (a spicy chili powder) and niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter). |
| Coffee Ceremony | A traditional ritual involving roasting, grinding, brewing, and serving coffee. |
7. Gulele, Entoto: Panoramic Views and Ancient Chapels
Our senses of smell at peace, taste buds happy, and energy buzzing, we make our way to a wonderful viewpoint area in Gulele, Entoto. Bre knows a secret spot there with a magnificent view on the entire city and the surrounding impressive mountains. It’s truly a gem. Right alongside this viewpoint is one of the oldest chapels in the city, the Maryam Church. It sits on top a hill, and harbors a history museum where you can actually see real clothing from the ex-emperor, Selassie.
8. Merkato Market: A Sensory Overload
Next up is the Merkato market. Now this isn’t just any market - it’s actually the largest open-air market in all of Africa. Bre takes us to the spice section, where our noses are bombarded with sensations we’ve never encountered before. We immediately start coughing, and so does Bre. I’m happy we’re not alone. Friendly locals invite us to try their products, take pictures, and learn more about this magnificent market.
We walk through fruit and vegetable stands, trying out all sorts of products and tasting strange, unique, and delicious flavors along the way. Bre takes us to a rooftop of a 5 story building - the first place we get a sense of just how humongous the Merkato market is. It extends almost as far as the eye can see, with multitudes of buildings, floors, tarps, and especially one thing: hustle and bustle. People doing the most to sell their product, others doing the most to haggle the prices down. It’s an epitome of free market capitalism. And the feeling of electric aliveness is palpable. Overlooking the beautiful chaos of Merkato in Addis Ababa from a local rooftop.
9. National Museum of Ethiopia
What makes it so relevant to you? Well, the desert of Ethiopia, a long time ago (200 million years ago to be precise) when it was still green and fertile, is where the first Homos species existed. When you go downstairs, you’ll see a full size copy of Lucy, an early descendant of the first Australopithecus species that ever existed, found and dated to be more than 200 million years old - one of our earliest ancestors.
Old, ancient monolith found in Ethiopia dating many centuries. Displayed upstairs of course is where Ethiopia’s modern history is portrayed. It’s truly a place to spend hours learning about Ethiopia’s political past, and its place in the world today.
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