Travel to Ethiopia

Ethiopia in numbers

Why visit Ethiopia

An ancient, high-altitude country far from the beaten track

Where to go

Lalibela, Gondar, Simien, the Danakil and Addis Ababa

Most trips start in Addis Ababa and reach the north by domestic flight, because road distances are long: about 500 km to Lalibela. To combine with a safari or another country in the region, see also our Kenya page.

Lalibela: eleven churches in the rock

High up at over 2,500 metres, the monastic town of Lalibela lies some 500 km from Addis Ababa. Its churches are carved below ground level from single blocks; Bete Giyorgis, dedicated to St George, has a Greek-cross plan best seen from above. Religious festivals, including Genna in early January and Timkat in mid-January, bring thousands of white-robed pilgrims.

Gondar and the northern historic route

Northern Ethiopia is toured on a historic circuit linking Lalibela, Gondar, Aksum and Bahir Dar on Lake Tana, source of the Blue Nile. At Gondar, the Fasil Ghebbi castle and its stone towers recall the imperial court of the 17th century. Every stop has its own flavour: obelisks at Aksum, island monasteries on Lake Tana.

The Simien Mountains: plateaus, geladas and cliffs

In Simien Mountains National Park, created in 1969, walkers follow plateaus and the edge of dizzying cliffs with views over deep valleys. Geladas, with their red chest patches, move in troops across the grass and can be watched from a few metres away. Nights are cold, so bring warm clothes.

The Danakil and Addis Ababa

The Danakil, in the north-east, is one of the hottest places on Earth: volcanoes such as Erta Ale, salt crystals and sulphur pools in vivid colours, usually seen on an organised trip of a few days. At the other end of the country, Addis Ababa, at about 2,400 metres, is the gateway, with museums, markets, traditional restaurants and coffee houses where nobody rushes.

Before you go

Mild at altitude, scorching in the lowlands

Region	Climate	Best time to visit
Addis Ababa and the highlands	Mild at altitude with cool nights; main rains from late June to late September, then a dry season.	October to February
Lalibela and the northern circuit	Similar to Addis Ababa, with clear days after the rains and cold nights.	October to February
Simien Mountains	Cool and windy at altitude, with frequent mist; greenest just after the rains.	October to December
Danakil	Very hot and dry all year; one of the hottest areas on the planet.	November to March, on an organised trip

The main rains fall from late June to late September on the plateaus, then the weather stays dry until February. Many sites lie above 2,000 metres, so pack warm layers for evenings and let your body adjust to altitude. Keep an eye on flight prices before fixing your dates.

Getting around

Domestic flights, long roads and organised tours

Distances are large: about 500 km between Addis Ababa and Lalibela. The national carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, connects several northern towns by domestic flight, and roads across the plateaus are long. Travellers often combine internal flights with transfers by driver or guide.

For Simien and the Danakil, use a local operator who supplies vehicle, guide and equipment. Check your government's travel advice for the regions you plan to visit, and leave slack in your schedule.

Food and culture

Injera, coffee and a thirteen-month calendar

Injera, a large soft pancake of teff, serves as both plate and cutlery: you pile on wat, a spiced stew, or tibs, sautéed pieces of meat. The coffee ceremony, with beans roasted on the spot, is a moment of sharing offered almost everywhere.

The country keeps its own calendar of thirteen months, about seven to eight years behind ours, and an ancient Orthodox Christianity sets the rhythm of festivals: Timkat in mid-January, Meskel in September. Dozens of ethnic groups live side by side.

Flying to Ethiopia

The Ethiopian airports tracked by SniperAir

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Ethiopia