Travel in Ethiopia – Hotels, Ethiopia Vacations, Lodging, Trips, Attractions and Travel Guide

Ethiopia: Touring the Oldest Country on Earth

Blue Nile Falls near Bahar Dar in Ethiopia.

The country of Ethiopia is located in the Horn of Africa and is landlocked. Ethiopia is one of the oldest countries on the planet. It is also one of the most populace countries in Africa. This ecological diverse country ranges from desert regions to tropical rainforests. Ethiopia has 84 indigenous languages, but English is the most widely spoken foreign language.

The National Museum in Addis is a must for all who visit Ethiopia. The museum is a wealth of history, art, and culture and is one of the best kept secrets in Ethiopia. The National Museum houses artifacts, dresses, and sculptures from all corners of the country. Some of them date back to the early days of human history. One of the most popular exhibits is “Lucy”. This replica is of a 3.5 million year old fossilized skeleton of a woman. There are also thrones, head dresses, and accessories of historical figures in Ethiopian history. The art in the museum is also exceptional. It ranges from modern to the more traditional art of Ethiopia. The museum is a good way to get acquainted with the culture and historic site to discover in this country.

The feast of Meskal is celebrated on the 27th of September every year. The word , “meskal” means cross and is the celebration of the discovery of the cross that Jesus was crucified on. The legend has it that Empress Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, was the first to discover the cross. Many of the rites of the festival are said to be directly from the legend of Helena. The night before Meskal, branches are gathered and tied together with yellow daisies and set on fire. This symbolizes the actions of Helena that no one would show the Holy Sepulcher and lit incense and prayed for help from God. Where the smoke drifted from the fire Helena then dug in the earth and found three roses. The roses are attributed to many miracles. This festival is a must see for many visitors of the Christian faith.

Axum is the oldest city in Ethiopia and was the capital of one the most glorious empires of the past. The Axumite Empire flourished here about 3000 years ago. The culture left their mark on history be leaving huge obelisks, the graves of King Kaleb and Gebre Meskal , and the Bath of the Queen of Sheba. The 16th century Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion was also built here on the site of a 4th century church. The church is considered the holiest church in all of Ethiopia. The church is said to house the Ark of the Convenant. The monasteries and churches on this site are rich in history and icons of Ethiopias past.

The Blue Niles Falls are a natural wonder. The falls are about 1,312 feet wide and drop over a shear chasm of 150 feet. The mist coming off the falls cause rainbows to explode across the landscape impressing onlookers. The trek to the falls is a long walk and guides are for hire in Tis Isat village. The Blue Niles Falls are an amazing example of Mother Nature at her best. Visitors will find this hike well worth it.

The Intercontinental Hotel in Addis is a luxury five star hotel. The hotel has a pool, wine bar and two restaurants. The Intercontinental offers a spa with great views of the nearby mountains. The Gohar Hotel located in Gondar gives the guest views of ancient castles and churches. The hotel is perched high upon a bluff looking over the city. The Gohar Hotel is a romantic getaway when visiting Gondar. The hotel has a restaurant and two intimate bars that guests love. The gardens around the grounds offer areas to relax and take in the spectacular views of the city.

Ethiopia with its diverse landscape and culture offer many opportunities for site seeing. The historic cities and natural wonders are too many to list. One trip to Ethiopia and travelers will agree that one trip here is not enough to see all the wonders Ethiopia holds.