Ethiopia, located in Eastern Africa, is the oldest independent nation in Sub Sahara Africa. The country has very magnificent landscapes ranging from desert landscapes to mountain forests. The landlocked Ethiopia is bordered by Kenya on the South, Somalia and Djibouti on the East, Eritrea on the Northeast, and Sudan on the West. Ethiopia occupies an area of over 1,000,000 sq km, approximately five times the size of the United Kingdom.



Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, is the main entry point of international arrivals as it hosts Bole International Airport ? the fifth busiest airport in Africa. Bole International Airport is the main hub for Ethiopian Airlines. Ethiopian Airlines is the pioneering airline in Africa flying to 48 destinations worldwide. With a population of more than 2 million people, Addis Ababa is nestled at the bottom of the 3,000 meters Entoto Mountains and rambles pleasantly across many wooded hillsides and gullies cut through with fast flowing streams.

Ethiopia is home to some of the most scenic sites in Africa, among them the Danakil depression and the rugged Simien mountains. Lying at 120 metres below sea level, the Danakil depression is one of the lowest lying dry points in the world. Simien mountains on the other hand are a UNESCO world heritage site.

There are over 20 mountains in Ethiopia that stand above 4,000 metres high. Mount Ras Deshen is the tallest among them, at 4,620 metres, and is Africa's fourth tallest mountain. Ethiopia's high tableland is the source of many rivers including the Omo river, Baro river, Blue Nile, and Awash river. These rivers give Ethiopia the reputation of being the "water tower" of Eastern Africa.

Blue Nile, comprising about 80 per cent by volume of the Great Nile River, originates from Lake Tana. Blue Nile and White Nile, originating from Lake Victoria, merge into the Great Nile River at Khartoum, the Sudan capital to form the longest river of the world draining to the Mediterranean Sea. The Blue Nile Falls is one of the most popular tourist destination along the historic route. The Blue Nile Falls is situated near Tis-Abay town, 30 km to the east of Bahir Dar, which is 20-30 minutes walk from the town of Tiss Abey.

The largest lake in Ethiopia, Lake Tana, is located about 560 km from Addis Ababa and is home to 37 islands. Some of these Islands have churches and monasteries that contain many artifacts including paintings and murals, church crosses, ancient manuscripts, remains of emperors, crowns, icons, and other historical items.

There are plenty opportunities to enjoy the attractions of Ethiopia, while participating in a favorite pastime, making a holiday in Ethiopia even more fun. The Ethiopian highlands,for instance, offer superb trekking opportunities. The most popular well-established areas for trekking are the Simien and Bale Mountains National Parks. The west highlands region, east and west of the Omo valley, is also becoming popular among trekkers. Perfect climbs are also provided at the Simien Mountains and the Bale Plateau.

Another popular tourist attraction in Ethiopia is birdwatching. Ethiopia has over 800 bird species, 16 of which are endemic. You can spot a wider variety of bird species in the national parks owing to reduced human interference there. In Bale national park alone, a record 161 species of birds have been observed. The best time for birdwatching falls between early September and February. During this time, especially from November, many migratory birds flock into the region, significantly increasing the bird population and widening the bird species diversity.

Abyssinia, as Ethiopia was formerly called, has a long history with a culture and traditions dating back over 3,000 years. The country has over 80 different ethnic groups with their own languages, culture and traditions. The strong religious setting, celebrations and festivals play an important part in Ethiopian culture.

Excellent accommodation is available in the many Ethiopia hotels. Hotel chains with a presence in Ethiopia include Hilton, Sheraton, Adot-Tina Hotel, and Dagim Millennium Hotel among others. To get into Ethiopia, visitors need at least a one-month Visa, which is available at the airport at US$20. Visitors also need to provide proof of vaccination against yellow fever, and cholera (only for those who visited or passed through an area infected with cholera six days prior to arriving in Ethiopia).