City: Ethiopia
Top Things to do in Ethiopia
Countries
10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Ethiopia That You Shouldn't Miss
Coordinates: 8°N 38°E / 8°N 38°E / 8; 38
Restaurants in Ethiopia
1. Simien Mountains National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,539 reviews
Simien Mountains National Park, in northern Ethiopia is a spectacular landscape, where massive erosion over millions of years has created jagged mountain peaks, deep valleys and sharp precipices dropping some 1,500 m. The park is of global significance for biodiversity conservation because it is home to globally threatened species, including the iconic Walia ibex, a wild mountain goat found nowhere else in the world, the Gelada baboon and the Ethiopian wolf.
Reviewed By RudiRoo4 - Cape Town, South Africa
We did a 3 day trek in the Simien mountains organised by a wonderful tour agent called Mensur. The trek was spectacular with views around every corner of every day. I highly recommend going to the Simien mountains even if you can only do 2 days. Included in the trek is a transfer from Gondar to the start and back afterwards, well organised tents, sleeping bags, mattresses already set up on arrival at camp, delicious food and plenty of water, very knowledgeable trek guide and prerequisite scouts. We met a group who tried to go without a tour company as this is advertised as possible on a noticeboard outside the simien mountains tourist info centre in Debark, but getting transport to the start and someone to transfer your bags between campsites was incredibly difficult without speaking the local language so they resorted to paying a tour agency. I highly recommend our tour agent Mensur. He was always only a whatsapp msg away to answer all our questions including whether transferring vehicles in a small village was correct. The amazing signal and data connectivity all over the country (even in the Simien mountains) with a local ethio telecom simcard helped ease our travels by being able to contact Mensur all along out trip. He also arranged a very good price for us because we booked both 3days Simien and 3days Danakil tour through him, so he transferred us via Aksum and Tigray for free, where we explored the sites briefly over the two days of traveling. Great deal and friendly, helpful, trustworthy agent! You can contact him as follows Email address:- [email protected] WhatsApp number:- +251975156015
2. Danakil Depression
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 264 reviews
Reviewed By SerenaTa87 - Cossato, Italy
The landscapes in the Danakil depression are just impressive. This tour leads you to see the sunrise on the geysers, and the sunset on the salted lake Assale, and to trek under the stars to the top of Erta Ale volcano, waiting for the sunrise near the crater. You can also float in salted water pool and observe camel caravans transporting salt blocks. I had to organise this trip last minute and Hafi Tours did a great job. Very swift and clear communication via WhatsApp. They picked me up at the airport in Mekele and arranged a 3-day and 2-night tour in the Danakil depression, including Erta Ale volcano. Everything was well very organised, including transport in 4x4 LandCruiser, camping equipment, drinking water and meals. Our driver was very kind. Really recommended! Hafi Tours Whatsapp: +251918518807 Email: [email protected]
3. Church of St. George
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 387 reviews
the church of st George is a brilliant feats of engineering and architecture and are often referred as the "Eighth wonder of the world".
Reviewed By frankj614 - Columbus, United States
Because it stands alone, because you can see the entire top, because of its iconic shape...all those reasons, and more, make St. George the must-see of Lalibela's rock churches. Of course, they are all must-sees, but this one is the best!
4. Zoma Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 21 reviews
Zoma Museum is a dream inspired 25 years ago by the timeless and structurally sound vernacular architecture of Ethiopia and other parts of the world. The Museum aims to bring traditional construction techniques into the present, demonstrating their ability to withstand time while maintaining their grace and beauty. Facilities includes a gallery, a library, a children center, a botanical garden, a school, an amphitheater and a gift shop. Future development plans also include an art and vernacular architecture school.
Reviewed By drsteve99 - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Visitors and residents of Addis Ababa with young children often find it challenging to find reasonably priced, suitable, safe green -space, holiday-season edutainment options. Fortunately, Zoma Museum is one of the excellent exceptions, and after today’s visit, I will place it in my top 3 recommendations for parents with young children visiting or living in Addis Ababa. My party of 3 adults and 2 young children found the under 600 Birr entry price quite reasonable, especially as we had just forked out 2400 to visit Unity Park 2 days before. Foreigners will breathe a sigh of relief not to be gouged with an additional fee like in so many of the cities quality attractions. After some fascinating photography and artwork amidst a lush tropical ambiance, my children immediately gravitated to the art cabin where developmentally appropriate-sized furniture and ample art supplies were available for small children to create, collaborate, communicate and connect. We had to drag the kids kicking and screaming out of the art hut but they soon settled down when they heard the Christmas music and saw other children enjoying sliding, jumping, twirling, blowing bubbles, etc on the central green space area, which featured inflatable jumping equipment, pictures with Santa, and of course, plenty of vendors to help separate that hard earned cash form parents pockets! Continuing on our merry way, we found ourselves surrounded by more lush greenery behind the central area as we entered the edible garden area. As an educator myself, I found the edible classroom concept particularly interesting and my children marveled at the numerous garden setups during our tour of the garden. The young students who attend the Zoma Museum school are truly fortunate indeed. After our garden tour we continued wandering around the many pathways and taking in all the scenery. Unlike so many other venues in the city, bathrooms at Zoma were plentiful and exceedingly clean. Overall, it was a wonderful afternoon of engaging developmentally appropriate, culturally informative entertainment. Zoma Museum. especially during their special seasonal event days is simply a must-see and must-do for all parents with young children in Addis Ababa!
5. Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,857 reviews
A labyrinth of tunnels with grottoes and galleries connects 11 impressive churches built under King Lalibela out of red volcanic rock.
Reviewed By greatlalibelatours - Lalibela, Ethiopia
Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela The 11 medieval monolithic cave churches of this 13th-century 'New Jerusalem' are situated in a mountainous region in the heart of Ethiopia near a traditional village with circular-shaped dwellings. Lalibela is a high place of Ethiopian Christianity, still today a place of pilmigrage and devotion.
6. Fasil Ghebbi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 421 reviews
A royal fortress-city dating back to the 16th-17th centuries demonstrates Hindu, Arabic and baroque influences.
Reviewed By Abu_Firas_11 - Doha, Qatar
The main highlight in Gondar. A cluster of 6 castles, library, Royal Thermal Bath and Lion cages. The biggest castle for Emperor Fasiledes 1632-1667. Next castle for his son, and the third for his grand son. A great Archive building used to be a library. The castles were constructed almost 400 years ago in a strategic location, surrounded by mountains with tower guards, a hilly area so free from malaria. A must visit place.
7. Omo National Park and River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 755 reviews
My name is Yared a Local Guide & Tour Organizer in Ethiopia! City Tour ,Day Trips , Historical & heritage Tours , Tribes Tours
Reviewed By ingeques
this was the second time in 4 months i visited the omo valley in ethiopia. my guide was kali, because i had travelled with him before and i was sure i didnt want another guide! we visited a lot of tribes around arba minch which rarely see tourists. i was completely taken by the beauty of the people and the endlessness of the landscapes!!! if you have the time its definitely advisable to try and make your trip as long as possible because there are so many extraordinary things to see!!! after visiting the tribes around arba minch we went into the lower omo valley and again i was mesmerised by the beauty of the people!!! we visited many different tribes, but the ones that i still appreciate the most are the mursi tribe, who live in the mago national park, not so far from jinka. every time i go to the omo valley i see new and more amazing things!! its definitely the most beautiful place on earth. kali man also knows where all the good spots are, so hes definitely the best guide i have travelled with in all my years of travelling. he takes care of literally everything. he always made sure my hotels, lodges or campsites were to my liking, the food was always delicious and i always felt so at ease with his company! so omo valley and kali are definitely a very good combination. you can reach him on +251942209230
8. Lake Tana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 573 reviews
Reviewed By fafabougn - Aywaille, Belgium
Birhanu is THE BEST !!! For many years, he has been organizing boat tours with us , for me and my friends, also good for children and teenagers ! He is a very safe boat driver, the boats are in excellent condition, he is attentionate, careful, very reliable and he takes a lot of time to to allow you to do birdwatching, hippos watching, on the way to the different islands and monastries. His excursions are a fantastic break during your journey to Ethiopia, a wonderful peaceful time on the lake ... amongst tankwas ( papyrus boats) and fishermen , in a so beautiful nature ... Birhanu is a very good birds specialist, he always has his birds books on board and can show you which birds you just discover ...He knows where to find birds, hippos, huge lizards , pelicans and much more, his english is good ... His boat place is in shumeabo park, neat Tana Hotel, everyone knows the place ! Just go for Birhanu !
9. Gheralta Rock
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 149 reviews
Reviewed By 434clarisl
I'd like to recommend our fantastic guide Berhanu (whatsapp +251914861090 / email [email protected]). We were camping in the Tigray region last month (Dec 2019) for 5 days. It was an all-inclusive package: guide(himself), transportation (airport to airport), camping equipment and camping crew, food, entrance fees). Berhanu helped to put together and customize everything. We discussed on whatsapp beforehand. The process went smooth, we were picked up on time at the airport, and visited all the churches as we agreed. (except one since we were out of time) The wonderful food our cook Mary prepared was one of the best we've had in Ethiopia. Berhanu put safety first, he was very caring when guiding us in the mountains. He took us to many great viewpoints (good for photos) where we didn't see other tourists around. On the last day, we camped at his mother's. It is a traditional house with lots farm animals around. His sister welcomed us with the coffee ceremony, and we even learned how to make injera from his mother! Overall, great experience. Contact Berhanu for your next trip! This young man owns a tour company in Hawzen, but he can arrange tours all around Ethiopia.
10. Red Terror Martyrs Memorial Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 810 reviews
Reviewed By JMCN_180 - Madrid, Spain
This museum that we visited at the end of our trip to Ethiopia, helped us to complete the circule of Ethiopia’s history: the end of the Halie Selassie’s empire and the cruel period of communist regime in Ethiopia. Being Spanish and born during the Franco Regime, unfortunately I was familiar with the hard evidences of torture, massive killings, collective graves and “missing” civilians. The museum explains and illustrate very well this sad period of Ethiopia. My take away is: 1. The communist slogan of “Ethiopia First”, which sounds very popular now a days in other countries. 2. The picture of the dictator through if the bottle with blood to threaten the population of Addis and 3. That I hope that Ethiopia will remain in peace and no civil war will take place any more. All my support the Ethiopian and the current democratic government. Finally, a museum like this should exist in Spain to leave a track record our our recent history of dictatorship, Basque terrorism and government “dirty war”, three things that like in Ethiopia should never happen any more. The local guide made a great job!
