Types of Tourism in Ethiopia

EXCURSIONS

The most popular excursion routes in Ethiopia pass through ancient cities. These are the former capitals of the state located in the northern part of Ethiopia – the sacred city of Aksum and the city of Gondar , which is known as the “African Camelot”; the ancient religious center with rock temples of the 12th-13th centuries is the city of Lalibela, and the holy city of Muslims is Harer , where there are about 90 mosques inside the fortress walls. Of particular interest to tourists are excursions to the villages of numerous Ethiopian tribes, where you can get acquainted with their original culture. The greatest diversity of ethnic groups is observed in the lower reaches of the river Omo, home to tribes such as the Bame, Konso, Gelebe, Bodi, Mursi, Surma, Arbor, Karo, and Hamer. You can also go to the valley of the Awash River and the Danakil Desert to the Afar tribes or to the north of Ethiopia, where the Tigrays live. Check top-medical-schools.org for travel information in Ethiopia.

ECOTOURISM Ethiopia

has 14 national parks. Most of them are occupied by savannas, where a wide variety of animal species live: lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, antelopes, monkeys, hippos, hippos, rhinos and crocodiles, as well as many species of birds. These parks include the Awash National Park near the city of Awash, located slightly north of the Yangudi Rasa National Park, Nechisar National Park, which is located south of Awasa, Mago National Park and Omo National Park near Jinkaand Gambala National Park, located near Gambela in the western part of the country. However, the most popular protected areas in Ethiopia are the highland national parks of Mount Simien and Bale. Simien National Park is located in the northern part of Ethiopia, 100 km northeast of Gondar, here is the highest point of the country – Mount Ras Dashen (4623 m). Traveling along the numerous routes of the park, you can see pointed rocks – the remnants of solidified lava, mountain valleys covered with various vegetation, gorges, canyons, waterfalls and such rare animals as Ethiopian wolves, Gelada baboons and Walia mountain goats. Bale National Park is located in the south of Ethiopia in the vicinity of the city of Goba. It covers the highest areas of the southern part of the country, here is the second highest point of the country – Mount Tullu Demtu (4377 m), as well as Mount Batu (4307 m). The largest population of the rarest Ethiopian wolf (red jackal) and a rare species of mountain antelope – nyala live in the park.

in Ethiopia there are many lakes where you can watch a variety of bird species. The most popular ornithological tours take place along the shores of Lake Tana and the lakes of the East African Rift Zone Abayata, Shalla, Abaya, Chamo, Chow Bahr and Turkana.

In addition, a trip to Ethiopia is impossible without visiting the Tees Isat waterfalls on the Blue Nile River. The width of these majestic waterfalls reaches 400 m, and the height is 45 m. The falling water forms huge columns of spray, where you can often see a rainbow.

SAFARI

The most popular way to experience Ethiopia ‘s rich natural world is a safari. When visiting each protected area, you will be offered a guide and a choice of vehicle: off-road vehicle or mule.

HIKING

For hiking, the highland parks of Ethiopia are suitable – the National Park of the Simien Mountains and the National Park of the Bale Mountains. The routes are designed for a trip from one to ten days, tourist sites are equipped in the parks and the services of experienced guides are offered.

VOLCANOES

Ethiopia is crossed from northeast to southwest by the East African Rift Zone, which was formed at the junction of lithospheric plates. This is a zone of high seismic activity. It includes the Danakil Desert (Afar Depression) – one of the hottest and driest places on the planet. The Danakil Desert is known for being home to 25% of Africa’s active volcanoes. These places amaze with their landscapes, similar to the moon: vast lava fields stretch here, among which cone-shaped and shield volcanoes rise. In the Danakil Desert there are such unique volcanoes as Erta Ale and Dalol.

Erta Ale is the most active volcano in Ethiopia. Over the past 137 years, it has erupted 7 times (the 7th eruption began in 1967 and continues uninterruptedly to the present). The last increase in activity occurred on November 21-23, 2010, as a result of which the old lava lake was destroyed, but, at the same time, a new one began to form. The volcano belongs to the shield type, that is, it has gentle slopes that were formed as a result of the spreading of lava flows. Height of Erta Ale – 613 m. Its caldera is 0.7 km long and 1.6 km wide. There are two craters in the caldera – northern and southern. There is no liquid lava in the northern crater, only a solidified lava field. The activity of the volcano here is reminiscent of audible underground “gurgles” and gas escaping outward. In the southern crater, until November 21, 2010, there was an active lava lake, incandescent lava constantly burst to the surface in its various places and actively seethed, throwing out clouds of gases. This sight was especially beautiful at night, when the lava turns fiery red. In total, there were 4 such lava lakes in the world (the other three are in Antarctica, on the Hawaiian Islands and in the Congo).

Dalol Volcano is located 25 km north of the village of Hamedela.. It is covered with a salt dome, the thickness of which reaches several kilometers. Volcanic magma does not come to the surface, but the gases evaporating from it, passing through the bowels of the earth, break through to the surface. As a result, salts, iron, sulfur and other elements settle on the dome of the volcano, forming bizarre formations of incredible colors. Here you will see small acidic lakes of bright green color, yellow-orange “crusts”, growths and cones and tiny geysers. In 1926, as a result of one of the eruptions of the Dalol volcano, an underground explosion occurred, which formed a crater on the surface of the earth. Dalol Crater is the only crater on Earth located below sea level (50 m below sea level).

RAFTING

At the end of the rainy season from September to October, when the rivers of Ethiopia the most full-flowing, there are opportunities for rafting. White water rafting is offered on the Awash, Oromo or Blue Nile rivers.

LAKES

The region extending south of Addis Ababa is a great place to enjoy the lakes, and these places are suitable not only for relaxing holidays, water sports or fishing, but also for bird watching. The most popular among tourists and the most suitable lake for recreation in this region is Lake Langano. This is the only lake in Ethiopia where you can swim without fear of contracting bilharzia. The water of Lake Langano is brown. The surrounding area is home to hippos, monkeys, the African warthog and many birds. On the lake you can practice water skiing, boating, swimming or just sunbathing. Most of the recreational areas of Lake Langano are located on its northern coast.

Also suitable for recreation is the resort town of Awasa , which is located a little to the south on the shores of the lake of the same name.

FISHING

The lakes of the East African Rift Zone: Awasa, Abaya and Chamo (where triggerfish, giant Nile perches, carp, catfish and tilapia are found) and the rivers of the Bale National Park, where you can catch rainbow trout and trout, are perfect for fishing.