|
East & Central Africa Travel
....................................................................................................................................
Ethiopia
Ethiopia's history is fascinating to say the least, even cutting across to famous personalities from two different continents - the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon.
Queen Sheba was the ruler during the pre-Axumite period. She ruled both Ethiopia and Yemen in 10th century B.C. and is well known from the bible for her trip to Jerusalem to seek the wisdom of King Solomon. Her palace is located west of the town Axum and is definitely worth a visit.
According to Ethiopian tradition Sheba, who was also called Makeda, bore Solomon a son, Menilek I, who founded the royal dynasty of Ethiopia.
Ruins of royal residence
Other Royal sites...
Axum is the place to find the Tomb and Palaces of King Kaleb and Gebre Meslek.
In the 6th century King Kaleb (also called St. Kaleb) made Axum a great military power and took on the role of protector of Christians in the region, including Arabia. Kaleb conquered several small Jewish kingdoms in Arabia, which led to the incorporation of Jewish customs into Ethiopian Christianity that can still be seen today.
There are two underground tombs inside the palace which are good examples of the building techniques and sophistication of Aksumite Architecture.
There are also relief carvings of crosses inside the tomb, which have similarity with Christian crosses that one finds on Aksumite coins. These may give clues regarding the construction dates of the tombs.
Ethiopia facts:
-
There are about 83 ethnic groups classified into four language groups: Semetic, Cushitic, Omotic and Nilo Saharan.
-
Biblically, Ethiopia is apparently the land from which Moses had taken a wife, a country of prophecy, “Ethiopia stretches her hands to God.”
-
Ancient Egyptians saw Ethiopia as the land of God, the source of the life-giving Nile River; and the Land of Punt, along the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden coast, to which Queen Hatshepsut and other Pharaohs dispatched naval expeditions.
-
This was the first African country to mint its own coins, used for both internal and external commercial activities.
|
Important towns to visit
1] Axum (Aksum)
Axum, founded in first century A.D as the political center of the dynasty, is an ancient town in northern Ethiopiathat is the center of civilization and Christianity. Its great achievements include pottery, iron and bronze works, coins, tombs, stelae, ruin palaces, inscriptions, stone seats, and many more.
2] Bahir Dar
 Bahir Dar - ‘sea shore’ in Amharic - is one of the leading tourist destinations in Ethiopia with a variety of attractions in the nearby Lake Tana and Blue Nile River. Situated in North Western Ethiopia it is found to be one of the most beautiful, well planned, and safest cities by many standards, and in 2002 it was awarded the UNESCO Cities For Peace prize for managing to address the challenges of rapid urbanization. Its strategic location on the Southern shore of Lake Tana allows visits to visit monasteries and churches on the islands of Lake Tana, and boat rides along the Blue Nile River.
Blue Nile Falls
3] Lalibela
 Lalibela is home to numerous world famous Rock Hewn Churches, built by King Lalibela of the Zagwe Dynasty that came to power after the collapse of the Axumite Dynasty. There are 11 rock-hewn churches which were chiseled and carved in 12th century A.D. Many Ethiopian Christians consider Lalibela as the Second Jerusalem because of the holiness of the place. However, UNESCO has registered it as a world heritage site; unofficially scholars recognize it as one of the wonders in the world. Because of his wonderful deeds, later on the Ethiopian Orthodox church canonized King Lalibela as Saint.
Travel tips in detail
Visas
Visas are obtained from the Ethiopian Embassy in your country. Tourist visas are mostly single entry and only valid for a month. If tourists want to spend more than a month in Ethiopia, they may ask Ethiopian Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs. Tourist visa is also available upon arrival at Addis Ababa International Airport but only for those countries that are allowed to do so. Information can be provided by Ethiopian Embassies abroad.
Travel Insurance
Get Travel Insurance from your country to safeguard you against accidents, theft, luggage loss and other unexpected situations.
Exchanging Money
It is possible to exchange money both in cash and travelers cheques to local currency in Ethiopia. Except in off road areas, there are banks in the sightseeing places. Carry cash for trips out of Addis Ababa. The Ethiopian currency is birr which is divided into 100 cents in 1, 5, 10, 50-cent coins, and 1, 5, 10, 50, and 100-birr notes.
Communication systems
Ethiopia has a well-organized communication service except in small villages; with postal and courier services, telephone, fax, e-mail and internet access.
Souvenirs
In Addis Ababa and along the historic route in Northern Ethiopia, souvenir shops are easily available. However you are not allowed to buy antiques so if you happen to buy very old materials you should ask for permission at the National Museum of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa. Get receipts for any souvenirs you buy.
Reading materials
There is circulation of magazines, news-papers, and books everywhere in Ethiopia except off road. Books on the history, culture and nature of Ethiopia are sold at the airport, hotels, souvenir shops and bookshops in the cities and towns. Guidebooks like Lonely Planet, the Bradt Travel Guide, and Spectrum Guide have good information on Ethiopia. Other books like the Sign and Seal, Antiquates of North Ethiopia, Touching Ethiopia, African Zion, Historic Images of Ethiopia and Birds of Eastern Africa will give you a good picture of Ethiopia's flora and fauna.
Photographing and Filming
Photographing is not restricted in Ethiopia. In tribal areas in the South, South West, North East of Ethiopia the people charge for photo. Usually it is two Ethiopian birr for one photo. In the historic route, you are expected to pay for video. For special filming, get permission first from the Ministry of Information Mass Media Communication Department after paying a fee.
Health advice
Vaccination for yellow fever is a must; produce the certificate on arrival. It is highly recommended to take medicines against malaria as most of the sights are in lowland and rift valley areas where malaria is endemic. Aalso carry a medical kit for injures, diarrhoea, dehydration, sunburn, insect bites, etc.
Flights
Ethiopian Airlines provides both International and Domestic services. Two private Airlines, Abyssinia flight service and Air Ethiopia, provide charter services in the country.
Road transport
Road transport is the best option to use so as to appreciate the amazing landscape and countryside of Ethiopia.
More information and costs of current packages
Other East & Central African countries:
Copyright Exotic Expeditions Limited. All rights reserved. |
