Huts in a Hamer Village at Sunset, Ethiopia

Discover the History and Culture of Ethiopia

Ethiopia is quickly emerging on the travel scene, and its alluring ancient sites, nomadic tribes, and delicious cuisine and coffee make it a fascinating and off-the-beaten-track destination. Ethiopia is a land of extremes, characterized by remote and wild places. Some of the highest and most stunning places on the African continent are to be found here in cradle of civilization. Take an Ethiopia tour and embrace the spirit of Africa at its most pure and raw.

Fascinating Tribes
Ethiopia is home to some of Africa’s most fascinating tribes. The Mursi, Hamer, Konso, Karo, and Dorze are each distinct and beautiful. Women of the magnificent Mursi tribe insert five-inch decorative plates into split lower lips for beauty. Hamer tribeswomen feature tightly-knit braided hair covered in red earth and butter. Encountering some of these tribespeople in a respectful way can be an illuminating and captivating cross-cultural experience.

Suggested Itinerary:
8-Day Cultural South

Women of the Hamer Tribe Dancing in Their Finest Clothes During Wedding Ceremony, Ethiopia
Women of the Hamer tribe dancing in their finest clothes during a wedding ceremony

Lalibela’s Churches
The small town of Lalibela is Ethiopia’s iconic attraction. The 12th-century UNESCO-designated churches are carved into the dry ground. Navigate a network of trenches and alcoves to witness mystic ancient rituals. Inside the atmospheric altars you’ll see local people deep in chant and prayer. Don’t miss the nearby markets, they’re a great glimpse into the authentic culture of Ethiopia.

Church of Saint George in Lalibela, EthiopiaAksum’s Ark of the Covenant
Through the centuries, Ethiopian Christians have claimed that the Ark of the Covenant rests in a chapel in the small town of Aksum, in their country’s northern highlands. Aksum was once the capital of Africa’s oldest empire, dating back to 400 BC. This UNESCO-protected site claims to house the most fabled biblical relic of history. The Ark of the Covenant is said to inhabit the Chapel of the Tablet, though, mysteriously, no one is allowed to see it. Legend says that the ark has been guarded by a succession of virgin monks who, once anointed, are forbidden to leave chapel grounds until they die.

Dome of the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion, Aksum, Ethiopia
Dome of the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion in Aksum

Gondar’s Castles
Gondar sits at 2133 metres above sea level and at one time was the capital city of the Ethiopian empire. The ancient castles and palaces of Gondar, known as Fasil Ghebbi (Royal Enclosure), are a UNESCO World Heritage site, founded in 1635 by Emperor Fasilides. This fortress city is the main attraction in Gondar and northern Ethiopia, and is noted for Fasilides’ Castle. It is also where you’ll find the decorated Debre Birhan Selassie church, which has a gorgeously painted ceiling of angels. Inside Gondar are incredible markets flavoured with Arab and Baroque influences. Check out the Empress Mentewab pool, with its fig tree roots cascading down the walls, and its luscious gardens filled with African birds.

Suggested Itinerary:
8-Day Historic North

Remains of Fasil Ghebbi, Gondar. Ethiopia, Africa
Remains of Fasil Ghebbi, a royal fortress in Gondar

Addis Ababa
Tradition meets modernity in this slightly under-the-radar capital city. Strolling the streets here is taking a journey back in time. Though primitive in many ways, it has modern cafes, plenty of jacaranda trees, and an atmosphere of emerging optimism. Addis Ababa has a number of multinational chain hotels, as well as many museums, including Ethnological Museum, located within Emperor Haile Selassie’s former palace. Another highlight is the National Museum of Ethiopia, whose collection ranks among the finest in Sub-Saharan Africa.

National Museum of Ethiopia Exterior in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
National Museum of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa

The Grandmother of Humanity
Nicknamed the “Grandmother of Humanity,” Lucy is a 3.2 million-year-old skeleton. She is the most complete skeleton of an early human ancestor ever discovered. “Lucy” acquired her name from the Beatles’ song, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, which was played loudly and repeatedly in the expedition camp after the excavation team’s first day of work on the recovery site. The Lucy skeleton cast is preserved and on display at the National Museum of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa.

Suggested Itinerary:
3-Day Ethiopia Stopover

Related Article:
The Fascinating Country of Ethiopia

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Kirsty Perring
Kirsty Perring

Africa Experts Product Manager – Although British born and now Toronto based, Kirsty grew up in South Africa and is completely passionate about all things Africa. She finds it hard to choose a favourite destination, but lists Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, and Botswana as some of the most special places she has visited, and feels it’s not just about where you go and what you see, but who you get to experience it with. Kirsty is always up for an adventure and will try anything once. As such, she has para-glided in South Africa, zip lined in Mauritius, dived the Red Sea, hot air ballooned in Egypt, and even swam in the Okavango Delta. Next on Kirsty’s bucket list is to climb Kilimanjaro!

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