25 Best Tourist Attractions to Visit in Ethiopia
Here is a list of the 20 Best Tourist Attractions in Ethiopia
1. Arba Minch
This is a town and separate district in southern Ethiopia; the initial common name for this town was Ganta Garo. Situated in the Gamo Gofa Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region nearly 500 kilometers south of Addis Ababa, at a height of 1285 meters above sea level. It is the biggest city in Gamo Gofa Zone and the second city in SNNPR behind Awassa. It is encompassed by Arba Minch Zuria woreda and the most resourceful zone in southern region including two largest Lakes, over 40 springs, National Nech sar park, crocodile bazaar, some fruits incorporating banana, apple, mango, avocado, etc.
2. Lake Chamo (Crocodile Market)
If you’re assuming a vibrant market stuffed with crocodile goods made for travelers, you couldn’t be more mistaken. Nothing is for trading and the crocodiles are alive and fine at Lake Chamo. Enjoy an afternoon or an early evening boat trip on the lake where you’ll attain a close and unique sight of these huge and impressive animals. You’ll be amazed to find whole edges along the lake coated with massive Nile crocodiles – several extending more than six meters long. Come here and enjoy one of the best tourist attractions in Ethiopia.
3. Rift Valley Lakes
One of the most wonderful tourist attractions in Ethiopia, The Rift Valley extends from the Red Sea to Mozambique. It’s a magnificent patch of real estate and millions of years from today the cracking procedure, that is continuing, will totally divide the African continent in two. It’s one of the small numbers of geographic elements that’s noticeable from outer space! It’s a marvelous road to make a journey overland, leading southeast from Addis Ababa, through Mojo, Lake Ziway, Awahs National Park, and further on. There are a full of five lakes along the road, each with their own distinctive view and feel.
4. Bahar Dar
The third biggest town and first halt on the historic track in Ethiopia is Bahar Dar. The vibe in the city is serene and the adjacent lake and monasteries just add to this. If you haven’t passed time relaxing by the lake, then you haven’t enjoyed the true Bahar Dar experience. You’ll wonder at the tankwa canoe, an apparently light vessel created out of woven papyrus which is totally unsinkable. They can hold people and ox!
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5. Simien Mountains
The Simien Mountain range is a nominated UNESCO World Heritage Site and a wonderful tourist attraction which is accordingly familiar as God’s playfield. A trek along the slope offers one of the most extraordinary panoramas in the country. You’re also assured to run into a crowd of the Gelada bleeding heart baboons. Inside the Simien National park is a broad diversity of wildlife like the Walia ibex, a goat seen nowhere else on Earth.
6. Addis Ababa
Though Addis Ababa is a big town full of vehicles and urban sprawls, cars, however, have to make way for sheepmen guiding their herds across the street. Many call it the epicenter of Africa because the African Union is headquartered in this place (all but one of Africa’s 57 countries are a member to the AU). Addis Ababa has the biggest bazaar in Africa, magnificent cathedrals, churches, and mosques, and the museum that is the abode to Lucy, the most aged familiar humanoid on earth. For the neighboring natives, the town is an outstanding spot, whose paths are covered with gold, for tourists, it’s the ideal mixture of conventional and present-day Ethiopia.
7. Aksum
It is a place soaked in legends. Thought to have been the abode of the Queen of Sheba and the ultimate resting spot of the Ark of the Covenant, this is one of the most ancient towns in total Africa. Find over the fences of the St Mary of Zion Church Complex where the Ark is probably kept and go to the Northern Stelea Field to find the old Aksumite Obelisks. In spite of the magnificent history in this place, because it’s a tiny city, Aksum is frequently overlooked by travelers. Relish locating the remains throughout the town, travel mountaintop monasteries, and visit below ground to see Aksumite empire graves. Don’t miss Mai Shum, a big rock carved water body that native tribes think the Queen of Sheba utilized as her bath.
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8. Gondar
The 18th century of Ethiopia was Gondar, where then Emperor Fasiladas established his legendary fortresses. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is today a beautiful museum compound and a wonderful tourist attractions in Ethiopia that exhibits the final centuries of the country’s kings. Sitting in a bowl of hills, the Camelot of Africa is a wonderful view. The prosperity and magnificence of this old epicenter can still be found in the present day town. In spite of its size, Gondar is unusually walkable – begin from the Italian piazza in the town center and take a walk through tin-covered stone edifices. Wonderful shopping, eateries, and hotels are all accessible in this place. In adjacent Gorgora you’ll see a little but magnificent Christian monastery.
9. The Omo Valley
This is a magnificently distinctive view into the tribal community of Ethiopia. Alike the Maasai in Kenya, the villages in the Lower Omo Valley hasn’t been affected by the outer world. In this place, you’ll interconnect with people whose tradition is completely dissimilar from your own. Go to Daasanach village, try not to gaze at the Mursi’s incredible lip-plates, or see the leaping of the bull’s ceremony with the Hammer. The area itself is a beautiful open grassy plain leading up to jungles in the hills. And if you’re fascinated, you can also attempt an African safari while you’re in this place
10. The Blue Nile falls
The Nile River is the lengthiest in Africa and its two headwaters are the White Nile and the Blue Nile. The Blue Nile starts in Ethiopia and along its route you’ll see the Blue Nile Falls – a site to opponent Niagara. Nearly 90 minutes from Bahar Dar the surroundings in this place is really stunning. Locally familiar as Tis Abbay, or ‘great smoke,’ the falls are nearly 45 meters elevated during the rainy season. Right downstream from the falls you’ll see Ethiopia’s early stone bridge, established in the 17th century.
11. The Rift Valley
The passage incorporates magnificent lakes, warm springs, and plenty of amusing wildlife. The Rift Valley is a series of seven lakes – every one with its own individual feel. If you’ve appeared to Africa for the wildlife, you’ll like the Rift Valley. Visitors and natives like to pass time close to the warm springs for its remedial profits and because it’s a tremendous way to unwind. It makes for a wonderful road tour to journey the full length of the valley.
12. Babile Elephant Sanctuary
Just nearly 1,000 elephants survive in Ethiopia, and undoubtedly the biggest and most noticeable group resides in the Babile Elephant Sanctuary. A little drive from Harar, Babile is also abode to gazelles, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and plenty of guest birds. The scenerty changes smoothly from rocky formaitons to beautiful tree spotted sceneries. Nearly 400 elephants reside in this place and you’ll truly like the strolling safaris that run every day.
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13. Harar
This sacred, historic and fenced town is an enthralling web of slender alleys. Established in the early 16th century, it’s the most ancient Islamic town in Africa and one of the best tourist attractions in Ethiopia. It was one time the commercial connection between Africa and the Middle East and now is a captivating lost-in-time town that’s renowned for the attractive fences and centuries-old edifices. There are nearly 99 mosques within the town. A beloved draw is the night-time ceremony of giving food to the hyenas which occur on the peripheries of the town. It’s been happening for generations and you can take part if you’re feeling yourself a daredevil.
14. Lalibela
This place virtually knocks the mind of everybody who travels. This medieval accommodation was planned to be a type of second Jerusalem and present-day citizens feel proud of this significance. Lalibela is nestled in the center of a wide church compound made full of rock. There are 11 churches in the accommodation, huge and magnificent, all established by King Lalibela as early as the 12th century. Exceptional because of the architectural outline, the churches are basically excavated into the ground. The most renowned, and most charming, is St George’s Cathedral, a breathtaking sight. If you’re so willing, there are some monasteries in the adjacent region that are worth traveling.
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15. Danakil Depression
Located on the frontier between Ethiopia and Eritrea is the Danakil Depression. It’s formally one of the aridest and warmest spots on Earth. With temperatures that frequently pass 50+ degrees, it’s effortless to find why. This is a surreal slice of land that’s scattered with active volcanoes, salted basins, warm springs, and a lava lake – all of which merge to form very moon-like scenery. Lying below sea level, it’s the lowest spot in Africa and second on earth (after the Dead Sea). Do a little bit of groundwork before you visit as the climate can be severe if you aren’t ready. But the charm and enigma of this location make any arrangement well worth it.
16. Nechisar National Park
One of the biggest tourist attractions in Ethiopia, this national park is located in southwest of the country. Its mixed land extends over slopes, wetlands, and jungle. Zebras and gazelles wander the huge grassy land of the Nechisar Plains. The big, brown-red Lake Abaya lies on the north side of the hilly “Bridge of God” passage. To the south is Lake Chamo, familiar for its large Nile crocodiles. The park is the abode to plenty of birds, incorporating the endangered Nechisar nightjar.
17. Dallol
It is a place in the Dallol district of northern Ethiopia. It is situated at nearly 130 meters below sea level. It has been reported as a ghost city. Dallol now holds the authentic record for record high average temperature for an occupied spot on Earth, where an average yearly temperature of 35°C was noted between the years 1960 and 1966. Dallol is also one of the most distant spots on Earth, although paved streets to the village of Hamedela, which is near, are being established. Still, the most significant means of transport besides jeeps are the camel caravans which move to the region to gather salt. In this area sits the extremely active hydrothermal system of Dallol that houses plenty of springs, terrace structures, and fumaroles.
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18. Mek’ele
The epicenter town of the Tigray area, Mek’ele is in northern Ethiopia. In the middle, the imposing palace of 19th-century Emperor Yohannes IV is today the Yohannes IV Museum. The soaring Martyrs’ Memorial Monument honors those who challenged the communist Derg government in the late 20th century. The town’s bazaars are a significant halt for salt traders coming from the Danakil Depression in the country’s northeast. North of Mek’ele is the rock-cut churches of the Gheralta Escarpment. These centuries-old holy places incorporate the cliffside Abuna Yemata Guh, with its well-conserved ceiling paintings. Near this place, around the city of Wukro, are more rock-engraved churches, plus an old altar at the Adi Akaweh archaeological location. Close to Debir village, south of Mek’ele, the Chele Anka Waterfall runs into a ravine, creating a natural pool.
19. Awasa
Also mentioned as Hawassa, Awasa is a town in the Great Rift Valley of central Ethiopia. It stands at the eastern bank of big Lake Awasa, with its inhabitant hippos. Waterfowls congregate around a beloved fish bazaar along the lake’s coast. Close by the waterside Amora Gedel National Park is populated by monkeys. To the northwest, Senkele Swayne’s Hartebeest Sanctuary is the abode to these rare African antelopes.
20. Konso
It is a city on the Sagan River in south-western Ethiopia. The governmental hub of the Konso specific woreda of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region, this city has a latitude and longitude of 5°15′N 37°29′E and a height of 1650 meters. It is also mentioned as Pakawle by several of the nearby residents.
21. Jinka
A bazaar city, , Jinka is in southern Ethiopia. Situated in the hills, north of the Tama Plains, this city is the epicenter of the Debub Omo Zone of theSouthern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region at the present time Jinka is the hub of Jinka city management. Jinka has a height of 1490 meters above sea level. It is one of the chiefly familiar tourist attractions in Ethiopia. It is also mentioned as the center for sixteen native tribal groups and other tribal groups from the rest of the country.
22. Bale Mountains
The Bale Mountains are a portion of the Ethiopian Highlands. They incorporate Tullu Demtu, the second-elevated mountain in Ethiopia, and Mount Batu. The Weyib River, a headwater of the Jubba River, mounts in these mountains east of Goba. The Bale Mountains National Park spreads over 2,200 square kilometers of these mountains. The main draws of the park are the wild alpine landscape and the comparative ease with which tourists can find distinctive birds and mammals. The Bale Mountains are the abode to plenty of Ethiopia’s endangered animals, particularly the Ethiopian wolf, seen on the Sanetti Plateau. The park also holds the Harenna Forest, located to the south of the mountains, which is a mostly unexplored region thought to hold plenty of undetected types of reptile as well as lions, leopards and different kinds of antelope. The biggest group of Ethiopian wolves is seen in this spot. Other typical big mammals are mountain nyalas, Menelik’s bushbucks, warthogs, and bohor reedbucks
23. Turmi
A bazaar city, Turmi is in south-western Ethiopia. Situated in the Debub Omo Zone of the Southern Region, the town has a height of 925 meters above sea level. Abode to plenty of the Hamer people, Turmi has a weekly bazaar on Mondays. One thing available at this bazaar is incised gourds, utilized by native women as baskets. Turmi is also remarkable for its conventional dances and the leaping of the Bulls. In January 2005, Turmi was the spot for a global meeting of pastoralists.
24. Dire Dawa
A town in Ethiopia, Dire Dawa is separated by the normally dry Dachata River. The colonial quarter, Kezira, presents broad roads and a train station dating from the French expansion of the railway. Megala, the old city, has Islamic-style architecture and some bazaars. Controlling these is the beloved Kafira Market, which has native produce. Ancient rock art places, incorporating the Porc Epic Cave, are outside of the city.
25. Mago National Park
One of the National Parks of Ethiopia, Mago National Park is situated in the Southern Region about 782 kilometers south of Addis Ababa. All paths to and from the park are unpaved. The usual environments in and around the Park are the rivers and riverine jungles, the swamps along the lower Mago and around Lake Dipa, the diverse grasslands on the more plane region, and brushwoods on the slopes of the hills. Open grassland consists of about 9% of the park’s region. The biggest trees are seen in the riverine jungle beside the Omo, Mago, and Neri.
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