Ethiopia, a beautiful country with so much to offer
When one thinks of the African continent and tourism, Ethiopia is certainly not the first name that comes to mind. Yet it is a very open and welcoming country that has a lot to offer to those looking for something other than luxury hotels and white sandy beaches. Lonely Planet even included it in its top 10 countries to visit in 2017. Fancy an unusual trip to Africa? Here are some good reasons to discover Ethiopia.
The main Ethiopian curiosities
Ethiopia's greatest asset is undoubtedly the beauty and diversity of its landscapes. Its territory extends over more than 1,1 million square kilometers, or about a little less than twice the size of France.
The country is divided into two large parts, separated by the great rift valley. To the west is the Ethiopian Massif and its superb lakes, the highest point of which is the Ras Dashan (4 meters above sea level). To the northeast extends the depression and the danakil desert, the lowest point of which is 125 meters below sea level.
What to visit and what to do in Ethiopia?
The capital, Addis Ababa, of course houses the seat of the Ethiopian government, but also that of the African Union. There are many churches there, including the Saint-Georges Orthodox Cathedral, and many mosques.
Its most famous museums are the Ethnological Museum and the National Museum, which houses the remains of one of our most famous ancestors: Lucy.
1 kilometers away, to the north, proudly stands the town ofAxum and its remarkable obelisks. The region of Aksum is full of treasures for those passionate about archeology, who will therefore take great pleasure in browsing it.
A paradise for trekkers
Ethiopia is the ideal destination in Africa for those who like long hikes in wild lands and still not very frequented by tourists.
Le Simien National Park is arguably the best example there is. The latter was officially created in 1969 and was even one of the first to be included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is home to many protected animal species.
La Omo Valley It also lends itself particularly well to play. The banks and the banks of this river are home to peoples and tribes who have settled there for millennia. It's a unique opportunity to meet them and discover a whole new way of living, as well as the Omo Delta, which flows into the lac Turkana.
Ethiopia in practice
Capital city : Addis Ababa
Area: 1 km²
Number of inhabitants: 94,1 million
Change :
The Ethiopian Birr (ETB). € 1 = ETB 11. Note that it is also possible (sometimes) to pay cash with US dollars.
Language :
The official language is Amharic, but there are nearly 200 dialects across the country. Also, English and Arabic are spoken by many Ethiopians.
Ethiopia is in the GMT + 3 time zone. When it is noon in Paris, it is 14 p.m. in Addis Ababa.
Weather report :
The rainy season is from June to September, with a peak in July. Prefer the period from October to March, where the average temperature is 20 degrees.
Formalities and visa:
For European Union nationals, a passport valid for another six months after return is required. You will also need a compulsory visa (17 euros in 2017).
Security:
Border regions are often discouraged, mainly with Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan and Eritrea. This is a little less true for the Kenyan border, while the neighboring region of Djibouti is classified as “safe”. In any case, do not hesitate to consult the France Diplomatie site before going to Ethiopia.
Getting to Ethiopia:
By plane: Addis Ababa-Bole international airport welcomes international flights, in particular via the national company Ethiopian Airlines. The flight lasts 7 hours between Paris and Addis Ababa.
By road: if you are already in Africa, it is possible to rent a 4 × 4 or take the train from Djibouti to Addis Ababa. Many buses also make the trip from Kenya.
