Ethiopia Tours & Holidays
Ethiopia is an undiscovered gem for the willing traveller, it has the cultural diversity, archaeological pedigree and natural beauty to match anywhere in the world. Our range of Ethiopia tours and holidays take in the rugged peaks of the Simien Mountains, Lalibela’s extraordinary rock-hewn churches, ancient castles at Gondar and the bustling capital of Addis Ababa. This is a country of unique depth and grandeur.
Occupying a plateau, some 2,500 metres above sea level, Ethiopia’s vast landscapes stretch out before you, across stunning vistas that shelter ancient frescoes and wild baboons. It is even rumoured to be the legendary home of the Queen of Sheba and the lost Ark of the Covenant. It was once a vast empire stretching into what is now Somalia, Eritrea and Djibouti, ruled by emperors claiming direct descent from King Solomon. And don’t forget the otherworldly beauty of the Danakil Depression which, created at the point where three tectonic plates collide, is Africa’s lowest point and one of the world’s hottest environments, making it a treasure trove for scientific research.
Our Ethiopia holidays spend time in the lush Omo Valley, an incredibly diverse region home to many different ethnic groups, each with their own traditions and customs; from the Mursi, renowned for their lip-plates, the Konso famous for their terraced farming, to the Hamer famous for their bull-jumping coming of age ceremony.
So why not travel to Ethiopia, a country that boasts Africa’s largest continuous mountain range and largest cave, it has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other African country (including Egypt) and is where the coffee bean originated. There really is nowhere else to compare, and anyone who comes looking for a new travel adventure, will not leave any of our Ethiopia tours or tailor-made holidays feeling disappointed.
When to Visit Ethiopia
The weather in Ethiopia, at least in terms of the heat, is fairly consistent all year round. The only real change is in rainfall and as all our trips go between the end of the long rains (September) and the beginning of the short ones (April), this should not be a problem. During the day the temperature hovers around the mid 20’s, falling to an overnight low of 6-8 degrees (and perhaps even colder in the mountains).
Health Information
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Ethiopia though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. We recommend protection against Malaria and Yellow Fever but that you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
We also recommend:
- A dental check-up prior to travelling.
- You inform us now of any pre-existing medical conditions or medication.
To be on the safe side you can also check here.
Top Tips for Visiting Ethiopia
- Take a torch to Lalibela - you'll need it for the churches.
- Wear slip on shoes - as you're not allowed to wear them in the churches you'll be taking them off a lot.
- If you like a bit of nightlife, check out one of the jazz bars in Addis.
- When visiting the Simien Mountains, take binoculars - they're great for spotting Ibex and Gelada baboons.
- And in the Omo Valley take plenty of small change - locals charge to have their picture taken.
