Ethiopia
Ethiopia is the cradle of mankind and the oldest independent country in Africa. The earliest evidence of Ethiopian history was around 1000BC when the Queen of Sheba visited King Solomon. Unique among other African countries, Ethiopia is one of the world's most fascinating countries. It has a rich history, amazing people with deep culture, towering mountains and breathtaking scenery, endemic mammals and birds, and unique natural sites like the Danakil depression.
Ethiopia is the tenth largest country in Africa with a surface area of 1,194,000 square kilometers (461,003 sq. miles). It lies in eastern Africa, between the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer, in a region known as the Horn of Africa. Bordered by five countries, it is landlocked. Being the Cradle of Mankind Ethiopia houses the oldest hominid remains of Selam (3.3 million years), Lucy (3.18 million years), and Ardi ( 4.4 million years). It was home to the most ancient kingdom in Africa, one of the first monarchies in the world. It is the sole African country to possess an alphabet more than 2,000 years old. It is the only country in the continent to have maintained independence in the face of European colonizers. Ethiopia’s population is estimated around 99 million and is composed of about 83 ethnic groups with 200 dialects.
Ethiopians enjoy complete freedom of religion. The two main religions practised are Christianity & Islam. Religion has always been a major influence in Ethiopia. No country in sub-Saharan Africa can trace its origins as far back. Ethiopia is mentioned thirty-three times in the Bible and many times in the Qur’an. It is the resting place of the original Ark of Covenant. Ethiopia has been called “The Roof of Africa” for its most outstanding topographical feature: a huge central plateau, the Ethiopian Massif. Formed in the Tertiary era by volcanic activity, this great massif occupies more than half of the total surface area of the country, and has an average elevation of between 1,800 and 2, 400 meters (5,700- 7, 700 feet). Nine peaks rise above 4, 000 meters (12,800 feet) and eleven above 3,000 meters (9,600 feet). The highest peak is Called Ras Dashen, 4543 meters.
It has been called the “water tower” of Northeast Africa. The combination of its high altitude, 14 large rivers (many of them international), numerous lakes and other sources of fresh water, has created an extensive natural irrigation system to various regions of the Horn. Ethiopia is a paradise for bird watchers. More than 800 different species have been counted, of which 21 are endemic, and 12 semi-endemic because they are shared with Eritrea.
Much of the fascination of Ethiopia lies in the myriad historical sites, the obelisks and stele of Axum, the churches and Coptic monasteries in the Tigria area, the ancient monasteries in Lake Tana, the monolithic churches of Lalibela, the royal enclosure in Gondar, the walls of Harar, and so forth.
While the northern part of the country is notable for its historical relics, in the south there are the Omotic tribes of the Omo valley who still adhere to ancient animistic rituals. In this desolate region a number of different peoples lead nomadic or semi-nomadic lives. From the north of Turkana up to the Sudanese frontier, the Bume, the Karo, the Benna, the Hammer, the Geleb, the Mursi and other ethnic groups co-exist in a hostile territory isolated from and forgotten by the rest of Ethiopia and the world at large. Beaded leather skirts and complementing body painting, feathered headdresses and dramatic scarification make the Hamar, Bumi, Karo, and Bena people visually outstanding. Even more unusual are the isolated Mursi tribe whose women wear large clay lip plates symbolizing their worth and beauty . The unique and indigenous cultures of the different tribes make Ethiopia a photographer’s paradise. The fascinating costumes, colourful ceremonies and celebrations, arts, crafts, music and dance that distinguishes Ethiopia as a diminutive Africa.
Ethiopia has been dubbed the Chessboard of the Gods, Cradle of Humanity and Roof of Africa. These superlatives, however, are inadequate to describe this unique and mysterious country. Some 70 million years ago these highlands fractured, initiating the splitting of Africa’s Great Rift Valley. The resulting countryside is as spectacular as it is varied. One of Africa’s finest birding destinations, the healthy combination of impressive forests, towering mountains and moist and arid savannas, laden with endemics and supporting a rich assemblage of Palearctic migrants, intermingle to provide long species lists.
The northern mountainous highlands (Simien Mountains National Park) constitute one of the major ranges in Africa. The region includes many summits above 4000 meters and culminates at its highest point in Ethiopia, Ras Dejen, at 4630 meters, the fourth highest mountain in Africa. Its dramatic topography is the result of the erosion of basalt lavas, which have been calculated to be nearly 3000 meters thick
We can customise tours combining visits to explore the very ancient culture of the unique and authentic tribes in the Omo Valley with the historical north to explore UNESCO world heritage sites such as Axum which houses the Arc of the Covenant and ancient obelisks with burial chambers, and Lalibela with its rock hewn churches dating back to the 7 th century and many other highlights.
Nature lovers can visit the Simien mountains, 4.5km above sea level (the roof of Africa) and then Dallol which is one of the lowest places on earth. The distance between these two places is only 300km which makes for very dramatic scenery.
