Travel to Ethiopia, where life began, according to historians that claim this country in the Horn of Africa is where the first humans originated.

Ethiopia is the world’s 27th-largest country (after Colombia). It is comparable in size to Bolivia, and is about two-thirds as large as the US state of Alaska. The major portion of Ethiopia lies on the Horn of Africa, which is the eastern-most part of the African landmass.

Bordering Ethiopia is Sudan to the west, Djibouti and Eritrea to the north, Somalia to the east, and Kenya to the south. Within Ethiopia is a massive highland complex of mountains and dissected plateaus divided by the Great Rift Valley, which runs generally southwest to northeast and is surrounded by lowlands, steppes, or semi-desert. The great diversity of terrain determines wide variations in climate, soils, natural vegetation, and settlement patterns.

Ethiopia is the one of the oldest countries in the world. In the long and tumultuous history of the African continent, Ethiopia remains the only country which has never fallen under the rule of colonization. Herodotus the Greek historian of the fifth century B.C. describes ancient Ethiopia in his writings.

The Old Testament of the Bible records the Queen of Sheba’s visit to Jerusalem. In fact, historians believe that Ethiopia may well be the beginning of mankind. The fossils of the oldest living mankind or “Lucy” were discovered in the northern section of Ethiopia. The remains of the fossil is said to be 3.5 million years old.

After a long and difficult period under communist rulers, the country is now back on its feet. The long history assures that there are many historic sites in the country. The natural beauty, with high mountains, lakes, waterfalls as well as arid deserts are among the natural attractions of Ethiopia.

Highlights of Travel in Ethiopia include: • Harar • Addis Ababa • Lalibela • Rafting on the Omo River is spectacular, but beware of crocodiles.

The foundation of Harar goes back to the foundation of the first Muslim sultanate at the central and southern Ethiopia in 896 A.D.

Harar:
In 1521 A.D. Amir Abubakar Muhammad transferred his capital from Dakar to Harar which before long emerged as the most important town in the horn of Africa.

After the fourteen years of successive holy wars and the defeat of Iman Ahmad Ibn Ibrahim Algaz (Gran) in 1543, the power was assumed by his nephew, it was he who was responsible for the construction of the great wall (Jugal) around Harar for defensive purpose.

This great wall becomes the towns’ most important feature. Because of its strategy, situated on the eastern spur of the southern Ethiopian mountain massif, Harar become the most important trade centre, playing an intermediary role between the two trading companies, the rich highlands of the interior and the Gulf of Aden ports. As a result Harar’s rulers struck their own currencies.

Addis Ababa:
This is a diverse and riotous capital city of nearly three million people, with roughly 80 different nationalities, and a multitude of religious and language groups making up its colourful population. Nestled at the foot of Mount Entoto, the city was founded in the late 1800s by Ethiopian emperor Menelik II and was later occupied by the Italians during the second Italo-Abyssinian War. When Ethiopians regained control, Emperor Haile Selassie immediately set about rebuilding the capital and formed the Organisation of African Unity, replaced by today’s African Union, which has its headquarters in the city.

Addis Ababa is also home to the world-renown early hominid Lucy - her fossilised skeleton, as well as a replica, are housed in the Ethiopian National Museum.

The city also boasts the largest open market in Africa (in the Merkato district), several interesting mosques and cathedrals, as well as the world’s largest prefabricated building, Shengo Hall, and Menelik’s old Imperial Palace, which is the official seat of the Ethiopian government. Addis Ababa is an interesting mix of poverty and wealth, urbanisation and nature (the city is surrounded by forests and cultivated land). It is a dynamic capital, but has its fair share of unemployment, petty crime and destitution. Addis Ababa, however, is well worth exploring, as there are plenty of ‘diamonds in the rough’ to be uncovered.

Lalibela:
Not seeing a church whilst in Lalibela is like going to Egypt and not seeing a pyramid. Lalibela has 11 Orthodox churches that are carved out of rock: each church was carved out of a solid piece of red rock, back in the 12th century. The largest church (Medhane Alem) is 30 m long and 24 m wide and 11 m high. Beta Giorgis (the Church of St. George) is shaped like a cross and surrounded by a 40-ft/12-m trench.

Historians say that the churches were built by King Lalibela to mark his conversion to Christianity. Legend says that the churches were completed in 24 years with the help of angels (historians believe it was 100 years and some Egyptians).

The churches have beautifully painted facades tunnels and a cloth (in the Pillar of Light Church) upon which Christ was said to have leaned when appearing to King Lalibela in a dream. Built as the king’s own New Jerusalem Lalibela strikes many visitors as one of the most sacred, eerily mystical places on Earth particularly during religious festivals when pilgrims arrive in the thousands from around the country. Especially in the month of September, the celebration of Jesus Christ’s baptism is considered as one of the most memorable festivals in Lalibela. The event attracts many outside visitors to Lalibela.

The Saturday market is also a marvellous vantage point for observing Ethiopian villagers coming in to trade goats, cows, cloth and vegetables. For all of its holiness the town itself is a rather unremarkable place with no telephones or local transport. Nevertheless Lalibela is a must-see destination when you travel to Ethiopia.

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