Explore ETHIOPIA ONE COUNTRY: MANY CONTRASTS Gonder Erta Ale Volcano
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ETHIOPIA TOURISM ORGANIZATION Explore ETHIOPIA ONE COUNTRY: MANY CONTRASTS Gonder Erta Ale Volcano Walia Ibex Blue Nile Falls Gheralta Mountains Daily to Ethiopian Tourist Destinations www.ethiopianairlines.com ETHIOPIA RISING I take pride in the that we intend to roll out some destinations that are publication of this guide. over the next three to four already established. Explore Ethiopia is a years to ensure that our publication that will herald destination stands out. There is not a doubt that a new dawn for tourism Currently, we are working Ethiopia is rising and development in Ethiopia. on an inventory of our rising very fast. We want to tourism products before sustain this by growing our Our intention is to help going out to the market to economy further. build on this so that we can show what Ethiopia as a showcase the very best of destination has to offer. Ethiopia as a tourism and OUR GOAL, THEREFORE IS TO investment destination. PARTNERSHIPS PACKAGE THIS DESTINATION AND The Ethiopia Tourism One of our major strategies PRESENT A NEW VIBRANT BRAND Organization (ETO) was will be pegged on FOR ETHIOPIA AS A DESTINATION formed by the government partnerships with other of Ethiopia as the sole tourism stakeholders in marketing agency for Ethiopia, in the region and Tourism is one sector destination Ethiopia. The internationally. that has the potential ETO is also tasked with of taking Ethiopia to a the role of developing For instance, we have whole new level and it is new tourism products for partnered with national through this organization Ethiopia. carrier Ethiopian Airlines, and co-operation with which has over the years other organizations that BRAND ETHIOPIA built a strong brand for we intend to make this Ethiopia as a destination possible. Our goal, therefore is to and it is through this package this destination partnership that we expect and present a new vibrant to fly the Ethiopian flag brand for Ethiopia as a higher. destination. Through this partnership, Tourism is today one of we intend to come up with the major drivers of the joint marketing platforms global economy and has a through the airline’s profound impact, especially already existing marketing in the developing world. infrastructure. We see this as a fantastic and However, in Africa, we have more cost-effective form not been able to realize our marketing our destination. full potential and this is the role that the team at the Furthermore, we want to ETO is tasked at achieving. partner with other tourism marketing agencies in the Solomon TADESSE, Our strategy to grow our region and internationally. Chief Executive Officer, numbers is pegged on a This is guided on the need Ethiopia Tourism number of programmes to gain best practices from Organization ContentsFOREWORD P3 Foreword From the CEO of the Ethiopia Tourism Organization P5 Introduction From the Publisher of Explore Ethiopia GENERAL P12 Ethiopia Tourism Organization New agency to market Ethiopia as a growing business and leisure destination HISTORICAL HERITAGE P26 Axum Home to the Biblical Ark of the Covenant? P28 Lalibela The new Jerusalem? P28 Harar City of Saints LIFESTYLE P38 Ethiopian Wineries Wine-making gains traction in Ethiopia P44 Ethiopian Coffee Historical Heritage | P24 Experience an Ethiopian coffee ceremony P46 Ethiopian Cuisine On a culinary journey P48 Bekoji Home of Champions NATIONAL PARKS & WILFLIFE P52 Semien Mountains Tracking Gelada Baboons P53 Babille Elephant Sanctuary Tracking Elephants P54 Bale Mountains Tracking the Ethiopian Wolves P56 Danakil Depression National Parks & Wildlife | P51 The hottest and lowest point on earth CULTURE P59 Tribes of the Omo Valley P66 Mulatu Astatke The God-father of Ethio-Jazz DIRECTORY P68 Members of the Ethiopia Tour Operators Association P76 Ethiopian Government Ministries P77 Ethiopian Embassies Abroad Omo Valley Tribes | P59 ThisTHE GIFTED is Ethiopia LAND Ethiopia is a land of wonder and enchantment; a This very land is the home of the fabled Queen of earliest human civilizations in Africa. country that boasts one of the richest histories on Sheba, the birthplace of coffee and is believed to be Mighty lakes and rivers dot its landscape as do the African continent. the home of the Biblical Ark of the Covenant. unique wildlife roam its lands, wild game that can- Ethiopia is a land of full of contrasts, a land of A trip to Ethiopia, is quite literary, a home-coming not be seen anywhere else on earth, but in Ethiopia. remote and wild locations and a land that is home for all peoples of the world. This is because it is in These are some of the reasons why Ethiopia is to- to cultured and friendly people. A people who the Ethiopian Rift Valley, a volcanic scar that bi- day one of the rarest countries on earth that seems are believed to have descended from some of the sects this great land, where hominids first walked to have little something for everyone. And this is world’s oldest civilizations. on two feet. why you need to visit Ethiopia. It gives me great pleasure to work in conjunc- Known to many as the enchanted land or in some Welcome to Ethiopia – The Gifted Land. tion with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of quarters as the gifted land, it is easy to see why. the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and This is because Ethiopia is a land of contrast- Denis GATHANJU, the Ethiopia Tourism Organization towards the ing landscapes, ancient civilizations and unique Publisher, Explore Ethiopia production of Explore Ethiopia. This guide will go a cultural traditions and boasts revered religious long way towards highlighting the magical beauty sites in both the Christian and Muslim faiths. A of Ethiopia. land where revered emperors heralded some of the EXPLORE ETHIOPIA A PUBLICATION OF THE ETHIOPIA TOURISM ORGANIZATION PUBLISHED FOR PUBLISHED BY ETHIOPIA TOURISM ORGANIZATION SAFARI COMMUNICATIONS LTD., MESKEL SQUARE P.O. BOX 13510, WESTLANDS 00800, P.O. BOX 2183, NAIROBI, KENYA ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA E: [email protected] W: www.safari-communications.com E: [email protected] W: www.tourismethiopia.org PHOTOGRAPHY: Michael POLIZA, Denis GATHANJU, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Shutterstock, Agencies DISCLAIMER: The contents and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor, the publisher or any other organization associated with this publication. While the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this COVER IMAGE: A watercolour magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors therein. painting effect of a Gelada Baboon All Rights Reserved. © Copyright 2015 created in our design studio. 5 www.tourismethiopia.org 7 www.tourismethiopia.org ESSENTIAL TRAVEL INFORMATION VISAS world capitals in Europe, declared. North America, the Middle Only Kenyan and Djibouti East, and the Far East. Large sums of foreign passport holders are There are also major currency should also allowed to enter Ethiopia airlines that fly into Addis be declared on exit. It is without a visa. Ababa. forbidden to carry large sums of the Ethiopian Birr However, nationals It is however recommended outside the country. from the US, Canada, to fly Ethiopian Airlines most western European into Addis Ababa, especially Foreign currency should be countries, Australia and if one intends to fly to other changed only at authorized New Zealand can acquire domestic destinations banks and forex bureau. tourist visas on arrival at within Ethiopia. Credit and Debits Cards Bole International Airport are widely accepted in in Addis Ababa. Ethiopian Airlines extends Addis Ababa. Use only cash a 40 per cent discount outside Addis Ababa. If coming into Ethiopia on domestic flights if the by road, visas must be passenger flew Ethiopian TIME ZONE & acquired from an Ethiopian Airlines into Addis Ababa. CALENDAR Embassy abroad as no visas are issued at border entry Overland crossings from GMT +3. Ethiopia keeps points. the neighbouring countries the Julian Calendar into Ethiopia is possible. which has 13 months and HEALTH However, the border is 7.5 years behind the between Ethiopia and Gregorian Calendar. The A Yellow Fever card is Eritrea is closed and it is Ethiopian calendar has required. It is also worth not recommended to travel 12 months with 30 days having an anti-malaria jab to this region. each and a 13th month, when travelling to Ethiopia called Pagumen with five as malaria is prevalent in It should be noted that or six days. The Ethiopian regions below 2000m above visas are never issued at New Year falls on 11th sea level. the border crossings and September. should be obtained before travel. Care should be taken when Anyone with a heart it comes to time in Ethiopia, condition should seek especially outside the medical advice before MONEY capital city of Addis Ababa travelling to Ethiopia, this where local timekeeping is is because much of Ethiopia six hours ahead. is at a high elevation. Addis Ethiopia uses the Ethiopian Ababa is the third highest GETTING AROUND capital in the world. Birr (ETB) as its currency. It should be noted that GETTING THERE Ethiopia has foreign currency restrictions. Ethiopian roads are extremely basic even If coming into the country between major towns Ethiopian Airlines, the and cities. However, the national flag carrier of with more than US$3,000 in cash, this should be government of Ethiopia Ethiopia flies to major is investing heavily in EXPLORE ETHIOPIA 8 upgrading its road and rail cover most of the country infrastructure. experience a pleasant year-round average temperature of about Addis Ababa will soon have one 16 degrees Celsius and summer of the most modern urban light highs of about 25 degrees rails networks in Africa once Celsius. the 34 km Addis Ababa Metro network is operational.