Exploring Ethiopia From North to South
"Why would you even think of going to Ethiopia?" The first question asked by family and friends when I told them ex-Marine (husband, Steve) and I had planned a three-week trip there. They then moved along to..."but there is a war between Ethiopia and Eritrea, famine, terrorists, poverty...why would you want to put yourself in that kind of danger?" Really good questions, primarily based on information heard on television and read in newspapers. And, unfortunately, most of it is true...or was true at one time or another. One dollar will still buy breakfast, lunch, a school uniform and education for one day.
These are a few of the many reasons why we wanted to visit Ethiopia:
- Abyssinia (ancient Ethiopia) is possibly the cradle of humanity. Lucy, a fossilized hominid, was discovered in 1974. She walked on two legs 3.2 million years ago;
- The Aksumite Kingdom was one of the most important ancient kingdoms in the world. The Queen of Sheba ruled this land and Ethiopia's first king, Menelik, was the son of this Queen and King Solomon of Israel;
- To see the famous 11 Rock-cut churches of Lalibela on the North Historical Circuit, hewn out of rock, tunnels connecting them and reputedly, the resting place of The Ark of The Covenant. Tradition says the Ark was brought from Jerusalem by Menelik in the 1st millenium BC. It is supposed to rest in Aksum's/Axum's St. Mary of Zion church compound. The Ethiopian Church claims that Christianity came to Aksum during the time of the apostles and predates the Vatican;
- The Lower Omo Valley contains unique people and tribes. One of which is the Falasha, thought to be descendants of Menelik. Before Christianity arrived, Judaism was the dominant religion of most of northwestern Ethiopia;
- Ethiopia has distinct geographical zones. Most of us think of Ethiopia as desert only. Untrue. There is a vast central plateau with an average elevations between 1,800-2,400m/5,905-7,574' high. The Blue Nile runs from Sudan through Ethiopia to Egypt's Nile Valley. There is also the Omo River for rafting. Southern Ethiopia has the Rift Valley running all the way to Mozambique and several lakes; and last, but not least,
- There is wildlife. The most famous, the Gelada Baboon, called the "Bleeding Heart Baboon" because they have a large, bare patch on their chests. The Gelada also have lion-like manes. Don't know if we'd actually get to see one but it would be wonderful if we did.
The more I read, the more fascinating Ethiopia sounded. Asking around, I found a tour operator Green Land Tours and Travel that didn't charge an arm and a leg and arranged a 21-day tour combining the North Historical Circuit and South Tribal Region. Green Land is one of (if not the) biggest tour operators in Ethiopia. There are many other excellent tour operators running trips here. Adventure Center (see side bar) has several different operators - Exodus, Explore and Imaginative Traveller, all very reputable, Browse and compare their offerings. Mountain Travel Sobek, Wilderness Travel, Elder Treks or do it yourself.
All Inclusive Vacation Deals
Enjoy 25% - 50% off or more on All Inclusive Vacation Packages. Book today!
